George and I really got to experience the gorgeous Autumn COLORS this past week---AND we enjoyed being with our good friends, Patti and
NEAL. The four of us have been good friends for awhile --and really enjoy traveling together since our interests are almost identical!!!!! I hope you check out Neal's blog --which is always interesting since they also do alot of traveling and he takes excellent pictures.
This year, we met them at Hocking Hills State Park near Logan, Ohio, on 10/15/12. George and I had been there a year ago--but were anxious to go back and share this beautiful area with Neal and Patti. It turns out that we picked the best time possible to be there. The weather was PERFECT and the Autumn Colors were some of the best I have seen in awhile. We had a fabulous time!!!!
Today I will just give you an overview of our trip ---with more details to follow on upcoming posts. The picture above shows some of the gorgeous Fall colors we saw on our trip from Tennessee to Ohio. Fall is definitely a fabulous time of the year!!!! Be sure to click on the photos to see larger views!!!!
The four of us all love hiking. Our first hike on 10/16/12 was to the ROCKBRIDGE STATE NATURE PRESERVE (near Logan, Ohio). We had a great time --and the natural bridge is awesome. George took the picture above of me standing on the bridge...
After that, we hiked to CANTWELL CLIFFS (in the Hocking Hills State Park). Here is a picture of our friends, Patti and Neal, climbing on the gorgeous rock formations along the cliff area.
After leaving Cantwell, we visited the ROCK HOUSE (also in the Hocking Hills State Park). The 'house' actually was a cave which we could hike into. I took this picture while inside the cave. If you look carefully, you can see George in the distance... The colors inside the 'house' were so pretty. There were pigeons inside the cave --but we didn't see any bats.
Lastly, on 10/16/12, we hiked to CONKLE'S HOLLOW (Hocking Hills State Park) ---which had been my favorite place in 2011.. However, this time it wasn't nearly as pretty as I had remembered it the first time... This area probably needs to be visited in late Spring and Summer in order to catch the green beauty all around... Don't get me wrong---it was still pretty, but just not the 'paradise' I had remembered from 2011... The picture above shows some of the ferns still alive in that area.
On 10/17/12, we first headed to OLD MAN'S CAVE (in the Hocking Hills State Park). This is the most popular area in this state park --so we got an early start in order to get ahead of the crowds... Because this area is so popular, it is obvious that the state park personnel keep this area in tip-top shape. But, to us, some of the other areas around Hocking are JUST as beautiful as this one. We did, however, enjoy it ---so George pulled out the tripod and took our pictures together while at 'waterless' Upper Falls in the Old Man's Cave area.
After leaving Old Man's Cave, we visited CEDAR FALLS. That was also a nice hike but like most of the other waterfalls in the park, there was no water at this one either (except some trickles). We did however see some beautiful rock formations including the one pictured above.
After that, we visited ASH CAVE (also in the Hocking Hill State Park). Again, no water in the waterfall much (just dripping) ---but the cave area was beautiful. Here is a picture of George walking around in that HUGE 'cave' area.... This rock-cropping area is hard to capture in a photo since it is such a large area. (I'd love to see this area and waterfall --when there is alot of water.)
We had a little time left on the 17th, so after leaving Hocking Hills State Park, we visited LAKE LOGAN..... What a joy that was!!!!! Besides seeing more gorgeous Autumn COLOR, we saw SWANS and DUCKS.... We sat by the lake for a long time just admiring the beauty around us!!!! The picture above shows the 3 swans along the lake.
Finally, on the 18th, it was time to head back home. George and I love driving the back roads.... That day we saw a covered bridge, lots of farmland --including barns, and more Fall colors as we got back into Tennessee.. The GPS took us home through the CATOOSA WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA on some unpaved roads... What a gorgeous drive --and even though we didn't see any wildlife, we did see some beautiful colors (as evidenced by the photo above)...
It's hard to pick a highlight of this trip --but I guess I would say that it was just being with such great friends... I love sharing nature with friends who get as excited as I do about God's beautiful world... The only 'low' point would be seeing no water in the waterfalls --but that didn't keep us from having a wonderful time.
I really enjoyed the HIKING ---and finished one day with over 16,000 steps on my pedometer and another day with almost 12,000... At my stride, that means that I walked almost 10 miles in two days!!!! Yeah Rah!!!!
Hope you had a great week. The Fall colors here in Tennessee are getting prettier with each passing day... Oh --how I love AUTUMN.
Hugs,
Betsy
64 comments:
As I comment my blogger friend's entries at this time of the year, I cannot fail to marvel at how beautiful the fall season is! And I really wish we could experience that too in this part of the world... take care :)
This brought back wonderful memories of our time in Hocking Hills. We didn't go to the Conkles area though nor to Logan Lake. We stayed at a cabin in a wooded area with access to a smaller lake that we could row on, so didn't seek out Logan Lake. We will next time.
