HOSTS

Jen & Ian

Thank you for choosing Riverfront Pioneer Cabins! Our goal is that you will love our magical spot just as much as we do and create a tradition of visiting. Our commitment to our guests is evidenced by our Superhost and Premier Host status and over 700, 5-star reviews. The property is a symbol of our love for nature and business; Ian is an Environmental Scientist and Jennifer is a Certified Public Accountant and Chief Financial Officer. It gives us great pleasure to share our slice of heaven with you!

Our daughter has farm fresh, free-range duck and chicken eggs from her coop, depending on the time of year and availability, and they can be purchased $3/half dozen, $5/dozen. Our son will provide you with one bundle of campfire wood, or about 6 pieces, in addition to kindling for $10 (better deal than if purchased in town, plus free delivery). Please message orders a few days before arrival, as we may not be able to fulfill orders placed during your stay.

PROPERTY DETAILS

Purchased in June of 2018 from the children of the original owners, the Moody family, we continue to enhance the property while staying true to its roots and natural setting. The cabins were lovingly relocated by the Moody's and nestled on 16 acres in an idyllic setting along the banks of the Shenandoah River. They are historic and feature both eighteen and nineteenth century, hand-hewn logs. There are many antiques for you to enjoy. We have added our own flair, the pioneer theme, and many enhancements to the property.

Each cabin was named after a famous pioneer: Daniel Boone, Buffalo Bill, and Bass Reeves. Our Annie Oakley dock and Pocahontas Point at the right end of the property (if you are facing the river) are great for launching kayaks or canoes or just fishing and hanging out. Walk our Lewis and Clark Trail to enjoy our farm animals, wildlife, mountain, and river views.

We love it so much here that we moved our family away from the Richmond, VA suburbs with dreams of slowly building a hobby farm. We built a barnhouse! We enjoy our small fruit grove and greenhouse along with our many animals, including pigs, ducks, chickens, dogs, cats, and honeybees. In addition to fresh eggs, eventually guests will be able to enjoy honey and garden produce, creating the most authentic mountain getaway for our guests in the Shenandoah Valley.

ABOUT THE CABINS

Our historic, pioneer style cabins feature hand hewn logs and one-of-a-kind paintings by the original owner. The cabins take you back to a simpler time, but with modern amenities. Sip morning coffee on the porch while you watch the beauty of Kennedy Peak mountain (seen in winter) and river unfold. Spend the day canoeing, kayaking, tubing, or fishing and the evening catching fireflies, roasting marshmallows over a campfire, grilling, playing board games, or sipping spirits by the river. Walk our nature trail and visit the farm animals.

Each cabin has a private firepit and gas grill, TV with Roku, books, fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator and electric oven, Keurig and regular drip coffee maker, coffee grinder, reusable coffee filter, tea kettle, pots and pans, silverware, plates, cups, front porch, games, toys, and pack-n-play crib. There are lots of pillows and blankets to keep you cozy. Each cabin has its own designated parking area; please do not park on the grass or elsewhere on the property. Please do not block the driveway.

Our Daniel Boone cabin is the first cabin as you enter the property. Park to the LEFT of the cabin. Enter through the back door. The kitchen is small, including the oven. A 19-pound turkey simply will not fit. It is about half the size of a conventional oven. There is central AC and heat and a separate window AC and space heater on the third floor. The cabin has a piano and a large fireplace in the living room. A maximum of 11 people may stay at this cabin. WiFi password is danielboone.

Our Buffalo Bill cabin is our second largest cabin and is the second cabin as you enter the property. Park to the RIGHT of the cabin; be careful of our fruit trees! Enter through the front door. We lived in this cabin for two years while our barnhouse was being built; it is super cozy and quaint and our absolute favorite. There is a fireplace in the living room and in the largest bedroom upstairs. There is baseboard heating in each room and window ACs downstairs and in each bedroom. There is a queen sleeper sofa in the living room, which can be converted into a private bedroom. A maximum of 11 people may stay in this cabin. WiFi password is Pioneers2.

Our Bass Reeves cabin is our smallest cabin, but some say the quaintest, and is the third and last cabin as you enter the property. Park BEHIND the cabin. Enter through the front door. While smaller than the other two cabins, it has the largest bedroom and kitchen. There is a fireplace in the bedroom and living room. There is a sleeper sofa in the living room and a thick, mattress topper under the king bed; you will need this topper to be comfortable. There are extra blankets, sheets, pillows, and towels in the hall closet if you need them. Please park BEHIND the cabin. This cabin has a piano to showcase your musical talents. A maximum of 4 people may stay in this cabin. WiFi password is bassreeves.

