When it's raining in the Hocking Hills: what to do with the kids

So what do you do when it's raining during your Hocking Hills winter or early spring vacation, especially if you have kids along.

• If it's only raining lightly, it's still a good time to go hiking. The waterfalls at Conkle's Hollow, Cedar Falls, Ash Cave & the upper and lower falls at Old Man's Cave will be awesome. This is also true the day after heavy rains. The best picture I have taken of the Ash Cave falls was in a light April rain.
• Shopping at the antique and craft malls at Rempel's Grove in Logan can be very kid friendly. Just don't expect to spend as much time browsing as you normally would. Then have lunch at Olde Dutch. There's a petting zoo there too, but I'm not sure of the hours.
• Schedule a potting (2 lbs of clay with 1 firing) or pottery painting class at Logan Art Gallery in downtown Logan. They are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 740-385-9455 for more information. Dave and I made terra cotta turtles with grandkids Maggie & Makenzie. Fun!
• If you're in Logan for a art class, we also recommend a stop Hocking River Emporium, just across the street from Logan Art. Cool stuff, including hemp clothing. Then how about lunch at the Spotted Owl, the Sandstone or Julie's Cafe?
• Visit Leota at Hutchison's Hilltop Haven in Rockbridge for a basket weaving class. Call 740-385-8130 for more information. Also sells dried flowers & arrangements. Leota is apparently quite a character! Our grandkids will be here in June and we plan to take them here.
• Visit Parrot Place on the Ridge , on Thompson Road, to learn more about parrots as pets and to check out the great selection of bird related accessories, including wild bird feeders. You'll get to meet some pretty awesome birds. Call 740-332-3014 for more information. Hours are Thursday through Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• For more shopping, consider driving down to Rocky Outdoor Gear Store in Nelsonville. If you don't come out of there with a new pair of boots or shoes, or some other article of clothing, you have more willpower than I do. It's on U.S. 33 in Nelsonville. We always eat at the Coffee Cup located on U.S. 33 just before you get to Nelsonville. Of course, there's other shopping and arty things to do in Nelsonville.
• If the kids are just too full of energy, consider going roller skating either at Circle D (phone 740-474-5070) on Route 56 in Circleville, open 6 to 11 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays; or at Amanda Roller Rink (740-969-4131) in Amanda, open Fridays & Saturdays, 7 to 11 p.m.

As always, call first to make sure these places are open. If you've got other suggestions, please let me know and I'll add them to this article.

In our cabin, we always have games and puzzles available, plus now that we offer DISH Network satellite TV, your favorite programs are too.

Mary at Marsh Hollow

The Hilltop Bake Shoppe now open in Adelphi!

Adelphi, Laurelville's sister village just across the county line in Ross County, has a new restaurant/bakery. It's called the Hilltop Bake Shoppe and is located on Route 180 in Adelphi. The street address is 19186 Concord St., but that's Route 180.

The owners are John and Yvonne LeMaster, the same energetic couple who opened Thornybrook Farms, a garden/produce store, last year. Some of John's baked goods were sold at the garden store, but the additional new store will feature not only his yummy breads, baked apples, cinnamon roles and pies, but also coffees, pizza and sandwiches.

Dave and I have picked up pizza twice and it is very, very, very good. The crust is too wonderful for words, as is the sauce. We've had a pepperoni & mushroom pizza twice, then added on the barbecue chicken pizza when we had family visit last weekend. It was incredible and I highly recommend this combo, but there are some other good ones available: buffalo chicken, Hawaiian, pulled pork, Philly cheese steak, etc. We like our pizza "well done" which crisps the crust and toppings nicely without burning them.

Without question this is the BEST pizza in this area, and even out of this area. We are already planning to make it a once-a-week treat.

Currently, the hours are limited: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, but these will be extended soon. Only take-out is available, but the dining room will be furnished in the near future.

Call 740-332-0500 (local call for us) to place your order.

Mary at Marsh Hollow