I think in order to see the falls in full glory, you have to go in the spring after a snowy winter (it will be even better if it's a rainy spring).
If you ever come this way again, my husband and I would love to meet you if it's possible for us.
Gorgeous photos Bets. Looks like you have a truly wonderful time--good for the soul, huh?! :>)
Hello, Betsy! What a great time traveling with your friends. The parks looks beautiful. And I love all the pretty fall colors. The swans are pretty. Gorgeous photos and a wonderful post. Have a great day!
I agree with you... the places looks gorgeous in the autumn colors! Glad to see your have great time hiking around the woods, caves and nature bridge... along with friends. There’s nothing like going out with friends and I enjoyed the photos esp. the autumn sights are awesome.
Have a great week ahead Betsy :)
Thanks for bringing us along with your wondeful trip. I believe your stamina is much much better than me. Hi hi
Have a nice week Betty. Looking forward for more autum pictures from you:)
what a gorgeous trip. you all had a real fun time. the fall leaf views are just amazing. i think the hubby & i saw a bit of Hocking Hills State Park... enjoy your week. big hugs. (:
Thank you for sharing your trip with us. The Fall colors are just gorgeous. I too love Autumn.
Beautiful area I plan to visit soon and as always, amazing pictures. You need to head my way soon if you want to see peak color. Right now, best if mid-elevation. We drove Foothills Parkway (Walland to Chilhowee Lake segement) Saturday and it was stunning. Crowds not too bad and views beyond belief. Be sure and walk up to Look Rock tower.
So beautiful Betsy, and just love that rock House, wonderful.
Fantastic pictures, Betsy! I know firsthand what a gorgeous area this is. Sounds like you had a wonderful time! :)
The weather really has been perfect lately! Stunning pictures - it sounds like such a lovely trip! If you're ever passing through Roanoke on one of your journeys, I'd love to meet up :-)
Ohio is beautiful. I want to see lots more of it.
What splendid colors throughout the park, and the Rock House just took my breath away !
Looks like you had a wonderfl time with your friends, sharing all of nature's beauty this time of the year.
~Jo
Glad you had such a wonderful trip with your friends. Those Autumn colours are stunning and the caves must have been impressive too.
Beautiful scenery, Betsy. I sure hope the leaves are still pretty for an uncoming trip to WVa for me.
Great photos and post.. The leaves are coming off the trees pretty fast now..
What a nice way to spend time. Old friends, beautiful foliage and tired feet. I would never hike that much. I admire you and George for doing so.
Missed you and glad your back safe.
love love love all those BIG rocks! wow.
You have some amazing trips. Did you camp or stay at motels? Lovely autumn colors.
I've always heard that Hocking Hills is a great place to visit but never knew why. From your pictures, it looks like someplace we should try to go, and some place we could easily get to in one day. I think I need to show your post to my husband.
Have a great week!
Dear Betsy, thank you for sharing your Ohio trip with us. I used to live in Dayton, but I don't remember hearing about his wonderful site. I so agree with you that exploring a place like this is a step into beauty but being with friends makes everything even more wonderful. Peace.
Such a beautiful area! And I'm so glad that you had a wonderful visit with friends!
What a great place to visit! So do the waterfalls see water there in the spring maybe or are they dry year round?
How beautiful! I had not heard of Hocking Hills Park. It reminds me a bit of a park near us called Starved Rock with the bluffs. I bet the cave was fun. Looks like a wonderful trip. Great foliage!
Did your ears burn last night? Neal and I were talking about you...all good of course!
This looks like a really beautiful place....going to check it out later and see more about it. I simply LOVE all the rocks formations.
What a gorgeous place, Betsy!! Such breathtaking colors! The perfect place for a Fall trip -- and with good friends makes it even better! Your photos are superb as always! Have a wonderful week!
What a beautiful area and it must have been great fun to revisit it with good friends,
Absolutely lovely, I remember a few of these formations and marvel at the beauty of the area.
Utterly fabuous shots! What wonderful fall colours.
The fall colours are stunning. I can see that the four of you had a great time. Of course time spent with friends is always a good time.
The colors are amazing!
wish i could collect all the leaves and paste on the scrap book
The colors are amazing!
wish i could collect all the leaves and paste on the scrap book
Hi Betsy,
Your hikings were definitely much more interesting and tougher than mine recently...and I sure am not fit to do all that..hehehe..
I love the multi-coloured leaves in the first photo, the caves and the rest are awesome.
Thank you.
Have a great week to you and George.
:-)
Your pictures are amazing, as always!!
