The Life ‘O Riley is a quiet venue located just a few miles from Kinkaid Lake on Ava Road. As couples are looking for just the right place to begin their love story, this offers something unique and refreshing. This venue provides many amenities for families as they plan for their special day. It’s also the perfect get away for a weekend adventure, retreat, or other special event. As you journey t
hrough the woods, over the trickling creek, and across the dam of the pond, you will hear the sounds of the chirping birds, possibly see a few deer who seek refuge there, and certainly see and hear the friendly chatter of the family of ducks and geese that reside on the premises. As you make the sharp turn toward the venue, a canopy of trees still remains from the old “Mudline Railroad,” which years ago, transported supplies across our region. You may still find a rock or two from the railroad bed if you walk along the road. At the first blush of spring, the woods is a harbor for May apples and spring flowers. You can smell the sweet smell of honeysuckle if you open the window and take in the fragrance. After a rain, the fresh smell of the woods reminds you of the importance of taking care of our environment and protecting “Mother Nature”. This is why we want to share this with you. Every season offers something different. The trees along the driveway are bursting with blooms as the promise of spring arrives. In summer, you can walk across the bridge to the island, or across “Lauren’s Baby Creek,” to see if you can spot a fish or two swimming along the ponds edge. Put on a pair of boots and wade through the creek. It will bring back those childhood memories or help you create new ones. Pick up a fishing pole and cast out a line. You better have a second person to take off the fish though, because you get a bite as quickly as you cast your rod. The fall leaves bring a blanket of color, the enjoyment of the fall harvest, and the opportunity to reflect and be thankful for what the year has provided. No matter the season, there is always something new to experience. We call it the “Life O’ Riley.” The Estate is easily accessed from Ava Road, and is only minutes from Carbondale. We (Frank and Di) have shared the beauty with many people over the years. Give us the opportunity to share with you what God has helped us to create. There are several locations on the Estate which could be the setting for a beautiful outdoor wedding, and more areas are in the planning stage. If you choose to exchange your vows at the site across from the island, at the bridge, the breathtaking view will remind you that you are in concert with nature and will confirm the fact that a higher power is responsible for this beauty. For smaller, more intimate weddings, choose the location around the Estate home, with the large outdoor pool and pavilion. Picture the bride walking down one of the two sets of curved stairs coming from each side down to the focal point of the area. The reflections of the candles floating on the water creates a certain ambiance to set the mood for your celebration. However, if you choose a smaller, inside location on the premises, we can accommodate that too, as well as parties, reunions, and weekday or weekend lodging accommodations. We are booking events now, following state restrictions, and for 2021. Give us a call, we’ll be happy to discuss your needs and we would love to show you around. We have a variety of packages and can accommodate larger groups as well as smaller ones. Especially during the pandemic, our focus is to provide you with an environment that is SAFE, following the Health Department and CDC guidelines, while resulting in a memorable experience you can treasure a lifetime. You too can experience “The Life ‘O Riley.”
