Spotted Horse Ranch a Highlight of Ohio’s Hocking Hills

Guest Blog Post: Spotted Horse Ranch a Highlight of Ohio’s Hocking Hills

We’re excited to share with you the first submission to our Hocking Hills Guest Blogger Program! Jen, from Canton, Ohio, recently spent some time in the area and visited the Spotted Horse Ranch. Below, she describes her great trip and why she recommends the Hocking Hills for any Midwest vacation. This post first appeared on Jen’s blog, here.
Spotted Horse Ranch a Highlight of Ohio’s Hocking Hills
I know this sounds crazy to all my beach-loving friends, but I’d give up a week at the Outer Banks for a chance to roam Ohio’s Hocking Hills. Don’t get me wrong. My family and I lived it up at our condo in Nag’s Head in 2010. However, there’s something so relaxing about the pastoral landscapes, unassuming small towns and plentiful outdoor activities in the Hocking Hills. For me, that experience can’t be duplicated by hot sand and briny water.

Ellen, one of our Spotted Horse Ranch guides, teaches my daughter how to paint horses the way Native American Indians once did.

This past summer, we returned again to Hocking Hills and the Spotted Horse Ranch, a favorite stop that’s a stone’s throw from the town of Laurelville.
The folks at the ranch – especially our fun-loving guides Ellen and Jeff – went out of their way to make sure we had a wonderful, memorable visit on the farm. Ellen even organized a horseback riding camp just for our girls that included horse care lessons, some challenging trail rides in the hills and even painting horses like the Indians used to!
Beyond the beautiful horses, the Spotted Horse Ranch is the ideal place to experience agricultural life – a great farm vacation, if you’re into that. My kids spent hours feeding piglets, petting bunnies, listening to the killdeer, chasing down a run-away calf and laughing at the antics of sheep. Some evenings, we sat on the front porch of our cabin and watched the deer, horses and cattle graze the pastures, which would turn a soft purple with the coming of nightfall.

At the start of one of many trail rides we took into the hills at Spotted Horse Ranch.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Ridge Inn Restaurant in Laurelville where we ate at least five times and picked up dessert to go twice. My older still raves about their meatloaf, and I’d give anything for a bite of one of their chocolate pies! We tried out the breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, and everything we ordered was scrumptious.
There is so much to do in the Hocking Hills area. We swam, played miniature golf, went hiking and canoeing, explored an antique store, spent the day in Columbus (which is another vacation all by itself) and more. We even found time to take a nap once in a while! I wish we could have stayed much longer.
If you’re thinking about planning a Midwest stay-cation, you can’t go wrong
with Hocking Hills. And, if you spend some time at the Spotted Horse Ranch, tell Ellen and the gang I said hey.
About the Guest Blogger: 

Jen says: Born in Youngstown, raised in Salem and now a resident of Canton, I love to call Ohio home. I’m a graduate of Malone University and, for the past 10 years, have been a freelance business writer. This year, I’m trying new wings with Pole Position Marketing as their recently appointed content marketing and social media strategist. My favorite escape is historical fiction. However, my husband and I devote most of our spare time to our two growing girls. As a family, we dig movies, music, art, board games, the outdoors and, of course, travel to lovely spots like Hocking Hills.

After sending her daughter to college, Fran Reisner, the author of the book ,”The Dogs of Central Park,” embarked on her new life RV-ing across the country with her canine companions, Jazzie and Sadie. At every opportunity, her 20-year-old daughter is on a plane to meet up with Fran and the dogs. Fran is blogging about her adventure and this post, along with many more photos, first appeared here.  More about the Hocking Hills Guest Blogger Program can be found here.

To Ohio’s Hocking Hills

For my recent trip, I had my sights set on the Hocking Hills of Ohio.  My destination was Hocking Hills State Park. The afternoon I was researching this park as a possible destination my friend Tony Courter, after reading that Ohio was coming up on my route, chimed in suggesting the very same place. Tony has never lead me wrong with his recommendations, which sealed it for me. I have to admit that, even after reading about it, Hocking Hills was one of the most unexpected surprises I’ve come upon during my journey. I’ve always thought of Ohio as a “plains state”, and did not anticipate the varying elevation, the dense foliage and the sheer rock cliffs to quite this magnitude. [Note- the one drawback for me was being completely off-grid, with no cell service and therefore no wifi either. Connection continues to be a big obstacle since not only my writing and communications, but also my planning is completely reliant on it.]
After settling into our campsite I took the dogs on the 15 minute drive into the nearest town for a quick “log on” and some groceries. On our way back we did two short hikes, first to Lower Cedar Falls, and then to Ash Cave.

