3/12/2010
Posted by Ron Bell
Many of our guests enjoy watching the birds that visit the suet feeders and seed feeders found at each of our cabins. So that the birds remain happy--and our guests, too!--we make a diligent effort to keep our feeders stocked. Now, we've known for quite some time that we have been feeding more than just the birds. Other woodland critters have learned that our dedication to keeping fed the avian society means a free meal.
Recently, I took advantage of a midweek opening and spent the night in our Settler's Hollow Cabin. While there, I was able to capture a couple pics of two suet snatchers. The raccoon made a 12:30 AM visit that startled me from sound sleep. The squirrel, showing off some acrobatic talents, arrived the next morning to finish what Bandit left behind. I suppose with some effort we could really mammal-proof our bird feeders if we wanted; but, I must admit, our non-winged visitors add an element of entertainment.
WINTER BEAUTY IN HOCKING HILLS STATE PARK
2/9/2010
Posted by Ron Bell
We're often too busy with the cabins to appreciate the beauty around us. But a slow day recently allowed me
to get away early one afternoon and visit nearby Old Man's Cave after the recent winter storm I posted about below.
It was so beautiful I couldn't stop walking and ended up at Cedar Falls. The snow and ice from the previous weekend's storm coated everything.
This was really a memorable hike for its beauty. I took the Gorge Overlook Trail to Cedar Falls and then
took the trails in the gorge on the return trip. I think the Gorge Overlook Trail above the gorge was
more beautiful than being in the gorge as the snow was draped all over the pines and hemlocks. It
really was stunning to walk through, and peaceful, as I only saw 6 people all day. In the gorge, the
trail from the lower falls to the upper falls was literally a sheet of ice, but my trusty YakTrax
allowed me to hike without breaking stride. True lifesavers in conditions like this.
I couldn't stop taking pictures, so there are many to view in this Facebook photo album.
WINTER STORM 2010
2/7/2010
Posted by Ron Bell
An early February winter storm dropped 6" of wet snow and left an unbelievably beautiful scene across the
Hocking Hills. Here is a link to our Facebook photo album of some snow pics taken on our property:
Now that we've gotten a few pictures to reflect back upon in the future, we're ready for the snow to go away and spring to arrive.
WE'RE NOT HIBERNATING THIS WINTER
2/1/2010
Posted by Ron Bell
After the busy fall color season, winter usually offers us a time to catch our breath and relax a
bit before things pick back up in spring. We'll have many guests throughout winter, but the pace
isn't quite so hectic. This winter season, however, hasn't been quite as relaxing as it first
appeared it would be going into last fall. On our Main property sat a fifth, privately owned
cabin that was offered to us for purchase late last summer. Although we weren't planning on
expanding last year, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to own all of the cabins on the
driveway that serves our Main Property. We made the purchase and now own all 5 cabins and
45 forested acres at our Main Property.
Our newly purchased cabin needed some updating, so we decided if we were going to do it we were going to do it right. This is the point where our usually slower-paced off-season became busy for us. Other than some interior walls and a portion of the ceiling, we basically renovated our new cabin inside and out. On Dec 30th, 2009 we were done, and thus was born our like-new Ridgeview Cabin.
The Ridgeview Cabin is now our largest, with two bedrooms and 1 ½ baths. The cabin will sleep
4 adults, but is also a nice size for couples wanting a little more space to spread out.
The roomy, fully stocked kitchen features new cabinets and appliances. Bold, new log furniture
is found throughout the cabin and provides the perfect complement to the north woods décor.
A gas fireplace adds warmth and ambience and luxurious 52-jet ThermoSpas hot tub sits on a covered
deck overlooking the woods. The exterior received new log siding, but we'll have to wait for
warmer weather to apply the exterior finish. If you're looking for a place to stay this spring
in the Hocking Hills, we hope you'll consider the Ridgeview Cabin, or any of our other well
maintained cabins.
Oh, and as if we haven't done enough this winter, by the end of February 2010, we will have replaced nearly every piece of non-log furniture in every cabin at the Main Property with the same beautiful log furniture we used to furnish the Ridgeview Cabin.
Is it spring yet? We need to slow down.
BALD EAGLE SIGHTING
1/5/2010
Posted by Ron Bell
Imagine our surprise when we spotted this bald eagle perched in a tree above Salt Creek on Christmas Eve day. We were driving on State Route 56 about 5 miles east of Laurelville when I happened to look over and see it. This is the first eagle sighting in Ohio for us. What a thrill! I've since read that there are a couple of nesting eagles in the Hocking Hills area. I don't know if this is one of them or perhaps a new guy on the block.
