Hocking Hills, Ohio

Hocking Hills is a spectacle all year long. In summer people picnic, and hike. In fall folks enjoy hiking, and the fall colors. In all seasons wildlife is abundant.










We've visited and enjoyed this area many times in all kinds of weather; but find it too be almost mystical during the snowy cold months of winter. There is much to explore at Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave, Cedar Falls, Conkle's Hollow, Cantewell Cliffs, and Rock House. You can take a leisurely walk or a more rugged hike. In any weather you're apt to see some fantastic sites. Who doesn't enjoy a water fall? The frozen nativity above is a water fall; but look how special it is during the winter.

We stayed in this fabulous little log cabin in the woods where we able to warm up at the fireside after a cold hike. Looking up at the full moon at night as snow blanketed the woods and our little cabin was very peaceful. This really is quite a get away, and only an hour from home for us. Reading through the journal inside the cabin shows people come from far and wide to enjoy Hocking Hills all 12 months of the year.

Hocking Hills is located in southern Ohio, near Logan and easily accessible for a day trip from anywhere in the state. The parks offer camping, cabins, and plenty of family oriented activities.

Traveling and Insurance

My family (Daddy, Hubby, and Darling Daughter) and I recently traveled to The Columbus Zoo to see the Christmas Lights. It's like walking through Disney. Twinkling lights everywhere. My camera didn't really capture how beautiful they were though which is a bit disappointing. I love my family and wouldn't think of making even a short journey like this without good car insurance. Something I hope you don't take for granite.

Why do you need car insurance? You need insurance in case of theft, vandalism, or accidents. Car accidents happen every 5 seconds here in the U.S. Nationally, 14% of Americans don't have auto insurance. Perhaps if they realized this easy way to get insurance quotes from multiple companies in the US, from the comfort of their computer chair more folks would be covered.

As we enter a new year, many folks are looking for ways to save money. So, from the comfort of your home save yourself time and money as you get car insurance quotes, it's free. Free fits my budget, how bout yours? Are you thinking about buying a new car? Are you driving an older car that you feel needs less insurance? Or maybe you've got a teen about to get his or her's license--you definitely need to get auto insurance quotes!

I highly recommend taking your family to see the lights at zoo. There are over 3 million LED lights, and it is magical.

Homestead Resort, Park City, Utah

Think back to your days of high school English when you might have been asked to write a large list of descriptive adjectives. Words like gracious hospitality, luxury, pamper, serene, breathtaking beauty, superb service, and food for the soul would certainly appear on a list of adjectives describing Utah Resorts.

Homestead has something for everyone, in any season. This Utah Resort nestled in the picaresque Wasatch Mountains can boast 120 years of exquisite hospitality and Best of State Vacation Resorts 3 years running. This 4 season country resort has much to offer families of all sizes and budgets. Individual rooms, suites, cottages, executive suites, and condo's all with beautiful timeless quilts beckoning you to make yourself at home. Wheelchair accessible and pet friendly room are also available.

Activities include snowmobiling, cross country skiing, downhill skiing at nearby Sundance and DeerValley Resorts, fly fishing (lessons available), golf (lessons available) on a championship course, tennis, hiking, indoor fitness center or maybe you prefer to meander along the manicured gardens taking in the fresh mountain air or pamper yourself at The Aveda concept Spa. The most unique activity though is the 55 foot limestone crater filled with water ranging from 90-96 degrees. This crater is a perfect place to learn to scuba dive and is the only warm water scuba destination in the Continental United States.

Last post for 2009, Thanks for the Award

What a nice way to end the year, with an award. Thanks to Storybeader
I enjoy looking at the beautiful handcrafted one of a kind jewelry on her site. Do take a look and let her know I sent ya.

With the award comes a few responsibilities....

Here are the rules for the award acceptance:
(1) Thank the person giving the awards
(2) Copy awards to your blog
(3) Place a link to their blog
(4) Name 7 things people don’t know about you
(5) Nominate 7 bloggers
(6) Place a link to those bloggers
(7) Leave a comment on their blogs letting them know of their awards

Seven things you probably didn't know about me:
1...I used to dream of being a good swimmer when I was young, which is pretty funny cause I can't even float. I've apparently got lead in my bones and not at all buoyant in the water.
2...I like wine (dry white and red). You might know that if you've visited my other blogs. Sandy's Space
3...I knit and crochet, mostly for charity. You might know that too if you've been to my other blog, Bridge and Beyond
4...I'm old as dirt. I do feel that way sometimes. I don't mind saying I'm 59 years old, never understood the secret thing women have about their age.
5...I hate to shop, didn't get that female gene, unless you're talking about yarn shopping
6...I don't watch much TV, and rarely without yarn in hand
7...I love visiting, and photographing gravestones. Not because I'm a morbid; but because I love history and want to document old stones before they're gone.

Now to nominate blogs...
1 Shelly at Wine at Five
2 Bev at Romancing Italy
3...Ann at Tuvabox
4...Doug at Historic Travels
5...A craft blog I just found out walking this am
6...Anne at Small Town Mommy
7...Swapna at Crafts and cooking who is given special notice as my very first non-family commentor on my very first blog post here on Traveling Suitcase.

Traveling, Dear-DEER? Columbus Ohio

Traveling Dear DEER's? Early Sunday morning before I even had a sip of coffee hubby and I looked out the window and walking up the street single file were these 5 Deers! **click on photo for close up**


Now, it's note worthy to know we do not live in the woods, or near the woods. We live on a very residential street; as I think you can see by the pictures. We live about 1.5 miles from The Scioto River, but between there and here we're talking a main road--4 lanes connecting 2 freeways, lots of cars, lots of people! Thankfully these traveling Deer's were traveling early enough on a Sunday morning they weren't in the middle of rush hour; but still we thought it pretty crazy. Food must be scarce along the river for them to go in search in such a people populated area. And or, they've gotten far too used to people feeding them that they now are going door to door. I fear the latter maybe true which is a dangerous sign for them.

The house and car you see them clustered by is where they stayed for about 3 minutes after walking up the street, 3 doors up from us on the opposite side of the street. As soon as we saw the traveling Deer, I nabbed my camera and hubby in his socks without shoes went quickly and quietly outside to get the pictures on zoom (they were far enough away, pics are a bit blurred).

I hope they were able to travel safely back to The River without incident.

Watching this type of travel fits nicely into the budget, requires no packing, and is suitable and highly recommended for people of all ages.