We were feeling great after our morning walk and decided to find another trail to explore. We looked up another listed short hike at Rhododendron State Nature Preserve. We thought Kerry was up for the challenge and followed her authoritative voice again, and this time we landed on private property next to a power plant. I kid you not.
We found another road right after the electric plant and took it instead hoping to find the preserve. Instead we came to Wahkeena Nature Center. Not a bad detour.
The pond with the waterlilies floating is what captured our initial attention. Then we spotted a parking lot.
Such a beauty this place.
I kept looking for toads but it was so overcast, none were basking in the sun.
Trail head. We were greeted by a worker who was so kind. Passed us a map and told us he was available for any questions if we wanted help identifying.
This trail was very well marked and easy to follow. A bit of ups and down but great scenery along the way.
My favorite ruffled mushroom cluster.
Debbie and I spotted these very tall mushrooms off in the distance. I wanted to get a closer shot but didn’t want to wander off the trail into the preserve. Thank goodness for zoom capabilities.
More mushrooms.
More steps but beautifully landscaped.
Looking up.
The log cabin was used as the nature center. We never went in because we were getting pretty hungry. Debbie remembered the extra battery charger but forgot the snacks for her sugar lows.
There was a small quiet area where this barn owl was housed. In the pamphlet it said he had been hit by a car and was no longer able to be in the wild. They were using him for educational purposes.
Honestly have never seen an owl up close before. But made me wonder how in the world did a car hit him?
Why Baltimore Ohio? Debbie and I were trying to find a place that was approximately the same distance from each other’s home base and this location happened to be that on the Ohio map. Our original intentions were to meet in Indiana but I could not find any interesting cities with hiking trails near by.
I found an adorable two bedroom Airbnb overlooking a wildflower meadow curated by the owners. Once we arrived we also realized the meticulous attention to details these owners had. The woman is a recycled artist and the art she created from piano keys, burnout out light sockets, wires, licensed plates etc was amazing.
The furniture was also refurbished and set the modern vibe perfectly.
This is the beautiful huge gold butterfly that welcomed you when you walked it. It was interesting trying to figure out where all the pieces originated from.
A close up shot of the butterfly. This should be a museum piece.
Another close up of the art behind the sofa.
One of the local recommendations for eating was called The Chubby Hawaiin. It had excellent reviews so after hitting the Dollar Store to score Debbie her Lucky Charms cereal, we headed over.
We walked into the most local looking dive bar restaurant which did not serve alcohol:) A large grey haired man in a Hawaiin shirt and lay came over to welcome us, then sat down at our table and continued to tell us his life story. Sometimes people just do not know their audience. I have little empathy for the elderly that need attention sometimes. I think that’s the Aries in me. Please don’t let me become them.
Food here was seriously excellent. Sticky rice and great flavorful chicken dishes! I had a side of Mac and cheese, just because, and it was the best I’ve had out at a restaurant.
Another Airbnb recommendation was a park just a mile up the road. We made that our first stop on Saturday’s hiking list.
I decided to drive since Debbie’s Kerry Washington voiced Apple maps made her the perfect navigator last time we met in Florida. As we mapped our way to Smeck park Kerry led us to a water treatment facility instead. Maybe she was off her game in the countryside. Google got us to the correct entrance.
A mucky pond welcomed you by the parking lot.
This huge wind mill marked the farm.
We posed by the sunflower field and sent it to our third musketeer Kassie, we were a childhood trio, wishing she were with us. It was an overcast day predicting storms, but we decided not to let it stop us.
The gravel trail that led back to the woods took us past this beautiful barn.
Antique farm equipment left for educational and artistic purpose I presume.
I captured Debbie through the equipment.
This was an adorable park and virtually empty.
Once you got to the main trailhead it was covered in trees and I literally let out an AHHHHH. Its been a hot minute since I was surrounded by green. This hike was very necessary for my mental health and I couldn’t have picked a better companion to be on the walk with me.
Debbie pointed out this blue beauty among the yellow.
Someone carefully placed a fallen birds nest on the park bench for all to admire.
Debbie hates going up steps, but climbed a 1000 of them in Australia with her sons while sick, so I assured her she would make it back up. Luckily, the path was circular and getting back did not require any steep inclines.
So peaceful. Except for the occasional hum of the water plant nearby. I loved that this small town community preserved this for its local citizens. Its only 1/2 hour outside of Columbus. I wondered if some people commuted.
Really needed to appreciate nature’s wonderment again.
The colors of green blending together and the moss so thick in places.
Toward the end of the trail, it led us through tall grasses and a corn field. Plenty of benches for people to sit still and bird watch.
Took this photo to remember the name of the trail we took.
Walking out.
They called out the different plant names. I don’t think I would’ve distinguished the difference between popcorn and feed corn.
These beauties were opening up and getting ready for the fall harvest.
Tonya Takes Thailand 