Notes from the host
The Empty Nest
WELCOME to THE EMPTY NEST
At emptynestcabin on Instagr for recent guest experiences, tags, pics & videos.
Step back in time to the 1800's and unwind in our unique hand-hewn, square log, historic cabin lovely resurrected on our property for another generation to enjoy. We welcome you to share in the preservation of this unique structure and to experience a little glimpse of a bygone era.
Decompress & refocus your thoughts in our peaceful country setting. Slow down, take a breathe, enjoy a leisurely stroll around the ponds, try your hand at fishing in our stocked ponds, or take the row boat out for a spin or bring your water float and sunbathe.
Be there when your young son, daughter, or grandchild catches their first largemouth bass, bluegill, or catfish. Feed the rainbow trout! You won't be sitting there hoping for a bite while your child grows impatient. The stocked ponds have enough fish that it is unlikely you will be waiting too long for a fish to bite.
Want a little more of an exercise challenge? Take a hike through the restored prairie grass trails filled with wildflowers and native grasses. Take note of the various wildlife you'll likely discover along the way: white-tailed deer, rabbits, possums, raccoons, coyotes, field mice, squirrels, owls, hawks, and eagles. You will also view several varieties of butterflies and colorful song birds that will be dropping into the prairie grasses and flowers that surround the cabin to feed.
Relax and grab a book, enjoy reading outside under the shade tree on the adirondack chairs overlooking the ponds. (It's also our favorite place for morning coffee.)
Take a nap in the shade on our large cotton sleeping hammocks under the cabin deck
Pick some wildflowers to fill the vase in the cabin. Photograph or request we drop off the portable easel to create a watercolor painting of the various wildflowers and butterflies (including Swallowtails and Monarchs) feeding on the wildflowers.
Play Hide' N Seek with the kids. Go for a swim (at your own risk).
Unwind at Sunset. Sit out by the fire pit. maybe make a little something to eat over the coals. S'mores are fun! Let the kids watch or capture the fireflies as they light up through the prairie grass at night.
Nothing like sitting and talking with family and friends around the fire. Pour a glass of wine, a hot cocoa, herbal tea, a bourbon and a cigar and reminisce around the fire.
The nighttime sky, those stars!!!! The moon seems more prominent here! Lay your head back and gaze at the constellations and the moon in the unobstructed view of the sky. Can you find the big and little dippers?
Sweet Dreams!
Leave the windows open and let the little crickets, tree frogs and bullfrogs serenade you to sleep. They are perfectly loud and present during the warm summer months.
Rise and Shine!
Awake to the sounds of songbirds outside your window. Enjoy a sample of some of our fresh roasted upon advanced request Our favorites come from Africa and Central America and we love to share a sample with you as we usually roast a batch weekly for ourselves.
Hungry? Pick and eat our seasonal vegetables and fruits on the property such as black raspberries, blackberries, peaches, apples, plums, & apricots.
Do you like chasing a little white ball across green hills? The very scenic Bellevue Golf Club is just 1 mile down the road!
For boaters/Fisherman, Spruce Creek Harbor and the mighty Mississippi River is less than a 5 minute drive away. Bring your boat to launch for a relaxing river ride.
Like to jog or run? Many like to go for a quick run down the road before breakfast in the morning.
We're excited to share our special little paradise with you and your family! Come stay awhile.
-Sandy & Todd
Additional FAQs are addressed in further detail below:
THE EMPTY NEST Cabin Retreat:
A few things about the cabin retreat itself:
-Our property is nestled in the valley of the scenic limestone bluffs about 5 minutes drive from our quaint little river town of Bellevue, Iowa, located on the banks of the Mississippi River at Lock and Dam 12.
-The cabin is on 20 acres of restored wildflowers and native grass prairie with 3 stocked fishing ponds in a rural setting about 3 minutes from the scenic 9-hole Bellevue Golf Club.
-On arrival:
-IF you want us to greet you:
we will be waiting for you at the cabin blacktop parking pad with a green 4 wheel Polaris to load your supplies and help you get to the cabin a short walking distance from the entrance hidden behind a grove of large trees for privacy.
-We will stay only for a few minutes to get you acclimated to the cabin and the property and to introduce you to the quaint little nuances of staying in an historic log cabin.
-You will also find two luggage wagons to use for taking things back and forth to your vehicle when you do your self-checkout on your departure day. Checkout time is 11:00 am.
