Treehouse cabins offer a lofty view in Southern Illinois – photo by Rose Hammitt

Marty and Elizabeth moved from the Chicago suburbs to southern Illinois to start up Timber Ridge Outpost & Cabins, A Treehouse & Log Cabin Resort business about three years ago. The couple used their building experience from the city to create a cabin and tree house cabin oasis on the edge of the Shawnee National Forest. In the city, Elizabeth was Senior Project Manager for installing cabinetry into high rises and Marty was labor foreman so she added, “Going vertical wasn’t a stretch!”

“In the summer of 2012 we started Timber Ridge,” Elizabeth Canfarelli said. “We offer a unique experience for families, couples and sportsmen and those that love the peace and tranquility that Southern Illinois and the Shawnee National Forest have to offer. Travel back to a simpler time with our hand-crafted log cabins and tree houses.”

The couple offer two cabins and two tree houses. Maple Oak cabin is suspended 16’ between a red maple and a white oak tree. Canfarelli said. “We have a lot of honeymooners use them and visitors celebrating anniversaries. Grandparents bring their grand children here and we have had a lot of engagements. We get a lot of attention because this is different and from the Treehouse show.”

Although the couple has heard of the popular Treehouse show on the History Channel, Elizabeth said she has never seen it, but said it has helped bring business their way.

I got the chance to tour the tree house cabins and the cabins. I had never been in a treehouse cabin, but could see what fun this would be with my grand kids a couple years down the road. A unique take on getting back to nature!

Timber Ridge is also offering archery lessons to clients as well as kayak rentals, wagon rides etc. For more information about this unusual destination, log onto www.TimberRidgeOutpost.com or call 618-264-9091.