Gateway Getaway
Everything you need to know!
HOW DO I ENTER THE HOUSE?
There is an electronic door lock. You would have received the code via text and email a few days before your arrival. Once the code has been entered, you may access the home.
You were also provided with a gate card to enter the community. The gate card MUST be returned to the lock back near the mailboxes upon your departure or a $50 charge will be applied to your account.
WHO MIGHT I SEE ON THIS PROPERTY DURING MY STAY?
The property managers or cleaners may come by if there is an issue.
Western North Carolina is home to black bears. They are beautiful to watch, but should never be intentionally fed, and trash should always be kept inside during your stay.
WHAT DO I DO WITH THE TRASH?
There are two cans located in the garage. Please place ONLY bagged trash in the box. Depending on the length of your stay, you may need to dispose of your trash. There is a McDowell trash/recycling center about 10 minutes from the home; you pass it on the right as you drive from Gateway to I-40. It is open Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat: 6:30a-6:30p. The address is: 2951 Bat Cave Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762.
CAN WE DRINK THE WATER?
Absolutely. The water is safe to drink!
HEAT AND A/C
Feel free to control the thermostat (in the living room). Upon your departure, please set the thermostat back to 78 degrees (if the unit is set to cool) or 62 (if the unit is set to heat). Please note: If you set the thermostat below 68 degrees for cooling and the unit freezes, you will be charged for any repair costs.
NO SMOKING OR VAPING INSIDE
Sorry if that was a little aggressive, but we really appreciate your help in keeping Gateway Getaway pristine for all future guests to enjoy!
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE HOUSE & COMMUNITY?
This home is located in Gateway Mountain with the most amazing mountain views! Gateway Mountain is a private, gated community with stunning ridge-top vistas located just 18 minutes from Black Mountain and 25 miles east of Asheville in the town of Old Fort. The mountain community contains about 3,000 acres of hardwood forest and is designated as a nature preserve and wildlife sanctuary.
Within the gated neighborhood, be sure to visit Lake George and Waterfall Park (see map) to enjoy hiking trails, fishing, canoeing, paddleboarding, swimming, splashing in the waterfall, and picnicking!
No parking is allowed on roadways or at the gate entrance. No RVs, boat trailers, camping trailers, or trailers of any kind are permitted in the Gateway Mountain community.
During the colder winter months, icy and/or snowy road conditions and delayed snow plow operations are possible within the development. From December through March, when roads can get icy, please come prepared with AWD or 4WD vehicles.
IS THERE WIFI?
Yes! The router is located behind the TV in the living room.
Network name: Cabin Fever
Password: welovemom247
HOW DO I WORK THE TVs?
The televisions throughout the home are smart TVs and are for streaming purposes only. Feel free to log in to your favorite streaming service! The main living area TV has two remotes: A TV remote and Roku. The downstairs TV has one remote.
FIREPLACE
The fireplace is a wood burning fireplace. Please make sure the flue is open before using.
FIREPIT
There is a fire pit on the back deck with the most amazing mountain views! You are welcome to use any firewood that is stacked under the back porch, but we don’t guarantee it will be available. You can purchase bundles of firewood at Frisbee’s Supermarket in downtown Old Fort. Please let the fire burn all the way out and never leave a burning fire unattended! In the event of an emergency, the fire extinguisher is on the screened porch.
HOME ALARM SYSTEM
DO NOT USE THE HOME SECURITY SYSTEM!
The home is equipped with a security alarm system that we disarmed before your arrival. The keypad is on the foyer table, but please do not set/use the alarm system during your stay.
WASHER/DRYER
The laundry room is located in the garage. We’ve left some laundry detergent beside the washer.
WHAT IS AROUND THE HOUSE?
This fantastic cabin is in a great central location with easy access to Old Fort, Black Mountain, and Asheville. It’s the perfect home base to explore all that Western North Carolina has to offer, while still very private to enjoy some peace and quiet.
Old Fort is home to many mountain biking and hiking trails. Stop by the Old Fort Ride House downtown to get cycling maps and routes, or simply check out these well-known trails: Catawba Falls, Gateway Trail System, Kitsuma, and Point Lookout Loop. For fishing enthusiasts, Old Fort is one of North Carolina’s 17 Mountain Heritage Trout Cities. And art lovers will want to visit Arrowhead Gallery and Studios, which features a wide range of arts and crafts, as well as classes and workshops!
If your travels decide to take you West, make sure to visit Black Mountain and Montreat! Downtown Black Mountain is nothing short of charming! It is home to many locally owned shops and restaurants, all with incredible mountain views. Lake Tomahawk has a 0.55 mile walking trail with a clear view to the Seven Sisters Mountain Range. There is also a golf course near the lake.
Asheville is also not far from this home where you can spend your day exploring all the different breweries, local cuisine, and fun attractions that make Asheville such a unique place to visit.