FALL 2009
10/25/2009
Posted by Ron Bell
Fall 2009 has been one of the most colorful in recent memory. Here is a link to a photo album on our
Facebook page of some fall pics taken on our property:
We hope everyone has gotten a chance to get out and enjoy the spectacular colors of this year. We all know what's around the corner. Yuck!
ICE STORM 2009
1/28/2009
Posted by Ron Bell
Here are some pics taken on our main property and the road to the Aspen Cottage just after an ice storm that hit the Hocking Hills pretty hard on Jan. 27th & 28th '09. As of this posting, power has been out for 12 hours, and counting.
AN UPDATE FROM THE RIDGE
12/16/2008
Posted by Ron Bell
This mid-December 2008 finds a less hectic pace on the ridge as the busy warmer months are behind us and the slower winter season
has settled in. This past October was the busiest month we have ever had since being in business. Since then--now that we're able
to get into the cabins on some unoccupied days--we've completed many upgrades. New flooring was installed in Settler's Hollow and
Cricket's Cove cabins. The difference is amazing. These cabins have never looked so good. Settler's Hollow also received a new
shower and updated lighting. Bellwoode Cabin received an exterior facelift.
Our new Wildwood Cabin, which opened in May of this year, has been a runaway success. We have been getting great reviews from guests who have stayed there. In November, we installed a gas fireplace in the living room for added warmth. I know my opinion may be biased, but I can't think of a cozier place to ride out a Hocking Hills snowstorm.
Also this fall we restructured our fees. We are now offering a 15% discount--up from 10%--to repeat guests. If you've never stayed with us before, don't worry, there are several discounts that you may qualify for, but the big savings begin with your subsequent visits. Consider it our appreciation for your continued business and an incentive for you to still plan much needed getaways in these tight economic times.
Speaking of the economy. We know budgets are tight for many right now, but this really is one of the best times of the year to visit us and the Hocking Hills. The must-see beauty of the snow covered hills and frozen waterfalls doesn't need any further explanation. The beauty for your wallet or pocketbook, however, is in the lower rates. Our rates now (through Feb.) are lower than any other time of year. If you can get away during the week, the cost of a cabin with a hot tub is about as inexpensive as an average hotel room without a hot tub. Weekends rates are also reduced. Can you think of a better cure for the winter--or economic--blues?
LOOK OUT FOR THE LOOKOUT
8/24/2008
Posted by Ron Bell
Did you know there is a captivating icon to Ohio's forest conservation past standing in the trees between Ash Cave and Cedar Falls? There is, and
thanks to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry, visitors can once again climb it and enjoy one of the areas best
vantage points for observing the upcoming change of seasons about to sweep over the beautiful Hocking Hills. What I'm referring to is the
Ash Cave Lookout Tower, a recently renewed forest fire lookout tower on Chapel Ridge.
I visited the tower recently while hiking a pleasant portion of the Buckeye Trail between Ash Cave and Cedar Falls. In fact, the trail has been recently rerouted to pass directly below the tower. A less adventurous way to visit the tower is by vehicle. The tower is located near the intersection of State Route 374 and Chapel Ridge Road. An access road forks to the south almost immediately after turning onto Chapel Ridge Road. The access road is usually chained off, so you'll have a short walk to the tower.
For you history buffs: Between 1924 and 1978, Ohio constructed and operated 45 forest fire lookout towers to watch over forest lands
that were newly planted with trees. Each day during the peak fall and spring wildfire seasons, hardy spotters climbed the steps to the
cabins of these towers to survey the surrounding landscape for the smoky telltale signs of a wildfire. If a blaze was spotted, spotters
would telephone from tower to tower in order to triangulate the fire's precise location.
Over time, improved telephone communication throughout these rural areas, as well as the use of airplanes in wildfire detection, made lookout towers obsolete. Time, weather and vandals took their toll on the wood and metal structures, in most instances rendering them unsafe for public access. Today, only seven of these historic structures remain standing in Ohio's 20 state forests. Gracious efforts undertaken by the ODNR Div. of Forestry are restoring these remaining forest icons to their former glory and opening them to the public
LAURELVILLE PEACHES ARE HERE!
7/26/2008
Posted by Ron Bell
If you like peaches, then you have got to stop in Laurelville at the Laurelville Fruit Co. and grab a bag or two. So many people across central Ohio--my wife and I included--look
forward to these few weeks in summer when the peaches arrive. Many folks come to the area just for this reason; it's like a peach pilgrimage or something. If you're coming through
Laurelville to stay with us or to visit the caves, you'll find LFC on your way out of Laurelville on SR 56, right across from the Hocking Hills Visitor's Center.
