Nature's Scenic View

The Remains of Winter

2012-01-25T09:16:00.001-08:00

Some leaves refuse to let go until the buds of spring force them off.

Seed heads remain to be eaten by Goldfinch and other birds in the winter.

Seeds scattered by the winds of winter will bring forth new life in the spring.

Dropped seed pods get caught up on limbs as they fall from the trees on the cliffs above.

Some trees are scared and deformed and you wonder how they grow or stand under the ice, snow and winds of winter.

New life begins after death.

All it needs is a little fertile soil to take root.

Technorati Tags: Conkles Hollow. Winter 2012

47th Hocking Hills Winter Hike

2012-01-11T14:41:00.001-08:00

The annual Hocking Hills Winter Hike will take place Saturday January 21st. The hike covers about six miles from the parks campground to Ash Cave.

Upper Trail at Old Man’s Cave

The hike is a wonderful time to see southeastern Ohio’s caves, waterfalls and streams.

Upper Falls at Old Man’s Cave

This is the one time that the hikers may wish for cold or inclement weather because the cold and snow create a beautiful backdrop for the hike.

The hike passes the spring filled Rose Lake and the falls and caves.

Old Man’s Cave

At Cedar Falls the midway point of the hike hikers can lunch on bean soup and cornbread with a hot beverage.

Cedar Falls

At Cedar Falls they can watch the icy waters fall from the fifty foot falls.

Along the lower Trail at Cedar Falls

From Cedar Falls the walk will continue on to Ash Cave.

Ash Cave Falls

At the end of the hike participants will be driven back to Old Man’s Cave.

Ash Cave Falls Basin

Hikers can assemble anytime between 9 and 11 a.m. There is no charge but donations are always welcome because of budget cuts.

If we do not get some cold and snow for the hike do not fear because it is still a beautiful hike. Five thousand hikers enjoyed the Winter Hike last year. Come and visit.

Ash Cave Falls

Cedar Falls

Old Man’s Cave Falls

Rose Lake

Winter Berries In The Parks

2012-01-07T14:20:00.001-08:00

Technorati Tags: Hocking Hills State Parks,Native Berries

The Solitude Now at Conkles Hollow

2011-12-27T14:19:00.001-08:00

It is a very wet Conkles Hollow to walk through these days with all of the rain we have had this year. Every cliff ledge or face has become a little waterfalls now.

I saw a few new wooden rails had been put up along the trail. This is to keep the hikers on the paths to keep them safe and to keep down on the destruction that thousand and thousands of feet and uncaring hikers can cause. What took hundreds of years to create can be destroyed by one ungrateful hiker.

Several hikers fall to injury and death each year in the Hocking Hills parks because they do not heed these signs. They are there for their safety and should be obeyed.

Water is standing in pools all along the trail. The wet soil has also caused several of the trees to slip from the hillsides and fall. The evidence is in all of the fresh logs cut up along the paths.

It has been an excellent year for the moss to grow in the hollow.
I have not seen so much as there is on everything this year.
This log is completely covered and hidden by it all.

The hikers do not have to deface the trees and rocks because they can carve their names in the moss now.

The creeks have white foam from the water pouring over the falls and into the creek.

Nature has a way of growing on and in everything up in the hollow, even in a hallowed broken tree along the trail.

There is evidence of growth still to be found.

And the woodland ferns are still green and standing since there has not been any snows yet.

Looks like they need some new Blue bird boxes. Briars had grown through this one busting it open. I tried to fix it back but I do not take hammers along on my walks. LOL! Even the birdhouse was tinged in green algae from all of the dampness.
But there was not one bird of any kind to be seen on my walk last week.

In fact the silence up in the hollow was so calming and peaceful. A hush was covering the whole woods. No critters were scurrying around the forest floor. Even the other hikers talked in hushed tones as not to disturb the silence. The only sound was the splashing of water over the fall’s….

…. and the rushing of water around logs and rocks in the creek that runs through the park. Soon everything will be covered in white and ice formations and giant icicles will be hanging from the falls and cliff surfaces.

Technorati Tags: Conkles Hollow,Winter,Ciffs,Waterfalls,Moss

The Reason for the Season at the Courthouse

2011-12-20T10:54:00.001-08:00

The streets and the courthouse at Logan, Ohio are decorated every year by volunteers who string thousands of lights.
This Nativity has grazed the courthouse for many years.

And she brought forth her first born Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds in the fields watching over their flocks by night. And behold and an angel of the Lord appeared and said to them “Do not be afraid, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy. For there is born unto you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”. “And this will be a sign unto you; you will find the Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger”.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying;
”Glory to God in the highest. And on earth peace, goodwill toward all men”.
The shepherds said “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass.” And they came in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
Luke 2: 1-20.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem wise men came from the East and came to Jerusalem saying “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? Matthew 2:2-11

For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.

And when they came into the house they saw the young Child with Mary His mother and fell down and worshiped Him.
And when they opened their treasures they presented to Him: gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Wise Men Still Seek Him.

Technorati Tags: Logan Courthouse,Nativity,Christmas

Don’t Cry For The Horses

2011-12-13T08:25:00.001-08:00

On a hill along State Route 93 in Vinton county, Ohio stands a metal statue with an angel upon a horse. The owner is definitely a lover of horses or may have lost a beloved horse which signifies the statue and a plaque that reads
” Don’t Cry For The Horses”.

