Winter Getaway 2012 ~ Hocking Hills, OH

A few weeks ago, my husband and I went on our annual winter getaway in southern Ohio.  We do this to celebrate our anniversary and to enjoy the beauty of winter.  Winter hasn’t actually hit us yet in Ohio, but on our getaway weekend, we got a fresh blanket of snow.  We were able to hike some trails we haven’t been on in a few years and were often the first ones to muck up the untouched snow. 

We hiked Old Man’s Cave first:

The second day, we tried to hike Cantwell Cliffs, but I thought it was too icy along the top trail.  I did manage to get a few photos, though.

When all else fails, we hike Conkle’s Hollow.  If the top trail is too icy, there is always the lower trail. This year, we were able to hike the top and the views were totally worth the trek!

This last photo is of an old church that we love. The name is Wesley Chapel, which is the name of the town where we lived in Florida.

I say this every year, but these winter getaways help us to get over winter a little easier. We have learned to see the beauty in the snow and ice.

I recommend getting out and doing your own winter hike!

The full photo galleries can be viewed HERE.

Preserving Main Street

As you drive into downtown Logan , Ohio you get the eerie sensation of a town center dying away to the influx of fast food and mega shopping centers. Empty store fronts and for sale or lease signs greet the passerby with only memories of what once was. All is not lost; however, it is up to us to keep the remaining shops from completing the ghost town transformation. One such establishment, M&M Family Diner, surrounded by empty buildings, continues to greet each patron with a smile and thank you.

On our winter hike to Hocking Hills, my wife and I ventured into Logan looking for a hometown meal. Lucky for us we found the aforementioned diner. With a bright smile and friendly greeting, we were seated and served by the proprietor/waitress. Yes, the owner still likes to wait on her guests.  A few short minutes into our arrival, we were treated to stories of downtown past by some seasoned residents. They were unwavering in the face of chain restaurants and big box stores, preferring small town charm and hospitality.

Upon ordering our meals, we were told that M&M Family Diner makes their own sausage – which ended up being some of the best sausage we had ever eaten – and hand cuts their own potatoes.  In a world of frozen and processed food, this was such a refreshing thing to hear. Kudos to the diner and their ability to just do it better than most chains.

On our way out we compared small town stories with the owner and thanked her for a wonderful breakfast. We admired pictures of Logan ‘s past scattering the diner walls and appreciated what she is trying to preserve. Her final statement struck us both in our small town hearts.

“Every single check counts and we will survive.”

If this kind of appreciation and perseverance still filled the American psyche, then I have no doubts that ” Main Street ” would be stronger than ever.

If you are ever in Logan , Ohio , please take the time to stop by M&M Family Diner on Main Street . You will not be disappointed and you will be helping to revitalize a past that our ancestors helped to create.

Submitted by Guest Blogger, Marty Amrine.

On Broadway

I loved this session! In October, the sun was low, the sky was blue, and the weather was perfect! These sisters wanted to surprise their Mom for Christmas with family photos. The family gathered at the Broadway ball park – a place where the sisters played softball and spent alot of their childhood. I’ve said it before, but I really love it when the location has special meaning to the entire family. This is their Broadway:

I love how this session combined family and sports – two things very important to this crew!!  Thanks, Jennifer and Christy for including me in your great idea!

Class of 2012 ~ Marysville, OH Senior Portraits

I had so many senior sessions this summer and fall that I never got around to blogging about them.  To catch up, I am going to put them all in one post.  I must say that I had a great group of young adults this year! So much personality (which you know I love!) and so much ambition. I felt so energized working with all of them. Meet a few faces from the Class of 2012.

Thank you so much, Seniors, for making my 2011 such a fun one!