On the "Shanty by the Creek" With Airbnb

Wayne County, Tennessee

As a writer, I travel frequently to secure input for my articles. I primarily write fishing and outdoor pieces, and when I must stay a night or two, I find that the Airbnb locations across the country usually offer the best stay for my money and time.

In August, the hottest month of the year in the South, I needed to be in middle Tennessee for a week. This part of Tennessee is "small-town" USA, with many smaller cities, farms, and livestock.

I was attending a family gathering in Wayne County, close to Waynesboro. The county has a population of over 12,000, and the county seat, Waynesboro, boasts around 2,800 residents. The county has no "big box" stores, and the grocery stores, although stocked with requisite essential supplies, are small and friendly.

Rivers, Waterways, and Hollers

As you can see from the above map, Wayne County is crisscrossed with creeks, streams, and rivers. The many roads—mostly dirt or gravel—follow the runs of these waterways. On one or both sides of the waterways sits relatively flat bottom land where pastures and farm crops abound. Rising from the bottom land are hills with steep bluffs and forested areas, some of which belong to timber companies.

There is no shortage of water in Wayne County. Every hill or holler has a spring or two pushing fresh, clean water to the surface. Many older homes still use only the spring-fed water supply for their needs. The downhill pressure from a spring can be substantial, although that pressure is determined by how high up the holler the spring is located.

These hollers are the area between the tops of the hills. They begin in the bottom land and rise in a "V" shape gorge between the hills. The hollers are where most of the older homesteads are located. I am told they are called "hollers" because the sound echoes and carries so well within them. Old-timers tell of pre-telephone communications being predominantly loud hollering between homesteads. Sound traveled better up these gorges, hence the naming convention. I'm not sure of the accuracy of this definition, but it sounds right!

A Celebration Occasion

The family gathering I attended with my wife was a "Decoration Day" event. Most private or family cemeteries in middle Tennessee have an annual decoration day. The cemetery is mowed and weeded, and the graves will be decorated by families with flowers. Many decoration days occur during August, the hottest month of the year. For a long time, I wondered who chose August as the month we celebrated and received no good answers.

One year, the oldest relative I had at the time told me his take on why they chose August. It made sense. Planting was finished in the spring. All the crops were grown, and most had been harvested. Hayfields had been cut, and the hay bailed. There was a bit of a lull from farm work. August was the best time to gather the family together without interrupting their daily farm chores.

A Convenient Place to Stay

Times and habits have changed over the years. When I was younger, any visit to my relatives meant we slept there in their home. On the floor, kids doubled up in single beds; it didn't matter. Besides, there were no motels in the area.

Today, we are older, we like our privacy, and several motels are in the area. But on this trip, we chose to avoid a motel. It was the best decision of the entire trip.

Recommended

Amazing Experience of the 1000 Islands Cruise in Ontario, Canada

Numerous Wayne County homes, trailers, and cabins operate under the Airbnb umbrella. Prices range from inexpensive to very expensive. It depends on the size and amenities of the property.

When we came upon a location called "Shanty by the Creek," we became enamored by the beauty of the pictures on the Airbnb site. We both thought, "Nothing could really be this beautiful." We were wrong. We found a place to stay!

Located in the country on Double Branch Creek, "The Shanty" is a single-room small-house, crafted by the lovely owners, Todd and Jenn. It sits on the bank of the crystal-clear creek under the shade of the tall oak and hickory trees. The only apparent sound is the water running downstream around and over the slate, flat rock bottom.

Double Branch Creek is between the cities of Waynesboro and Collinwood and is very close to the Natchez Trace Parkway. After about a mile of paved road off of SR 13, a turn onto Double Branch Road, a gravel road, takes you the remaining two miles to the cabin.

Although it is small, it is ideal for two people. There is a loft with a second mattress, but we like being alone—just the two of us.

Todd and Jenn are Airbnb "super hosts," meaning they know what they are doing. They are kind, friendly, and accommodating. And, yes, they are super hosts! They own more property on Double Creek and live on the property. We had total privacy yet quick responses to our needs—which were very few—over the five-day stay.

The cool water in the creek works to reduce the temperature, and we found sitting on the creekside deck very refreshing, even in August.

Todd is a craftsman and has done a superb job building all the amenities. The inside of the cabin has every creature comfort you desire, from Wi-Fi and TV to air fryers and on-demand hot water. The wooden walkways and decks are partially covered and allow the grilling of those steaks on the included grill, even in the rain.

Our Bottom Line

We found a gem on a creek for this decoration day event. It could not have been any more likable, and we plan to be there next year. Todd, an AEMT, and Jenn, an RN, are the nicest couple you will ever meet. They met our every need, even offering us some fresh eggs from their hen house! We have made some new friends and plan to see them much more often!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2023 Ron Brooks