PACKING TIPS

Beach Towel
Extra Coffee/Tea (some provided)
Sunscreen
Bug Spray
Hiking/Rain Boots
Old Tennis Shoes/River Shoes
Fishing Gear & License
Phone Charger
Extra Toilet Paper/Paper Towels (we supply enough for two-night stays)
Swimsuit
Smores Ingredients
Food, drinks, cooking spices and oils
Bottled Water (optional, if preferred; we have well water that is perfectly safe to drink)

Old tennis shoes work great as river shoes; you will need something with a back or you will lose them in the river. For fishing, you must have a license. This can be purchased online at the Virginia DGIF or at Walmart.

DIRECTIONS & PARKING

Waze, Google Maps, and other navigational apps will get you here. Once you are on Bixlers Ferry Road, take a Right after crossing the bridge and our driveway is 0.6 miles down the road on the Right. Look for the cabin mural and Riverfront Pioneer Cabins sign. If you see the long privacy fence on the right side of the road you have just passed our entrance.

CHECK-IN INSTRUCTIONS

Check-in is any time after 3:00pm. We strive to earn your 5-star review. If at any time we are not meeting your expectations, please let us know immediately. Please do not hesitate to report issues, questions, or problems. Please report damages immediately.

We’d love for you to check-in on Facebook @riverfrontpioneercabins! Follow us for specials!

ANIMALS

If you meander along the barnhouse fence line, you can observe our chickens, ducks, and pigs. Our cats, dogs and chickens may come up to say hello. You may walk along the fence but please do not enter any gated areas. Never feed the animals. If we are out and about doing chores, we would be happy to tell you more about the animals. Please observe the No Guest Access signs and our private space. Our driveway, basketball court, tractors, and trampoline are strictly off limits. This is our home, and we hope you will respect our privacy as we respect yours.

Our chickens are fun to watch but we ask that you do not touch them. They are free roaming for most of the day but at times we need to keep them in their coop pen if there has been an increase in predators Please remind children to observe with respect and not to chase, feed, or try to pick them up. Like all roosters, ours could charge if he feels he or his ladies are threatened. He is very friendly, however, but his natural instincts should be respected. The chickens tend to create their own drama and are hilariously entertaining. If you have the opportunity to observe them for a while, you should.

Our potbelly pigs, Wilbur and Penelope, are just adorable. We love them so much. They were rehomed to our property at the age of five and are very happy. They are very intelligent and love human interaction. The dogs play with them at least once a day. Mostly, the pigs like to nap in their house. After their nap, they like to nap some more. If you get to see them walking around, consider yourself lucky!

We have Peking and Khaki Campbell ducks. They sleep in the coop with the chickens at night but have their own safe play area during the day. They are very entertaining. They get to free roam in the mornings and evenings whilst under parental supervision. The term ‘sitting duck’ is no joke! These guys are literally defenseless, and we strive to balance their freedom with safety.

Our honeybees came to us naturally; we put a bee box out and a swarm took up residence. Ian took a beekeeping course through Penn State University and is part of a local beekeeper’s club. The bees are his babies. Jennifer was skeptical of bees on the property at first but has grown to love them. The bees keep to themselves and have not bothered us or our guests. There is fencing around the bees to keep them safe and from children getting too curious. Please do not stand directly in front of the bee boxes.

While we cannot allow your pets on the property, ours will be frolicking around the trail occasionally, but mainly stay near our barnhouse. Our dogs are always with us and never roam free, but our cats have free reign. Domino, our white cat, roams the property and loves to be pet. Toshi, a tabby, prefers to stick close to our barnhouse and is a little shy, but super friendly. Sasha is our newest tabby and he roams sometimes. All of our cats are rescues. Dakota is a blue merle Texas Heeler and loves to run, play, lick, and meet new people. Sawyer is our latest addition. He's a small terrier/pointer mix we rescued from the local animal shelter and super friendly.