I have to admit I had never heard of the meaning of the statue or the phrase and had to look it up.
The answers were found and the meaning are as follows:

Don't Cry For The Horses, by Brenda Riley-Seymore is written by a modern day heroine who lives in Sun Valley, California. A cowgirl with a cop for a boyfriend, she was born in Kentucky and raised on a ranch. A semi retired animal trainer for motion pictures, whose heroes are cops and cowboys, she now works Los Angeles in information systems. Brenda and her 18 year old daughter who saves all creatures great and small.

Don't Cry For The Horses, by Brenda Riley-Seymore

Don't cry for the horses
That life has set free
A million white horses
Forever to be

Don't cry for the horses
Now in God's hands
As they dance and they prance
To a heavenly band

They were ours as a gift
But never to keep
As they close their eyes
Forever to sleep

Their spirits unbound
On silver wings they fly
A million white horses
Against the blue sky

Look up into heaven
You'll see them above
The horses we lost
The horses we loved

Manes and tails flowing
They Gallop through time
They were never yours
They were never mine

Don't cry for the horses
They will be back someday
When our time has come
They will show us the way

On silver wings they will lift us
To the warmth of the sun
When our life is over
And eternity has begun

We will jump the sun
And dance over the moon
A Ballet of horses and riders
on the winds
to a heavenly tune

Do you hear that soft nicker
Close to your ear?
Don't cry for the horses
Love the ones that are here

Don't cry for the horses
Lift up your sad eyes
Can't you see them
As they fly by?

A million white horses
Free from hunger and pain
Their spirits set free
Until we ride again.

Technorati Tags: Vinton County Ohio,Don't Cry For The Horses,Statue

Fall’s Remains

2011-12-01T08:23:00.001-08:00

The remains of the paper nest made by Hornets hang high in the bough of a tree at Rose Lake.
Prediction of a very deep, snowy winter?

Only seed heads of spent native blooms surround the lake now.

Along with the browned grasses and remaining seeds of Queen Anne's Lace flowers.

The leaves have all fallen and cold winds now replace the constant mild breezes that come across the lake all summer long, making the lake look cold and barren if not for the pines.

Technorati Tags: Rose Lake,Fall,Hornets Nest,Fall Native Plants

Lake Alma in Fall

2011-11-19T16:27:00.001-08:00

Lake Alma is near Wellston, Ohio on the Vinton-Jackson County line. 290 acres with 60 acres of water.

Technorati Tags: Lake Alma,Autumn

Caesar Creek Pioneer Village Festival

2011-11-09T07:22:00.001-08:00

My daughter and I visited the Caesar Creek Pioneer Village in October. The buildings and log houses are from local families that settled in the area. They were saved from destruction and brought here to be restored so future generations could enjoy them and see how our pioneer lived. The Pioneer Festival has reenactments and volunteers dressed in clothes of the period.

The Village Blacksmith

The former Collet Home

The Herb House was in the Saddlebag style with a central fireplace in the middle for both sides of the log house.

The Miles-Taylor Saddlebag house.

The Lukens house.

Harrias house.

The Pioneer School House

Three Bears Country Store

Meeting House

The first Meeting of the Friends in the area was in 1805.

Rail Fence

Technorati Tags: Caesar Creek,Pioneer Village

Lake Cowan State Park Wilmington, Ohio

2011-10-25T08:46:00.001-07:00

It was a quiet day at Lake Cowan on are first visit to have a look.
A beautiful sunny Fall day making the water glisten.
A few colorful trees remained along the shore but most of the more colorful ones had already fallen while the rest remain green.
It has been a strange Fall in Ohio but it goes along with the way the whole year has gone here.

Even with the sun it was a little to chilly for a picnic.

Only a few people were walking along the beach.

The wind was making white caps upon the waves coming onto the beach.

We only saw one fishing boat and a kayaker on this section of the lake.

History of the park located near Wilmington, Ohio:

The Cowan Lake region was once a stronghold of the Miami and Shawnee Indians • After their defeat at the hands of General Anthony Wayne at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, the Indian threat subsided and settlement began here • In 1797, the first settler in the area, William Smalley, began clearing land for his home along the river which was later dammed to form Cowan Lake • Smalley had been captured by the Indians when he was a small child and was forced to live with them until he was twenty years old • He later fought in General Wayne's army and was recaptured, but luckily escaped with his life

Cowan Creek was named for the area's first surveyor, John Cowan • A dam was completed across Cowan Creek in 1950, and in 1968, Cowan Lake was dedicated as a state park

Technorati Tags: Lake Cowan State Park,Wilmington Ohio,Autumn

Fall at Conkles Hollow

2011-10-13T07:53:00.001-07:00

Now is the time to walk the upper trail at Conkles Hollow to see the Fall leaves.

Technorati Tags: Conkles Hollow,Autumn,Upper Trail

Along the Upper Trail

2011-10-07T13:31:00.001-07:00

Along the upper trail between Old Mans Cave and Cedar Falls
there are changes to be seen as Autumn has arrived.
The subtle changing of the colors in the leaves on the trees that can be seen at the Look Out point along the trail.

Native growing wild Asters,Blue Cardinal Flowers, Fleabane and Goldenrod.

Squirrels and Chipmunks, also called Ground Squirrels around here, are scurrying around finding acorns and hickory nuts to store up for the coming Winter.

There may be a few things even trying to stay hidden along the trails.

The wet Autumn has given toadstools and mushrooms fertile growing in the decaying leaves on both sides of the trail.

There is also a few things crawling around upon the trails.

