Today, the workers installed new pine logs at one corner of the cabin. Dave and I had tried to repair this damaged corner, but without the proper tools and knowhow, we had a mess. Well, we did stop the damage, but it just didn’t look good. Tomorrow, the entire cabin will be repainted and it will be beautiful. I’ve been scrubbing the deck railing in preparation for staining. Not my favorite job.
– Mary at Marsh Hollow
Time to spruce up Pinewood Cabin
Beginning this afternoon through Friday morning, Marsh Hollow will be closed for a complete refinishing of the exterior including caulking. Baron Remodeling and Construction is doing almost all of the work. However, Dave and I will refinish the deck at a slower pace. Today, as part of our Memorial Day celebration, we will pressure wash the deck. Since we expect rain tomorrow, we’ll wait til Wednesday to prime (with oil primer, yuck) the new stringers. I am not quite sure if we will finish up the deck this week, but soon!
-Mary at Marsh Hollow
Wildflower: Golden Ragwort
 |
| Senecio aureus |
I was trying to be arty for the Shoot the Hills competition with this shot of golden ragwort along the Marsh Hollow creek. That’s the bridge to our hillside trail in the background. From April to July, visitors to the Hocking Hills will see clusters of golden ragwort plants in wet ground, low woods, swamps and meadows, and especially along our many forested roads in Hocking County.
This ragwort is native to North America and can be distinguished from a lot of look-alike plants because it blooms much earlier than they do (always helpful for us amateur wildflower enthusiasts who get excited about a wildflower find only to discover that it doesn’t bloom until August). Another helpful tip for identification is that the basal leaves are heart-shaped, long-stemmed and often reddish beneath. I had to pull away a thick layer of leaves to find this plant’s basal leaves.
WebMD has an interesting write-up about the medicinal uses of golden ragwort, which include diabetes, high blood pressure, fluid retention & pain during childbirth. After reading the side effects, especially effects on the liver, I think I’ll give it a pass.
At this time of year, Marsh Hollow has a beautiful display of wildflowers, making April and May two of the most beautiful months of the year.
Voluntourism in the Hocking Hills
The Hocking Hills Tourism Assoc, with the Hocking Hills State Park, Lake Hope State Park, and Friends of Hocking Hills, have introduced Voluntourism! One Saturday a month volunteer opportunities will be offered at either Hocking Hills State Park or Lake Hope. Intrigued? Check out the schedule at www.1800hocking.com/page1326834271.
Shoot the Hills Photo Competition, April 20-22, 2012
Today’s blog entry was written by our son-in-law John Grogan
Time to dust off the lenses, charge the batteries and stretch out the tripod legs. There are only forty-one days left until the “Shoot the Hills” photography competition begins.
I am a frequent visitor to Hocking County, and I enjoy all my time there, whether it’s visiting Grandma, doing chores, or relaxing at the Marsh Hollow cabin. However, the twenty-fours that make up the photo competition rank amongst my most favorite time in the Hills.
It is during this competition that I get to get out and explore the surrounding lands. The competition covers several counties. Last year I believe I wandered through each one hunting for the perfect photo, and I didn’t even make a dent in discovering all the hidden nooks, crannies and wonders of the Hocking Hills. No matter how many years I spend exploring the Hills, there will always be new discoveries to make.
 |
| Honorable Mention-Landscape, Point & Shoot Division, 2008 by John Grogan |
This will be my fourth year in the competition, and I still walk away amazed at the photos that are captured by all the competitors. The land appears to still be under the fading gloom of winter, yet the photographers manage to find the color and vibrancy of pre-spring that aren’t apparent until you really open your eyes and see.
 |
| First Place-Abstract, Point & Shoot Division, 2009 by John Grogan |
This year, I will be doing some recon ahead of time, so that means spending another weekend in the hills exploring. I’m not sure if there is a better way to spend a weekend. I want to find the perfect spot to catch a sunrise or sunset. If I do my recon ahead of time, I can spend the rest of the competition time hunting for the ultimate abstract photo.
I would encourage everyone who likes to take photographs to enter into the competition and come see the Hills. When you look through a photo lens, with a purpose beyond just visiting, you will see the Hocking Hills like you never have before. The rocks will become still art. The wild flowers will pop out as sculpted masterpieces. And the wild life will seem to be eating at your feet. Even a footprint in the mud will be seen as a potential composition.
Give it a try. If nothing else, you will walk away with a new perspective of the Hills, and you will most likely end your weekend relaxed and with a smile.
For more information about the competition, please visit Friends of the Hocking Hills website.
Flowers: perfect for every occasion
A recent guest asked us to have fresh flowers available in Pinewood Cabin, to surprise his wife. So of course we called our friends at Hocking Hills Florist to create a special arrangement for. We think they turned out beautifully and so did his wife!
If you plan to stay at Marsh Hollow, please just give us a call to let us know what kind or color of arrangement you would like, as well as how much you’d like to spend, we’ll handle the rest.
This is a great way to let that special someone know how much she means to you.
Mary at Marsh Hollow
Christmas in Ash Cave
Our advice: take a flashlight on this hike. It is incredibly dark. We hiked it two years ago, and had to shuffle along holding hands. While there are luminarias along the trail, it’s just not quite enough light once it gets really dark. However, it’s great to catch glimpses of the bonfire as you get closer. The hike can be started any time, 5 to 7 pm today, December 11. For more info, click the link in the title or go to http://www.thehockinghills.org/Park_Event_Holiday_In_The_Park.htm
December in the Hocking Hills
Click on the title link to discover all the wonderful things to do in the Hocking Hills this December. Ice skating, cookie classes, parades, and much more. We’re going to try to hike the Lake Hope Holiday Trail of Lights this weekend. Note: that some events in this link are in the past. We’ll post a new link later this week.
Gas in the Hocking Hills
Lilyfest 2010 – July 9, 10 & 11 – this weekend!
Lilyfest is one of our favorite events in the Hocking Hills. It is held every year at the Bishop Educational Gardens in Rockbridge. We are always inspired by the beautiful plantings, the art & the music. Since this is a large venue, crowds are never a problem and you can always find a quiet nook to just sit and breathe it all in. Check out the web site at http://www.lilyfest.com/ for more information.
Oh, it’s free, although a small donation for parking is polite.