March 2008 Issue

A Night to Remember - At Boulders Edge Tipi Retreat

Sleeping like movie stars Kevin Costner and Tom Cruise sounds pretty good to us –– even if that does mean nodding off in the great outdoors.

Which is why fans of “Dances With Wolves” and “The Last Samurai” should check out the authentic, Sioux-style tipis –– made by the same company that supplied those hit movies –– courtesy of At Boulders Edge in the scenic, southeast Ohio town of Rockbridge. The tipis are 20 feet in diameter (they can comfortably sleep eight people) and come equipped with air mattresses, sitting pillows and a chimnea for heating in the winter. During warmer months, guests can take advantage of the outdoor solar-heated shower, picnic tables and fire pits with cooking grates –– not to mention, the region’s unrivaled flora and fauna.

While the tipi retreats may be a nod to Native American culture, At Boulders Edge also offers “Appalachian-style” escapes in the form of secluded log cabins, each housed on an acre of pine forest. But no matter which type of accommodation visitors prefer, owners Frank and Rene Marteney greet everyone with the same laid back demeanor –– an attitude that matches the serene surroundings.

And there’s a bonus for overnighters: The Marteneys’ property backs up to the 140-acre Rockbridge State Nature Preserve, meaning guests of At Boulders Edge can skip the traditional park entrance and enjoy VIP access to Ohio’s largest natural bridge.