From the guest books:

October 25, 2009

I have been coming here for six years now. I still love being here. It is so peaceful and relaxing. This year I brought all of my sisters and my mom and we already planned our trip here for next year. They loved it here and we had such a great time. I know you both work so hard to take care of all the things there are to do and I appreciate all of your hard work to make this a beautiful place for us to come and enjoy. Thank you so much!

Elaine Schlichting
Belleville, IL





October 30, 2009

We love it here and have already talked about coming back next time with our dog. This was just what we needed to relax.

Ben & Kristy Menckowski
Christopher, IL






November 14, 2009


This "trial period" went quite well - the worst part was preparring to leave! We now know how to pack better next time to be almost half as through as this cabin! We loved having access to this whole area and the animals without having to care for them ourselves. It's a new feeling - and we'll have it again. Thank you so much for providing us with this outlet for positive charges we thought were gone forever.

Gary, Becky and Shelly Rauvola
St. Louis, MO





October 17, 2009


We love it here. This is our 3rd trip back and we really enjoy ourselves. Just sit back and relax. We were going to stay another night but it is flooding at home and we are needed because we want to save our house from floating away. Thanks for the cabins, they are great!

Ann & Bill Lynch
Taylorville, IL




November 28, 2009


Beautiful property and beautiful cabins! You are so lucky to live here! Thanks for letting us share it with you. I absolutely fell in love with Big Joe. He is a good hose. Hope he will be with you a long, long time.

Liz, Joe & Ollie
LaGrange Park, IL




December 2, 2009

At first we felt a little guilty about taking this short get away before the holidays. We both needed a break and time to recharge so that we can handle the upcoming festivities. I can assure you that when we walked in the cabin we knew we had made the right decision to come here. The Christmas tree was so pretty, especially at night with the cabin lights off and the fire place blazing. It was so cozy and romantic! We can't thank you enough for offering such a great place to unwind and rejuvenate. What you have here is very special, but I'm sure you know that! You never know what you're going to get when you book a place on line until you get there. We've been disappointed a number of times but we've hit the jack pot now. We plan on coming back every year and telling everyone about your place! See you next time and Happy Holidays!

Ruth & Jim Harbison
Peoria, IL

Who could ask for a more serene place?! I'm loving it. I thank Jill & Dan for having such a wonderful retreat. I might of never seen such a great place otherwise. We will see you next year!

Jessica, Megan, Amy, Annette, & June
Alvin, Lebanon, Washington, Darion, IL
Little Red Barn




We love our cabin (The Little Red Barn) We also loved the beautiful outdoors and most of all the pets. It was a great trip!

Perry & Michelle Hankins
Metropolis, IL




Favorite quote Day One: Bryan, after a run: "Well, I learned that the trails around here are note for city folk!"
Highlight of Day Two: Hiking at Giant City. We did the nature trail and Devil's Standtable. The "Illinois Mountains" are breath taking.
Best part of Day Three: The animals! Bryan speaks turkey! Thank you Dan for letting a city girl feed the beautiful horses! Oh- and the baby ducks are adorable!!!
Thank you, what a lovely, cozy, clean place to vacation. We all loved it - especially Vivian. We are already discussing our return trip - maybe in the fall to hike some more.

Bryan & Sarah
Brookfield, IL
(Little Red Barn)




What a tremendous relief to come to a well stocked, clean place to sit back and relax. All the extra efforts in decorating "The Little Red Barn" make it homey and comfortable. We certainly enjoyed watching all the farm animals as well. We would definitely stay here again and highly recommend this place to anyone.

Marty & Stephanie Leipzig
Kris & Tasha Leipzig
Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

Our kids acted bored to tears at times although the word "bored" was outlawed on day #2. However when asked on our last night if they were ready to go home both replied "no". A 9 year old girl and a 5 year old boy don't always agree but moving here permanently seemed like a good idea to them. We had the tv on about an hour on the first night but the rest of the time we spent reading, playing, cooking, resting and exploring. Bedtimes were late and getting up came early. It seemed nobody wanted to miss minute of our time here.
Favorite moments:
*Kids sitting under a cluster of trees across the lane on a blanket talking about who knows what.
*Reading on the front porch as the sun set every evening.
*Late nights in the hot tub after the kids finally went to sleep.
*The deer visits about 8pm each evening.

Thanks for a great place to get away and do all the things we love to do as a family.

Matt & Tammie Mabry
St. Joseph, IL
July 2009




Our entire family thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Cabin on the Hill! Great environment! We'll be back! Thanks for everything.

