Reviews of Property: Rushing Riverfront 3 story Log Home on 20 Secluded Acres

What a wonderful place to get away from it all in the North Carolina mountains. If you want to get away to rest, read and recline this place has it. If you want to take a crew and play you will find plenty of toys for all to be entertained. If you like to play in the great outdoors there are several attractions nearby.

My wife and I have gone alone, we have taken our children, and we have gone with other friends and family, and every time we have had a blast. We always look forward to being there and enjoying the company of others and the surroundings.

The river is wonderful. You can see and hear it from the house. There is a great place down by the river to sit around a campfire and talk, roast marshmellows or hot dogs.

You will just have to go there to see it for yourself. I am very confident you will come away reluctantly, and return frequently.

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!

We had a three generation family vacation (ages 8-72) at Riverbend in June, and everyone had a wonderful time. My brother had researched hundreds or rentals, emailing me and my sister each time, but none could compare to Riverbend. And the reality did not disappoint! I don't know what got more use, the rocking chairs, the hammocks, the ping pong table, or the fire pit by the river... we enjoyed them all! My personal favorite was sleeping with the windows open and hearing the river. And then there were the lightening bugs! It got dark around 9 p.m., and they entertained us each night.

The location is great - secluded, yet close enough for some fun day trips, if you so desire. We enjoyed Mt. Airy and Blowing Rock, as well as drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

On the practical side, it is about a 12 hr drive from South Florida, but definitely worth it. If you go into Sparta for groceries, Lowes is the place to shop (and yes, it is for food, not the home improvement store!). We had a delicious and inexpensive lunch at The Pines Restaurant in Sparta.

One caveat, it is a bit of a hike down to the River, about 40 steps I think. If you are traveling with an elderly person, or someone with mobility issues, you would want to be aware of this.

All in all, I can't say enough nice things about Riverbend. We plan to go back, hopefully at a time cold enough to enjoy the fireplace. If your family loves nature and relaxation, while still being entertained, this is the place for you. If you need nonstop action, theme parks, putt putt golf, go carts, etc, you better look elsewhere!

We have had the privilege of staying at Riverbend 3 times. Each time it was glorious. We have been there in the Spring, Summer and Fall. The house is beautiful and beautifully appointed. The view is spectacular. The river is vibrant and fun. If you love to soak up the outdoors and need a private getaway, go to Riverbend.

We had a family reunion at Riverbend and loved it. The privacy, playing in the river, s'mores down at the river's edge, sitting in those wonderful rockers on the front porch... nothing but relaxation and enjoyment! And there were so many things to do in the general area... We agree we will definitely return and we'll also recommend Riverbend to friends and other family members.

Early on a Thursday morning I set out for the cabin at Riverbend, a 350 mile drive from my little villa in the city to this little piece of heaven in North Carolina. Sitting right smack dab on the New River, the place is a near Rockwellian portrait, an idyllic home with huge rocking chair porches, mountain river views and cool temperatures that keep life vibrant yet relaxed.

On the drive to the cabin, we passed by a restaurant in Sparta called the Knife and Fork where a person can get salt and pepper catfish and a tall glass of sweet tea. The hardware store was brimming with customers.

In March, the temperature was supposed to be in the low 50s during the day and the 20s at night. Perfect weather, I think, for bonfires and one of my favorite sights and sounds: the hypnotic glow and the crackle and hiss from real logs burning in a fire place.

Nearly a year has passed since my trip to Riverbend but just the thought of it soothes me. Unburdened and unshackled from the daily rigors of life, instead, I put on my play things and for three days I meandered around mountains, sat by fires, read books, skipped stones and walked along the shores of the New River that lazily floated past the cabin.

We sat on the huge rocks and thought about our lives, not in terms of to do lists, goals or careers but in terms of just being with each other and what games we might play later as a group. We built bonfires, took long, leg aching walks, and laughed for hours. My dog Conner smiled in the wild and even with bad legs and aging eyes he ran the way he did once when he was little. He seemed to belong here in the wild, in the cold.

From time to time, the tranquility and peacefulness of Riverwood stops me in my tracks. How beautiful an artist God is, I think and how kind of him to leave Riverbend on the canvas for so many of us to view.

We discovered Riverbend during an Internet search for last minute get aways about four years ago. It's undoubtedly our best find ever. We've seen all sorts of weather there in half a dozen visits - but whether it's snowing or a pleasant spring day, there's always something enjoyable to see or do. The amenities are outstanding, especially considering the seclusion, and each time we stay the place is better. The last time we ventured to the mountains, we decided to stay at the Grove Park in Asheville for a change of pace. Frankly, I wish we had decided on Riverbend instead! We've already booked our next stay.

I have been to Riverbend on two amazing "girls' weekend away" and indeed it was a little piece of heaven with my friends. The cabin is extremely warm and comfortable and just the place to get away and dream, laugh, connect and disconnect! The beds are extremely comfortable, the furnishings are beautiful and so cozy. Love that fireplace! Overall it is just that perfect place in the mountains by the river....I highly recommend it and look forward to returning again...I cannot say enough about how special Riverbend is...discover it for yourself!