This 100 year home is situated facing the Ohio river in the little village of Bethlehem, Indiana. The home has a side porch and a front porch which stretches the width of the house. Front porch swings and rockers provide ample room for enjoying the views of the river and the passing of riverboats and barges.
Downstairs, the house has a large eat-in kitchen, a dining room with library and fireplace, a living room with comfortable chairs, books, musical instruments and a piano for playing, a large hallway, a full bath with a shower and a master bed room, with a queen bed.
Upstairs, there are two bedrooms. One has a double bed and two twins. The other has two twin beds. Both upstairs rooms have beautiful views of the river, and a sunrise that can be seen while lying in the bed. Connecting the upstairs rooms is what we affectionately call the teeny tiny potty. It is a small 1/2 bathroom with toilet and sink. Perfect for late night visits.
There are toys, books, and other child or adult friendly games like K'nex, Leggos, Jigsaw puzzles, colors, coloring books, art supplies, Scrabble, cards, etc. Other creative arts experiences and supplies are available for the use of patrons. Horse shoes and world class horseshoe pits are available, as well as basket ball nets and a goodly number of quiet streets for biking.
The dining room table seats 12 people. By placing two card tables in the room, the dining room capacity can seat 20. With 20 it is somewhat crowded but workable. By placing a plastic table cloth on the table, the dining room table becomes an excellent workspace for art or scrap booking.
The kitchen tables seat 8 plus 4. They can provide alternative seating space for a large crowd. Out doors is a round table that seats 6 and a picnic table that seats 6.
Bethlehem is situated about 55 minutes from downtown Louisville and about 40 minutes from Madison, Indiana. Because it is such a sweet old river town, it offers charm, quiet, peace and refreshment. Traveling from Louisville to Bethlehem is a short drive, but it is long in the ability you have to feel like you have gone away to a new place and a new atmosphere where the energy is peaceful and joyful and quiet.
The front porch faces the Ohio River. Sitting in the swing, you can watch river boaats and barges move up and down the river. Leaving the porch, you will come to a large expanse of green grass, and a huge old water maple, which sits on the edge of the bluff. The green expands over the hill and down to a short road, which serves as a boat ramp, and then on to the rocky area of the beach.
The long dock sits to the right and serves as a boat dock, fishing dock, swimming dock and sitting dock. In addition, when the river is just right, you can yell a hello across the river and hear 3 welcoming echos come back.
Across the river you will see a series of nobs, which look like the back of a dragon, especially in the morning when the fog tucks in between the hills. Along the beach, with careful combing, you can find all sorts of fossils and an occasional arrow head. Great snags of drift wood are often strewn on the beach.
Fires on the beach are some of our favorite family and group activities. Sparks fly off in the deep dark night looking for all the world like some of the best fireworks you will ever see.
When the moon is full, and the river is quietly lapping on the shore, the moonshine on the river sparkles so brightly as to rival diamonds to my way of thinking.
Birds love the area. Indigo Buntings, Eagles, Herons, Seagulls, Red Tailed Hawks, Blue Birds are among the few you will see and hear at the Storyteller's Riverhouse. Late night star gazing is wonderful from the dark beach, and those times of meteor showers are spectacular.
This Inn, which has been noted by visitors as roomy and homey and just plain comfortable is especially good for family reunions, mini-retreats, artists writing, drumming, poetry, storytelling, prayer and Bible Study retreats, paper book making and other gatherings. We sleep 8 and with the addition of two inflatable beds can sleep 10 for gatherings. The living room can accommodate 20 sitting in a circle for larger gatherings or hymn sings or such as that.
When the owner/operator Cynthia Changaris
(that would be me) is available, you can request flute playing, singing and sotrytelling. I always have a good story ready for any age group.
Come to Bethlehem and See!! You will be most welcome. Below are a series of quotes by those who have stayed at the INN:

A. Steinberger: "We came, we saw, we scrapbooked. The house, community and river are just beautiful." 8/10/01

M.J. Huff: "A special light shines on the little house in Bethlehem." 12/01

H.R. Yoos: "I am giving thanks for a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends. The blessings of time, space, beauty cannot be contained but keeps on flowing and over flowing. How can I keep from singing?" 11/01


M.McCLoud: "Serenity, energy, play. Whatever your spirit needs- you'll find it here-from the views of the river out the front door to the warmth of the house, to the caring attention of the creative hostess." 01/02

K. Kearfott: "Marvelous! Perfect! + other things that cannot be put into words. Great Cooking!" 12/01

S. Harris: I feel tremendous gratitude for the privilege of being in this beautiful, generous environment." 10/01

M.Uplens from Kirwee New Zealand: "Kia ora (Thank You). Everything here is Ka Pai-wonderful. how I love your river and your beautiful house. This morning I swam in the Ohio River. Wow! Wow! Wow! Everything is truely amazing." 10/02

C. Sutherland: "I leave enchanted, serene and totally in a state of bliss." Oct. 202

L. Southwood of Lady Bug Blessings: "Another wonderful stay! Always a wonderful stay here. The joy! The hospitality! The warmth! The stories!..We are looking forward to next time." 09/03

D&K and baby: "We had the most wonderfully peaceful relaxing two days ever! You have a glorious place here.." 05/03

H. Hickam "We had such an awesome tiem in nature! Thanhks for allowing us to have our vacatioin here. It was really refreshing right before I get bombarded with exams and papers." 11/04

E. Munds "It has been the best get-away. You have created a warm cozy place." 04/04

A group of 7 sisters: "The "Yum Yum Sisters" had a wonderful experiece in this most blessed Place." 9/04

R and K. Uesseler: "We really enjpoyed our stay. Sometimes we need to get away from our busy day to day routine and remember what is truely important in this world." 10/04

D&E Lawson: "A {Perfect Place for a Honeymoon."

J. Molner: "WOW! What a sublime pampering! Beds with a view! Artsy homey decore! Elegant comfortable Chairs! Warm Inn Keeperess! Thanks for our elegant dining experience. Lovely fresh greens, creative accompaniments, mouth watering vegetables, devine soups. Foor for the soul, the vegetarin, the carnivores, the gormond and the health enthusiast. And such presentation-Red- Green- Orange- Yellow- Siimply no dish without succulent attraction and zest!" 4/05

L. Moore: " The storyteller Riverhouse is absolutely the greatest retreat place! Cynthia, your home is warm, inviting..filled with love, laughter, singing, music, acceptance, kindness!" 9/05