I just love all the fall colors. I have not been to Hocking Hills in a few years. I guess its time to go back and get some good pictures.
You guys visit the most beautiful places. We have some great scenery here in California in some places, but seems like you have so much more than we do. I thank you for always sharing your photos with us because I will probably never get to see these places in person.
ME TOO! We are taking a short break soon, I hope. Terry is ready to do corn....I wonder which will win out :)
Your trip was delightful!!!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
It looks like your timing was perfect for this getaway to Hocking Hills. That first photo, in the picnic area, is just stunning. I love the one of George in the Rock House, too. Such amazing color you captured in that one. And then the last one, on the unpaved road...another stunner. You make me want to go there.
I'm so glad that you had a great time! Looks like the weather was perfect. I agree that area is such a pretty part of the countryside.
That looks very beautiful! Lovely autumn colours - can tell that you had a great time. Enjoy your week!
Hugs,
Eva
Wow what gorgeous colors!!! Not only the fall colors but those rock colors are amazing.
What a great hike!!!
Wow the colors are beautiful as are the rock formations. Always nice to visit and travel with friends. And then to have all the wonderful memories. MB
The colors to me seem so much more vibrant this Fall. Yours are gorgeous Betsy. Love that beautiful scenery and how nice to spend time with your friends.
What I wouldn't give to see some "Fall"!!!
Love all the photos and I can almost feel the cool crisp air by looking at you all there....Glad you had a nice time with your friends!
10 miles? No wonder you are so fit!!
XOXO
How beautiful and what a wonerful trip. I remember you talking about Logan OH before, I'm going to have to look and see how far away from me that is. I would love to visit some of these places
So pretty! Glad you had fun!
Hi precious lady, Betsy,
Oh! I am standing in awe...
Your photos got a breathtaking beauty. You are so blessed to be able to travel with your dear husband, George to so many wonderful places round the USA.
This place is awesome, Betsy.
Thank you so much for sharing your great moments with the world!
Thank you also for answering my Emails with your kind reply!
I highly appreciate your lovely friendship, your sweet visits, and your comments in my blogs.
God keeps blessing you, Betsy, and those you love!
All the Best,
Poet Starry Dawn.
Betsy, this whole post was intoxicating with its beauty, Fall is so beautiful over your way - spiritual almost.
I went back through this post 3 times to absorb it all! Every focus about it was astounding.
Beautiful area. I can't believe how far you hiked! Makes me tired just thinking about it. :)
What great places. We love rock formations and you got in quite a variety. So neat that you have hiking friends and can meet somewhere. Thanks for sharing. More beautiful places for me to get to someday.
Autumn is my favorite time, too and you are showing it in its glory. I love the photo of George in front of that humongous rock!!! It reminds me of our physical science class in high school when we studied about the rock faults.
Great time with friends, great places to visit, great weather and an awesome fall season - what more could a girl want?
Beautiful photos and I love the rock formations. Patti looks like she might just be around my height... or even shorter.
Gosh Betsy - when I see the beautiful photos you've taken - I think of Heaven on Earth. They are so beautiful. I love the colors - the orange - reds - and yellow. Just gorgeous.
Wonderful pictures Betsy! I love the one of George in the cave house. Staying so busy with the grandbaby I haven't been visiting all my favorite blogs as often.
You did pick the right time of year. This week the leaves are falling quickly.
You all were just over an hour and a half from me. :)
Glad you had a wonderful trip!
You really have been traveling around!!! Incredible hike and gorgeous views. My gosh, I think you've been on the road as much as I have. But that's good. The lake and canyons are really striking....and the fall colors. Would love to have some of that around here. The weekends seem to be very very busy lately. Your friends look really nice. Love the blogging community. If you and George ever come to Tucson, you have a friend here:) Hope you had a good start to your week. Chris
dear betsy,
autumn colours are simply amazing!
such a beautiful scenery and views, and that rock formation is really stunning!
i enjoyed looking through your wonderful photos!it was just like being there!
big hugs!
Life's adventures are always made better when shared with good friends. Looks like a beautiful place to visit.
What could be nicer than spending time good people in a beautiful forest of autumn colors.
Look at you enjoying the fall colors you lucky girl! I am enjoying the white of snow this morning... Did I say 'enjoying'? Well... that's not the word I want to use but I best keep it 'G' rated. ;)
Send some sunshine my way my friend!
Happy Tuesday!
xo Catherine
Beautiful place... Nice shots...
Hi Betsy Glad your trip was such fun. I really like the snapshot of the Swans. I also think the Rock House picture is really neat! Have a fine day tomorrow!
It is a blessing when we have true friends. I'm so happy for you. And that place...oh, dear: magnificent, fantastic. The photos are truly charming!!
xoxo
BShell
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