Visit our habitat in the North Carolina foothills, USA

Details

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  Description

  The land is mostly wooded, with a creek cutting through it and a small, picturesque brook feeding into the creek. The air is clean, with hardly any light or noise pollution (still a good bit of nature noise) and stellar views day and night.
  
  Our family of six (ages 42, 41, 40, 18, 18, 13) live in two tiny cabins on 31 acres in the North Carolina foothills near Chimney Rock (we see the back of Chimney Rock Mountain from our house). We are all into music and are nature lovers.
  
  Our intention is to provide ways for folks to visit, immerse in the natural world, practice a simple lifestyle, and hopefully experience a bit of the good life. We aim to maintain a community of people who care for the world and can take care of ourselves and each other. We want to foster beautiful experiences, whatever forms they take. Right now we are working towards a long-term goal of creating a self-sufficient community.
  
  While somewhat secluded, we are 50 minutes from Asheville, NC, 75 minutes from Charlotte, NC, 60 minutes from Greenville, SC and 45 minutes from Spartanburg, SC.
  
  We do live in the country and do not have constant WiFi. The only phone carrier with reliable data access is Verizon. We can usually provide a hotspot, but our data is shared and limited. A library is 10 minutes away that has computer and internet access.
  
  This is natural wilderness, with all the critters that live here - if you are afraid of spiders, snakes, lizards, or other harmless creatures, you should probably look elsewhere. The land is safe enough for us to let the kids explore for hours without worry, but if you have phobias, you will probably not be comfortable here.
  
  Unfortunately, we have had multiple negative experiences with visiting dogs. Because of this, we cannot accommodate any dogs, in order to keep the peace with our 40+ animals. If you are seeking an animal companion during your visit, there are plenty of them around who would love your affection and will definitely return it!
  
  We are vegan and only cook and serve vegan food (except for local honey and eggs from our own chickens). We have been vegan for a while and have gotten pretty good at creating tasty meals. We have a medium-sized dog, 6 cats, 2 goats, 9 ducks, 3 turkeys, and 30 chickens. We feel that kindness, compassion, and respect for all living things should be embraced by everyone, and we expect visitors to strive to uphold these values while staying with us. This is a beautiful place, and we hope all visitors will help us maintain and improve on its beauty (i.e. pick up any trash one finds, even if you did not put it there, and do not destroy trees or other plants for fun).

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Elderly Companionship

  Teaching

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  General Maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Vegetarian or vegan

  

  Van life

  

  Sustainability

  

  Self development

  

  Politics / Social justice

  

  Pets

  

  LGBTQ

  

  Farming

  

  Culture

  

  Writing

  

  Performing arts

  

  Music

  

  History

  

  Gardening

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Carpentry

  

  Books

  

  Art & design

  

  Architecture

  

  Animals

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Nature

  

  Mountain

  

  Hiking

  

  Dancing

  

  Camping

  

  Beach

  

  Adventure sports
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  "Beware the burden of a busy life" is taken seriously here. We live relatively simple, slow-paced lives filled with music, conversation, and a variety of beautiful experiences. While there is always more work that can be done, we try to find ways to grow through what we do instead of rushing to finish. Some of us are trained in philosophy and forestry, so there are ample opportunities to learn how to nature walk intentionally, converse about the big questions of life, and share stories, music and vegan marshmallows by a campfire. There is also the ability to introspect and reflect on the world while sitting alone on a rock by a beautiful creek or in a hammock by a babbling brook. Come experience the great outdoors of the Blue Ridge Mountains!

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  From March through October we need help tending gardens, harvesting produce, and processing/canning hot sauce, tomatoes, and pickles. We also need help with maintaining trails. We eat pretty great during summer and fall because of all the fresh produce.
  
  We have numerous projects on which we can use help, from clearing new trails, to setting up additional gardens and other small construction projects. A second or third set of hands helps us immensely in completing projects. Most tasks will be alongside one of us, so we can always teach you how to do things if necessary. It helps if you have some basic knowledge of tools, but being able to hold a piece of plywood on a ceiling can be very valuable, depending on the project.
  
  Our current projects include the following, but this list is not exhaustive:
  
  1. We are expanding our gardens and need help building new beds. This usually involves screwing lumber together to form raised beds and moving soil into them.
  
  2. We are making an outdoor play space, where we need help mulching.
  
  3. Some of our buildings need to be finished, even though they are currently functional. This includes installing interior paneling walls and insulation, flooring, and possibly some painting.
  
  4. We are going to build a "Walden" house and a lean-to down by the creek. You can help us build one and then stay in it yourself!
  
  5. We are working to install solar and mini split a/c's in our bedrooms for Workawayers.
  
  The above list is not exhaustive, but it gives an idea of some of the work we will be doing out here in the coming months.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  There are a few buildings/bedrooms scattered around the land that are available, but they are not climate controlled yet. Visitors can also choose to tent camp by the creek or on the edge of the land next to an apple orchard with a panoramic view of the mountains. We have a 30 amp hookup for vanlifers and RVers. We have a small, climate controlled common-space music room. There is a shower, laundry and bathhouse attached to one of the cabins that is available for guests and has hot water. We cook most meals and are happy to include you in all facets of meal preparations and consumption. We can provide all your meals during your stay. There is an outdoor kitchen open to everyone at all hours.

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  What else ...

  We regularly go hiking and attend cultural events in surrounding areas. There is a lot to see and do nearby, and we can give advice and/or bring you along on our own trips. It is ideal if you have your own vehicle, so that you can come and go as you please.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  You will need your own internet or be willing to work at a nearby library for internet.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  We have a 30 amp hookup.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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