Notes from the host
Mountaintop Storybook Cabin Goldfinch
Summary:
*Just a beautiful 20-minute drive from downtown Chattanooga
🌿✨ Welcome to Goldfinch Cabin, where every log and bottle in the walls was placed by hand - a true labor of love and craftsmanship.
Waking up inside Goldfinch feels like stepping into a storybook. As the sun moves through the day, light dances across the colorful bottle glass, casting warm, whimsical glows throughout the space. With tall ceilings, cozy textiles, and thoughtful details tucked into every corner, this cordwood cottage invites you to slow down and soak it all in.
Whether you’re sipping coffee on the patio, wandering the trails, or stargazing from the outdoor shower, Goldfinch surrounds you with beauty, inside and out.
The Space:
Goldfinch Cabin @ Talking Water Nature Retreat
Handbuilt. Heartfelt. Full of natural magic. 💛🌲
Goldfinch is one of four unique cabins in the Songbird Neighborhood at Talking Water Nature Retreat, a family-built haven on 82 private acres atop Suck Creek Mountain. With a mile of creek access, on-site hiking trails, and shared gathering spaces, Talking Water was created for connection, whether it’s a family reunion, a friend getaway, a business retreat, or a solo escape into nature.
Since spring 2022, our family has been lovingly restoring this land and building spaces to honor it, one log, trail, and cabin at a time.
The Songbird Neighborhood includes Chickadee, Whippoorwill, Goldfinch, and Blackbird, each designed to sleep 6–7 guests.
Every cabin features:
- Full indoor bathroom & seasonal outdoor shower
- Well-equipped indoor kitchen + campsite grill
- Cozy living spaces with patios, porches, or decks
- Modern comforts like electric fireplaces, Wi-Fi, and TVs
- Distinct personalities and handcrafted details
Goldfinch Cabin is especially loved for its bottle wall art, cordwood construction, and tall, light-filled ceilings - all adding up to a stay that feels enchanted and one-of-a-kind. Every log & bottle-log was lovingly placed and tended to in a fun, playful artistic expression of our family.
Need a break from the humans? Head over to our cheerful chicken coop, just a short stroll from your cabin. Guests are welcome to say hello to the flock - and you can even purchase fresh eggs when available!
At the heart of the neighborhood is the Songbird Pavilion, a shared space with:
- Outdoor kitchen (electric griddle, sink, cabinets)
- Firepit with chairs & benches
- Tables for dining, playing, or gathering
- Nearby slide, tetherball, & hiking trails
- Laundry Room & games in the nearby garage
Cabins may be rented individually or as a collective (one listing for 4 cabins).
Guest Access:
When you book Goldfinch Cabin, you’ll enjoy:
- Full private use of the cabin
- Your own patio with rocker chairs, fire pit, & outdoor shower
- A covered awning with picnic table & hanging chairs
- Camp-style grill between the patio & awning
- 2 parking spaces beside the cabin (message us if you need more)
You’ll also have shared access to:
- The Songbird Pavilion, a welcoming community space with an outdoor kitchen, firepit, & seating
- Hiking trails, slide, and other recreation
- The laundry room in the nearby garage
The Neighborhood:
Talking Water is a dream-turned-reality created by the Sonner-Such family (John & Karen Sonner, Ken Sonner, and James & Bobbie Such).
Together, we’re transforming an 82-acre mud-pit atop Suck Creek Mountain into an evolving sanctuary of living earth, eclecic creativity, and human connection.
We’re nestled in the rural Suck Creek Mountain community surrounded by nature’s best:
🌲 Prentice Cooper State Forest borders our southern end
💧 One mile of Suck Creek flows through our land to the east
🌊 The Tennessee River runs along our road at the base of the mountain
We’re doing our best to honor this powerful land with restoration, quirky charm, and a deep love for people and place.
Getting Around:
You will want a car - or at least a bicycle! It is a 10-12 minute car ride down the mountain to get groceries.
Other Things to Note:
🛏 Sleeping Arrangements
- (1) King bed in a semi-private bedroom with a charming arched entry (no door)
- (2) Full-size sleeper sofas in the main living area
- (1) Twin sleeper chair (folds out into a comfy twin bed)
- Eno hammock hooks for 2 hammocks - hammocks & straps provided (sleeping in them is a guest favorite!)
🚗 Parking
- Goldfinch includes 2 parking spaces beside the cabin
- Need more? Just message us to arrange additional parking
Interaction with Guests:
We, the Sonner-Such family members, work out of the garage office during the day and do most of the cabin cleanings (or, more realistically, we are around the property working on another project). Feel free to say hi or to keep to yourself!