Dominice, Ray, Elizabeth, Michael Einig
Schaumburg, IL
July 2009




For 3 of us it was our 2nd time in this same cabin. We were here in January with our husbands. We liked it so well we girls decided it would be a great place for our annual ya-ya week-end. We have not been disappointed even though we were rained in for a bit. We went to the barn this time, saw all the animals. We had a wonderful time and hope to come back.

Karen, Patty, Rhae & Babe
Villa Grove, Kell, IL and Atlanta, GA
July 12, 2009




This is an amazing place. This was a getaway trip to celebrate our engagement and to get away from our hectic daily lives. We did not touch our blackberry, cell phones, internet, nor did we watch T.V. This was an important time to reflect on life, how our paths crossed and where we go together as a couple. We spent several hours reading this visitors journal and the stories that have been told.

Life is short, celebrate today what you have. Tell those close to you that you love them as your do not know what tomorrow brings.

We look forward to our next visit.

Chris & Linda
Moline & Galesburg
Juy 17, 2009




This is our third time in a row at Cabin on the Hill. We enjoy having a vacation that is easy going and fun for us all. Shelly loved the farm as you can tell. She was up at the farm just about as much as in the cabin. We enjoy taking a vacation where we can bring our family dog.

Thanks so much and see you in 2010!

Ron, Shana, Shelby & Sadie the dog
July 25, 2009




We absolutely loved the view, animals and wonderful ammenities here at Cabin on the Hill. We also loved that this cabin was well equipped with everything you need for everyday life & tasks. This is a beautiful place to away and clear your head, sit down and read a good book or just place games with family. The animals are so very welcoming and nice. I will highly recommend this place.

Thanks so much.
Lauren & Em Rivera
Rob & Cindy Manely
Blue Island, IL
August 17, 2009




This is our third vacation here. We love it because we can leave the city behind and relax but we don't have to rough it toooo much. It's nice to come home to a jacuzzi and satellite TV after a long hike. Love the barn and animals especilly the cats and dogs.

The Akbash trail is a great way to begin or end your day. Just loved the creek and the delicious dragon flies.

See you next year.

Marie Dillon, Rich Gordon
Jet
Evanston, IL
August 28, 2009




This is the nicest place I've ever stayed (and we've been to Disney)

Mike, Krista, Hannah & Jon Hutton
Silvis, IL
August 30, 2009





We had another wonderful labor day weekend. We have all been coming here every labor day since you built your first cabin.

Danette & Rick Ridenour
Clinton, IL
September 8, 2009




This is our first time here. Too bad its only for one night! I have a feeling we'll be back for long weekends with friend and family. This place is beautiful! Cannot wait to come back, expecillay when the leaves turn. We had a great time and look forward to being back real soon!

Thanks
Sam & Stacy
Brazil, IND
Sept. 11, 2009

Loved just talking and enjoying the peace and quiet and watching Garrett with all the animals. Watching my son interact with the animals. He loves chickens. This was truly a vacation - sad to be leaving. Plan to go home and schedule a return visit.....soon!

Scott, Aimee, & Garrett - Festus, MO
Deb & John (NaNa & Dad) - Belleville, IL




This is a very relaxing place. Very enjoyable. We love the serenity out here! Who could ask for a more serene place. I'm loving it. I thank Jill and Dan for sharing such a wonderful retreat! I might of never seen such a great place otherwise. We will see you next year!

Jessica,Megan, Amy, Annette, & June
Alrin, Lebanon, Washington, and Darion, IL




The scenery was just lovely! We can totallylive out here. Maybe when my husband retire we can buy our own land and finally relax. Thank you Jill & Dan. You have a wonderful Little Red Barn, it felt cozy and warm. Thanks for your hospitality! We look forward to coming back some day.

Angie & Gil Cardenas
Plainfield, IL




Thank you, what a lovely, cozy, clean place to vacation. We all loved it especially Vivian. We are already discussing our return trip - maybe in the fall to hike some more.


Bryan & Sarah
Brookfield, IL

What a beautiful place! My boys love it here, loe the animals and those baby goats.

We'll be back - thanks.

Jennifer
Mattoon, IL
(Little Red Barn)




Enjoyed staying in the Little Red Barn cabin. Watching animals - glad dog Joe is still here and young kids (2) baby goats - cute! It's wonderful getting to spend time here. As always, thanks for allowing us to enjoy this beautiful place.

Willard & Carleen and Carlotia
Granite City, IL




Frogs peeping near the creek, flying squirrel off Dogwood Road, wildflowers were prolific/beautiful this time of year. It's a joy interacting with happy pets!

