Tag Archives: Hiking Ohio

This Solitude will Soon Pass Away

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this-solitude-will-pass

Solitude has a Season

Winter hiking, even on a sunny day, usually is a solitary event. Few people enjoy its solitude with me on the trails. I’m scouting out new trails to add to my circuit. This lakeshore trail has some promise. I was immediately greeted by a Kingfisher who was not interested in a portrait. I headed inland into a mature forest and about 1200 feet of ascent. It was more than enough to keep me warm on a breezy and brisk day. There was no overlook on this portion of the trail but  the open canopy provided some nice vistas. One hawk did not appreciate my intrusion on its solitude. The opportunities to observe spring birds and wildflowers looks promising, but by then I’ll be sharing the trail with others fishing, backpacking, and listening to Boats on the water. I spotted the telltale markings of a Bald Eagle in the distance – another sign of promise. For now at least, I’ll enjoy the winter solitude.

Sunday Scene: Buckeye Trail, Muskingum Watershed, Tappan Lake Park

Weekly Photo Challenge: Solitude

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Repurposed: O & E Towpath Trail

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One of three hiking trails I weekly walk is the Zoar Valley Trail, part of the Ohio and Erie Canal Tow Path corridor. The trailhead I use begins near the Historic Village of Zoar and accommodates hikers, bike and equestrian traffic. The river increasingly is used as a recreational waterway. Eventually this trail which begins near Cleveland, travels through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and 4 county park systems will reach the Ohio River following the old canal route. The portion I routinely walk has served as canal, fish hatchery and a sawmill trace. It has been nicely repurposed , which is the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge theme of the week.

Zoar Valley Trail

Step up to walking bridge over the Tuscarawas River to the Village of zoar
Ohio and Erie Canal 83 mile marker. Old foundations in the background.
Remains of Old Saw mill that used part of the canal.
Signs on State Route 212 near the restored historic village of Zoar.

Conkles Hollow Landscape

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My best landscape I posted Wednesday from Ash Cave.

Mostly I’ve taken more intimate landscapes or nature close up. I did take this photo from the Rim Trail at Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve (Ohio) last week. I snapped it on a whim, its not really in its peak of beauty. I’ve included the reward for walking the forest floor trail into the hollow, the intimate landscape of the inner falls.

For this weeks WPC Challenge.

Rim Trail Conkle’s Hollow
Falls in Conkle’s Hollow

Coltsfoot

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Wildflower Friday

Coltsfoot
Coltsfoot Asparagus-like Stalk
Coltsfoot, an Early Member of the Daisy Family

An early Spring wildflower, I see it along many roadsides and woodland edges. At first glance it may be passed off as a bunch of dandelions. If your a lawn purist its a weed. If your an native purist its invasive. If your into homeopathic remedies it a herb. If you like flowers it has beauty.