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, November 19, 2012

Cantwell Cliffs, Ohio 10/16/12

We've had several trips this Fall  (our Yellowstone trip,  our Asheville trip,  and our Ohio trip)---and I am juggling the photos on my blog... Hope you don't get too mixed up!!!!!  Anyhow---today's blog is from our trip to Hocking Hills State Park near Logan, Ohio, which we took from October 15-18 with our friends Patti and NEAL.   (Be sure to check out Neal's blog.  They were on a trip to Glacier when we were at Yellowstone.  He has some amazing photos.

While at Hocking Hills,  we visited all of the different areas and did quite a bit of hiking.  The weather was perfect and the Ohio Fall colors were TREMENDOUS.  We had a great time together!

This post is at one of the areas we visited on 10/16,  called CANTWELL CLIFFS.  The trails at Cantwell were 'interesting'...  To say that we got lost is not totally correct.  However,  I think we walked to the moon and back before getting back out of that area!!!! ha.... BUT--we did see lots of pretty Fall Colors (as in the photo above) along the way... Be sure and click on the photos for enlargements.




The trail led us down some stairs!!!!!  (Glad I had lost some weight before going down there!!!!) ha ha




Here's a picture of some of the steps (there were many more), as we went down into that canyon.




I took this picture of George  (and Patti --who was tiny enough to easily get through these rocks) after I got down that rock trail...




Here is a picture of the big cliffs --after we got down into that canyon.




We hiked down into the 'bowl'....  The rock formations were SO neat!!!! (That is Neal on the right.)




Here is a 'waterless' waterfall...  But you can see where water does come down during the rainy season.




I like this picture of our TRAIL--as we hiked down into that canyon.




We hiked and hiked and hiked --once we got down in the canyon area.  The trail was supposed to be a loop trail --but somehow,  since it wasn't marked well,  we missed the loop.... At least,  while we were hiking,  we did get some great pictures of the trees above and around us.




Here's another beautiful photo of the Fall Colors that day.




AND---here's ONE more!!!!!  Did I say that the Ohio Colors were fabulous when we were there???




On the way back up that canyon,  Patti and Neal took off on one trail, and George and I went back another way....  I looked at that picture above and said:  "Yipes... We have to go up there through that???????"  ha ha .... We made it --but Neal said that THEY had chosen the better path!!!!!  Oh Well---we got lots of good exercise at Cantwell Cliffs.

Hope you have a wonderful week and THANKSGIVING.  We are taking a blog break and will be back next Monday,  Nov. 26...   God Bless each of you during this wonderful Thanksgiving Week.

AND---please take a minute to read this fabulous blog post (click HERE)  which is what Thanksgiving and our country is all about.  Thanks, Brenda, for this post.  Brought tears to my eyes.  

Hugs,
Betsy

69 comments:

Ms. A said...

All the photos are spectacular, but that one with you on the stairs... holy cow, that looks narrow and very confining! I'm not sure about that, I might get a little claustrophobic.

Happy Thanksgiving! Gobble till you wobble!

eileeninmd said...

Wonderful place to visit, betsy! I would not have thought Ohio to have cliffs or a canyon wall. Your photos are awesome and the Autumn trees are beautiful. Have a great day and a Happy Thanksgiving!

Ann said...

So you and George were "Out of the loop" so to speak huh.....lol
That does look like a gorgeous place. Love those rock steps.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving

Mr. Bill said...

Beautiful pictures...Happy Thanksgiving.

troutbirder said...

My what a beautifully spectacular place and wonderful fall pictures. I never Ohio had such vistas...:)

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Amazing photos!

I can't imagine all that hiking, but you do it all the time. So you stay in shape. :-)

Happy Thanksgiving, ahead of time...

Neal said...

That is a very beautiful area. I am so glad that you guys recommended it to us.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

wow, what a great hike. looks like such fun. those stairs looks so tiny ... i wonder??! would love to all of these great sights in person. the fall leaves are unbelievable. Happy Thanksgiving!! ( :

diane b said...

The problem with hiking down down into beautiful canyons is that you have o climb back out of them. You took some great shots on the way. Beautiful colours and scenery. Well done for hiking in difficult terrain. Have a good week.

Snap said...

Spectacular Autumn color!!!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I can't believe this is in Ohio! Love all the steps!

Joe Todd said...

Good one Betsy.. Have a great Thanksgiving

A Colorful World said...

A wonderful post! What a beautiful place to visit! And such lovely fall color! The part with the rocks and the steep descend brought to my mind my Mom & Dad's old place in Alabama. There was a steep descend down to the creek, with a rock overhand that sometimes had a small waterfall (and in the winter long icicles!) and a small cave. It was always hard work getting back up the hill, but the trip was worth it! :-)

joy said...

another wonderful hike and awesome pictures. It seems to me that both you of are not getting tired at all. What a stamina. Hope I can be like you when I reached your age:)
Happy thanksgiving to all of you there.
We all have many things to be thankful about that actually, everyday is a thanksgiving day!

