By the Lake

Ohio History 

Sun and Shadows 

Our visit to the Cleveland Zoo culminated with a peaceful stroll along the shady bank of Waterfowl Lake. The bubbling fountains sparkled and the leaves overhead rustled in the wind. At the turn of the path, we discovered a small rowboat moored along the shore and wondered what its purpose could be. Beyond was an old wooden footbridge with an intricately styled rail. It was such a peaceful place that it was hard to turn and head for home.

Boat and Bridge

Fountain

Ohio History

Waterfowl Lake Fountain

Besides many animals, the Cleveland Zoo also maintains a beautiful lake called Waterfowl Lake. Flamingoes, trumpeter swans, and native waterfowl can be spotted on the lake depending upon the season. Though we did not see many birds, we did enjoy the gorgeous landscaping around the lake, including the pot of brilliant red and purple above. It was a beautiful place to spend a sunny afternoon.

Lake View

Ohio History

Sun on Caesar Creek

It was almost mesmerizing to watch the cloud reflections sail across the sky blue water. The wind picked up and rippled across the reflections, blending the distant trees into the sky. My only wish was for a boat to sail across Caesar Creek Lake to the far shore. A sunny sky makes such a difference in the appearance of a lake. I have seen lakes too many times under gray, rainy skies, and a bit of sunshine and blue sky simply transforms a lakeside view.

Caesar Creek Geese

Ohio History

Lunch by the Lake

Caesar Creek State Park was a beautiful place to spend the afternoon. Besides boating and fishing, the park offers trails for hiking, biking, and fishing. There is also a nature center near by. But our main interest was the picnic facilities, where we enjoyed a good lunch - with a few bees for company. We also enjoyed watching the geese while we ate.

Lakeside Geese

There was an interesting stretch of muddy bare ground along the waterline, between the grass and the lake. The dirt area extended almost up to the picnic pavilions. Our best explanation was that the lake had flooded all the way up there in the spring. I believe it is created by a dam, and would thus be used as an overflow basin when there was too much rainfall. Otherwise, the park was having some major grass-growing issues. The geese did enjoy rooting around in the mud for bugs and worms, as well as slurping around in the lingering puddles there.

Caesar Creek Lake

Ohio History

A Lake with History

A stop by a sunny lake ended our adventure in southwestern Ohio for the day. Caesar Creek Lake lies within the 4,700-acre Caesar Creek State Park near Wilmington, Ohio. The lake is fed by Caesar Creek, which was named for a African American slave who was captured by the Shawnee on a raid along the Ohio River. The Shawnee adopted him and gave him the Caesar Creek valley as his hunting ground; Caesar was said to have gone on many raids with Chief Blue Jacket. Apparently, even a lake can have Indian history; Fort Ancient was not unique in that respect. An ancient Indian trail runs along the Caesar Creek valley; interestingly enough, it was used by many runaway slaves as part of the Underground Railroad.

Possum Creek Metro Park

Ohio History

Lake View

Well, that's enough history for one morning. It was time to find a quiet spot for a picnic lunch. There was no better place than Possum Creek Metro Park, nestled in the heart of Dayton. Yes I did say Possum Creek, maybe not a picturesque resort, but certainly a nice peaceful lake and a pavilion! This park is part of the Dayton Metro Park system, and was thus beautiful and well cared for. There were probably a few hiking trails around the lake and through the woods as well.

The most interesting thing to me, however, was inspecting the neighboring farm and, more specifically, the chicken tractor. Yes, a chicken house on wheels, right off the page from the poultry books! It had exterior-opening nest boxes on the side, an access ramp leading up to a little door that could be closed at night, and I believe an electric fence to contain the chickens. It could be moved periodically to give the poultry new grass and/or prevent the decimation of a given patch of field. Did you spot the chickens in the photo? Yes, they are all hiding under the tractor . . . they don't seem to appreciate the new grass very much.

