March 2019 Update

Hello everyone! And happy Spring!

Wow, have we been busy since our last blog post! My head is spinning, trying to think of everything to include in this post!

First, an announcement: Before I go into the details of the past seven months, I want you to know we have a house concert coming up on Sunday, March 24 at 6:00 PM with the man who started it all for us for our house concert series! Jim Malcolm, from Scotland, is returning! We’re so happy to have Jim back. He’s performed here several times since 2005. He has the most dreamy voice you’ll ever hear and he’s quite a comedian! You don’t want to miss it. RSVP if you plan to attend to ann@oakmountainhideaway.com. The cost is $20/person at the door. Reservations help us to know how many to plan for and are appreciated. There is usually plenty of room. As always, bring your favorite beverage and a snack to share, optional.

Grand Opening of North Star Cabin was a Success!

Now, let’s back up to last August. Our Grand Opening of North Star Cabin was a lovely success. We had a two day event with live music from these local musicians:
Steve Van Hook, Michelle Katz, Bill Ryan, Doug Irwin and Bill Ritzman, Megan and Chris McGarry, and from New York state, singer-songwriter, Austin MacRae . Following the music, we had an outdoor showing of the movie that was shot at our cabin, Generational Sins . The screen writer and film director, Spencer Folmar, was here for the screening! So many of our guests have really enjoyed watching the film in the cabin that played such an important roll in the story line. We also had tours of the newly renovated cabin which turned out to be a work of art with Ed’s beautiful craftsmanship! It is the coziest little cabin and it has some very unique features and a few fun surprises! The cabin is listed on Airbnb and is open year-round, 7 days a week.

We also had several vendors who set up for the event including McCracken’s Canoe Sales and Rentals, Nicole Nachman with her Mary Kay products but she has now switched to L’BRI products, and Bee Kind Winery furnished us with a wine tasting. We also had our Oak Mountain Hideaway mementos, wine glasses, wine totes, and coffee mugs for sale as well. Those items are always available any time you visit us, just ask.

On day two, the event featured the Nashville-based band, Wildeyes, who played an incredible outdoor show that was nothing less than magical! The crowd absolutely loved them! Check out this stunning rendition of Wicked Game!

Grand Opening Gallery

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Update on our B&B and Hipcamp Sites

Our cabin rentals and Hipcamp sites, as well as the room rentals in the main house, have been outstanding. We reached Superhost status pretty early on with Airbnb and we were thrilled to be voted 3rd Best Hipcamp in Pennsylvania this year! Our guests are all so wonderful and interesting! We had a very busy late summer and fall. Many folks came for the elk viewing, some went to see the sights in the northern counties, like the Kinzua bridge, and we had several stay for the Penn State football games. Groundhog day was a very busy. We had several different groups of folks stay with us for that fun event! One group even sent us a copy of the movie, Groundhogs Day, to have available in the cabin as a thank you gift! We also hosted a couple of groups of women who had a ‘girls weekend’ getaway who plan to return again this year! We had some winter guests who went cross country skiing at Black Moshannon State Park. Did you know… Pennsylvania State Parks offer equipment at each park office? You can borrow gear such as ice skates, cross country skis and boots, snow shoes and more. In addition to Black Moshannon, Sinnemahoning and Parker Dam State Parks are all under an hour away and offer some of the most beautiful scenery in Central Pennsylvania! Other folks took advantage of the hiking in the area in the Quehanna Wilds. Our Hipcampers went fishing, kayaking and floating down the river, and enjoyed star gazing and dark sky photography and several even took in a couple of our house concerts. There is something for everyone here. The peace and quite is unmatched! One couple enjoyed putting a puzzle together by the fireplace. We also have board games and cards or you can simply relax and read a book or watch the wildlife and the birds. It truly is, the “Utlimate Restination” in the Pennsylvania Wilds!

“The cabin and the setting were gorgeous and incredibly relaxing. Perfect place to unplug.”

Jessica, Akron, OH

There is a lot to do and see in the Pennsylvania Wilds. Plan your vacation with us, we have special weekly rates. Did you know there are two Fish for Free days in Pennsylvania? These days allow anyone (resident or non-resident) to legally fish on Pennsylvania waterways on the designated days with NO FISHING LICENSE REQUIRED (Trout/Salmon and Lake Eire permits are also NOT required)! All other fishing regulations apply. The dates this year are: Sunday, May 26 and Thursday, July 4 (Independence Day). Many high quality streams are nearby.

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Coming up for 2019

We are excited to be expanding our Hipcamp sites this year and creating some hiking trails on our 24 acres that will be easily accessed right outside the door. We are also planning several workshops. We are holding a FREE Bird Walk on Saturday, June 8th with Jim Dunn of State College. Jim has been an avid bird watcher since 1997. He has seen 274 species in Centre County, 309 in Pennsylvania, 660 in the US, 1329 in the world (31 countries) and 93 right in his yard in State College. We will begin at 8:00 a.m. and will have coffee, tea, and a snack upon arrival (donations accepted). If you have binoculars and/or a camera bring them with you. This event will be held rain or shine so dress in weather appropriate clothing and wear proper hiking footwear.

We are also planning a Nature Journaling workshop for later in the summer. Stay tuned for more on this event.

House Concert Schedule

Our 2019 house concert series began in February, with a Scottish band called Heron Valley. It was a spectacular start to the 2019 series! As mentioned in the beginning of this post, our next concert is on Sunday, March 24, with Jim Malcolm, also from Scotland. Here are the other remaining shows:

High Time (Ireland, TRAD)
June 4 at 7 PM

Shane Hennessey (Ireland, Guitar/Composer)
September 4 at 7 PM

Hiroya Tsukamoto (Japan, Guitar/Composer/Singer)
October 11 at 7 PM

Winifred Horan and Utsav Lal (New York, Fiddle/Piano
October 26 at 7 PM

Follow our concert page on Facebook!

Other Events in the area

• First Day of Fishing Season – April 13
• Red Moshannon Downriver Race – March 30
• West Branch Susquehanna River Wild Canoe/Kayak Race – May 4
• 149th Annual Frenchville Picnic – July 20-21
• 100 Mile Yard Sale – July 19-20
• Clearfield County Fair – July 28-Aug 3

We are thrilled with the success we’ve had so far and are very much looking forward to hosting each and every guest and every event. We hope you will join us and spread the word! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

Enjoy the warmer weather and get outdoors!

Anna Marie and Ed