Issue # 171
December 31, 2005

Winter In The Woods

Often I have noticed that when I turn north and head into town I get a tense feeling but when I head south, into Buffalo River Country, I always have a feeling of relaxing, and when I have a chance to visit River Spirit Retreat it's like waking up in a wonderful dream. The warmth of the Mother Lodge in the winter, with the sun beaming though the huge windows. A walk along the Little Buffalo river with a nippy, east wind in your face. Sitting on the deck listening to the wind and the birds without the intruding noises of the city to interfere. It simply doesn't get much better.
Upon entering I noticed several changes. A new counter top and sink had been installed in the front kitchen along with tile work behind the electric cook top. A new door leads to the master bedroom. The great room is large enough for a family, yet cosy and romantic in front of the Vermont Castings wood stove. A formal dining area stands under the upstairs bedroom, which houses part of the extensive collection of books available at River Spirit Retreat (my favorites are "The Complete Works Of Arthur Conan Doyle" and the Harry Potter series.)
The master bedroom has one of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in. The private access to the deck is quite handy and there is a well thought out reading room and an additional sleeping area above that. A second wood stove rounds out this wing of the house. The sun was shining as I got all my gear put up and went onto the deck.

Once the sun moved west into the late afternoon sky I came back inside, started up the wood stove and curled up on the couch with the book I had started last time I visited, the complete works of Sherlock Holmes. Every so often I would go outside and bring in more firewood, then add it little by little to the wood stove. I opened the stove and put the protective screen in front. It sure was comfortable, and the ceiling fan rotating above kept the lodge quite warm! As the sun started to set and the sky clouded over, I decided to make my way over to the hot tub area for a nice soak before making supper.
On Saturday morning I got up and tried out the new shower that had been installed in the master bathroom. It tall and roomy with loads of hot water, and you don't get that chlorine smell in the water at River Spirit. After a lazy breakfast I decided to let the sun come up and warm things up before I started to wander around. I walked around the grounds for awhile and up to my friends house in the morning, then returned to the lodge for a light lunch, then decided that even though it had become overcast and windy, I would walk along the river.
The Little Buffalo River wanders through River Spirit Retreat and there is a well maintained trail that snakes along and above the river. I mostly walked along the river, and where the water was low, in the riverbed itself. The wind died down after awhile but the sky remained overcast. I didn't hear any sounds other than birds chattering away, squirrels rummaging around for food, and the wind. Quite pleasant to just wander.
After walking for awhile I began to notice signs of beaver. Smaller trees down and the bark removed from some of the larger ones. I started to look for their home and sure enough, tucked safely along the bank was a beaver lodge. I could see many partially chewed sticks so I decided to take a break and watch for awhile. I quietly sat and had another snack but I never saw them. I wandered a bit further and then hiked up the bank to the top and then back to the lodge.
River Spirit Retreat offers families, couples and groups a unique chance to experience the peace, serenity and wilderness of Buffalo River country. This large property has plenty of activities to keep the family busy. It has a private, seasonal swimming hole, a trail that follows the river, 117 acres of land to explore, and the chance to get far away from the hubbub of city life. Enjoy a camp fire under a starry night, sunbath on the expansive deck, relax at the hot tub or just put your feet up and do nothing! While your there you can get a massage by a licensed therapist too! Ann Lasater takes particular care in making sure her guests are well attended and she is also extremely knowledgeable about the area and can give you some pointers on where to explore. Winter, summer, fall or spring, you won't find a better place to get away from it all. River Spirit Retreat also offers longer term accommodations for those interested in a personal retreat or sabbatical. Make reservations at River Spirit Retreat and find out what you have been missing!
River Spirit Retreat
Host: Ann Lasater
HCR 72, Box 85
Parthenon, Arkansas USA 72666
PH: 870-446-5642
Email River Spirit Lodge