SCENIC SHADOW SHOT SUNDAY AT TAR HOLLOW STATE PARK IN THE SCENIC HOCKING HILLS

 

     I have been trying to explore some of the scenic areas close to home; Lancaster, Ohio and it’s hard to go wrong with State Parks and the Hocking Hills area of Ohio

So For::   SCENIC SUNDAY

and::     SHADOW SHOT SUNDAY  We will head back to Tar Hollow State Forest.

First, a very small waterfall for my friend Betsy and her husband at Joyful Reflections

Top left photo shows some of the primitive campsites. The other photos are taken from the Fire Tower  I liked the green in the bottom right photo.

  Big trees make big Shadows. Is there just a hint of a rainbow in the center photo just to the right of the fire tower? About 400 feet from the fire tower there are several “Backpack” campsites. You also have the North Country National Scenic Trail, the Buckeye Trail, and the American Discovery Trail. That should be enough trails for anyone. LOL

Follow the Blue Blaze for the Buckeye Trail.

Top photo shows General Store at main campground,center and bottom photo one of the shelter houses near the fire tower,right photo ranger station,and left photo shows the road exiting the park. Tar Hollow is Ohio's third largest state forest, containing 16,120 acres. I spent several hours at the park and didn’t see another soul other than the park ranger who kindly answered several of my questions.

This photo shows the shadowy dam. You might ask yourself where is the lake. I’m saving that for  Watery Wednesday  and I think you will be surprised to find out what is or isn’t  behind the dam. Also, if you would like to get some first hand info on the North Country Trail check out Sharkbytes at My Quality Day blog. She has hiked the entire trail. Oh My

Technorati Tags: SCENIC SHADOW SHOT SUNDAY,TAR HOLLOW STATE PARK,LANCASTER OHIO,HOCKING HILLS,NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL,BUCKEYE TRAIL,CAMPING

 Thanks for stopping by and if you get a chance stop by the BOOKSTORE

HIGH WIND WARNING::TIME TO CLIMB A FIRE TOWER::ALL FOR SKY WATCH FRIDAY

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.

Technorati Tags: HIGH WIND WARNING,TAR HOLLOW STATE PARK,FIRE TOWER,SKY WATCH FRIDAY,CLOUDS,SKY,FOOLISHNESS

Ok, I tried to go a whole post without a collage but just couldn’t do it.

BYE……… ONE LAST THING TO THINK ABOUT

A LITTLE COMEDY FOR TODAY

 

GET READY:::: A SPECIAL HIGH WINDS ADVISORY SKY WATCH FRIDAY COMING UP.  IN THE MEAN TIME A LITTLE COMEDY

PUT A LITTLE MORE COMEDY IN YOUR LIFE AND CLICK ON THE BOOK STORE LOGO.

CANALS OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY,OHIO WITH A COUPLE COVERED BRIDGES AT NO EXTRA CHARGE

 This is a that’s  MY WORLD Tuesday post and more a WATERY WEDNESDAY without much water.

The little village of CARROLL, Lockville, Ohio/LOCKVILLE PARK, and CANAL WINCHESTER 

The Ohio-Erie and Hocking Canals  carried freight traffic from 1827 to 1861 then supplied water  to industries and towns from 1862 to 1913. Thanks to WIKIPEDIA for the above photo which shows The Ohio and Erie canal in 1902

Found it difficult to get a good map (sorry). Map shows Carroll,Ohio bottom right, Lockville in the middle,and Canal Winchester,Ohio top left. (CANAL ROUTE)

For this journey we start in Carroll, Ohio which  the HISTORICAL MARKER says was the junction of the Ohio Erie and Lancaster Lateral canal. Next, we move on to Lockville,Ohio.

This collage shows the first lock in a series of three locks. Bottom right photo shows covered bridge in background.

The Hartman II Covered Bridge was moved to Lockville Park in 1967.The bottom left photo shows the second lock in the series. Towpath upper left photo. Next stop Canal Winchester.

The Bergstresser / Dietz Bridge (above photo) is actually in Franklin County and crosses the Little Walnut CREEK

Well as you can see it’s just about noon so I’m getting hungry. Where to eat that’s the question.

       Not the Wigwam or Shades so I cross the street in front of the Town Hall and stop in at the Harvest Moon order a Reuben ( which I highly recommend) sit in an easy chair and have lunch.

Now we are back in Lancaster,Ohio along the canal.

Found this photo at FAIRFIELD COUNTY CHAPTER of the OHIO GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY ( regular meeting third Thursday each month)
Thanks Patsy Kishler 

Since we are talking about Canals,Locks,Covered Bridges etc. I guess we could also call this a WATERY WEDNESDAY post without a lot of water. LOL

 Ted R.. and Inukshuk say thanks for stopping by

Technorati Tags: OHIO ERIE CANAL,LANCASTER OHIO,CANAL WINCHESTER,CARROLL,COVERED BRIDGE,LOCKVILLE OHIO,HISTORICAL MARKERS

A FEW OF LIFE’S QUESTIONS ( A SCENIC SUNDAY POST)

Answer the questions if you like or just take a moment to ponder,but whatever you do enjoy SCENIC SUNDAY

 Once again we are back at CHESTNUT RIDGE METRO PARK near Lancaster,Ohio enjoying the sunny day and scenery. Yes there are some shadows here, actually a lot of shadows so:

Check out SHADOW SHOT SUNDAY while your at it.

  Have you staid on the straight and narrow path in life or have you had to make a U turn? Were you able to cross life’s bridges when you came to them?

Is life a bowl of berries where you have been able to channel your energies? Maybe you feel like you are caught in a vise and just wonder Y.

Do you sometimes run when maybe you should walk? Could it be you have lost your purpose in life? Maybe, you can’t see the forest for the trees when you really just want to stand alone.

Melancholy Pooh Bear says, “THANKS FOR STOPPING BY”  I would have felt better if I had found some honey in the 100 acre woods.

Technorati Tags: LIFE'S QUESTIONS,SCENIC SUNDAY,CHESTNUT RIDGE METRO PARK,LANCASTER OHIO

Someone told me, “God doesn’t make junk .”

 

So be a “Giant”, branch out,help others,and enjoy life.

SKIES OVER CHESTNUT RIDGE METRO PARK (FOR SKY WATCH FRIDAY)

We will head back to Chestnut Ridge for this SKY Watch Friday Only about 20 minutes drive from my home in Lancaster,Ohio I have found a great place to hike and view the sky.

Chestnut Ridge Metro Park rises more than 150 feet—reaching an elevation above sea level of 1,050 feet. The above photo shows the skyline of Columbus, Ohio. (Photo was taken from an overlook on the trail)

     Now on the way to the metro park the skies had me a little worried:

Fortunately, many Ohio Farmers have already harvested their corn crop. As a matter of interest;  Ohio corn growers planted an estimated 100,000 more acres of corn in 2009 than they did last year.

    Well the hike is about over but I think one more look at the sky through the trees is appropriate.

As the sun goes down on the ridge a few of the oak leaves are highlighted.

HAAPY HOLIDAYS AND “THANKS FOR STOPPING BY”

For some great books about the SKY stop by the Book Store

Technorati Tags: SKY WATCH FRIDAY,CHESTNUT RIDGE METRO PARK,LANCASTER OHIO,COLUMBUS OHIO,BOOK STORE