Dorothy said...

Gorgeous trees, Betsy!! Very interesting place! Enjoy your break and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

MadSnapper said...

this place is awesome as are the photos. i can add this to my bucket list that will never get used, but i sure would love it. those steps between the rocks are fantastic. might need to diet a little to get through the one that you are in the photo. enjoy your TG break

Sharon said...

You continue to pique my interest with posts from this trip. Can't wait to go check it out myself, although after seeing your pics, almost seems any time OTHER than autumn might be a letdown!! Happy Thanksgiving, my friend!

pam said...

What a fun hike! Just looking at those stairs wore me out!

linda m said...

Those are some awesome photos. Makes me want to visit there and do some hiking. The colors are breathe taking. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving.

linda m said...

I just wanted to add a note. I just read Brenda's blog. that is truly the most remarkable blog I have read in a long time. I was crying by the end of it. Yes, we should be thankful for what all these young men and women are doing for this Country. Please keep them in your prayers.

Andrea said...

OMG Betsy, you are very strong, I feel claustrophobic even just looking at those narrow path with boulders on both sides. I might feel like those boulders will clip me in like a small ant! But your photos are so beautiful despite the gasps! hahaha! That is a very thrilling experience, i think.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

That looks like such a cool place- will have to add it to my list. Thanks for the tour!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Those captures of the fall colors sare so brilliant they almost hurt my eyes. Congratulations on hiking down into that canyon and then back up. That would be hard on my old knees these days. But it certainly looks as if it was worth the effort.

Serenity Cove said...

That's the one place we didn't see yet at Hocking Hills. Gives me an excuse to go again:)
Yes....our fall color was the best ever!!!

MTWaggin said...

What a fun place to hike! I can't believe they made stairs through there, so very cool.

Jeevan said...

The fall color is so vibrant and gleaming here in yellow! I really enjoyed all the photos and the canyon trail seems adventurous and tough climbing those uneven stairs... and the photo where you are is fabulous :)

Have a great thanksgiving and enjoy the break.

Janice K said...

I've always heard Hocking Hills was neat, but never knew why....Now I know.

Have a great Thanksgiving.

Donna said...

I adore those golden leaf colors! Wow, that was a difficult hike and am plum wore out just looking at the photos of it! I could never do all those stairs in a million years. It's so good that you two can be so nimble!

I hope that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

TexWisGirl said...

the stairs thru those huge boulders are really cool. :) enjoy your thanksgiving!

From the Kitchen said...

Wow! Wonderful photos. And, you know how much I enjoy your fall color posts.

Happy Thanksgiving to you, George and all your loved ones.

Best,
Bonnie

Nellie said...

Beautiful scenes that you have captured, Betsy. I'd never be able to do all that climbing, though. My knees are no good for that anymore.

Have a good week!

xo Nellie

Karin said...

So thankful that someone carved out all those stairs for you! Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Quite enjoyed all the gorgeous colors and rock formations!! Beautiful!

Karin said...

So thankful that someone carved out all those stairs for you! Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Quite enjoyed all the gorgeous colors and rock formations!! Beautiful!

Sylvia K said...

Such a beautiful place!! You guys do make some awesome trips, Betsy, and your photos are the next best thing to being there myself!! Thanks for sharing the beauty! Have a wonderful, Happy Thanksgiving!!

Big Dude said...

Beautiful shots Betsy and some impressive rocks. Through the fallen leaves is my favorite time for a walk in the woods.

Anonymous said...

Your shots are full of delicious vibrancy!

Terry and Linda said...

I just LOVE those colors!! And the walk would have been a really fun to do!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

It amazes me the beauty that yall two find...looks like it was a tight fit kind of rock

happyone said...

Spectacular photos!!!
I love the steps between the rocks.
The colors of fall are beautiful.
I keep forgetting to say how much I like the church picture in your header!!!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Wow,that's quite the trail and all those steps. The scenery is gorgeous but my poor knees would sure be complaining.Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Beautiful as always.
Looks like a fun place to explore.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Connie said...

Sounds like you really got your exercise in, Betsy. I wouldn't have liked all those stairs. Gorgeous photos and fall colors! Wishing you and George a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Chatty Crone said...

Betsy I love all the things you've done and the places you've been - but me walking down into that - no way! It would scare me to death. But I am sure proud of you. Nice trip. beautiful photos. And happy Thanksgiving. sandie

Grandma Bonnie said...

I love your beautiful photos. I do think Ohio's fall colors are awesome. Happy Thanksgiving.

Marie said...

