MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS & (Thanks Sara for the traditional “Meatless Thursday Meal”)

The second photo from top are of a few of the decorations at my sister Sara’s house. She and her husband Larry invited us over for the traditional “Meatless Thursday” meal. Linda and I didn’t go away hungry.

From Joe Todd, Linda, Teddy Bears and the Snowmen--- Happy Holidays--

Technorati Tags: MERRY CHRISTMAS,LANCASTER OHIO,SNOWMEN,TEDDY BEARS

SKIES OVER BALTIMORE,OHIO AND THE VFW FOR SKY WATCH FRIDAY

     Just north of Lancaster,Ohio but still in Fairfield County we have Baltimore,Ohio “A Place You Can Call Home” and that is where we are going for this Sky Watch Friday

 Baltimore, Ohio was a major player when the Ohio-Erie canal was in it’s hey-day.(Previous Post)

  Pretty typical skies for Ohio this time of year.

Where did the sun go?

That’s a little better but then…………

Thanks for stopping by.

Technorati Tags: LANCASTER OHIO,FAIRFIELD COUNTY,BALTIMORE OHIO,VFW,AIRPLANE,SKY WATCH FRIDAY

I PISSED OFF THE LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER?????

 

     I wonder if I pissed off the railroad engineer, locomotive engineer, train operator, train driver or engine driver. I saw this locomotive near a railroad crossing here in Lancaster. The locomotive was just sitting there so |I jumped out of my car to take some photos.

As soon as I got close enough to start taking some photos… Going-Going-Going-Gone.

Actually, I was just heading out of town to do a little more exploring in the Hocking Hills (which I did) saw the locomotive and thought (photo opportunity). Then on the way home I saw a field that probably had a hundred or more wild turkeys.

So who knows what you are going to see on your way to and from exploring..

 Thanks for stopping by

Technorati Tags: HOCKING HIILS,LANCASTER OHIO,TRAIN,LOCOMOTIVE,WILD TURKEYS

Tar Hollow State Park in the Hocking Hills for My World and Watery Wednesday

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Back to the Hocking Hills TAR HOLLOW STATE PARK near Lancaster,Ohio

Down the road To Tar Hollow past the ranger station and now we are at the spillway for the dam.

 Sunlight on the dam and some stormy skies. How about a swim at the beach?

Might be a little cold for a swim. The stream right bottom carries water from the spillway. Ok, you have waited long enough, what is behind the dam?

  Keeping with my theme of “lack of water” for Watery Wednesday the lake at Tar Hollow has been drained. In talking to the ranger I was told the entire beach area is being redone and improved. In lowering the level of the lake  there was a problem with the “gate” that controls the water level, hence the whole lake was drained. (THIS WAS NEWS TO ME

  So for next season there is going to be a completely redone beach and swimming area which sounds real good for MY WORLD

For today I’ll just do some climbing and   

   I will follow the BLUE BLAZES on the Buckeye Trail

Linda & I say Merry Christmas and thanks for stopping by.

Technorati Tags: THATS MY WORLD TUESDAY,WATERY WEDNESDAY,TAR HOLLOW STATE PARK,LANCASTER OHIO,BUCKEYE TRAIL,HIKING,CAMPING,QUALITY TIME

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