Lesterville Cabin | Cottage in Missouri | Vacation Rental | Johnson Shutins State Park | Elephant Rocks State Park

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Testimonies

Over 3 seasons of guests agree, our cabin in the Missouri Ozarks is a real hit! Familiy-friendly, great rates and a clean unit tucked close to the town of Lesterville, but a couple miles out of town to make it a great place for privacy in a beautiful location. Close to Johnson Shuitns and a host of State and National land make it a great destination!

Here's what our guests are saying. Please give us a call if we can help you make your getaway all you are hoping for!

My family and I had a wonderful time here. We wish we didn't have to leave! The cabin was so cozy and clean, the hosts are friendly and knowledgeable. The kids had a blast at Elephant Rocks State Park (http://mostateparks.com/park/elephant-rocks-state-park) and Johnson Shut-Ins State Park (http://mostateparks.com/park/johnsons-shut-ins-state-park). We would definitely recommend the Black River Ice Cream Parlor. The kids requested to eat lunch there twice in a row. Thanks for giving us directions to the Black River access point. It was secluded and kept us cool when the weather was so hot. We've stayed at other VRBO (www.vrbo.com, aka Vacation Rental by Owner) rentals, but none of them could possibly exceed the Hummingbird Hideaway. The wildlife, seclusion, attention to detail and friendly owners made this rental stand out. Best wishes to your family from ours, T, H, A, K and S, Lansin Kansas, (Hummingbird Hideaway)
Andrew & Christy, thank you for providing such a clean and well-appointed cabin. It is such a nice cozy place to stay and felt like home, away from home. We really appreciate all of the "extras" like the movies and the rafts. You have a beautiful place! We'll remember our stay for years! P, T and C, Florissant, MO (Lilac's Edge)
Andrew & Christy, We are a new couple just starting out. This was a great place to get away from the rest of the world and truly get to know one another. The stars are amazing once you get away from those city lights. The memories we made here will be cherished by both of us always. A & Z, St. Peters, MO (Lilac's Edge)
Christy & Andrew & Family, we want to thank you for providing such a peaceful resting place to stay. We all had a wonderful time bonding with each other and exploring your property. The boys (Ted, my husband, too) loved chasing the baby fence lizards and finding crayfish and bullfrogs in the creek. Your place was exactly what we were looking for...a safe haven for our children to go right out the door and ride a bike, find creatures, watch the hummingbirds. The kids found the bucket of toy animals and were thrilled to play with them. They had countless hours of fun with those and all the games. You truly did think of everything. We really hope we can come back some day...all 8 of us then : )...Also, thank you for telling us about the public access to the Black River. We had three wonderfully fun days playing and exploring and floating down the river in a nice private place. God Bless you and your family. We pray that God will provide everything you and your children need above and beyond what you can imagine, with Love, The E's, Burnsville, MN, (Lilac's Edge)
Andrew & Christy, what a wonderful place to be. Not only your place but you and your familyi make a difference. Thank you all! p.s. Thank you for the shoes and the movies : ) The L's, St. Peters, MO
Andrew and Christy and Family, you all are such a wonderful and beautiful family. A true blessing to everyone around you, we so much appreciate all you did for us-which was a lot! You certainly go above and beyond. Your cabin also goes above and beyond. From the little things like putting the fancy edge on the toilet paper to having spaces spices, tin foil, plastic bags to the big things like having all those pillows on the most comfortable bed I've EVER slept on. The kids loved their beds too. We appreciated all the utensils for cooking and the great throws in the living room. You've just thought of everything and it makes things so memorable. I'll be sharing this week with my clients in October so I'd look for bookings to pick up after that : ) You guys are truly a blessing as your past shows. We look forward to coming back to visit with you all. D, K, S, H B, Chicago, IL
Our stay here was wonderful. We enjoyed every bit of our weekend. The cabin (Lilac's Edge) is very comfortable and clean. It was just what we needed. Thanks so much! J & D, Chester, IL
My wife, two daughters, mother in law, brother and sister in law and my two nephews and myself found this place to be a true home away from home. We shared many laughts playing Sorry, Monoploy, and checkers. We are taking with us memories of the Black River as well as a few bug bites and sun burns! What chain hotel fires up the grill for you when you are about to make supper? As I sit enjoying my breakfast I hear voices saying they don't want to leave. I, M, S, A W and K & M B, J and J, D and K S, (Hummingbird Hideaway) (Disclaimer!...we don't always get to light the grill for our gutests, but love to serve them when we can, so remember that grill lighting is not part of the normal services we provide! :-)
Andrew & Christy, Thank you so much for everything. You have a beautiful place (Lilac's Edge) and it was just what we needed to relax a few days! We will definitely be back!! Take care, S & J
Andrew & Christy, we really enjoyed our time at the Lilac's Edge. What a cozy little cabin to retreat to from the daily grind! The surroundings are wonderful. We really enjoyed the creek and the beautiful hummingbirds! The Black River is also a great place to spend the day. But most of all the Johnson Shut-ins were truly an amazing sight! My sister and her family stayed in the Hummingbird Hideaway and they truly enjoyed their stay as well. This was perfect for all of us! Thanks again and I am sure we will seee you again! Thanks, AL and KN, Fulton, MO
Andrew & Christy, Lilac's Edge was just right! I'm very familiar with the Black and its surroundings, but am so glad there is a comfy place to retreat down here now. Your hospitality made me feel like family. I appreciate the special touches of ease you provided. Thanks...see you soon. Fondly, RS, St. Louis, MO.
