Weekend in Hocking Hills- FoamFest and Other Festivities

Weekend in Hocking Hills- Foam Fest and Other Festivities
Hocking Hills Region, Ohio
June 28-30, 2013

Who wouldn’t want to run a 5k mud run with giant inflatable obstacles filled with foam? My sisters Joanna and Megan and I were excited for our latest 5k based on this ridiculous premise to just get a little muddy, maybe bloody and definitely crazy for the morning.  We rented a cabin, grabbed some friends and planned a whole weekend around it.

We all met up at Megan & Neil’s on Friday afternoon.  Jo and I took her Jeep and Meg, Neil, Red and Holly rode down separately.  Joanna and I decided to take scenic byways the whole way down and actually used a road atlas with the route highlighted by green dots rather than GPS our way.  We had a great time.  We passed through charming little towns, stopped at cute shops and even saw a waterfall on our way.  It was worth every minute to get off the highway and follow back roads to our destination.

When everyone arrived we settled into the Hemlock Log Cabin, our usual place when we visit Hocking Hills and then headed out to explore a little.  We hiked all around Old Man’s Cave area, following Grandma Gatewood’s Trail, past the Devil’s Bathtub to the Upper Falls and the Gorge Overlook Trail crossing the A-frame Bridge and headed down to Old Man’s Cave.  Although it was a rainy day, it was still comfortable and beautiful, especially when beams of sunlight would peek through the clouds and trees.  After spending some time in that area, the group split up- most of the gang went to Cedar Falls and Ash Cave while Joanna and I went back to finish up dinner.  After dinner we spent time in the hot tub and sitting around the fire.

Holly decided to come to Foam Fest with us and watch, acting as our own personal professional photographer while Neil and Red headed down to Hocking College to play some disc golf.  The Foam Fest 5k took place in Kaeppner’s Woods, the same location of our very first Warrior Dash so Jo and I had some concept of what was in store- a course with a lot of hills!  We all took water guns and I had a lot of fun shooting random participants I deemed worthy- like someone with an inflatable doll as part of their costume or the photo bomber right behind us. 

As we lined up we heard the MC warning us ‘Do NOT inhale the foam!’  Okay- easier said than done.  We lined up, got ready and were off running through a big pile of foam covering the starting line. We got to the first inflatable obstacle, a bouncie house filled with foam- I ended up rolling backwards out of a pit of froth and fizz.  We continued around the course climbing over walls, up cargo nets, through mud pits, across inner tubes floating in water occasionally encountering an inflatable like a giant slip-n-slide filled with foam.  One of the most anticipated inflatable obstacles was the 50-foot SuperSlide.  Alas, by the time we got to there it had sustained damage and we could not ride it.  Huge bummer- the SuperSlide is why I paid to do this race!  Still, we had a fun time and watching us convinced Holly that she would like to do a mud run sometime soon!

After lunch, Jo, Meg, Neil and I headed to Hocking Hills Canopy Tours while Red and Holly went hiking and hung around the cabin.  As we pulled into the park, it started to lightning and all the tours were put on hold for a while but things got under way again as soon as the weather passed.  I had already done the traditional tour and opted to just do the SuperZip while they did the full tour.  I just have to say that the Super Zip rocks!  After you don the harness, you have the option of climbing the tower by way of many flights of steps or by hanging rope bridges.  I chose the bridges and I am glad I did- it was really a spectacular experience making my way though the canopy, stopping to look down and around, climbing higher and higher into the trees and up the tower.  At the top they ask if you’d prefer to ride in a sitting position or flying like Superman.  I almost always pick Superman!  When they release you, you fly approximately a quarter mile at speeds up to 50mph through the woods and over a river- it really is a breathtaking experience and one that I wanted to do over and over.  Luckily they said I could pay $10 for each ride after the 3/$55 deal I had paid for and that’s just what I did.  When I met back up with the group we all rode the SuperZip together- while they enjoyed the traditional tour they said the SuperZip was the highlight of the trip!

The driver of one of the all-terrain vehicles that transported us around the complex gave me directions to the liquor store so after dinner that night, Red, Holly and I made an alcohol run, trying to beat the clock and get there before 9:pm.  We arrived at 8:59 and found out they were open until 10:00- wahooo!  We filled up on Crown and Tequila and headed back to the cabin to relax for the night.  We spent a little time playing pool, sat in the hot tub as a group, went on a late night hike and wrapped up the evening around a blazing fire.   

