About eleven months ago we took the family camping for two nights at Hocking Hills State Park. It was an incredible experience for us because our kids were starting to get old enough to really pull their weight and remember the experience. Well, let me take that back. I remember me pulling a lot of the weight. We were at the “you have to tote your stuff half a mile by hand because we don’t allow cars in this area” campsites and the kids didn’t pull much. In all seriousness though, we were really hoping to have another great family outing like that soon.
Since our weekend adventure was postponed, we ended up taking a small adventure yesterday “after school” to Stonelick State Park, which was about forty minutes away from home. We probably hiked four or five miles with two kids and a dog, and the weather couldn’t have been much better.
There were some differences between the normal state park experience and this one. The restrooms were closed, for example. By closed, I mean there was a very small staked sign in front of the restrooms and the doors were unlocked. I think state park employees realize that people out getting exercise still need to use the facilities, so by putting out a closed sign you are essentially covering your tail.
When we passed by people as they were fishing and hiking, we tried to keep a good distance. It was quiet out there on the trails, and I can’t think of more than a handful of moments where we were within fifty feet of anyone, let alone six. In reality, I’m not sure why there weren’t more people out there. The campgrounds were closed, but that didn’t stop a handful of people from exploring the area on foot, bike, or paw.
When we were done walking, we went to the beach. Of course, by beach I mean a sandy beach area at the park that extended about a thousand feet long. It was so exciting for the kids that my son ran from the car to the beach faster than I have seen him run in ages. He had his shoes and socks off in a blink and stepped in that cold water like it was nothing. My daughter followed, and then my wife with the dog. I couldn’t help but get in myself. It was a little insane trying to take a wet dog home, but she dried off really well other than her little soaked belly.
The best part of the entire day was just watching the pressure evaporate from the kids and my wife. You could see how much they needed to be on an adventure, and it was great. We tightrope walked across downed branches. We got muddy. We planned our next camping adventure (sort of). It was special.
I didn’t blog yesterday at all, because there was severe weather that hit our city not long after we got home. The greater Cincinnati area had six tornado warnings and significant wind damage. We were safe and sound, but the very same drive we made yesterday afternoon more than likely wouldn’t have happened today thanks to downed trees in the very same area we hiked just a few hours earlier. It sounds like everyone in the city avoided injury, which is fantastic.
My son stayed up late last night sitting in the basement reading and listening to weather on television. My daughter slept through the entire thing but then woke up at four in the morning. My wife had to deal with two tired and grumpy kids all day. So what did we do today? Pretty much nothing. We were all pretty much just fine with it, too.
As for the weather tonight? The radar just told me it was snowing. Thanks, Ohio.