ReTreet An adventure amongst the trees

Story and photos

by Hudson Shelton

It’slate December, the sun is setting on the coldest day of the coldest cold front in recent memory, and the mercury continues to plunge into single digits. The wind howls from every direction through the surrounding trees, whipping giant branches around like twigs high above. In between gusts, the woods are eerily quiet as the creatures of the forest take shelter from the brutal freeze.

Under most circumstances this might sound like a horror story, but not when you find yourself in the heated comfort of a luxury treehouse.

Just under 50 miles from downtown Cullman and fifteen minutes north of Guntersville, ReTreet’s resort-style treehouses serve as a perfect weekend getaway, no matter the reading on the thermostat. Using the winding shores of Lake Guntersville as your guide up Highway 79, six cabins suddenly appear, appropriately named Oak, Maple, Magnolia, Birch, Willow and Pine, descending deeper and deeper into the trees.

Completed in spring 2022, ReTreet’s six identical two-story treehouses are decked out with a kingsized bed, a pull-out sofa, a coffee and tea station and the largest shower you

Good Getaways

would ever expect to be in a treehouse. There is WiFi in each and a TV on both levels in case you need to get cozy during rainy or chilly weather. A microwave and a refrigerator, stocked with eggs from ReTreet’s founder and developer, Troy Hopkins, property across the road, are there for those who pack food and beverages for the trip. A large common area with a grill and fire pit are perfect for gatherings with friends and family. The property also includes a 9-hole disc golf course and a gated dog park large enough for any size dog to get up to some serious speed. You can’t beat your pup being able to have their own adventure too.

I took my girlfriend, Emily, her sister, Rachel, and their parents’ 11-year-old black pug named Jack, along for the ride. At the start, the girls were not as excited about the trip as Jack was, even though I had explained to them the best way I knew how that this was not going to be a “roughin it in the woods” type of weekend. When our own personal, gas-powered golf cart was waiting for us upon arrival, and the girls got their first look at the treehouses, I could see their concerns beginning to fade from their faces. “I really thought you had been lying to us! This is nice!”

After getting settled, we decided that we would treat ourselves to a beer in town. We made the drive into Guntersville and did not have to go far to find what we were looking for. The bright lights of City Harbor, Guntersville’s new entertainment venue, appear as we cross over the bridge into town. Bingo! The first stop was The Brewer’s Co-Op, where we tasted from a flight of some local beers, from

“City Harbor was our host for dinner and drinks, and then for coffee and pancakes at breakfast the next morning. The view of the lake is tough to beat.” an abundance of choices, and debated which ones we liked the best. We had to get a second flight, of course, to ensure we were being scientifically accurate with our decision making.

On the Lake, where we looked out over the water and listened to live music underneath a giant space heater. Back to the treehouse we went to reunite with the pug and get cozy under a thick blanket. Movie time. We loaded onto the couch and were in for the night.

We picked the Mexican eatery La Esquina Cocina as our dinner destination, which was convenient because it was across the parking lot from the Co-Op. The taco dinner and margaritas were just what the doctor ordered, and helped to warm us up as much as they possibly could. Considering the unusual Alabama Arctic temperature, our nightcap was at Levi’s

As an early riser, sunrises are the first treat of my day, and watching the sun rise through the large window of the treehouse was nothing short of spectacular. We woke up, drank some coffee, and were back on our way over the bridge for breakfast. This time we chose Another Broken Egg, also at City Harbor. The steamy stack of pancakes and crispy bacon ensured us the drive home would not be on an empty stomach.

This getaway was full of pleasant surprises, new restaurants, and several layers of wool clothing, and it was exactly what we all needed. I can recommend this getaway for anybody that has a sense of adventure and likes to live life on the edge. Not too far on the edge, though, you might fall out of the golf cart!