Still Point Mountain Retreat

08/15/2024

Calling all creatives and nature enthusiasts! Join basketmaker, Luke Bauer, to explore a weaving style that lets you incorporate movement in your design (a lot like pottery!) and add accent colors by using multiple plant species in your basket.

We will meet several local plants in the woods and meadow that can be harvested and prepared for twining. Then we will walk through the technique and have the opportunity to create a basket or two in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Info and registration can be found on our events page: rollingridge.net/twined-basket-workshop

All experience levels are welcome, and youth are welcome to attend with the supervision of an accompanying adult (free for ages 12 and under).

05/16/2023

Amanita flavonica (orange amanita) near Still Point cabin near Harper's Ferry WV

05/16/2023

A red eft near Still Point on his way over land between nymph and adult aquatic stages of his life cycle.

03/17/2023

Book Still Point Mountain Retreat for Your Next Getaway!

Charles Town, West Virginia (area)

A secluded wonderland situated at the end of the road on 35 wooded acres above the Shenandoah River. We border the Rolling Ridge Conservancy’s 1400-acre wilderness preserve -- with 23 miles of marked hiking trails, creeks, waterfalls, and an intersection with the Appalachian Trail.


Our rustic-but-comfortable cabin features a wood-burning fireplace and modern amenities such as AC/central heat, satellite internet, a dishwasher, and washer/dryer. There’s a large, covered deck overlooking the Shenandoah River Valley, an outdoor fire pit, and pond.

Access is via gravel roads with a couple steep sections toward the end; 4WD vehicles are recommended but not necessary unless it is snowing.

Cost: Sliding scale $125 to $250 depending on group size, season, etc.

For more information, more photos: http://www.stillpointmountainretreat.org/

For reservations: [email protected] or [email protected]

01/08/2023

Waterfalls!

12/15/2022

You can see 360 degrees of horizon through the trees at Still Point in the winter. Plus, check out our new AirBnB local guidebook at this link... https://www.airbnb.com/s/guidebooks?refinement_paths[]=/guidebooks/1183540&share_channel=copy

12/01/2022

We have a great new farmhouse table at Still Point that seats 8 comfortably, and it has 2 leaves that attach to the ends, bringing it to a table for 12. Also, we have a comfy leather sofa in the basement now (that picture will soon be replaced with some nicer art, too).

11/21/2022

Joyful congratulations ro Ashley Wagner for publication of her first poetry chapbook, East Coast Blues, at Bottlecap Press. "There are Still Point poems in the book," Ashley told me today. Still Point and the Towson PRWR Alumni Alliance celebrate this milestone with her and we can't wait to raise a toast to Ashley and read some of these beauties at our retreat in January. You can read more about the chapbook and Ashley here: https://bottlecap.press/products/east

11/03/2022

Today I had the pleasure of touring our neighbors' beautiful riverside campus, Cool Springs of Shenandoah University. Pictured is Gene Lewis, who is the director there and also a member of the board at Rolling Ridge Conservancy, our neighbor on the ither side. The giant acorn is from a Burr Oak--they only grow right here on the Shenandoah! And all those nests in the tree by the river? That's a blue heron rookery that gets full of nesting birds in February and March! This is all a 20 minute walk through the woods from our cabin at Still Point.

10/29/2022

Autumn is aflame at Still Point

10/11/2022

Looking for a remote forest getaway that's not too far away? You can rent Still Point Mountain Retreat Cabin
Near Charles Town, WV

This log home is situated on 35 wooded acres above the Shenandoah River, bordering the Rolling Ridge Conservancy’s 1400-acre wilderness preserve—with 23 miles of marked hiking trails, creeks, waterfalls, and an intersection with the Appalachian Trail! Our rustic but comfortable cabin has a fireplace and a few modern amenities such as AC/central heat, satellite internet, washer & dryer, and a dishwasher. There’s a large, covered deck overlooking the Shenandoah River Valley, an outdoor fire pit, and pond. Access is via a steep gravel road; 4-wheel or AWD vehicle is strongly recommended.
3 bedrooms plus bunkroom, 2.5 baths, 10 guests

Per night $250. Per weekend $500. 7-night discount $1500. 4-week discount $3800. Winter 4-week discount $2700 (January and February only). For more information: http://www.stillpointmountainretreat.org/ (webpage has availability calendar) For reservations: mary_ann_welter at yahoo or lportolano at gmail dot com

09/27/2022

Some photos of quiet moments from our partner retreat this weekend. What a beautiful time we had together!

06/20/2022

Some recent visitors to Still Point, including members of our third Towson PRWR Alumni Alliance Writing Retreat. (What a great time writing all weekend!)

02/11/2022

NOTE #2: This event was cancelled because of snow and low temperatures.

Still Point is excited to be hosting this mini-retreat and salon-style reading for poet and fiction writer Sally Thomas. Stay tuned for more such events in the future!

01/06/2022

Congratulations to Sean Sam for winning 1st place at Terrain.org for a story he worked on writing at Still Point retreat! Terrain is a respected literary magazine focusing on the sense of place that has published Wendell Berry, Jane Hirshfield, Joy Harjo, and other greats! https://www.terrain.org/2021/news/12th-annual-contest-winners/

Terrain.org congratulates the winners of our 12th Annual Contest: Jennifer K. Sweeney for Poetry, Melina Walling for Nonfiction, and Sean Sam for fiction.

12/06/2021

The PRWR Alumni Alliance enjoyed another great writing reatreat at Still Point! Looking forward to many more.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/PsortjPndsifBawo6

06/22/2021

Good memory of Girls Arts retreat at Still Point

04/21/2021

These were from a quick overnight at Still Point on April 5. The bluebells and daffodils were blooming, and there are two nesting pairs of geese in the pond this year. It was Lena's first time spending the night away from her son, 15-month-old Joey, thanks to her husband Jose, who stayed with the baby!

02/07/2021

Still Point Pond looks so beautiful in the snow. This photo is from 2018.

01/22/2021

06/18/2020

Social distancing at its finest

12/10/2019

Still Point retreat cabin is a doorway to wilderness trails, mountain waterfalls, the Shenandoah River, and the "still point" within. Perfect for quiet solo or group retreats, nature study, small community engagement, or family renewal, our log home is rustic but solid and very comfy, with amenities like central AC/heat, a fireplace, wood stove, and satellite internet. One-time rentals and partnerships available.

To inquire contact Mary Ann, our manager: [email protected] or 301-332-5780

-On 35 acres bordering a 1400 acre wilderness preserve with 23 miles of marked hiking trails, access to the Appalachian Trail
-3 bedrooms plus a bunk room & sofa bed in the basement
-Full kitchen, great for camps or Thanksgiving dinners
-Amazing sunset view from back porch
-Separate small writer’s cabin sleeps 2
-Campfire circle
-Large spring-fed pond on property
-Several scenic waterfalls nearby
-Friendly, helpful ownership community of families, nature-lovers, and faith-based groups

11/28/2019

Still Point is the perfect place for a cozy-cabin Thanksgiving in the woods.

11/05/2019

Okay, Keith Curtis and Bob Sabath, I'm lookin' at you!

When making a woodpile it's important to make sure that it's raised slightly above ground to ensure drainage, and that the pieces are evenly sized so they

11/03/2019

Remembering some cozy times at Still Point.

11/02/2019

10/14/2019

10/13/2019

Still Point has breathtaking views of the Shenandoah Valley and the woods of West Virginia. Watch the sunset every night and listen to an orchestra of birds every morning. Swim in the spring-fed pond or cozy up to the fireplace in winter.

10/13/2019