Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Surprise Trip

Memorial Day weekend is also our wedding anniversary.  This year we celebrated 6 years in Hocking Hills, Ohio.

Hocking Hills is known for their great hiking and cabins.  It's a popular honeymoon place as well.

We hiked one of the smaller trails called Cedar Falls.  It was an "easy" trail complete rocks to climb over, under and through for 2 miles.




Once we got away from the more popular areas of the trail we could concentrate on the sights, scents and sounds.  The smell of cedar is so soothing, and the drip and running of water over the cliffs is music to sound stressed ears.


The main water fall was spectacular, but crowded so we didn't stick around here long, but continued on the trail.

We eventually came upon several other water falls that we could get right up to, or in my case, into.




I swallowed my fear of small spaces and crawled into a couple of crevices this one really freaked me out.


It's amazing how life clings to the cliffs and rocks.

The most bizarre thing we saw is this group of butterflies drinking from a small amount of water on the rocks.  I was literally kneeling less than a foot away from them when I took these pictures.


We ended our day doing a guided trail ride at Uncle Bucks Riding Stable.



Jim has never ridden outside of an arena but he was very confident on his horse, a big Belgian / QH cross mare.  I rode a conformational miss-mash of Lippizaner and Appaloosa.  Let's just say Warrior was interesting... gaited like a big warm blood, but too short strided to be smooth.


Jim did great, everytime I turned around to check on him he was smiling and relaxed =)

9 comments:

  1. Happy Anniversary! Looks like you had a wonderful time. What a pretty area for hiking and horseback riding. We've got our 6th coming up in June. I don't think I'll get my husband on a horse though.

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  2. Happy Aniversary! looks like a lovely trip

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  3. Your pictures are so beautiful - what a great spot. That butterfly picture should be in a photography contest - it's amazing and gorgeous.
    I'm so impressed with your husband going on his first non arena ride. It looks / sounds like a really fun day.

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  4. Sounds like a perfect way to celebrate and Anniversary. I love to be outdoors, hiking and exploring with my family, too. Those trails you were on are incredible! And look like so much fun!
    The trail ride sounds like even more fun. I'd love to go on a trail ride with my husband some day, too. What a strange mix of horse you were riding, though. lol!
    I wonder if the butterflies were seeking out minerals and salts in that area, too? What a cool photo!


    Happy Anniversary!
    ~Lisa

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  5. Happy Anniversary. What a beautiful place to celebrate.

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  6. ...I love Hocking Hills...great birding and hiking! Congrats on your anniversary. Looks like you guys had a wonderful time. (When butterflies congregate like that it's called puddling. They are lapping up minerals too.

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  7. Thank you everyone =)

    Kelly I have never seen Butterflies do that. They were not bothered by me at all, I was able to pick up one and have it fly away off my hand. Was very cool.

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  8. Happy Anniversary! What a great way to celebrate. Great photo of the butterflies.

    I don't think there is such a thing as pain free, at least not at my age (59). It's all a matter of degrees, and it's always something.

    Looking forward to hearing how your "first" ride goes.

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  9. Jeni, neat trip with your man! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
    loved that hike on that beautifully gigantic place with such boulders...loved that stairway. You two looked so good and relaxed. Glad you took that horsey ride together!
    xo
    Kac
    Ps come see my saddle!

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Happy Trails!

~Jeni