By Bob Tagert

“An all-season Romantic Couple’s Escape in authentic timber frame cabins located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia bordering the Shenandoah National Park.”

This month’s Road Trip took us back to Shadow Mountain Escape. We featured them in this space in 2021 and some exciting new things have happened in these four years – a new structure called the “Stone House” and the addition of elopement, vow renewal and engagement packages. More about both in this writeup.

You will find Shadow Mountain about two miles on the Luray side of the Thornton Gap entrance to Skyline Drive on Jewell Hollow Road. The brainchild and lifelong dream of Karen and Ralph Riddle, the name “Shadow Mountain Escape” comes from the name of the tracts (Shadow Mountain tracts) of land that were originally subdivided within Jewell Hollow from large parcels that once belonged to several of the pioneering families of the county (the Jewell and Sours family among them). The Riddles added the term “Escape” to invoke a sense of the underlying purpose behind their effort. In an attempt to provide an environment conducive to happiness and fulfillment, they focused on exposing the beauty and spirit of the natural landscape and the remarkable life that flourishes there. The use of *Timber Frame construction in all of the buildings adds to that theme.

All of the structures and landscapes were designed by Ralph who has a passion for design and history. He holds a degree from Virginia Tech in Landscape Architecture. The couple began their project in 1994 and first opened in 2002. The history of the project is fascinating and worth hearing but would take up too much room here. Be sure to ask him about the stone work and most importantly the “Gothic Tower” and Max and Moritz. He constructed it himself with stones from the property. It is impressive. New to the property is the “Stone House” located adjacent to the Tower. Respecting Ralph and Karen’s love of authentic Timber Framing, European history, and Ralph’s passion for medieval period building and aesthetics, Shadow Mountain Escape’s newest addition has proven to be the couples’ most challenging project yet. With “The Stone House”, Ralph has challenged himself to construct what he has coined “the last medieval building”. Staying within contemporary building codes, over the past year Ralph has poured his knowledge and experience of ancient European building into this project. By building solid masonry slightly buttressed walls (featuring natural rock from their property); natural slate flooring; and a real oak timber frame truss, Ralph believes “The Stone House” emanates the aesthetic appeal and form of a simple medieval building. The white plastered interior walls, adorned with medieval art photo canvases and a large antique stained-glass window, reinforce the impact. In Ralph’s words, “Authentic and genuine, it resists all things processed and artificial, it is a symbol of honesty in a world of facades.” Now that “The Stone House” is nearly complete, Ralph and Karen look forward to sharing the experience with Shadow Mountain Escapes guests. It will serve as an amazing photo backdrop for their elopements, renewals and proposals.

There are four cabins located on the fifteen-acre property. In celebration of the abundant wild life, all of the cabins were given indigenous “bug names”. The Bear Dance Lodge was the first rental built on the property and the two cabins were named the Dragon Fly and Bumble Bee. The Butterfly loft was opened in 2003 and the final rental, the Ladybug, was completed in 2011.

For added adventure the couple incorporated “La Cantina” in the basement of the Bear Dance Lodge which was inspired by their many visits to Europe. Their intent was to capture the special atmosphere for their guests that they found only in the authentic settings of a German “Stube” or a Tuscan “Cantina”! Guests receive a private entry code upon check in. Conversely, the “Timber Frame Tower” tops off the Lodge and is open to all guests. The construction and history of the décor are worth looking into as well.

The accommodations are exceptional. After what you just read you might be thinking a very rustic decor…not so. Ralph and Karen wanted to create the “Old World” charm that comes from his German heritage so, after retiring from the Army, the couple spent several years living and discovering the wonders of the “Old World”. Many thousands of dollars were spent sourcing and importing authentic pieces from family members and shops while on their trek. To this day, they source new things for the property while on their frequent European travels.

As indicated above, all of the furnishings have been hand-picked and the majority imported from Europe. On previous visits, we have had the pleasure of spending the night in Ladybug and Bumble Bee but this time we were in Bear Lodge in the Dragon Fly cabin. Dragon Fly is the largest of the cabins with two bedrooms with Argentinian forged iron Artisan Queen size beds and a full furnished kitchen, a gas fireplace/stove, a second story deck and a grill for outdoor cooking. There is also a sitting room with a large flat screen television and very comfortable leather couch and love seat. Both Bumble Bee and Butterfly have kitchens and fireplace features, however, Lady Bug does not have a kitchen but does have a woodburning stove.  Each of them has a very distinct personality and are set up with many amenities – way too many to mention here.

