Log cabin comfort

Like other places in the area that cater to those who enjoy the recreational vehicle lifestyle, there are several RVs and travel trailers at Lake Istokpoga Marina.

But aside from the wild turkeys that wander around, what makes the fish camp and RV park off Highlands Lake Drive different from others is another type of lodging - log cabins made of solid pine.

"That's a log; this is no 2 by 4 stuff," said Lake Istokpoga Marina owner Joe Crowley, showing off a two-bedroom cabin that is fully equipped. "It's 4 by 12 logs.

"You get inside - insulation-wise and sound-wise - you can't hear anything," he added.

A fourth generation Floridian from Sarasota, Crowley has a home in Franklin, N.C. He owned a jewelry business and a gem mine there and initially learned about Green River Cabins from a dealer in the North Carolina city, where they saw a cabin.

The cabins are made in Campobello, S.C., which is five miles from the North Carolina line. Crowley and his wife, Janice, went to visit with the manufacturer and they came away thinking the cabins would work well on their 20-acre site on the southwestern end of Lake Istokpoga.

"My wife is the dealer," he said. "We basically have the entire state. We sell cabins to other places other than here."

Joe Crowley was impressed with how well the cabins are constructed.

"The guy showed us all the improvements. 'I'm putting different windows in; I'm putting different doors because of better quality,'" Crowley said, quoting a representative of the company. "'I cut the logs different. You won't be able to see any butting of the log because it is all computer cut versus hand cut.'"

There are 44 lots in what Crowley calls his "deluxe fish camp" that includes boat storage and rental as well as a tackle shop.

There are 26 cabins on the property now. He doesn't know if cabins will eventually occupy all of the lots.

"We have people that have their RVs in here - there used to be other fish camps here - and they know each other. It is one big family here," Crowley said.

They had a potluck Christmas dinner on Dec. 25 in the clubhouse and on New Year's Day they roasted a pig and ate swamp cabbage, Crowley said. They also got together and shared hors d'oeuvres on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

People buy the cabins and lease space in the park. The cabins can also be rented.

"Every one of them is different," he said. "You can make up your own design. You either have to go with a 34-footer or a 44-footer."

Owners have had additions built as well as decks and patios. Lofts can be constructed to add extra sleeping space.

They are called park models and require a license tag, according to Crowley.

"You can customize every square inch," said Dean Garritson, president of Green River Cabins.

The 34-footer ranges in price from $38,000 to $50,000 and the 44-footer runs from $48,000 to $60,000, Garritson said. There are additional costs to transport the cabins and to set them up.

Garritson said his company has built 639 cabins since it opened in 1996.

James Dyer is also involved with the sales of the log cabins at Lake Istokpoga Marina.