GO AWAY! Hocking Hills
February is not Cleveland’s kindest month. It’s slushy. It’s dark. By February, you’ve just about completely lost patience with the fact that only one sidewalk in twenty has even a narrow footpath cleared for pedestrians.
For the past few decades, Near West Siders have coped with the trials of Cleveland Februarys by rising up en masse and transporting a good-size chunk of the community away from the confines of our beloved but admittedly gritty city, to a place where winter is still glorious.
If you’ve never been among that happy band, they want to be sure you know that you’re welcome to join the annual Near West Side at Hocking Hills Winter Adventure. Here’s how it works.
There are 16 cabins reserved for the weekend of February 7th & 8th in the scenic Hocking Hills area near Logan, Ohio, about four hours south of Cleveland. Each two-bedroom cabin sleeps six and is fully furnished with kitchen appliances, bedding, and so on. Rental cost for the weekend is $190.84, which includes a “3rd night free” — either Thursday or Sunday. Designate your choice in advance.
To stake a claim on a cabin, just call Mike Fiala at fiala@mamasays.org and he’ll tell you where to send a deposit check. That’s it. You’re then free to socialize with your fellow Near West expatriots or just spend a weekend of peaceful solitude among the crystalline hollows of Ash Cave, the natural sculpture garden of Cedar Falls, or the awesome splendor of Ohio’s most beautiful spot, the hemlock-rimmed gorge of Conkle’s Hollow.
Singles or groups of 2-3 can be hooked up with others to share rental expenses. Oh, and in case you’re not a bona fide Near West sider, no fear. Neighbors from as far away as Lake County have taken advantage of the pre-reserved cabins for a peaceful weekend in the country. Everyone’s welcome! Call Mike for details.