M and I wanted to go camping in Hocking Hills State Park. It didn't work out that we could stay overnight so we decided to go down for the afternoon - after morning soccer - yes, hiking after already a good workout in the morning. M made a very yummy cold shrimp and peanut sauce pasta dish for dinner that we loaded into the cooler. We made sandwiches for lunch, packed fruit and granola bars for the day. It was sunny so we took the convertible and enjoyed the drive. I think I took a short little cat nap in the car - I guess I must have been tired.
When we got to the park, we found a picnic table and ate our sandwiches for lunch. There are trails both in the gorge and above the gorge to the various falls and Old Man's Cave. We took the lower trail to Devil's Bathtub and up to the Upper Falls. We climbed over rocks, up rock stairs, over fallen trees. We then walked down the trails to Old Man's Cave and on to the Lower Falls. The fall foliage was so pretty. At some points, the leaves would fall and it sounded a bit like rain. We went through a place where the water dripping through the rocks would echo off of the gorge walls - I think it was called something Echo. We really enjoyed walking over the rocks and fallen trees in the gorge.
We figured we would walk along the lower gorge to Cedar Falls and then take the higher trail as it got darker - I was a little afraid to be in the lower gorge when it got dark and had packed a few flashlights just in case. Yes, always the safety girl. We met another couple along the way that were wondering if they too would run out of sunlight in the lower gorge. They had turned around and started heading back to Old man's Cave but I knew we were closer to Cedar Falls and the crossover point to the upper trail. We told them our plan and they decided to walk with us. We eventually made it to Cedar Falls, took some pictures and were pleased that we decided to stay in the lower gorge the whole way as it was definitely cool to see. We climbed many many stairs to get to the higher trail and walked with our new friends. We walked along and chatted. We walked up a long hill, when we got to the top, there was a large clearing in the woods. Rose Lake was breathtaking. It was soooo beautiful and the afternoon sun made it a beautiful sight. At this point we found out that our new friends had the same first names as we do!! We shared cheese and crackers as we enjoyed the beautiful lake.
It was windy all day and being in the clearing made it a little chilly. We went back into the woods to continue along the trail. We eventually made it back up to the Visitors Center. We left our friends at the parking lot. We sat in the car (with the heat on!) and ate the yummy shrimp/peanut pasta dish M made. M said it was the perfect way to end the day. Although it was cold, it was still sunny so we decided to try to make it home with the top down. Well, we got too cold - and put the top up at a stop light - but we definitely enjoyed trying!
We have been so happy to be so active. We know from Old Man's Cave to Cedar Falls is 3 miles one way so we figured going to the Upper Falls, then past Old Man's Cave down to Lower Falls an on to Cedar Falls - and back - we probably went about 8 miles. We laugh at how much we like having adventures together and this was just another example of a great adventure!!
