Author: Mary

There’s No Place Like Home Dog Boarding/Day Care

Mary

There’s No Place Like Home offers a great alternative to standard dog boarding, specifically a lot of attention and personalized services, and all in the beautiful Hocking Hills.

Recently, Dave and I went on our own almost 2 week vacation. While our ancient dog, Juice, “boarded” with my son and daughter-in-law, we decided to board Mac & Bode at There’s No Place Like Home. Of course, I checked it out first and knew from the moment I met the proprietor, Anne, that the boys would be well cared for. The facility is located about 20 minutes from our home, and is even closer to U.S. 33. It includes a large outdoor playground with toys and structures to climb on, an indoor play area, as well as a separate room for the kennels. Mac & Bode were lucky enough to be assigned to the “family” kennel, which was definitely large enough for two large dogs (and Bode is extra-large).

When we picked them up at the end of their stay, there was none of the usual crazy excitement to get out of the kennel. They looked great and acted so normal you would never know they’d been in a kennel for 2 weeks. Of course, Anne and her husband gave them so much attention, it appears they didn’t even miss us. Plus, they got complimentary baths, which probably was not on either of their “must have” lists!

There’s No Place Like Home also offers dog day care. Both services, boarding and day care, are offered at several levels so you can choose as much attention that you want your dog to have. Prices vary for this.

If you are vacationing in the Hocking Hills, and don’t have a pet friendly cabin like Marsh Hollow, No Place Like Home would be a great place to take your dog. You could keep Fido with you on the trails, then take him to the kennel for the night.

Visit www.tnplh.org for more information or e-mail Anne at anne@tnplh.org.

Yoga in the Hocking Hills

Mary

Although I’ve had a passing interest in yoga over the years, lately I’ve become very interested and started looking for classes. I tried a cruise ship class, which was great because it was small, but the very well built instructor only looked at himself (can’t blame him really). Then I took my daughter and daughter-in-law to Yoga on High in Columbus for a beginning class. I really liked the instructor, but there were at least 25 people in the class. Too many, so I went back to my tapes and DVD’s.

Then I started to notice that the spas and massage therapy places in the Hocking Hills were starting to offer yoga classes. I’ve been going to the Inn at Cedar Falls on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. for a very small class – only me so far! When the weather is nice, we practice in the garden which is lovely. Then, Blue Valley Massage, which offers massage services in our cabin and many others has started to offer a 6 p.m. class on Tuesdays. Joppa, the spa at Glenlaurel Inn, is offering yoga classes on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

So my timing has been good!

Here’s a link to Yoga Journal’s “Pose of the Day”:

BookCrossing.com Crossing Zones in the Hocking Hills

Mary

One of our recent guests turned me on to a cool book sharing web site called BookCrossing.com. She left behind a recently read book, which she had picked up at a “crossingzone” in Canada. Inside were instructions for going online to register that I’d picked up this book (by its unique BookID) and what I was going to do with it. Since I’m a big reader, I love just about anything to do with books and sharing books.

So I’ve become a free member of BookCrossing.com and have created a Crossing Zone at our Marsh Hollow Pinewood Cabin and another at the wonderful Hilltop Bake Shoppe in Adelphi, just across the Hocking County line.

You’ll have to make a reservation at Marsh Hollow to use our Crossing Zone, but you can stop by the Hilltop Bake Shoppe Tuesday through Saturday to look through the growing collection and pick up a new read. Or you can drop off a book if you’d like to -either already registered at BookCrossing.com or one you just want to leave behind.

And if you stop by the Hilltop Bake Shoppe, try the sour cream doughnuts. I guarantee these are the BEST sour cream doughnuts anywhere. And as I’ve mentioned in the blog before, the pizza is the best in the Hocking Hills.

Hocking Hills Roasters: Coffee in the Hills!

Mary

Hocking Hills Roasters is just one more reason to visit Hocking County, and it’s a particularly wonderful place to go when you want some indoor things to do (or when you’re worn out from all of the outdoor things). It’s located in the Hocking Hills Market on U.S. 33, south of Rockbridge. In two words: fabulous coffee.

Dave and I, and our friends Sherwin & Diane, made a stop there recently, to pick up some Ethiopian Limu coffee, roasted on site, and accidentally learned how to make a really good cup of coffee using a French press. The owner, Roger Varner, mans the shop on the weekends and he knows his stuff. He is very gentle about “adjusting” your ideas about how to make coffee. We have now learned from the master!

Hocking Hills Roasters also offers roasted nuts, fudge, Get Well teas and the largest, tastiest turtle (candy) I’ve ever had. Seriously, go there for coffee, but get a turtle too.

Mary from Marsh Hollow

Birds at our birdfeeder

Mary

Lately, the birdfeeder at our home has been dominated by what I thought were starlings. After peering at them through binoculars, I finally figured out that they are not starlings at all, but are blackbirds & common grackles. This morning when I looked out, there were easily 50 of these and absolutely none of our regulars. I realize they all need to eat, but how ’bout some sharing? This is the first year we’ve had a blackbird/grackle “problem” at our feeder.

