ocrwvdev, Author at Opossum Creek Retreat

Your Cabin in the Woods

We went to this cabin that was tucked in the woods with a fireplace and hot tub. It was awesome. We had family dinner for the first time in a long time. The cabin was next to the New River Gorge National Parks, and Mom actually went on a walk in the woods. When we got to the overlook, the views were incredible. In this little town called Fayetteville, we had really good food at these cool locally owned restaurants and saw some stuff about Civil War and coal mining history we did not know before. But mostly we hung out together. It was fun. Next time we are taking a fishing trip with a guide so Dad does not have to touch the fish. Mom wants to try rock climbing, and I am going to be tall enough to do the ziplines.

Opossum Creek Retreat LLC is located in South-central West Virginia next to The National Parks of Southern West Virginia, which includes the New River National River, The Gauley River National Recreation Area, The Bluestone National Scenic River beside Babcock State Park, Hawks Nest State Park and Pipestem State Park.

Adventures abound! World-class whitewater rafting, zipline and canopy tours, mountain bike trails, the Bridge Walk, rock climbing, fishing, 70 miles of hiking trails and antique shops in every small town. Driving tours that include 4 of the top 10 waterfalls in West Virginia, and countless others.

We are family owned and operated. I designed and built the cabins to fit snugly in the surrounding forest. We are happy to share our private and secluded piece of Almost Heaven with you.

Opossum Creek Retreat LLC
www.opossumcreek.com
www.youtube.com/user/opossumcreek
888.488.4836

Thank you,
Geoff Heeter

Free Veterans Day cabin getaway

Dear Veterans,

We love you, and want to say thank you, again. We always offer 10% off for veterans anytime, but come Veterans Day, we give it away. And this year we got some big help.

We have a bunch of people that said, “Yes, whatever you need,” so brace yourself for an all-inclusive Veterans Day getaway/giveaway for free:

– 2 Nights at Opossum Creek Retreat (Nov. 10 & 11, 2015)
– Bridge Walk on Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. (Reservation required)
– Breakfast at Cathedral Cafe
– Lunch at Secret Sandwich Society
– Coffee from Vandal’s Kitchen
– Drinks at Maggie’s Pub

It’s our thanks to you. And you can say thanks back to these local business by giving them some love on social media. You know, take a selfie in front of their sign and post it on Facebook, or tweet about it, or review us on Google or any other spots.

The bonus: It’s like a treasure hunt. Get all of these great local business to sign your passport (waiting for you in your cabin), and we will give you a set of Opossum Creek Retreat logo glasses/mugs as a bonus.

This is the only time we wish we had more cabins. We only have 6 cabins available: 3 cabins with 2 bedrooms; 2 cabins with 1 room; and The Farmhouse with 4 bedrooms and 2 baths. (Bring an old army buddy or 3 or 4!)

Here are the rules:

You must be active duty or retired military, any branch.
If you have taken advantage of this special in the past, please allow others a chance.
If you show up, it is free. Only reserve a space if you are 100% sure you will be able to come. We will require your credit card info, and will charge your card for the full price of the stay if you do not show up.

To enter, send your name, rank and branch of service to retreat@opossumcreek.com, and also tell us how many people are in your group. We will draw from the hat and notify you by Sunday, Nov. 1.

Triple-bottom line.

WVU students visit OCR for an inside look at an ecotourism business.

We are lucky to host WVU students every so often.

Dr. Ding has been bringing students here or having me speak to his class in Morgantown for about a decade.

The first time I went to WVU and spoke to Dr. Ding’s class, complete with a massive Power Point, I did not get a standing ovation. In my defense, it was early in the day, and they are mostly teenagers. I did get a lot of good questions and discussion, and The Ding asked if we could do it again. When I suggested bringing the students on a field trip to Opossum Creek Retreat for a firsthand look and conversation with an “ecotourism” business, The Good Dr. said, “Great idea, can you make us lunch?” (Oh, can we make lunch!)

I did not set out to be an “ecotourism” business. We did not know such a thing existed. We just did what we felt was the right thing: build a quality product, treat people fairly and be a good neighbor. And as it turns out, that is what ecotourism, in my opinion, boils down to.

I am sure that a year-long class at WVU requires a longer explanation, but for the day that they are here at OCR, that will be our triple-bottom line.

Making people happy feels good.

The class at OCR, learning about ecotourism!

Perfection

Perfection!

Define it. Too broad a question?

Let’s narrow it down to the weather, and for me this is what it looks like:

Unless it is winter, then I want to see blizzards! Ski season is coming.

The heat of summer makes me lazy, and that makes my wife mad, so I hate hot summer days.

Every year, we have a long cool and dry spell during the end of August and first part of September. Mid 70s, no humidity and cool nights so we can leave the windows open as the night sounds lull us to sleep. This is our “Secret Season!” The Griswolds are back in school, everyone is taking a deep breath before Gauley season cranks up. So we always offer a little deal to lure folks back for another stay. This year it is the Murse package. Everyone needs one. If for no other reason than to carry around all the happiness you will find while you are here.

I am going outside to bask in some perfection.

Manly Man Purse Package

Murse. Admit it; you want one.

I have 2. I need help!

