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...

Monday, January 30, 2012

Old Man's Cave Gorge, Ohio

On our September 2011 trip east,  one place we visited and thoroughly enjoyed was the Hocking Hills State Park in Logan, Ohio.   Since I was in the hospital in October,  I didn't finish sharing pictures from this trip.  In fact,  even though we spent two days at Hocking Hills,  I had only shared one blog post from there so far.   That post was about Conkles Hollow.  If you didn't see that post,  you can see it by clicking HERE.

Besides Conkles Hollow,  other areas we visited in the state park were Ash Cave,  Cedar Falls,  and Old Man's Cave Gorge.   Today I am sharing some pictures from Old Man's Cave Gorge.   This is the most popular area of the park and it is easy to understand why.

You can hike deep into the gorge where the temperatures are cooler and the trails are fabulous...  There is lush greenery, ferns and moss everywhere.  IF you love hiking (and seeing waterfalls), we highly recommend Hocking Hills State Park.  There are MANY great hiking trails throughout the park. We hope to go back sometime.

Today I will share some pictures of that gorgeous area ---and you can take the loop hike with us in the gorge...   There are several cascades along the way --and I will show you the two major waterfalls.   Sit back and enjoy the hike!!!  (Please enlarge the photos so that you can enjoy the details.)











Lower Falls






Upper Falls


Did you enjoy that hike????  You did get some exercise---so that is good...  The loop trail is only about a mile --so it's really not a hard hike at all.   But---it is a gorgeous hike with so much beauty all around!!!!   I hope you took time to enlarge the photos.  As I said,  we recommend this state park!!!

Hope you have a great Monday.

Hugs,
Betsy

66 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love these pics, Betsy. It is wonderful to see the bright pops of greenery! Hope you have a great day.

Beth said...

This brought back great memories. Beautiful photos, Betsy, and I enjoyed how you took us on 'a hike'! I'd love to go back there this spring when the falls will be much bigger.

Ms. A said...

Betsy, these are insanely gorgeous, like something from a fairy tale book. It wouldn't have surprised to see a fairy show up in at least one of the photos!

A Brit in Tennessee said...

What a serene and beautiful place.
Reminds me of places I've been in England, a thousand years old....
So magical !
~Jo

Ruth Hiebert said...

Spectacular scenery. I very much enjoyed the hike.

Sharon said...

From what we've learned about each other so far, it will come as no surprise that this is on our list of places to visit. There is a 19-mile rail-trail in the Hocking Hills area that we want to ride in addition to the many hiking opportunities. We actually had the trip planned a couple of years ago, but my FIL became ill and we had to cancel. You've spurred me on to get it back on the agenda. What gorgeous pictures! Happy Monday from East TN to Middle TN!!

Catherine said...

Those greens are beautiful Betsy!! Lush!
Wishing you a wonderful week!
xo Catherine

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

What a lovely spot. All that green makes me miss spring!

Jo said...

What a lush, green hike with those mysterious little paths and beautiful waterfalls. Great post Betsy. Hugs Jo

From the Kitchen said...

The greens, the layering of the rock formations, the wonderful waterfall--BEAUTIFUL! It took me awhile to take my eyes off your header photo.

Best,
Bonnie

MadSnapper said...

trees trees i love the trees, love the bright green trees in the second down. so many beautiful paths throught those trees. a place i would love. yes i did enjoy the trip

Chatty Crone said...

I like the 2nd picture - the shrubs look almost like a lime green - such a pretty color.

And I liked the lover falls - so nice.

Another great trip.

sandie

linda m said...

Incredibly beautiful photos!. I am going to put this Park on my list of "must see". Thanks for sharing!

Tabor said...

Another fabulous place I have to visit before I die...sigh!

Cuby said...

This looks such a nice place for a small walk and so beautiful too.

imac said...

Super walk, here Betsy, real great shots too.

Also love your new Header.

Karin said...

No wonder you recommend it - it is truly gorgeous! Lovely hike - thank you! Have a great week!

amelia said...

That is a beautiful place Betsy. It looks a lot like English landscape..

Pedaling said...

Absolutely gorgeous!

I've never heard of that park...thanks for sharing such a beautiful place to visit.

Arkansas Patti said...

Wow, one could almost find the answer to world peace in such a setting.
The greens are so brilliant and that is the proper distance for a walk. Next time I am in Ohio I may look it up. Thanks.

Big Dude said...

That's a beautiful place but all those stairs wore me out.

TexWisGirl said...

the rocks, the falls, the greenery. just beautiful!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

This is indeed a beautiful area, and you've captured it well. We need to get back over there one of these days. There's a great canoeing river there, as well.

Fred Alton said...

Beautiful hike, Betsy! Love the pictures of this park.

Sylvia K said...

What a beautiful place! And I do LOVE the waterfalls! Absolutely breathtaking! Your captures are wonderful -- the next best thing to being there! Thanks for a wonderful walk, Betsy! Hope you have a great week!

Sylvia

Out on the prairie said...

Lovely area, I like to explore places where I can do a bit of climbing.

Jane said...

I loved the hike,and the colors were perfect! God sure made some beautiful scenery for us to enjoy! Going to look at your link

Blessings Jane

Ginny Hartzler said...

