Over the (Hocking) Hills

1984 was a big year. Tetris was invented, the original Macintosh personal computer was introduced, astronauts made the first untethered space walk, Virgin Atlantic made its inaugural flight and I was born. Each of those events is now 40 years in the past, which made my birthday a milestone one.

Forty is a tough age to swallow. Not because of the overhyped “over the hill” we all love to pretend to hate, but because I’m now of an age that Brian never lived to see. It’s unnatural, wrong and yet another never-ending reminder of his absence.

My parents had the foresight to know this is a big year and a bittersweet one and booked us a long weekend to the beautiful Hocking Hills, Ohio. Despite graduating from Ohio University and then living in Southeast Ohio for a couple years during our marriage, I had never been.

During our three-day, two-night stay we covered a lot of ground!

Old Man’s Cave
- Also includes what Landon is telling people is “Young Boy’s Cave.” We saw what looked like a cave along the trail and he wondered what it was called and doesn’t quite understand the tease behind my flippant “Young Boy’s Cave” response. He seriously thinks that’s the name of a random hole in a rock wall.
Ash Cave
Whispering Cave
Cedar Falls
Conkle’s Hollow
Rose Lake

The sheer size of the rock walls and caves is difficult to describe and impossible to capture on camera. The variegation of texture and color in the rocks was incredible. A dry spell made the waterfalls rather anemic, but still a treat to see.

Landon has never shown such enthusiasm for hiking as he did on this trip and often ran down trails as the terrain allowed. Bryce rode in high style and comfort in his back carrier for a couple hikes, rolled in his stroller for a couple paved areas and walked around a bit on his own. Nothing will get you fit faster than hiking with nearly 40 pounds of toddler and pack on your back.

The lodge also had an indoor and outdoor pool, both of which were freezing but provided some recreation.

Landon was ready to head to dinner a bit early one night and I asked him to wait. Instead he said, “Come on, Bryce! Let’s go!” So they held hands and went. Adorable.

While tucking Landon in each evening, we share what we’re thankful for that day and discuss some favorite things. I mentioned how much I thought Daddy would’ve loved Hocking Hills and how I wished he was there with us. Landon replied, “He is here. He’s always with us.” His insight and truth is beautiful. He’s amazing.

Some believe cardinals are messengers from deceased loved ones, some believe loved ones send cardinals to watch over us and others see cardinals as a comforting sign from heaven. I never knew that until after Brian’s passing.

I still can’t say I believe Brian is sending cardinals, but I have noticed a lot of cardinals year-round. There’s often one sitting on our white picket fence. And on every single hike at Hocking Hills, I saw at least one cardinal. Is Brian sending me cardinals? Probably not, but those cardinals do make me smile, pause and blow a kiss and some love up to him.