Category: If You Need A Reason

2 Free Nights for Veterans Day Deal

 

Free to: Any Veteran
2 free nights, Nov. 8 & 9 or 10 & 11, 2013

Yes, it is free.

The Deal

Veterans: our doors are open to you. Our Treat.

For the past few years, we have been giving a free cabin to veterans on Veterans Day in honor of our friends and family who have served.

Not the whole cabin. Just a couple of nights in the cabin.

Some gave all, all gave some. We are only able to give a cabin for 2 nights. It is our humble gesture of thanks to those who have served our country. Thank You.

We don’t care if you are homeless. You won’t be for two nights.

Heck, bring the whole squad, we have cabins that will sleep up to 20 people!

The Details

  • We ask that you share this deal with others. Tell a friend, post on Facebook, “like” us on Facebook, review us on Trip Advisor, or other such stuff.

  • We do require you to fill out the contract using a credit card, just as a security measure.

  • Please only take advantage of this annual offer once. We want every veteran to get a chance to enjoy this deal.

  • There are limited dates and spots available, but if we fill up, be sure you’re signed up to receive our e-mail newsletter and Like us on Facebook. We’ll continue sharing our gratitude for Veterans Day year after year.

We hope you understand when we ask each Veteran to take advantage of this offer only once. Please spread the word and let others enjoy.

We also offer a 10% discount for Veterans all year long.

What to do during your free stay

You don’t just have to come sit in the cabins all weekend! There’s more to do around the New River Gorge.

Know what you want to do? We have some ideas. Lots! We’re local experts, so whether you want to see the sights or get off the beaten path, we can show you where.

We have our favorites, but some things you vets might enjoy:

Adventure & explore:

The New River Gorge is a natural playground. Hit the trails for a stroll or bike, and let them lead you to beautiful overlooks. A little less adventurous adventure, maybe? Ok, try our shopping and culture guide.

Relax:

Of course, you don’t have to leave the cabin. Get a massage, or a spa treatment. Then slide into the hot tub and enjoy the beautiful rolling backdrop. We have a relaxation guide so you can get the most from your vacation.

Dine out in Fayetteville, and let the local chefs a prepare you a fresh Appalachian feast.

Honor the Holiday:

Did you know Fayetteville has its own war history? It was an important strategic site during the Civil War. It was the first place that indirect fire was used in battle. A Halfway House in nearby Anstead was used as a Civil War headquarters. The bridge for which the town of Gauley Bridge was named was a strategic aid during the war as well.

Pay respects to fallen brethren at the War Memorial Building honoring World War II Veterans, the Veterans War Memorial for Civil War soldiers in Smithers, or the grave of General Thomas Stonewall Jackson’s mother in Anstead.

We hope to see you around Opossum Creek, so we can say thank you.

Thank you.

Do What?

In a Cabin? In West Virginia? You are doing what?

Does it have electricity?

People do all kinds of things here at OCR:

Start writing books.

Finish books (a woman stayed in cabin 3 writing for a month because she was “on a roll”.)

Paint.

OCR painting
Painting done during a stay at OCR

Get married.

Get inspired to get married.

Get inspired to stay married! (Maybe not in that order.)

Read books.

Draw.

Fall in love.

Forgive a loved one.

Explore, outside and in.

We talk about relaxing all the time.

These are the kinds of things people experience once they do relax.

All of these are stories we have heard from our guests, who have written in the guest books or in a note on the comment card. Some even have gone to the trouble to send us a thank-you letter. We are humbled and thrilled that you think of us this way.

Caution: you may get more than you bargained for.

Out of my comfort zone?

What is better than a costume party?

Sock Monkey. Tuxedo. Both costume wins.

No, really, it is hard to make a party any better than starting with costumes and dressing up. It’s like Halloween in June.

But there are a few things that really made this day in one of America’s “Coolest Small Towns” even better.

Start with a town full of happy people. (Back in the day I could have used the word “gay” in place of happy, but it has been taken over to mean other things.)

Add: puppies!

So many Sock Monkeys!

Add: a WWII Biplane. A giant Sock Monkey and some dude in a tux.
Add: lots of kids, Kids are shameless when it comes to putting on a costume. When do we lose that?
Add: a skydiver.
Add: a film crew. You are going to want to share the fantastic images later.
Add: perfect weather.
Add: some bikes, trikes, roller blades, longboards, and anything else that moves

Add: more Sock Monkeys.

Next, have everyone run around a lot, laughing, smiling, screaming, and yelling. Then…

Dance! Dance in the streets while the police block traffic for you! You will have to watch the video for this part.

What a great way to spend the afternoon. It reminds me what a lucky bunch we are. Humans, that is.

Out of my comfort zone?

No not at all. You?

All the puppies joined the party!

Want $100 Off Your Next Stay?

UPDATE, JULY 17, 2013: This promotion is now closed; we had a great response to our question. Thanks to everyone who provided feedback to us. We’ll be in touch!

Our first Boy Scout reservation!

YES! Direct economic impact. One of the groups helping run the 2013 Jamboree booked 2 cabins for their VIP’s. This is our first reservation related to the Boy Scouts Summit Betchel Reserve.

The event is just 4 weeks away.

This raises lots of questions in my mind. Not long ago, we would have people call and book (pay a downpayment) months, if not a year ahead of time. That time frame has been shrinking and shrinking to the point we have had large, multi-family groups call the same day and book for a week.

Yikes!

Bribe time.

I am hoping you can help us understand this phenomenon. If you are so inspired to answer any or all of these questions we have, or pose some of your own, we will happily give you $100 off your next stay at OCR.*

No fine print. $100 off.*

So this is the strange part: why did they wait until now, the very last minute, to make a reservation?