Lower Cedar Falls

ash cave

waterfall spilling over Ash Cave

The following morning we headed out early to enjoy the most popular destination in the park, Old Man’s Cave, before the masses rolled out of their beds/sleeping bags. The story goes that this place got its name because a 19th century hermit made the cave his home. Read more about that at the link provided! If the story is true, I hope the old man found a sense of peace here. I surely did!

Bridge at Old Man’s Cave

Old Man’s Cave

Tree Roots and Old Man’s Cave

Bridge over creek at Old Man’s Cave

waterfall under Old Man’s Cave

After our hike at Old Man’s Cave we hopped in the car and drove up the road to hike at Conkles Hollow. After parking, filling water bottles, reorganizing my gear (which becomes a bit disheveled as I’m swapping out lenses and such) and leashing up the girls, we walked down the road to the trailhead only to find a sign stating that dogs were not allowed on the trails. Conkles Hollow is a State Nature Preserve, as opposed to part of the State Park, and I had not seen their literature so was completely unaware.
Thinking that fate may have been in play, I took the girls back to the motorhome, grabbed my laptop and notepads, and headed back into town in search of a restaurant with free wifi. Over a bowl of soup I worked much of the afternoon away… bill paying, responding to the pile up of “marked unread” email, researching, making route and camping plans, and looking for a convenient place near my route to take my motorhome for some tech work on a slide-out (which, at writing weeks later, is STILL not fixed. I’ll refrain from that frustrating story.)
After stopping to walk the dogs in the campground I headed back out to Conkles Hollow. First I set out on the 3 miles long Rim Trail, which almost completely encircles the gorge from nearly 200 feet above. Much of this trail is only steps away from the edge of the rim, so I was extremely glad that I did not have Jazzy and Sadie along with me! I would not even take a small child on this trail, and for that matter I would not take ANY child without some form of harness system. This is not a hike for anyone who is uncomfortable with heights, but for me it was a fun hike with a breathtaking view.

View from Conkles Hollow Rim Trail

Looking down into Conkles Hollow from Rim Trail

The gorge floor on the other hand, is an easy one-mile walk, and wheelchair accessible all the way to the end. Although I encountered 6 or 7 other people while hiking these two trails, I hiked completely on my own. I wish I knew how to adequately describe my impression of this gorge. It was dense with foliage, most prominently trees and large fern, with plenty of moss and lichen growing on the trees and rocks. The entire trail meandered beside, and at times across, a creek that was flowing with the run-off from recent hard rains. On both sides of the trail the hills, created by years of rock giving way from the walls above, jutted quickly to the sheer walls that form the gorge. The impression on me was prehistoric… I half expected to see dinosaur darting amongst the foliage, or flying between me and the treetops. It didn’t feel creepy or frightening to me at all, so although some of the dinosaur I envisioned were big enough to shake the earth, none of them were menacing in the least!
One other thing I noticed was the extreme change in temperature between the trail above (even in the shade) and the shaded gorge trail below. If I had to guess I’d say the difference was at least 20 degrees. This is a great trail and I love that it can be enjoyed by everyone!

Leaves of spring in Conkles Hollow gorge

Lush green gorge of Conkles Hollow

I finished my hikes at Conkles Hollow with enough time to spare for the Rock House hike a bit farther up the road. The trail leading to the rock cave was slightly less dense with foliage than some of the others, with rock walls leading the way. The cave itself is very spacious, with a couple of easily accessed “doorways” to climb through. The other openings provided sheer drop, watch that first step, type views of the surrounding cliff sides. Understandably the parents of several small children, who were testing the unusual acoustics with deafening screams, were busily herding their little flocks away from those openings.

Tree on the trail to Rock House

Rock House Trail

Rock House

The following morning I took Jazzy and Sadie on one more hike back out Old Man’s Cave trail, this time taking in Lower Falls as well.

hiking with the girls

And is if to wish us farewell, the sun shone through the trees in a magical way as we finished our last hike in Hocking Hills.

Photos: Fran Reisner

About the Guest Blogger:

Fran Reisner, an international award-winning photographer, has a passion for capturing the beauty of this world in her images. After earning her BA degree in commercial photography from Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, Calif., Fran operated a successful photography business in the San Francisco Bay area for a number of years. When life took her to Texas in 1997, she reestablished herself in what would become a highly acclaimed portrait and wedding studio in the Dallas area.
After sending her daughter to college, the author of the book,”The Dogs of Central Park,” embarked on her new life RV-ing across the country with her canine companions, Jazzie and Sadie. At every opportunity, her 20-year-old daughter is on a plane to meet up with Fran and the dogs.

