“We stayed at a place called Tanyard Springs, a log cabin resort where all the cabins had a different theme. “‘We were married on Valentine’s Day in 1987, and only had a weekend for our honeymoon,” Maria says. Their affection for nature may explain the couple’s unfaltering determination to realize a vision of their own log vacation home that was 18 years in the making. “Mike and I have always loved the outdoors and everything rustic,” says Maria.
In the end, the entire Alderson family was immersed in the building of their home. Though Jeff had never actually built a log home before, he took on the Alderson project and was joined by Mike Alderson and his son Zach in attending the Honest Abe construction school in Moss, Tenn.
During their research phase, the Aldersons came across a cedar home in the area and inquired about the builder, Jeff Ragland. The ultimate likelihood is they have moved to their front porch rocking chairs to watch the deer.Īll in the Family Deciding on the right builder can be a trying experience for log home owners. The chances are very good that you’ll find the owners, Maria and Mike Alderson, sitting under a fans drinking a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, and soaking in the scenery. A twilight falls over the Ozark Mountains, warm breezes flow over Greers Ferry Lake, Ark., and twist through the trees and over the coveted sweeping back porch of a charming lakefront log cabin.