Property Description Summary

Three unique buildings on the property provide various options for living arrangements, including private residence with mother-in-law quarters or guesthouse and caretaker cottage, or income-producing housing/workshop space. Ten or more guests can be housed comfortably on the property. The River Spirit website (www.riverspirit.com) features the property in its current use as a retreat house, showcases the peaceful aspects of the property, and includes pictures of the surrounding area and river valley.

The two houses enjoy ample outdoor spaces with decks, a hot tub, landscaped gardens, and views of the Little Buffalo River and the wooded mountains beyond.

A large barn-type outbuilding contains a small efficiency apartment with its own kitchen and bedroom/living room, providing a comfortable space for a caretaker or extra guests. The barn is mostly open and through the years has been used for seminars, entertaining, and shop space. It could very easily be converted into a livestock barn.

All buildings, gardens, and landscaping were developed with an eye for beauty and peace, working in cooperation with the Earth and Nature. The buildings have southern exposure, and the lodge has a passive solar design. Photovoltaic power could easily be added to provide off-grid electricity if desired. All buildings have DSL or wireless internet.

A private well, one of the best in the area, supplies water for all three buildings. Approximately 300 feet deep, this well continuously supplies great-tasting water even during the worst droughts.

A 500-gallon tank provides propane. 

The Lodge:
The natural wood walls and ceilings nurture and ground you, as simultaneously the expansive glass allows the boundary between indoors and outdoors to soften … the eyes always drawn outside to the view of the river, mountains, and stars while allowing the special quality of light to flow to the inside. Moonlight bathes the loft bedroom on full moon nights. The sound of flowing water fills the house during springtime.

The layout of the living area allows you to work in the kitchen while enjoying the big view or while interacting with guests in the living room, and the placement of the woodstove is perfect for relaxing on the sofa in front of a cozy wood fire while also gazing out to the mountains or stars.

• Approximately 2000 square feet. Two bedrooms, one bath.
• The front door opens into an entry hall with a tile floor, bench, and coat closet. Walnut from the property panels the walls.
• The entrance opens into a beautiful great room with a glass wall 14-18’ high by approximately 40’ long with views of the gardens, river, and mountains beyond.
• The great room has an open beam construction, pine tongue and groove walls and ceiling, and carpeted floor.
• Framed by the glass wall is a wood-burning Vermont Castings stove that can open for fireplace viewing.
• The glass wall is a very effective passive solar design element. Even on the coldest day, if the sun is shining no additional heat is needed in the main section of the home until after the sun goes down. The overhangs and orientation were designed so that maximum sunshine comes inside during winter but the glass stays shaded in summer.
• Stairs to one side lead to a cozy loft bedroom and balcony above the living area with closets under the stairs. The stairs and loft are made of eastern red cedar from the property.
• The kitchen overlooks the living area and glass wall. A bar separates the spaces, which is wonderful for entertaining, multiple cooks, or just enjoying the view while making a cup of tea. The kitchen includes countertop burners, a tile wall, a double porcelain sink, oak flooring, and custom-made local oak cabinets.
• A wing of the kitchen has more countertops, storage shelves, an electric range, and refrigerator. A large walk-in pantry also houses the propane water heater and has space for a second fridge or freezer.
• The large master bedroom suite (650 sq. ft.) contains alcoves and lofts for a truly unique feel. One alcove steps down to a sitting area with a window seat – perfect place to curl up with a cup of tea and a good book. A cozy loft functions very nicely as an altar/meditation area or can be used as additional sleeping space.
• A small room off the master bedroom that has served as an office could easily be converted into a second bathroom.
• Storage is ample with two walk-in closets.
• A cone-shaped fireplace and two skylights add to the beauty and romance of the room.
• The spacious bathroom has a built-in tub, separate shower, and tile floor. It opens out to the deck where there is an outdoor shower with hot and cold water.
• A closet contains space for a full sized washer, dryer, and shelves.
• There are plenty of bookshelves throughout the house.
• Heat is provided by passive solar and wood with back-up propane and electric wall heaters and a motel-type unit.
• A motel-type unit and a window unit provide air conditioning. Ceiling fans provide good cross ventilation.
• Satellite – available but not installed.
• Large deck – approximately 1200 sq. feet – wraps across the entire back of the house: great place for a party or a tai chi class or sitting in the sun.
• Slightly down the hill toward the river, a separate deck with a hot tub is a heavenly destination for relaxation. The view is outstanding, and it is the perfect spot for stargazing.

Guest Cottage (The Cabin)
Next door is the smaller guest cottage. It has been a place where many people have enjoyed taking time out of busy lives to retreat and renew. The space is separate and private, yet close enough to the main house that there is an easy flow between the two buildings.

• Approximately 500 square feet. One bedroom, one bath. The cabin is self-contained and private while providing lovely accommodations for guests.
• The cabin contains a small sitting area, dining area, kitchen and a loft.
• A window unit, electric wall heaters, a woodstove, and a ceiling fan provide air conditioning and heating options.
• A spacious bathroom has a tub-shower combination.
• A covered front porch with porch swing provides a relaxing place to enjoy the view.