WHAT TO DO IN A POWER OUTAGE
Don’t panic! Duke Progress will get the power back on as soon as they can. There is a flashlight and extra batteries located in the upper-left kitchen cabinet.
QUIET TIME IS FROM 10:00 p.m. TO 8:00 a.m.
Noise travels easily and all guests should observe the quiet time hours to be respectful of neighbors. Noise violations or complaints may result in immediate eviction or forfeiture of security deposit.
MAINTENANCE
Cottonwood Properties does not guarantee against mechanical failure of heating, air conditioning, televisions, or other appliances. Guests agree to report any inoperative equipment as soon as possible and we will make every effort to have maintenance done quickly and efficiently. No discounts or refunds will be given for equipment or appliance failure or for routine maintenance.
Should a repair person make a call to the rental property and find that the equipment is in proper working order, the charge for the service call will be billed to the guest, and the guest agrees to pay the charge. The same policy applies to an air conditioning unit freeze due to the thermostat being set below 68 degrees.
HIKING
There are a few wonderful hikes right within the community that are sure to please!
Also check out the website “AllTrails” (full link below) to see other hiking options in our area. This site allows you to see the length of trails, relative difficulty, estimated time, and feedback from other hikers.
Please be respectful of our 10:00 a.m. check-out time.
- Remove all used sheets and leave in a pile on the bed.
- Place all used towels in the downstairs hallway and start one load in the washing machine before leaving.
- Load any dirty dishes and start the dishwasher.
- Make sure all trash is bagged and placed in the cans inside the garage.
- Please set the thermostat back to 78 degrees (if the unit is set to cool) and 62 (if the unit is set to heat).
- Turn off all lights and lock all doors.
- Return gate access card to the lockbox at the gate entrance.
Thank you for staying with us! Please remember to sign the guest book and leave “Gateway Getaway” a review on your preferred booking site!
OTHER HELPFUL WEBSITES
https://www.exploreasheville.com/things-to-do/nearby-towns-neighborhoods/black-mountain/
https://www.blueridgetraveler.com/old-fort/
www.cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com
CONTACTS DURING YOUR STAY
In the case of an after-hours emergency
please call (828) 774-6285
During our office hours Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
you can call one of our property managers:
Eddie Colley (828)776-3834
Jessica Colley (352)598-7879
Office Number (828) 419-9128
Restaurants, treats, & breweries
There are too many restaurants, breweries, and shops in the Old Fort and Black Mountain area to mention them all. They all have something to recommend them but here are a few that we especially like.
Old Fort restaurant options
Headwaters Kitchen - just 5 minutes from downtown, be sure to try this breakfast and lunch cafe! The chef has created a delicious, eclectic menu you won’t want to miss!
Hillman Beer - situated by Mill Creek in downtown Old Fort, enjoy their delicious lunch and dinner menu while you try out their extensive list of craft beer. Such a great atmosphere, you’ll want to stay a while!
Catawba Cafe & Cones - get your fill of country cooking, ice cream, and a daily selection of baked desserts. Located behind McDonald’s, on the way to Catawba Falls.
GoGo’s Cinnamon Rolls - you won’t want to miss these handcrafted cinnamon rolls, with 10 flavors to choose from! Located downtown, next to Frisbee’s supermarket.
Black Beary’s Café - this diner-style cafe in downtown Old Fort offers ice cream, milkshakes, malts, cookies, and other desserts. They also have a small food menu!
Old Fort Ride House - whether you need a cup of espresso, local food and snacks, beer, or just a water refill for your ride/hike, the Old Fort Ride House opens at 7:30am daily. Located downtown, beside Hillman Beer.
Whistlestop Café - if you’re looking for pizza and sub sandwiches, stop by this cafe in downtown Old Fort. Hours can vary, so call first!
Black Mountain restaurant options
Veranda - cute lunch place on Cherry Street in downtown that is open for lunch seven days a week. Good sandwiches, salads and soups that are always homemade. Nothing out of a can here. You will also be tempted by their homemade cakes.
Black Mountain Bistro - probably the nicest outdoor dining patio in town. Huge variety on their menu for lunch or dinner that is guaranteed to satisfy everybody in your crowd. Everything from sandwiches and salads to pasta and steak.
Ole’s Guacamole - Also in the running for best outdoor dining as it is situated along a beautiful creek. All of your favorites done really well. Fun place with friendly staff. Authentic.
Goldfinch - A newcomer in town on Cherry Street that also has a great patio for people watching downtown. Right now they are only open Thursday through Sunday for dinner and Sunday lunch. Very creative and lots of relatively healthy and vegetarian offerings, but as meat eaters we love their pork shoulder on anything! Very eclectic menu. Also, creative cocktails.
Trailhead - Cool bar and restaurant with an open and airy industrial feel. Big local draft beer selection. Surprisingly good bar food including burgers, salads and daily specials. Always busy, it might take a little while to get seated but it’s worth the wait for the fries and onion rings alone!
