Hocking Hills

We went to Hocking Hills this past weekend.  Years ago, Shaun's sister told us about it and thought we'd really like it.. we revisited going there again in 2007 - I have a tourist book from then.. and recently saw an ad in a magazine and hung it on my fridge thinking that THIS time we were GOING!!  and we did!!  I marked the dates on the calendar a few months ago, but didn't book the trip until the morning we were leaving, we stayed at one of the state parks cottages!  We had a great time, the natural beauty was amazing!  We can not believe it took us so long to go to this special place, that is less than 5 hours away!  We will make this a recurring vacation spot for sure!   Here are lots of pictures from our trip!  Enjoy~~~

Shaun and Delaney morning snuggles!

Gwen looking at the forest from our screened in porch.

Yatta!! (I did it!!)

us at ash cave

Delaney touching the walls

I believe Gwen is driving an airplane!  Notice that she still has tennis shoes on..  she can't resist the water!

She ended up asking me if she could go on a bridge.. I said sure!  Didn't realize the bridge was IN the water!

Delaney enjoys the sand

Gwen draws pictures in the sand.. one of them is a dancing kitty!

We took the fun way back - this was a stroller friendly trail (there were two) so we left the stoller and went back the ridge way..  it was a loooong way down, so we kept a good handle on the kids.  Since we didn't realize we were taking this way back we had to carry Delaney, since we left the carrier in the car.  At the end of the trail, a group came behind us and said... it can't be THAT difficult, there's a lady with an infant! HAHA 

Gwen spotted this red mushroom with white spots! A magic shroom!!

hiking to old man's cave!  Gwen got a fox walking stick, which actually made her want to hike even more!!  YES!!

Even Gwen has to duck

Gwen met a friend and once again went in the water (which is against the rules..) how can one resist!?

So much to climb!

A cool stone bridge

This tunnel was completely dark!  

We wore her out!

Shaun needed a break! haha  Actually I told him to pose... 

We had to get back to the state park after old mans cave to do some nature prints!  Gwen did hers on a t-shirt!

All the toys she NEEDED for the trip!  Her barbies jumped up and down when I said they could come too! 

Father's day breakfast in bed!

Gwen coloring her t-shirt

Delaney having a snack before we left the cottage.

We started our hike at Cedar Falls on Sunday morning.. as soon as we got down a bunch of steps, Gwen had to go to the bathroom!  So, they took the shortcut!

Delaney loved to touch the trees and leaves!

One of Gwen's crazy poses!

Look at that big guy!!  

We made it to Cedar Falls!!

More Nummies!!  :)Our last hike was Conkles Hollow.. another stroller friendly path.. the ridge looked really cool here, but also very treacherous.. so we'll save that for another day!  

Delaney snacks while watching her big sis climb!!

Gwen wanted to take a pictures, so I crouched down next to Delaney and naturally she pulled my hair!!

What a great trip!!  We can't wait to go back!!