Cottages & Rates

General Information

204 Cottage

The 204 cottage rents for $125 per night plus 12% tax for a total of $140 per night with a two night minimum.  Weekly rate for six nights is $625 plus 12% tax for a total of $700.

 

Maximum of four people in this cottage.  One medium or small dog allowed, but must be crated trained and bring your own crate when leaving alone in cottage. There is an additional charge of $35 for the dog due to additional cleaning expense.  You must get prior approval from owner before bringing dog.

 

A one night deposit is required at time of booking.  Balance is due at time of stay.  Payment can be made by credit card by calling 336-689-1865 or by personal check mailed to Bikes and Boots Cottages, 216 Jones Circle, Thomasville, NC, 27360. 

 

No Smoking inside or on the porch.

General Information

Emergency Numbers:

 

Fire Department:     911 or non-emergency 276-475-5131

 

Police:     911 or non-emergency 276-475-3341

 

Thomas Woller:     336-689-1865 or 336-475-0781   Owner

 

NO SMOKING inside of Cottages or on porches.

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Booking Cottages: 

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Booking cottages and availability is only done by calling owner at 336-689-1865.

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Bike Rental and Shuttles for the Creeper Trail:

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There are nine bike rental companies in the town of Damascus who also offer shuttle service to White Top Station which is 17 miles up the Creeper Trail.  We like SunDog Outfitters as they have the largest number and types of bikes and shuttles.  Their phone number is 276-475-6252.  SunDog is located two blocks from the cottages and is an easy walk.  Facing the cottages go left on the trail past the town pool, cross the trestle and continue to the large building on the left, you will see the shuttles and the bikes outside.  On most weekends it is best to call  a week ahead and reserve your spot on the shuttle as prime time to go up is 9 to 10 am.   There are four places to take a "rest stop" on the trail so you don't have to go inn the woods.  White Top Station, Green Cove Station, Taylor's Valley and Straight Branch parking area.

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Prime Time is to leave the shuttle location at 9 to 10 am gets you to White Top Station in 45 minutes in the van.  Be ready to load up so you can get a seat near the front.  It is a long curvy road and sitting in the back can get the best of us.  The first few miles are pretty steep down hill and you will need to be sure your children know how to control their brakes to avoid a spill and you having to pick gravel from their knees.  After you reach Green Cove Station the grade is less steep and very enjoyable.  Be sure to stop in at the restored station and see the small museum, they also have snaks and gloves in cold weather.  Speaking of weather, it is always 10 degrees colder at White Top than Damascus.  Add in the wind chill factor and it can be a lot colder, so be prepared and wear layers.

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After you leave Green Cove you will coast down to Taylor's Valley where there are two places to eat, both on the left of the trail.  by leaving at prime time you will get to Taylor's Valley at lunch time. The first is a hot dog, hamburger and fries type place and has quality food.  One of the best hot dogs I have ever had.  All beef with GREAT chili.  The second place is a little further down the trail and across the creek at the road bridge.  They have a large variety of choices and boast "World Famous Chocolate Cake".  I swear I think I saw a Duncan Hines cake mix box once in the kitchen.  My favorite item on the menu is the grill ham and cheese sandwich.  They also have pintos and cornbread with diced onions, hamburgers and chicken filet sandwiches.

 

Taylor's Valley is about half way down the trail so there is plenty to see from there. Be sure to take breaks at trestles and stream stops all along the trail.  The next major stopping place is Straight Branch parking area.  Nothing to do there except rest and pee though.  From there the grade slows down and you will have to start peddling a bit to get home.  Once you get back to Damascus many people like to stop at the Wicked Chicken across the  road just as you get to town.  They have good food but known mainly for very good ice cream.

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Most people want to coast down from White Top, but is is a great ride out of town towards Abingdon.  it is about 16 miles to Abingdon which is a slight downhill grade to Alvarado Station which is about half way, then slight uphill grade to Abingdon.  You hardly know you are going up or down hill as the grade is so slight maybe 2% at the worst.  There are restrooms at Alvarado only.  Our favorite thing to do on Saturdays is to ride to Abingdon and at the end of the trail turn right and go two blocks to the restaurant 128 Pecan and have lunch.  Then after lunch I hit the trail and see if I can get from town limits to town limits in less than an hour.  So far I haven't missed except the time I decided to have a bourbon cocktail for lunch.  Normally it is a two  to two and a half hour ride each way depending on how many stops you make. 

 

Food and Beverages in Damascus:

 

There are several restaurants within walking distance from the cottages,  7 Trails, Damascus Diner, Old Mill, Wicked Chicken and sometimes MoJo's.  We keep menus for each of them in the black binder on the coffee tables in each cottage.  7 Trails is a burger/pizza place, Damascus Diner is "Cracker Barrelish", Old Mill is better dining, not "fine" and Wicked Chicken is soup, salad and sandwiches.  There are several better dining restaurants in Abingdon of which my favorite is 128 Pecan.  no reservations but great food, try the fried oyster tacos with Asian slaw and pickled ginger.

