TUSKAHOMA – It was early evening when “Coach” began gathering firewood and making a stack for the firepit. Each day he did this, making a stack of firewood, in advance of the nightly fire he would have blazing in the center of the rock circle. There was something primal about it. Ancient. And Coach knew that. He may be a Boston Red Sox-loving older guy from West Texas, but it was here, deep in the woods of Choctaw Country, in southeastern Oklahoma, where he felt at home.
I found myself at River Bird Lodging. And upon arriving on a spring afternoon after working on stories in nearby Red Oak, I knew little more than what I had seen on the website. Taking U.S. Highway 271, and turning down North 4440 Road (Deep Lake Loop Road), I followed the signs along the dirt road to where it ends on the River Bird Lodging property, which is owned by Jamie and Niki Cunningham, the Texas/ Arkansas couple who now call this bucolic and peaceful spot home.
Their engaging and inquisitive 11-year old son Cade promptly approached me, asking various questions about where I was from and if I had served in the military. He then asked to take my bags to my suite, which was a cozy space on stilts (mine was called “Kingfisher”) that was modern, clean and spacious – with kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and dining/living area. Plus, a great view of the nearby mountains and wilderness and the flowing waters of the Kiamichi River below.
At $135 per night (plus a $35 cleaning fee), it was a deal. The views alone are easily worth that.
Next to me was the other suite – Mockingbird – which was roughly identical and was occupied this particular Thursday night by a couple from Texas celebrating the wife’s birthday by escaping the hustle and bustle of DFW and breathing deeply the mountain air of this beautiful corner of Oklahoma wilderness.
And so, after a drink I sauntered out onto their property, wandering the trails cut out of the woods by Coach (Niki’s retired father) and quietly watching the river roll by, a little higher, Cade told me, due to a recent rainstorm in the region.
Admittedly, the weather was not entirely cooperative this visit. While Thursday night was dry and relaxing as I took in Coach’s blazing fire, my plans to read a new James Patterson book down by the riverbank, coffee cup in hand, were literally rained upon.
CONVERSATIONS
I came away from my visit to River Bird thinking as much about the thoughtful and interesting conversations I shared with Niki and Jamie. They told me about their lives back in the Texas rat race and ultimately deciding not to compromise their lives and beliefs by continuing to “go with the flow” of modern American society. Why do that when you can start anew amongst Oklahoma’s beautiful mountains and streams? And so they did just that, creating River Bird Lodging in the process, living on-site and meeting all sorts of fascinating people from all over the world.
And while the pandemic still churns on in the wider world, here at River Bird Lodging, the madness and fear seem a world away. Here, you can relax and inhale gratitude and exhale peace.
I only wish I could have stayed a few extra days to take in some kayaking, read in a hammock down by the riverside or stroll the trails on the 12 acres of land the Cunninghams own, far from either Tuskahoma or Albion, the nearest towns.
Jamie Cunningham, a burly Arkansan with a long white beard is about as friendly as could be. His life before, in the defense industry, seems like a lifetime ago, the way he talks about it. He and his devout Christian family now have found a place to call home. I have to admit, I’m a bit jealous out here away from it all.
After all, I concur with a guest who noted on the comment section of the River Bird website that the Cunninghams were “welcoming” and “very accommodating! Like being with family!”
Truer words.
Check-in is at 3 p.m. and checkout time is 11 a.m.
For more information call 918-578-4464 or visit their website at riverbirdlodging. com.