Okay, it’s not completely last minute; we have 4 weeks to go. But they had to take cabins that we had, not the ones they wanted. And, well, we just do not, not, not like not being able to give people what they want!

Has our society as a whole become last-minute planners? Are you?

Or might it be that you have done your research, and just do not pull the trigger on a reservation until the last minute because, well, who knows what might come up?

What would compel you to pull the trigger and confirm a reservation well in advance?

If a national organization that has been hands-on involved with the Jamboree for years waits to the last second, why shouldn’t you?

UPDATE, JULY 17, 2013: This promotion is now closed; we had an great response to our question.Thanks to everyone who provided feedback to us. We’ll be in touch!

In a Valentine’s Day Panic? Opossum Creek to the Rescue!

Don’t worry, we do Valentine’s Day everyday, all year long.

I really I could read some of the comments in the guest books to you, but I get choked up.

Vday always seems to create a lot of pressure on all sides of the holiday. Who says you have to be at the top of your game on this certain day of the year just so they can sell some flowers and chocolates?

Forget about it! We can rock your romantic world any day of the year.

Relax in your cabin’s hot tub with your sweetheart.

The Cabins are clean and cozy and tucked in the woods. It’s a beautiful romantic drive just to get here no matter where you are coming from.

We have an unbelievably great selection of restaurants, or you can cook in the cabin or on the grill.

Watch a movie, read a book.

Soak in the hot tub.

Go for a walk, hand-in-hand or even get a massage in your cabin from our super star massage therapist.

Yes, we do any and all of this everyday, and we are really good at it too.

So relax: you can make up for Vday any time, any day here at OCR.

Yoga Retreat Returns to Opossum Creek Retreat in 2013

Yoga is not for everyone; neither is Opossum Creek Retreat. And I don’t think they should be.

The local Yogis here in the New River Gorge and from Kula Yoga Studio in beautiful downtown Fayetteville are really excited about having another yoga retreat at Opossum Creek. It has been a long time in between. Too long, in fact.

This weekend has some big things going for it. A famous name, Todd Norian, and a fancy title, “stepping into the current of grace”, both make me nervous. So does going into Walmart at the first of the month and I still do it.

If I can do yoga, you can too.

I am also nervous about doing yoga Friday night, all day Saturday, and again on Sunday. That will be more mat time than I usually do in two months. “Baba Ranboyd”, my yoga teacher, laughs when I tell him this. “You’re ready, you will be fine”, he says. Knowing that there are going to be some Ossum yoga practitioners attending from near and far, raising everyone’s level to new heights and inspiring the rest of us. This helps put me at ease.

So if you are a middle-aged, overweight, sometimes yoga person like me, or a yoga guru like Erin Larson, join us at Opossum Creek Retreat for what will be a very special weekend. (This is a big confession you know, not that I am middle age and overweight, but that I do yoga). So if I can come out in public and say this, you can surely find the courage to join us.

Starting at $245 pp. Two people have told me this is a great price! The first person to book and an old buddy from out west who emailed to ask “Is that $245 for 2 nights and the yoga? That’s a pretty good deal.”

We already have some folks brave enough to trek to wild and wonderful West Virginia from near and far for a Yoga weekend.

Are you?

Countdown To … Nothing?

Stop the presses! The world will end on Dec. 21. We’re not taking reservations after the Mayan calendar expires in 17 days.

Visit us soon!

How are you spending your final 17? Wouldn’t it be quaint to spend the last few days of time as we know it holed up with your loved ones, cherishing each other and the natural beauty surrounding you? We’re all warm and fuzzy just thinking about it. In fact, it would be a downright shame if you weren’t able to visit us before the end of time.

That’s why we’re giving you a little help:  $5 off for every night left on the Mayan calendar. Thank you for a great run, and be well in the time and space beyond the end of time!

To be honest, we’re not really sure what the physics of time after time will be. Maybe we’ll see (or otherwise perceive) you there? But we’re crossing our fingers you visit beforehand, just to be safe. Until then, enjoy the holiday season!

Keep Our Country Free? Then Stay With Us For Free.

In honor of our family serving overseas, for those who have given some and those who have given all, we’re offering a free stay for any Military veteran or active-duty member. Join us any time Saturday night the November 10 through Wednesday November 14.

To qualify for the special, simply mention (or should we say @mention) us on one of your social media outlets. Become a fan on Facebook and share about us. Send us a Tweet. Give us a shout out on Google+. Review us on Trip Advisor or Yelp (good, bad or indifferent.) Just like that. Then, all you need to do is call us 888-488-4836 and say Happy Veterans Day. Cabins will book fast and are first-come, first-serve, so hop to it!

Thank you for your service, from all of us at Opossum Creek Retreat. Enjoy. You deserve it!

What I’ll Be Doing on Bridge Day

Are you this excited about Bridge Day?

You could not possibly be this excited about Bridge Day. Could you?

Everyone should have traditions. Like a Bridge Day tradition of Funnel CAKES for breakfast!

Too slow. Yep they got me. I will be helping the Chamber of Commerce again this year and be in the thick of it all. See our recent immersion or aversion blog and you will get how hard this is for me.

The fun part is while I am volunteering for the greater good, I will be reporting to you from the Bridge Day Festival Event Live. Do you have any requests of something you would like to see or have me do this year?

The weather looks good for this weekend’s Bridge Day Festival and the trees are proving me wrong, again, by putting on a great color show.

See ya out there on the Bridge.

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