Behr-Denn Cabin

08/23/2024

Our cabin neighbor’s 27 acres and cottage is for sale in southwest Wisconsin. If you’re looking for seclusion deep in the woods, this fits. The 300 yard long, rough gravel driveway, through the woods and over a gully that flash floods and can wash out is the issue of concern.

Bought from the same owner we bought our cabin from, it has an interesting history, happy to tell all I know.
Could Airbnb it, the ratio of a lot of land to small house wouldn’t make for a great return but would support the cost of improvements and maintenance.

This 1000 square feet Single Family home has 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom. It is located at S7649 Riley Road, Readstown, WI.

07/13/2024

Fall trips start to book soon, late September to early November is beautiful plus it’s 🍎 🍏 🍎 season! There are 2 weekends available in August still.

Beautiful evening on Reads Creek tonight, tough fishing but managed a few. Last night, I drove through the Kickapoo Valley and saw a hundred deer or more. Herds were out in the fields, at least 6 bucks that were 10 pointers.

Spent a few hours on the tractor to fix the driveway. The power of water to change the land within a few days is crazy. Our valley is 1-2 ft deeper within a month. Lots of cool rocks exposed in the stream that guests are welcome to take home. The stream found a new channel going into the neighbor’s property, which is actually great because it was getting close to eroding their small pond that’s on the property line.

07/02/2024

I fell in love with the Driftless Area as a kid when camping in Bluffton, IA. Got hooked on trout fishing on these those trips. Check the link for geological info on the area.

https://wgnhs.wisc.edu/pubshare/ES057.pdf

06/14/2024

Huge thanks to Chloe, our amazing caretaker. We had a huge tree fall in the most inconvenient spot possible. She recruited a friend to help cut and clear it asap. Luckily, guests weren’t trapped by it, they did have the inconvenience of walking in upon arrival but was it quickly removed and they still gave a 5-star rating.

The cause was a huge carpenter ant nest. Tree was hollow from ground to about 25’ high and broke off right at the base of the trunk.

05/12/2024

Family, fishing and fun at the cabin this weekend. Next weekend is available at a discount due to a cancellation, please share.

05/10/2024

04/20/2024

I discovered a new critter at the cabin, four-toed salamander, they’re a species of concern here. It was in the tiny spring across the creek. The water moves very slowly through small muddy puddles, it’s shaded for most of the day and one of the 2 spots covered by elephant ear(endangered in Wisconsin). Some parts of our property are like a rainforest in the summer. I’m going to research how to preserve and improve these micro-habitats.

04/16/2024

Concerts in the Parks, Every Wednesday starting in June. We love taking weekday trips. Minimal traffic on the streams too!
On the third Thursday of each summer month Second Nature Nursery, hosts a market, food truck and live music, just a mile down the road .

04/05/2024

We’ve earned SUPER HOST status every quarter for the 5th consecutive year! Thank you to all of our past guests for choosing us and the Driftless Area for your vacation.

I believe the value and the secluded valley is what sets us apart. We are not luxury accommodations but are a great value for a comfortable log home for groups of 4-10. There’s sometimes small issues and always nature to contend with. We reinvest everything and more to make the property better each year. I love this place and love sharing it with you all.

Driftless Cabin Acreage, valley stream & pond

03/24/2024

These are the most recent pictures of the inside but soon to change. Quick trip this week with Lindsey(and NO kids!) to rearrange, update & improve some things.

We’re thinking swap living room and dining table, and move the TV area up to the loft. This will give a quiet place to relax near the fireplace and a dedicated dining area.

We won’t loose any sleeping spots though, due to the addition of the new basement suite. It will get the loft’s queen bed and the reclining couch will stay.

We’re in the Driftless area of Wisconsin, between Viroqua and Readstown. Ideal for a group of 6-8 for a balance of comfort and value. Late Spring through Fall is the best time to enjoy all the outdoor activities in the area. Price $200-350/night

airbnb.com/h/behrdenncabin

03/17/2024

Basement renovation nearly complete thanks to local carpenter, David Bitts. I started the demo years ago due to evidence of moisture. It sat as the biggest eyesore of the inside since then, with a foam wall and ugly office looking drop ceiling. It’s soon to be the nicest bedroom, with its own patio, bathroom & laundry.

The water issue is solved, the tin is up and finish trim work in progress. I can’t wait to see it in person, to arrange furniture and work on the block patio. This will make 4 distinct sleeping area, 2 lofts, main floor bedroom and basement suite. We’re thinking of putting a living room in the loft rather than basement.
It won’t add any capacity but we think it will be a much better utilization of the layout.

03/16/2024

A week at the cabin, full of family fun and work. Started with the Natural History Museum in IC and ended with the Mississippi River Museum/Aquarium in Dubuque.

We raised the pond level by about a foot, built garage shelving with Grandpa Dan, worked on the basement bedroom renovation, and did a controlled burn of the hillside, all went smoothly and safe. We are way ahead on spring “cleaning” , the basement should be finished next week(by a great local carpenter) I interviewed people for a local caretaker and think we found a great fit.

Emmett hiked to the top of the ridge a couple times and explored a lot on his own. Owen decided he should walk in the cold creek water. The boys helped a bit with some jobs and they help me to identify safety concerns. We hiked at he Kickapoo Valley Reserve and played at a great park in Viroqua. Donuts, smores and flavorburst soft serve were the treats of the week. We only did one restaurant meal of broasted chicken to go, from Creekside, amazing as always.

Fishing was as a bust, I tried a new creek to the SE in Richland county, too small and silted in that section so called it quickly and got back to the family. Hoping to get back in 2 weeks, just me and Lindsey, for the basement reveal and get the furniture arranged down there.

02/24/2024

Four day adventure to the cabin to start the basement project. It’s been the biggest eyesore since day 1, soon to be the best sleeping spot, as a basement suite.

Everything went to plan, the 5 hour drive was easy, smooth demolition(found someone to reuse the ceiling too!) and great weather. Lots of snuggles, movies and playtime. Definitely, a special week to remember.

It’s so convenient for us, that Iowa City is right on the route. I promised a stop at the museum, he’s been talking about seeing the walrus for the last two weeks(I didn’t even remember if they had them) He discovered something I’ve never noticed on the outside of MacBride Hall,(my favorite campus building) looks up to spot a walrus (and other animal) stone carvings on the outside, who knew? Quick stop in the gift shop for toy animals for him(ocean mammals) and brother(lizards), $5 well spent.

Then we met momma, at the park, on her way into town for work. Last stop, had a toilet to fix at one of our properties, lol. We now live in Des Moines but Iowa City will always be a big part of our lives.

02/08/2024

A couple hours on Tainter Creek, tough fishing, low, clear and windy but caught some. We had a county inspection at the cabin and getting a bit of head start on spring cleanup with the beautiful weather.