The next day I went on an early morning walk, taking pictures of the area, chickens on a farm down the road and flowers growing in either shoulder.  Before we left Jo and I did one more skid around the circular driveway, a pastime that’s absurdly unnecessary and fun, then made our way back toward home.  It was a full weekend and every minute of it was a total blast! 

Sister Trip- Warrior Dash and Other Adventures

Sister Trip- Warrior Dash and Other Adventures
Gambier, Utica, Logan and Athens, Ohio
June 4-6, 2011


Someone recently asked me how I got into doing activities like the Warrior Dash. The truth is, I really don’t know. I’ve always enjoyed outdoor recreation but I’d never felt the need to compete in organized events. However, as soon as I heard about a mud run/obstacle course race known as the Warrior Dash I knew I had to give it a try. My sister Joanna was also up for the challenge and we decided to make a weekend out of it. Similar to last year’s Sister Trip with Jo to Indiana, we utilized Hotels.com Reward Nights, restaurant gift cards and visited free attractions to get the most bang for our buck.


We packed up Jo’s Jeep Wrangler, our favorite mode of transportation for active weekend excursions. Jo and I planned a leisurely drive making a few stops along the way. Meg and Neil came along for the day trip in another vehicle. As we drove west on US Route 30, we decided on our first stop, a family favorite- Shisler’s Cheese House. We shopped the small store for snacks and treats like pumpkin cookies, sesame sticks and, of course, cheese.

We’d decided to take a roundabout way to enjoy the scenery and small villages along the rural route which winds through farm land and Amish Country. We were sure we’d find a restaurant along the way and had a feeling when we pulled into the small town of Nashville, Ohio, that there’d be a good place to grab some lunch. The Buckeye Deli was that place. We chose a booth by the front window, ordered some garlic bread and shared a bacon pizza in the local hang-out. Back by the bathrooms pictures hang of men, women and children proudly displaying the bucks they bagged that year. Local sports memorabilia covers the walls. The Buckeye Deli is a comfortable place with a fun personality and pizza that hits the spot.Our next stop was an attraction that we’d been meaning to visit for quite some time. I first learned of Schnormeier Gardens years ago while researching a biking trip to the area. Schnormeier Gardens in Gambier, Ohio is a privately owned residence with 50 acres of spectacular gardens featuring unique sculptures, Oriental structures, waterfalls, stone walls and wooded paths surrounding a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired home. The grounds open to the public once a year so that visitors can enjoy the extraordinary estate. It really is an amazing place. There are no distinct pathways- they encourage roaming the property so that each individual experience is unique. A stunning view is found around every corner. Sculptures are hidden in little nooks, waiting to be discovered. The terrain is hilly, stone paths are uneven, some areas may be slippery. Don’t make the same mistake I made- ditch your cute sandals and put on some shoes that won’t cause blisters. You want to be able to meander around freely to make the most of this dramatic setting.

Another family favorite, Velvet Ice Cream in Utica, Ohio, was next on the agenda. We’ve been to the Utica Ice Cream Festival many times but had never eaten in their ice cream parlor. We all indulged in their specialty, ice cream made onsite in an assortment of flavors. Joanna went for a double dip of her favorite Black Raspberry Fudge Cordial and Butter Pecan & Cashew. Megan had Wild Blueberry Pie and Neil tried Caramel Crunch. Although I usually get one of their traditional flavors, Buckeye Classic, I decided to go for a seasonal variety- Peanut Butter Overload. We were all pleased with our choices. After finishing up a delicious mid-afternoon snack we split up, Neil and Megan toward home and Joanna and I heading to the Hocking Hills region. Hocking Hills is a wonderful place to enjoy outdoor recreation. Miles of hiking trails, repelling areas, ATV courses, zip line tours, canoeing, horseback riding and many other activities make it a marvelous spot for adventurers. Instead of staying in a cabin like we usually do, we booked a room at the Baymont Inn in Athens, Ohio. As always our only requirements are a pool and hot tub- after a long day of physical activity, it is nice to unwind in an aquatic setting. We met a few other Warrior Dash participants while relaxing in the whirlpool that night. They had completed the race on the first day of the competition and filled us in on the course, offered encouragement and made us feel a bit more prepared for what was ahead the next day.

