Registration Open
October 23–25, 2026
Cordwood Construction
Cordwood combines wood, mortar, and thoughtful design to create walls that feel earthy, artistic, and full of character. No prior experience needed.
$485 · 3 days
Chattanooga Nature RetreatWhole-Site Rental, Cabins & Earth Building Workshops
Welcome to Talking Water
Comfort Meets Natural Building.
We’re earth builders in Appalachia. Step into cabins where every detail tells a story: indoor hammocks, outdoor showers under the stars, and walls shaped by hand from clay, straw, and timber. Come stay a weekend, rent the whole village for your people, or roll up your sleeves and learn to build it yourself.
📖 Read the Songbird GuidebookThree Ways to Talking Water
However you arrive — to rest, to celebrate, or to build — the mountain meets you where you are.
Earth Building Workshops
Hands-on weekends in cob, cordwood, earthen & lime plaster, and natural finishes. No experience needed — just curiosity and a willingness to get muddy.
See Workshops →
Whole-Site Rental
Rent the entire retreat for weddings, family reunions, school groups, and team retreats. Your own private mountain village.
Plan Your Event →
Cabins & Amenities
Five hand-built cabins, each with its own style. Book one, or rent the whole property.
Meet the Cabins →Learn to build naturally
Earth Building Workshops
By Request
For Your Group
Private Earthbuilding Workshops
Cordwood, hempcrete, natural plaster, cob and adobe, and more. Bobbie shapes the workshop around your group. No building experience required. Seriously.
Custom pricing
Past Workshops
2025
Cob Hut, Reciprocal Roof & More
We’ve also taught the Cob Ceremony Hut series, a live-log reciprocal roof build, cordwood weekends, and Badass Mom Camp. Several come back around.
See What We’ve Taught
Gather & celebrate
Rent the Whole Village.
Talking Water is made for gathering. Book the entire property — cabins, pavilion, trails, and firepits — and make the mountain yours for the weekend.
WeddingsFamily ReunionsSchool GroupsWork RetreatsHoliday Gatherings
Inquire About Whole-Site Rental
Ready to Book Your Stay?
Choose Your Cabin
Five hand-built cabins, each with its own character. Find your favorite and check availability.
Enhance Your Stay
Merch, S’mores & Mountain Adventures.
Round out your retreat with Talking Water merch and s’mores kits, pick up farm-fresh eggs, or gear up for adventure — kayak and mountain-bike rentals, guided tours, and miles of hiking right out your door.
Enhance Your Stay
Explore the Bluff
Trails & Property Map
Miles of hand-cut trails to blue holes and overlooks along Suck Creek.
View the Trail Map →Stay in the Loop
News from Talking Water
New workshop dates, open weekends & seasonal happenings on the bluff — straight to your inbox.
Your Weekend on the Bluff
Ready to book your stay?
Check the calendar, pick your cabin, and we’ll have the fire pit ready. Planning a wedding, reunion, or workshop weekend? Reach out and we’ll help you plan the perfect retreat.