To kick off summer and celebrate Father’s Day weekend, our family made an impromptu getaway to a cozy spot called The Sugar Shack. Nestled in Lancaster, Ohio, this charming tiny house—thoughtfully built and operated by our neighbor, Dante—offered the perfect home base to unwind and explore the nearby Hocking Hills region. When Dante mentioned he had an open weekend, we jumped at the chance.

The Sugar Shack is a loft-style tiny home packed with personality and thoughtful details. Two large beds (accessible by ladder) perch above a fully-stocked kitchen and a comfortable living area, which opens to a patio via a roll-up garage door—blurring the line between inside and out. Beyond the usual Airbnb staples (towels, sheets, kitchen utensils), Dante has added touches that go above and beyond: a hot tub, an outdoor shower, a firewood stack, a stocked fishing pond, miles of trails, and a bench swing beneath a shady tree. The place is adorable, stylishly finished, and full of sweet surprises.

Colin and I drove one car, while our daughters made the trip together in another. As soon as we dropped our bags at the house, we headed straight to Hocking Hills Canoe Livery for a seven-mile float down the river. Colin and I shared one canoe; the girls shared the other. The best thing about a long float like that is its magical ability to keep everyone off their phones and fully present. The only downside? My phone was sealed in a dry bag, so I couldn’t capture any recordings. If I had, you would’ve heard the sound of our daughters laughing—pure, carefree laughter rolling along for hours.

Back at The Sugar Shack, the big question was: “How hungry are you—two hot dogs or three?” We settled in for dinner, watched a movie, and simply enjoyed being together in the cozy space. Despite its small footprint, the living room had plenty of seating for all four of us—something not all tiny homes manage well.

The next morning, our daughters left early to get back to Columbus and Cincinnati for work and grad parties. Colin and I lingered. We savored a slow morning with coffee on the porch, followed by breakfast at Chelle’s 33 Diner (next to the Hocking Hills Antique Mall), and then set off to hike around Hocking Hills State Park.

Our first stop was Rock House—an easy, one-mile trail with impressive views. But being a weekend, crowds quickly picked up. So we drove over to Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve and hiked both the Rim and Gorge Trails. From there, we passed Old Man’s Cave and other popular spots, but parking was packed. Instead, we kept driving and ended up at Clear Creek Metro Park, where we discovered the serene Fern and Hemlock Loop. We barely saw another soul on the trail.

After a full day of sunshine, movement, and fresh air, we returned to The Sugar Shack—exhausted, happy, and ready to rest. We sat on the porch watching birds, listening to frogs, and observing the light shift across the sky. A summer rainstorm rolled through and passed, leaving everything still, soaked, and glistening.

It was a lovely weekend, spent in the best way imaginable—together.