The next morning we rose early and prepared for the Warrior Dash, donning our matching outfits and psyching ourselves up for the challenge ahead. After a breakfast of bagels, cereal and fruit we headed to Kaeppner Woods in Logan, Ohio. Our excitement grew as we pulled into the parking lot with hundreds of other Dash contestants and made our way to the race location. We had the perfect amount of time to sign in, get our packets, t-shirt and warrior helmet, put on our Warrior Dash eye patches, take a few pictures, go to gear check and get to the starting line. Although we were fairly far away, we could still feel the heat of the pyrotechnic flames as the beginning of the race was signaled. 

From there Joanna and I had the time of our lives climbing huge hills, sliding down muddy ravines, scaling walls, wading through water and jumping over fire. Although each obstacle presented its own challenge, they were all enjoyable to complete. Joanna and I had decided before the race that we were just going to relax, stick together and enjoy the race at an easy pace instead of going all out for a great time. In the end, I’m glad that we were able to complete the race as a team. Some of my best memories of the day include high-fiving after completing the most difficult obstacles, jumping over the fire together and running over the finish line with our arms up in victory.

Even though we were sprayed down with a fire hose after the race, we were still pretty muddy and just wanted to get back to the hotel room to clean up. We turned down our complimentary turkey legs, left our shoes in the huge piles of discarded footwear to be donated to charity and made our way back to the parking lot and out of town. As we passed other racers on the street we’d wave and cheer to each other. The ride back to the hotel was filled with excited discussion of the adventure we’d just completed.

After getting cleaned up we set out to have some lunch enjoy the rest of our afternoon.  The Olde Dutch Restaurant was the right place to refuel after our big morning.  We walked past the lunch buffet as we were being seated and Jo immediately declared that was what she’d be having.  I decided on the soup and salad bar.  We were both well-fed for a very reasonable price.

Joanna and I have both been to Hocking Hills many times but neither of us had ever been to Conkle’s Hollow, one of the most impressive features of the Hocking Hills region.  Towering cliffs with vast overlook points display views of birds soaring above the lush foliage of a deep gorge and a recently renovated path to accommodate visitors of all abilities winds through the rock formations on the valley floor.  Jo and I spent the afternoon exploring the area.  We chose to do the rim trail first, climbing to the cliffs above, circling and hiking down into the gorge, following the gorge path all the way to the end to take in the striking views of a steam cascading over the rock formation.

 

We went back to the hotel to relax a little before dinner.  While there, we watched a few episodes of a show on the National Geographic channel called ‘Locked Up Abroad’.  Wow, that is one scary show!  Not that I’d ever planned on it before, but I will most definitely not be engaging any international crime after seeing this!  Still, I was pretty excited to have found a show that combines my love of crime shows with my passion for travel.

Joanna and I were craving Mexican food for dinner and went out in search.  We drove down a main commercial street surveying the restaurant options as we went.  We drove farther and farther down the road, passing restaurants on the right and left but none of them were Mexican.  Just as we were about to turn around we saw Casa Lopez- qué suerte!  Unfortunately, we did not learn until after we were seated that this Mexican restaurant does not serve alcohol- no margaritas for us.  While we enjoyed our dinners, it just wasn’t the same.  

We wound down our evening by taking one last dip in the hot tub before dropping into bed and almost instantly falling asleep.  After breakfast the next morning, we packed up and headed home.  I had two bruised knees and a smashed finger.  Joanna had lots of bug bites and some minor scrapes.  We both left with the goal to compete in the Warrior Dash being held in Carrollton, Ohio in September.  We ended up finishing right in the middle of the pack, an acceptable position, but now that we have a time to beat we’re both determined to shave a little time off in our next performance.  No matter what, I’m looking forward to sharing the experience again with Joanna. 