While above the parking area at Old Mans Cave there is a flurry of construction going on as a new road is cut through for a by pass around the park. State route 664 runs through the middle of the park now often making it hazardous at times for pedestrians crossing the highway to get to the Old Mans Cave trails.
With the new road going around the parking area it will safer for pedestrians at the park.

Technorati Tags: Old Mans Cave,Chipmunk,Asters,Cardinal Flower,Fall Leaves,Upper Trail,Lookout,Toadstools,Mushrooms,Construction

Closed For Repairs

2011-09-28T10:00:00.001-07:00

The Gorge trail from Old Mans Cave to Cedar Falls is close now for repairs. The flash flood this Summer washed out some bridges and trails along the gorge. They are planning to have the trail back open by late October.

Cedar Falls

Dawes Arboretum

2011-09-20T10:22:00.001-07:00

Entrance

The Dawes Family Memorial and Cemetery.

The Conifer Lake

Canadian Geese love all of the lakes at the Arboretum.

Beautiful Walking Pathways

Japanese Garden Lake

Water Turtles like to sun on the rocks around the lakes.

A beautiful Paper birch tree over looks this lake.

The beautiful red seeds of the Osakazuki Japanese Maple

Just one of the beautiful Viburnum trees on the grounds.

Magnolia Blooms

Pink Cloud Beauty Bushes

Clear Creek Metro Park

2011-09-07T09:05:00.001-07:00

Hanging Rock

False Foxglove

Green Headed Coneflowers

Ox Eyed Sunflowers

Brown Eyed Susan’s

Sweet Golden Rod

Monarch Butterfly on Thistle

Blue Lobelia or Cardinal Flower

Jewel Weed Blooms

Sumac Berries

Tick Trefoil

Wild Phlox

Scarlet Catchfly

Swallowtails

Cemetery Ridge

Wild Yellow Irises

Mares Tail

Written Rock

Clear Creek Trails

Hemlock Varnish Shelf

Wahkeena Nature Preserve

2011-08-31T13:55:00.001-07:00

Wahkeena Nature Preserve Pond

Water Lilies

Beaver Dam

Damselflies

Ebony Jewel Winged Damselfly

Lizard Tails

Queen Anne’s Lace

Trumpet Vines

Squaw Root

Red Tailed Hawk

Technorati Tags: Wahkeena Nature Preserve,RedTailed Hawk,Squaw Root,Queen Anne's Lace,Trumpet Vine,Lizard Tails,Pond,Beaver Dam,Water Lilies,Damselfly

Rockbridge Nature Preserve Native Plants

2011-08-22T08:18:00.001-07:00

Horse Tail Reeds grow along the Hocking River banks.

Blue Asters

Golden Rod

Jewel Weed

Cat Tails

Poke Berries

Deer Fern

Every thing is a little tattered and torn at this time of the year.

Technorati Tags: Rockbridge Nature Preserve,Asters,Cat Tails,Horse Tail Reeds,Golden Rod,Jewel Weed

Got Milk?

2011-08-12T14:44:00.001-07:00

Maybe water will do.

Summer Wild Flowers of Conkles Hollow

2011-08-03T07:19:00.001-07:00

Blue Lobelia

Woodland Sunflowers

Bushy Asters

Fleabane

Goldenrod

Ironweed

Green Headed Coneflowers

Joy Pye Weed

Ox Eyed Sunflower

Blame it on the Heat

2011-07-22T09:54:00.001-07:00

“ In Coming, Get Out of the Way!”

“Ouch, ouch!” Hot Sand.

“No fair,Where is my Reflection?”

“Pay Attention.” “Here it Comes Get Ready to Jump!”

“Can you see me now?”

“Buzz off this is my part of the beach.”

“ Is this my best side? ”

“Show off.” “Big Deal we all can do That!”

“Don’t let the waves hit you in the Tail Feathers on your way out.”

Rose Lake in the Summer

2011-07-16T11:39:00.001-07:00

Black and White Ancona

2011-07-09T13:27:00.001-07:00

Technorati Tags: Ancona Duck,Lake Logan

Mallards at Yoctangee Park

2011-07-02T09:24:00.001-07:00

Technorati Tags: Mallard Ducks,Yocotangee Park

Hopewell Mounds Chillicothe,Ohio

2011-06-22T09:33:00.001-07:00

The Hopewell peoples of American Indians lived between the years 2,200 to 1,550 years ago. They are recognized as the architects of the mounds found three miles north on Route # 104 at Chillicothe, Ohio.

The Hopewell settled along the riverbanks in present day Ohio and in other regions between the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico.

The set of mounds in the Mound City earthworks is made up of at least 23 mounds and are built next to the Scioto River where easy accesses could be made by water.

The mounds are encircled by a low earthen wall that runs around the mounds. Some of the structure of the wall and mounds were destroyed when the are was used during World War I as a training facility for Camp Sherman.

The Hopewell people made their living by hunting, gathering, gardening and trading.
No one lived at the earthworks and artifacts found inside the mound when excavated were reveled that the mounds were primarily used to cover burials.

A wooden structure containing a clay platform was probably the scene of funeral ceremonies and other gatherings.The dead were either cremated or buried on-site.

Objects of copper, stone, shell and bone were placed near the remains.
Shells were fashioned into beads. Copper and silver was hammered into thin sheets then designs were cut from them. Shark, bear and other teeth adorned ceremonial clothing and jewelry. Clay artifacts and pots were also found along with artifacts of flint, mica and pipestone. Some of the items found were intricate in their designs showing the artistry of the Hopewell people.