I went out and starting clapping loudly. They all flew off and within minutes the regular crew was back! Cardinals, blue jays, tufted titmice, dark-eyed juncoes, white breasted nuthatches, sparrows and nary a blackbird. I wonder how long this will last?

Mary at Marsh Hollow.

The Ridge Inn: New Restaurant in Laurelville!

Mary

There is a GREAT new addition to dining in Laurelville: The Ridge Inn. My friends Beth, Beth, Kathy and new friend Pat met there for lunch today. I had the cusabi chicken salad and crab chowder. Crab chowder in Laurelville?! Both were wonderful. The salad included diced chicken, pecan pieces and dried cranberries tossed in cusabi dressing, a light cucumber flavor, and was served over mixed greens. The crab chowder was so good I ordered some for take-out – my Dave is sure to love it tonight for dinner.

Everyone enjoyed their lunch, including really, really good coffee. Kathy & Pat ordered hot tea and got to pick from a selection of very fine teas from Harney & Sons. Beth and I had biscotti for dessert, and Beth had a muffin.

So far, the Ridge Inn is only open for breakfast and lunch, Tuesday through Sunday. But they are planning their grand opening for next week and then will start serving dinner.

The lunch menu includes hamburgers, cusabi chicken sandwich, grilled cheese sandwich, chicken salad sandwich, the Ridge salad and the cusabi chicken salad. They also usually have 2 soups and 2 specials.

The building is brand new and the ambience is very fresh and modern. Since very few new buildings and businesses are ever added to the Laurelville village proper, this is a bit of a shock. But the design fits in.Almost all of the tables are near windows. Plus the second floor has a meeting room that can be reserved.

My friends and I HIGHLY recommend the Ridge Inn.

Mary at Marsh Hollow

P.S. I need to ask the owner why she named it “The Ridge Inn” when it is most definitely NOT on a ridge!

Yet another lunch at the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls

Mary

My girls (Beth, Kathy & Julie) and I had our monthly lunch at the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls on Monday. They offer yummie soups, salads & sandwiches, plus desserts on their lunch menu. I had the 1/2 a sandwich/bowl of soup combo for $8.00 (excellent chicken salad), then shared an incredible brownie & oatmeal-raisin cookies with Beth.

It’s a little pricey but the high quality and rustic/cozy ambience make it all worthwhile. Plus you’re only moments away from Cedar Falls, if you’d like to take a little hike before or after lunch.

If you are staying at Marsh Hollow, the Inn & Spa is a 25 minute drive. Or if you’d prefer in-cabin massage therapy and spa services, we recommend Blue Valley Massage.

Mary at Marsh Hollow

Garden Accents Factory Outlet Going Out of Business!

Mary

Oh! This is sad. Garden Accents Factory Outlet at Logan Clay (in Logan) is closing for good on October 31, 2007. We have purchased some wonderful, beautiful, durable clay garden decorations over the years from this outlet: bird baths, stepping stones and planters.

I’ve always thought that one of the problems with the store was not being open on Sundays. Hopefully, Hocking House will still offer some of these items for sale. Hocking House is the home & gallery of Jean Magdich, the artist responsible for many of the Garden Factory’s creations.

I think I’ll have to pop over to Logan on Monday to make my final visit. You should too.

Mary at Marsh Hollow

Great Outdoor Adventure Show (previously Paul Bunyan Show)

Mary

This weekend (October 5-7, 2007) check out the Great Outdoor Adventure show at Hocking College in Nelsonville. This used to be called the Paul Bunyan Show, but the Ohio Forestry Association “owns” the name and has ended its association with Hocking College after 75 years of togetherness. So the “Paul Bunyan Show” still exists and takes place the same weekend but it’s in Guernsey County. It is much more geared to the timber industry.

The Great Outdoor Adventure show is for people who enjoy the outdoors. Visit the show web site at http://www.hocking.edu/goa/ for a schedule of events and a map.

There are some great extras with your $5 admission fee:

  • Dock dogs competitions – dogs running then jumping as far as they can into a pool; some of the finals on Sunday will be televised.
  • Robbins Crossing – a 19th century southeastern Ohio village, with costumed interpreters and craft demonstrators.

And Nelsonville also is home to the Rocky Outlet Factory Store, a great place for all of your boot needs, clothing, home accessories, etc. Three floors of great stuff! Rocky’s always has a display at the show, but a stop at the store is a must. It’s right next to the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway station on U.S. 33.

Plus the show is a great place to pick up a chainsaw sculpture.

Mary at Marsh Hollow

https://marsh-hollow.com/

Treats at the Apple House & Thornybrook Farms

Mary

UPDATE 2016: while the Apple House is still offering great apples, slushies, etc., Thorneybrook Farms closed several years ago. They were open for a few weeks this spring to sell flower and vegetable plants but we are not sure if they will do that again next year.

The Apple House in Laurelville, on Route 56 in the village, has great apples, but is also offering apple slushies and parched corn. We haven’t tried them yet, but recent guests told us they are quite tasty.

About 4 miles east of Laurelville on Route 56, Thornybrook Farms has pumpkins, gourds, mums & other plants, delicious homemade cinnamon buns, apple dumplings and bread. They aren’t open every day, but usually Friday-Sunday.