Dayton Chicken Tractor

 

Columbus Aerial View

Ohio History

View From Above

Looking out over the city was like viewing a live miniature diorama or model train layout. There were tiny cars, buses, and pedestrians in constant motion around toothpick-sized roads and buildings. Though a still picture, the photo above has a couple points of interest too. Did you spot the building under construction, covered with green insulation? How about the long highway exit ramps to the left? I believe those belong either to I-70 or 670, which both bisect the city from east to west. I was also surprised at the number of trees Columbus has!

East Broad Street

We had a head-on view down Broad Street, or State Route 40. It runs straight through downtown as far as the eye can see. This was certainly a different experience from our first visit to the Rhodes Tower (you can see it here), during a rainstorm! 

Columbus Horizon

Ohio History

Summer Skyline

My family returned to the Rhodes Tower viewing windows this past summer, several years after our first visit. The sky was bright through puffy white clouds. The view was magnificent, far off into the horizon. It's amazing what difference a little moisture in the air makes! We could see the tall office buildings of the downtown and off into the residential areas. On the far right side of the photo, there was even a bunch of tiny tents set up in an open area. A wedding or festival? We never found out.

Scioto River

Ohio History

Church and River

Soon, the fog had lifted entirely and the cumulus storm clouds were nearly cleared. The sky was almost pink in the hazy afternoon sun. From a smaller window on the opposite side of the Rhodes Tower, we had a clear view of a beautiful church nearby. Just beyond we could see the Scioto River. The Scioto flows north to south through Columbus on its way to the Ohio River. How many bridges can you see over the river from this shot?

Columbus Rainbow

Ohio History

Fog and Rainbows

As the fog lifted, it was amazing to watch the tiny roads and rooftops appear. It was as though a curtain was going up from the front of a stage. We even spotted a rainbow in the bottom of the fog, arching over the city.

Cloud Display

The array of clouds was also breathtaking. The layers of fog seemed to fade into the massive thunderhead far above the city. The sun seemed to be illuminating the upper clouds while the lower ones were very dark and shadowed. I suppose this would be the view if you got to ride up in a weather balloon. It was certainly more pleasant to be safe inside the huge glass windows of the Rhodes Tower!

Retreating Fog

Ohio History

Clearing Sky

We were about to turn back for home as we stared into the bleak fog hanging over Columbus. However, suddenly the cloud began to blow off before our very eyes! It was amazing to watch the mass of water vapor clear away from the city from south to north. We had never seen anything quite like it! It left a beautiful--though not quite sunny--sky and rain-washed city behind.

Rhodes Tower

Ohio History

Columbus Fog

Although we have traveled far and wide across Ohio to find interesting history and geography, we've not yet visited one site in the state's capital city! A couple years ago my family went into Columbus to tour one of its historical places, a replica of the Santa Maria. Sadly, there was a rainstorm and the threat of lightening caused the tall-masted ship to close just as we arrived! We improvised on the spot and changed our destination to the Rhodes Tower in downtown Columbus. This 450-foot skyscraper had a special feature: large glass windows on three sides of the fortieth floor allowed visitors an aerial view of the city.

Aerial View of . . . Fog and Rain?

Of course, bad weather down below also means bad weather up above. When we stepped out of the elevator on the fortieth floor of the Rhodes Tower, we saw a haze of fog obscuring the city skyline. Aerial visibility couldn't have been more than a couple blocks.

Golden Days

Artist's Gallery

Golden Days in Mud Valley

And now for one last Holmes County painting before we move on. Above is the picture all finished. There's a reason I don't have a series of step photos like usual: I completed this in one sitting, using a very fast and bold technique. Starting with the greens and blues in the background, I proceeded to slap in dark and light browns for the tree trunks. Once all that was dry, I used fan and scrubby brushes to dab in the red and yellow leaves, both trees and ground. An interesting point is that I used pure white to create the light spots and highlights. I like how the texture and detail came out, but I'm not really happy with the color combination. I did like the name pun I came up with though: Golden Days in Mud Valley. Tell me what you think!

