Great place to goof off

Guest: Bob (Baton Rouge)
Date of Stay: 08/07/11 Review Submitted: 08/23/11

The photos don't show that the river is just beyond the tire swing. There is an elevated platform to sit and look at the river. Doesn't have a beach but there is a boat ramp a few miles down and a place to pull your boat in on the property. It is a little too steep to put your boat in there although you could put kayaks and canoes in. Shot about at leat 500 rounds of ammo at targets. So much for peace and quiet. Did a lot of reading. Went in to Mountain View to listen to Blue Grass. Really enjoyed the Mellon Store just outside of Mountain View. The only noise there is the noise you create, like I did. You bounce down a little dirt road after leaving the highway. Reminded me of when I was a kid visiting country relatives. Saw a deer coming in one night. Saw the eagle. Neighbors gave us watermelons, okra and peppers. Great little get away.

Owner response:Glad you were able to get away, goof off and shoot a "few" rounds, Bob. The neighbors, Charlotte and Willie, enjoyed your visit and said to come on back for more watermelons and enjoy the garden produce any time. CM

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children.

Targets ,Tackle, Taking it easy

Guest: ed (baton rouge)
Date of Stay: 06/15/11 Review Submitted: 06/20/11

Just spent 5 nights at the river very quiet and peaceful except when shooting targets, I even hit some. While I didn't catch too many fish (I can't ever catch too many). I caught some fish off the bank. Sitting under the cabin it was cool and I had ample room to work on my fishing gear and have a cool brew (bring your own it's a dry county). We launched our boat at the martin free public launch about four miles away by car and 1 mile by water. For night life around the camp cricket noise and lightening bugs were abundant. the breeze kept the mosquitos away. The bed was very comfortable and the a/c made sleeping pleasant. I will return.

Owner response:We look forward to your return, Ed.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Adventure and serenity rolled into one

Guest: Cami (Washington, DC)
Date of Stay: 09/04/10 Review Submitted: 01/01/11

What a wonderful place to enjoy the adventure of the river and the serenity of the valley. The cabin has everything you need for comfort and relaxation. The September weather was just right-warm days and cool evenings. We launched the boat at Martin Access, about 5 miles upstream, and went to the dam for some fishing. The river is so beautiful so we took a ride downstream, explored some of the creeks coming into the river and went for a swim in the cool clear water of one of them. We docked the boat by the cabin for the night. The stars were bright and shining-so many that we don't see in the city. The music in Mtn. View was fun to listen to and the shops there were great to explore. Thanks to Kathy and Floyd, the managers, who are there if you need them and a good source of information. We look forward to a return in the fall.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Marvin an Diane, Berwick La.

Guest: Marvin (Berwick, La. 70342)
Date of Stay: 08/01/10 Review Submitted: 08/07/10

The pictures of this site does not do it justice. The elevlated deck provides an awsome view of the river an the mountians. At daybreak, watch the deer run thru the pasture back into the mountains. The cabin was neat, clean, well organized. Even during the heat wave, the air conditioners kept the cabin comfortable. Cathy was the perfect host. The owner clearly tries to hard an frankly offers more services than is needed. I look at this as more as a person whow allows guest to use his camp than as a comercial operation. Other than Cathy an her husban, you have about the whole valley to youselves. What price do you place on peace, quite, an not to be bothered? If you have the ability to appreciate natural, an nature you will really enjoy the location as we did. If you need to clear you head, this is the place! One question, what does Cathy use to wash with? The towels an sheets smell awsome an sents the whole cabin. Hope all appreciates this as we did. Thanks an enjoy

Owner response:Wow, Marvin and Diane. I can't find the words to thank you enough for your review. You captured the heart of what I hope everyone who visits will also enjoy. You are right, the pictures convey only some of what it feels like when you are on the deck with the wisps of fog on the mountains, smell of the new mown hay and soft song of the birds and river. Kathy does a wonderful job of welcoming people and keeping the cabin such an inviting place. I am glad that you enjoyed it so much. Thank you-Charles

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers.

Relaxin vacation

Guest: kaye (Erath, LA)
Date of Stay: 07/25/10 Review Submitted: 08/02/10

The cabin was nice and clean. I took by three boys there and my mom and all of all want to go back! It was nice and relaxin. I would highly recomment this location to everyone that wants peace and relaxation!

Owner response:Thank you for the kind words, Kaye. It sounds like you and your family enjoyed the essence of serenity on the river. How are things in Erath these days? I graduated from USL in the 1960s and lived in Lafayette for several years. I loved the area and still visit friends from Gueydan. We look forward to your family's return and wish you all the best in Acadiana. Charles

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Great Vacation

Guest: TJ (Jackson Louisiana)
Date of Stay: 07/05/10 Review Submitted: 07/23/10

All 4 adults and 3 grandchildren had a super time. We spent most of our time playing, floating and fishing in the beautiful river. We caught bass and trout. Listened to delightful music in Mountain View and perhaps the most spectacular view was all the fireflies all in the trees and meadows at night. It was like watching a white Christmas lights display!! The kids were totally enthralled as they had never seen anything like it. We are so glad for the opportunity to spend a week at Serenity on the River.