• Guest Blog Post: A Trip to Old Man’s Cave and Cedar Falls in Hocking Hills

Hocking Hills Weekend update May 7th, 2015

Hocking Hills Tourism Association 13178 State Route 664 South Logan, Ohio 740-385-2750 www.explorehockinghills.com   WEEKEND UPDATE | May 7, 2015 Click here for PDF of Weekend Update Daily Activities THURSDAY, MAY 7 Logan Town Center Monthly Meeting Logan Chamber of Commerce Meeting Room, 140 E. Main Street, Logan, 8 a.m. Want to learn more about all the great things happening in Historic Downtown Logan?  Come to the monthly Logan Town Center meeting. The Logan Town Center Board and Members have been very busy -- from parking and zoning to beautification and promotion, efforts are underway to preserve Historic Downtown Logan, attract customers to downtown businesses and spur economic development in Historic Downtown Logan. Visit www.logantowncenter.com for more information; FREE. Vinton County Wild Turkey Festival Downtown McArthur 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Watch the downtown streets of McArthur come alive with food, music, and fun for the whole family. The festival includes great nightly entertainment on the sound stage, carnival rides and games, car show, quilt show, queen's and baby contests. Call 800-596-4459 for more information; FREE. Perennial Plant Exchange Logan-Hocking County District Library, 230 East Main Street, Logan, 3 - 5 p.m. This is a one-for-one exchange using a tickets method. Plants must be at the library between 3 and 4 p.m. All plants must be labeled at least with a popsicle stick. Plants must be in pots and participants need to bring their own containers for transportation. The Library reserves the right to limit the number of tickets for lack of diversity in high quantities. Call 740-385-2348 for more information; FREE. FRIDAY, MAY 8 Spring Flower Sale at Scenic Hills Senior Center Scenic Hills Senior Center, 187 N. Spring Street, Logan, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. A large selection at great prices! Hanging baskets, bedding plants; assorted flowers and vegetables will be available; flowers by Rick Webb, too. The sale will take place on the front lawn. Call 740-385-6581 for more information; FREE. Vinton County Wild Turkey Festival Downtown McArthur 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Watch the downtown streets of McArthur come alive with food, music, and fun for the whole family. The festival includes great nightly entertainment on the sound stage, carnival rides and games, car show, quilt show, queen's and baby contests. Call 800-596-4459 for more information; FREE. Wild Turkey Festival Quilt Show United Methodist Church, 200 S. Market Street, McArthur, 1 - 7 p.m. The Wild Turkey Festival Quilt Show presented by Country Roads Quilt Guild.  This year's quilt show theme is  The Old and The New. Register to win a quilt. Email mcquiltguild@gmail.com for more information; FREE. SATURDAY, MAY 9 Scenic Hills Senior Center's Pancake Breakfast Scenic Hills Senior Center, 187 S. Spring Street, Logan, 8 - 11 a.m. On the second Saturday of the month, enjoy a Pancake Breakfast with the Scenic Hills Senior Center.  Menu: Pancakes, eggs & sausage or sausage gravy biscuits, eggs & hash browns. COST: $6 Warblers of Ash Cave (for International Migratory Bird Day) Ash Cave Parking Lot, Hocking Hills State Park, St. Rt. 56, Logan, 9 a.m. Join the Naturalist at the Parking area at Ash Cave for a hike to experience the return of the spring warblers and other avian species. Hocking Hills State Park is one of the best places for birding due to the unique ecosystem of the gorge and this program is for the beginner or long-time birder. Bring alone binoculars and a cool drink and come dressed for the weather. Call 740-385-6841 for more information; FREE. Lancaster Handmade Market Season Opening Corner of Broad and Main Streets, Lancaster, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Join us under the trees on the second Saturday of the each month for our Handmade Market of locally made Arts & Crafts. We meet at the corner of Broad and Main in downtown Lancaster. Call 740-438-8897 for more information. Migration Birdwalk Lake Hope State Park, McArthur 9 a.m. - 12 noon Meet at the Hope Furnace parking lot in search of spring migrants and to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day along the Hocking Valley Birding Trail. Call 740-596-3030 for more information; FREE. Kleinmaier State Nature Preserve Hike with AOA 2455 Pump Station Road, Berne, 10 a.m. Explore Kleinmaier State Nature Preserve and enjoy a naturalist-led hike to view the spring wildflower show.  Jeff Johnson, ODNR Natural Areas Preserve Manager, will lead this event.  Visit with members of the Kleinmaier family who donated the property to AOA.  The slopes are full of blooms including trillium, jack in the pulpit, solomon seal, and many others.  We will look for the pink lady slipper orchids which are coming up.  