08/17/2026
the handwritten (& carved) signs of hocking hills
the first took my breath away — and we were shocked to find a Pokemon themed sign before the trip was thru
[TW: discussion of racism in remainder of caption]
here’s the thing though… I was ready to turn us around and go home before we even got started because of some signs, very different vibe.
everything I’ve posted about the trip has been about how beautiful the area is, the trails & the gorgeous cabin we rented, how hysterical the kids were and how accomplished I felt doing it all solo. I’ve only ever heard good things about Hocking Hills… what I didn’t know was that the area is deeply, deeply RED.
drove thru town on our way to the cabin and saw a confederate flag. immediately, my stomach dropped and I wanted to turn around. no doubt my daughter clocked it, too so I checked in with her.
without a moral statement.
without putting the weight of added fear on her.
without making danger on this trip feel inevitable.
she was “okay” aware, cautious — and asked that I stop doing the jeep wave ✌🏻 at others unless they did it first. when we went to the grocery store to shop for the week, R and I walked her to the bathroom doors & back. park bathrooms, too. she went no where alone.
there were a handful of election sign and many, many American flags with Jesus’ face & some text printed on them. the Ten Commandments were also posted in town…
for as good as the good things were… for as fun & gorgeous as the hikes were… I reflect on it all now and can’t help but wonder what would have happened in the event of an emergency, if my daughter would be safe. an age appropriate discussion I had with her brother before leaving as it’s our responsibility to be more aware, cautious and to hold people accountable when it’s safe to do so — he’s 9 so my expectations of him are obviously different.
I didn’t know before booking but I’m sharing now because I’d hate for anyone else to book without awareness, without feeling prepared. truthfully, I don’t think I’d book again — not with my kids. and I learned a valuable lesson about researching the area for more than just trail safety…