The Mound City Group was declared a national monument in 1923.
The park is open seven days a week but closed on holidays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. A museum is also located at Mound City.

Yocotangee Park, Chillicothe, Ohio

2011-06-11T09:32:00.001-07:00

Every lake needs a Weeping Willow Tree.

Catawba Tree in bloom.

Technorati Tags: Yocotangee Park,Chillicothe Ohio,Catawba Tree,Willow Tree

The Swans at Yocotangee Park in Chillicothe, Ohio

2011-06-05T09:06:00.001-07:00

Technorati Tags: Swans,Signets,Yocotangee Park,Lake

Water Turtles @ Dawes Arboretum

2011-05-23T15:02:00.001-07:00

Everyone loves a sunshiny day after all of the rain.
Time to sunbath on a rock.

Spring Flowers in Bloom Now at Conkles Hollow

2011-05-10T08:41:00.001-07:00

White Tiarella cordifolia Foam Flower

‘Golden Ragwort’

"’May Apples’

‘Jack in the Pulpit’ arisaema triphyllum

‘Lyre Leaved Rockcrest’

‘Solomon Seal’ Polygonatum biflorum

‘Wild Geranium’

‘ Great White Trillium’

Pink Trillium blooms occur as the white blooms age I have been informed by some wonderful gardeners.
Thank you!

American Coot

2011-05-03T13:11:00.001-07:00

On a walk to Rose Lake from Old Mans Cave last week we saw one lone little duck swimming all around. We had spotted this duck swimming all by itself at the far side of the lake on a previous walk. This time it was swimming near the spillway where we could get a picture of it.

The American Coot is a great little diver. It dives down and gets the mossy algae that grows along the rocks of the spillway at Rose Lake.

Dressed all in dark colors but for its white bill and the reddish brown eyes.

Reflections

Technorati Tags: Rose Lake,Hocking Hills State Parks,American Coot

Spring Wild Flowers at Conkles Hollow

2011-04-27T10:07:00.001-07:00

Spring rains have caused the creeks and falls at Conkle's Hollow in the Hocking Hills State Park system to swell and flow.

While along the trails the wild spring flowers are now growing and blooming. Many Mayapples and other native plants can be found all over the park.

There are thousands of Bluebells growing along the creek banks.

I always love seeing these beautiful blue flowers in the early spring.

Not only will you find the blue blooming violets but there are many Downey Yellow Violets growing there along the trail.

Areas of the fun looking Dutchman Breeches are now in bloom.

And in the shady areas Jack in the Pulpits grow.

Trout Lilies grow in several areas along the trail.

While in the areas where the sun reaches the Golden Ragwort plants are growing and now starting to bloom.

Giant White Trilliums are blooming on the banks and rocks all over the hollow.

It is a beautiful time to visit the parks to see some of the wild flowers now in bloom.

Technorati Tags: Conkles Hollow,Trillium,Duthcman Breeches,Violets,Trout Lily,Falls

Cedar Falls in April

2011-04-18T09:54:00.001-07:00

Cedar Falls in the Hocking Hills State Parks system is making a roaring noise from all of the water from the Spring rains that are flowing now over the falls.

The waters at the basin of the falls are a beautiful green color in the spring.

Bubbles and foaming water bounce as the water hits the rocks going down.

Spring flowers are starting to grow now such as the violets, May apples, Trout lilies and large white Trilliums.

Native Trout Lily

Native white Trillium

The small leaves of new emerging ferns are growing on the rock faces and floor of the woods all over the parks.

Spring is Showing Up in the Hills

2011-04-15T07:42:00.001-07:00

The ice has all melted now at Ash Cave Park and the heavy spring rains are making the falls so pretty.

The floor of the woods along the trail are full of “Spring Beauty” wild flowers.

The Spring Beauties are growing everywhere and showing their tiny pink blooms.

Dutchman Breeches grow hanging over the creek that runs through the park.

and wild Cutleaved Toothwort are starting to bloom.

Technorati Tags: Hocking Hills State Parks,Ash Cave,Spring,Dutchman Breeches,Spring Beauties,Falls

Feeling Small

2011-04-07T08:29:00.001-07:00

Coltsfoot

2011-03-30T09:05:00.001-07:00

The Coltsfoot are coming up and blooming along the upper trail at Old Mans Cave.

Their bright, cheery blooms are hard to miss as you walk along the trail.

So the colors are looking much better than to the alternative of this winters trail.

Spring Rains

2011-03-18T10:01:00.001-07:00

The frozen Upper Falls at the Hocking Hills State Park have thawed now with the warmer temperatures and the spring rains have caused the streams and the falls over flowing with fast moving waters.

The pool below the falls is full and the water has a beautiful green color.

Years of rushing water has carved out the rocks above the falls.

Looking down from the bridge that crosses above the falls
the water below churns up sparkling bubbles as it hits the ledges and rocks that make up the falls.

Crystal Falls in the Hocking Hills

2011-03-11T09:55:00.001-08:00

In the gorge between Cedar Falls and Old Mans Cave is another falls that may not be familiar with visitors.
It is a 90 foot falls called Crystal Falls.

Taken by my Daughter.

Technorati Tags: Crystal Falls,Cedar Falls,Old Mans Cave,Hocking Hills State Parks

Soon There Will Be Spring Blooms

2011-03-04T08:52:00.001-08:00

I can hardly wait until the woods start greening again
and the Jack In The Pulpits will be growing.

Violets will be blooming covering the forest floors.

The wild Phlox will add their blooms to the mix.

