Ohio may not be famous for its natural beauty, but there is a certain grace to the land in many places, particularly the southern and eastern parts of the state. From the time I was a kid growing up in the Chicago suburbs in the '50s, I remember my dad extolling the virtues of the Buckeye state, its people, its football prowess and especially its cheese. He had spent his childhood there, and often returned to Ohio, family in tow, to visit relatives.

My closest cousins lived in Columbus. On many of our visits, we'd drive down to "the hills" in Hocking County, an area unique in the region and famous for its woods, hills, waterfalls, open caves and ravines. I have many fond memories of our summer picnics and hikes there -- the warmth of friends amid the beauty of nature. And now that I live in Ohio, I continue the tradition, returning two or three times a year to enjoy the natural surroundings and savor the echoes of times past.

As you can imagine, one of the challenges of a place like this, an easy drive from a major metropolitan area, is that in fine weather, especially on weekends, it can become quite crowded. For that reason, I tend to go there early in the morning, on weekdays if possible, and perhaps when the weather verges on inclement. It is at those times that I have the place largely to myself, and am able to tune in to its natural rhythms. This image captures one of those moments -- a peaceful morning when I had Old Man's Cave, and the echoes of loved ones no longer here, all to myself.