Weekend in Hocking Hills- Hiking, Zip-Lining and Camping

Weekend in Hocking Hills- Hiking, Zip-Lining and Camping
September 11-12, 2010I’ve met many friendly people that share a mutual love of hiking and enjoying the outdoors by joining the Northeast Ohio Hiking Club though Meetup.com. I meet someone new and interesting at every event. I’ve also had the pleasure of reconnecting with someone from high school and getting to know her as an adult. It has been such an enriching experience! I was very excited when the Northeast Ohio Hiking Club planned an overnight camping trip to Hocking Hills. It is one of my favorite getaway destinations.

The group met for a delicious lunch at Millstone BBQ in Logan, Ohio, then made our way to Old Man’s Cave Campground. Our group campsite was one of only four in the area and down the road a little so we were fairly secluded from other campers. I’d helped my husband put up the tent many times but was still thrilled when we girls managed to get it up without needing any help!

Next, we headed to Hocking Hills Canopy Tours for a little adrenalin rush. While many in the group decided on the traditional tour (which I reviewed in a previous blog entry), a fellow camper and I decided to try the SuperZip ($50, 3 rides), a quarter-mile long trip getting up to speeds around 50 mph! Even though I’d zipped before and didn’t think I’d be too scared, I admit that I did let out a scream as the canopy opened up and we flew out over the Hocking River. We SuperZipped once in a seated position and two times laying in Super Man position- I could easily sense how much speed was gained when I pulled myself into a tight flying position. What an exhilarating feeling!

After zipping, we wrapped up our afternoon by exploring Cantwell Cliffs, known for its tight crevices and towering cliffs. That night we enjoyed our dinner by campfire, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, munching on a variety of potluck choices and drinking wine. My two tent mates and I fell asleep to the sound of acorns hitting the roof of our tent.

The next morning I woke early and walked down to Rose Lake, sat on a rock and looked out over the still water. Calming moments don’t come around often- I like to take advantage of them when they do. When everyone was packed up we headed to the Visitor’s Center near Old Man’s Cave to start our hike. From Old Man’s Cave we followed the Gorge Overlook Trail three miles across the Rose Lake dam, over the A-frame bridge and to the bottom of Cedar Falls. After relaxing for a bit, we took another trail that looped back to Old Man’s Cave. The entire walk was full of breathtaking scenery- huge rock formations, hemlock groves, waterfalls and unique shapes eroded into the sandstone. I had been on the Gorge overlook trail before but hadn’t hiked the alternate return route and enjoyed the trail that hugged the rock wall and weaved through giant boulders that had fallen from above.

After completing the hike, we all split up and headed home. I stopped at Millstone to pick up some BBQ for J and happened upon a classic car show. I wandering around and gawked at all the beautifully restored automobiles while waiting for the take-out order. From there I headed home, enjoying every moment of the quiet Sunday drive through the countryside on an early fall afternoon.

Romantic Weekend Getaway- Hocking Hills, Ohio

Romantic Weekend Getaway- Hocking Hills State Park
Hocking Hills Region, Ohio
May 13-16, 2010

I enjoy packing as much activity as possible into a vacation. Josh loves vacations that include a whole lot of relaxing. Our conflicting travel styles can sometimes be a problem but we’ve managed to find a balance and choose destinations that can offer a little bit for both of us. The Hocking Hills Region in southeastern Ohio was the perfect spot for a long weekend getaway!

J and I stayed at the Hemlock Log Cabin in Rockbridge, Ohio. I had been there before on a girls’ getaway and love the secluded location and huge hot tub. We packed a cooler full of stuff to grill, snacks, beer, wine, bourbon and fixings to make s’mores. We left after work on Thursday evening, headed down Interstate 77 South to I-70W to OH-37 to US 33 and followed country roads to our cabin. After a long day, I thought we’d fall right to sleep. Instead we spent the evening having drinks, sitting on the huge front porch and relaxing in the hot tub.

The next morning we headed out to do some hiking. Our first stop was the Rock House, the only true cave in Hocking Hills State Park. We hiked down a short trail and were soon at the cave. We climbed in through one of the crevices and began exploring from one end of the cave to the other. The ceilings were high and it was very roomy. Inscriptions of visitors past dating back at least 150 years were carved into the cave walls. The beautiful coloring inside was breathtaking.