And the wild Columbines will be blooming along
the creek in the gorge.

The Cinnamon Ferns will be growing in the shady
hollers and sending up shoots of brown.

The Tiarella Foam Flowers will bloom their
tiny white blooms.

Wild Geraniums will be blooming along the paths.

Bluebells will be decked out with their blooms of blue.

The funny blooms of Dutchmen's Breeches will
be hanging down.

There will be blooms of yellow from the Downey Violets.

And white Trilliums will be everywhere around the rocky cliffs.

Great Blue Heron

2011-02-12T09:39:00.001-08:00

You Know Its A Bad Winter When….

2011-02-08T14:11:00.001-08:00

The Squirrels are searching high and low for something to eat.

Even begging for a morsel…

even if its the frozen leftover chili left out for the dogs….

or even an old soup bone is a good lunch.

No Swimming Allowed

2011-02-01T07:59:00.001-08:00

“Boys stay out of the water”.
“No swimming is allowed”.

But on a very hot day it is sometimes just too
hard to resist.

Snow Day

2011-01-21T12:29:00.001-08:00

Cardinal’s in the Snow

2011-01-14T11:00:00.001-08:00

More Winter Images of Cedar Falls

2011-01-01T07:15:00.001-08:00

These are more pictures of Cedar Falls
in the Hocking Hills State Park.
Taken in our fourth coldest December on record
by my daughter on a hike we took.
Cedar Falls is a magical spot when the snow
is covering the gorge and the falls is starting
to freeze.

December at Cedar Falls

2010-12-21T18:02:00.001-08:00

Cedar Falls in the Hocking Hills State
Parks is freezing now and it is looking
so beautiful. While Ash Cave’s falls is
not quite as pretty yet but it should
look beautiful by the time the Winter
Hike rolls around the latter part of
January.

The water runs through a tunnel in this
ice formation and looks so pretty snaking
down through the frozen waterfalls.

With a five inch covering of snow and the cold
weather freezing the creek in the gorge everything
is sparkling and beautiful and so worth the walk
down into the gorge to view it all.

Every season at Cedar Falls dresses the gorge in
beauty with the changes.

Sparkling ice formations now grace the
rock walls in the gorge.

A Frozen Old Man’s Cave

2010-12-14T09:10:00.001-08:00

A walk along the upper trail of Old Man’s
Cave last Friday was a pretty one.
All of the waterfalls and run off around
the cave and trails are freezing now
and the effect is beautiful.
I was glad to get these pictures when I
did since on our way back out there were four
teenage boys with big limbs clubbing and
Knocking down all of the icicles.
I told them they were ruining it for the other
visitors to the park who want to see the
formations and take pictures but brats will
be brats. You say all this fuss about some ice,
well hundreds of tourists come in the winter
to take pictures and enjoy the beauty of the
parks in the winter.
Please do not destroy what you came in the
first place to see and enjoy like those
big teenage boys did. Those after you
may want to see and enjoy it too.

Sun Rising Behind The Hills

2010-12-09T15:01:00.001-08:00

Another Fall Day Along The Upper Trail

2010-11-25T08:22:00.001-08:00

Hope Furnace

2010-11-15T10:07:00.001-08:00

The Hope Furnace is near Zaleski, Ohio at Lake Hope.

In the 1850’s the furnaces were used to
produce iron for the nation’s growing railroad system.
The railroads in turn provided transportation for iron
exports linking the southeast Ohio to distant markets
that could be reached by way of the Ohio River, or the
Great Lakes. During the Civil War the furnaces provided
iron for canons and other military equipment used by
the Union Army, including the iron plating that
sheathed the army’s famous iron-clad warship, the Monitor.
Hope Furnace closed in 1874 and the last of the furnaces
closed in 1916.
The forest’s around the furnaces provided wood to
fire the furnaces and provided jobs for this area
of the state. Though it provided jobs for the area
and towns grew around the Furnaces the homes
and stores built there were owned by the
companies that paid the workers with company script.
The script was suppose to be used to purchase over priced
goods from the company owned stores but in fact the script
was worthless and could not be used in the stores.

Autumn Hike at Lake Hope

2010-11-05T09:49:00.001-07:00

Lake Hope is not a wide lake but it is a long lake.

This is from the beach area looking across to the highway
which leads to the entrance of the park.

The Furnace Trail was our hiking path that day but there
are several trails to hike at Lake Hope.

Some of the hiking trails are rugged and narrow
going around the lake area and some are wonderful
for a vigorous walk.

Geese and other water fowl make the lake
their home.

Evidence of Beaver at the lake were present but none were spotted.

Beautiful textures and leaves were spotted
along the trail.

Scarlet maples glowed in the sun.

Berries were plentiful on shrubs and nuts of acorns
and hickory were falling all around us and laying
upon the ground.

Once stems of blooming flowers were now
fuzzy with seeds heads.

Persimmon’s were hanging from limbs over the water
that had not yet been eaten by critters and birds.

Ferns in the shady areas on hillsides were starting
to back for the winter.

Golden grasses swayed in the breeze.

The lake is almost chocked in the upper ends from
water lily pads which were now turning yellow.
There were just paths through the lilies where
kayakers were paddling through.

Blends of orange and yellows were all around the
lake mixed in with the pines.

Caesar Creek Lake Continued….

2010-10-30T17:35:00.001-07:00

Fall at Caesar Creek State Park Lake

2010-10-19T09:43:00.001-07:00

A Birds Eye View of Conkles Hollow

2010-10-13T15:29:00.001-07:00

My daughter and I took a hike along the
upper trail at Conkle’s Hollow Tuesday.

