Spectacular Retreat!
Submitted: July 23, 2008
Stayed: July 2008
We just spent a week at Riverbend with our family (husband/wife and three young children), and hated to leave! The cabin is incredible with every amenity possible, to include ping pong, board games, a great DVD selection, and an extensive kitchenware selection. You could never step foot outside of the great front porch and your vacation would be a blast.
However, you would miss out on the rushing river, the gorgeous mountains, the wildlife, and all the other fun stuff the area has to offer. We spent hours tubing, fishing, and just playing the river, which is just about right outside your front door. The kids loved catching crayfish and the other interesting water creatures that abound.
I would recommend taking a long drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway and exploring a quiet side of life that is rare these days. From a trip to Grandfather Mountain to going to the Farmer's Market in Galax, VA on Saturday morning, the area has it all (except crowds, annoying traffic, and high priced junk souvenirs)!
Other "must do's" include catfish and trout fishing in the stocked ponds in Sparta, a trip to Mt. Airy to see the original Mayberry town (don't miss the world-famous pork chop sandwiches at Snappy Lunch), gem mining in Little Switzerland, and the great but strenuous waterfall path hike at Stone Mountain Park. We also enjoyed the Foggy Ridge Cider orchard and "factory" in Dugspur, VA where they make and bottle the best hard apple cider I have ever had, making s'mores at the great campfire site next to the river, and just reading in the two hammocks next to the river.
This vacation allowed our family to reconnect, enjoy nature, and to see a side of life as it existed years ago in term of small town living. While it was a rustic area, the cabin is first-class all the way, and allows you to step inside from the forest to extreme luxury.
We also had the pleasure of meeting the owners, and they are great people who I think really want to make sure you are well taken care of and that you enjoy your stay as their guest. Simply put, you can't go wrong with Riverbend!
Recommended for:
Age 55+,
Pet-friendly,
Adventure Seekers,
Girls Getaway,
Tourists without a Car,
Sightseeing,
Families with Teenagers,
Families with Young Children,
Romantic Getaway
Helpful votes: 4/4
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