On a recent stop and discussion with one of the employees, I was told they would have peaches up to about the middle of August. I also received an education on the three different varieties of peaches they raise. The sweetest variety will start coming on toward the end of July and will last about 3 weeks.
LFC is also widely known for their apples and cider in the fall.
OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW
2/18/2008
Posted by Ron Bell
It is with a touch of sadness that we say good-bye to our Nature's Pointe Cabin. By the end of February, the cabin will be demolished and construction of a brand new log cabin will have begun. In 2004, we started in the cabin rental business with this cabin, and the Settler's Hollow Cabin. The cabin served us well for the first couple of years, but declining demand and some needed repairs told us it was time to let it go. We are thankful for all of the past guests that spent an anniversary, honeymoon or a simple getaway in the Nature's Pointe Cabin.
As we bid farewell to one cabin, we are very excited to introduce the new one. Our new log cabin, to be named The Wildwood, will sit
in the same scenic spot as the Nature's Pointe Cabin and feature a larger, single story floor plan with full covered porches on the
front and back. The Wildwood will have all of the same wonderful, homey touches guests have come to expect in all of our cabins.
A brand new hot tub will sit on the back porch overlooking the woods and the wildlife feeding area. We are taking advanced reservations
for this cabin and expect demand to be high. Reserve now to be one of the first guests to stay in The Wildwood.
THREE YEARS AND COUNTING
9/1/2007
Posted by Ron Bell
Just recently we reached a milestone of three years in business. We started with two cabins and little knowledge at a time when many said (and are still saying, by the way) that the Hocking Hills are too saturated with cabins and success would be difficult to achieve. Well, here we are three years later, now with five cabins and, I can proudly say, over 1200 satisfied guests, not to mention having gained a textbook of knowledge. It's a good thing we turned a deaf ear to the naysayers.
After three years, I thought it would be fun to look at some stats from all of reservations we've had since day one. Here are a few:
- 1258 total reservations equaling 2858 nights
- Average length of stay: 2.27 nights
- We've had guests from 20 states, with Alaska being the farthest
- Most stays by a single guest: 5
- The city that has provided the most guests: Columbus at 116
- Over 10,000 towels have been laundered
- We have had over 150,00 gallons of drinking water delivered
ONLY THE BEST FOR OUR GUESTS
7/24/2007
Posted by Ron Bell
I can't believe it's been so long since our last post; time has certainly flown by. We are well into the busy summer season and trying to keep everything running smoothly so that our guests leave the ridge with pleasant memories. In the last three years we have gained many repeat guests. I think that speaks volumes for how our guests feel about the job we are doing.
Part of our job is to keep our cabins fresh and well maintained for our guests. In the past few months we have completed many updates.
The Nature's Pointe Cabin received all new log furniture, giving it an entirely new warm and cozy feel. Personally, I think the presence
of log furniture in a room is very inviting and conducive to relaxation. The Settler's Hollow Cabin received all new log bedroom furniture.
Again, much warmer than the old dark cherry furnishings that were replaced. The old steep front steps at Settler's Hollow were also
replaced with new and gentler steps. At the Bellwoode Cabin, we covered the hot tub half of the deck with a permanent roof so that guests
can still go tubbing in the rain.
Our most exciting change so far this year has been the purchase of the Cricket's Cove Cabin. For the past 2 ½ years we've only managed
this cabin for out-of-area owners, but just recently we purchased it from them. We've already completed many updates to the cabin and
grounds, including many new furnishings. The cabin used to have an oversized futon right in the middle of it. Believe me when I say it
was the first thing to go. I can honestly say our updates have greatly enhanced the coziness of this great little couples cabin. We
invite you to come and stay a couple of nights.
Lastly, we haven't been the only creatures busy this summer on the ridge. The raccoons have been busy emptying our hummingbird and bird feeders almost on a nightly basis at all of the Main Property cabins. If only we could collect rent from them.
DAPPER LITTLE BIRDS
3/15/2007
Posted by Ron Bell
Recently, while enjoying an unusually warm and sunny March day from the deck of our Bellwoode Cabin, I was entertained
by a couple of "tree walking" birds feasting on seed I had just put in the bird feeder. These nifty birds are called nuthatches. They are gray, black and white sparrow-like
birds with the unusual characteristic of easily walking, or hopping, up and down and pretty much all around the trunks
of trees.
