Sherry and George Vidinich own and operate Hickory Hideaway in rural Shannon.
Creature comforts – and critters, too Take trip to Hickory Hideaway just down the road STORY BY PHILLIP HARTMAN & PHOTOS BY MICHAEL KRABBENHOEFT FOR RIVER CITY LIVING
A
tranquil view, the occasional fox roaming the landscape and wireless Internet. It’s like the best of all worlds at Hickory Hideaway. The 10-acre campground on Payne Road near Lake Carroll is the creation of George and Sherry Vidinich, former Chicagoland residents who bought the property in 2004. “A lot of people don’t even realize we’re here,” Sherry, 54, said as she looked out over the
12-cabin campground that wraps around a central fire area and a clubhouse with a hot tub and nautical theme. Variety and comfort are major themes at the year-round campground. The Vidiniches offer four one-room luxury cabins and four tworoom cottages, each with two-person whirlpool tubs, and four extended-stay country cottages with two rooms. Part of what sets Hickory Hideaway apart is its
service. The cabins have private baths, heat, air conditioning, linens, running water, towels, coffee, sugar, and the aforementioned Wi-Fi. The duplex country cottages have fully equipped kitchens, and the other cabins have country kitchenettes. “We even have a toothbrush if you forgot yours,” Sherry said. About the only amenity not available is cable TV, but you can pick up local channels. Continued on page 15
r i v e r
c i t y
l i v i n g
13