It was a dry walk with dust rising as we
walked the upper trail. Leaves were falling
covering the paths and so were the acorns
and hickory nuts.
We are surprised that we have not gotten
hit in the head with some of the falling
nuts on our hikes.

Colorful Maples, Sassafras and Hickory trees can be
seen among the pines on the hillsides of the hollow.

It is a beautiful sight to look from atop the 200 foot
high cliffs across to the hills beyond.
The leaves should be at their peak colors by this weekend.

A haze covered the hollow Tuesday….

causing the pictures to look more like paintings.

Brilliant yellows could be seen beyond the
cracks in the cliffs rock walls.

Rockbridge Nature Preserve

2010-10-01T11:39:00.001-07:00

Cantwell Cliffs Park Revisited

2010-09-24T11:21:00.001-07:00

This Spring we hiked in Cantwell Cliffs
park near our home and it was a total
mess. Trees across paths and paths that
were washed out. Steps down into the gorge
had trees, limbs and were washed also
and the trails were in general not even safe.
I was thoroughly aggravated as to the decrease
in state funding by the Governor to the Ohio
Department of Natural Resources which was
leaving our parks under manned and eroding.
Ohio’s State Parks and especially the Hocking
Hills State Parks is what generates a sizable
portion of Ohio’s tourist dollars.
And tourism in my county around the parks
is what generates employment and dollars
for this very under employed ridden county.
A letter was sent to the Governor which was
passed on to the ODNR and a cleanup was
made at Cantwell Cliffs.
I hope the letter did not cause a dress down
to the ODNR but my aim was to keep them
from getting more funding cuts which are in
the works even now.
Anyway, the park was cleaned up and
I and the tourists who hike the area parks
are grateful and safer for it.
It also may be due to an election year
for the Governor, whatever it takes. LOL!
My thanks goes to the park Rangers,
Naturalist, employees and volunteers
who are the ones who did the work.
So a revisit to the park was in order.

A real hornets nest may have led to a
cleaned up park which enabled us to see
this nest that was attached to a small
Hemlock in the gorge.
The bees were very busy going in and out
of the paper nest.

The paths are now cleaned up and
cleared of fallen trees along with the many
steps leading up and down into the
gorge below.

We could walk about and finally get down
into the gorge to look around at the cliffs
for which it was named for.

New paint had been sprayed on trees
marking the different trails.

We got to the bottom of the cliffs and this
is looking up from one of the cliff walls
to the trail and bridge above where the rim
trail runs.

This is another portion of the trail leading down
which was now cleaned and now passable.

Finally got to walk along the creek that runs
along the gorge trails.

Through the trees cliffs and caves are
all along the gorge below.

Many summer native plants such as this
False Foxtail and Jewel Weed were in bloom.

This Hepatica Sharp lobbed plant was a new
one that we had not ran across before in our hikes
of the parks.

And berries from Solomon Seal and other shrubs
were in abundance for the birds and animals.

At Water’s Edge

2010-09-10T07:40:00.001-07:00

Clear Creek Metro Park Hiking

2010-09-05T15:32:00.001-07:00

A hike was on the agenda this weekend in Clear Creek Metro
Park. The park is very large with its 23,500 acres of land.
This weekend’s hike was along the Cemetery Ridge trail
which is 2.5 miles long. Most of which was a disappointing walk along an old gas well road.
We then headed across the upper meadow to the Hemlock
trail which was 1.5 miles of very rough paths through a thick forest and ravines. We had walked it in the spring and it
was prettier then because of water flowing along the
creek.This was a great trail for a good workout.
After coming down from the Hemlock trail we then
crossed the highway and hiked along the Meadow Trail
which is another 2 mile walk. This is a more
leisure walk and is filled with wildflowers on every side
which I enjoyed. Fisherman were trying to catch a few
fish from Clear Creek.

A View from Cemetery Ridge in Clear Creek Metro Park.
The weather was perfect for a hike with the camera.
We were looking for the cemetery of which it was named
but none was spotted. An old barn is on the ridge from
the previous owners of the William’s family.

An upper meadow had fields of Sumac with their berries
ripening in the sun.

Thistles were in bloom in the meadow and the butterflies
and bees were enjoying it all.

Just a hint of what is to come was also present on this
one maple sapling.

The path down along the Meadow trail along Clear
Creek. Summer wildflowers were in bloom in mass
all along the trail.

Tick Trefoil

Green Headed Coneflowers that the bees were mad about.

Sweet Goldenrods in bloom everywhere.

Downey False Foxgloves

Jewel weed on Clear Creek banks.

The Phlox were still blooming throughout the summer.

Red berries were around for the birds.

Along both sides of this section in the Meadow
trail were Scouring Rush Horse Tails.
Dry leaves crunched as we walked along the trail.

Masses of Black-eyed Susan’s

This little Bumble bee was enjoying the Green Headed Coneflowers with Horse Tail Rushes beyond.

Monarch’s love Thistle blooms.

Along the road into the park there is this massive
rock leaning across the road. Makes you want to
duck down as you drive under it.

Great Blue Herron @ Old Mans Cave

2010-08-27T13:02:00.001-07:00

On a walk along the upper trail at Old Mans Cave
a few weeks ago as we came back out off of the trail
at the upper falls we spotted this Great Blue Herron
standing near the water at the falls.

Can You Find Them ?