I see them on our property regularly but never stopped to watch them closely. During my viewing, one would fly to the tree the bird feeder is hanging on, walk up the trunk to the feeder and then, with its beak, carelessly sift through the seed until it found a sunflower seed, which it would then grab and fly to a nearby tree and eat. After one would leave the feeder the other would fly in. This feeding exchange went on as long as I was there and I'm sure lasted until all of the seed was either eaten or knocked to the ground. I'm sure raccoons and other birds enjoyed the seed lying on the ground below the feeder.
Nuthatches are found throughout Ohio, so if you're ever in the woods and see a small bird hopping up and down the trees you can be pretty certain it is one type of nuthatch or another.
WINTER'S GRIP
2/4/2007
Posted by Ron Bell
As of this writing, winter has a tight grip on the ridges and hollows of the Hocking Hills. If you dare to brave the cold,
now is a fantastic time to visit Old Man's Cave and the other state parks. Not only are the parks free of crowds, but
before winter's grip tightened the Hocking Hills received several inches of rain, which has now frozen into fantastic
ice formations.
At our property on Pole Ridge it seems as if it has snowed every day for the past two weeks. Although the most we've received at one time has only been about 2.5 inches, the near daily snows have kept us extra busy in keeping our driveways and cabin walkways and paths clear for our guests.
It's interesting to see how this time of year the climate can be drastically different at our property than the more open areas around Laurelville and the valley of Salt Creek to our north. The valley receives more sun and thus the snow does not linger as long. Because of the forest and our northerly exposure, snow and ice doesn't melt nearly as quick and will linger for days or even weeks after the snow has left the valley. This is evident as you drive east on State Route 56 from Laurelville, the hills to your right (south) will be covered with snow while the hills on your left will be green.
Even though the snow creates a magical scene around our cabins, we are ready to welcome spring.
LAURELVILLE APPLES & CIDER ARE HERE!
10/1/2006
Posted by Ron Bell
Just like peaches were worth exclaiming for in our 7/18 post, so are the apples and cider now. You'll find both and more in Laurelville at
the Laurelville Fruit Co. Heading east, LFC is on your way out of Laurelville on SR 56, right across from the Hocking Hills Visitor's Center.
CROWD FREE HIKING OPTIONS
8/20/2006
Posted by Ron Bell
There's no doubt that Old Man's Cave and the areas that make up Hocking Hills State Park are beautiful and worth the visit. However, if you've ever visited the parks on a weekend you know how crowded it can be. Many hiking opportunities exist in the Hocking Hills that will get you away from the crowds; I thought I would cover a few of them here.
First, did you know the entire Hocking State Forest is opened to hiking? During daylight hours visitors are free to walk forestlands, but be wary of the many cliffs throughout the area. Maps and info can be found here: www.ohiodnr.com/forestry/forests/hocking.htm
Within the state forest, off of Big Pine Road and a couple of miles past Conkle's Hollow, you'll find the State Rock Climbing
and Rappelling Area. Here you'll find many trails leading to high cliffs and waterfalls. If you're lucky you'll catch
some climbers in action. The Buckeye Trail also cuts through this area as well. One of our favorite hikes is to scramble
up Big Spring Hollow (no ropes required) to the top of a 150' waterfall and then follow the Buckeye Trail along the cliff
tops back down to the parking area. Along the way you'll pass a balanced rock formation, which is pictured here.
Another crowd free hike in this area takes off from the rock climbing and rappelling parking lot. Instead of crossing Big Pine Road into the rock climbing area, head out the back of the parking lot into a valley, which is named Long Hollow. You can either follow the horse trail or walk the streambed if it's dry. We prefer to walk the streambed. In about ¾ of a mile this hollow terminates in a box canyon at the base of 150' cliffs and a wet weather waterfall. A couple of side hollows also offer some fun exploring.
Several miles of the Buckeye Trail traverse the Hocking Hills and are an option for hiking. Although much of the BT follows existing roads, one lightly traveled stretch of the BT just off of Kreashbaum Road travels through the scenic Rocky Hollow. This is a nice out and back hike that you can do in an hour or so. Be sure to look for the blue blazes marking the BT.
A couple of other parks in the area you may wish to visit that don't draw the huge crowds are Clear Creek Metro Park and Rock Stalls.
Clear Creek is a Columbus Metro Park and contains several miles of crowd free hiking within its 5200-acre
extent. This park lies in the narrow, secluded valley of Clear Creek and is worth driving through even if you don't stop.