Thanks so much for a great relaxing vacation for all of us. There are so many wonderful things to do nearby-Johnson Shut-ins is a must-see for all ages. Our kids and the adults had such a great time. We enjoyed our relaxing day on the river the next day too. Clearwater Lake is also a great place to visit, thanks for the recommendation! We have rented a number of houses off of the VRBO website before, but none of them had as many homey and thoughtful touches as Hummingbird Hideaway. Our kids were so excited to come in and find toys and games. They also loved the kids room. One of our 2 1/2 yr olds called it his "cool bed." You couldn't have been better hosts! A special thanks for teaching our 4-year-old how to catch tadpoles! He loved it! Thanks so much! R, S, M, W and Sam S, O'Fallon, MO.
Andrew & Christy, thanks so much for opening your Hummingbird Hideaway & Lilac's Edge for everyone to enjoy. It is a delightful, quiet and peaceful place to relax and get away from the real world. This place reminded us of our many memories of coming to the Black River for the 4th of July weekend & the Black River Lodge in the fall. We made many trips to Peopla Valley to see, at the time, the Pottery Barn and Blacksmith shop, so it was exciting to see it as a cabin to stay in now. You thought of everything in the cabins to make us feel cozy and at home, including supplies to Barbecue. We took a trip to see Elephant Rock and JOhnson shut-ins for the girls that have never been to this part of Missouri. Your hospitality and friendliness made us feel very welcome. We will be back again and recommend this little piece of heaven to our family and friends. Thanks so much! L, E, B, S, A, C & S (girls weekend away!) Pacific, MO. p.s. Loved the hummingbirds and butterflies!
Dear Andrew & Christy, Thanks so uch for allowing us to stay in your beautiful cabin. The hummingbirds are absolutely fabulous! Flat Bob, Fluffy Bob and Beagle Bob are super friendly : ) We had a blast floating on the river and going to Elephant Rocks and Johnson Shut-ins. We hope to come back another time. Thanks for everything! Sincerely, LK, Glen Carbon, IL.
Andrew & Christy, thank you so much for opening your lovely cabin to us on short notice! We were so impressed with everything and could not have chosen a better place to call home on our vacation. Sincerely, CC, FC, BC and ZZ, Belleville, IL.
Andrew & Christy, you have a beautiful place to have people come stay. The cottage has all of the comforts of being home without actually being home! Everything was just wonderful! We loved the hummingbirds so much. We do not gt that many at one time in Illinois, at least not where we are from! Your neighbor's pets helped putting our homesickness to rest, we loved having them come visit. The butterflies were beautiful as well, it is funny watching them in the late evening on the flowers as well as the hummingbirds chase each other! We hope we can stay here many years to come, it is just wonderful! J, K & S A, Belleville, IL.
Andrew & Christy, This was exactly what I was looking for in a place for my Daddy/Dau8ghter adventure! Very quiet, secluded and plenty of things to do right around. We rode our bikes down to the river and splashed and swam around in the water. We drove to Taum Sauk State Park and hiked the 3-mile trip to the waterfall and back, Minnesauk Falls. The beds are very comfortable and we all slept like the rocks we hiked over! The hummingbirds were a treat and so were the beautiful butterflies in the valley. Also, my girls loved the tea party with Alaina!! B, J, R, Kansas Cty, MO. p.s. My kids learned the song of the whipporwill last night from behind the cabin!
Andrew & Christy, We enjoyed our stay at Lilac's Edge. Everything was great from the comfortable cottage, to the beautiful scenery, the fire ring and the helpful hints from Andrew. Thanks for all your help, we will be back. Rev. & Mrs. R G, Lewistown, IL
Andrew & Christy, Thanks for providing such a nice xozy getaway. It was wonderful to get away for the weekend. The accomodations were the perfect size for us, and the evening fire made for a relaxing way to end the night. We'll be sure to recommend Lilac's Edge to other couples looking for a weekend getaway! Thanks, The P's.
