Life and Death at Salt Fork State Park

Salt Fork State Park has both a dark side and a light side to it. On the dark side, deaths and a grave yard. On the lighter side, breathtaking beauty.

The Hosak’s Cave Trail has taken several life over the years. Aubrey E Parsons lost her life at age 14 when she fell during a hike in 2003. The grave stone heads the trail reminding hikers to stay on the blazed trail.

The hike is short but the view is wonderful of the cave.

A small trail that is difficult to go up the hill and will take you to the top of the cave and to some more interesting things. It was late in the day and I was not willing to take it on the day that I went but for those adventures that are willing, it would be a great advanture.

Imagine for a moment that this is the picture that you woke up to every morning.

In 1837, Benjamin Kennedy did not have to imagine. He has purchased land and built it. His ancestries would live in it until 1966 when it was purchased by the State of Ohio and turned into a museum.

The house has been restored to the 1840’s. Complete with a summer kitchen and root cellar. It also has a wonderful little garden near the house. The Amos Bell has also been moved into the garden. It was once in the Guernsey County one room school house.

On the hill above, is the Cornish docent cabin which is available for volunteers helping at the museum during the seasonal opening each year. A great way to travel with discounted lodging in the two bedroom cabin and other great benefits. The stay is one week long starting on a Thursday. Check on rules and how to sign up.

Behind the house is a great picnic area with a trail behind it.

The trail leads to the local graveyard of those that lived in the area in the past. As this park is all about both life and death.

The life of the lake shows in this area…

but an another area of the lake you can see the stumps of the trees protruding up from the water. No longer alive but they refuse to move from their watery graves.

The lake is almost 3,000 acres large with lots of different inlets with over 17,000 acres of land which to hike, watch wild life (neat birds in this area, and find a wonderful spot to enjoy.

I spent a great day exploring park that had both death and life all around it.