Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
21 Mar 2024
Reply rate
90.9 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
14
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
Our place is very private and quiet. It has been said “It’s absolutely fantastic; the buildings are snug and wonderful, this homestead is a perfect little rustic hideaway in the Appalachian mountains." Need early risers, have an inner enjoyment of nature, enjoys rustic living. Our place has 21 wooded acres and 3 cleared acres.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Workawayers can learn more about rural living, what is required at a homestead, how to grow and preserve your own food, beekeeping, and much more. Workawayers will also experience the beauty of the mountains of West Virginia. We go on sightseeing excursions at times for helpers. Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory, Sandstone Falls in Hinton where Lassie was filmed, The Legend of John Henry at Big Bend in Talcott. Also, there is white water rafting and ziplines. There is no public transportation in our rural area. There is the Amtrak Train line between NYC and Chicago IL with no transfers, our depot is Hinton. We pick you up.
Help
Welcome Helpers. We are a family of 5 living in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. Sue is the founder of the Homestead. Her daughter moved to the hollow later, then her husband, then 2 daughters. Our homestead consists of 3 cabins. (1) Sue's, (2) daughter & husband & daughters, and (3) a very-very small guest cabin. Also, a private upstairs room with private entrance.
There are no city lights, and you can see every star on a clear night.
We have a lot you can be involved in, knowledge to share, friendships to build, and opportunities for growth.
Here are some of our daily routines and some projects. Helpers can assistance with these, but not written in stone and subject to change.
Cooking/baking,
Cleaning/organizing inside of the homes.
Organizing sheds.
Sewing/quilting, etc.
General land upkeep: Mulch/compost, Mow grass, weed whack, pull weeds.
Care for honeybees along with painting bee boxes,
General upkeep,
Mend chicken fence.
Feed/water cat and dog.
Water house plants,
Plant and care for perennial flowers.
Plant garden vegetables then weed, cultivate, harvest & home-can vegetables (gardening April to fall frost).
Water garden and fruit trees in dry periods
using rainwater or river water.
There are ongoing building projects of all kinds. Construction and home improve projects like prepping and painting the outside of the cabins and various other painting inside and outside and sealing projects.
Clearing a trail for hiking.
For Helpers this is done according to priority & situation at the time. A typical day might include all or limited aspects of the above. During a 7-day time period, 5 hours of help per day with 2 days off, is negotiable.
Ongoing bucket wish list projects for now and years to come *️️️️️️️️️️ Build bird houses with pieces of accumulated lumber. *️️️️️️️️️️Build a dry stack rock wall from 150-year-old cut foundation rock.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
There are 3 cabins, and all are original one of a kind.
* The guest cabin is VERY small, rustic, cozy and unique with hardwood floors throughout. The cabin has steps going up to a covered porch. There is a VERY small study/sitting room. The VERY small kitchenette has a dormitory refrigerator, hotplate, microwave, toaster oven and all utensils. We also provide basic food for your cabin. The bathroom has a tub with shower, sink, and toilet. There is a ladder going to an EXTRA small sleeping loft which sleeps one person. This cabin is used during warm weather only from April thru September and sometimes early October depends on the weather.
* There also is a private upstairs room with an outside door. There is a partial kitchenette and staple food provided. There is no running water in this room at this time. We are working on this project and are still in the updrate process. Drinking and cooking water are provided. Bath facilities is shared in host cabin. (We are in the first stage with planning upgrade to this room)
We are omnivores and cannot accommodate most other diets. We enjoy cooking and you are welcome to eat with us, or you may fix your own. If you enjoy cooking, you are welcome to share your creations with us.
We share the land line phone. Bring your electronic equipment for the internet. We have StarLink. We pick you up at the bus station, Amtrak train station-,Cardinal line, or you can use your auto.
There is an area which we use for campfires in the evening. We usually sit around & talk & eat s’mores etc.
We do not have public TV reception of any kind. We have a flat screen and many VCR's DVD's, videos which you are welcome to watch. We have a piano, guitar, and ukulele which can be used with permission. There is a bike which can be used with permission. We have a very-very large selection of books about living off the land and many-many other subjects which are helpful for homesteading. On your down time you are welcome to read any of our books. We have a washing machine and clothesline for you to use. We provide bed linens and towels.
What else ...
Qualifications:
Reliable & self-motivated. Mechanical aptitude & carpentry knowledge a plus. Experience with animal husbandry & homesteading practices a plus. We seek people sufficiently interested in homesteading. Lets read, think & talk - this helps to improve the homestead, which requires patience, teamwork, cooperative and communication skills. Need helpers who like being early risers, have an inner enjoyment of nature, enjoys rustic living. Smoking & drinking are not permitted. We meet regularly in which everyone is expected to participate; this is a great opportunity to learn. Homesteading is not fot the faint of heart. It requires a certain strength of character to choose such a life.
What else:
We are not a typical American Farm. We have no fields and no farming equipment. We are not off grid. We are on the electric grid, however there is a generator for essential appliances when needed.
Smoking and drinking or drugs are not allowed on our property.
An open communication is the key to a successful experience, so please feel free to ask questions.
We look forward to hosting you.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Hours expected
5 hours per day, 5 days out of 7 days
Feedback (6)
Once we understood each other, I found a friend. It's been great to know I helped doing things that made her happy, it has been great eating (too much) ice cream together on the porch and hiking in the woods.
I also learned the crochet thanks to her.
Ruth and her… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.5)
Cultural exchange:
(4.5)
Communication:
(3.5)
Once we understood each other, I found a friend. It's been great to know I helped doing things that made her happy, it has been great eating (too much) ice cream together on the porch and hiking in the woods.
I also learned the crochet thanks to her.
Ruth and her… read more
That said, there is much to recommend here to a workawayer keen for homesteading experience. Sue has… read more
