Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Conkles Hollow; Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio

Thanks to BETH  (blog friend from Ohio),  we decided to check out one of her favorite places,  the Hocking Hills State Park,  near Logan, Ohio...  What a fabulous place!!!! Wow!!!!  I'm glad that the state has preserved this area.  There are fabulous caves,  hiking trails, hollows and yes,  WATERFALLS.   We spent two days there ---and took in as much of the park as possible. 

The most popular area is the Old Man's Cave area.  We saved that one until the 2nd day.  On the first day,  we saw the Ash Cave area and waterfalls,  the Cedar Falls area,  and the Conkles Hollow area..

Conkles Hollow is not one of the popular areas --but was truly one of our favorite places... Seems as if George and I always like areas which are not so heavily traveled and full of tourists.... IF you have not been to Hocking Hills,  you need to go there sometime,  especially if you love hiking in gorgeous wooded areas.  The trails are all in good shape (even though they had some damage from recent storms). 

Today,  I'll share some photos from our hike into Conkles Hollow....  This area was truly breath-taking... I felt like I had walked straight into heaven.   There were ferns and moss  and greenery everywhere... It was one of the most peaceful places I have ever been.

There are two waterfalls in that hollow.   One was inside a cave (named Lower Falls) ---and had a tiny tiny bit of water.  The other (Reckworth Falls)  was totally dry.  BUT--we are still so glad we visited this area...  Hope you enjoy the photos.  Click on them to enlarge.  The picture above shows our trail...




Can you see all of the ferns on the hillside?  AND--look at the moss on that big boulder.




Here is George on our path.... We both were blown away by the beauty in this area.




This picture shows some of the many caves and rock formations in this area.




We walked inside of this cave to check out the waterfall...  But --the best view was looking back outside!!!!




Doesn't this area look like paradise????  We loved it!!!!




I love this picture that George took of the moss growing on the log.... And--you can see a close-up of some of the trillions of ferns.





Finally,  here's one last photo of Conkles Hollow...  Don't miss this little hike --if you get to Hocking Hills!!!!  It is so peaceful and just plain AWESOME!  Thanks Beth (and others) who have promoted Hocking Hills on your blogs...  That's why we went there!!!

Have a wonderful day.
Hugs,
Betsy

46 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very beautiful, Betsy. I love the ferns and moss especially. Have a great day.

Laura~Pretty Pix said...

Paradise indeed. Wonderful images of a wonderful place. Thanks for sharing this wonderland!

eileeninmd said...

Betsy, it does look like a beautiful park. Thank you for taking me along your hike. I loved the photos. I hope you have a great day!

Arkansas Patti said...

First I had to look up Logan Ohio for I grew up in Ohio and wasn't familiar with it. It is quite a bit south of where I grew up.
What a lovely place and looks like a fun hike. If that is the not so popular spot, the popular spots must be mind blowing. You two find such neat spots.

Big Dude said...

Looks lush and serene. We will have to put it on our radar.

amy @ Life in Pink Hi-Tops said...

It does look like paradise! Spectacular beauty!

Anonymous said...

A walk in such woods -heavenly indeed! Have a good day, Betsy!

Karin said...

Can't remember where, but we've hiked in a place this lush!! The thing that truly overwhelmed me was the AIR - it was fantastic to inhale such deep breaths - sure different than breathing in our concrete jungles! That in itself would be cleansing and rejuvenating! Such a gorgeous place! Thanks for sharing your photos and story!

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

I do so love those woodland ferns. Beautiful photos of a beautiful place!!!

MadSnapper said...

this is indeed a paradise. I would very much like to wander in that forest and down that path. really really beautiful spot to visit.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

That place certainly looks like a hidden gem!!

TexWisGirl said...

love how lush it is! and LOVE that huge boulder!

I Am Woody said...

What a beautiful place! Love that view back out of the cave!

Tabor said...

Lovely place...looks like a fairy tale.

Larry said...

This is a lovely spot Betsy... thanks for sharing! If I ever get my heart under control so I can start traveling again, I will definitely refer to your many wonderful posts for some great thoughts on where to visit! Larry

Rose said...

