We just got back from our trip to Hocking Hills State Park, about three hours N.E. of our home in Cincinnati, Ohio. The trees are near their peak Fall colors so the entire trip was a kaleidoscope of colors. Reds, yellows, golds, greens, browns, it was all so beautiful.  Marilyn and I stayed in a cozy little chalet on a hill overlooking the woods. With the fireplace burning and the comfortable furnishings we felt right at home. After we unpacked our "Stuff" we headed out to see what we could see. Right away we saw a deer nearby. He did not pay near as much attention to us as we paid to him. He was busy munching on some tall grasses. 
 
     Hocking Hills is an area of deep revenes, high hills, and rock outcropings unlike anywhere else.  The dominant trees in the area are Canadian Hemlocks, which were delivered to the area by the glaciers which covered most of Ohio hundreds of thousands of years ago. When the glaciers retreated (melted) the Hemlocks found the cool, damp area a perfect place to thrive. The stately Hemlocks stand guard over a spot called "Old Mans Cave."  The cave has served as a home and shelter to people from ancient times all the way up to the early part of the 20th century. A few carvings in the stone is all that is left of those people. But if you stand there, just stand there and be quiet, just look around and see the same wonders that they saw, you can still feel the presence of those people.. 

     We enjoyed a delicious chicken dinner at the park lodge, then returned to our chalet. Setteling in for the evening, we watched some TV and drank a glass of champagine. The drink was to celebrate Marilyns birthday, our 11th anniversary together, and Sweetest Day, all rolled into one.                                                                  
                                                                                                            
     The next morning we did some more hikeing, snapping photos along the way. But soon it was time to head back to Cincinnati. While packing up we talked about possibly returning in the Spring, and about how nice it was being together for our latest adventure.  As someone once said, "Little things mean alot."    Stay tuned.  --- Rick   


                                                        

           SEE MORE HOCKING HILLS PHOTOS ON THIS SITE.