Clear Creek Metro is located west of US 33 a few miles north of Logan on Clear Creek Road. A park map and info can be found here:
www.metroparks.net/ParksClearCreek.aspx
Rock Stalls is a smaller park in northern Hocking County with no improvements other than a 2 mile trail leading to a secluded
valley with rock formations, caves and waterfalls. You won't find the cliffs here as high as the ones in the state parks,
but this spot is scenic and worthy of a visit. The park is owned by a nearby church camp and was still open to the public
during our last visit. Follow SR 664 North out of Logan to Logan-Horns Mill Rd. and turn left, turn right on Rock Stull
Road and go about ½ mile to a gravel parking area on the right.
I'll cover some additional crowd free hiking spots in a future blog entry.
MAKING MEMORIES
8/1/2006
Posted by Ron Bell
When we got into this business a couple of years of ago, I was expecting it be rewarding. I was expecting the rewards of being a business owner and not having to depend on others for a paycheck. I was expecting the rewards of having a place my family could come to and enjoy. I was also expecting the rewards of providing to others a peaceful getaway from the hectic world. However, there is one thing I never expected, and it has turned out to be more rewarding than all else, as well as given us a whole new perspective on the business we're in. That one thing is how we've affected people's lives and provided lifelong memories for them.
You'll find in each of our cabins a guest journal intended for our guests to write about their stays with us. So many entries contain heartfelt narratives of how our cabins have provided a haven for someone to slow down and rejuvenate, allowed for a couple to re-discover one another, for a family to spend quality time together as, well, a family, or time for old friends to catch-up. Being the cause for so many happy memories is very satisfying to us and makes the long days spent cleaning a little easier to handle.
Just as much as we love reading the heartfelt journal entries, we also enjoy a laugh or two. One of our favorite journal entries so far is a brilliant one-sentence narrative recorded last year and, although poignant, was masterfully written by an obvious true expert of the English language. This entry reads as follow: "We saw some deers, and drank some beers." Breathtaking.
SUPPORT THE HOCKING HILLS
7/12/2006
Posted by Ron Bell
We have guest journals in all of our cabins for our guests to tell us about their stays. Almost everyone writes about
a favorite hike at Hocking Hills State Park or how beautiful the park is. I thought it might be a good idea to pass
along some information about becoming a "Friend" and how you can assist Ohio State Parks in preserving for
future generations the truly unique natural attributes found in Hocking Hills State Park.
Your membership in Friends of the Hocking Hills State Park will: preserve and protect the natural beauty of Hocking Hills State Park, promote and support educational projects within the park, increase public awareness of Hocking Hills State Park and fund projects like a new astronomical observatory, wildlife viewing blinds and trail updates and improvements.
In this era of dwindling state funding, the role of organizations like the "Friends" has never been so important. Membership starts as low as $25 and the next time you visit the park you can take pride in knowing you are helping to preserve this truly spectacular place.
THE THIEF
6/28/2006
Posted by Ron Bell
A few weeks ago we hung a new bird feeder on a tree at the Bellwoode Cabin. For the first couple of weeks
the feeder saw little action, and then all of the sudden we couldn't keep the thing filled for more than
a day. Well, I had an opportunity to stay overnight at Bellwoode recently and was able to see firsthand
where our birdseed was going.
Just after sundown I walked unsuspectingly out onto the deck and was startled by a raccoon
hanging half from the tree and half on the feeder scooping up birdseed by the handful. I as able to snap a
couple photos of the little moocher before he scooted down the tree and into the night. As of this
writing I have yet to decide how to raccoon-proof our bird feeder. Also that night I observed a flying squirrel
walking on the side of the cabin. This was the first siting of this animal I've seen on the property.
WILDLIFE RETURNS TO THE RIDGE
6/26/2006
Posted by Ron Bell
Last year at this time hardly an animal could be found on our property. Why? Last summer
was very dry, and since we're located high on a ridge, there's not much water to begin with.
Most of the animals that normally visit our property left last summer in search of water.
You know it's dry when even the squirrels leave. The corn we would leave out in our wildlife feed
plot at the Nature's Pointe Cabin would go days without being touched.
This year, thanks to normal rainfall and a bumper acorn crop last fall, wildlife sightings are again common. Our ridge is home again to a small herd of deer and a flock of turkey, which often roost in the treetops near the Cricket's Cove Cabin. Many guests have reported seeing both during their stays, along with raccoons, a few fox sightings and, of course, squirrels and chipmunks. Our hummingbird feeders are seeing a lot of activity this summer, too.