River Run Retreat
Your modern luxury riverside retreat in Suches, “The Valley Above the Clouds”
At a Glance
* Gorgeous new build right on the Toccoa River
* In Suches, a scenic misty-mountain town just two hours north of Atlanta
* Direct river access, trophy trout stream (fly fishing, catch-and-release)
* King master bedroom with ensuite bathroom; queen bedroom; loft with two twins
* Sleeps 6
* Dogs welcome and loved, not just “allowed” (see The Small Print for details)
* Open-concept modern design
* Beautifully decorated with exclusively local artwork, folk art, and photography
* On a spacious flat property — outdoor heaven for big people, little humans, and doggos
* Pups and people welcome to swim and play in the calm river
* Location is water-lover’s dream: tubing, kayaking, canoeing, and fly fishing all super close
* 2 sleek and luxurious bathrooms, freestanding soaking tub
* Wood burning stove = extra toasty (did someone say, “slow-cooked stew”?)
* Big Green Egg smoker
* Outdoor shower
* Veranda with fireplace, smart TV, couches
* Modern, fully-equipped kitchen with dishwasher
* Supplementary coffee nook with mini fridge
* Ninja dual coffee maker (k-cup or carafe)
The River Run Story...
The weekend after she finished building River Run, Karla invited a bunch of her city-girl besties up for a couple of days. They arrived in Suches, got out of their SUV’s, took one look at the large cabin and the expanse of land in every direction, the river, the mountains in the middle distance… and told her it was all too much for one person.
“They immediately started trying to talk me out of it,” Karla tells me as we chat about the property.
“‘The house is so big, and it’s way off-grid — there’s nobody around for what seems like miles. It’s so lonesome you could howl!’ they said. ‘You have got to get rid of it.’” Karla smiles at the memory.
“It was like an intervention,” she says, laughing now.
The cabin was going to be her and her husband’s dream house. He lived to fly fish, and she, too, loved being on the water. They bought the land and started building the large modern lodge from scratch. When he passed, Karla decided to keep their dream alive: she finished and decorated the stunning cabin on her own.
As for the girls’ weekend? After preparing and enjoying a big dinner together, followed by an evening of wine, laughter, coziness, and the warmth of the fire while watching the inky sky light up with stars, the group slept the deep sleep of cool mountain nights.
In the morning, drinking coffee and listening to the river’s gentle song, they said to Karla, “You cannot sell this house.”
***
These days Karla wouldn’t dream of parting with River Run. It’s become an irreplaceable part of her life — and her family’s.
“It’s great for kids, what with being right on the river,” Karla says. She has four grown children, who visit River Run often, with their own kids, and dogs.
“They absolutely love it. When they come it feels like a vacation.” Karla points at the shimmering river a few hundred feet away from the house. “My granddaughter caught her first fish right there, right in my backyard.”
“Now I bring my girlfriends up all the time,” she says. “And even when I am not here I just want people to enjoy it. It’s magical!”
Karla tells me about Suches nights: sitting under a canopy of stars and watching the moonrise… and the summer days spent in the cool, gentle river, and sitting right at the water’s edge, feeling the breeze coming off the Toccoa.
“It’s outdoor heaven. I mean, there’s a herd of deer that sleep right in my front yard, for goodness’ sake!” She quickly tells me that when there are dogs around, the deer decamp in a hurry and choose to spend their nights elsewhere.
***
It’s not all about the mountains, river, and outdoors, though. The cabin, itself, is the definition of modern luxury, and delightful to sleep, eat, cook, and relax in. Open, airy, tastefully furnished and outfitted with every amenity and gadget, it’s an absolute gem. You feel it in every room of the house: someone had a dream and put a lot of love and care into it.
***
Karla is spending more and more time at River Run, and her big-city friends are, too. “Of course we are,” Karla says. “It’s so peaceful. This is the place for you, if you want to relax, unwind, play, have a cookout, sway in the hammocks by the river… You spend the day hiking or daytripping to nearby towns, then come home to this? It’s just so peaceful,” she says again. “Sometimes I just sit out there with a book and a glass of wine, watching the mist rising from the river, and think, ‘this is a fairytale.’”
When I ask her about her favorite parts of the house, she doesn’t hesitate. “That deck! Oh, and the bathtub.”
***
For so many reasons, Karla is glad she decided to see River Run through to its completion. I’m sure when you visit, you will be, too.
Pro Tips & Local Wisdom
Spend a day swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing at Lake Winfield Scott, hidden within the Chattahoochee National Forest.
Roll up your sleeves and get your fill of authentic Southern barbecue at Wildcat BBQ and General Store.
Pick a designated driver and do a wine tour of what the New York Times called, “Georgia’s Wine Country” (our favorite vineyards are around Dahlonega, just a short drive away)
Hit the Appalachian Trail — Suches is close to several sections of the legendary hiking route, which stretches all the way from Georgia to Maine
Drive, moto, or foot-powered-cycle the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway: breathtaking mountain vistas, fun stops along the way, and adrenaline-pumping twisties!
The Small Print
The Sounds of Silence: please limit outdoor use of speakers and other amplified sound equipment to 8:00 am through 10:00 pm, Sunday through Thursday; 8:00 am through 11:00 pm, Friday and Saturday.
You love your furry friends, and we’d love to host one or a couple of them. We charge a $75 cleaning fee per dog, per day. Cats make us sneeze: please leave them with grandma
We put together a starter kit for your arrival (5 trash bags under kitchen sink, 1 roll of paper towels per kitchen, 3 rolls of t.p. per bathroom, small bars of body soap) — please anticipate any needs beyond that, and stock up in town or bring from home
Suds and beans can be very personal choices: please bring your own laundry detergent and coffee.
You’ll find an ample supply of dish soap, shampoo, conditioner, and hand soap.
Need us? We've got you, 24/7. Give us a buzz and we’ll be there in a jiff to help you with any unforeseen detail.
From our entire team, a big thank-you for choosing SVR — and booking so much more than a rental property. With nearly 10,000 stays and half as many glowing reviews, our guests agree.
Born and bred here in Georgia, we ensure our clients feel the warmth of our southern hospitality and have unforgettable stays in beautiful homes — in one of the prettiest landscapes the country has to offer.
We love North Georgia — and we love sharing her with you. In each of our cabins you’ll find an “Experience the Mountains” manual full of suggestions about local attractions such as hikes and sightseeing, as well as our favorite restaurants in town.
Want to connect with us about anything from the layout of the property to our favorite local IPA? Give us a shout. Someone on our team of locals (possibly me) will be happy to chat with you, answer any questions, and help you book your next dream mountain vacation.
We can’t wait to see you soon in our neck of the woods… and mountains, and lakes, and so much more.
License Number STR-036024