I DID enjoy the hike!!! And my knees don't even feel the worse for it!! I'm loving the greens here. And the green on the rocks...and these two adorable double falls, they are like little grottoes of paradise during the walk.

Dorothy said...

Wonderful pictures, Betsy! Yes I did enjoy the hike! I'm eager for Spring so we can get out a go somewhere like that!

I Am Woody said...

What a magical place!!

Regina said...

Great place Betsy!

Have a wonderful week.
Regards.
Regina

happyone said...

Yes, I did enjoy the hike. I'd love to walk really walk there. Looks great.
Like your new header page too.

Busy Bee Suz said...

What a magical looking haven....I loved my hike!!!

mamahasspoken said...

OH those pictures are making me wish for late spring. Beautiful.

Jeanne said...

OK - another place to add to my "must camp here" list. I hope we will be able to head out in that direction soon. Beautiful!

Larry said...

What a beautiful spot... reminds me of a few places near where I grew up in the Green Mountains! Larry

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I Like the bright green trees...love to see moss growing on the rocks too

CottonLady said...

How peaceful and beautiful. Thanks for the hike...I know I feel better!

Ann said...

wow, it's gorgeous there. I'll have to look that up to see how far away form me it is.

Glenda said...

Looks like the perfect place to be refreshed!

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Yes I did enjoy that hike!!! Such a beautiful trip and that last photo is gorgeous!!! Have a beautiful week!!!

Photo Cache said...

gorgeous spot. here's praying you continue to have your strength to hike and enjoy nature's best like this one.

Neal said...

That sure is a beautiful area and you got some great pictures.

Tracy said...

Ahhh, a pleace near and dear to my heart. Betsy, you have some beautiful photos and they certainly capture the essence of a very special place!

Diane said...

Very primeval and beautiful place Betsy. Diane

Andrea said...

Wow Betsy, another lovely header. Of course i enjoyed the hike, most especially the falls. I am sure you and George now know that just like you i enjoy all waterfalls. The only hindrance which limit me to personally see every falls in the world is finances, LOL.

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

That's the kind of hiking I can handle! Thanks for the exercise!
Gorgeous pictures. Very peaceful and quiet--something I don't get much of around here. :)

Carletta said...

Oh my - gorgeous scenery!
It looks like 'when time began'. :)
It also looks like no one else was around.
I thought this might be close to me so I googled it and it's only about an hour and a half away - a day trip come summer!!!

SquirrelQueen said...

Ooh, I love all that lush green with the moss on the trees and rocks. Both the upper and lower falls are beautiful. Thanks for taking us along Betsy.

Anonymous said...

great photos! I enjoyed them all.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I love hiking with you, Betsy! I get to see the gorgeous scenery but I don't have to get out of my chair. These are really beautiful scenes, the water falls are awesome. Thanks for sharing!

diane b said...

That was a great hike. The scenery and waterfalls were beautiful. It looks all soft and quiet in the forest.

Connie said...

It is a beautiful place to visit and hike. You got some great pictures from your trip there, Betsy. :)

DeniseinVA said...

Oh my, how very beautiful. What an incredible hike and I didn't even have to leave my chair ;) Thanks Betsy!

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

I love these photos, Betsy. What a beautiful state park. I sure wish I could go there, but thanks for taking us on a tour. I loved it.

OLDLADYWITH FLARE said...

SO BEAUTIFUL

GRANNY FROM OTHER BLOG N.C.

Together We Save said...

Your pics are amazing, as always, I get to travel right here at my desk. Thanks for stopping by, we are good the oldest is loving UT and the middle daughter will graduate this year and she will play softball at Columbia State next year. The youngest is enjoying her 8th grade year. Hard to believe she starts high school next year. Thanks for the visit!!

Small City Scenes said...

Ahhh, what a wonderful hike. I truly feel refreshed now. Thank you. I enjoys the splash from Lower Falls too. Thanks for sharing. MB

Mary said...

Lovely! I think we have been there but only hiked one direction. That was before my knee surgery and my knees weren't crazy about the hike :-) Great shots of the scenery and falls.

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, I am so glad to see pictures of Ohio. I have never been there but my ancestors lived there. Someday I hope to visit and will put this area on the must do list. Have a joyous day tomorrow!

BlueShell said...

Yess...of course I Enjoyed!
So peaceful, so lovely...I wish I could be there!

And yes...I comment is your husband's blog- George! I just didn't know he was your husband: I'm glad: now I can visit and comment in both your blogs!
Have a kiss...
BShell

Kelly said...

...looks familiar! :-) I hiked there a few summers ago and loved it. The birding was fantastic. I want to go back. Maybe this summer...

Donna said...

That sure does look like a spectacular place!

Beth said...

Hi, Betsy. I just had to comment on this post about Hocking Hills State Park. What an utterly gorgeous place---so lush, magical, and serene. I've never been to Ohio, but this place is absolutely going on my List of Places I Must See Some Day. I love the way they built the path walls and bridges following the natural curves in the landscape--it makes them look like a natural part of the forest. Thank you, Betsy, for this virtual hike into a temperate Garden of Eden!

Twilight Man said...

The photos are lovely with neat green trees! They look like Japanese gardens to me with the trails and waterfall. You have such a relaxed lifestyle that you do not need to rejuvenate in spas! Ha ha!

JDS said...

Wow, that spot is gorgeous. For some reason I never thought of Ohio as having places like that.