Get comfy – this cabin retreat is clothing optional.

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The key word is optional. Guests of the secluded 250 sq. ft. cabin (a perfect example of a tiny house, so popular with YouTubers and Instagram influencers) can relax and enjoy the surroundings in whatever state of dress (or undress) that suits their personality and temperament.

Hummingbird Hollow is a dream realized, for Naturist Victoria Vantage, pen name of a wonderful woman we’ve had the pleasure of meeting through our involvement with the cycling community. A nurse by trade, an environmentalist by passion, and a Naturist by practice, Victoria is one of the most welcoming, free-spirited, and body-positive people I know.

Victoria has published a book about her Naturist journey, which I will post a link to below, for those who are interested or curious about this way of living. The cabin is not yet open to the general public – it is just now experiencing a successful “soft opening,” with plans to be available more widely in early 2021.

The beauty of the area surrounding the cabin makes it a perfect retreat for any individual, couple, or intimate (small) group that wants to get away and immerse themselves in nature. With a creek at the bottom of the driveway and a steep uphill climb to the cabin you’re engaged with the natural world, experiencing signature features of this part of the heartland – Pomeroy, in Southeastern OH.

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There are plans to clear hiking paths through the 6 acres surrounding the cabin. For now, there is plenty of quiet solitude to offer a retreat from the busy world I spend my days in. We had a much-needed serene weekend away from the responsibilities and busy pace of city life.

Standing still, listening to the wind move through the trees high above your head, I’m surrounded by falling leaves.

I look forward to visiting in the winter, to explore the woods further. . . in my winter coat, scarf, gloves, boots, and thermal underwear!  For the spring I’d seek out a couple of trees at an appropriate distance to hang our hammocks for the afternoon. If there’s a lingering early spring chill in the air why not cuddle up in a warm blanket in the hammock?

Dinner by candlelight was a treat for us, on the cabin deck; our table was ringed by tealight candles. A simple meal of extra sharp white cheddar cheese & crispy crackers, mixed berries, and spicy dip on multigrain chips – a picnic in the woods.

A light rain had fallen earlier in the afternoon, enhancing the vibrant fall colors: orange, yellow, green and red painted the surrounding trees. Having our meal in the dark of night, we could not see the landscape as we ate, but we could hear droplets of water. They had been clinging to soggy leaves and branches, but they lost their hold and fell to the bed of wet leaves below.

Squirrels explored the canopy above, giving the branches a good shake.

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I didn’t mind the rain one bit – especially lying in bed, in the cabin’s loft, windows open and a slight breeze drifting in, scented by the height of fall, smoky firewood, and wet ferns. We’d taken the wooden folding ladder off the cabin wall, leaning it against the edge of the loft; I climbed up and settled in. I was tempted to stay up there all afternoon.

The soft sound of lazy raindrops, not in a hurry to be anywhere but just where they landed, brought back memories of rainy days at summer camp in 4^th or 5^th grade. . . .

Much too early in the mornings, awoken by Reveille on the bugle, then a series of hikes, swimming and sailing lessons, and tether-ball tournaments, campers and camp counselors alike were sent to our cabins for an hour before afternoon activities. Lights out! Kids in bunks!

We didn’t have to take a nap – weren’t we too grown up for that? – but we were made to keep quiet. I wrote letters home, read, played solitaire, and often (surprisingly?) dozed off for a bit. Looking back, I realize this was a brilliant strategy on the part of camp management! Bring the energy down and campers were bound to sneak in some shut-eye.

We’d have at least one or two rainy days every summer and our quarantine time was extended to 2 hours. (How else were the camp counselors going to keep us entertained all day?!) I remember that sound – rain falling to the forest floor, ricocheting off the trees like a pinball, on the way down. I’d lay quietly, listening with my eyes closed.

As an adult I’m not a napper – I have way too much energy – but on those rainy days at camp I took the best naps! Hummingbird Hollow invited me to indulge in a return to this childhood pastime, to get back to nature (in a variety of ways), and to breathe deep during a stressful and tense time in this world!

I’ll go back for more of that!

Join me on my next adventure,

~ Kat

Related Links:

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hummingbird.hollow.cabin/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hummingbird.hollow.cabin/

The Natural Spirit: A Guide to Transcending Judgement, Shifting Perception, Loving Everyone and Everything and Living More Fully by Victoria Vantage:  https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Spirit-Introductory-Naturist-Experience-ebook/dp/B089QX28ZS