Difficulty Level 4

Why am I still awake enough to write this post? After today's workout I should be in dreamland!

We started with a breakfast of scrambled eggs. They were so fresh and all such pretty colors and varying sizes. They were from Cassie's own chickens. Absolutely delicious and fortifying for the day.

Jaymes back was giving her some problems so today it was just me, Deb and Cassie. We hiked three sections, two loops and one in and out. We did Cantwell Cliffs which was very remote and very rugged. It was a loop that was only one way because on certain sections the trail was less than two feet wide with a wall of stone on one side and a sheer drop on the other. It went way down and way up again, over and over, and had really tight and narrow passages between rocks. It was really hard but we all made it.

Next we went to Rock House loop. Again, we climbed deep into the gorge to the Rock House Cave. It is so very beautiful. Inside it is 25 ft high and 250 ft long. It is inhabited by pigeons and bats. We heard the pigeons long before we got to the cave and it was so cool hearing their cooing echoing inside. And when we were inside we could also see them flying around and roosting. Luckily or maybe not so, I could not see the bats. They were quiet and simply hanging from the ceiling, but it was too dark for me to see. But others saw them for sure. After we climbed back up out of the gorge and back to the parking lot, we had our picnic lunch at a little picnic area there. It's funny how delicious a simple ham sandwich and some cookies taste when you are starving! Oh, and i must mention, this parking spot had the cleanest port-o-pottys! They didnt smell, pretty blue water, rolls of paper. I actually preferred it to a tree which if you know me, means a lot!

Our last hike of the day was to Whispering Cave and Swinging Bridge. This was a hike in and back out the same way trail. We got to Whispering Cave with no problem but had a hard time finding the trail to Swinging Bridge. In our defense, the dark purple markers were very hard to find on the wet bark of the trees. The Swinging Bridge was a test of balance. It only crossed a small creek, but it was only two planks wide and swung with every step. We laughed our way across and back. This trail was again at the bottom of a gorge so it was quite a climb back out. It was very warm and humid by this time and I was getting quite tired. But half way up, at Whispering Cave, there was a small waterfall. I stood under it until my head and shirt were soaked. It was shockingly cold but sooo refreshing. It made the end of the climb so much easier.

Today was all downs and ups, not enough flat sections to mention. Long and difficult. But I did it and I am so proud.

We went to dinner at Hocking Hills Lodge, which was such a nice treat. The food was good, the views spectacular and the company just lovely. It has been such a joy to spend time with this group of women.

We returned to our cabin to find a family deer next to our parking area. They were laying around and again not afraid of us. They eventually moved a couple hundred feet away, but would not leave. They are so beautiful! Hot tub and shower and bed time. Tomorrow is our last day to hike.Read more