Hocking Hills, Here We Go! - The Travel Oracle

You may have noticed that our travel posts have been a little more infrequent over the past year. Well, in case you didn’t know, we added a new member to our family back in November. He’s a fun Vizsla, which is a Hungarian Pointer, named Milo. (And for those who follow our personal Facebook and Instagram accounts, we know you’re well aware of this fact, as you’ve already seen 1,000,000 cute baby pictures.) But the Oracle can’t stay home forever so this year, the three of us hit the road for some outdoor fun in Ohio. Join us this week for some hiking and dog friendly fun. Hocking Hills, here we go!

Heading out

Although we’ve taken Milo for up to an hour drive, we weren’t really sure how he’d feel about being in the car for four and a half. As you can see, he did just fine. If he looks a bit sad, remember I tend to sing when I’m in car. A LOT.

Vizsla laying in the back seat of a car, on a seat protector. — Milo, enjoying the ride

The Half-Way Brewery

After about two hours in the car, we stopped at the Findlay Brewing Company for dinner and an adult beverage. Their outdoor seating area was dog friendly and we even got to watch the World Cup while we were there. Stephen ordered the “Rescue Dog”, an American IPA, while I opted for “Techno Haze”, a hazy IPA.

The listing of beer options at Findlay Brewing Company — Beer menu at Findlay Brewing Company

Man sitting at a picnic table, holding a red colored pint of beer — Beer menu at Findlay Brewing Company

Home Away from Home

After some windy, country roads, we found our place – the Tucked Away cabin. But let’s be honest, this “cabin” was a 3 bedroom ranch with better air conditioning than our house and a hot tub! I mean, why “rough it” if you don’t have to?

Sign for the Tucked Away Cabin, featuring the address and a buck — Entrance to the Tucked Away Cabin

View of the kitchen and dining room from the living room. — Entrance to the Tucked Away Cabin

First Morning? Donuts, of course!

Since we didn’t get to the cabin until after dark, we decided to wait on going to the Walmart for provisions until the next morning. That said, you can’t REALLY start a day without coffee at least. And the nearest place also had donuts. Hocking Hills Donuts for the win!

Exterior of Hocking Hills Donuts, with a woman walking with a cut out of a Big Foot — Hocking Hills Donuts + Big Foot

Display case of MANY donuts at the Hocking Hills Donut shop — Hocking Hills Donuts + Big Foot

Now to Explore the Hocking Hills

Once we got the groceries put away, we loaded into the Subaru and made our way to the Hocking Hills State Forest. This first stop was at Ash Cave. Although we had a wonderful time, there were a bit more people + other dogs than we were comfortable with so we spent only about a half hour at the cave and made a plan to come back the next day, right as the park opened at 7.

Ash cave, with a small waterfall, cascading to a sandy floor. — Ash Cave

Man holding the leash of a Vizsla, who is checking out the water at Ash Cave — Ash Cave

Lunch at Hocking Hills Winery

After the park, we made our way to the Hocking Hills Winery for lunch. The outdoor area was cool and the staff was VERY dog friendly. This doesn’t even mention how yummy the food and wines were.

Exterior of the Hocking Hills Winery — The Hocking Hills Winery

Wine flight in front of a Cesar Salad at Hocking Hills Winery — The Hocking Hills Winery

Back at the Cabin

Back at the cabin, Milo was able to be “off leash” and walk with Stephen around the property. He also got to see his very first bonfire. As you can see, all this fresh air and fun totally wore him out. Thankfully the sofa was very comfy!

Man walking with a dog up a grass hill — Milo, walking with dad

Man and dog on top of a gravel hill — Milo, walking with dad

Next Day – Old Man’s Cave

The next morning, we were up early and to the Hocking Hills State Park right as they opened at 7am. Because we were alone, Milo was able to play on the beach and wade into the water to retrieve treats. The fun surprise for us was that the water actually had little fish, who would grab the treats and try to eat them before Milo could.

Dog wading at Old Man’s Cave at the Hocking Hills State Forest — Wading at Old Man’s Cave

Milo exploring new areas at Hocking Hills State Forest — Wading at Old Man’s Cave

Lunch at the Little Fish Brewing Company

After drying off, we hopped in the car and made our way to Little Fish brewery. They invite 4-footed friends to enjoy their outdoor eating area. And both the beer and the food was quite yummy!

Taproom at the Little Fish Brewing Company — Little Fish Brewing Company

And then…Back at the Cabin

We headed back to our “rustic” home-away-from-home”. This included soaks in the hot tub, watching the World Cup on a flat screen television and hanging out by the fire pit. And best of all…no fireworks for miles, even though it was July 4th. It was rough. 😉

A man and woman in a hot tub. The woman is giving a peace sign. Behind them are many trees. — The Tucked Away Hot Tub

Man with a funny look, standing in front of a flat panel TV with many hanging cables — The Tucked Away Hot Tub

Last Day Hikes

On our last full day, we headed back to Hocking Hills State Park before the other people arrived, which allowed Milo to play on the beach and in the water at Ash Cave and to explore the “Devil’s Bathtub”. In case you were curious, there were fish here too and it did NOT smell like sulfur!

Water flowing through walks to a caldron — The Devil’s Bathtub

Vizsla walking on a beach that is surrounded on three sides by rock and trees. There is a small waterfall in the background. — The Devil’s Bathtub

Making New Friends on the Way Back Home

On Sunday, we packed up early and were on our way by 8am. We got to see these lovely creatures on one of the winding roads back home.

Doe and Fawn on a bright green lawn, with trees in the back ground — Doe and Fawn, on a lawn

An Artist Adieu

And one extra fun moment to share. Stephen noticed the door to the medicine cabinet above the toilet in the first bathroom, was actually a picture frame. In fact it was an empty picture frame. So, we added this little gem – Milo looking at you, wondering what you’re up to. If you get to see this magnificent work of original art for yourself, please let us know!

Sketch of a Vizsla in a wooden frame — Milo, looking at you

Hocking Hills was a wonderful first trip for the “Three Amigos”. We’re looking to way more trips together in the years to come.

Thanks so much for joining us in Hocking Hills, Ohio. It was lovely and SO WORTH it. If you enjoy travel stories, pets or inside tips on places to go, consider joining our tribe for free. You can see our latest content on Facebook and what we’re up to in real-time on Instagram.

Until next time…woof!