Hocking Hills, Ohio

Hocking Hills State Park has much to offer anyone who enjoys outdoor beauty. This is NOT a place suitable for wearing flip flops unless you're taking one of the paved physically challenged trails. There are 6 area's to hike and picnic in: Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave, Cedar Falls, Conkle's Hollow, Cantewell Cliffs, and Rock House. Each are unique and interesting. Each are beautiful. You definitely want your camera. Some of the areas are more suited to adults, some are easy enough for children. Above I believe is Old Man's Cave. That space between the rocks...a rather tight squeeze.
This is very popular Ash Caves, a bit more opened. That's hubby going across to reach a waterfall on the other side. Ash Caves is generally very busy in summer months, but less so in early Spring and Fall.
Tall Hemlock Trees are beautiful and let light filter in; but many areas of the trails are slippery from moss covered rocks, and dampness from water falls.
The base area of Ash Caves is a sometimes spot for an outdoor wedding. Picture quality isn't good, but I stayed my distance wanting them to have their privacy.
Many of the trails are filled with interest plants, bugs, and other insects. I kept walking slowly to get a picture of this one.
Behind the water all at Cedar Falls here. Cedar Falls is also known for a large population of Snapping Turtles, another good reason to wear hiking boots.

Come and spend the day, picnic and hike there's much to see and enjoy. A large variety of rock formations, wild life, waterfalls, overlooks, visitor center, and naturalist cabin. Or spend more time and camp in the camp ground. Maybe you're not that "into" being outdoors and want more then a tent for the night; no problem. There are many cabins for rent both in the State Park and privately in the area.

Old Man's Cave is probably the most well known of the 6 areas and was named for Richard Rowe who lived in a cave there after the Civil War. Sadly, he killed himself; though historians say it was an accident involving his gun. It is said he was buried there in one of the caves by the local Native Tribes; but where...no one knows. There are 25 miles of hiking trails in the State Park, with a wide range of degree of difficulty; something for everyone.

My H post for the Z-A Challenge

Hocking Hills in Winter Post Here

Mexico, Day of the Dead

Picture is a bit blurry, as it was taking out the window of a moving van. The Day of The Dead is a busy holiday in Mexico. People of all ages are out and about. Kids are out of school. Up and down main roads you see people walking, riding motorcycles, riding bikes, getting off and on public transportation, and parking cars. People lining the streets to buy and sell tokens,
It's hard to see how ornate the cemeteries are, or how decorated they are. I was a good distance away here, and the only one in the group interested in cemeteries; thus the van continued to move along towards it's destination.
Beyond the entrance here is a cemetery and if you click to enlarge, you see the large numbers of people inside it's walls. Graves are decorated with food, drink, pictures, flowers-mostly paper wreaths, and other memorabilia.
Here you can see lots of items for sale. The day of the Dead dates back to an Aztec festival dedicated to a goddess, Mictecacihuatl. The Aztec calendar was a 9 month calendar, August it's 9th month was the month of the celebration. Now days, with some differences state to state in Mexico, Nov 1 is the day for infants, while Nov 2, is the day for adults. Nov 1 is referred to as the Day of The Innocentes.

People go to the graveyards to be with the souls of the departed and build alters, (the food, drink, pictures,etc.) It is believed this action encourages visits from the souls so they'll hear your prayers. Many families picnic at the graveside. Often the visits last a full day, and many families sleep there the night. Before the alters are built the stones are cleaned.

In some areas of Mexico, the day has taken on some resemblance to our Halloween, in that children go door to door for treats.

**This my post for M in the Z-A challenge, all Z-A posts Here
If you like to see and read more about traveling to Mexico:
Not a Typical Day at the Beach, Manzanillo Mexico
Villa Paraiso, Manzanillo Mexico
Kicking off our Travels to Mexico