Trip North - Ohio - Guildford Lake State Park

April 27, 2019

We arrive at Guilford Lake State Park for the weekend.  Need to check if the road up to the Farm is dry enough to get up before we head there.

 View from our window

 I booked a pull thru thinking it would be easier but we were unable to dump and fill at Hocking Hills so after doing that here we were no longer facing the right way to pull through.  We had to leave, turn around and come back.

 The Canadian Geese are having their babies and giving them swimming lessons.

A nice sunny day so we go check out the Farm.

Tucson shows us the way - he loves running up this road -

 we've clocked him at 15 mph!

1/2 way up the road!

 Looks like our site is available.

Guess we can move in!

Trip North - Hocking Hills - Fire Tower

April 25, 2019

We are on our way back to the campground from Conkles Hollow when I see the sign for a Fire Tower - I tell Gary I must climb it!

 He parks and I walk down the road to make sure it isn't a mile or two away but it is just around the bend.

 I love Fire Towers!

At first I was afraid that this was sign saying you couldn't climb but just no more than six at a time.  Me. Myself and I - that's only 3!

 Built in 1934 it is 80' tall

but how many steps?

 Almost to the top and I spot Gary below.  Is he going to be 4?

 I guess not so I continue to the top - the trap door is locked!

 The views are still spectacular and I can pretend the rising mist 

in the distance is a big fire.

I can barely make out the road below

 100 steps up to the landing below the trap door.  I definitely got MY stair-master routine in today!

Tomorrow we head to Guildford Lake State Park by our friend Jean to check out if we will be able to make it up to the Farm.

Trip North - Hocking Hills - Conkles Hollow

April 25, 2019

After lunch the weather is holding out and we leave tomorrow so we decide to do one more hike to Conkles Hollow

I finally get a picture of this old truck we've passed several times

The trail head is about 5 miles down the road

We park and head on down the road.  No Tucson as it is a nature preserve.

I starts with a long boardwalk

We reach the trail head and have to decide Gorge or Rim Trail.  Since the weather is still iffy , we have time constraints and we've already gotten our stair-master routine in - we opt for the Gorge Trail

Very quiet except for the sound of this Woodpecker

Oops I better catch up

It is handicap accessible for a portion

I am still amazed at how tall the trees are

A grotto

Can you see the Horse head on the left?

These massive blocks of Sandstone that litter the gorge are called Slump Blocks.  At one time they were firmly attached to the gorge walls but erosion and time have separated them from the walls. 

This tree is still hanging on

This would be the end of the handicap accessible portion of the trail

Get a grip!

Rockwood Falls.  That took a lot of imagination.

The trail continues through a thickening mist and all the moss and greenery it is like being in a Mystical Forest

We finally reach the Lower Falls

A little perspective

We wander back

I can't resist the stairs!

110!

A beautiful hike - glad we were able to do it - disappointed we are missing 3 other hikes - but we can come back!

Trip North - Hocking Hills - Ash Cave

April 25, 2019

Such a great area to hike in - sorry we have to leave tomorrow but the campground is sold out for the weekend.