Recently, Miles and Anna (and canine companion Penny) visted Marsh Hollow for a short spring break. They wrote the most enchanting journal entry we have read in a long time.

We tell guests to write about what they liked most in the Hocking Hills and Marsh Hollow. Here’s a true-to-life description of their stay:

3/20/13

Mary: “Okay, more visitors coming. Dave, do you have the animals ready?

Dave: “We’ve got the horses, goats and dogs. Usual assortment of birds. The deer were already booked but I have a call in to the agent to see if we can get some later on. What do you want for the soundtrack?

M: “Let’s go with classical.”

D: “Okay, we’ve got Debussy and some Bach lined up.”

M: “Great. Okay, here they come, places everyone! Horses, let’s see some grazing. Can we get the goats to frolick? Good. Okay, the guests are inside. Dave, cue the birds!”

D: “Okay – we’ve got a wood pecker…now a tufted titmouse…now a few chickadees.”

M: “Looking good. Give me a little more action.”

D: “Okay, here’s another titmouse. Let me see if I can find some wablers.”

M: “Okay, that’s it, birds are looking great! Now we need to prep for night sky. Let’s start moving that sun down. Can I have a little more of that golden glow? Perfect. Okay, Dave what do you have for me?”

D: “We’ve got a crescent moon, and a few constellations.”

M: “Good – okay, let’s see – late winter…gimme Orion.”

D: “Sure thing. Where do you want him?”

M: “Right over the ridge. Okay now fade the sun…lower…lower..start bringing out that moon, a little brighter, good. More stars. I want to see Orion – there we go, perfect. And….it’s a wrap! Good job everyone! Now, for overnight, Dave, can you get me a dusting of snow? Just enough to be pretty but not enough to cause any trouble.”

D: “Dusting – I’m on it. Oh, and the deer’s agent called back. They can be here tomorrow.”

M: “Good. Let’s have them waiting in the driveway when our guests get back from hiking and then they can bound around in the woods for a while.”

D: “Okay, will do.”

Thanks for a perfect show!

Miles, Anna & Penny

Mary at Marsh Hollow

In April, Bev & John from Chagrin Falls, along with their dog Kali, visted Marsh Hollow for their spring vacation. They had such a good time they vowed “WE SHALL RETURN.” John memorialized their time with us with this poem in our guest journal.

After all the good times in

this book

We’re glad we gave Marsh Hollow

a look

Mary and Dave as hosts were a

great hire

They took care of everything

that we did desire

To us it was like another

honeymoon

From our hot tub we could even

see a full moon

Didn’t have to notice if

I got a new blog

And so important we got to

bring our beloved dog

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

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

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.

Honorable Mention-Landscape, Point & Shoot Division, 2008 by John Grogan

First Place-Abstract, Point & Shoot Division, 2009 by John Grogan

For more information about the competition, please visit Friends of the Hocking Hills website.

Update: this gas station is now closed. So now you’d better gas up in Logan or Laurelville or Rockbridge.

The gas station and little store at the intersection of State Route 664 and State Route 56 in South Bloomingville has RE-OPENED! No more hoping you can make it back to town on fumes.

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There’s a Trail Trolls Project Day on Saturday, June 27, 2009, and they’ll begin work on the NEW mountain biking trail in the Hocking Hills State Park! According to Naturalist Pat Quackenbush, the group will be clearing brush. The Trail Trolls welcome new members, so if you’re interested call 740-385-8003, ext. 213 to sign up. Although anyone interested in working on the biking trail can just show up at the family camp parking area near Old Man’s Cave at 9 a.m. Don’t forget your lunch.

The trail has been flagged and will run about 4 miles and will avoid the cliff areas. It will be challenging and is not intended for the beginning biker. The trail has 2 loops, with one being easier and the other being difficult – something for everyone.

Just one more reason to visit the Hocking Hills this year.

Mary at Marsh Hollow

If you plan to be in the Hocking Hills over the weekend, there’s a great volunteer opportunity at Rock House. The new “Trail Trolls” group will be working on trails in that area. If interested, contact park naturalist Pat Quackenbush at 740-385-8003 ext. 213.

Last Friday, Dave and I hiked the rim trail between Cedar Falls & Old Man’s Cave, which is a MUCH easier trail than the gorge route. Still there are some hills to climb. Anyway, we passed by Jimbo’s on the way home via Route 56 and had a very tasty dinner.

Jimbo’s caters to the motorcycle crowd, and is open Thursday through Sunday, in season. Since they now offer outdoor dining, we sat in the shelter for a few brews and their excellent “Hog Burger”. This is a pure pork, non-sausage, non-fatty, “burger” and it is very, very good. Jimbo himself took our order.

We are going to do another hike late this afternoon, and I might have to engineer our route home so that it goes past Jimbo’s again. On Fridays, it’s not busy, but I believe it gets hopping on Saturdays and Sundays.

Jimbo’s is located at 23356 State Route 56, South Bloomingville, OH‎.