An all seasons Romantic couple’s escape in authentic timber frame cabins located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia bordering the Shenandoah National Park. Experience the traditional European charm of these elegant cabins and marvel at the masterful craftsmanship of the solid oak timbers and the exposed joinery… much the same as it would have been in the middle ages. This truly unique escape is conveniently located in a woodland park setting along the “Blue Ridge Whisky Wine Loop” where fine food & wine, distilleries, breweries, Luray Caverns, Shenandoah National Park, and other unforgettable experiences are just a short drive away.

Karen and Ralph Riddle Karen, born in NYC, is the middle daughter of parents who were second and third generation European. Following her early years in NYC, Karen’s family moved to Pennsylvania… and ultimately Virginia. Ralph is the youngest of two in what was a military family. His father met his German mother in Germany in the 1950’s where they married. His father, a career soldier, spent several tours with the family in Germany… where Ralph was often raised by his German mother and relatives while his father was deployed or on duty. This was the beginning of Ralph’s indoctrination to European culture and language. After Ralph’s father’s retirement from the US Army, they settled in Newport News, VA. Karen and Ralph met and started dating during high school in Newport News, Virginia in the early 1980’s. Immediately upon graduation from college, they married. Karen pursued a career in business where she excelled in Sales; ultimately, making a name for herself selling technology product internationally and opening offices overseas. Ralph began as a fledgling Landscape Architect. After pursuing this career for a couple of years, he became tired of a minimalist lifestyle and his

Shadow Mountain Escape is located on 15 acres bordering the Shenandoah National Park - offering 4 timber frame cabins with a half-mile nature trail, property pond, stone courtyard and observation tower. We created the Blue Ridge Whisky Wine Loop which is included in our classic itinerary.