Near Lancaster,Ohio (NEWS FLASH) we have beautiful Tar Hollow State Park.
A wind gust of 46 mph was recorded Wednesday morning in Columbus as an unstable weather system was moving through central Ohio. I think I’ll go climb a Fire Tower for this SKY WATCH FRIDAY
High Wind Gusts Reported; Thousands Without Power. A high wind warning means a hazardous high wind event is expected or occurring. Sustained wind speeds of at least 40 mph or gusts of 59 mph or higher can be expected at times. (First photo from my backyard about 9:00Am Temp in the fifties windy)
So lets head on down the road to Tar Hollow state park.
The road is clear but those clouds are moving fast (better hurry)
Made it to Tar Hollow State Park (Photo of the dam) The clouds are getting darker and the fire tower is on the ridge to the left.
Here we are, I’m out of breath just looking up (Time to climb)
FOREST LOOKOUT TOWERS
ICONS OF FOREST CONSERVATION
I’m out of the car and have walked up to the base of the tower (see how the sky has changed)
Made it to the top. I really don’t want to look down but I guess I will.
My car looks a little smaller from up here. Time to start down.
Nothing like a 40 mph gust of wind to make one hold tight to the handrails. ( A LITTLE VERTIGO AT THE WRONG TIME)
(MAYBE THE MONEY TO BUILD THE TOWER CAME FROM A STIMULUS PACKAGE) LOL
Sure seemed like I was more than 73 feet in the air. All I can say, “when I was at the top of the tower taking pictures I sure braced myself.” Wow that was fun! The rain didn’t start til I was on my way home.
Stay tuned for future posts “More about Tar Hollow State Park” Find out what is behind the dam or maybe not behind it. Don’t forget hiking and camping.
Joe Todd says, “Thanks for stopping by.” Linda may be a little upset with me I’ll let you know.
Ok, I tried to go a whole post without a collage but just couldn’t do it.
BYE……… ONE LAST THING TO THINK ABOUT
Fantastic shots Joe, love your header pic as well.
ReplyDeleteAll the best
Guy
Regina In Pictures
That's dedication to your art. I think I will pass on climbing in the wind.
ReplyDeleteTerrific captures, Joe! Really loved them all, but like Martha I think I'll pass on climbing in the wind, too! But you did get some great shots! Fun post!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend!
Sylvia
haha, I didn't think you were actually going to climb it until I saw the other photos. Nice collection :) Have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteI applaud the lengths you had to go to just so you could bring us these wonderful photos. Your efforts paid off.
ReplyDeleteYou really put out the effort to get some amazing shots! Very fine post!
ReplyDeleteJoe are you nuts ? LOL
ReplyDeleteYour braver than I am climbing the towers on the windiest day of the year.
It has been years since I was a t the Tar Hollow park. It probably has changed sp much now. Did you get pictures of the lake?
Wow - awesome shots and a wonderful photo essay!
ReplyDeleteYou were mighty brave to scale the tower in that wind.
Love the shots you took from up top - especially the bare trees with the leaves on the ground.
likd second pic where you shot the cloud with a small part of the tree at the down right side
ReplyDeleteA smile from SJ =)
Fantastic shots!
ReplyDeleteThose are some seriuos clouds!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the view from the fire tower - you are one brave dude to climb in such winds :-)
Joe, I love the fact that you hurried to the tower preceeding a storm for a SW shot. And they are excellent, along with the story. I just can't figure out why, after climbing all the way up the 73 ft, you didn't hang out for the storm. Then we could call you John Muir. ;-)
ReplyDeleteLovely skies ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventurous spirit you are! I'm not sure I would have been able to make myself climb that tower, but I'm glad you did ... I love the shots you took from the top too.
Hugs and blessings,
My Sky Watch
Fun pictures, those clouds are great! This reminds me of when i climbed a fire tower in Flagstaff with winds in the mid 60's. I was hiking on a ridge and the wind actually knocked me over! that was pretty crazy. climbing the tower was scary!! thanks for the post! :)
ReplyDeleteCool shots of the tower and the sky. Great photos and happy skywatching.