Oh, Betsy, what a beautiful place. I love your views of it, especially the one looking out of the cave.

Janie said...

What a beautiful place, so lush and green.
Love the photos of the trail, and the view from inside the cave.

Serenity Cove said...

Wow..I can't believe I live so close and have never gone there.
I bet it would be just beautiful in a few weeks when the leaves change. Might just have to make a trip down there.
Thanks for sharing and looking forward to the rest of your photos.

Anonymous said...

Looks like a neat place & wouldn't mind visiting one day, myself!

love the path in that 1st shot

happy week, Betsy =)

Chatty Crone said...

That was a beautiful place - wonder how far that is from Cincinnati - my kids live there. They would love that.

Beautiful pictures.

Love,
sandie

Dorothy said...

Wonderful photos! I love exploring places like that!!!

happyone said...

Looks like a great place! Wonderful photos!!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Very beautiful! That first photo, I would frame for sure. I'll definitely be writing this down in my notebook for future travels. My notebook is getting quite full with ideas from you! Thanks, Betsy, for sharing your wonderful photos. And have a great day!

Ginny Hartzler said...

There must be so many little treasures there. My fave is the big rock with the moss on it, God gave it a tablecloth!! I know Sandra will love it, too, she loves rocks! Did you see any birds, chipmunks, or other wildlife?

Diane said...

Very beautiful, lush photos Betsy. Looks like a wonderful place. Diane

Diane said...

Very beautiful, lush photos Betsy. Looks like a wonderful place. Diane

Ms. A said...

Amazingly rich shades of green. I especially like the one looking out of the cave.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

We have visited Hocking Hills a couple of times, and it IS beautiful. There's a good canoeing river there, too. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

Busy Bee Suz said...

I have never even been to Ohio...but your photos here could make a lovely travel brochure for the area!!!!
Gorgeous!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Thanks for lettin' me tag along with ya today. The sights are just spectacular sweetie...and so are the pictures!

Have yourself a terrifically blessed Thursday sweetie!!! :o)

Janice K said...

I've heard in the past this was a neat park, but now I can see from your pictures it would be a good place to visit. So serene!

Shug said...

A nice place. I love all the names of these places. Cool!
Hugs
Shug

LV said...

You are the best when it comes taking us on these trips with you. Your photos are so realistic.

Ann said...

what a beautiful park that is. I'll have to look that up and see how far away it is from me.

Connie said...

I'm glad you got to visit this beautiful spot in my state, Betsy. I knew you would like it! :-D Lovely photos.

Fred Alton said...

Absolutely "out of this world" kind of photos of a "Garden of Eden" in Ohio. Fantastic!!!

Ruth Hiebert said...

This looks like an amazing place.The foliage is so lush.

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, It looks so pretty that I will put it on the must visit list if I ever do get to Ohio. Thanks for sharing and have a good day tomorrow!

Lady Di Tn said...

Looks like a great place to explore. Peace

SquirrelQueen said...

With all the lush greens that is definitely my idea of paradise. All of the ferns and moss covered rocks and logs remind me of the other side of our state near the coast.

I love the shot from inside the cave looking back out, that is a great view.

Andrea said...

I would have been very happy walking with you, it also looks like a tropical setting! I am sorry about the waterfalls which dried up! Come over here and we will see the waterfalls! haha

Joe Todd said...

Also a great place to visit in the winter/snow/ice.. Gorge trail only

Angela said...

Wow! That is beautiful there! I do love the woods. It made me wonder who the person was who first discovered all of that beauty in that spot. I'll have to check out Beth's blog.

Hugs,
Angela

Loren said...

Oh Betsy....WOW WOW WOW!! This place is BEAUTIFUL!!!! I can just hear the water, or the trees blowing...Absolutely gorgeous!!!

I know my husband and I would be just like you & George...on the road less traveled :)

Have a blessed weekend

Annesphamily said...

I want to go traveling with you and George! Your photos are always so beautiful. Love this place It is amazing! ANne

Kirigalpoththa said...

Enchanting place! Didn't you find forest nymphs there?? :)