What gorgeous colors and really pretty photos of amazing places you are visiting! You are really lucky to be doing all this traveling. :)
Happy Thanksgiving!
Marie

Carletta said...

I love that unspoiled look of the rocks, especially that one of Neal in 'the bowl.'
Beautiful golden leaves!
I think Hubby and I will have to make a trip there in the spring.
Hope you and George have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Many Blessings to you both!

Small Kucing said...

Amazing photographs. Glad you dont have to use the same way to climb back. LOL.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Wonderful photos of your adventure! I don't know if I could do that since I'm claustrophobic and scared of heights! I always love seeing your photos of places I may never get to see!!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Linda P said...

Thanks for taking us on the trail. I love all those paths through the rocks, the steps, the cliff formations and, of course, the glorious colours of Autumn.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Anita Johnson said...

My legs are tired from just reading this post...beautiful area...great photos! Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

Mary said...

Beautiful place! You had a lot of neat trips this year. I like the looks of the steps, but would hate going up and down them!

Anonymous said...

Those Autumn colors are amazing sights for my southern eyes. Thanks for sharing your beautiful journey.. I don't think I could climb those stairs!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Betsy.
Hugs

Small City Scenes said...

What wonderful pics, Betsy. Love those rock stairs. They almost look scary. The colors are beautiful.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and George.
Be thankful!! MB

Wendy said...

Yikes - you must have been exhausted after all that hiking!! But what fun! You live in such a beautiful part of the country.
Thanks for sharing your splendid photos. Makes us feel like we're right there with you!

Catherine said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you, George and your families Betsy. I hope you have a beautiful week!
Hugs!
xo Catherine

Shug said...

If I were going to name that last photo, I would have to name it "The Kissing Rocks" Do you see it? This is the first thing I noticed..ha!
I sure admire you and George for being so active and for embracing nature the way you do...I think this is AWESOME!
Many Blessings this Thanksgiving week.
Shug

Lynn said...

Wow is all I can say. Magnificient colors. Love all the pictures of the trail, the stairs, the bowl area. My claustrophobia kicked in just looking at the one of you in the tiny space. Stunning photos to be sure. Blessings on a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Dee said...

Dear Betsy, thanks once again for taking me traveling with you--this time to Ohio--and for the awesome photographs. I want you to know that one of the things I'm grateful for this Thanksgiving is discovering you and your blog by reading the posts of the fellow bloggers with whom you went on vacation this fall. Peace to you and Happy Thanksgiving.

Starry Dawn said...

Hi Betsy, sweet dear friend,
Wonderful photos you are sharing this day, sweetheart!!
It sounds like you and George are having lots of fun taking your trips to different awesome places.
I visit you this day to wish you and George, and all your loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving!!
Have a blessed time with those you love, sweetheart Betsy!!
I truly enjoy reading your wonderful blog, and looking at your outstanding photos.
God may always bless you all!
Warm Hugs & All the Best,
Poet Starry.

Rose said...

I love those golden yellow leaves!

Wanted to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Betty Manousos said...

happy thanksgiving!!

xx

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Hooray for the hiker and the pictures, too! Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. We did here. Saw a lot of ducks and Coots today on Lake Tansi and tons of Coots on St. George. A fun day. Have a wonderful weekend and bundle up.

DeniseinVA said...

Oh my word, those stairs!!!! Awesome photos Betsy, another beautiful place you took us to, thank you.

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

Your photos show just how magnificent the places on this earth are. You seem to have found a way to spot and capture angles of what you see and send a very unique personal point of view. I just love that!
May your Thanksgiving and break be a joyous and blessed time:)

Ginny Hartzler said...

What amazing shots!!! My faves are the trees at the end and you in that mossy crevice...you look ever so tiny! Gosh, now you are not only going up high and scary places, you are going into tiny crevices. If Edgar Allen Poe had read this post, he would have apoplexy!!!

Linda G. said...

Looks like a very pretty place to visit. I don't know how well I would do with all those steps though!

Rohrerbot said...

Hello there!!! Happy after Thanksgiving:) It has been crazy here and I just can't keep up anymore. Hiking/birding/friends/family/chores come first:) So I'm with you.....I think I am at the worst of my blogging ever right now. I have two more days before I have to write!!! Usually I'm two weeks ahead! Oh well. It'll get done but starting next year, it's one post a week:) Computer vs. Hiking....hmmmm....no brainer:) You look great and those stairs look like elves made them. Hope you both are busy this weekend and having lots of fun. Hugs. Chris

momto8 said...

wow!! what amazing photos....and what adventures you mast have had with all of that travel!
lucky you!!
and welcome back.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Betsy, you and George are so adventurous! This looked like a vigorous hike but very beautiful! I love seeing all the wonderful autumn foliage--autumn passes too quickly.

I hope you and George had a wonderful Thanskgiving Day!