ReplyDeleteFascinating shots of the clody sky.
ReplyDeleteJoe: I must say that was a crazy day to climb the tower. The winds surely did howl.
ReplyDeleteHi Joe, I think you are kin to George and me.... We were out hiking today searching for new waterfalls --in 27 degree weather with a WIND CHILL.... It was just SO much fun!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGADS---glad that fire tower didn't topple over while you were up on it... I assume that Linda was NOT with you on that one!!!!!!
Great pictures though... We got some good pictures today also.
Betsy
Super shots--super story to go along with the shots. I have stayed in a fire tower in Oregon--way up high in the mountains--for the past 5 years. It is great summer fun. Mostly it is beautiful but one year the wind blew like crazy--rocked us to sleep every night. (Not fun) but i'd do it again. MB
ReplyDeleteMarvelous photos. I love the header - beautiful scene. How did you get the cartoon comment to appear there?
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend.
Cheers.
Melbourne Daily Photo
Great photo set. I got tired just looking up at that fire tower as well.
ReplyDeleteOuch! I don't think I would manage to climb that tower! Lately I've started to be afraid of heights. Maybe beacuse I've grown up. ;) I really love one of the last photos, the one with the trees and the reddish ground.
ReplyDeleteNice adventure for Skywatch, and nice to "meet" you, Joe. (Neat music, too!)
ReplyDelete1934, eh? Maybe it was built by the CCC?? They did a lot of fire towers and state park facilities. Here's the camp list for Ohio--maybe you can find it. (I couldn't.)
Thanks Sally for the CCC link
ReplyDeleteIn the 1930s, the region was purchased by the government for conservation purposes under a New Deal program called the Ross-Hocking Land Utilization Project. The purpose of the program was to locate families to more productive land, thereby enabling them to better sustain a living.
http://ccclegacy.org/index.htm
You're much more adventurous than me. I don't like heights, and I certainly wouldn't climb a tall tower when there was a high wind warning! It was worth your climb, though; nice pictures (and I liked the narrative to go along with your trek). By the way Mother Nature blew your storm my way. If you look at my previous post, the one before Skywatch Friday, you'll see what I mean.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I like your header, too. Oh, and I became one of your followers too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a trip! I wonder why fire towers never seem to succumb to the wind. Glad you held on tight.
ReplyDeleteNice shots. Looks real scary from the top of the tower looking down. I'm afraid of heights!
ReplyDeleteGreat collection of shots! Keep safe!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! I love those fire towers although I climb them considerably slower now. There used to be an old one in Dorset that we would get rocking back and forth by running side to side! When I was a kid of course! You got some great photos from the air!
ReplyDeleteLove the shot of the dam. The composition is great! Thanks for taking me along. Those fire towers always scared me as a kid. Hope Linda wasn't mad!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Julie
Julie Magers Soulen Photography
Blog of Note
I love your "skywatch story"! Better you than me up there!
ReplyDelete:-)
Three Rivers Daily Photo (Michigan)
Nice images Joe - I really like the perspective in the shots with the tower, especially the photographs looking straight up.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of the clouds! I think all those steps would keep me on the ground. Glad you climbed for us :-)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteJeeepers Joe -- Linda should be a little bit upset. We love your blog; you don't have to risk life and limb for us. (but thanks anyway-- the pictures were great and the story too.)
ReplyDeleteFabulous view and great shots of the clouds!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of the clouds! It's been very windy here for the last few days to, 40-60 kms an hour, about 70 kms an hour up the hill where I work.
ReplyDeleteTime to tell:: Linda wasn't upset with me I guess she is just used to me doing "nutty things" Second, I had to delete a comment was spam. How does that happen with word verificarion. The same message was on seven different posts.
ReplyDeleteI get bad wind too - think it's my age
ReplyDeleteYou must not have a fear of heights. LOL I'm glad I can see the sky from down here. ;-)
ReplyDelete