Andrew & Christy: What a great place you have. A true hideaway where we could come to relax. You have everything near, to allow for great adventures of the imagination. The creek and tree line provide such a sense of privacy. We loved chasing crawdads with G. He loved getting to know Beagle Bob, Fuzzy Bob and Flat Bob. You provided all the comfort of home in the cabin. For B & I, this is more important with the added years of our life. Hope to return many times. Thanks for sharing. R B & G, Republic, MO.
Andrew, Christy and children - My friend E and I have been camping at Rivers Edge on the Black River numerous times with our boys. We love this area of Missouri. The boys are all grown now and E & I upgraded to the Hummingbird Hideaway for our retreat from life. And we have so enjoyed our week. We had great weather, many hummingbirds & lizards. We watched the Evening Primrose bloom. We really enjoyed the creek just beside the Hideaway. The Hideaway is so perfect. I think what is so special is the peaceful and safe atmosphere of your property. You & your family have a great spirit about you. We are now rested from the world and now must return to the lives we live, being refreshed, rejuvenated and restored. PS Beagle Bob, Fuzzy Bob & Flat Bob made us feel right at home. We are pet lovers. May the blessing of Heaven rain gracefully upon your family. J & E Columbia, MO & Tonganokie, KS.
Dear Andrew & Christy, Thanks again for another relaxing and uplifting stay at Hummingbird Hideaway! It was just like coming home again! The cottage was pristine and welcoming and we appreciated all the ameneties. You have created a peaceful, warm and comforting home away from home! Blessings to you, F & M.
Andrew & Christy, This cottage was great! We were so impressed with how clean & neat. Our grandchildren enjoyed your children. They always seem to seek new friends. Our raft trip was more exciting than we anticipated. Se we laughed through it. We shall more than likely return. Thanks for movies. May God bless you & yours with prosperity in all your endevors. We had a good time. S T T B P, Marble Hill & Chaffe, MO.
Nice house, lovely family. Love the creek & river & Beagle Bob. Thank you for letting us come and stay in this house and it was really relaxing and cozy. Best place ever been. Hanging out with your family was fun. I made new friends & I hope to keep them. I had a fun experience by floating on the river. The hummingbirds were so cool/nice and the birds were so beautiful. Thank you so very much for letting us stay! B, Chaffe, MO.
Dear Christy, Andrew & family, We picked the perfect place to spend three days. Beautiful, quiet and so many interesting places to explore. Hummingbird Hideaway is very special with all of the unique touches. I so enjoyed the beautiful glass hanging over the door. Comfortable, cozy and so relaxing. Thank you. R & S King City, Oregon.
Dear Christy & Andrew, Thanks so much for offering us the chance to experience this peaceful setting in the wilderness. Everything is so beautiful out here including the numerous state parks and sights. We definately will be back for a longer stay next time. Thanks and God bless!! R L M O.
Dear Christy & Andrew, What a wonderful cabin you have created. You have thought of everything to make your guest feel right at home. This part of Missouri is full of beautiful scenery and hidden treasures. We had no idea what great parks, natural areas and hikes awaited us on our visit. Your location is close to all the areas we wanted to explore. May God Bless you and your family! G & K, Kansas City, MO.
Christy & Andrew, Thank you so much for opening up your cottage to us! We have enjoyed ourselves immensely. It has been great having all the conviences of home yet still being able to enjoy nature (especially for me as I don't enjoy traditional camping)! Your cottage is so homey and comfortable - it's perfect! Thanks again and we will recommend it to all we know looking for a getaway! M & J, St. Louis, MO.
Thank you so much for this refreshing weekend with the kids! This was a rare treat that I hope can become a tradition. I pray the Lord continues to bless your family & that He brings you into new & exciting things into Him. He says in Psalms that He delights in the prosperity of His servants, may you continue to prosper & be in health even as your soul prospers! May you know all of what you truly possess in Christ Jesus, nothing short of a full inheritance! May the Lord Jesus also restore to your children all that they think they have lost in the move with new friends & a comfort from the Holy Spirit that can't be matched. Love you & am praying for you. J J S J N Apr 9, 2011
Lovely place. Great trip. Thank you! We had a fantastic time horseback riding at Brushy Creek. Thanks. K S W L, St. Charles, MO.
We appreciate your loving touches in the house and the artistic expression here. We came for a relaxing, nature filled weekend and enjoyed the quiet beauty offered here in this refuge. Thank you for your sweet offering and making it available to us and the public. Hopefully we will be back. S & J, St. Louis, MO.