Large Outbuilding (The Barn)
This 40’ x 80’ mostly open post and beam building with metal roof is ready for any purpose. The imagination can go wild with all the possibilities and potential that this space has. As is, the space, which is bordered by landscaped grounds, is perfect for entertaining large crowds or holding workshops, whether intimate or large. In the past, temporary shops have been put up to build harps and other fine woodwork. It could also be converted to a barn for livestock with plenty of room to house farming equipment.

A studio apartment on one side of the barn has its own charm. The floor is a patchwork tile that friends helped install. A combination bedroom-living room and separate kitchen provide cozy comfort. A window AC unit, electric heat, and ceiling fan provide air conditioning, and an outdoor shower and outhouse serve as its bathroom. Located away from the other two spaces, it works well for caretakers or other longer-term residents to live on the property while offering privacy for everyone. One of the most fun things about this living space is that it opens out into a very large covered area and beyond toward a view of the mountains.

The Land:
This property is located in the heart of beautiful Murray Valley and has more than a quarter mile of river frontage. The Little Buffalo River flows year-round but goes underground here during dry times. The river is visible from the Lodge, and its sound will lull you to sleep at night.

• The land is park-like with some open fields, pastures, and semi-open areas with large trees. It is partially fenced.
• A fertile bottomland field (approximately 3 acres) could be used as pasture for animals or for farming or additional garden space, fruit trees, berries, etc.
• The grounds surrounding all of the buildings are well established and beautifully landscaped with rock walls, native trees, and flowerbeds. Something is always blooming.
• The yard leads downhill to a large organic garden, which is planted in terraces. Herbs and perennial plants thrive beside wild plants and vegetables: a paradise for butterflies. The garden has been lovingly cultivated by hand for many years.
• An outdoor faucet provides access to well water for irrigation.
• The property has good access along a well-established, private gravel driveway.

What makes your home a Green or Healthy Home?

Earth and Nature were foremost considerations in the design of all buildings, gardens, and landscaping. My ongoing attitude has been one of working with nature, using local products and local craftsmen throughout the property. Native wood and stone, organic gardens and landscaping, the free-flowing river, the surrounding deciduous forests, the well water and pure air all contribute to an organic, nature-oriented peaceful existence.

Due to the home’s southern exposure and passive solar design, the home is filled with natural light, and utility expenses and pollution are minimized.

Neighborhood Description

This property is located in rural Murray Community, which is hidden in a fertile river valley in the Boston Mountains of northwest Arkansas. The nearest town is Jasper, fourteen miles away via curvy backroads (eight miles of pavement and six miles of gravel), which makes the property seem fairly remote while still having good access.

Murray has a community building and park. There is a strong feeling of community support, while at the same time everyone lives far enough apart to provide for a strong sense of privacy. Neighbors are a splendid mix of organic farmers, creative types (musicians, artists, craftsmen), spiritual folks, horseback riders, and environmentalists. Many of us have been here since the 1970s and have chosen lifestyles purposely “alternative” to the mainstream. We joined a handful of local people who have lived on the land for generations, and we are now joined by lawyers, psychologists, and others who work in the city but have vacation homes here and most recently by a Tibetan lama who is establishing a Buddhist Center in the valley.

Murray is in Newton County, a rural county of rugged mountains, fertile valleys, and pristine rivers. The Little Buffalo River starts in the mountains above Murray Valley, then winds down through scenic fields and woodlands through the town of Jasper and beyond to the Buffalo River. Buffalo National Wild and Scenic River is a national park that bisects Newton County. The entire county is comprised of magnificent mountains, rocky streams, bluffs, caves, and waterfalls. Opportunities abound for hiking, swimming, caving, canoeing, rock-climbing, bird watching, and nature photography.

Small farms and rustic homes spread (with plenty of elbow room) through the valleys and along the scenic country roads of Newton County. Small communities like Murray are scattered here and there through the mountains, and the overall feel is one of serenity and natural beauty.

Market Area

The county seat is Jasper, a small town of about 500. It provides for most needs, including restaurants; farm, building, and hardware stores; medical clinic, ambulance service, and pharmacy; churches; post office; a K-12 school; a grocery store and a tiny health food store; a seasonal farmers market; and a city park. Small businesses include B&B cottages and cabins, canoe rentals, and other enterprises devoted to tourism. There are no major industries nor factories in the entire county.

Within an hour’s drive, the nearby town of Harrison (population 12,000) provides all of the amenities commonly found in small towns, including good employment opportunities, a community college, an airport, a hospital, a movie theatre, and good restaurants and shopping.

Within a two-hour drive, the cities of Fayetteville, Springdale, and Branson (Missouri) offer virtually all stores and conveniences usually found in larger cities, including entertainment, malls, bookstores, etc. The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville is the source for sports events, concerts, and academic opportunities.

The outlying area also offers lakes and rivers for fishing and boating, trails and campgrounds for outdoors enthusiasts, scenic highways for bicycling or motorcycling, and tourism destinations like Eureka Springs with its turn-of-the-century hotels and spas.

School District

Jasper

Community

Murray

Home Type or Land

Other

Location of Home or Land

Rural

Elevation of Home

Mountain