Life is Old There... Older Than the Trees
"Almost heaven, West Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River Life is old there, older than the trees Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze..."
July 3-7, 2019
Leaving Pennsylvania. Our destination is Salem, West Virginia. Five hours of interstate driving. However, I-64 is a scenic byway; no billboards, signage, just beautiful mountain vistas. Our overnight is a boondockers welcome site. No mountain hikes or river kayaks, no museums or attractions, just a travel day. This part of the trip is to make time on the road. We are heading for Lake Lakengren, Ohio. We have a family rendezvous for a Fourth of July celebration. I also want to overnight in Hocking Hills and show Halyn another magical fairy, gnome filled canyon. We stop and pick up a couple of DVDs for entertainment for the girl to watch in the back of the van and I listen to tunes and drive. Part of me wishes we could slow this adventure down. But we are looking forward to friend and family time in Ohio.
Our hosts for the night are in the country near Salem, WV. Their homestead is at the bottom of a mountain next to a lazy creek. Our host has unfortunately had a shop accident and is recovering so no social time. We spend a quiet evening in the van with some dinner and books and an early night to bed.
I set out before daybreak and drive through the West Virginia mountains in the fog. Halyn sleeps. When she wakes we are at Hocking Hills State Park in Logan, Ohio only to find out there are no campsites to be had. Not surprising as it is July 4th. I did expect to nab a walk-in site in the early morning, but they were all taken the previous day. A quick call to our friend Sue and she says come on out to the Lake, our next adventure destination. I am excited to be with them and set up a few nights in a row and be off the road.
First we set out for our hike to Old Man's Cave in Hocking Hills. Towering cliffs and gorges make up the 5 sections of this park. These wonders were created more than 330 million years ago, beginning as level ground covered by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The ocean slowly receded after millions of years, further forming with the Appalachian region. What we see today is the result of a melting glacier creating rivers, waterfalls, caves and gorges. The name "Hocking" came much later thanks to Native Americans that once resided in the area, deeming it "Hockhocking River" (bottle river). If this all seems a bit familiar, Sitka and I hiked this area last year. This is a destination I am happy to return to and show Halyn around.
Arriving at Lake Lakengren, two hours from hocking Hills at Sue and Mark Allen's summer place is a promise of water filled good times for not just Halyn, but also for Jake Allen and my nieces, Sara and Sydney who arrive the following day with my sister, Margie. Jake is so excited to have an age mate to hang with. There is fishing jet skiing, tubing, games, food, more food and plenty of adult beverages all to be topped off with a fabulous fireworks display viewed from the middle of the lake on a pontoon. Mark and Sue's great friends who are really just family are such a welcome addition. Love the time spent with Tony and Tish and their adult children. Such a full house of love and laughter.
I know I have an open invitation to return to Lake Lakengren and I want to do the 4th of July here always. But, I do have to make that trip to Utah next season. Thank you Sue and Mark from the bottom of my heart. I hope you will all have a chance to come south one day. Bring Tony and Tish. Yes, I can see alligators in your future.
From here, Halyn and i discuss the trajectory of our trip. Even though Halyn isn't an "are we there yet?" kid, she's pretty clear that she isn't enjoying the driving time. She loves the destinations. We knew that we would be discussing how we would be heading to Minnesota, maybe even fly her from Cinci. At first, we thought we might head to Makinaw Island and the Upper Peninsula Michigan before heading to the Twin Cities. It is becoming clear that Halyn is a city girl and she is excited to go visit my friends in Cincinnati. I ask her if she would like to take a tour of Chicago. She is ecstatic. We now have direction.
Onward,
Catherine and Halyn
"Time wasted at the lake is time well spent."