Mac’s Burgers - Mac’s specializes in huge, always fresh, hand pattied, smash griddle burgers. Located in an old trailer behind the police station it’s all about great burgers and fries, not atmosphere. They do have a nice outdoor deck where you can chow down. Perfect for the whole family. Doesn’t matter at all if you are sweaty after a long hike in Montreat. They also have a permanent food truck at Lookout Brewing in town.
Bush Farmhouse - another newcomer that makes the best of their indoor /outdoor setting that used to be a natural food market in an old home. They have kept the outdoor menagerie at the back of the property that includes fancy chickens and a couple of miniature donkeys. The South African owner was a famous chef in New York City who was ready to get out of the rat race. Excellent and eclectic menu that celebrates his South African roots. Hard to explain but we recommend you experience the Bush Farmhouse. Open most days for lunch and dinner.
Que Sera and Tayloe’s Oyster Bar - One of the oldest restaurants in town (although they moved to a beautifully renovated old building on the railroad tracks a few years ago) the former 60’s Alabama football star and his wife serve up fine dining on one side of the building with a casual oyster bar on the other. All the dishes are available on either side. The Louisiana inspired dishes feature excellent seafood and beef preparations. One of the few authentic oyster bars in the area. Everything is shipped fresh and prepared to your liking. I’ve never been that impressed with their beer selection but my wine loving friends think they do a great job. Full cocktail bar. Open for dinner and Sunday brunch. Reservations recommended.
La Guinguette - Their name may be hard to pronounce but their buckwheat crêpes, empanadas and tamales will have you coming back for more. And they also have nice outdoor spaces.
We also recommend Louise’s, Berlinder Kindl, Thai Basil and Blue Ridge Biscuit Company.
Breweries
OLD FORT BREWERIES
Hillman Beer - Nestled against the beautiful fresh water of Mill Creek, the brewery boasts 10,000+ square feet of indoor/outdoor seating with over 32 taps. Enjoy the numerous community-style tables or grab a private two-top on the deck by the creek.
Whaley Farm Brewery - Whaley Farm Brewery has set out to specialize in Appalachian farm beers, English pub ales, and continental lager styles. Brewed with Whaley-grown and locally sourced herbs, flowers, spices, and fruits, you will find beers familiar and truly unique in each pint.
BLACK MOUNTAIN BREWERIES
Lookout Brewing - Lookout’s owner started with a tiny brewing system about seven years ago and has grown into a really nice taproom with local restaurant and bar distribution. We think they do a nice job with IPAs and pale ales and they are a great choice to get a local feel. Very chill place for an afternoon beer with friends.
Black Mountain Brewing - located right downtown these guys opened just before the pandemic and have soldiered through. Another small brewing operation but they have a nice little taproom with good views from their outdoor stacked double decks. I don’t love everything here but they usually have several beers that hit the spot. They also have a permanent food truck called Smokehouse that is good.
Pisgah Brewing - these guys are the OG of the Black Mountain brewing scene. They have a pretty significant canning operation that distributes throughout Western North Carolina. They haven’t re-opened their funky taproom since the pandemic but they have started serving again in their outdoor concert park. Their beers aren’t among my favorites but they are very popular so I suggest you decide for yourself.
ASHEVILLE BREWERIES
There are too many breweries in Asheville to give you any kind of definitive list, but here are a few crowd favorites.
Burial Beer - I think these guys brew, hands down, the best, most creative beers almost anywhere. A huge selection of IPAs are always available. They have two locations in Asheville but I think their South Slope taproom is a must visit.
Dsslvr - Founded by former brewers at Burial, these guys are, not surprisingly, also excellent at IPAs. They have an extremely funky taproom in downtown Asheville that is also a must visit.
Wicked Weed - The downtown location also has a full restaurant although in my opinion that’s not the draw. Their south slope location focuses on sours if that is your thing. Lots of tourists but probably a place to check out. Right next to Wicked Weed is the Orange Peel, a super cool old entertainment venue that features great touring bands. They also have another venue downtown called Rabbit Rabbit that gets national acts for outdoor, festival, standing room only, type events.
Sierra Nevada Brewing - this national brewer’s East Coast brewery in Mills River is a bit of a drive but is well worth experiencing. When it was built six or seven years ago on 180 acres it was rumored they spent $200 million. It shows. If you are a skier you would recognize that this brewery is the Vail or Deer Valley of beer. The road coming in feels like you are on the Blue Ridge Parkway and then you pull up to this spectacular, massive brewery. If you are a beer nerd like me, it is too amazing for words. They offer tours that are hard to get into but anyone can take a self guided tour. The food there is great and they serve lots of beers that they never distribute. Highly recommended.
If you are a beer lover then please don’t limit yourself to these suggestions. Get out there and explore because everybody loves something different and Asheville is nothing if not different!
