We are Mike and Leora Merrell, and we have five kids. Our family fell in love with the Smoky Mountains in 2014 and with Shenandoah the year after. We have been chasing mountains ever since. Leora has stood on top of 43 of the 50 state high points.
Mike is a contractor. He built Cumorah from bare ground, turned a plain two-story house into Kirtland, and led the remodel of an 1800s farmhouse in Virginia that became Far West. Our other cabins were built by local builder friends, and we furnished each one and take care of them ourselves.
We built some, rebuilt others, and take care of every one.
How we host
Leora has been hosting for years and is an Airbnb Superhost. She answers the messages, plans the stocking and keeps the calendar. Mike handles the repairs and the projects. The kids have painted decks, hauled dirt and tested more than a few hot tubs.
We keep things simple: clean cabins, good beds, a hot tub and a fire pit at every one, and a real person on the other end when you need something.
About the names
Each of our cabins is named after history tied to Mike's book. You can read more at smokymountainsaints.com.