Native azaleas and rhododendrons are also located on the preserve. Pack a sack lunch as we will take a break to eat and enjoy the peace and serenity of the deep forest environs. Afterwards, participants are invited to roam the site and help remove any of the garlic mustard we find that is invading the site and choking out the wildflowers.  We will provide bags and gloves for collection. FREE. Wild Turkey Festival Quilt Show United Methodist Church, 200 S. Market Street, McArthur, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. The Wild Turkey Festival Quilt Show presented by Country Roads Quilt Guild.  This year's quilt show theme is  The Old and The New. Register to win a quilt. Email mcquiltguild@gmail.com for more information; FREE. Fourth Annual Local Marbles Tournament Fairfield County Fairgrounds, 157 E Fair Ave, Lancaster, 10 a.m. Come out and watch the local qualifier as children ages 7- 14 compete for spots in the National Tournament, held June 22-25 in Wildwood, N.J. Contact Bill Eckman at 740-653 for more information; FREE. Vinton County Wild Turkey Festival Downtown McArthur, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Watch the downtown streets of McArthur come alive with food, music, and fun for the whole family. The festival includes great nightly entertainment on the sound stage, carnival rides and games, car show, quilt show, queen's and baby contests. The Grand Parade is held at 6 p.m. and is followed by the crowning of the Wild Turkey Festival Queen. Call 800-596-4459 for more information; FREE. Wild Turkey Calling Contest VFW McArthur Post 5299, 410 Veterans Memorial Drive, 1 p.m. What would the Wild Turkey Festival be without a calling contest? Hear calls such as adult hen assembly call, cutting of an excited hen, kee kee run, plain yelp, cluck, purr and fly down cackle. There are three divisions with prizes and awards to the top three in each. Call 800-596-4459 for more information; COST: $15-20 entry fee depending on division. Open Studio Dairy Barn Arts Center, 8000 Dairy Lane, Athens, 1 - 5 p.m. The art room, ceramics studio and wheels are open to the public most Saturdays. There will be simple projects ideas prepared for folks looking to make something. Great activity for the entire family...  walk-ins welcome. Also, folks can bring their own project ideas and purchase materials a la cart if needed and receive guidance. Call 740-592-4981 for more information; FREE. American Legion Baked Steak Dinner American Legion Post 78, 12845 State Route 664 S, Logan, 4 - 7 p.m. The Auxiliary of American Legion Post 78 puts on this delicious baked steak dinner on the 2nd Saturday of each month.  Come join us for a good meal, with the proceeds helping our community & supporting two Legion baseball teams. Call 740-385-8811 for more information; COST: $7. Sweet Second Saturday The Ridge Inn Restaurant, 16178 Pike St., Laurelville, 5 - 8 p.m. On the second Saturday of each month, we dress up the dining room and have live music & great dinner specials. You can even bring a bottle of wine, if you like. Come join us for a great Saturday night out! Reservations appreciated, but not required. Call 740-332-0300 for more information. Live Music at Shade Winery Shade Winery, 401 Gilkey Ridge Road, Shade, 6-8 p.m. Enjoy live music as you taste various local wines. Celebrate Mother's Day Weekend as we launch an exciting new local band, The Come On Come Ons. This group consists of singer KC Waltz (Voodoo Birds), Bill Rawlins on drums (Broken Ring, Keesey Band), Roman Warmke on bass (Voodoo Birds, The Royales) and Dave Wooster on guitar (Leave Corp.). Call 740-696-1323 for more information; FREE. Live Music at Hocking Hills Winery Hocking Hills Winery, 30402 Freeman Road, Logan, 6 - 9 p.m. Join the Hocking Hills Winery for an evening of live music, wine and relaxing with the sounds of Peter Conrad. Bring your own appetizers or food, call for a pizza delivery or just enjoy the music. Call 740- 385-7117 for more information; FREE. SUNDAY, MAY 10 Vinton County Wild Turkey Festival Downtown McArthur 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Watch the downtown streets of McArthur come alive with food, music, and fun for the whole family. The festival includes great nightly entertainment on the sound stage, carnival rides and games, car show, quilt show, queen's and baby contests. Call 800-596-4459 for more information; FREE. Wild Turkey Festival Quilt Show United Methodist Church, 200 S. Market Street, McArthur, 12:30 - 4 p.m. The Wild Turkey Festival Quilt Show presented by Country Roads Quilt Guild.  