***HOUSE RULES***

No pets (firm, no exceptions, please don't ask; could be disastrous with our farm animals)
Must be over age 25 to rent
No trash on the ground EVER (we are very close to the river and the wind often picks up without warning)
No smoking or vaping indoors or on the porches; only outside smoking or vaping permitted (no butts on grounds)
No parties, outside guests, or events without prior approval
Follow river safety rules; life vests required with equipment
Do not feed or pick up animals
Stay clear from tractors, trampoline, no access areas, and courtyard (personal property)
Fireplaces closed April 1 - October 31 (outdoor firepits open year-round)
Septic system: flush only toilet paper, no food or coffee grounds down sink
Report damages immediately
No shooting firearms
Please, no shoes indoors

WiFi & PHONE SERVICE

There are two WiFi connections and both have the same password. AT&T and Sprint get decent signals but Verizon is spotty. You can definitely get service in town, which is less than 10 minutes away. In your phone Settings, you can enable WiFi calling. **Please note that due to our location, our WiFi service is satellite and limited. It is spotty...works great some days and horrible other days. We are at the mercy of only one area service provider, unfortunately. There are two coffee shops in town with good broadband WiFi.

CABIN WATER

The cabins have filtered well water which is perfectly safe to drink. If you are only used to city water and are unfamiliar with well water, note that it sometimes has a hard-boiled egg-like smell when the barometric pressure drops. This fluctuates from no smell to a strong odor. You may opt to bring bottled water to drink, but it is not necessary. Note: the well water has absolutely nothing to do with the septic system. Water from the well feeds into the cabin (sinks, tubs, toilets) and drains into the septic system. The occasional egg-like odor is NOT the septic system but the naturally occurring sulfur in the ground water.

ROKU

We use Roku in lieu of cable. It will work if WiFi cooperates. Log in to any of the apps using your personal Netflix, Hulu, HBO, etc., accounts. Just be sure to logout before leaving the cabin. We also have a DVD player and a host of movies. We hope that you will enjoy most of your time outdoors, however.

HEALTH & SAFETY

We take the health and safety of our family and guests very seriously. While our housekeeping team follows CDC cleaning and disinfecting guidelines, we cannot guarantee a germ-free stay.

Follow all River Rules. Check the River Forecast before entering the river. Life vests must be in all boats and should be worn if you are not a strong swimmer. We have enough life jackets for every piece of water equipment. Use them. We have both children's and adult vests. Supervise children at all times, especially near the river, firepits, and fireplaces.

Do not leave food outside of the cabins. We have bears and other critters. There is a fire extinguisher and first aid kit in each cabin. An emergency card with directions to the hospital is posted on the refrigerator.

RIVER RULES & KAYAK RACK

The river claims lives every year and must be respected. Please check the River Forecast before planning your trip on the water. If the water level is over 5.5 feet above normal, please do not use the water equipment or enter the river. Our Annie Oakley pier is in front of our Daniel Boone cabin (this is the first cabin when entering the property). The pier has an upper and lower platform as well as steps. The river is safe to enter as long as the water level is at or below the lower platform. If either platform is covered, do not enter the river.

You may check the River Forecast here:

https://www.weather.gov/erh/mmefs_marfc?id=SFSV2&model=GEFS

Do not leave food, trash, chairs, equipment, or anything down by the river overnight; the river and wind can rise quickly, and we've seen trash, chairs, etc., make their way into the river. Tragic! Enjoy nature, but please leave no trace that you were there.

There is plenty of equipment and life vests to share. You may launch your boat directly from the Annie Oakley pier but STAY UPSTREAM. The current is deceiving. You may also launch from the edge of the property by following the path just past the river firepit, to the right of the pier. If you want a longer float, contact the Shenandoah River Outfitters. You can find them under our Guidebook. Take a right out of our driveway and they are located just five miles up the road from our cabins.

Do not remove and take equipment off-site
No jumping or diving; there are numerous rocks and logs
Life vests must be in all watercrafts and should be worn by those who cannot swim
Wear shoes with a backing; do not go barefoot as there are cans and fishing hooks
Leave nothing by the river overnight, as water levels can rise quickly
Return water equipment to rack after each and every use for others to enjoy
Do not leave water equipment in or by the river
Place life vests and tubes on the kayak rack; if not, the wind will sweep them into the river
Stay upstream (to the right of the pier)
Do not leave plastic water bottles or trash bags by the river unattended
Do not throw trash into the fire pit, especially glass
If you fish, be careful of tackle; leave no line, hooks, or fishing gear on the ground or unattended
Children may not swim or use equipment alone
Children must always wear life vests in kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards
No climbing on kayak rack; please be gentle when replacing equipment
Respect the river and nature
All water equipment is to be used at your own risk. By using the equipment, each guest agrees to follow all safety rules and exercise good judgement at all times.
NEVER use Emergency Heat; this is expensive and does not actually work. Added utility charges for E-Heat will be passed on to guests.

