On Friday Gogi and I drove 2 hours across Ohio to the Hocking Hills County Courthouse to obtain a marriage license.

Taking that drive is like a time machine across a land where the memory of Yankees and Rebels charging across the fields to the whistle of grapeshot and booming cannon fire is still vivid.  Corn – corn, I say, as far as the eye can see – and then beyond.

At the courthouse the guard at the door directed us up the marble steps to the second floor.  The vaulted atrium has stood solemn since 1923, when presidents Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge may have delivered speeches from the courthouse steps.

The Hocking Hills area is a lush green world rife with history; a portal into a simpler time. We’re looking forward to coming back next week to Old Man’s Cave Chalets.

Cheers to everyone preparing to attend BAGSFOW – we have officially begun the trip!

One of the reasons we enjoy the trip from Reno to Ohio is the layover at Salt Lake City airport.  They have two brewpubs with a nice IPA at each one.  The Gordon Biersch Brewery also has special wi-fi enabled tables with outlets so you can seamlessly keep the business running whilst enjoying a pint.

According to the Hocking Hills visitors center, summertime in Ohio brings temperatures that are nearly always comfortable, ranging from 50° to 85° F, with cooler temperatures in the evening, in the caves and gorges and on the shaded trails. Try dressing in layers, as the Hocking Hills weather forecast varies throughout the year and temperatures can fluctuate often. Good, sturdy hiking boots or athletic shoes are important on the trails.  Afternoon rain showers are not uncommon this time of year.

For BAGSFOW you may want/need to bring:

swimsuit, sunglasses, hat
luau clothes
light rain jacket – especially those going to see Tecumseh
hiking attire

yoga clothes

wedding attire – take a tip from the Pip, dresses are always in style (silly hats too I guess)… whatever you are comfortable in

Super fun clothes you will want to be photographed in… you never know where the paparazzi will show up!

Glad you asked! First, checkout the amazing calendar of events that are unique to BAGSFOW guests only.

In your spare time, here are some excellent caves, hikes, and other fun things to do and explore.    http://www.1800hocking.com/ohiostateparkhockinghills

Like museums? They have ’em!

(These are pencil sharpeners)

Museums and Art  |  click for category map
Bowen House (The)	866-380-2253
Columbus Washboard Company	740-380-3828
Decorative Arts Center of Ohio	740-681-1423
Hocking County Historical Society & Museum	740-385-6026
Pencil Sharpener Museum	740-385-9706
Robbins Crossing at Hocking College	740-753-6344
Sherman House / Georgian Museum	740-654-9923
The Ohio Glass Museum Athens Farmers Market 740-594-5522 Earth, Water, Rock: Outdoor Adventures 740-664-5220 Happy Hills Fun Park 740-385-6720 HHTA GeoTrails 800-462-5464 Hocking Hills Adventure Trek 740-777-2579 Hocking Hills Gem Mine 800-562-0251 Hocking Hills Nature Trails 740-592-2500 Hocking Valley Scenic Railway 800-967-7834 Hunting at Hocking Hills Cabins 800-385-4161 Rock Climbing & Rappelling by Hocking Hills Adventure Trek 740-777-2579 Sharp Farms Pumpkins & Corn Maze 740-215-8384 The Buckeye Trail 740-394-2008 Touch the Earth Adventures 740-591-9094 Walker Farm 740-385-6758 Wayne National Forest 740-753-0101 Parks  |  click for category map Ash Cave 740-385-6841 Cantwell Cliffs 740-385-6841 Cedar Falls 740-385-6841 Conkle’s Hollow Nature Preserve 740-385-6841 Hocking Hills State Park 740-385-6841 Lake Logan State Park 740-385-6841 Old Man’s Cave 740-385-6841 Rock House 740-385-6841 Rockbridge State Nature Preserve Besides the caves and trails, how about additional outdoor fun? There is miniature golf, horseback riding, golf, movie theaters, zipline tours, canoeing… it’s all available through http://www.1800hocking.com/ohiostateparkhockinghills But the most fun will undoubtedly be at BAGSFOW !

The main attraction at BAGSFOW will be all of the great eating.  Here’s a sample of what you are going to get:

Wednesday Night: The meeting of the clans over local pizza and healthy salads (and beer).  We’re keeping it simple on the first night – but brace yourself – for some serious down-home cooking is on its way!