On our way to the next natural wonder we stopped at Grandma Faye’s Grocery, located on State Route 664 South. We browsed the general store that has a little bit of everything, purchased a few necessities and then drove on to Ash Cave. From the parking lot, the path to Ash Cave is only about a ¼ mile, paved and wheelchair accessible. The astounding sight at the end of the trail is well worth the small amount of effort it takes to get there. We’d heard that Ash Cave is one of the most spectacular sights in the whole park but we were still amazed by the view. The huge rock shelter rises above a vast, open area into which a waterfall is pouring from above. We hiked along the formation, behind the waterfall, up some steps and around the top to the ridge of the cave. Although Josh is definitely not a hiker, he said these short hikes had some high pay-offs offering stunning views with only a small amount of physical exertion.

From Ash Cave we drove down Route 56 to Etta’s Lunchbox Cafe’, a restaurant and lunch box museum. This quirky destination offers casual menu items, a small store and a collection of more than 800 lunchboxes. We ordered a medium pizza, half cheese/half pepperoni (about $15 with drinks) and explored the museum while we waited, finding our first lunchboxes in the huge collection while the curator recited his own unique commentary on the history of lunch pails. After enjoying a delicious lunch, we followed Route 56 to Route 278 into Nelsonville.

Nelsonville used to thrive on clay, making the distinctive Star Bricks which line its sidewalks today. The old crumbling kilns of Nelsonville Brick still stand near town. Nelsonville now thrives as a local Appalachian arts community. In the heart of the town is the Nelsonville Historic Square Arts District. The square has local galleries, shops and other artistic establishments. We walked around the area, spoke with some of the locals and made a few purchases. I’d love to return to Nelsonville with a better shopping partner!

Next we headed to Logan, Ohio, another Ohio Appalachian community that offers homegrown art. We stopped at the Logan Art Gallery and bought a small clay heart ornament. The Logan Art Gallery happened to be moving across the street to the Emporium so we visited there as well. More a gift shop than a gallery, the Emporium offered a wide-range of items but lacked the homemade quality that we were looking for. I did find a small handmade clay pot and was quite pleased my purchase.

After essentially making a huge circle around the area, Josh and I headed back to the cabin to relax and enjoy the evening. Josh grilled up bratwurst, peppers and onions, built a fire; we roasted marshmallows and enjoyed s'mores. I became transfixed by the flames. Not one to spend too much time just sitting, relaxing by the warm blaze while watching it dance in the darkness was quite marvelous.

The next day we enjoyed what was by far the highlight of our trip- a zip line adventure with Hocking Hills Canopy Tours. We loved every minute of it! I have always been a little scared of heights but as soon as I stepped into the harness, I felt safe and secure. It wasn’t at all scary walking off the platform and zipping along, sailing through the tree tops, over rivers and in between rocky ledges. Our guides Leifken and Jake engaged us in interesting and humorous conversation. The tour, which included a ride on an all-terrain vehicle, 10 zip lines, 5 sky bridges and 1 repel, was worth every penny. After completing the course, Josh declared that he’d like to travel around doing other canopy tours and zip line challenges. We can’t wait to return!

On Leifken’s and another zip liner’s recommendation we decided to try the Millstone BBQ Restaurant, located off Route 664, for lunch. It defiantly lived up to its reputation. Our waitress was spacey but took great care of us. Josh is a huge cornbread fan, I usually don’t like it- we both loved their cornbread. The house salads come with a choice of dressings- regular ranch or spicy chipotle. I ordered the Texas Trio, a combination of three mini sandwiches- a cheeseburger, pulled pork and beef brisket and a side of mac & cheese. Josh chose the Millstone Combo with pulled pork and smoked turkey with sweet potato fries. Our dishes arrived with both sweet and spicy bbq sauces. Before leaving, our waitress brought us a huge basket full of cornbread to take home. Completely stuffed, we’d enjoyed a great meal and the leftovers we took home sure hit the spot later that night!

We spent our last evening at the cabin by the fire, relaxing in the hot tub, playing pool and sitting on the front porch, as we’d done every night before. It was nice to be able to relax after an exciting day. Reflecting on the trip, we both agreed that it would be nice to return with friends to take on a group adventure. We spent one last quiet morning in the cabin, then packed up and drove home on Sunday.

Our weekend trip to Hocking Hills was just what we wanted- a quick get-away that didn’t include a lot of travel time but did include great activities and relaxation. We found everything we were looking for and more.

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