2010-08-20T07:06:00.001-07:00

Summer Beauty Around Rose Lake

2010-08-13T10:23:00.001-07:00

The Goslings Have Grown

2010-08-10T12:41:00.001-07:00

A visit to Rose Lake in the Hocking Hills state park
is not a new thing since my daughter and I hike the trail
from Old Mans Cave to Cedar Falls often.
Over the summer the goslings that were born there this
Spring have really grown.

Above are the fluffy four goslings in June .

They have lost their fluff now and there were only
three of them on our visit last week.

They are adapting to humans maybe a little too well
now. When they saw us they started swimming to shore.

Maybe they were even looking for a hand out of
something to eat.

This one walked right up to me.

After receiving no hand outs of food they took
back out upon the lake.

Cedar Falls Trails

2010-08-01T11:32:00.001-07:00

There are many steps going down into Cedar Falls.

Walls of rock formations on all sides of the trails.

Trees and vegetation try to grow upon the rocks
fighting for soil.

There are a few small fish in the creek that runs
through the park from Old Mans Cave to Cedar Falls.

Wading and swimming is prohibited but on a hot
day who can resist a good splash or skipping a rock.

Hemlocks grow all throughout the parks.

Some of the gorge trail between Old Mans Cave
and Cedar Falls gets very roughed….

and you may have to climb over large
rocks in some parts of the trail.
Sandals is not a good idea on the gorge trail.

Halfway point along the trail and you may have
to step around or over a few logs along the trail.

Trees lean across the stream.

Whispering Falls

Canopy’s of Green

Split Rock

Along The Gorge Trail @ Hocking Hills Park

2010-07-24T09:59:00.001-07:00

Small Wonders Along the Old Mans Cave Upper Trail

2010-07-14T10:10:00.001-07:00

Along the upper trail from the Hocking Hills State
Park to Cedar Falls one can catch glimpses of not
only beautiful rock formations and Rose Lake
but beautiful small wonders can be spotted daily.
It is not only the deer, squirrels, chipmunks, and
groundhogs that you walk upon roaming amongst
the trees.
It is not only the sound of owls calling back and
forth to one another on the gorge trail below or
the sounds of geese at Rose Lake which lies in
between the two parks but it is also the small
sounds that you may or may not hear.
The flutter of butterfly wings, damselflies,
dragonflies, droning of the bees, or the silence of
a small snail upon a mossy rock.
Take your time on your hikes to see the beauty of
the small wonders that are along the trail.
Catch the fragrances of wild flowers or the scent
of pines.

Cedar Falls Spring Blooms

2010-07-08T09:52:00.001-07:00

The Falls after a rain shower.

Ferns are of course everywhere in the park.

Cinnamon Ferns

Jack in the Pulpit

Pagoda Dogwood Blooms

Tiarella Foam Flowers

Squaw Root

Wild Geraniums

White Banberry

Blue Violets

Wild Columbines

Phlox

Wood Anemone

But maybe the unexpected growth is the
most beautiful.

Technorati Tags: Cedar Falls State Park,Ferns,Columbine,Violets,Phlox,Anemones

Happening Now At Rose Lake

2010-07-02T12:35:00.001-07:00

Rose Lake lies between Old Mans Cave and
Cedar Falls. It is a beautiful secluded lake
and well worth the short hike to see it.

A part of the path goes through some giant pines.
Many did not stand during the ice storm two years
ago. Pines and heavy snow or ice do not mix well
together.

This shot was taken from the spillway.

Plenty of places for the large fish and frogs to hide.

Some residents at the lake are these four new goslings.

The Devils Bathtub at Old Mans Cave Park

2010-06-25T08:21:00.001-07:00

The Devils Bathtub at Old Mans Cave State Park in the
Hocking Hills Park system has it tall tales and urban
beliefs. When I was a child everyone told us that it had
no bottom. This tale does tend to make you keep your
distance from it, especially children who may fall in and
could drown. Its slick walls that have been carved in by the swirling waters makes it a dangerous place to
fall into. In reality it is only several feet deep.

Upper Creek that runs into the Devils Bathtub

Bridge and walkway over the Devils Bathtub.

The Devils Bathtub

A Floating Bride can also be a work of art.

A Note to visitors:

Please remember to keep to the marked trails while
visiting all of the Hocking Hills Parks.
It is not only for your protection while hiking through the
park but it keeps the wear and tear on the park to a
minimum so others may enjoy its natural beauty for
generations to come.
Do not leave your trash thrown about in the parks
it could be dangerous to wildlife in the park,
looks unsightly and is a state fine if caught littering.
Water bottles, soda cans, wrappers and even wet socks
are not to be left along the trails.
Take out what you carry in.
Do not pick or destroy any of the vegetation in the
parks this is prohibited and it also is essential to
the ecosystem and wildlife that lives in the park.
In a word respect what nature has built so that
other may be able to enjoy it for years to come.
Thank you, Lona

Wahkeena Nature Preserve in the Hocking Hills

2010-06-22T11:26:00.001-07:00

Last week my daughter and I took a hike in the
Wahkeena Nature Preserve .
Wahkeena, named with a Yakima Indian word meaning
"most beautiful" is located on the edge of the Hocking Hills.
This was a first time visit and it was almost closing
time so we took a quick walk on the lower Nature
Trail around the lake.
Tom the Naturalist was such a wonderful help
with all of our questions about the park and its plants
and wildlife.

Visit the Nature Preserve’s Blog for a schedule of
the activities that are being held this year.

Lake Odonata is alive with plants and animals.

