WE ARE EXPANDING!
thanks to our guests, we will continue to improve Preston's Thicket. See how much we have changed since your last stay! Thanks for the suggestions!
Family Cabin improvements-completed :
Build Wooden steps from front yard down to pond - July 2009
Install tankless hot water heater - October 2009
Order more flagstone to build campfire pit - March 2010
Install solar lights around the pond - March 2010
Add fishing dock to pond - estimated completion September 2012
Add footbridge across pond - March 2010
Build steps back yard down to footbridge - September 2010
Build raised bed and planted strawberry patch - May 2011
Add solar caps to walkways - May 2010
Add solar lighting to driveway - May 2010
Upgrade to flat screen tv to both cabins - Nov 2010
Create Secret Garden and picket fence - June 2011
Plant apple trees, blackberry bushes and blueberry bushes - April 2011
1 load crusher run on driveway and smoothed out-September 2011
Dig up culvert and relay in driveway-September 2011
Install new waterfall pump-continuous run-August 2011
Guest Cottages:
Cottage 1 - "Cowboy Cottage" - sleeps 1-2 and up to 2 horses *** ready to rent
2010-2011 Improvements:
Enlarged firepit and trimmed with stone - March 2010
Built rustic seating for firepit - April 2011
Built hitching posts for driveway - May 2010
Installed woodstove - November 2010
Replaced ceiling - April 2011
Trimwork with repurposed cherry tree bark - June 2011
Installed new toilet - June 2011
Re-lined flowerbed with river rock - June 2011
2 truckloads crusher run in horseshoe driveway - September 2011
To be done:
Re-plumb water line to well and get rid of all exposed PVC plumbing - Dec 2011
Seal off crawlspace with T1-11 est Spring 2012
Repaint exterior Cowboy Cottage Barn Red - March 2012
2009 Improvements:
Solar lights on path to Family Cabin - March 2009
Horse stalls - April 2009
Pasture fencing with gates - April 2009
Gated entrance installed to cottage - May 2009
Gravel laid for cottage driveway - May 2009
Metal culvert pipes laid in cottage entrance - July 2009
Build wooden steps and handrail down to cottage - August 09
Install Murphy bed - November 2009
Expand deck on cowboy cottage - October 2009
Widen second driveway into cowboy cottage and gravel - April 2010
Install permanent water source to pasture - est spring 2012
Replace existing furniture with leather furnishings - Feb 2010
******The following cottages are in the design and planning phases now:
Water, septic permits pulled - Dec 2009 Install new electric pole from main line - TBD
PHASE II - Select contractors
Building contractor
Electrician
Plumber
Grader/land clearing
Well
Septic
Cottage 2 - "Moonshine Shack" - will sleep 2-3 (estimate start build Sept 2012)
Floorplan selection and blueprints ordered
Site survey and permits applied - Dec 2009
Construction starts
Cottage 3 - "Bear Cave" - will sleep 2-3 (estimated start build spring 2013)
Floorplan selection and blueprints ordered
Site survey and permits applied
Construction starts
Cottage 4 - "Fox Den" - will sleep 4-6 (estimated start build spring 2014)
Floorplan selection and blueprints ordered
Site survey and permits applied
Construction starts
PHASE IV - MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES
Brochures, postcards and business cards printed - completed Jan 2010
Install No Trespassing signs along top 4 acres - completed Feb 2010
Advertise on billboard across from Calhoun Trail - completed May 2010
Advertise with Our State Magazine - completed July 2010 issue
Clear road up to the top 4 acres for horse and hiking trails - est July 2012
Join Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber of Commerce - completed April 2010
Join Asheville Chamber of Commerce - October 2011
Install meter base for 3 cabins - completed March 2010
Advertise in Lake Lure area map & guide 2011 - completed April 2011
Advertise in Asheville's Mountain Express-13 week campaign Fall 2011
