Travellers Rest West - Cottage

Travellers Rest - Your home, when you are away from home. A Traveller (English, Scottish sp.) is... a voyager, tourist, passenger, journeyer, explorer, hiker, tripper, globetrotter, holiday-maker, wayfarer, excursionist Private cottage on the back of the property, in proximity to the barn and expansive views of the pastures. Pets must be crate trained. Private gated equestrian estate nestled under mature Live Oak trees. HITS and WEC nearby. I fell in love with this properties rich, green grass, enveloping Live Oaks, its feeling of privacy and country while at the same time being in easy proximity to services, civilization and recreation. It has been a labor of love and determination by this middle aged gal, to bring it to it's current state of care; and there is always more to do. I love the sense of peace and gratitude I feel when I look around and enjoy what this beautiful property has become, I hope you will enjoy it too! Be mindful that this is a horse property so you will encounter sounds and smells of the country. As you walk around the property you will see evidence of the horses living and working here. I have neighbors in close proximity that have cattle, goats, chickens and dogs. The property is completely perimeter fenced with horse wire to the ground, (to keep things out as much as to keep them in) regardless the wildlife abounds. Foxes, turkeys, tortoises, snakes and armadillos on the ground. Woodpeckers, hawks, kites, owls, squirrels and songbirds in the air and trees. I look forward to welcoming you to my home and sharing it with you! I'm told this property was once part of a large tract owned by James T. Goethe, a lumberman from Dunnellon, Florida. He is reported to have owned hundreds of thousands of acres all over Florida that he managed for timber and wildlife conservation. Nearby, he sold nearly fifty thousand acres of one of the last stands of old growth long leaf pine, to the state of Florida now called Goethe State Forest. We are part of what is known as the Ocala Ridge, a limestone "mountain" left behind after the oceans receded. Fossils present in the Ocala Limestone include abundant large and smaller foraminifers, echinoids, bryozoans and mollusks. Our soil is unique to four places in the world known for horses; Chantilly France, Newmarket England, Kentucky USA and Ocala Florida. As proven in Kentucky, where limestone soil is the basis for the rich Kentucky Blue Grass, so is the soil in Ocala. Where there’s limestone, a key element in rich grasslands, there is the ability to breed and raise strong and healthy horses. The west side of the ridge runs through Marion County, enriching the native grass -- Pensacola Bahia -- with calcium. The springs that bubble to the surface throughout the county are filled with minerals. The soil has a clay base, unlike the sandy surface found in much of the rest of the state. I will communicate ahead of your arrival with address, gate code and directions to the cottage. Choose remote check in or to be met with keys. I live on the property and will be available by text or in person, when necessary. For stays of 28 days or more, guests will provide their own sheets, pillows and towels. A comforter and blanket will be provided for each bed. An initial supply of depletable amenities (ie soaps, shampoos, foodstuffs) will be provided but not renewed. The first tank of propane for the BBQ grill is included. House cleaning is the guests responsibility or it can be provided for an additional charge. The host will inspect the interior of the property weekly at a time prearranged between the host and guest. The guest will notify the host of any leaks, damages or problems needing repairs or attention in a timely manner. Williston is known as the "Gateway to the Nature Coast". Nearby natural caves for diving include The Blue Grotto Dive Resort, Devil's Den Prehistoric Spring and The Forty Fathom Grotto. Swimming and kayaking at Rainbow Springs, Silver Springs, Withlacoochee River and Blue Springs. Boating, seafood and shopping at Cedar Key, Yankeetown, Homosassa, Steinhatchee, Horseshoe Beach, Suwanee River, Crystal River and Dunnellon. Shopping, dining and antiques in Micanopy, Gainesville and Ocala. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park and the Yearling Restaurant at Cross Creek. Too many state parks to mention for hiking, biking and time in Florida's amazing nature. Equestrian enthusiasts can spectate at HITS Post Time in Blitchton and soon at the World Equestrian Center Ocala. For stays of 28 days or more, guests will provide their own sheets, pillows and towels. A comforter and blanket will be provided for each bed. An initial supply of depletable amenities (ie soaps, shampoos, foodstuffs) will be provided but not renewed. The first tank of propane for the BBQ grill is included. House cleaning is the guests responsibility or it can be provided for an additional charge. The host will inspect the interior of the property weekly at a time prearranged between the host and guest. The guest will notify the host of any leaks, damages or problems needing repairs or attention in a timely manner.