For our third year anniversary Tommy and I took a trip to Hocking Hills for a camping trip! We left on Sunday morning and came home on Wednesday afternoon. We had quite a lot of activity while we were there.
I can't believe that after all these years that this sucker works just as great as I am sure it did when my parents first got it! We used it to make hot chocolate, coffee and bacon.
After we got the tent got set up we I knew that I had to get a pic, as it was as clean as it was ever going to be...
After we set up camp we went to Old Man's Cave for a hike. We took the camera and the tri-pod to get some cool shots. Little did we know what was to come...
About a 1/3 of the way down the trail we stopped to take a few pictures.
I love this shot we got. The sun is so beautiful in the picture.
We saw a butterfly flutter by; I was so happy when it came right up to me. I love this shot!
I took this picture of one of the side of the rocks. I love the color and texture.
I took this picture too of the tree with the roots exposed.
This fly was patient enough for us to get this shot! I think it's a cool one, also taken down in Old Man's Cave!
Right after taking this picture we set up to get another shot when we heard a rowdy group coming towards us on their way down to the "Lower Falls" which was farther down the path. There were a few guys and two girls, a 4 year old and a baby with them. When they passed, the guys all had tall cans of beer...real smart group!
After they passed us on the trail, when they got to the bottom, we could hear them start yelling, cursing and more yelling. We couldn't see what was going on but it was easy to tell that whatever was going on wasn't good. Then we heard 10-12 punches be landed on someone. At that point we started quickly head back up the trail to get help. Along the way, Tommy saw a man laying face down on the ground and not moving. After seeing that, we really picked up the pace and got to the top of the trail as fast as we could.
An 11 year old named Zach caught up to us, turned out to the man's son, who got sent by his step mom to get help. After contacting the authorities, we kept Zach with us till we felt it was safe again to go back down to the lower falls to get him back to his family. When we arrived, his Dad Rob, was going in and out of consciousness, when the EMT's finally got down there it took several people to keep him calm and on his back, they were worried about him moving his neck because of the possibility of head and neck injuries. I was so proud of Tommy. He jumped right in and helped the EMT's with the IV Bag and keeping Rob calm.
Tommy and Baby Ava. I was having a little bit of a hard time and Tommy said take the kids and go walk around. I spent the next hour distracting them. An 11 year old (Zack) and 1 year old (Ava), who had just celebrated her birthday the day before.
Once the fire fighters got to the Lower Falls with the stokes board we were able to get Rob strapped to the boards and began to start walking up the trail. Along the way I think we recruited at least 8 other people. By the time we got to the ambulance that drove him (the quarter mile) to the helicopter that life flighted him to Mt Carmel West. Rob's wife was really starting to panic because she had the two kids with her it would take her at least and hour and a half to get there. Fortunately there was another family there (who witnessed everything) was able to help. The mom drove Crystal (the wife with Zack and Ava) while the dad followed them home to the Hospital.
Later after we got the wife in the car to Columbus we went back to the camp site started dinner. After dinner we filled out reports while everything was still fresh in out minds, or so we thought. We couldn't believe that once we were done eating that it already felt like "yesterday"! It was no longer at the tip our our tongues, even though we spent all of dinner talking about what just happened. Still we each filled out two pages of text for our statements and as we handed the Sheriff our statements he asked us what field we were in? After telling him about our Company he said, "Well, if you're ever up for a career change.." and handed us two little kid badge pins. It really made us smile after our long day. I am going to take the back off of one of them and add it to our scrapbook page. We are Officially Junior Park Rangers!
The next morning we felt a lot more relaxed. It felt like camping was officially starting. I got this picture before making breakfast.
Bob, Tommy wanted me to post this picture for you to let you know that, "Yes, we do eat well, even when we're camping!"
After Breakfast we got ready to go on a 7 mile Kayaking trip. When we got in the van (that they drive you down to the river in) we met the "mascot" Sally. She is blind in one eye and quite plumpy. She was very happy to ride with us! Tommy gave her all the love and attention she could get on our 7 mile ride to the drop off! We thought, if we're paying for it we might as well go all out! What were we thinking? 7 Miles! We were pooped by mile 3! Mostly because the first 2 1/2 miles the water never cleared 6 inches! Yea! We were pushing off rocks, more than paddling! It was a joke that we had to wear life jackets!
We were so excited to get going! The first stop would be 2 miles down. You can get off on the right side of the river to check out the Largest Nature Made Rock Bridge.
I LOVE this picture of Tommy! I think it's too cute!
When we got off to see The Rock Bridge I just had to get a picture with the sign.
DANGER!
Tommy said on the way up, "Ahhh! Roots; natures staircase"!
The Rock Bridge.
See Tommy? He walked out across it. I'm good! Lol! :)
T was cracking me up. Once he got me out into the water, he had to scoot himself. It was the funniest thing to watch... just scoot, scoot, scoot!
I just like this cause of the roots exposed, the tall grass and short greens all together in the same frame.
Everyone else on the path was having a hard time too, tipping over, having to get out and dragged their kayaks and canoes. It was kinda of funny. We all ended up laughing together over it, including Tommy having to help a couple get a lot of water out of their canoe.
On our way down the river we saw another bridge, this one was not natural!
We ran into a woman who had "A Jackson Kayak" and I asked to take a picture of it! Poor pup pup didn't come with us.
After Kayaking we had a lazy night around the campfire. The next morning we decided to head back to Columbus. On the way out we stopped by a couple of Antiquing Stores. We found a couple of really cool items. I found some Disney stamps, Coke items for Daddy and a Baseball Stamps Book including one with Bob Feller.
Minus the drama we had a great time. It was the first time that we had been camping together by ourselves; Just the two of us! Next time, I would like a little less drama!
Yeah! I'm Good never doing this! These guys were outside the glass and rails working on maintenance. Tommy asked, "Where do I sign up?"!
Alana looks so funny in this pic with her lil lips!
My FAV pic of Alana
Where's your belly?
Up in the Needle
Me and Braxton
Saying Goodbye to Chantelle. So very, very happy that we made it out to see her! Good Times with Great Friends!
Making our "Melt In Your Mouth" Sushi! Amazing!
Pic with the Owner/Chief
