We Booked a Cabin for 13 People… There Were Only Two of Us.
A mother-daughter mountain getaway at The Aviary that reminded me slowing down is neccesary.
Quick Facts About The Aviary
📍 Location: Blue Ridge, Georgia
Sleeps: Up to 13 Guests
Bedrooms: 3 Bedrooms + Loft
Bathrooms: 3 Full Bathrooms
Best For: Families, Girls Trips, Multi-Generational Travel, Retreats
⭐ Standout Feature: Incredible game room and thoughtfully designed indoor & outdoor
gathering spaces
The Trip That Forced Me to Slow Down
I spend a lot of time moving.
Between my 9-to-5, side hustles, content creation, motherhood, helping care for my
grandparents, deadlines, and trying to keep all the plates spinning, slowing down doesn’t always
come naturally to me.
So when my daughter, Bella, and I packed up and headed to Blue Ridge, Georgia, I thought it
would simply be a relaxing mountain getaway.
A few days in the mountains.
A change of scenery.
Some fresh air.
What I didn’t realize was how badly I needed it.
There was no packed itinerary.
No rushing from attraction to attraction.
No pressure to maximize every minute.
Just mountain views, quiet mornings, slower conversations, and enough space to finally exhale.
And honestly?
That ended up being exactly what made this trip so special.
The funniest part?
We booked a cabin that comfortably sleeps 13 people.
How many showed up?
Two.
Just me and Bella.
Was it excessive?
Maybe.
Would I do it again tomorrow?
Absolutely.
Because for a few days, this massive mountain cabin became our own little sanctuary
Why We Chose The Aviary
The Aviary is one of those places that somehow manages to feel spacious and cozy at the exact
same time.
The cabin comfortably sleeps up to thirteen guests, making it perfect for family reunions, girls’
weekends, retreats, or a trip with friends.
Or…
Apparently just two girls who accidentally had enough bedrooms to sleep somewhere different
every night.
What stood out most wasn’t just how beautiful the cabin was.
It was how intentional it felt.
Every room seemed designed for people to actually spend time together.
The oversized dining table invited long dinners and conversations.
The porches practically begged you to stay for one more cup of coffee.
The game room made us forget our phones even existed.
The hot tub somehow became our nightly tradition.
It didn’t feel like a rental.
It felt like someone thoughtfully created a place where memories naturally happen.
And I think that’s what separates a good stay from a great one.
What We Loved Most
• 🌲 Peaceful mountain setting
• ♨️ Hot tub surrounded by nature
• 🎱 Massive game room with pool table, arcade games, darts, and lounge space
• 🔥 Indoor fireplaces
• 🍳 Fully equipped kitchen
• ☕ Multiple outdoor seating areas
• 🛋️ Plenty of space for larger groups
• ✨ Beautiful design that somehow feels luxurious without feeling untouchable
The Simple Joy of Staying In
One of my favorite parts of this trip was something that sounds incredibly boring on paper.
We cooked.
Almost every meal.
And honestly?
It was one of my favorite parts of the trip.
The grocery store was only about fifteen minutes away, so we stocked up before settling into
cabin life.
Breakfast wasn’t rushed.
Dinner wasn’t another reservation to make.
We cooked together.
Ate together.
Laughed a little longer than usual.
Vacation has a funny way of convincing us we have to constantly be out doing something.
This trip reminded me that sometimes staying in is the vacation.
Between cups of coffee and peaceful mountain views, I found myself pulling out my laptop, not
because I had to, but because I wanted to.
There’s something about being in a space that feels calm and inspiring that makes creativity
flow a little easier.
Ideas came naturally.
Words came easier.
Dreams felt a little bigger.
I wasn’t answering emails or checking boxes.
I was writing, planning, and pouring into the projects that genuinely light me up.
And honestly, that’s one of the greatest gifts travel can give you.
Sometimes a change of scenery doesn’t just help you rest.
It helps you remember what inspires you in the first place.
My Favorite Spot in the Entire Cabin
Without question…
The egg chair.
I read there.
Drank coffee there.
Answered emails there.
Planned content there.
And occasionally stared into the trees pretending my inbox didn’t exist.