The new upgraded version of this 31 Spirit Collection bag is cool grey and has our OSSUM Opossum Creek Retreat logo. I have packed so much stuff in this, I almost needed help carrying it. Use yours to carry stuff for a picnic or bring things home from the Antique Mall.

The only way you can get one is to book a package, and there is a very limited supply.

The Manly Man Purse Package includes:

The Murse. Sorry, ladies, but this 31 bag is just for the guys! He can bring you along for the weekend, but the bag is his.
2 nights lodging— or add a 3rd night half price.
Breakfast at Cathedral Cafe
Some other goodies to carry home in your OCR Murse.

Available Aug. 8 to Sept. 3, 2015 for $499.

Get them while they last.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Very few people know what they want to do in life few when they are young. Even fewer get the chance, and no one gets a second chance.

I love the story, “Ever since I was a kid I wanted to…” It is foreign to me; a curiosity. Here is what I believe: when these lucky people get to do this thing, whatever it is, they are very good at it and glow with happiness.

You know the people I am talking about? I found such a person and want to share him with you. Toby is my new barber. If you have seen any of the Opossum Creeks videos you will know that being my barber is not an easy task. The balding/bushy mullet with shaggy beard is my go-to look.

After years of self-taught practice on his friends in his basement, his wife said, “I want my weekends (and my basement) back. Either stop cutting hair, or get the license and open a shop.” Toby is now a classically trained Pro!

I am no stranger to the shave and a haircut at a barber shop. I am old enough to remember the straight razor getting sharpened on the strop. And Toby has the touch, training and skill to deliver this time-honored tradition.

My son said after his first encounter with Toby, “I won’t be needing hats anymore,” and “WOW, that man just blessed me. I feel amazing!”

I know this is a very odd thing to put on your vacation to-do list, but believe me when I say wait to get your hair cut until you are here. Get up early. He opens at 7 a.m.

Get your shave and haircut and go to breakfast at one of the amazing local spots feeling like a new man!

Flat Top Fridays
Classic Cuts & Hot Shaves
227B N Court Street
Downtown Fayetteville, WV

I am BANANAS for this guy (and his farm-to-table food!)

I am BANANAS for this guy: Farm-to-table Chef Dale Hawkins of Fish Hawk Acres.

Fish Hawk Acres has catered a few events at Opossum Creek Retreat, but I had never met the chef, until now.

Geoff with Chef Dale Hawkins of Fish Hawk Acres

This was a fancy wedding for a dear friend’s daughter, and was it Ossum! I loved the arch leading everyone down the path to the ceremony. We were not the only ones stopping for the photo op.

The wedding arch added an elegant touch to this gorgeous outdoor ceremony.

It had been a while since I sat at a table with a place setting like this. Lets see, what one to use first?

A table is set for the fine farm-to-table flavors of Chef Hawkins.

The only thing that upstaged the food was the bride of course, and maybe the preacher.

I understand that the idea of farm-to-table is to eat food grown and raised close to your home as often as possible. I like eating fresh, unprocessed meals and the more that is available, the more we do it. But come on who doesn’t like BANANAS? Pineapple? Even rice?

Glad to have finally met the man, the myth, the legend. Love this food, but I am not giving up BANANAS!

Finding happiness, even when…

Niche, niche, niche.

Market: yoga and climbing in the New River Gorge on the 4th of July weekend.

Climbing ropes. One way to start a weekend out right around here!

Not exactly a huge demographic to draw from.

You want to feel old and overweight, show up on this weekend. OMG are these people happy, healthy and happy and beautiful.

This is the 3rd or 4th annual yoga and climbing weekend that New River Mountain Guides have hosted. So I am no stranger to this stereotype. If you read this blog you know I “do the yoga,” and we have hosted lots of yoga events.

I stopped by to fix the hot tub. “Strike one.” It has been raining for 4 days. Rain and climbing do not mix. “Strike two.” And you can only do so much yoga. And the hot tub was busted. “Strike three!” I was expecting to see some glum faces.

Happy! Yep, smiling happy faces playing with ropes and a stray kitten. (Don’t worry, one of them is taking the kitten home.) It is not raining today, so they will be on the rock and really smiling. These people’s faces must hurt from smiling so much.

I wonder if there is a yoga pose to help with that?

Fall May Look a Little Different this Year. Here’s Why.

Weevils wobble, but they don’t fall down.

This little monster (black spot about ⅛ of an inch) is named the yellow poplar weevil, and he has leapt from obscurity onto the front page. They are changing our landscape before our eyes, even if it is only temporarily.

They say almost all the poplar trees will survive this year’s attack. In West Virginia, poplar trees make up a big chunk of the forest. There are more poplar trees (by mass) than any other type. So when they all turn brown, it is hard not to notice!

I have seen this to a much lesser extent before, but never really paid any attention.

Well, now I am paying attention, and find it amazing that one of these little weevils (and I only found one on this tree) can eat an off a lot of leaf.

Will we be missing the golden color the poplar trees to add to the fall pallet? As you can see, some of the damage is completely destroying the leaf, yet on others only the tips have curled.

What will remain when these little guys start to go dormant in July?

There’s the little guy himself: the weevil.

I do not know if they will just hang on, all brown and shriveled until fall, or if they will start dropping now. Either way, it will be odd to see this fall, and hopefully it is a one-off occurrence.