While many of their regulars come to hike in the Shenandoah, there is a ½ mile Nature Trail on the property. Very cleverly named “The Rabbit Chase” this ½ mile trek is marked with 25 iron “bunnies” pointing you in the right direction. The terrain is rough but flat and a major portion of it follows one of the creeks that run through the property. There are 25 markers that are outlined in a guide in your room that you can take and follow along with the descriptions of the flora and fauna as well as any wildlife you may encounter. My partner did the trek four years ago but the trail was snow/ice covered on this trip. She said it was a very relaxing/calming trek but you need to have on decent footwear and she didn’t come prepared this time. While on your walk about, keep watch for the several Cairns (Stone Stacks) that guests have created along the stream. You are encouraged to add your own.

We were, once again, lucky enough to be invited for cocktails and dinner with our hosts in their cabin. We usually sit in the courtyard beside their residence – that just happens to be connected by decking to Lady Bug – but the weather wasn’t exactly cooperating. This area has one of the “coolest” wood-burning stove/fire features we have ever encountered. The last time we were there, Ralph cooked fresh salmon on a plank in the fireplace but this time we were treated to his “Ralph Burgers” cooked to perfection on the gas grill. Not sure what all he did to them, but they were very tasty. The atmosphere, the company, adult beverages and the good food made for a fantastic evening. The courtyard is available until 9 pm to guests as is the Gothic Tower adjacent to the courtyard. If you are lucky and the Riddle’s are home, they may start a fire for you and Ralph might just treat you to an authentic German beverage.

Ralph and Karen are fantastic people and know what they are doing. Karen has made sure that the property exudes Romance. Couples can be totally by themselves or they can cavort with other guests if they like. There is a campfire for guests on Saturday nights complete with s’mores that are delivered to your door. They offer several packages that include food stuffs (Karen’s sweets are amazing) and wine but you are encouraged to bring provisions for meals if you don’t feel like leaving the property in search of an eatery.

The pandemic restrictions were still in place when we did this piece in 2021 and we talked about how it had altered their business. A good portion of their guests book Shadow Mountain for their honeymoon but getting married was a chore back then. Not being deterred, Karen got judicial approval to be a “Marriage Celebrant” and marketed her service to encourage those honeymooners to elope and get married on the property. That sparked a whole other opportunity and she now officiates elopements and vow renewals. You have the choice to let Karen take care of the ceremony from start to finish, including the photography or go the DIY route where you supply the officiant/photographer, etc. The packages are described in detail on the website. Karen also offers a photography package to commemorate your stay no matter what you are celebrating – a cut above those Facebook selfies.

Although Shadow Mountain is in a beautiful wooded area bordering the Shenandoah National Park, you are still only 20 minutes from attractions and things to do. On the east side of Thornton Gap and five miles down the mountain is the cool town of Sperryville. On the other side of the mountain is the town of Luray that not only has a number of restaurants and shops but also the spectacular Luray Caverns. The Caverns are worth a trip for sure. For a true adventure, consider taking the Blue Ridge Whiskey Wine Loop – see ad on the inside back cover – that takes you to the areas hot spots including Copper Fox Distillery and the Marketplace in Sperryville and the wineries, breweries and eateries that spot the countryside.

Noteworthy: Shadow Mountain Escape has been certified Virginia Green. They even have an on-site recycling center.

Shadow Mountain Escape

1132 Jewell Hollow Road

Luray, VA

ShadowMountainEscape.com

Goriddle@hotmail.com

540-843-0584

Facebook & Instagram – shadowmountainescape

*What is Timber Framing? Timber framing is a distinctive style of building construction in which heavy timbers frame the structure instead of more slender dimensional lumber (for example, 2 x 6 in.). Timber framing was a building practice used throughout the world until roughly 1900 when the demand for cheap, fast housing brought dimensional lumber to the construction forefront. In the 1970’s, craftsmen revived the timber framing tradition in the United States and have ushered the design style into the modern era. Timber Framers Guild.