After a busy weekend at both families’ (in-laws’ and sisters’) houses this weekend, our immediate family took some time to go hike at Hocking Hills in south-eastern Ohio. Hocking is truly one of the most beautiful places to hike that I have ever been to in this area of the country. I was born in Colorado, and have been back enough to know how the beauty of the Rockies can move a person. However, the nooks and crannies of Hocking Hills is just something I really enjoy.

This time, our trip was on one of the busiest holidays of the year, but it didn’t take long to loose the crowds by actually hiking! Most folks show up, walk and eighth or quarter mile, and then they head into town for something refreshing. Those of us who like the more obscure parts of the park and keeping fit, like the longer hikes.

Rachel, the kids and I did a 4 mile hike from Old Man’s Cave to Cedar Falls and back. It was beautiful, but quite dry for Hocking. There has been such a deficit of rain, that all the streams and creeks had pretty much run low or dry. It still was worth the trip!

Our departure was out the Long Tunnel which was a fast, but abrupt way out from the cool of the gorge. Man was it hot once we got to the top on Monday! Whew!

When it cools down and gets some rain, take time to hit Hocking!