 

Damascus Brewery is on the left as you leave town towards Abingdon.  Good craft Brews, corn hole pitching and live bands on weekends.

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Abingdon Winery is located in Alvarado which is about 7-8 miles from Damascus.  There is a road sign directing you to turn left on to Oseola Road.  Follow the road until you see the winery on the right side of the road.  Good wine and a beautiful setting to hang outside and gab.

 

Food City is the grocery store just across the street from the Brewery.  High end store with good selection of foods and beverages, deli and a second to none produce section.  They even have dried morel mushrooms at $15 for a quarter ounce.   

 

Hiking in the Area:

 

There are seven trails in the area that you can hike and run on if you want.  The Appalachian Trail actual right of way runs through the back corner of our 204 cottage.  The town routed the hikers through the downtown but the real AT is right behind us on the Creeper Trail.  You can do some short hikes on the AT at either North or Southbound trail heads.  Northbound is to the left facing the cottages and Southbound is to the right.  If you go Northbound you go up the steps across the road from the Creeper Trail just past Wicked Chicken.  If you go Southbound you go the the right and when you get to the town park you follow the white blazes at the end of the park, cross the street heading down the road and at the ends of the road up the hill between the houses.  It is about four miles uphill to the Tennessee line, and of course four mile downhill back to Damascus.   If you are not a big hiker, drive to Backbone Rock which is about 3 miles South on Shady Street a block to the right of the cottages.  Park in the parking area on the right just after you go through the "worlds shortest tunnel" in Backbone Rock.  You can climb the steep steps to the top and walk across the road or head uphill as far as you want to go.  That trail eventually runs into the AT just a bit South of the Tennessee line.  Better yet you can cross the road and take the short loop trail to the Backbone falls.  There is also a picnic area through the tunnel and on the left.

 

Fishing around Damascus

 

Trout, trout and more trout.  The streams around Damascus are stocked with Brown, Speckled and Rainbow trout.  You can cast or fly fish these streams and fishing licences are available at the Food City Grocery or on line.  My favorite is to head up the Creeper Trail towards White top. 

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BIKES AND BOOTS COTTAGES

 

 Door Locks:

 

The exterior doors are controlled by a push button lock rather than a key.  You will be given a code to use during your stay.  For your safety, we also have a deadbolt lock on the door for you to use at night.

 

If you were to rent both units, the passageway door is locked with dual deadbolt locks.  To open the door and join the units, these locks need to be opened from both sides individually.  The door cannot be opened unless both units are rented by the same person.

 

Bed Sheets and Bath Towels:

 

Bed sheets, pillow cases, bath towels, and wash clothes are NOT provided for your stay.  You must bring your own for the Queen and Twin beds.  Kitchen towels and hand towels are provided for the half bath.  All paper products are provided and extra are stored under the sinks or nearby cabinets.

 

Bike Storage:

 

Please do not bring bicycles into the units for storage.  Any damage caused by bringing a bike inside like grease or tire marks on walls will be charged to your credit card.  Either lock them to the rack on your vehicle or lock them to the bike rack next to the 204 Cottage.  Damascus is a very safe town and has almost zero crime, but lock them in some manner just in case.

 

Grilling:

 

The grill on the patio is available for your use.  Please be sure to turn off the gas when done cooking.  Grilling tools are in each kitchen.     

 

Refrigerators:

 

Please remove all organic or perishable food from the refrigerator when you leave.  Condiments and spices left in the cottages are for your use.  If you buy additional and want to leave it, feel free.

 

Laundry:

 

The 206 Cottage has a washer and dryer which you may use, BUT do not wash heavily soiled or muddy clothes. 

 

Dogs:

 

We are a dog friendly cottage, but request that you clean up after your dog if they "go" in the yard.  If you leave the dog in the cottage alone, the dog MUST be crated to protect the property.  Even well behaved dogs at home can become upset at you for leaving them in a strange place.  Any damages caused by the dog will be billed to your credit card.

 

Books:

 

We have a small library of books and if you get interested in reading one and don't finish while you are staying at the Cottages, you may take it home and mail it back when finished.  The address is stamped inside the books.  Please DO NOT remove any DVDs or games.

 

Fire Pit:

 

You may build a SMALL fire in the fire pit.  Please keep the fire small and DO NOT leave unattended until all signs of flame are gone.  Firewood and kindling are located near the patio.  You can use the patio chairs to sit around the fire pit, but DO NOT use chairs from front porch of the 206 Cottage. 

 

Porch Chairs 206 Cottage:

 

The cushions are stored in the dining room, please put back inside when you leave.

 

When You Leave Check List:

 

• Set thermostat to 85 in summer and 55 in winter.

• Turn off all lights, EXCEPT Security Lights.

• Set Security Lights back to timer setting.

• Close all blinds.

• Take organic trash out and put in container by 204 Cottage.

• Lock door by pushing LOCK button on INSIDE.