We can typically have you do a self check-in/checkk-out: with this option, we can educate you on your cabin stay by either email or text prior to your arrival.
Check-in time is after 4:00 pm (can be pre-arranged for an earlier time, if available).
Check-out time is 11:00 am (can be pre-arranged for a later time, if available).
-On your short walk/ride to the cabin: you will pass two of the stocked, spring water fed ponds where you are able to swim, float, use our paddle boat or kayak or try your hand at catch and release fishing. It's a wonderful way to spend the days while here relaxing! Dogs love it too!
-Approaching the cabin: you will follow a short grassy path around a grove of trees where you'll find the cabin. You'll pass by a beautiful little shade tree that overhangs two adirondack chairs overlooking the main pond; a perfect place for reading or morning coffee!
-The cabin porch/deck: there you'll find a BIG Green Egg Smoker, a Black Stone Griddle, and a small propane grill, a large 2 bench 8 person table, a prep counter/cabinet, 2 large outdoor coolers (dry ice is suggested), 2 folding TV tray tables, a dinner bell to call the kids if they are out exploring, a few accent tables, a large wood bench and a porch swing under a covered porch.
In the evening, sit outside on the covered porch: Plug in the string lights at night for a little ambiance. You will also notice an outdoor pizza oven on the path behind the cabin leading you to the outdoor fire pit and the raised garden beds (help yourself to a few fresh vegetables!).
-Inside the cabin: (*Note, well behaved pets are welcome, but not allowed on the furniture, please.) There is a TV, internet access, a large L-shaped couch, two additional seating pieces, a small table and dining chairs, a kitchenette with a small sink for dishes and cooking/drinking water, a small L-shaped countertop and a countertop island/bar with 2 seats, a counter height mini fridge, a microwave, a small countertop oven with air fryer feature, a toaster, a crockpot, a coffee pot with filters, a coffee press, a popcorn maker, a small blender, silverware, plates, cups, coffee mugs, bowls, serving bowls, strainer, soup pot, tea kettle, cutting boards, knives, etc.
-Electric A/C and heating units are inside the cabin and a seasonally stocked wood burning fireplace for the later fall/winter months.
-The bathroom has a shower, toilet, sink, towels/wash clothes, a small first aid kit, blowdryer, broom/dust pan, a vacuum and basic shampoo/conditioner/body soap. An iron is available on request.
-2 sleeping lofts with ladder access include: beds, bed sheets, blankets, pillows. There are 2 twin beds in one loft and a double/queen in the other loft. A queen pullout bed and linens are also available on the main floor.
-Any and all activities while enjoying your scenic cabin experience are at your own risk. We strongly encourage good hiking shoes for hiking the groomed paths on the guest designated hill behind the cabin - it's great exercise due to the incline!
There is no lifeguard on the premises, pond access is at your own risk. We encourage life jackets if in or around the ponds (we supply some life jackets, but encourage you to bring your own age-appropriate ones to assure proper fit). We have a dog towel in the cabin to use; the outside hose is in back of the cabin.
-Ask about our optional catered dinners choices! (IF we are available during your stay).
We can provide a full course meal for 4 adults of either smoked pork or smoked chicken with 4-5 grilled veggies of your choice or brick oven pizzas (an interactive meal). Cost is $150. to $175. cash, price depending on your chosen options. Meals options can be increased at additional cost. Farm fresh eggs, when available at $4.00/doz.
-A list of things some guests enjoyed bringing:
Avid fishers typically like using their own pole to catch and release the bass and bluegill in our stocked ponds, but we do have a few basic adult and child fishing poles available at the cabin (bring earthworms- can find them in town at Casey's Gas Station), supplies for S'mores (we have skewers for roasting the marshmallows (yum), swimsuits, beach towels, floaties, sunscreen and bug spray or Thermacel devices for sitting outdoors are great, a small child/infant air mattress or PackNPlay for sleeping on the main level, a light jacket for sitting out by fire pit in the evening (we have firewood for you near fire pit), dry ice is great for outside large coolers for extra food supplies, flavored wood chips and lump charcoal if planning on using the Big Green Egg smoker yourself, a guitar or musical wind instrument to play around the fire at night (guitars & sax are a favorite of past guests-keep music on lower side at night, please), a camera, dog supplies (food, leash, bed, tie-out/leash.