Thursday: Breakfast at the lodge or make your own (includes cereal). Bagels/cream cheese, scrambled eggs with cheese, maple bacon, sauteed spinach and mushrooms, fresh fruit. Coffee/tea.  Lunch> Make your own Deli Platter sandwich, potato salad, fruit, veggie tray.  Dinner> Girls: Ham/cream cheese roll-ups, quiche, marinated mushrooms, potato skins with cheddar/bacon/green onions, stuffed olives, veggie tray. Strawberry daiquiris. Gina’s surprise  desserts! Boys are going out for burgers and a boy’s night out.

Friday: Bfast at the lodge or make your own, same as Thursday.  Also serving yogurt and fruit.  Lunch> Grilled Hamburgers and Hot Dogs, salads, cheese, avocados, fruit.  Dinner> Rehearsal Dinner at Uncle Bucks Riding Barn – Smoked Chicken, 2 sides, dessert and Portobello mushroom lasagna for our vegetarians.

Saturday: Bfast>  Grab something light since the wedding starts at 10:30 am.  Lunch> Sit down Reception Brunch at the Inn and Spa at Cedar Falls! Sweet rolls and mimosas to start. Eggs Benedict, stuffed chicken breasts or marinated flank steak. Wedding cake!  Dinner> Put on your Hawaiian shirts and grass skirts for the LUAU – Kalua Pork with shredded cabbage and carrots, sweet Hawaiian sauce and grilled pineapple salsa on Hawaiian rolls.  Fish Tacos with coleslaw (Wasabi or mild), rice, 3 bean salad, cheesy potato casserole.  Top it off with Pineapple Upside Down Cake!

Sunday: Free-for-all raiding of all the leftovers.

Legal Disclaimer: The BAGSFOW legal team requires we disclose that while we cannot condone overindulgence in Kalua pork, 3 bean salad, coleslaw and dessert – we certainly don’t want to discourage anyone from going back for second or third helpings!

Yeee-Haw!  Swing your partner and do-si-doh!  Hey, keep off the toes.  That’s right. Get out your steel toed cowboy boots and your prettiest crinolines – the Hale/Quiring clans are going square dancing.  Friday July 19th, after the rehearsal, we all head over to Uncle
Buck’s Riding and Drinking Barn for a finger lickin’ good meal and then an evening of old fashioned square dance fun. It all begins at 6:30 PM.

Starting at 7 PM, Gary Lehman and the Country Strings will be performing – and some of their wives will be there to show us all the ropes. (This isn’t actually their picture…)

Here is what Logan Daily News’ LESLIE GRAY has to say about them:

LOGAN — This week’s Music in the Park performers are Gary Lehman and The Country Strings, who will take the stage at 7 p.m. Friday in Logan’s Worthington Park.

“We’ve played here for a number of years off and on since it started,” Gary Lehman, lead singer and drums, said.  The remaining band members of Gary Lehman and The Country Strings include Paul Sneider of Lancaster on steel guitar; Bob Holland of Hebron, lead guitar, rhythm bass and vocals; Bob Parsley of Groveport, lead bass and vocals; and Stephanie Magill of Groveport, bass and vocals.

This photo is the inspiration for BAGSFOW’s wedding cake!  Ours will be two tiered with raspberry and custard filling, and lemon cheesecake filling. Yum!

Gina has been making cakes, desserts, donuts and pies for over 35 years.  Let’s all give it up for Gina!

And now it’s time to play, Guess What Gina Will Be Making?  A small hint: one night the dessert will be gluten free but delicious.

If you guessed this one, you are wrong!  Trick question. I don’t much like coconut…

Four fabulous desserts, so little time to eat them!

Folks of all ages agree that Hocking Hills Gem Mine is loads of fun! Whether you purchase a bag or a bucket you are sure to find a variety of gem stones. Our gem rough material includes gems like sapphire, amethyst, peridot, obsidian, moonstone, emerald, garnet and more. If you choose a bucket you may also find items like fossils, shark teeth, polished gem stones, arrowheads or a cut and polished gem stone ready to be mounted. Buckets are great for families or groups to share. Ask about availability of our Specialty Buckets that contain beautiful genuine cut and polished gemstones like emerald or sapphires along with all the goodies of our standard buckets.

Logan/Hocking Hills KOA
29150 Pattor Rd
Logan, OH 43138
800.562.0251 Reservations
740.385.4295 Information
mine@hockinghillskoa.com

Poolside at our lodge at 9 am – sign up now for yoga class.  This could be you! All ages are welcome.  Beginner’s class.

Drop us an email to sign up!

Ah, c’mon.  Haven’t you wanted to try it?