The breeze way area upstairs became a bathroom and a fourth bedroom. The 3rd cabin gave us logs enough to make a full 2nd story instead of a loft. There are three bedrooms upstairs with rafters notched together the old fashioned way, with no huge metal nuts-n-bolts or nails.
All the lumber, not from the old structures, was custom-cut at a sawmill. We purchased and installed a staircase that was built in 1820. It sits now as it did for 180 years in its original state/dwelling. It is so solid. There is a large screened porch on the front of the cabin. There are seven ceiling fans throughout the house. The foundation, chimney, and fireplaces are stone.
The local lake authority does not allow permanent or temporary docks (for environmental reasons), so we have re-rigged a large pontoon boat as our dock. The entire surface is an open deck. The 24' boat is tied off to the shore & anchored on each end, with a catwalk connecting it to shore.
Mooring whips are installed on the side to keep your boat from rubbing against the dock/pontoons. This has been a great solution to creating an awesome 'boatdock' for swimming, sitting, sunning, fishing, & mooring your boat! (We can email photos.)
And, if a lakefront vacation is what you are after, Mayo Lake has got to be one of the best-kept secrets on the east coast. It has 85 miles of shoreline. It is a gorgeously clean, deep, clear lake with much of the naturally wooded shoreline in its original state. It is great for fishing, hunting, swimming, and water sports. Come relax, enjoy and have fun!!
Amenities: Fireplace, Central Heat & Air, Direct TV Satellite TV system, VCR/DVD player, sound system/CD Player, local phone service (bring pre-paid phone card for long-distance calls), Full Kitchen, Microwave, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Ice Maker, Cooking Utensils provided, Linens provided, Washer & Dryer, Gas Grill (BBQ).
No Smoking, Pets allowed, with advance approval.
Activities: Hiking, Golf, Tennis, Fitness Center, Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife Viewing, Shopping, Restaurants, Cinemas, Video Arcade, Bowling, Museums, Sightseeing, Swimming, Water Sports (if you have your own boat & equipment), canoe & kayak rentals available nearby, Carolina Hurricanes Hockey, Durham Bulls Baseball, UNC TarHeels Sports, Duke Blue Devils Sports, NC State WolfPack Sports, Virginia Int'l Raceway (VIR), less than an hour from Duke Hospital.
Other Activities:
Bowling