We had a great time!! Hopefully we will be able to make time to come back soon. We went hiking at Johnson Shut-Ins, Elephant Rock, fishing in the Black River. Even caught 3 nice size small mouth bass on Thurs. Evening. In spite of the weather we still had an awesome time. Your cabin, creek, Black River all close and fun. Great get away from St. Louis hustle and bustle. Thanks, hope to return. T K B Z, Creve Coeur, MO.
Christy & Andrew - Wow! We are truly impressed! Hummingbird Hideaway is awesome! My husband and I came for a nice relaxing weekend and that's exactly what we got! Your cabin was so clean and had everything we could possibly need. Thank you so much for everything! We can't wait to come back and bring our kids! Johnson Shut-Ins, the Elephant Rocks, and the Black River were all so close. We had a great time exploring your creek which led to the Black River. Again, thank you for your hospitality, we loved every minute of our stay!L & A, Lake St. Louis, MO.
For spring break this was a great get away to relax! Our second time here, and enjoyed it just as much as the first time! Even though the weather was cooler than we had hoped, we found ourselves still having lots of fun together. The additions to the cabin (i.e. porch swing) were great and we loved it! Thanks. K D B A & J St. Louis, MO.
This cottaage is a true gem. It was perfect for our Christmas away from home, and accomodated the six of us nicely. The freshly baked cookies were amazing! It's sad that we weren't here the same time as the hummingbirds, but we hpoe to come back sometime. J.N. and family.
Andrew and Christy, your little cottage is absolutely wonderful! It was just what the doctor ordered for D and I. Your hospitality and attention to detail made our stay here perfect. You live in such a beautiful place, surrounded by nature and plenty of peace and quiet. D and I visited Johnson's Shut-Ins which was more beautiful than I remembered. We also braved the cold and snow and hiked the icy trail to Mina Sauk Falls our first time and it was amazing in the winter weather. Thank you so much for sharing your cabin with us. We can't wait to return in warmer weather and enjoy the river and the hummers. Also, thanks for the cookies!!! M & D, Cedar Hill, MO.
Thank you for a wonderful, peaceful resting place. S E, Jacksonville, FL.
Hummingbird Hideaway was great, so glad we found you by accident! We will definitely be back! Kids had a wonderful time in the creek. You are located close to all of the sites we wanted to see! We will be back! Cabin was very nice and clean! Loved it! The P family, Brashear, MO.
This was our first time to this area. This hideaway has been a great experience. We found everything we needed plus more. We played at the shut-ins during the day, then relaxed to DVDs in the evening. Our daughter really enjoyed "The Prince and Me." On the following page she wrote: "Hi: We had fun. We had a great time watching the Prince and Me. It was great. I loved it. We are getting it, so where is it found?" She also wrote, "never mind" when I told her we can get it online. This has been a great weekend escape. We'll be back now that we know the area. J, C & C O, St. CHarles, MO.
Our first stay at the cabin. Very peaceful and beautiful. We very much enjoyed our stay. We will be back and happy to recommend you to friends. KB & KC, St. Louis, MO.
Hi! We had a nice time and with 2 babies it was great! Nice and clean...Being from Oregon, we enjoyed the night sounds and peaceful woods and also being close to the shut-ins where we all loved getting wet!! Thank you so much-a very nice little place. We enjoyed having the dimmer switches in several rooms too with babies. A & T H; M, J & M D; S O'B, Oregon and Missouri.
Dear Andrew and Christy, We want to thank you for a beautiful stay in your Hummingbird Hideaway! The hummingbirds certainly were a treat, but also, so was the warm family greeting you gave us on arrival and the peaceful setting of your home area. We appreciate the fully equipped kitchen with items that we wouldn't have expected! Everything felt so clean and new! We can't thank you enough for the emphasis you put on cleanliness throughout the cotage-a quality important to us. We've had a wonderful anniversary week from the fabulous weather (did you request that for us?!) to the well maintained parks in your area, the local eateries and your Hummingbird Hideaway front porch and deck! Peach and Blessing to You, F & M R, Kansas City, MO.
Andrew and Christy, From the moment we have arrived 'til now this moment we are departing, we have been impressed. You have thought of everything. There have been so many wonderful little touches, like the soap in the restroom, the citronella candles outside, the spices available for use. Thank you so much for giving us such a great anniversary. The butterflies were amazing, and although it's mid-September, there were still plenty of hummingbirds to see. We will be back! We would definitely recommend to family and friends. What a phenomenal place you have here. Thanks again. God Bless, M & B L.
We found the cottage to be clean with everything we could have wished for in and around it. We truly enjoyed our stay here, adn would definitely recommend it. The "Germans."