Walking Home 3

Artist's Gallery

Painting Complete

And here is my complete painting, framed and ready-to-hang. How do you like my people? I told you I was not good at painting figures! From my limited experience acquired since, I believe the proportions are a bit off, more like children than the adults I imagined. However, they look cute and happy and seem to fit in alright - what more can I ask? The tree added an interesting touch in the front compared to my previous painting, The Way Home, which I did from this same spot. I like the warm, glowing qualities about the picture - I think Walking Home came out quite satisfactorily.

More Scenery

Ohio History 

Fish Pond Shed

Here is the little maintenance shed that seems to keep watch over the fish ponds. I have always loved its red trim and overhanging roof. In fact, I confess to painting more than one canvas with scenes from the ponds. They change so much with the seasons, weather, and even angle of view, I think there is no end to the pictures one could paint! Click the links to see the paintings I've already featured...I can asure you more will be coming!

Mud Valley Reflection

Forest Fire

Autumn Pastorale

I love to take pictures with that brilliant sunshine...sometimes though the picture just can't capture it all.

Sunburst

Amish Pond

Ohio History

Fish Pond

History aside, the gently rolling hills and quaint farms do create countless picturesque scenes in Holmes County. We couldn't resist stopping for a few pictures, especially with the brilliantly sunny spring day. And especially just up the road from where we lived up here for a short time! You may be surprised to know that this is one of three ponds along this road specially maintained for raising fish. We affectionately called them the fish ponds. We loved to watch the Amish farmer who cared for them walking out in the evening to sprinkle food in for the fish. The water surface suddenly came to life with splashing ripples!

Amish Country

Ohio History

Winter Buggies

When I say, 'Holmes County, Ohio,' two words probably flash into your mind (if you are familiar with that area, that is): Amish country. While certainly true--Holmes County does have the largest population of Amish people in Ohio and some claim in the country--there is so much more. As in any area of Ohio, Holmes County has a rich history. There are plenty of places to be visited and things to be seen, so let's get on our way to north eastern Ohio!



Amish Country Autumn

But, that said, it doesn't hurt to snap a few pictures of those passing buggies along the way (or rather the ones we pass).

Walnut Creek Cheese Hitching Rack

"Long Summer Days"

Artist's Gallery

My Painting on the Calendar

Yes, my painting is on the calendar! Just a note here, thanks to my family for generously helping out with most of the votes for it (“loading the ballot box” as one of my artist friends put it!). Still, I thought it was a beautiful representation of our rural county, right down to the title, “Long Summer Days on the Farm.” And July is the perfect month to display it on! I like it with that black border...maybe I should try a black frame?… Of course we bought several calendars, and I will always treasure this picture, even when the calendar's months are over.

Summer Set

Artist's Gallery

"Summer Afternoon" & "Summer Evening"

Now we can compare both paintings side by side. I found matching white-marbled frames with gold trim that fit them, and I liked the lighter color rather than the gold I showed earlier. They made a perfect set, sharing the same barn motifs and bright summer colors, with just enough variation too. I like how the flowers are so big in the larger painting, and very small in the little painting. Really, you have to do at least a two-painting set when they’re this small size, so they don’t get lost on the wall when they’re hung up. At least that’s what I found when I tried to decorate my room with a dozen of my 8x10 paintings!

Summer Afternoon

Artist's Gallery

Framed Painting

Here is the sister painting to “Summer Evening.” Same barn, same background, but a smaller scale—this painting is only 5” by 7” instead of 8x10. I still remember, this was the painting I worked on the first day I went to my art group. Everyone else was painting much larger canvases, and I felt very outnumbered!

Like “Summer Evening,” I painted the background first, watercolor-acrylic style. I think the dark, thunder-stormy look of the sky and the brown splotches in the grass give it that late-summer look. When dry, I applied thick, bright paint for the flowers and rock, covering over the background colors. I think it’s a cute little picture!