Highly recommend.
The mountains have a way of reminding you that not every minute has to be productive.
Sometimes it’s enough to simply be still.
Hot Tub Conversations & Core Memories
As Bella gets older, I find myself paying more attention to the little moments.
The conversations that happen naturally.
The laughter.
The moments where nobody’s distracted by a schedule or a phone.
Some of my favorite memories from this trip happened sitting in the hot tub with nowhere else to
be.
No rush.
No agenda.
Just time.
And as parents know…
Time eventually becomes the most valuable part of any vacation.
The Game Room Everyone Fought Over
The game room deserves its own section.
Pool table.
Ping pong.
Arcade games.
Darts.
Large TV.
Comfortable seating.
Custom bar.
Bella quickly declared herself the undefeated pool champion.
I briefly considered practicing while she slept.
Then decided protecting my dignity was probably the wiser choice.
Even with just the two of us, we spent hours down there.
I can only imagine how much fun this space would be filled with cousins, grandparents, or a full
girls’ weekend.
A Perfect Blue Ridge Morning
Blue Ridge gives you options.
You can spend your entire vacation at the cabin.
Or you can head out and explore.
We chose a little of both.
One morning we laced up our hiking shoes and spent a few hours exploring North Georgia’s
beautiful trails.
Towering trees.
Fresh mountain air.
Quiet.
The kind of quiet you don’t realize you’ve been missing until you finally hear it again.
Mercier Orchards Is Worth the Hype
Only about fifteen minutes from The Aviary sits one of Blue Ridge’s most iconic stops: Mercier
Orchards.
We originally planned to stop for fresh fruit.
Then somehow left with frozen apple cider, baked goods, local treats, and enough snacks to
justify another grocery bag.
No regrets.
The market is filled with locally made products, jams, cider, gifts, baked goods, and seasonal
produce.
The grounds are beautiful to walk through, and depending on the season, you can even pick
your own fruit.
If you’re staying in Blue Ridge, don’t skip it…and make sure to try the frozen apple cider!
Trust me.
Things to Do Near Blue Ridge
One of the things I loved most about Blue Ridge is that you can make the trip exactly what you
need it to be.
Want adventure?
It’s here.
Want rest?
That’s here too.
Some nearby favorites include:
• 🌳 Mercier Orchards
• 🚂 Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
• 🛍️ Downtown Blue Ridge
• 🥾 Hiking in the Chattahoochee National Forest
• 💦 Waterfalls and scenic overlooks
• 🚣 Kayaking and tubing
• 🍷 Local wineries and breweries
• 🎣 Lake Blue Ridge
• 🎉 Seasonal festivals and markets
Why This Stay Stays With Me
The older I get, the more I realize not every trip needs to be packed with activities.
Some trips exist to expand your perspective.
Others exist to help you reconnect with yourself.
This one felt like a reset.
A reminder to read the book.
Cook the meal.
Take the walk.
Watch the sunset.
Laugh a little longer.
Stay in the hot tub a little later.
And simply be present.
Honestly…
I think we all need more trips like that.
About Wander More Stays
One thing became incredibly clear after spending a few days at The Aviary.
Wander More Stays doesn’t just offer beautiful vacation rentals.
They create experiences.
Every detail feels intentional.
Every space encourages connection.
Every property has its own personality.
The Aviary made us want to slow down.
Now I’m already looking at which Wander More Stays property I want to experience next.
If thoughtful design, unique stays, and memorable experiences are your thing, they’re definitely
worth checking out.
Explore The Aviary & More Wander More Stays
Website:
https://wandermorestays.hospitable.rentals/
Follow Wander More Stays
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/wandermorestays/
They have some of the most thoughtfully designed vacation rentals across multiple destinations.
Final Thoughts
I came to Blue Ridge expecting a relaxing vacation.
I left realizing I needed a reset.
The Aviary gave us space to reconnect.
To laugh.
To cook together.
To soak in the hot tub.
To hike.
To read.
To work without feeling rushed.
To simply enjoy being together.
And if a cabin built for thirteen people can somehow become the perfect getaway for just two…
Imagine the memories waiting when you bring everyone else.
Stay on the move, y’all.