Thank you very much for a fabulous stay. It was so clean adn cosy and quiet. It felt like our very own oasis in this incredible, magical land. Butterflies, hummingbirds, crawdads, and frogs...it was a 7 year old and 39 tyear old paradise! We will certainly recommend it to family and friends. We're already planning our next stay! Best wishes to all. Beth and Jonah, Bellingham, WA.
We enjoyed our night's stay! Thanks for offering such a nice hideaway! D T.
Thank you so much - we truly enjoyed our time here at Hummingbird Hideaway! It was just what we needed for a much desired peaceful family getaway. Not only was your place adorable and welcoming, but we so appreciated the cleanliness and the fully equipped kitchen - had everything we needed in order to make our family meals (right down to the candle for candle-light dinners:)) The friendly dog and hummingbirds were a delight and you were such a consummate host - thank you so much for being so accommodating to our every need! Alaina and Jason really made us feel at home - our kids loved playing and exploring with them and our family enjoyed singing songs with them too! We hope to come again and we will definitely recommend your place to our friends and family. Wishing you many years of continued success! God's Blessings! The B Family, St. Louis, MO.
Andrew and Christy, This place is great! We had a wonderful relaxing time. Thanks so much! Abby and Josh, St. Louis, MO.
Dear Andrew and Christy, Liz and I truly loved being here and spending time with all of you. You have a treasure here in the country. Thank you for sharing it with us. Debbie and Liz, St. John's, FL.
We really enjoyed our time here. Very clean & feels just like home. We will pass on our experience of staying here. Thanks so much, Cory, Shelby and Trevor, Nashville, IL.
We were able to re-kindle our friendship with Andrew and Christy and visit this wonderful place. We hope to visit again soon, and will tell everyone we know that they should visit also. Thank you so much, and God Bless! Greg and Joanie, Nathan, Tom and Leah, St. Libory, IL.
I love exploring new places right here in our home state. My husband calls these trips "Lori's Missouri Vacations" and he always gives me trouble because our destinations are usually places I have found on the internet with no personal recommendations. The fact that I am a pretty good judge of websites (yours is so well done!) and a pretty good judge of character (you both were very pleasant to speak with!) helps me find some pretty great gems right here in Missouri. Your Hummingbird Hideaway is one of my best finds ever!! So much to do! Right here at the house we watched hummingbirds (amazing!), caught tadpoles & crawdads in the creek, played with the friendly dog & cats and just relaxed. In the surrounding area we visited Johnson's Shut-Ins, floated the Black River & climbed on Elephant Rocks! We will definitely be back and will pass on this little treasure to all of our friends. Everything was just perfect. Thanks so much! Lori, Ryan, Justin and Audrey W, Wildwood, MO.
This weekend was a special weekend for 3 sisters and a good family friend. We so enjoyed your cabin! The supplies inside were appreciated. Thanks, Christy, for stocking our fridge from the coolers while we were river rafting! It was lovely grilling in the evening on the deck while watching the hummingbirds. You came highly recommended from one of our daughters and son-in-law...and we will be passing that recommendation along to friends and family. Mary (Murphysboro, IL), Dana (Cape Girardeau, MO), Judy (Rockwood, IL) and Paige (Murphysboro, IL).
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. The cabin is great, comfortable and nicely furnished. We appreciated the hospitality and our kids enjoyed playing with Jason and Alaina. All the advice on river access and directions was appreciated too. We had a great time at Johnson's Shut-Ins 2 days, loved the Peola Creek and the peacefulness of the hummingbirds and the fire were great too. Thanks for a great visit! We will be back and recommend your place! The K Family, Kathie, Daren, Brad, Adam, Josh, St. Louis, MO.
Hi, i am Brianna I had a fun time staing hear the first day was scard but it is very fun! when we went on the river there was a big rapit (rapid) and me an dmy ferind (friend) got to patel (paddle) the whele (whole) time. I had a lot of fun, I hope to be back soon. Brianna.
Dear Eunpu Family, You were all so nice to us from beginning to end. Bringing the candles when the power went out was so thoughtful since you knew we didn't have any here. (Editor's note: we now provide candles, one more small detail we had not caught until now. The power doesn't go out often or for long, but if it does, it can actually add to the quality of the time you spend with each other!) We all loved how peaceful it is out here and the place was very nice. The new appliances worked great and we had a nice bonfire Saturday night. Ashley loved the camo chairs out front. Everything out here was beautiful! Emily, Ashley, Joe, Karen, Nick and Andy, O'Fallon, IL. p.s. We will most likely be back here in the future!
