First time there, went solely to check out the Dark Sky certified skies during the Dec near-new moon and for a quaint weekend staycay from Raleigh, and the trip exceeded all expectations!

• STARGAZING: The most brilliant stars and dark skies we’ve seen in ages. Tip: go out midnight or after, it’s worth getting out of bed for!

• CABINS: Talk about awesome, and at crazy awesome prices! Wood burning fireplace, kitchen with pretty much everything you need, awesome deck overlooking the river (no leaves to block view in winter). 8 cabins, we stayed in the efficiency – two of us and 2 little doggies, totally comfy! Bed was okay comfy, pillows not bad, just remember to bring your linens. All cabins overlook river, with #1 having perhaps the best of all, but none shabby. Our efficiency (#8) is probably the most private of the bunch.

• LIST AVAILABLE: If you’d like a detailed list of all the kitchen and bathroom have, message me and I’ll be glad to share the one we put together since we plan to go back and felt it would come in handy.

• VISITORS CENTER/GIFT SHOP/STORE: Nice gift shop, store items like snacks, some minimal foods, and basic essentials in the store, bait for you fishermen, fire starter, artificial logs and such, even ice cream and drinks. Helpful customer service. They even loan out super nice telescopes, horseshoes, etc, all no charge!

(*) The pic is a panorama off Efficiency #8 deck