October paints Southern Illinois with its most breathtaking hues, as the Shawnee National Forest transforms from a sea of summer green to a canvas of vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges. For Andrew and Jessica Hoffman and their family, October 4, 2023, holds a special significance—a year since their daring move from Juneau, Alaska, to embark on a new chapter in Southern Illinois.

The Hoffmans, accompanied by Andrew's sister and brother-in-law, Anna and Daniel Schetky, brought their combined six children along on a journey that started with a dream and a desire to relocate to the heart of the country, within a day's drive of Kansas City, where other family members reside.

In their quest, they searched across the US for unique opportunities that would include hospitality, gardening and a place where their children could be a part of the new business. During this process, Jessica looked for treehouse resorts for sale. “This popped up. My wife has liked treehouses her whole life," shared Andrew.

Their search led them to Timber Ridge Outpost and Cabins and the Garden of the Gods Outpost, nestled in the northwest corner of Hardin County. The treehouses and cabins, equipped with rustic decor, electricity, and running water, offered a unique experience. Marty and Elizabeth Canfarelli had built it up over the years to include cabins, private homes, and the Garden of the Gods Outpost.

The Canfarellis, decided it was time to give someone else the opportunity to continue the Timber Ridge business, setting the stage for the Hoffmans and the Schetkys, who flew in from Alaska in June 2022 to visit. "When people say Illinois, we think of either Chicago or farmland. Then, we started looking at pictures of the rolling hills, wooded areas, and Garden of the Gods with the rock formations. It’s a unique and beautiful blend. On the right day, it looks like the Smoky Mountains. It’s beautiful," explained Andrew.

The beauty and opportunity resonated, prompting the families to purchase the resort and outpost. Four months later, in October 2022, they planted roots in the scenic landscapes of Southern Illinois.

Contrary to the common perception of Alaska as vast wilderness, the Hoffmans and Schetkys hailed from Juneau, a bustling tourist destination and the state capital. "Coming from Alaska, it’s a huge cultural change. It’s vastly different. We lived in a place where everything was ten minutes away in a town of 30,000," said Hoffman.

The move, spanning 2500 miles with six children in tow, posed its challenges. There was a new business to learn, a new growing environment to adapt to in the Southern Illinois climate, and a new culture to acclimate to, still the two families have continued to persevere. "We are enjoying the beauty, more sunny days, and the hospitality of the community. We see our business with cabins, treehouses, and even the outpost as an opportunity to meet a need in people’s lives” explained Andrew. "As we all know there’s a lot of chaos in our world and we want a little place of peace where our guests can get away and take a deep breath.”

In just a year, the families have made a connection to the local community and are very thankful to their employees who work diligently at the Outpost, in housekeeping and in maintenance. Andrew emphasized the importance of people over profits, turning the workplace into a training ground rather than just a job. "Sometimes in business there are tough financial choices, and we want to make people a priority even if it impacts revenue.”

While it’s just the first year of owning the business, the Hoffman and Schetky families are already planning for the future. Having shared the innkeeper's home, they are awaiting the arrival of a new home for the Schetkys. Moreover, there are ambitions for more family members from Alaska coming to join them in Southern Illinois soon. The story of this family's leap of faith and the picturesque journey into the heart of Southern Illinois continues to unfold.