This year's quilt show theme is  The Old and The New. Register to win a quilt. Email mcquiltguild@gmail.com for more information; FREE. Mother's Day Buffet at Hocking Hills Dining Lodge 20020 State Route 664 South, Logan, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Come join us for a very special Mother's Day Sunday buffet. No reservations required. Call 740-380-0400 for more information; COST: $23.95/adults, $12.95/ages 5-12. Mother's Day Grand Buffet at The Olde Dutch 12791 St. Rt. 664 South, Logan, 10:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. Mother's Day Grand Buffet: carved ham, broasted chicken, roast beef, roast turkey , ham loaf, chicken livers, cabbage rolls ,macaroni & cheese, sweet potato casserole, chicken & noodles, stuffing, assorted vegetables, homemade rolls, cheesy potato soup, super salad bar, pie (coconut cream, peanut butter cream, strawberry cream, dutch apple, pecan & sugar free), bread pudding, apple crisp & strawberry mousse. Drink is included and moms receive a free" carnation. Call 740-385-1000 for more information; COST: $15.99/adults, $4.99/kids 3-10, FREE/kids under 3. Mother's Day Buffet at Lee's Banquet Haus 580 Radio Lane, Logan, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. All-You-Can-Eat Buffet iIncludes: broasted chicken, roast beef, roast turkey, carved pit ham, whipped potatoes, scalloped potatoes, vegetables, salads, rolls and full assortment of desserts. COST: $15.95/adults. Mother's Day Brunch at Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls 21190 St. Rt. 374, Logan, 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. seatings Mother's Day Brunch is a family fun affair! Begin your meal family style with our Inn's pastry basket, fresh fruit, inn-made granola and raspberry yogurt. Entrée choices include: caramelized onion & feta quiche, pan roasted tilapia topped with pineapple salsa & herb roasted potatoes & green beans or pork chop with apricot glaze served with herb roasted potatoes & green beans. A sweet ending to your meal is either mixed berry cobbler w/ vanilla bean ice cream or strawberry cake w/ strawberry icing. Call 800-653-2557 for reservations or more information; COST: $21/adults, $12/children 12 & under. Mother's Day Fine Dining at Glenlaurel 14940 Mt. Olive Rd., Rockbridge, 1 and 5 p.m. seatings Looking for a truly magnificent gift for your Mother? Spoil her (and yourself!) with an amazing gourmet meal at Glenlaurel. We're accepting reservations for a 1 p.m. seating for a four-course lunch and a 5 p.m. seating for a six-course fine dining experience that's sure to delight.  Call 1-800-809-7378 or 740-385-2951 ext 306 for more information and to make a reservation; COST: $39/lunch and $49/dinner. Second Sunday Beadmaking Ohio Glass Museum, 124 W. Main Street, Lancaster, 1 - 4 p.m. Watch engaging demos, or choose to try it yourself! Join us on a new monthly creative adventure!  Theresa Cress-Sharp will be narrating and performing live glass beadmaking demonstrations as part of your OGM tour on the Second Sunday of each month.  You'll see rods of beautifully colored glass become molten and shaped into intricate beads! Call 740-687-0101 for more information; COST: $20. MONDAY, MAY 11 Gospel Sing & Carry-In Scenic Hills Senior Center, 187 S. Spring Street, Logan, 5 p.m. Enjoy and evening of gospel music that you can sing along to. Bring a covered dish to share. Call 740-385-6581 for more information. FREE. Book Club at the Library Logan-Hocking County District Library, 230 E. Main Street, Logan, 5 - 7 p.m. Book Club meets the second Monday of every month. Book to be discussed on May 11 is Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Inshguro. Call 740-385-2348 for more information; FREE. TUESDAY, MAY 12 Photography Group The Bowen House, 196 North Market Street, Logan 7 - 8:30 p.m. Hocking photography enthusiasts welcome visitors to join them for inspiration, encouragement & some shop talk under the mentorship of noted photographer, Dennis Savage. Call 740-385-0344 for more information; FREE. THURSDAY, MAY 14 Kidpalooza Logan Vineyard Church, 1593 East Front Street, Logan, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The 17th Annual Kidpalooza is a free event for kids and families. Music, bounce house, games,  inflatable slides, washboard train rides, crafts and storytellers. Special appearances by Paddington Bear and Spiderman. Drawings at 1:45 PM for canoe trip, Kings Island Tickets, gift certificates to local merchants, Dairy Queen Cake and more. Call 740-380-1315 for more information; FREE. Arsenic and Old Lace Stuart's Opera House, 52 Public Square, Nelsonville, 8 p.m. ABC Players present Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring. Directed by James Euto. Meet the charming and innocent ladies who populate their cellar with the remains of socially and religiously "acceptable" roomers. Call 740-753-1924 for more information; COST: $10 advance * $12 at the door * $7 student. FRIDAY, MAY 15 Furs, Feathers, Feet & Fangs Naturalist Cabin, Hocking Hills State Park, State Route 664 South, Logan, 2 p.m. Join the naturalist at the Naturalist Cabin located behind the Old Man's Cave Visitor Center to discover the many special wildlife adaptations and discuss how to search for signs of the many species here at Hocking Hills. Call 740-385-6841 for more information; FREE. Arsenic and Old Lace Stuart's Opera House, 52 Public Square, Nelsonville, 8 p.m. ABC Players present Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring. Directed by James Euto. Meet the charming and innocent ladies who populate their cellar with the remains of socially and religiously "acceptable" roomers. Call 740-753-1924 for more information; COST: $10 advance * $12 at the door * $7 student. SATURDAY, MAY 16 14th Annual Cruise with Scenic Hills Senior Center Walmart, 12910 State Route 664 South, Logan, 9 a.m. - 12 noon Registration from 9-11 a.m.; judging starts at 11:30; Music by DJ "Chuck Anthony, Child of the 60s". Line Dancing Demonstration, Raffle Prizes, Walmart Food Booth. 