Your Chapel in the Trees

Like a bolt of lightning, on first sight of the cabin, we lovingly affixed our sanctuary high up in the Redwoods with the moniker, “The Crow’s Nest”. Much like the bridge on a ship, or the lookout high up on a mast, The Crow’s Nest is situated as to view the entire congregation of Northern California’s Redwood forest.

Built upon the edge of a steep hill, looking over the beautiful Northern California vista gives one the impression of floating. As John Stewart might opine, my Moment of Zen flows from rising in the loft, as the sun first touches the skylights, walking to the patio with a hot cup of coffee and waiting for the blanket of early morning fog to envelop me. The majesty of such moments are unforgettable.

"My wish is to stay always like this, living quietly in a corner of nature." Claude Monet

Located at the edge of a quaint town in the Russian River valley, Monte Rio offers vacationers a chance to explore all that the area has to offer. From kayak trips down the river, to dog friendly beaches, casual walks along the nearby coast, summertime offers you a chance to experience the movement and bustle of this active community. In the winter, Monte Rio becomes a sleepy haven of warm locals. Some of my happiest moments were born along the coast in the winter, with brisk drives up the coast to Jenner, for bowls of warm chowder.

“Solitude sometimes is the best society…”-John Milton

Some of my most memorable moments in this area were spent relaxing with a close friend, laughing over drinks on a windswept night and whittling the hours away playing on our backgammon board, which has been in the family for generations. Just as I’m sharing my home, and my love of the area, with guests, I’ve diligently crafted a space that reflects my own personal history. The wide assortment of blankets bursting forth from baskets around the house, and aesthetic touches like the Murphy bed, remind me of winters in Michigan, where a snowy night gifted all the warm and cozy comforts, which are so hard to come by during the normal 9 to 5. What wasn’t acquired throughout my own personal journey, was carefully picked from many tireless hours delving through local antique shops, finding pieces that would complement our warm and wooly space.

It is almost supernatural how the blend of indoor and outdoor space at the cabin erases those seemingly opposed notions. On warm nights I’ve found myself dozing off under the bright canopy of stars visible from the patio, as if the universe silently furnished a new roof over Monte Rio. Oftentimes, dinner is served on our table fashioned from a felled Redwood, out under the glow of the night sky, with a fire built to light the way when the stars can not. When the weather is inclement, the skylights in the loft lift me closer to the bright, heavenly filament. Regardless of season, short trips are always made down the path to our hot tub.

The Crow’s Nest is a blend of the modern, with wifi, Smart TV, and the comforts of Americana long forgotten, such as our pellet stove and furnace. The property also offers a space heater for those who need warmth quicker than a fire can provide. Light a fire in our pit outside, and fire up the grill, or craft an intimate meal for two in our fully equipped kitchen, the choice is yours. Our house snuggly houses 4, with room for 2 cars outside.

About me…

A midwestern transplant now living in San Francisco, I’m an artist who owns my own business and look for any reason to abscond up north to the cabin.