Hi,
I'm glad you're here.
You joined this newsletter at a unique moment because ALARKA doesn't exist yet.
There are no villas.
No guests.
No opening day.
Just a piece of mountain land in North Carolina, a creek running through the forest, and a dream I've been carrying around for much longer than I realized.
When I was a kid, one of my favorite memories was visiting Epcot.
What fascinated me wasn't the rides. It was the feeling of stepping into completely different worlds without ever leaving the same place. Every country felt different. Different architecture. Different atmosphere. Different emotions.
That idea stuck with me.
Years later, I started imagining small communities where each area had its own character and experience. One might feel like a European village. Another like a collection of cabins tucked into the woods. I never did anything with it. Life happened. Career, family, responsibilities.
The dream stayed on the shelf.
For nearly 25 years.
Eventually, I realized something.
Most dreams don't disappear because they're impossible.
They disappear because we convince ourselves there will always be time later.
ALARKA is my attempt to stop saying "later."
Today, ALARKA is becoming a luxury micro resort in the Smoky Mountains near Bryson City, North Carolina. Five private villas. A mountain creek. Forest trails. Quiet mornings. Star-filled nights.
But this newsletter isn't really about a resort.
It's about building something meaningful from the ground up and sharing that journey with people who appreciate beautiful places, big dreams, and the courage it takes to create something from nothing.
Over the coming months, I'll be sharing:
Stories behind the project
Lessons learned along the way
Wins, setbacks, and surprises
Design decisions and behind-the-scenes progress
Photos from the property
Occasional opportunities for those who want to become part of the story
You'll see the good days.
You'll see the difficult days.
And you'll have a front-row seat as ALARKA comes to life.
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Become a Founding Guest
For those who want to help bring ALARKA to life while securing one of the first stays when we open, I've recently opened a limited number of Founder Stay packages.
Explore Founder Stays:
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One question before you go:
What's one place you've visited that you'll never forget?
Hit reply and tell me why.
I read every reply, and I'd genuinely love to hear your story.
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Thanks for being here from the beginning.
Trevor
Founder, ALARKA
p.s. if you know someone who would enjoy following the journey, feel free to forward this email to them.