Let's call it Imbolc a day late

[cornerofmadness]

So I went out to Ash Cave for a day of forest bathing. It's no secret I'm not particularly happy where I live but I DO love Hocking HIlls State Forest and feel at peace when I'm there. Since today was warm I headed there (40 miles away because I'm literally 40 miles from anything). And let me tell you everyone was there. I could barely find a place to park once I got there...and I almost didn't. Even though I looked up the address instead of Ash Cave it was to Old Man's Cave, fun but not what I wanted. Luckily it's well marked and I knew it wasn't far.

I love Ash Cave because it's pretty, it's an easy walk and it has some cool features like Queer Creek making a waterfall over the edge. The only downside today was since everyone was there all weekend ALL the snow had been tramped down to a half mile hike over pure ice. That was fun. Also everyone it IS possible to leave your dogs at home. Not that I mind the dogs but some idiots had out dogs that are NOT friendly to other dogs and it did ruin some of the serenity.

So let me share the beauty of this place
My big head (no where as near to to the icicles as it looks)

Along the path to the cave



I'm behind the waterfall looking out

In the mouth of the cave

Because standing under these is SO smart

Half frozen Queer Creek

Long shot

You could hear these cracking

INside the cave

My favorite shot, call me crazy but I love the sun effects in this, lens flare for the win

Behind the waterfall rocking hood hair

Frozen falls

You know you want to touch us

From the far side of the falls

I look better this way

Comments

[thenewbuzwuzz]

Pretty!!

[cornerofmadness]

Thanks. I agree

[sylvanwitch]

It's gorgeous there!

I SO hear you, re: people and dogs. I get that on a nice day any park is going to be full of people, and if I, a dog-less person, get that, shouldn't the DOG people also be aware? And if a dog is just generally not friendly to other dogs, leaving him/her at home when you're going to a park that you KNOW is going to be packed just makes good sense. But then, I'm also one of those grumps who gets upset with people who bring their dog to a packed street festival (art, food, etc.) on a blazing hot summer's day. You know the poor thing is going to be hot and have its paws stepped on: Why do that to him/her? Ugh.

Anyway, it looks like you had a really lovely walk. I had one of those here, too, this morning, along the river in the sun. Glorious!

[cornerofmadness]

It is lovely. The Hocking HIlls are definitely the best part of this place.

Oh yeah, exactly. I'm not keen at the summer fest dog people either. There are places that are just fine for dogs but a crowded festival NOT for dogs (because some dog fests are crowded AF too)like at art shows (especially since some jackasses don't poop scoop) not so much. Honestly I'm annoyed with the people jamming the narrow lanes with baby buggies (but at least there I can understand a little given what babysitting costs)

[enemytosleep]

I can see why you drove out there. Such pretty photos and I’m sure better in person.

[cornerofmadness]

It's beautiful. It's funny I had been wanting to go (last weekend but the weather was too bad) and my coworker and her wife went yesterday so I knew I had to go today and another coworker saw my post and raced on out there