20+ Trophies, with cash awards for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place. Call 740-385-6581 for more information; COST: $10 to enter the contests. Wonders of Old Man's Cave Hocking Hills State Park, State Route 664 South, Logan, 10 a.m. Meet the Naturalist at the Naturalists' Cabin, behind Old Man's Cave Visitor Center, for a short hike to discover some facts about the history of the area and the rock formations that are found throughout the park. Call 740-385-6841 for more information; FREE. Crab & Company Cooking Demonstration Shaw's Restaurant and Inn, 123 North Broad Street, Lancaster, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Join us for this demonstration featuring hot and sour soup with crab, grilled avocados stuffed with crab mango salsa, pasta with crab and radicchio, chives & house-preserved lemon vinaigrette. Classes are limited to 14 students and you must be 11 years or older. Call 800-654-2477 for more information; COST: $55 Hocking's Birds of Prey Naturalist Cabin at Old Man's Cave Visitors Center. Hocking Hills State Park, State Route 664 South, Logan, 2 p.m. Join the Hocking Hills State Park naturalist at the Naturalist Cabin near Old Man's Cave Visitor Center for a closer look at Ohio's hawks, owls, eagles and vultures. Call 740-385-6841 for more information; FREE. Live Music at Shade Winery Shade Winery, 401 Gilkey Ridge Road, Shade, 6-8 p.m. Enjoy live music as you taste various local wines. Cee Cee Miller performs on stage. Call 740-696-1323 for more information; FREE. Arsenic and Old Lace Stuart's Opera House, 52 Public Square, Nelsonville, 8 p.m. ABC Players present Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring. Directed by James Euto. Meet the charming and innocent ladies who populate their cellar with the remains of socially and religiously "acceptable" roomers. Call 740-753-1924 for more information; COST: $10 advance * $12 at the door * $7 student. SUNDAY, MAY 17 Arsenic and Old Lace Stuart's Opera House, 52 Public Square, Nelsonville, 2 p.m. ABC Players present Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring. Directed by James Euto. Meet the charming and innocent ladies who populate their cellar with the remains of socially and religiously "acceptable" roomers. Call 740-753-1924 for more information; COST: $10 advance * $12 at the door * $7 student. Mercer Woods Wildflower Hike with AOA 9016 Buckeye-Troxel Road (just southeast of Sugar Grove), 10 a.m. This is the first opportunity for the public to visit one of AOA's newest preserves, Mercer Woods.  Join us as noted naturalist and AOA friend Paul Knoop leads a late-spring tour of the mature forests and wildflower covered slopes. Mercer Woods is located in the scenic Hocking River valley in the northern extent of the Hocking Hills.  The 116-acre parcel includes typical Hocking Hills landscape features including sandstone outcrops and a small stream gorge, as well as a wide variety of habitats. Pack a sack lunch as we will break to eat and enjoy the peace and serenity of the deep forest environs.  Afterwards, participants are invited to roam the site with AOA volunteers and help remove the garlic mustard we find that is invading portions of the site and choking out the wildflowers.  We will provide bags and gloves for collection. Call 334 399-2345 for more information; FREE. Farmers' Markets WEDNESDAYS, THURSDAYS and SATURDAYS - Athens Farmers Market. Come meet the farmers and producers behind the local food movement. Look for vendors selling produce, meats, eggs, cheese, jarred products, baked goods and lots more. Hours are 9 a.m. - 12 noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays and 4 - 7 p.m. on Thursdays. Location: Market on State, 1002 E. State St., Athens; for more info call 740-593-6763 or visit athensfarmersmarket.org. FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY - Flea & Farmers' Market at Hocking Hills Market; US 33, Rockbridge. This is a large flea market with many outside and inside vendors every weekend - Friday through Sunday - featuring unique items, antiques, collectibles, beautiful crafts and outstanding in-season produce. . HELD INDOORS OVER THE WINTER TOWARDS THE BACK OF THE MARKET. FRIDAYS - Bremen Farmers Produce Auction. Locally grown fresh produce, sold in individual and bulk lots. Auctions every Friday at noon, with Tuesday auctions also at noon starting May 19. Location: 1511 Mt. Zwingli Rd, Bremen. Call 740-569-7351 for more information SATURDAYS - Lancaster Farmers Market. Open 8 a.m. - 12 noon through October 31 at the corner of Memorial Drive and Wheeling Street (Government Services parking lot). Call 740-569-4563 or visit www.lancasterohfarmersmarket.org for more information. Ongoing Events MONDAY AND THURSDAYS AND OTHERS BY APPOINTMENT - Beginner Bead Making Classes; Have fun learning