The Long Hope Retreat
 
You can bike, drive or even walk, into Historic Todd...only five miles to enjoy fresh baked muffins and coffee at the Todd Mercantile, or venture into the Riverside on Friday night for free live mountain music. If you are looking for activities, Rivergirl Fishing Company is there in the old train station, and Kelly will be glad to take you fly fishing, or drop you in for a leisurely paddle or tube down the oldest river in North America. Biking on the Railroad Grade Road is also a popular pastime along the river in Todd (see the Rivergirl for rentals). The Elk Knob State Wilderness Park (elev. 5600 ft.) is a short drive away and a hike to the top provides an incredible panoramic vista as well as a keen view of the Long Hope Valley which is considered one of the biological crown jewels of the Southern Appalachians, overshadowing even the Great Smoky Mountains for its diversity of plant life. Weather permitting the lodge provides a great view of the sunrise across the rim of this high mountain valley each daybreak. Ashe and Watauga County are home to many parks, including Mount Jefferson, Grandfather, the New River State Park, Moses Cone and the NC game-lands at Three Top Mountain, the Peak Mountain and a thousand plus game-land acres a ten minute hike up the creek from the lodge. The winter months provide opportunities for cross country skiing as well as down hill at one of our numerous local slopes. Of course for many the lodge is the destination : a place to revitalize, a place to deepen relationships, a place for play, learning and inspiration.http://rivergirlfishing.comshapeimage_2_link_0
 
The Long Hope Retreat is a one of a kind, vacation rental lodge and retreat center located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Ashe County, North Carolina. Hand crafted from local river rock and marble from around the world the lodge has been described as“ incredible, awesome, like an Old World villa and a masterpiece. Nestled in a hidden valley just below the two thousand acre Nature Conservancy Bluff Mountain Preserve and perched over crystal clear ponds and stream, the retreat is an oasis of natural beauty to be explored, inspired by and enjoyed. Located just 25 minutes from Jefferson, West Jefferson and the Boone area one can quickly reach all the amenities for which these destinations are known. So, whether your needs are for a joyous family vacation or reunion, an unforgettable romantic honeymoon/wedding experience, an inspiring business retreat or for a rich educational opportunity we are confident the The Long Hope Retreat can serve your needs. Look below for detailed description of amenities or go to rental info & lodge amenities page to make reservations  The Long Hope Retreat offers the following amenities for your next getaway, family reunion, company meeting or educational retreat. The great room has seating for 24 people and catering is available. Cozy enough for two, but large enough to sleep 16, this lodge has 2 bedrooms down stairs (a master bedroom with a queen bed, and the other with two twins and a double.) Also, a sleeper sofa in the great room. Upstairs is a bedroom/game room (with a double bed with a twin above, a sleeper sofa, and an full extra-thick futon sofa. Also upstairs is a small bonus room with a twin bunk. The house has 2 full baths (one upstairs and one downstairs. All bed mattresses are Sealy Niagara Mist. The Long Hope is beautifully furnished, and features a complete kitchen with a large hand crafted marble island, glass front wood stove, a gas grill, outdoor dining area on deck overlooking the pond, and hot tub., a wood-fired sauna with resting room ( this also serves as bunk house that sleeps three on futons and is heated by wood stove only), 3 TVs (one is a 37 inch flat screen), a bumper pool/ card table, ping pong, a piano, a washer and dryer, and assorted games and videos for the family to enjoy. The property has a large play field for a variety of outdoor activities with a mini soccer goal and sandbox included. Also, we have sculpted two idyllic camp and picnic sites overlooking the ponds for a magical outdoor experience. See rental info page for contact information.