What Thoughts I'd Have If I Were Alone In The Old Man Cave System

This natural bluff formation is called Old Man's Cave. It gets its name from the hermit Richard Rowe who lived most of his life in the large recess cave of the gorge. His family moved to the Ohio River Valley (circa) 1796 from the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee to build a trading post. Rowe and his two dogs traveled through Ohio along the Scioto River searching for game. On one of his trips up Salt Creek, he found the Hocking Region. Rowe lived out his life in the area and is buried underneath the ledge of the main recess cave. Earlier residents of the cave were two brothers, Nathaniel and Pat Rayon, who came to the area (circa) 1795. Both brothers are buried in or near the cave. Their cabin was later dismantled and relocated on the nearby Iles farm to be used as a tobacco drying house.

If, for some reason, a blessing of God someone were to give me a million bucks, or an airline ticket and some great camping gear to keep me out of the elements, I should get to visit (the place in photos at top and bottom), I would probably be happy, confused, and amazed all at the same time.

At first, I might take a good long nap after getting my tent and camping gear assembled. Then out of curiosity I would take a carefully-planned stroll around this gorgeous area of our country. I might stop every so often and just soak-in the natural beauty that this place has for those who can appreciate it.

Then at dusk I would get my lawn chair that I brought to sit in, and think. Just think. No steaks over the fire. Just sit and think as darkness slowly overshadows the beautiful things that my eyes have beheld.

Now just what would I think about? This, my friends, is a very good question. So without evading the issue any longer, I want to share (what I might) think about while in this gorgeous place called the Old Man's Cave.

• I wonder how my hubs are doing on HubPages?
• Did I turn off my coffeemaker before I left home?
• Is that dark shape behind that tree a Sasquatch?
• I love listening to the dripping water on these rocks.
• I love the rocks too, because if a storm comes up, I can leave my tent and get inside these caves.
• Wonder if there were any avalanches here recently?
• What is that in those woods? Ahhh, listen to me think. It was nothing.
• A twig snapped. Did you . . .I forgot again. I am alone here.
• I am getting hungry. What did I bring to eat?
• Bologna? Lo-cal crackers?
• Oh, this landscape makes me drowsy.
• Huh? What? (Laughs) I nodded off there.
• Why am I still sitting here in the dark?
• I bet those eyes over there are laughing at me.
• Eyes?
• The brochure said there were no wild animals in here.
• What time did I tell my wife to pick me up tomorrow?
• Oh how I wish I had watched Survivorman.
• Wonder if those weeds will kill me if I eat them?
• How I would love to have a cellphone.
• Wonder what my friends on HubPages are talking about?
• It's getting pretty chilly --where's my fire?
• Why didn't I bring some matches?
• I am about to starve. I will take a bite of these . . .YUKKKKKK!
• Bitterweeds!
• Think I will retire for the night.
• This has to be THE most-boring places I have ever been.

Pam?

Ohhh, Pam?

Heyyyyyy, Paaaammmmm!

Ahhh, sun-up at last.