Issue # 134
July 28, 2002

Birthday In The Ozarks

I had the good fortune to have my birthday fall on a Friday this year, so I made arrangements to take a few days of in late July, and spend them at one of my all time favorite places to visit, River Spirit Retreat. What makes this particular vacation rental so unique is it's location. It sits on eighty acres of pristine forest and the Little Buffalo River runs right through it. Since I live in the city of Harrison, it's nice to be able to get far away from the city noise and hubbub, and get back to nature.
I drove down into Murray Valley after work on Thursday, and met my friend, and owner of River Spirit, Ann Lasater. After visiting with her for a short while, Ann said her farewell and walked back to her home, and I had the lodge to myself. Local legend states that the original cabin was designed by Fay Jones who was born 1921, a winner of the 1990 AIA Gold Medal, and was apprenticed to Frank Lloyd Wright from whom he learned. The local story is that he received a request to design a passive solar cabin for construction in the Ozarks. He scribbled down a design, and never heard another thing about it. Years later, he heard rumors that the cabin had actually been built, and hired an airplane to fly around over the Ozark Mountains until they found it. I have not been able to confirm the story. The design is perfect for it's location, and the passive solar design keeps it warm in the winter, and cool in the summer while allowing a great view. Several additions have been made to the original design, transforming it into the wonderful vacation rental it is today.
I decided to unload my Blazer, and move into the master bedroom. This room is quite unique, having large glass windows to let in the view. There were screened doors to let in the nice breeze. An air conditioner is in the room, but I didn't need it, the overhead fan coupled with the passive solar design kept me very comfortable. Another bedroom is located above the dining area, and has a great view of the outdoors.
The sun was low on the horizon, casting shadows across the front lawn and gardens and I was hungry. The kitchen is equipped with all the cups, plates, cookware, flatware and just about anything else you could think of, to create a fine, gourmet meal for one or twenty. I settled on a steak cooked on the grill, with new potatoes and a fresh salad with home grown tomatoes (from Ann's all organic garden), topped off with a glass of Merlot wine. After supper I decided to watch the sun set, and the moon rise from the very large deck that projects into the yard. The deck has an outdoor shower, hot tub, and shaded sitting area, as well as plenty of sun bathing area.
Right at last light, I saw a deer come out and start nibbling on Ann's garden, quite unafraid of me. As the darkness settled over the mountains, and the moon moved across the sky, I spent time in the hot tub, and time on the deck, back and forth. It was simply terrific! I could hear the night noises, the cry of owls, the sounds of animals moving through the forest. I finally finished my bottle of birthday wine, and decided to head to bed. I slept with the doors open, and only the screens to keep out mother nature. I drifted to sleep and woke up the next morning very refreshed and ready to celebrate my birthday.
Friday morning found me walking down through the yard and organic gardens, heading down to the Little Buffalo River. River Spirit Retreat has a wonderful swimming hole about a third of a mile upriver from the lodge. I had packed up my towel, some beer (and some water) and a little food. It was my intention to hike to the swimming hole, spend four or five hours there, then hike back up to the lodge.

As I walked along the river, I could hear the water gently flowing and the birds cheerfully singing away. I made my way down to the swimming hole, and immediately jumped in. It was quite refreshing, the water temperature somewhere in the low 60's and the temperature of the air above 90. Ann keeps several floaties down at the river, so I spent many hours there, just swimming, sunbathing, and day dreaming, floating around on a raft. When I got too hot, I simply tipped myself over, to cool off.
About mid-afternoon, I figured I had gotten enough sun, and headed back to the lodge. After taking a shower outside, I jumped into the hot tub and relaxed for a few hours, then made some supper, and sat on the deck again. It was so restful and peaceful. I heard no sounds of cars or people. I rotated between the hot tub and the deck well past midnight, when I finally went to bed. It was the best birthday I have had in quite a number of years.
River Spirit Retreat is one of my favorite places to stay. It is probably one of the few, if not the only place I have visited that allows you to completely get away from the rest of the world. You won't hear any cars, or see any people when you visit this remarkable retreat. The Little Buffalo River is just down the hill and a lot of fun to explore. It is a great place to bring the family, you never have to leave and drive somewhere to find something to do. Hiking, swimming, and just relaxing are all at River Spirit Retreat, without leaving. Fall is just around the corner, and with it comes beautiful hiking weather, and brilliant colors. If you are looking for something different, something away from all the hustle and bustle of city life, deep in the heart of the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, give Ann a call and make a reservation for a weekend or a week. You will have a blast!
River Spirit Retreat
Host: Ann Lasater
HCR 72, Box 85
Parthenon, Arkansas USA 72666
PH: 870-446-5642
Email River Spirit Lodge