Merging Waters

Merging Waters, is a bi-level, native stone cabin (over 1000 ft.²) in the Ouachitas, a mountain range older than the Rockies. It’s Internet is STARLINK. Entryway (8 X 18’ ) breezeway + downstairs bathroom with shower; + (soon to be available laundry room) The great room: open-concept with a one-of-a-kind spiral oak staircase separating living and kitchen/dining areas. Loft bedroom w/ queen size bed and French doors opening onto an elevated open-air deck. Backyard patio, grill, firepit. The space Merging Waters is great for couples who desire to get away from the frenzied rush of daily life and back to the really important things that bring happiness. Merging Waters name was chosen for a reason beyond the obvious. Yes, on this property, the waters of the two creeks merge, but here, lives can also merge and one can pause, if only briefly, and more intimately experience the daily miracles of the Creation as earth, water and sky merge while the living creatures of this earth interact, their lives also merging with each other and with our own. Hopefully , when our guests depart, and return to their daily lives, they will take with them renewed feelings of joy or hope, or inspiration or faith or, dare I say it, love. To my guests, I wish you a beautiful stay and a safe return. and if your experience turns out to be a wonderfully memorable one, I hope you will visit Merging Waters again someday. Below is a summary of what is in the cabin: The main floor is open-concept divided by a one-of-a-kind, custom-made, oak spiral staircase that separates the living and kitchen/dining areas. *IMPORTAANT Guests must be able to climb the spiral staircase which is rather steep with narrow steps as the only sleeping accommodations are on the loft. The spiral staircase has a maximum weight limit of 250 lbs., so if the couples combined weight exceeds that limit, they will need to ascend and descend with only one person on the staircase at a time. What's downstairs: Recent 272 sq ft addition includes 8 X 18’ Breezeway with 16 feet with screened sliding glass doors, a small downstairs bathroom with dual shower head shower and soon to be available laundry room. Great room: double-recliner couch, end tables with lamps 32” flat screen TV with Dish, DVD player, Antique Oak armoire for hanging and folded items (placed there so guests can avoid carrying heavy luggage up the spiral staircase) Antique Oak library table/desk, lamp and clock Oak dining table with chairs Noritake stoneware dishes and crystal wine glasses. Kitchen with full size appliances , microwave and Coffee pot, both standard and Keurig, with complimentary coffee. Soap stone stove for ornamental use only, containing ceramic logs and LED remote candles. The kitchen door leads out onto a covered patio in the wire-fenced backyard where the firepit and charcoal grill are located. There is a back gate for easy access to the creek. Just outside the gate is a fish cleaning station. What's upstairs: The loft contains the sleeping area and en-suite bathroom. Queen sized bed side-table Rocking chair and table with lamp Dormer with French doors that open onto an elevated open-air deck that is great for star gazing couples and listening to the night sounds of the forest. Shelves with additional towels, a blanket, and a laundry hamper are just outside the bathroom doors. Bathroom shower has a handheld shower wand that can be turned off and the double rain shower heads engaged. Merging Waters cabin sits on approximately 7+ acres immediately off of the paved highway. The two creeks join on the property, so guests can enjoy both sides of each creek on the property if they choose. Cabin rules: This is a couples only cabin. No parties and no events allowed No additional overnight guests. No minor children. No pets allowed. We especially ask that you honor this in respect for those people who are highly allergic to animal hair and dander. Also being in the woods with nearby creeks, poisonous snakes, and other wildlife which roam freely may be irresistible for curious pets and be a danger for them. There is no inside smoking, but smoking areas are readily available outside on the upper open-air deck or on the back yard covered patio below Guest access Guests have access the entire cabin, except for a very small area behind the loft shower, which are for cleaning & maintenance personnel and supplies only Do to the current health crisis we have added a dedicated Laundry room/storage for maintenance personnel only and by arrangement for guests staying 5 or more days. There is also a non-accessible locked shed with lean-to for maintenance equipment. The back end of the carport that contains firewood, is for distribution by maintenance personnel only. For the guests convenience, the wood that is allotted for the backyard fire-pit, for each couple’s stay will be found in the backyard firepit and/or the nearby rack, Any additional wood desired for outings etc. may be purchased at one of the convenience stores in our area or near the lake. The front half of the large carport is for guests covered parking. The double gated entry: Guests will be provided with a code to be entered on the keypad mounted to the leftside gate support panel. This private entry provides access to Merging Waters guests and to my personal residential cabin (not visible from the entry). There is a second keypad mounted to the carport for exiting the property. In each case, the gate will remain open for about a minute and a half to allow entry, so be prepared to drive on through. It will then automatically close. Guests have free access to the 7+ acres designated as Merging Waters property & the creeks within the Merging Waters borders. Be aware that rocks may be very slippery along and in the creeks and the owner does not assume responsibility for injury. Guests use the property and enter the creek and swim at their own risks. Owner assumes no responsibility for injury while on the property whether from wildlife or natural disasters. Being in low lying areas near bodies of water, while spectacular, comes with risks of flash flooding, just as hurricanes sometimes occur in coastal areas. Therefore, in inclement weather, always pay attention to the National Weather Service advisories and one’s surroundings. If there are torrential rains, move to higher ground. Please also note all the surrounding property is privately owned (not National Forest land) so we ask that you be respectful and not trespass. Just as guests have sought privacy and tranquility so too have your neighbors. Therefore,extremely loud music is not acceptable and additional guests or visitors, parties etc. are not allowed. No shooting or hunting is allowed as Merging waters location is just off the U.S. Highway. Other things to note Sites to Visit We think Merging Water’s location has a distinct advantage for those who wish to have experiences beyond lake life. For those who prefer less congestion and more tranquility and solitude, Merging Waters is only about 30 minutes from what some call Oklahoma’s most beautiful lake at Beaver’s Bend In addition, our location, higher in the Ouachita’s offers a more natural and tranquil setting simply because it is less developed and, consequently, less congested. There Is a good deal of National Forest land to roam, hiking trails. Northern Mountain Fork River area is a favorite to anglers, and Kayak and canoe enthusiasts alike. Cedar Lake in the Ouachitas is also only about 16 miles from Merging Waters. Our location is also approx. 40 minutes from Mena, Arkansas. The Talimena Scenic Byway and Queen Wilhelmina State Park and Lodge may be explored enroute. There are other hiking trails beginning near the Lodge or, starting in Mena, 40 min. from the cabin, one can follow the Talimena National Scenic Byway, a total of 54 miles winding through one of the highest mountain ranges between the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachians, from Mena Arkansas to Talihina, Oklahoma. Another option is to just hang a right from the Lodge and descend to Mena itself. It has several eating establishments and a Walmart Super Center for forgotten items or fresh produce. There is also a small seasonal farmers market near the historic train station. A unique and beautiful site about 35 minutes from Merging Waters is the Heavener Rune Stone State Park, just 2 miles outside of Heavner’s main intersection. For the few who become overwhelmed by the solitude of mountain country life and long for a break back to the “big city”, one of the most unique cities in Arkansas is about 112 miles from Merging Waters. Not bad for a day trip for the young at heart. It is the City of Hot Springs, Arkansas, famous for Bath House Row with its thermal spring baths being a part of the National Parks system. Beautiful hiking trails as well as a pedestrian promenade are located right in the heart of the city on the hill behind the Row. The Row itself is a double boulevard, lined by beautiful Magnolia trees. In addition, Oaklawn Horse Racing Track (seasonal) is also located there, as well as the famous McClard’s barbecue restaurant.