As the River Bends offers geodesic domes

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In the community where both her great-grandfathers lived, Shawna Johnston-Clarke’s guests experience the rural quiet of the past, but with air conditioning.

Johnston-Clarke and her husband, Mark, operate As the River Bends, a retreat in Bishopville, Kings County, that for now consists of two geodesic domes, which are sort of super fancy tents.

Each one has a bedroom, full bathroom and a kitchen equipped with a fridge, an induction burner and a “newfangled appliance that’s a combination air fryer, toaster oven and broiler.” 

Outside are a firepit, barbecue and hot tub, and a short walk away are a sunflower labyrinth and a mindfulness garden with a yoga space and a koi pond.

The Clarkes live next door to the roughly 10-hectare parcel.

“Really, it started to grow into what it is today out of a love of nature and wanting to share it, and having feedback from people who used to come and visit how much they enjoyed it here,” Johnston-Clarke said. 

“So, we looked at what we could do here and that’s when we came across the geodesic domes.”

The foundations for the two domes were poured in December, and it took “a good-sized team” to build them in the spring. The domes came with instructions that were thorough but complicated.

The outer shell is polyvinyl, and the interior is made of a fabric with a foil backing for insulation.

“The inside finish work is what took the longest,” Johnston-Clarke said. 

“The Cedar Dome, our first one, opened June 1st and the Maple Dome opened July 15. We have been booked solid the whole time; it’s been wonderful.

“We really wanted to be a place where people could experience nature but also learn about nature, so that’s why we have our culinary experiences and our foraging, both for adults and youth. It’s that kind of piece that really fuels the passion of making this an eco-retreat, which is really our goal.”

There’s a two-night minimum at $259 per night, and most of the clients so far have come from the metro area.

“Although surprisingly we’ve had a few come from Ontario and Montreal,” said Johnston-Clarke. 

“I was pleasantly surprised that our reach is getting that far, but most of the people coming from the city like the idea that it’s a short drive away, they can get away to disconnect. A lot of the feedback that we’ve gotten . . . is that people just like to get away and they like the serenity.

“Most people are coming here for anniversaries, honeymoons, that kind of thing, to celebrate. Next door is Sadie Bell Farm and it is a wedding venue, so for next year we’ve had a bunch of people reach out to us already to book for the weekend of their wedding, for either themselves or their wedding party.”

Shane Nickerson and Courtney Pennell spent two nights at As the River Bends this week, drawn in part by the windows in the dome that let you stargaze in bed.

“The geodesic tents were a real draw, and it was just a way to get away from the city for a bit, it’s nice and tranquil. It was a little more than I expected, actually. Shawna plays attention to detail, her touch is on anything, and it’s very peaceful here, very quiet,” said Nickerson, who also spent time watching hummingbirds and a hawk. 

“A whitetail hawk, actually. I don’t know if it was hunting the hummingbirds, but it was hanging around.”

Describing herself as a “one-man band,” Johnston-Clarke is in charge of social media, cleaning, greeting and keeping the books. She’s already planning for next year.

“We are going to stay with just two domes, but in this little pine grove next door we’re looking at doing some more unique off-grid accommodations that will still be a combination of camping and glamping. We’ll still have lots of amenities, but it will be a different experience,” she said, before explaining why there are two vintage bathtubs near the entrance.

“They’ll be part of an outdoor shower . . . tub and sauna area. We are hoping to get the prelim stuff done this fall and be opening those in the spring for our guests to use, but also for people to come and experience a little mini kind of spa. It’s not going to be a Nordic spa, by any means, the budget says no, but it will be a little unique Japanese-inspired secret garden.”

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