Hocking Hills, zip lining

10 zip lines + 5 rope bridges + 1 rappel to ground level + 2 fun guides = 3 hours of fun at Hocking Hills Canopy Tours.

After a bit of training on a short line just above the ground we went off to our adventure.

Our guides were kind, informative and lots of fun. We learned a bit about the history of the area, the river was named Hockhocking by the Delaware Indians because of it's shape and about the beavers and how long it takes them to chop down a really big tree, 2 weeks. We also learned that screaming is recommended, kind of like when you are on a roller coaster.

We zipped from platform to platform, crossed adventure sky bridges, and had fun. Not being an adrenaline junkie I was concerned that I might not have fun. There was no need to be worried, zip lining is a blast, I smiled the entire time!

Me

CJ

The Z's, Urban's and our guides, Chris & Jared.

Thanks for a great day!

Hocking Hills, caves

This was our second trip to the caves of Hocking Hills. The rock formations were no less awe inspiring this time as they were before. Our trip this time took us to Old Man's Cave and Rock House. I will let the pictures tell the story.

Old Man's Cave

Rock House

Hocking Hills, the cabin

We took the scenic route to the cabin which ensured our belief that we were in the middle of nowhere. Little did we know that we would be staying in a cabin that had just about every modern device one would need in the 'middle of nowhere'. It had running water in the creek, sinks, shower and hot tub! It had a place to cook in the fire pit, stove, oven and microwave. It had a place to sleep, charge your iPod and to watch TV. And, because the cell service was non-existent it had free phone with long distance.

We hung on the front porch for cocktail hour and then moved out back for outdoor dining and s'mores making.

The boys had to work extra hard at their fire making skills since it had rained a lot the week leading up to our stay. We thought the cardboard box we had brought supplies in would help but it soon was damp from all the residual wetness in the air.

After a great night's sleep we were awakened by nature. A crow was standing on the window air conditioner, cawing loudly, pecking at the window and looking as if he wanted to see if the boy sleeping on the sofa was his breakfast. After a bit of giggling we went back to sleep with the hopes that the crow did not know how to turn a doorknob.

The following night nature was noisy again. We had a thunderstorm that sent us inside just after s'mores makings. After the thunder passed we noticed just how loud rain can be on a tin roof! In the morning it was no longer raining but the water dripping off the trees was just as loud when it hit the roof and a bit more startling since it was unexpected.

Father's Day

For Father's Day Steve got to
1. play hockey
2. wash & vacuum his car
3. shower
4. take a nap - finally something he doesn't normally get to do.
5. eat zesty garden crab bake
6. open presents.
Okay, so 1,2 and 3 are pretty lame as they are an every Sunday thing.
Hopefully 4, 5 and 6 made up for it.

I forgot to take a picture before we dove into all that yummy crab and veggie goodness. It was just too good to leave unattended for long!

Ralphie's House

For many years now our Christmas Eve tradition is to watch "A Christmas Story". We used to watch our VCR tape but have recently been spoiled by the 24 hour round the clock showing on TBS. The house that Ralphie 'lived' in is in Cleveland. The house has been restored back to the way it looked in the movie, there is a gift shop and a museum across the street. You can tour the inside of the house although we opted not to.

We did 'ooh' and 'aah' all through the museum. There were movie posters, set pictures, a leg lamp, and costumes. Just about everything was there, including an explanation of Randy and his snowsuit, and how Flick's tongue stayed on the flagpole.

Someday I would like to have a front window that would be conducive to hosting a leg lamp at Christmastime! In the meantime I may have to settle for miniature leg lamp lights for the Christmas tree!

This is a car similar to the one in the 'Oh Fudge' scene. And yes, you could purchase Lifebuoy soap at the gift shop.

Duct Tape Festival

Duck brand duct tape is located near Cleveland. For the past several years they have hosted a duct tape festival. It starts with a parade and finishes with a little carnival.


A flower encrusted wedding gown with a school colors tux for the groom.

A school bus made on an ATV and 2x4 body.

A Georgia Bulldog portrait made from little pieces of duct tape.

Who needs wood, stain and varnish when you can make your alley (and pins and bowling balls) from duct tape?

At the craft booth we all gave wallet making a try. Creating with duct tape requires patience, a steady hand and lots of scissor cleaning as duct tape is very sticky!

What do you think of our masterpieces?

Too Many Tortillas

We had a lot of tortillas in the fridge. We had no hamburger for tacos and I had had my fill of egg burritos so we turned them into snacks. CJ's are savory with parmesan cheese and garlic powder and mine are sweet with cinnamon sugar. They are both yummy, although I like CJ's better. I suspect  that before too long there will be none left!

Furmination

The weather is no longer scorching hot. We have had beautifully cool nights and days in the high 70's. Spring weather has finally come to central Ohio.
 It isn't really fleece weather, CJ had just returned from the hockey rink when he was tasked with helping a friend Furminate Tucker, Pia and Jett.
The area birds love it when the pets get brushed.

In Honor of Les Paul

On Les Paul's birthday the Google doodle was a guitar. Not just a picture of a guitar but one that could be played when you ran the mouse over the strings. Try it out here.
CJ was enjoying the doodle enough to dig out our guitar and play it.
He picks at it just about everyday and is no longer asking for piano lessons!

7th Grade is Over!!!

And CJ is thrilled!
If you are wondering why he looks a little damp it is because he is!
Last year the elementary kids bombed he and Hunter with water balloons as they got off the bus. This year it was Mother Nature's doing. Just as they were leaving school the rain began. Big, really big, raindrops came pounding to the ground. Then it started to rain harder and for a couple of minutes we had golf ball size hail.
Quite a finish to the year!!

Final 7th Grade Orchestra Concert

This year's final concert was on a Wednesday. We had to be at school by 6:30p for cello tuning but first, I had a 2pm meeting and CJ had a 4:30 clarinet lesson. Somewhere in there we had to fit in dinner and a change of clothes. While this was doable I was wishing for a quieter start for the concert. That is until I re-read last year's entry for the year end concert. 6th grade final orchestra concert 

This year was easy.

The concert was another fabulous success. The director is amazing and it shows with the way the kids perform. Thank you Mrs. Cornett for all your hard work!

Roses from Carol

On that very hot Tuesday this week Carol, my friend and neighbor, spent her vacation day outside working on the yard. By the time I saw her at 4:00 she was done and her yard looked awesome! We had a great talk and I went home with two of her beautiful roses. I love how the pink fades into the yellow.

Thank you Carol for being my neighbor.

A Glorious Week

The weather here has been glorious. Memorial Day weekend was perfect for all the pool goers out there. We had 2 of the 3 days in the nineties. Monday night we finally gave in and turned the air conditioner on. It was a good call since Tuesday brought the hottest with temps going to 93 and 'east coast' humidity. The kids coming in from recess looked like they might just melt! Fortunately it did finally cool down, the air was turned off and the window are back open. We are enjoying normal weather for early June.

On Friday CJ had is cello lesson outside.

This morning, the boys headed off early for some fun on the atv and dirt bike. CJ was glad to be away from the house and homework. Last weekend was spent on math review and social studies year end project. The final is done and he is awaiting the grade. The history based amusement park is almost done, just awaiting the final touches to the map and then the work for 7th grade will be done! Just 2 more days of school!!!