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:

• Build Wooden steps from front yard down to pond - completed July 2009
• Install tankless hot water heater - completed October 2009
• Order more flagstone to build campfire pit and decorate waterfall - May 2010
• Install solar lights around the pond - completed March 2010
• Add fishing dock to pond - September 2010
• Add footbridge across pond - completed March 2010
• Build steps back yard down to footbridge - May 2010
• Build deck and hot tub - June 2010
• Install solar shower in garden by clawfoot tub - May 2010
• Add solar fence posts to all gates - May 2010
• Add solar lighting to garden - May 2010
• Add propane heaters to garden - May 2010
• Upgrade to flat screen tv - May 2010 

Cottages:

The Cowboy Cottage is completed and ready to rent.
The plan is to build 3 more cottages by 2012.  Each cottage will have a distinct theme and will be spaced within a short walking distance to each other, but will offer plenty of privacy.     

Cottage 1 - "Cowboy Cottage" - sleeps 1-2  *** ready to rent June 2010 

• Solar lights up the path to the Family Cabin - completed March 2009
• Horse stalls  - completed April 2009
• Pasture fencing with gates - completed April 2009
• Gated entrance to cottage - completed May 2009
• Gravel laid for cottage driveway - completed May 2009
• Metal culvert pipes laid in cottage entrance - completed July 2009
• Build wooden steps and handrail down to cottage - completed August 09
• Install Murphy bed  - completed November 2009
• Expand deck on cowboy cottage - completed October 2009
• Widen second driveway into cowboy cottage and gravel - est April 2010
• Install permanent water source to pasture - June 2010
• Install tankless hot water heater - May 2010
• Replace existing furniture with leather furnishings  - Feb 2010 
• Create stone firepit  - May 2010
• Relay culver at entrance and widen exit gates - May 2010

******The following cottages are in the design and planning phases now:

PHASE I - Lay Infrastructure for 3 cabins:

• Water, septic permits pulled - Dec 2009
• Install new electric pole from main line - Sept 2010

PHASE II - Select contractors

• Building contractor - pending
• Electrician - November 2009
• Plumber - pending
• Grader/land clearing - May 2010
• Well - May 2010

PHASE III - Construction

• Start clearing paths for cabins - pending
• Lay gravel path for cabins - pending
• Clear path up to top for horse trails - pending
• Finish first cabin - estimate 2011
• Start second cabin - estimate 2011
• Finish second cabin - estimate 2012

Cottage 2 - "Moonshine Shack" - will sleep 2-3 (estimate start build Sept 2010)

• Floorplan selection and blueprints ordered - December 2009
• Site survey and permits applied - Dec 2009
• Construction starts - Fall 2010

Cottage 3 - "Bear Cave" - will sleep 2-3 (estimated start build spring 2011)

• Floorplan selection and blueprints ordered - pending 
• Site survey and permits applied - Dec 2009
• Construction starts - 2011

Cottage 4 - "Fox Den" - will sleep 4-6 (estimated start build 2012)

• Floorplan selection and blueprints ordered - pending 
• Site survey and permits applied - Dec 2009 
• Construction starts - spring 2012

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 - May 2010 
• Advertise with  Our State Magazine - July 2010 issue
• Clear road up to the top 4 acres for horse and hiking trails - est July 2010
• Join Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber of Commerce - April 2010