A lived experiment in presence, simplicity, and intentional building.
Oak Hollow began as seventy acres of land in North Alabama—woods, hills, a grass runway, a few clearings, and a quietness that asked only to be noticed.
Over time, it became something more:
the physical expression of the Pencil-Driven Life.
Everything being built here—every cabin, trail, greenhouse bed, and quiet space—has grown from a simple intention:
Live lightly.
Build intentionally.
Let each day unfold without a script.
Oak Hollow Cabins is not open for stays yet.
This page exists to share the vision, the progress, and the philosophy shaping what will eventually become a place where others can experience this way of living for themselves.
Projected opening for first stays: March 1, 2026.
What Oak Hollow Is Today
Right now, Oak Hollow is a working landscape of presence and creativity:
- off-grid cabins in various stages of construction
- walking trails winding through the woods
- a greenhouse that feeds both body and attention
- a small library for quiet reading and reflection
- a workshop where wood shavings and ideas collect in equal measure
- a hub building for shared meals, conversation, and warmth
- seven rescued dogs who roam, rest, and remind us what it means to live simply
This land is not yet a business—
it is a practice.
A daily rhythm of building, tending, observing, questioning, and beginning again.
Many of the reflections on The Pencil’s Edge and moments shared on @thepencildrivenlife come directly from life unfolding here.
What Oak Hollow Is Becoming
Beginning in 2026, Oak Hollow will slowly open to others. Not as a resort, not as a getaway built around entertainment or amenities, but as a quiet place for those who want:
- stillness
- space to think
- a slower pace
- natural beauty
- moments of real presence
- a life lived without hurry or expectation
The cabins themselves will be simple, intentional spaces—
places to breathe, write, walk, rest, cook, think, and let the day shape itself.
The experience will not be curated.
Not scheduled.
Not structured.
It will be unscripted, just as the Pencil-Driven Life teaches.
The Philosophy Behind the Build
Oak Hollow is guided by the same principles that shape the Pencil-Driven Life:
Presence over productivity.
Each structure, trail, and space is built slowly, intentionally, and with attention to how it feels—not just how it functions.
Simplicity over excess.
Cabins are designed to be enough—nothing more, nothing less.
Clarity over noise.
The land is quiet, and we intend to keep it that way.
Connection over distraction.
Whether with nature, your own thoughts, or the person beside you, Oak Hollow makes room for what matters.
Beginning again.
Every project here has been revised, reimagined, or rebuilt at least once. The pencil teaches that truth.
The Road to Opening (2024–2026)
Oak Hollow is being built by hand, piece by piece, and much of the process is shared openly—both the progress and the setbacks.
What’s underway now:
- finishing the Hub’s interior
- developing the first rental cabin (Westgate Cabin)
- improving trails and access roads
- designing water, solar, and heat systems
- tending the land and preparing future cabin sites
What’s ahead:
- completing two additional cabins
- creating designated quiet spaces
- preparing long-term lease cabins in East Hollow
- crafting a simple, meaningful guest experience rooted in presence
- opening for first guests by March 1, 2026
Oak Hollow will not open all at once.
It will open slowly—cabin by cabin, path by path, moment by moment.
A Place for the Pencil-Driven Life
Everything happening at Oak Hollow is part of a larger intention:
To create a place where people can step out of their inherited stories, out of their noise, out of their obligations—and into something quieter, clearer, more honest.
Whether you visit in the future or simply follow along from afar, Oak Hollow exists for one reason:
To make space for presence.
Updates
This page will evolve as the land evolves.
You’ll see construction updates, design notes, photos, reflections, and announcements as opening day approaches.
For ongoing glimpses into daily life at Oak Hollow, follow:
@thepencildrivenlife
Thank You for Being Here
Oak Hollow Cabins is built slowly, intentionally, and with deep gratitude.
If the Pencil-Driven Life has resonated with you in any way, you are already part of this place.
The Pencil-Driven Life 