Thank you for all your hard work to transform this place into a lovely, comfy cottage! We have enjoyed staying here and meeting your wonderful family. The hummers are just amazing. We have taken at least a dozen pictures and plan to enlarge and frame some for our memory book. We feel so blessed to have been surrounded by so much of God's beauty and we praise Him for sending so many special angels to keep us safe. I added all the area brochures we had collected to your book. There is SO much to see and do in this area! Just wondering...do you have plans to make the building beside this one into a cottage some day?!? We think that would be quite awesome-alot of work but it's such a peaceful place! (Editor's note: we do not have plans to improve this building as suggested. What time I do have I plan on improving the current Hummingbird Hideaway for now. For example, we just added a new kitchen table and a sleeper sofa to boost the maximum capacity from 5 to 7! We may improve or add additional buildings in the distant future, but not soon!) Thanks again for sharing your space with us-we so enjoyed ourselves and the area. May God Bless you and yours. Bill and Sylvia, Green Valley, IL. p.s. The new central air was wonderful! The heat this week really gave it a work out!
We really like the place. It is so comfortable! The things I would like to see: another skillet and a small outdoor table. (Editor's note: Thanks for the feedback. Your requests have been added so that we can better serve our guests!) We would definitely recommend the cabin to family and friends, and would come back again whenever we decide to have another Missouri vacation. Thanks for everything-especially the cleanliness. Don and Patti, Willow Springs, MO.
Hi! All of you guys rock! This is the most fun I've ever had here in Lesterville. Thanks for showing us around, Jon, Amanda, Jason and Alaina! Maybe we can meet up this September! Your Friends, Rachel, Redmond and Matt, Webster Grove, MO.
Needless to say, "We shall return!" Thanks for sharing the hummingbirds with us. We appreciate your hospitality and graciousness. Thanks again-Kate, St. Louis, MO.
Nothing is as healing as nature. What a great place to restore our mind, body adn spirit. Hope to see you again soon. Bob and Jan, St. Louis, MO.
What a perfect place to celebrate Mother's Day - cozy and comfortable. The "hummers" have arrived, so the viewing is amazing. The smell of lilacs is in the air; peonies about to bloom; starry skies at night. Truly a wonderful "hideaway!" Thank you for sharing the magic, Berkeley & Ruth.
What a blessing to discover this peaceful oasis! This is a perfect place to visit the nearby attractions, or just relax and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. Sipping a cup of coffee while lounging on the front porch, viewing the mesmerizing scenery, was one of our favorite treats. The thrill of seeing the amazing hummingbirds, especially so late in the season, is something we will always remember. Thank you for creating this place and letting us enjoy it! God Bless You, B & K, St. Peters, MO.
Andrew & Christy, There should be a sign at the front of the house that says “Check your stress here!” From the moment we got here we were able to let go of the day-to-day stress and enjoy our 5th Anniversary. The flowers were so thoughtful and we’re even pretty sure you managed to order the rain to make the weekend even more romantic! We agreed this was better than any bed & breakfast – the kitchen was stocked nicely to prepare all the fun foods we brought. Thank you for a relaxing and very memorable weekend!! L & H R, Ferguson, MO.
Mr. & Mrs. Eunpu, Thank you for letting us enjoy your cottage for the weekend. We celebrated our 8 yr. old's birthday here this weekend. We live only a couple hrs. away, but it was so nice just to get away from home for a few days. The kids absolutely loved catching crawdads and playing in the creek. It is a very convenient location to all the many things to do in this area. Again, you have a very lovely place here. Hopefully one day again we can come and stay. P, G, C, C & C, Willow Springs, MO.
I really enjoyed my Birthday weekend here @ the Hummingbird Hideaway! Our family went for a walk through the creek with the 2 cats and dog following along. (Editor’s note: This refers to our neighbor’s pets that sometimes join us for walks in the woods or along the creek. When you meet them here, if we haven't already told you, all their names are “Bob.” Come visit and find out why!) Our girls thought this was great! This place was a perfect find. I just loved all the hummingbirds! Everything we needed was here, we really had an enjoyable and relaxing time @ your hideaway. Thank you for helping me celebrate my Birthday! We hope to come back soon. Y, R, A & A C, Smithton, IL
It was so great to have a place like this to come back to after a long day of floating on the river. We also enjoyed being able to cook and enjoy some BBQ without having to pack endless amounts of supplies. This is sure to be a place we will come back to in years to come. Thanks for a great weekend. D & K H and S & L H, Rockwood, IL.