to melt glass while making your own glass beads and charms for bracelets, necklaces and earrings. Everything is supplied that you need to make beautiful glass beads. Ages 14 and up. $25 per class, offered at 11 a.m. and 1,3 and 5 p.m.; call for reservations - 740-385-1384; Liquid Light Gallery, 18345 Unger Rd, Logan TUESDAYS - Science with Mr. Harry at the Logan Library; Join Mr. Harry every Tuesday from 3 - 4:30 p.m. in the Children's Library and explore the world of science. Every age is the right age to learn! Logan Library, 230 East Main Street, Logan. FREE TUESDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS - Story Time at the Logan Library; Bring your children to the Logan Library every Tuesday and Wednesday for an hour of story time. Times are 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday and 10 a.m. on Wednesdays. Logan Library, 230 East Main Street, Logan. FREE TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS - After School Art with Art & Clay on Main; Join us every Tuesday and Thursday for a fun-filled hour of art instruction that many children do not otherwise have access to. Artists in grades 1 - 7 explore different mediums, dabble in art history and create personal masterpieces in just one session. Join us for every class or simply attend when your schedule allows! 4 - 5 p.m. Art & Clay on Main, 150 West Main St., Lancaster, 740-653-1755, $10 per class. FIRST AND THIRD WEDNESDAYS - Doodle Bugs - 10 a.m.; FREE art club for newborns, infants and toddlers up to age 3. Meeting the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Participants can come anytime between 10 a.m. and 12 noon. Toddlers will explore the fun of art hands-on and take home a masterpiece! Newborns and infants will have hands and feet painted for creative keepsakes. Sponsored by the Hocking County Early Childhood Department, Help Me Grow & Early Intervention. Hocking County Library, 230 E. Main Street, Logan; Call Stephanie at 740-380-1315 for more information. WEDNESDAYS - Quilt Therapy - 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Every Wednesday our classroom is open all day for anyone who wants to come and sew. Bring a project, even one you are having struggles with and one of our folks will be happy to help you. It is a fun day to come and be with other quilters. Lunch is on your own. Nelsonville Quilt Company, 52 W Washington St, Nelsonville; call 740-753-3343 for more info; FREE WEDNESDAYS - Yoga in the Hills; This class is offered surrounded by the beauty of the Hocking Hills. Weather permitting; classes are outside on our wonderful deck among the trees. All levels of experience are welcome, as are groups! Call ahead for details - we may be having class, with our wonderful instructor, at a waterfall near you! 5 to 6 p.m. Visit http://www.massageyogacenter.com/ for locations details. Blue Valley Massage & Traveling Spa, 888-74-PEACE (747-3223); COST: $10 THURSDAYS - Yarn Lovers Unite; Members are invited to join at the library to work on various projects and share techniques and progress.  Anyone who knits, croquets or sews is invited to attend.  All are welcome regardless of experience and ability, as this is a chance to share and learn. 1 p.m. Call 740-385-2348 for more information; Logan-Hocking County Library, 230 E. Main Street, Logan, FREE. THURSDAYS -- Beginner Electronics Help; A free course to help patrons become more familiar with computers, tablets, e-readers, and other devices that they have wanted to use but with which they have not felt comfortable. 3 - 4 p.m. Logan-Hocking County Library, 230 E. Main Street, Logan. Call 740-385-2348 for more information; FREE. THURSDAYS - Yoga at the Bowen House - 6 p.m.; Join Yoga instructor Elle Delmatto every Thursday at 6 p.m. Class fee is $6. Class is open to all. No pre-registration is necessary. The Bowen House Community Center for Arts & Education, 196 N Market St, Logan; call 740-385-0344 for more info. FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS - New exhibits upstairs in the main building include a replica of a one-room schoolhouse, a sewing circle, and a toyshop area. Watch for the surprise exhibit in the front yard! Museum hours are 1 - 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, through October. Hocking County Historical Society Museum, 64 North Culver St., Logan; call 740-385-6026 for more information. FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS - Hocking Hills Artists and Craftsmen Marketplace. The Hocking Hills Artists and Craftsmen Association has had such success with special weekend shows that it is making the marketplace a regular event. Open Friday 4 - 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Hocking Hills Dining Lodge, 20020 State Route 664 South. Call 740-707-0246 for more information. TUESDAYS through SUNDAYS - Through the Looking Glass; Reflections on the many uses of glass in science, industry, transportation, healthcare, technology, and many other aspects of our daily lives.  Lancaster Glass Collection, Scientific Glass, American Scientific Glassblowers Society, The Ohio State University, Radio Tubes, Cameras and items from the OGM archives and from the collection of friends of the museum. 