Owner response:Thank you for your review, TJ. Your family seems right at home in the outdoors and it is such a beautiful way to spend a week. We look forward to seeing all of you again. Charles

Recommended for:

bad experience

Guest: Evan (Lamar, Mo)
Date of Stay: 06/14/10 Review Submitted: 06/18/10

Lets start with the positive. The cabin has electricity and a bed. Now with the negatives. When we arrived, the cabin was hot. (the a/c didn't seem to keep up even at full speed). The cabin was dirty. There were clothes, shoes and other personal items left throughout the cabin. The desk had half a tube of foot creme, a dirty comb and a battery of some sort on it. (not exactly welcoming). The table had a vase of dead flowers on it. There were mouse droppings all around the base boards (especially in the bathroom). There was no hot water at all (later we discovered that they had not had the propane tank filled to run the water heater). There were no shades or curtains on the large glass doors. The road to the cabin is in awful shape. The dishes were dirty (I actually cleaned a spiderweb out of one of the pans we were going to use). To make it all worse, the microwave had 2 bags of rotten food in it. This stunk up the whole cabin when we opened it. This was by far the worst experience I have EVER had renting a cabin. This was not at all worth it. Save your money.

Owner response:Wow, Evan. Thank you for your review. We have rented the cabin several times since you were there and have not had this experience. Sounds like you didn't enjoy yourself too much. Did you get outside and enjoy the river and the view? I hope that wherever you go for your next vacation that they, too, have electricity and a bed which are very positive things to have noted. The cabin is in an area that the county does not often get to grade which gives it seclusion and a place to get away from it all that some people just enjoy. The "mouse droppings" you mentioned were actually little bugs that are attracted to the night light in the bathroom. At least they were in the bathroom so they headed for the right area :-) When you're out in the country, there are summer bugs. Thanks for the tip about the AC. We will make sure that it is turned on even further ahead of time than it was, and additional one has been added to the loft. Just in case it still gets a little warm, there are three fans. Did you happen to turn them on? That big ole ceiling fan does a pretty good job. Don't know about the food that may have been left by a previous renter. All the renters we have had have been very courteous. Those personal items of mine that you found in the little closet and drawer that I keep for myself, the owner, when I'm not there must have been fascinating . You must have had an interesting time poking into those private areas. Most people sort of understand that those are not for guests and don't poke around in them-but you sound like a curious fellow. We have gotten a gauge for the propane tank, sorry it ran out and you didn't let Kathy know so that she could assist you. I guess you didn't see the two notices that are posted on the wall near the sink and in the cabinet about asking Kathy for assistance if you need it. I hope that other renters don't have that difficulty. Best of luck on your next vacation. Charles

Recommended for:

Perfect!

Guest: JGCL (Cordova, TN)
Date of Stay: 06/11/10 Review Submitted: 06/14/10

We stayed at this cabin this past weekend and had the most amazing time! It was very comfortable and relaxing. Kathy was great - thanks again for staying up to wait for us as we got lost! Ha! We also enjoyed meeting your dog, Gypsie. The place was secluded and we felt like we were the only ones there which was exactly what we were looking for. We very much enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere and the cabin had everything we needed. We had a wonderful time. We will definitely be back very, very soon. Thanks.

Owner response:Thank you for your review and gracious comments. We look forward to your return. Charles

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Wonderful, Relaxing Mother's Day

Guest: Mother'sDay2010 (Bartlett, TN)
Date of Stay: 05/07/10 Review Submitted: 05/11/10

We had a fantasic weekend at this great cabin. My daughter espically loved being "on" the river and making smores at the bonfire in the firepit. The peaceful walks were great; Kaitlin loved the grazing cows. The deck was great for playing board games and for napping/enjoying the flowing river. This cabin has everything you need for a wonderful, relaxing trip. Thanks so much to you, Kathy, for your great assistance. We plan to revist and I would highly recommend this property to anyone looking for a relaxing time. This property is near Blanchard Springs Caverns/Mountain View/Batesville.

Owner response:Thank you for your review. Sounds like a peaceful way to take a needed break and watch nature at its best. We look forward to the return of you and your family. Charles

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Truly serene

Guest: valmemphis (memphis)
Date of Stay: 04/10/10 Review Submitted: 04/12/10

Fabulously peaceful and simple setting. The cabin is cute, with lots of windows and light, built on stilts for a better view of the river. Kitchen has everything you need, and the sun lamps in the bathroom are a plus. It was perfect for a a romantic getaway, but the lofts are a bit tricky to access if there are more than two people there. The futon is a bit hard, but I'm spoiled with Tempur-pedic at home. My favorite feature: the tree-house right above the river. Kathy gave us a warm welcome but left us alone the rest of the time--just what we needed. We brought our dog and she loved it too.

Owner response:Thank you for sharing your experience. Yes, the lofts are a bit tricky. When my daughter was 3, she said "I want a cabin with an upstairs, Daddy". So, the two lofts. I was just there and right as I arrived, an eagle landed in a tree nearby. Beautiful weather, superb music on the square in Mountain View, serenity in the fields and on the river. We took an airplane ride over the area for a spectacular view. We look forward to your return. Kathy extends her greetings. ~ Charles

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, girls getaway, age 55+.