Skip to main content

Thoroughly Modern Getaway

We had been hearing about the unique hideaway called the Canebrake for years. I decided Jackie's birthday would be the perfect occasion to get out of town to sample their gourmet menu and spend the night in a cabin in the woods.


The Canebrake is located just east of Wagoner, OK on a peninsula overlooking Fort Gibson Lake. It's miles away from the city lights so it's a great place to "get away from it all."


The folks at the Canebrake offer some unique amenities that set them apart from your typical hideaway. The ropes challenge course, spa facilities and yoga classes have made it a popular venue for corporate retreats. Live jazz and an award-winning restaurant make it a hit with casual diners.


The building and decor have a distinctive Southwest feel, but more modern. Instead of cow skulls and Indian blankets the lobby features works by local artists. The Oklahoma-centric paintings of Jack Fowler were on display when we visited.

Dining at the Canebrake was a treat. They're well known for their Sunday brunch, but we were quite happy with their dinner service. The menu offers a great variety of small and large plates plus an excellent selection of wines. And beer drinkers can enjoy several regional brews.

Since the kitchen staff actually prepares each dish it's no problem for them to accommodate special requests. There are several vegetarian options on the menu, and they were more than happy to make Jackie a vegan version. We lingered over dinner nearly two hours before retiring to our room.

The next morning we trotted down to the Yoga Barn (yes, it's really called that). Jackie has taken a couple of classes, but this was my first yoga experience. A bum knee kept me from fully participating, but we had a wonderful time. The heated cork flooring was a special treat since it was a chilly December morning. Guests are encouraged to participate and the Barn is fully equipped with all the accoutrements.

We ended our getaway with another cup of coffee and thanked the staff for their attention and a wonderful stay. Getting another year older may be inevitable, but gems like the Canebrake almost make it worth it.

Almost.

For more information visit thecanebrake.com.

Comments

Malena said…
My husband and I have been meaning to make it over there. Thanks for this reminder and great pics. I love the idea of yoga barn. What fun.

The Recent Past

Oklahoma State Capitol Bank

On the Trail of Julius Shulman: Stop 2 "This is a bank," the sign outside the futuristic building read. According to legend a prankster added a strategic question mark and echoed the sentiment of many passers-by: "This is a bank?" That was back in 1964 when it opened. Today the Arvest on Lincoln Boulevard looks a bit less Jetsonian, mostly due to replacement of structural glass below the "saucers," but it's still an unusual bank. Designed by Robert Roloff of the architectural firm Bailey, Bozalis, Dickinson & Roloff, the State Capitol Bank caused quite a stir in Oklahoma City when it opened. Heck, it's still pretty shocking today! Originally the flying saucers appeared to hover above the building (as seen in this vintage postcard). All the glass that made that effect possible also made heating and cooling an expensive proposition. Security concerns also mandated replacement of those windows with solid materials and small square portholes

Visit to the Prairie Chicken House

This unique house on the edge of Norman, Oklahoma is known to most as the prairie chicken house. Designed by Herb Greene in 1960, he preferred to call it simply the Prairie House .  Thanks to the  Prairie House Preservation Society  (PHPS) it is now possible for the public to experience one of Oklahoma's most unusual architectural treasures. 

Home of ORU Architect on the Auction Block

Frank Wallace is best known as the man behind the futuristic look of the Oral Roberts University campus. On October 14, 2010 his unique home overlooking ORU will be sold in a public auction conducted by Mister Ed's Auctions . Jackie and I recently had a chance to visit with Mr. Wallace and learn more about the house, his career and his thoughts on architecture. When we visited we expected to snap a few photos of an empty house and speak with a representative from the auction company. To our surprise the door opened, and we were greeted by Mr. Wallace himself! After assuring him we were not architects, he let us look around. Unfortunately we were not prepared to interview the man whose buildings incite such extremely diverse reactions- but that didn't stop me from asking him several questions anyway.  The home, completed in 1980, was designed and built by Wallace who is now 87. The expansive home is so large that Wallace spends most of his time in a room that was his la