What a wonderful get away for our family! This cozy retreat had everything we needed to relax after a day of exploring. On our way down we stopped at Fort Davidson in Pilot Knob to learn about the history of Missouri. We were pleasantly pleased when we arrived at Hummingbird Hideaway. You were so friendly and welcoming. After swimming in the river, we had grilled pork chops and macaroni salad. We finished up the night with the family watching Hairspray. (Kid’s comment: Hairspray is a musical.) We packed a lot into our second, and only full day by swimming in the river, climbing the Taum Sauk tower, hitting the local ice cream parlor, walking down Peola Road, exploring your land, and feeding the hummingbirds. Our third day is when we head back home, but we will stop at Elephant Rocks. We made new animal friends while visiting-2 cats came running whenever we got home, a dog, several cows and a huge snapping turtle on the driveway by the creek, lizards, crawdads, a very long gray snake with white stripes in the river, many fish, and of course, the hummingbirds. They are so beautiful and mesmerizing. Thank you so much for your hospitality and wonderful cottage. We had a lovely time. We will return and let our friends know about it as well. Sincerely, M, B, L, C & K W, Washington, MO.
Andrew, Christy and Kids, We really enjoyed our stay at your place. The cottage was so clean and neat! The bed was like sleeping on a cloud. Bailey loved the kids’ room. She thought she was sleeping in a bear’s den. (Owner’s note: she closed the bottom bunk in with comforters, creating a nice little hideaway for herself!) We loved watching the hummingbirds, playing in the river and enjoying the camp fire at night. We can only hope that our next stop will be this nice. Thanks again and we look forward to coming back! B’s (8 year-old daughter’s) note: I like your place! Bye Bye M, C, & B A L, Waterloo, IL.
We thoroughly enjoyed our brief stay at your cozy cabin. We only wish it could have been longer and we could have met you on your family. (Owner’s note: we were on vacation) Our favorite part was eating dinner outside amongst the hummingbirds in such a peaceful setting. We got to experience living in the country for a day. It was such a treat for the 3 of us city folk. The place is charming with every amenity we could think of. We hope to be back some day! M, E & T L, Kansas City, MO.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful place with us. Your home is very comfortable and your property is beautiful. We ate outside most meals and enjoyed the plentiful hummingbirds. We also saw an armadillo, lots of crayfish, tadpoles, frogs and minnows in your creek. Our first day we walked your creek all the way to the river. We all loved that adventure. We stayed and played in the river and then walked the roads back. (Actually caught a ride from a friendly passerby, we had no idea where we were). Our second day we did a river float. We got stuck in the rain for a little while but then the sun came out and we had the river to ourselves. Another perfect day relaxing with our kids. Third day we hiked Taum Sauk and Mina Sauk Falls. The falls would be even more beautiful in the spring after heavy rain. We also played in the Johnson Shut-Ins. God created an awesome natural water park. We stayed until it closed, we had so much fun. Our last day we did Elephant Rocks State Park. We all enjoyed climbing and playing here too. We absolutely loved this area! We will highly recommend your home and this area. F, A, L, C, S & E K, Noblesville, IN.
Thank you for the weekend of unending blessings. The place is unbelievable, today I stood amongst the buzz of 20 hummingbirds and tonight I ate fresh fish. A slice of the pie of heaven. E and I are lucky to have found this place and even luckier to have spent our 1st Anniversary here in this haven of heaven. Thank you for the roses. Godspeed. J & E B, Kansas City, KS.
My family has been camping on the Black River since my father was little. We used to come over to Peola Pottery to buy bowls, tiles and other items. Then we would take the time to sit outside and watch the hummingbirds. We have always camped on the gravel next to the river; I can’t or rather couldn’t imagine it any other way. However, after two nights here at Hummingbird Hideaway, I have a new Black River experience. The sound of the river has been replaced by the sound of beating wings of the hummingbirds. The house is warm, and welcoming. I love sitting on the front porch watching the day slowly unfold around me. With a 10 week old baby we knew we didn’t want to camp as we always have in the past. This was a great alternative to introduce the third generation of “M’s” to the Black River. Thank you! B, C, C & H S and D & V M, Ballwin, MO.
You have a really nice place here out in the woods. We had a great time. The stars at night were awesome, more hummingbirds in one place than I’ve ever seen. The river was beautiful. We loved everything! Thanks so much. We’ll definitely be back. K & S, D & A, Godfrey, IL.
This place is awesome! Everything is so cute and organized, I feel completely at home. I especially like the 2nd bedroom, with the three beds. It’s so cute! Thanks for the reading lights! Being so close to nature was awesome. I’d never seen hummingbirds so close and enjoyed going to the river. It was also nice to spend time with Beagle Bob, Flat Bob, and Fuzzy Bob. Thank you! K & K, Springfield, IL.
Andrew, Christy and Family, Thanks so much for offering your cottage! What a find for us. The girls loved the “kid’s room” and we all loved the cottage, hummingbirds, property etc! Your place is definitely a jewel! We have already talked about coming back as well as who we will tell about Hummingbird Hideaway! We really enjoyed meeting you all and look forward to our next opportunity to stay here! D & M, C & B, Auburn, IL.