The resident Beavers are active on the end of the lake
but they were not showing themselves at the time of
our visit.

Dragonflies were everywhere around the lake

Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly

Female Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly
Thank you Robyn!

The lake was covered with waterlily pads and beautiful
waterlily blooms.

The sounds of frogs were in the air all around the lake.

There was a very active bee hive in the Old
Garden Area of the park and there was another
hive in the Naturalist Cabin where they could be
watched and a great learning tool for visitors and
school tours.

Bee and Butterfly loving plants and flowers are
planted around the preserve.

Owl
This picture is not a good one of the resident
little owl which was injured and adopted to
the park as was the Red Tailed Hawk.

Lizard Tail plants are in abundance around the edges
of the lake in the water.

The trails in the preserve were marked so well
and maps are available of the preserve.

We spotted squirrels, chipmunks and deer on
our short walk around the lake.

Squaw Root
I had been trying to get an identification on this
wildflower which I had spotted in the other parks of
the Hocking Hills with out any results.
But the Naturalist knew right away what it was
when I showed him the picture. It is a wildflower that
lack the green chlorophyll it needs to make its
own food.He also told us that it was at the end of its
flowering stage now and grew on the roots of Oak trees.
So thank you Tom for the identification and the
information.

Support and visit your local Parks and
Historical Sites.
Thank you,
Lona

Rock House State Park

2010-06-14T13:51:00.001-07:00

The daughter and I went for a hike in the Rock House Park
over the weekend. It had been over twenty five years since
we had been there and many of the trails had changed since
that time but it is still a beautiful location to visit.
The Rock House is one of the six major areas of Hocking Hills State Park.

Rock House is unique in the Hocking Hills' region, as it is the only true cave in the park. It is a tunnel-like corridor situated midway up a 150-foot cliff of Blackhand sandstone.

This House of Rock has a ceiling 25 feet high while the main corridor is 200 feet long and 20 to 30 feet wide. The cavern was eroded out of the middle zone of the Blackhand sandstone. The resistant upper zone forms the roof and the lower zone forms the floor. Water leaking through a horizontal joint running parallel to the cliff face caused the hollowing of the corridor. This main joint or crack is very visible in the ceiling of the Rock House. A small series of joints run north to south at right angles to the main joint. Enlargement of this series of joints formed the window-like openings of Rock House.

Nature has hewn out of this cliff the Rock House complete with seven Gothic-arched windows and great sandstone columns which bear its massive roof. As one might imagine, Rock house was used for shelter by past visitors. Hominy holes, small recesses in the rear wall of Rock House, served as baking ovens for Native Americans using the cave. By building a fire in the small recesses, the rock became heated on all sides, and food could be bakes in this crude manner. Further evidence of past use is the presence of chiseled out troughs or holding tanks found in the stone floor. When rainfall is abundant, springs of water permeate through the porous sandstone and flow into these troughs fashioned by man and, when full, continue across the floor and out of the windows. In this way, residents were able to maintain a small water supply in Rock House. According to local folklore, other not so welcome visitors frequented Rock House. Robbers, horse thieves, murderers and even bootleggers earned Rock House its reputation as Robbers Roost.
Rock House has a colorful past and has long been a popular tourist attraction. In 1835, Colonel F.F. Rempel of Logan erected a 16-room hotel compete with ballroom, livery stable and a U.S. Post Office. The hotel stood where the picnic shelter is today.

Information from www.hockinghills.com

Mushrooms Along The Gorge Trails

2010-06-09T08:57:00.001-07:00

Lactarius sordidus

Amanita muscaria var. formosa

? Unknown

Gymnopilus picreus

False Chanterelle Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca

Squaw Root

I have been unable to find out what the above growth
is but I have found it in several places along the trials
between Cedar Falls and Old Mans Cave.

Beautiful Old Mans Cave

2010-06-06T10:20:00.001-07:00

In the Hocking Hills Parks system the most visited area
is the Old Mans Cave park.
The park is filled with a massive gorge that you can
hike to Cedar Falls park which is a 3 mile hike away.
A massive system of rock formations, smaller caves
and water falls amongst giant Hemlock trees
which grows there makes for some gorgeous scenery.

The gorge is a long way down so visitors should
take care and obey the trail signs.
They are posted for a purpose. That rock ledge or
tree you hang onto to look over into the gorge
or piece of land protruding out over it may not have
anything beneath it to hold your weight up.
Many defy the signs and to some this defiance
leads to their own injury.

The sights and sounds of water running through
the gorge adds to the serine atmosphere of the
Hocking Hills Park.

On a hot, humid summer day the cooler
air and the water in the gorge below can be a
perfect place to take hike.
It is shady and cooler amongst the giant rocks and
trees along the creek that runs through the gorge.

Two million visitors in 2007 and even more now
come to the park annually.

Travelers’ expenditures in Hocking County totaled
$267 million during the year of 2007,
generating $16 million in state sales tax revenue,
and $6.6 million in municipal tax revenue.
Just another reason that funding should not have
been cut to the parks by Governor Strickland.
Revenue cuts to the parks lead to fewer Rangers
and employees to care for the parks. If left to
run down because of cuts, because volunteers can
do just so much, could mean fewer tourists and
with them the tourists dollars that helps to
fund Hocking County and the state.
Tourism to this area grows every year and more so
since a drop in the economy and the fluctuating
gasoline prices have vacationers staying nearer to
home and taking in the free getaways to the parks
that make up the Hocking Hills park system.

What price can you put on such natural beauty?