1 - 4 p.m., Ohio Glass Museum, 124 W. Main St., Lancaster. Call 740-687-0101 for more information. $6 admission. DAILY through May 15 - Blue Shoe artist Petricher Plumage displays his artwork. Art & Clay on Main, 150 W. Main Street, Lancaster. Hours are M-Th 7 a.m. - 6 p.m., Friday 7 a.m. - 10 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 12 noon - 4 p.m. Call 740-653-1755 for more information. DAILY through May 17 - A Tradition of Progress: Ohio Decorative Arts 1860-1945 tells the story of Ohio through decorative arts objects, starting with the Civil War era and concluding with the event that marked the true beginning of the modern era-World War II. This time period was perhaps the most transformative in American history. Ohio artists, artisans, designers, and manufacturers played a very important role in this transformation. The exhibition will include more than 150 splendid pieces of furniture, glass, ceramics, metalwork, and textiles. Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, 145 E. Main St., Lancaster; call 740-681-1423 for more information. FREE. DAILY through May 24 - Starbrick Gallery presents Happiness is... The Children's Art Show, an exhibit by area elementary & middle school artists, curated by their art teachers.  A Must See!  Also featuring local Athens high school regional finalists of the Governors Youth Art Show in the windows at Starbrick Gallery.  Hours are: Monday to Saturday 10 to 5 and Sunday noon to 5. Call 740-753-1011 or visit www.starbrick.com for more information. 21 W. Columbus Street (on the square), Nelsonville. BY APPOINTMENT - Stained Glass Workshop; Learn basic copper foil stained glass techniques with Audrey Martin. Classes are two hours long and all supplies are provided. At the end of the class you will walk away with your completed project and the knowledge to dive into more sophisticated glass projects. Fee: $25; All supplies are provided. Contact Audrey Martin, 740-596-1913 to schedule your stained glass workshop. 63775 SR 56, Creola, Ohio 45622, just three miles east of Ash Cave at Scenic Way Gifts and Art Glass Studio. Call for additional days and times. DAILY - SALT AND PEPPER SHAKER MUSEUM AT FIDDLESTIX; View several hundred vintage figural salt and pepper shaker sets at Fiddlestix Village; 24180 St. Rt. 93 just south of the St. Rt. 56/93 intersection. A changing display of shaker sets are arranged by categories on shelves in three large windows. Groups include various animals, people, holidays, birds, fish, tools, buildings, vacation souvenirs and many more. Most of the sets are from the 1940s to the present. A smaller window hosts a monthly special exhibit. The best viewing time is between 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Viewers are invited at their own risk, and the exhibit is open unless there is snow or ice on the parking lot. Fiddlestix Village, 24180 St. Rt. 93, Creola - (Do not go to Creola ~ this is a mapping address.) The location is just south of the intersection of St. Rts. 56 and 93, close to Ash Cave. For more information, call Historic Host; 740-596-2408 or 740-753-3105. FREE. DAILY - Paul A. Johnson Pencil Sharpener Museum - Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Rev. Paul Johnson began his collection over 20 years ago. His Pencil Sharpener Museum, previously located at his home, has been moved to the Welcome Center and is open daily. This amazing collection of over 3400 pencil sharpeners has been featured in national magazines and is reputed to be the largest collection in the United States. Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center, 13178 St. Rt. 664 S, Logan; 740- 385-9706; FREE. DAILY (Monday - Saturday) - The Columbus Washboard Company Museum and Gift Shop - There is so much history from our company and building's past that we wish to share it with everyone. The tour will not only provide historical information, but will also include the opportunity to observe the manufacturing of washboards, and participate in making music with the washboard. The factory will operate daily, as usual, with our washboards being produced one at a time by hand. We are the only manufacturer of washboards remaining in the United States. Our gift shop features our washboards, memorabilia and new line of vintage soaps. The Museum is a WiFi hotspot and offers snacks and beverages, for a place to relax and take care of business. Tours will be offered Monday through Friday at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m.; Saturdays by appointment. Special arrangements will be made for large groups. Museum hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday by appointment. Tours are $4 which includes souvenir magnet. Columbus Washboard Factory, 14 Gallagher Ave, Logan; 740-380-3828. Hocking Hills Tourism Association | 800-HOCKING (800-462-5464) http://www.explorehockinghills.com 13178 State Route 664 South Logan, OH 43138

Hocking Hills Tourism Association | 13178 State Route 664 South | Logan | OH | 43138