The resort is about 30 minutes outside of Athens.
This time last year, Erie, Michigan resident Mike Heronemus was looking for a weekend getaway with his girlfriend.
After researching the Hocking Hills area, he found Smoke Rise Ranch Resort, 6751 Hunterdon Road in Glouster, Ohio, a cattle ranch located 30 minutes away from Athens.
“They’re not like Wal-Mart or Kmart or some big fancy hotel chain. They’re not these giant companies that are out to make a buck,” Heronemus said. “Their big thing is that it’s a family ranch, and their No. 1 thing is that when you walk out there, you have the best time of your life.”
The Smoke Rise Ranch will have a Saturday filled with 3-D archery and a potluck style pig roast to close out the night. This is the second year the ranch has had the event that incorporates these activities.
“3-D archery uses targets. You go on a trail throughout the woods and there are animal-shaped 3-D targets,” Kristen Weidmann, assistant manager of the ranch, said. “You have to guess how far the targets are and try to hit them. It’s set up according to regulations and there are different distances and difficulties.”
3-D archery will be set up this weekend so that anyone at anytime throughout the day can participate starting at 8 a.m. A pig roast at 7 p.m. closes out the activities.
The meal was Heronemus’s favorite part of the day when he attended last year.
“It’s kinda like a family reunion — pull up a chair, sit down and meet and eat,” Heronemus said, "Everyone’s just like ‘Hey, how’re you doing?’ and it’s just totally awesome.”
For Heronemus, the event had a lasting impact that prompted him to repeatedly make the four-hour drive back.
“Since me and my girlfriend attended the hog roast last year, we have gone back down to the ranch four more times,” he said. “We love it. It’s a fun place and welcoming to all. I definitely recommend this place to anyone and everyone.”
