Ohio (#3) - A Hocking Hills Christmas

I suppose a Wolverine should never admit to liking anything about the state of Ohio, but I'm going to go out on a limb here and confess to you...it is a great place to visit, especially Hocking Hills southeast of Columbus.

When I was growning up in southeast Michigan we visited several times each year and after Phil and I married the tradition continued.

Thanksgiving 2004 our family talked about going away for Christmas in lieu of traditional presents. We didn't know where, we didn't have gobs of money and we didn't want to fight the crowds (or possible delays) a trip to an airport might garner. After a little investigation, I came up with a couple of choices-one each in Ohio and Michigan. We had been to Hocking Hills the summer before and noted the high number of cabins in the area. The loft pool table and back porch hot tub clinched our choice as our destination the week between Christmas and New Year.

We drove to the cabin during what was possibly that winters worse ice storm for southeastern Ohio. Fortunately for us Ohioans were smart and laid low making it clear sailing for us in the trusty family minivan. The ice on the tree limbs glimmering in the sunlight was incredibly beautiful. It seemed as if we had journeyed into a fairytale.

The cabin was no disappointment. The living room and loft area were recycled from an early 1800s log cabin that had been moved and reassembled at this spot. A small Christmas tree, foosball table, and oversize TV for our video games greeted us in the living room and up in the loft was a small pool table. The boys squealed with delight! To the right and back of the log cabin were modern additions, one with the kitchen and keeping room complete with fireplace and wood and the other off the back, housed our two bedrooms with modern bath and laundry areas. The back door led to porches that hung slightly into a ravine and to one side was a hot tub that comfortably fit us all. This was nice.

It was real easy to settle in here. We had prepared several dinners back at home and froze. We always try to make them ahead for vacations such as this so we have meals made from scratch, and quick and easy prep after a day of fun. The boys hooked up the video games and Phil built a fire with the fruitwood they supplied. Phil slipped into the rocker next to the fire...life is good folks.

We got up early the next day so we could explore this icy wonderland the storm had left behind. During our five day stay we stuck to a loop and stopped for hikes at Cedar Falls, Ash Cave and Rockbridge. Few other people were hiking and we savored each adventure. Standing water froze in place and became iridescent and flowing water became drapes of icicles. At Rockbridge we were joined by a beagle who came out of nowhere and hiked down to the natural bridge and back with us. We scampered under the bridge where water fell into the small creek below during warmer weather, but today it was an ice cascade. Austin went on a great ice spear hunt, gathering more and more, each one bigger than the last. Our beagle mascot never left our side until we were close to the van and then he just disappeared just as he had when he joined us. the best part was after a full day of hiking we came back to the cabin and jumped in the hot tub while our dinner was warming up.

This was one of those great memorable family trips, full of fun and laughter and that wonderful feeling of closeness. I believe it may have been the most relaxed Christmas holiday I have ever experienced and that was the best present I could have ever been bestowed. As we pulled through the gate and left our little cabin in the icy wonderland, we talked about how nice it would be to come again next year and do it all over again. That was not meant to be though, the next Christmas would find our family exploring Austin, Texas together for the first time...our new home. Funny where life can take you.