Andrew, Christy and Family, Our family has not had a vacation in 2 YEARS! This was our 1st stop for our vacation. It was the perfect way to allow ourselves to relax and enjoy life! Our kids loved it as well. We are so busy in our everyday life and things that this beautiful place allowed us to stop…take a breath, laugh with our children and take in the beauty surrounding us. The hummingbirds were amazing! We have never been so close to one-let alone 30 or more at one time. Our kids were in awe (and so were we)! Your cottage was everything we’d hoped for. It was cozy and comfy; a very pleasant place to stay. You have quite a gem here and we plan to make this part of our future family vacations. We enjoyed meeting you and your beautiful family! Thank you for making this a “home away from home!” Take care & God Bless. J, J, C & M, Columbia, IL.
Andrew and Christy, what an enjoyable time we had at Hummingbird Hideaway! We enjoyed the time we spent on the Black River. The gravel beach and swimming was wonderful – we even managed to catch some fish. Now as to the hummingbirds. We have never seen so many at one time. Near dusk when they all come in to eat is something we will never forget. Thank you for providing this wonderful experience, and great little cabin to stay in. J & K, Belleville, IL.
Andrew and Christy, we enjoyed your wonderful accommodations and our time on the Black River! We were looking for a couple of days of relaxation away from our busy lives back home – and that’s what we found! Thanks for sharing your Hummingbird Hideaway with us. Letting us use your tubes for floating was great, too! Your detailed directions and suggestions were helpful for getting us here. I’m sure we’ll be back with other family and friends. N, S, B and A, Collinsville, IL.
Andrew & Christy, Wow! We were very excited about coming here for our stop over before our final destination and now we would like this to be our final destination some trip! We enjoyed our stay and wish we had longer. Very homey with all the perfect touches. We enjoyed our walk down to the river after our long drive and then enjoyed a family supper in your nicely furnished kitchen and watched a family movie from your furnished selection. Our daughter stepped out and said we all HAD to come see what was outside. "The most amazing night sky we had ever seen." Between the lit up galaxy and the amazing hummingbirds...very rare treats for us city folks!:) Nicely done! The perfect accommodations for us 5! :) J & S & girls, Indianapolis, IN
Andrew & Christy, We got lucky! We really enjoyed our stay. The Hummers were great, the location wonderful. Andrew himself was a strong point. J & S, St. Charles, MO.
We had a fabulous time at your cottage, music fest, and eating/visiting with our friends and the hummingbirds were so much fun to watch!! They are quite noisy "buzzing" around at times in the early AMs. Our camping friends did end up staying inside and everyone was comfortable. I wanted to thank you for everything! You have a special place there...we did a lot of cooking...everything was easy to use. You have done a wonderful job, and your place is so comfy and cute. My husband and I may come back ourselves and stay sometime. Beds were very comfortable and everyone stayed cool! Thanks so much and best wishes to you and your family. We will send people your way if someone is looking to stay in the area. J and K, St. Louis, MO.
We found your cabin by accident and are so glad we did. The cabin¡¦s interior surpassed our expectations. We know you put a lot of thought into it. All the extra amenities, the coffee, sugar, movies, etc. were a lovely touch. The lighting throughout the cabin is warm and charming and not without a touch of romance. The hummingbirds are fantastic. Also your suggestion to go and stand next to one of the feeders completely still was a sight to see. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and hope to return again soon. We will be sure to be a name dropper of the Hummingbird Hideaway to all we come in contact with. You also have a very nice family. I enjoyed talking with Christy. Again, thank you for opening your cottage to us. G and P, St. Louis, MO.
What a direct challenge to my life in a condo in Florida...The peaceful sense of being in a world of its own came to me as I read my books, sat quietly in a surrounding garden of beauty and the fast-moving hummingbirds: flying from flower to flower or one of the feeders you have hung by the Hideaway cottage. I had the moment of being in an ideal world surrounded by all of nature in its finest expressions. Thank you for making this dream of solitude real to me. I will be back because I have never had the feeling of belonging in any other place as I felt when I spent two weeks at the Hideaway. Thanks again. Ms. S.
You have really done a fine job! I especially liked the artistic touches you put in the place. J and I really enjoyed our stay...A and J, St. Louis, MO.

If you look closely at the hummingbird in flight you can see his tongue!

Look at the two hummingbirds in the middle. They're sharing one feeder hole!

5 Hummingbirds in view, many more waiting in the trees. This picture was taken about one hour before sunset. There were MANY more hummingbirds later that evening, just before dusk, a GREAT time to be swarmed by hummingbirds...quite an experience if you've never had it!

Outside Deck, a great spot to view the hummingbirds, to barbecue or just relax at the end of a day on the river or ANY time of day. It's like your own private back yard...