So I'm a little behind . . .

After only two weeks of summer classes, I returned home for a sojourn into the tourist-populated wilderness of Hocking Hills State Park with my parents and a cousin we kidnapped for the trip. The day was just about perfect, with a dry ninety degrees in the sun and a somewhat cooler temperature in the cave and wooded areas.

Rarely do I ever refer to the park as Hocking Hills; for me it has always been "Old Man's Cave," but I suppose that is because that portion of the trip always served as the main attraction. No one ever suggested that we go to Rock House (featured in the photo, by the way; thanks Mom!) for the weekend or to Ash Cave. No, it was always more of a "let's go to Old Man's Cave." Regardless, the trip was wonderful, and the three of six parks we visited were beautiful. I found the light coming through the woods surrounding Rock House to be especially enchanting.

This is a trip I have made with my family for as long as I can remember. It's not terribly far from home, and it makes a great day trip. Perhaps I will someday take my own children there, to explore the dark caves, be amazed by the waterfalls, and to revel in the beauty of it all. One thing is certain, though: I'll have no child of mine standing so carelessly at the edge of such a high precipice!