LEWIS & CLARK TRAIL

The trail is approximately one mile long and circles the property with a few inner loops. You can't get lost but know that some of the trail changes periodically when the river floods or trees fall. In the summertime, we recommend you use bug spray before entering the trail. You'll find cottonwood, sycamore, and walnut trees along your path as well as paw paw trees near the river. We have seen foxes, bear, beavers, groundhogs, deer, and turkeys. We have heard coyotes across the river and observed mountain lion tracks on the trail. There are numerous waterfowl and bird species; we have a family of eagles and a nearby nest along the river. My daughter and I had the pleasure of watching a bear cross the river about 20 yards away while we were paddle boarding!

TRASH & RECYCLING

Please place bagged trash in metal bins behind your cabin. Place recycling as labeled. Ensure lids are securely closed and bungeed. We do not want to welcome hungry bears or critters, so please do not leave food in the yard or on the porch.

FIREPLACES

Fireplaces are in service November 1st through March 31st. The fireplaces are closed off-season; do not use them outside of the in-service dates. Firewood may be purchased at several locations in town, but we also sell our own and can deliver to you in advance of your stay if you ask. Please follow ALL posted instructions when using the indoor fireplace for safety and to avoid damage to our property.

We open the damper before each season to avoid excessive wear and tear. Please DO NOT touch the damper. They have been broken by guests in the past.
Do not burn anything but wood (no newspaper or trash).
NEVER use fire accelerants, such as gas, alcohol, or lighter fluid.
Please only use one lighting starters underneath a few logs to get the fire going.
Please clean out fireplace ashes with the dustpan and broom prior to leaving so the next guest can enjoy.
Ensure the ashes are disposed of in provided metal ash can.
Ensure there is space between logs to let air flow through and stir the fire.

OUTDOOR CAMPFIRES

There are five fire pits on the property which may be enjoyed year-round for campfires. Each cabin has a private pit and there are two additional pits near the river. There are long, metal smores/hotdog sticks in the kitchen.

Do not burn anything but firewood. Please do not throw trash, especially glass, in the fire pit. Supervise children constantly around campfires.

NEVER use fire accelerants, such as gas, alcohol, or lighter fluid. This could start a forest fire!

Please drown the fire out prior to going to bed. DO NOT LEAVE THE FIRE BURNING OR SMOKING!

***CHECKOUT***

Thank you for caring for our cabin during your stay! To avoid added charges, please follow all checkout procedures.

Checkout is at 10:00am.

Prior to your departure, please:

Leave used towels on the bathroom floor
Leave sheets on the beds and used beds unmade
Empty all trash receptacles and place in metal bins behind your cabin. Secure the lid tightly with bungee.
Remove food from refrigerator and freezer
Place thoroughly cleaned dishes neatly in cabinets for next guest to enjoy (please do not skip this step and leave things tidy for the next guest)
Remove completely extinguished fireplace ashes; please leave fireplace clean for next guest
If used, clean grill (do not skip this step and leave grill tidy for the next guest)
Return ALL furnishings, games, and items where found for next guest to enjoy; if you move it, put it back
Turn off all lights
Daniel Boone and Bass Reeves, turn of AC and set heat to 55 degrees (winter only)
Buffalo Bill cabin, turn off all window AC units and baseboard heaters; set downstairs baseboard heaters only to Low (winter only)
Lock ALL windows and doors
Report any damages or failing equipment (thank you!)

REVIEW & FEEDBACK

We hope you enjoyed our magical spot just as much as we do and that we earned your positive review. Your 5-star review keeps our family business and hobby farm growing.

It is especially helpful when guests privately report worn dishes/appliances, doors/knobs/cabinets in need of repair, light bulbs that need replacing, etc., as we do not live or spend the night in the cabins.

We know that everyone has their preferences, but if there are amenities you think others would enjoy, please share your thoughts!

We hope you’ll come back to see us...this is a year-round retreat and each season brings its own beauty. We truly enjoy seeing repeat guests and referrals of friends and family.

Thank you for choosing Riverfront Pioneer Cabins!

Jennifer & Ian