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If you’re interested in a green getaway ... Head for Hocking Hills
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Hikers take a break at Cedar Falls, in Hocking Hills State Park, near Logan, Ohio.
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Holli Aneshansley, owner of The Natural Remedies Spa, gives Stacey Willis an aromatherapy massage.
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At the Bears Den Lodge guests can reserve the Aspen Cabin that sleeps up to four guests. The property sits on more than 600 acres surrounded by woodlands, rolling hills and three fully stocked fishing ponds.
The host of 21 WFMJ-TV’s “Eco Wise” segment on living green shares her experiences during a recent stay at an Ohio facility taking steps to become more environmentally friendly.
By Stacey Willis
HOCKING HILLS, Ohio
Hocking Hills proves more than two million visitors a year with a variety of recreational opportunities in a splendid natural setting.
With a little more than 2,300 acres, the park has towering cliffs, majestic waterfalls and deep, shaded gorges to entice hikers and nature enthusiasts alike.
What visitors may not be aware of, though, is that tucked away in Hocking Hills on Bear Run Road (Logan, Ohio), the Myers family has been providing their guests with more than 600 acres of responsible, green and eco-friendly lodging and management practices to couples, families and retreat groups for many years.
On one end of Bear Run Road sits Bear’s Den Lodge. This spacious, secluded and fully fledged green retreat is surrounded by 200 acres of meadows, woodlands and private trails. Surrounding the perimeter, you will find numerous bird houses, feeders and native plants that attract and feed the many birds, butterflies and bats that seek habitat there.
Lodge owner Gwen Corbett (the Myerses’ daughter) designed the structure, using more than 90 percent of milled and timbered wood by the local Amish, and decorated with salvaged or recycled fixtures, furniture and local artisan d cor pieces. Large picture windows fill the 2,100-square-foot interior with natural light, and energy-efficient lighting meets any additional needs guests may have.
In both the living room and fully furnished basement, guests will find numerous educational books, CDs, catalogs and magazines promoting green living and eco-friendly practices.
The bathrooms are stocked with natural and organic toiletries and cleaning supplies, and organic coffee and teas can be found in the large, fully stocked gourmet kitchen.
The pantry wall is filled with numerous green certifications and recognitions of the lodge’s pledge to being eco-friendly and socially responsible.
In the same area, guests will find a large recycling bin that is clearly labeled with all the waste products that the lodge will recycle. A compost bin sits outside so that guests can dispose of their meal wastes as well.
Whether you’re a couple seeking a romantic and secluded getaway or a group of yoga enthusiasts seeking a place for mediation or a spiritual retreat, Bear’s Den Lodge is a perfect, serene getaway for two to 12 guests seeking refuge from today’s busy and hectic lifestyles.
Just down the road from Bear’s Den Lodge, Bud and Marcia Myers have made their home on their Bear Run Inn property. It is not only where they lay their heads, but where guests can tuck themselves in to one of three spacious rooms at the home’s bed and breakfast.
Five additional cottages and cabins are spaced generously apart on the Myerses’ spacious and lush green acreage.
Bear Run Inn also is dedicated to preserving and protecting the environment through certification programs. Like the lodge, the cabins and cottages are energy-efficient, supplied with organic and natural products, and feature recycling bins for guest usage.
Bud and Marcia’s son, Phil, and his wife, Tonya, recently opened the Bear Necessities Gift Shop, where guests register for their Bear Run Inn stays.
While there, guests can grab a complimentary snack, sip on organic beverages and browse through the many items handmade by local artisans.
The shop is surrounded by a rebuilt, authentic 1870s log home that Phil restored using salvaged and locally timbered and milled wood. The second floor features a Christmas Shoppe and massage and meeting rooms.
Whether it’s horseback riding, fishing in one of three fully stocked ponds, hiking or kite flying, children and grown-ups alike are sure to enjoy hours of endless outdoor fun.
Although both properties focus primarily on being environmentally conscious, the Myers family realizes that some amenities guests would just rather not do without. Each one of their units features an outdoor grill, a hot tub and a television set, so when the sun goes down, unwinding doesn’t mean your only option is opening the window to the sound of crickets or frogs. However, that certainly is an option!
Can these green getaway spots get any better, you may be asking? Well, the answer is yes!
If a pop-up rain shower interrupts your day, or a feeling of laziness from being submersed with nature’s therapeutic surroundings overcomes you, many natural wellness-services can be arranged at your cabin, cottage or lodge throughout Hocking Hills.
Stacy Miller, an executive traveling chef, can create a scrumptious organic, vegetarian or family-style meal right before your eyes. Miller uses locally farmed produce as well as natural hormone-free animals to create visual and succulent culinary masterpieces.
If inviting Miller to your cabin isn’t your organic cup of tea, he also can be called upon to drop off a picnic-style bagged lunch for you and your guests to enjoy at your leisure.
If getting your body and mind a bit more in tune is what you have in mind, Emily Estes, founder of the traveling Yoga Nomad, services guests through educating and instructing them in their cabins or out in the beautiful meadows. She even will accompany them on a mediation walk through the mystical woods.
If you need a little TLC after your yoga session, hiking or horseback-riding adventure, Holli Aneshanley, owner of Natural Remedies Spa, will bring the massage table(s) directly to you. Indoor and outdoor spa treatments are available, as well as private or side-by-side couple sessions.
Contact information for any of these services or for assistance in creating your perfect green getaway at Bear’s Den Lodge or Bear Run Inn properties are available by logging on to their websites at www.bearsdencottages.com or www.bearrun.com.