.........so a fool to his folly.

My family has been going to this lodge since the late 70's. The current owner is the third we have known since first lodging here, and by far the least pleasant. I understand that a place such as this one is not easy to run, but the strict and plentiful rules, the constant scoldings (apparently 5MPH is too fast to drive on the road down) in addition to the many possible and often enforced extra fees make visiting here an exercise in patience. My family has often rented out the entire place for a week, and have returned year after year for 30 years, almost without fail. Previous owners treated us like family, and we felt as such, but no longer. So why do we keep going back?

You simply cannot find lodging like this anywhere in the area. The place is exclusive, and where on other parts of the river there can be dozens of people frequenting a beach area, here there are only the folks from the lodge itself. The scenery is gorgeous.....the place itself speaks to me spiritually. Swimming and snorkeling in the river is something I look forward to all year long. Hiking up or downstream, the scenery only improves. Peace, quiet, serenity and solitude abound. That is, when you aren't being yelled at for not washing out your recycling properly, or for parking your car in an unacceptable spot. Fishing is still permitted with strict DFG rules and a zero limit catch-and-release only stipuation. However, just walking the river can be totally rewarding. The cabins are clean enough and well-kept, but recent improvements mean more rules and stricter living guidelines. There's even a fee to use the road to get to the lodge.

All in all I can't stay away from River's Run (although we still call it by it's original moniker, Big Bend)and as was done with the first owners we knew, I would like to have my ashes spread here when my time on earth is finished. That is, if there isn't a subdivision on the land by then..........

Many members of our group (which includes family & friends) began renting this place out years before the current owner owned it. We have many, many fond memories of our kids growing up here and of sharing this uniquely beautiful place each summer.

Sadly, the current owner's partner left a couple of years ago (all you have to do is ask and the owner will tell you every inappropriate, gruesome detail of this story). The partner who left was clearly the "people person" and the remaining owner is (to put it oh-so-politely) a miserable grouch. The rules get more and more ridiculous each year, some of which don't even appear on the constantly revised list of rules and regulations. This year several of us - all grown adults whom she knows on a first-name basis, mind you - were severely scolded for absolutely no reason. Being scolded by the owner is not new to any of us who have been there before. Most years we try to make fun of it and/or put up with it because we have such a great time otherwise.

This year though, her hideous attitude could not be taken lightly. The list of offenses is too long to put here, but trust me, she went off every day to at least 2 people a day.
The very topper was when i heard her yelling at a friend "11:00 IS CHECK OUT TIME AND THAT MEANS EVERYONE OUT. OFF THE PROPERTY!!" My friend said "she puts the hostile in hospitality".

Keep in mind, we've been spending a 1/2 a week up there for as many as 20 years. She made it quite clear that she doesn't want us there and so we have collectively decided to oblige her. On the bright side - the place is for sale. So if anyone out there buys the place, we'll VERY HAPPILY return.

I've been going to this place for 10 years, and until this year, always had a great time. Sadly, the woman running the place clearly has no interest in doing so anymore, and chooses to vent her frustrations on her paying guests. Never have I felt more unwelcome. I was actually yelled at by Joan upon my arrival, and had the office door slammed in my face. Again, this after 10 years of patronage. Until the lodge is under new management, I encourage everyone to stay away.

I was traveling with my two children (11 and 13) on a two week vacation in Northern CA. We found this gem on the internet and decided to give it a try. We stayed for 4 nights and wished we had found it earlier to stay longer. What a great place! Yes, it is rustic. We stayed in one of the renovated units. It was darling and very clean and comfortable. Yes, there were a couple of moths but we are in the country so there are bugs. We don't expect the Ritz when staying in rustic cottages by the river.
The cottages are equipped with everything you could need for an extended stay. The kitchens have incredible vintage stoves and our refrigerator was only about a year old. The bathroom was newly renovated and there were laminated wood floors throughout the cottage. Each had its own bbq with all utensils provided.
Now about the location: GREAT!!! Our cottage had a view of the river from the back and we were a one minute walk to a giant swimming hole that was over 25ft deep (according to the owners.) The property has ping pong, basketball, badminton, horseshoes, football, croquet and scores of other things for active kids to do. My kids never used the word "bored" one time (a miracle to a mom believe me.)
At night they have a campfire and my kids roasted marshmallows and told ghost stories with the other guest's kids. All in all a great vacation.
The only thing is this: if you want a weekend reservation in the summer, you are already out of luck for 2008. They book really fast. They offer discounts during the week though.
Give this place a try. You won't be disappointed.
Oh, and one more thing, there is no cell service here- YAY! And no TVs in the units. It was great to have no texting and no kids shows for a little while.