This past weekend, my hubby and I ventured south to a southern Ohio favorite, Old Man’s Cave. Old Man’s Cave is part of the Hocking Hills State Park, which is a little over an hour southeast from Columbus. We were hoping to see some fall foliage, but with the 85 degree weather we had last week, we saw only a glimpse. Nonetheless, Old Man’s Cave is just gorgeous. Although we only hiked from the cave to the Lower Falls, you could partake in the six-mile Grandma Gatewood Trail. The trail includes all of the Hocking Region’s hotspots: Upper Falls, Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls, and Ash Cave.

If you’re like me, you want to know where Old Man’s Cave derived its name from. Search no more: The Old Man himself was Richard Rowe and he lived in the cave in the early 1800’s. Also, kinda cool/kinda creepy… he’s buried there too.

Advice: If you live in Ohio and have never been to Hocking Hills, go now. It’s the perfect time of the year! Wear old hiking shoes. Preferably shoes with traction. The rocks can, and will, be slippery when wet. Take your camera. Or just be prepared to take a million iPhone shots. Go sometime in October to see the best color. Allow some time to see all of the sights. We allowed only enough time to see the cave and falls, but we could have hiked more. Rent a chalet if you want to stay overnight. Bring water. Be careful and have fun!