Betsy Foote
Ann Arbor, MI
(Little Red Barn)



Loved watching the turkeys strut their stuff. Dan walking around with a chicken on his head was funny. The Akbash trail was beautiful. Thousands of wild Blue Bells....have never seen anything like it. Wear your boots tough...the trail can be muddy in the spring.

Clint & Jami
Chicago, IL




We loved all of the animals. Running chickens are hillarious. Tater is the sweetest little doggie! Thanks for the great getaway. We loved it!

Amy Kerkoff
Allison McCabe
Louisville, KY
(Little Red Barn)

Entries from the Cabin guest books

Had another great time @ Cabin on the Hill. Hate to go home! It is so quiet and the perfect geaway. Love that we can bring our Lab son Newman. He loves it more than we do! Plan to schedule another small visit but the calendar is filling up fast! We are going to have to stop telling people what a great place this is! The kitten trio were too cute! They are so lovable and cute to boot. I wish we know their names but no intros were needed. Very good kittens!
Hope to be back soon.

The Mulvoys
St. Louis, MO.


This wwas our first visit and we had an absolutely wonderful time. Will definately recommend this place for other couples and we will be back.

Tom & Heather Manis
DeSoto, IL


We've been to this area 3 times and this visit was by far the best place to stay. We will be back again. The quiet and peacefulness is great. We also love that Delta our Brittany was able to stay here with us. This cabin is great and we had a great stay. Thanks Jill & Dan for all your hard work to make this place all that it is.

Craig & Judy Rathke
Tinley Park, IL



This is one of the nicest places to stay. Beautiful, affordable and relaxing. Jill is vary nice & friendly. The animals were great to watch and pet. We would surely come back for a weeks vacation. Thanks Jill & Dan for a great time. The cabin was great and we may even purchase one ourselves.

The Lewis Family
Naperville, IL



It's not very often you can get everyone to agree on something. Well, we all agree this area and these cabins are indeed special. We are coming back but the rule is...whoever has Cabin 3 (Premier Cabin) cooks for all of us.

Thank you for being the kind of peole that allow silliness and family fun.

God Bless
Ehmen/Carter Families



We truly enjoyed this quick get away. Romantic for our 5th anniversary. Both of us said this was the best place we've ever stayed. We are planning to return earlier in the season to enjoy fall colors and horseback riding.

Jason & Brenda Utterback
Peoria, IL



Seeing 10 deer in the front yard when I woke up was a highlight of our visit. This was the most memorable and thouhtful and beautiful place I'e been surprised with for my birthday and valentines day. My boyfriend loves deer and I love dogs and getting away from hectic, everyday life. I can't wait to come back.

Christine & Justin
Trenton, IL

Guest book comments

This was our fourth visit - spring break '06 & '07 and fall '07. We recommend the cabin to everyone and gave a stay to our parents for Christmas. We love staying here and are happy to be starting our honeymoon here.

Bobby & Maurenn Carpenter
Highland, IL



Thank you for having us! We had a great time! Your cabins rae so cozy and we felt right at home. This is a really nice area and we will definitely be back! (as well as recommending to all friends and family)

Chad & Casey Kerns
Decatur, IL



Dan & Jill thanks again! We appreciate all that you do. This is the most peaceful, serene place and it helps us to go back home and deal with real life. We love it here very much! We hope to see Joe well next year. He will be in our thoughts and prayers. See you next year!

Elaina & Mike
Belleville, IL
(Joe is our big white dog who visits all the cabin guests)



This is our 4th year here! We recommended it to Sherry's parents las year. They loved it so much they are bringing alon Sherry's sister and her dog Lucky. I'm sure they will have a great time. You have done a wonderful job of creating a peaceful escape! We enjoy coming here every year.

Scott & Sherry McDonald
Albers, IL



This was such a wonderful experience. These cabins are the best and we will be back and spread the word to all.

Deb, Mary, Teresa
Columbia, IL



We loved it here! We definitly plan on coming back when the weather is nicer to enjoy some of the outdoor activities, although it was very cozy and peaceful staying in byt the fireplace too. We arent' ready to leave - it feels like home here! Thank you for creating such a peaceful retreat. It was much appreciated. Hope to meet you when we return.

Eric & Erin
Peoria, IL



We had a great time - the cabin is really nice and allowed for a very relaxing environment. The location is close enough to stores, etc. - so you can make a quick run to the store if needed. We met Dan & Jill, all the kittens and big Joe. We had chickens and roosters visit and we watched Blue Jays and Carnidals.

Joe & Diana Davies
San Angelo, TX


This is our 3rd time here and it just gets better & better. We will be back again. The place is great and Dan & Jill are very nice people. Fresh eggs are very nice.

Dan & Becky Koczor
Willow Springs, IL