John and Norine Allen of Carter County have built three rental cabins as an added farm enterprise to their 170 cow dairy herd. John has operated a dairy for over thirty years with his father and took over the operation completely five years ago. Norine has recently retired from teaching kindergarten. She is enjoying decorating the cabins, and each one has either fishing or hunting themes. The cabins are named the “Bee Cliff Cabins” for the cliffs on the opposite side of the river that are known for the numerous bee nests in the rock crevices. To make it more intriguing, there is a legend that a man was lowered down the cliff to rob the bee hives and he was stung to death before he could be pulled back up to the top.

Located in the Siam Community, a few miles out of Elizabethton, the cabins were built adjacent to the Watauga River three miles below the Watauga Dam. The cabins are on a small farm that the Allens bought five years ago. An old dilapidated barn was beside the river and when John decided to tear the barn down, a neighbor suggested that it be replaced with rental cabins. Seeing the numerous out-of-area license tags traveling the roads going to Watauga Dam convinced the Allens to try a tourist trade.

They visited vacation rental cabins in the area and looked at commercially built cabins. After careful study, they decided on a floor plan and settled on building the cabins themselves with the help of John’s brother-in-law, Ray Elliot, and farm labor. Their first renters were bear hunters last fall. John has a plan and knows the income they need to completely pay for the cabins in three years. Most of the wooden building materials were produced from local timber and processed by a local mill. John says that he only has one regret in the construction, which is that he wishes he had built the cabins on foundations rather than on stilts. He was afraid the project might fail and he wanted to be able to move the cabins if there was a need.

In starting this enterprise, which was different from anything they had experienced, the Allens found that the local regulators, such as the health department and licensing agencies, were very cooperative and helpful in assisting them in meeting the required standards. They also found that the local chamber of commerce and the tourism organizations were extremely helpful in promoting their new enterprise.

Each cabin is fully furnished with linens, towels, cable TV, a stove, a refrigerator, and enough beds to sleep six. There is a front porch with chairs for leisure living. Norine said she had used older, extra furniture from their home along with surplus furniture from their relatives. She accumulated many small items, like unique pictures and lamps, from numerous yard sales. The interiors all have a homey look. On the bank of the river, John built a dock where people can fish or just sit and watch the river roll by. At this location, the Watauga River is moving along at a rapid pace like a mountain stream usually does.

Many farmers could use additional enterprises to supplement their farm income. The UT Agricultural Extension Service is now equipped to advise farmers who want to start an agritourism enterprise. The Agricultural Development Center can assist with feasibility studies and marketing plans and strategies. For farmers wanting to investigate agritourism as an enterprise, they need to contact their UT Agricultural Extension County office.

Bee Cliff Cabins is a great mountain riverside retreat for families that want a peaceful get-away. You can make reservations by calling the owners at (423) 542-6033. It’s a new adventure for this dairy couple and they are anxious to please their guests