Rentschler Waterfall Loop- Hamilton, Ohio

Baby B, Sedona, agreed to go on a Saturday morning hike with me and I tried to find a new trail that I haven’t visited yet. I love being able to discover new trails within an hour of where I live. Why hike the same trail twice? Unless of course it’s during a different season in which case, I totally get how it can appear completely different. For me, filling my head with newness is the key to keeping me present and seeing the beauty this world has to offer.

I was house sitting, so Sedona came over early and met with my Turkish student, Sercan, via Cambly. He wanted to meet her since they both work at airports -only thousands of miles apart. It was fun to have one of my students, who I have been chatting with for over a year, meet my daughter. My long term students are more like friends to me. They continue to book my reservations not because I am the best teacher, but because they can talk with me about anything!

I found a route on AllTrails called Rentschler Waterfall Loop, and you all know I am a sucker for anything water. We made our way there before the humidity of the day set in.

There were several entry points, but we opted to start at the Pumpkin Vine Trail head.

This is the first tree I encountered that grabbed my attention. I see a face here and I love bark that has all this texture. Such personality.

Then we stumbled across this site! Check out the antique farming equipment left behind. Nature was not letting it stop its growth and purpose.

I was scaring Sedona a bit by climbing up this fallen tree. I love a challenge. I later was doing a few gymnastic balance beam moves on another log just to prove that her old mom still had it 🤣

This beauty caught my attention from a distance.

Always admiring the natural archways over the trails. I don’t know why. It just makes me feel like I’m walking in a fairytale.

Beautiful wildflowers. We occasionally would see white butterflies gathering around them.

I liked how this post was growing hair on top.

After crossing the street along our path, we came across a totally different landscape with these extremely tall trees.

As we were walking we kept seeing huge feathers. It started to smell foul as well and we noticed a ton of bird poop. Obviously some type of bird liked nesting in these tall timbers.

Kudos to the parks and scouts that make the walkways in the woods.

About half way through we found the waterway.

Sedona and I decided to walk in the creek bed.

Sedona’s Chakos have been on our front porch since our last muddy hike and she finally is taking the opportunity to wash them off in nature.

I was cracking up over this tree and Sedona thinks I’m nuts. But I totally see a guy who fell down on his face with his mouth open and arms outstretched.

How many selfies can I take in the creek beds of my hikes? I naturally always pause here.

Does anyone else see the beauty in this?

As we wandered further we came across another waterfall. If we weren’t walking in the creek would we have seen this?

Sedona discovered that the waterfall was actually creating clay but additionally also a great place for huge spiders to dwell.

We later stumbled across a perfect bluejay feather. If I were a kid I would’ve picked it up and brushed it across my cheeks. Now unfortunately I know better not to touch it.

We resurfaced from the woods to walk a bit along the Miami River nearby.

We decided to take the paved road back to our car. I captured this natural beauty as I was looking up through the fern like tree leaves. A perfect blue sky day.

Mammoth Cave National Park-Kentucky

I decided to spend the weekend in Louisville and wanted an adventure to keep me out of trouble on Sunday while George was working. In typical Tonya style, I took a look at the AllTrails app to see what hiking was near the area. I discovered that Mammoth Cave National Park was only an hour drive away and offered many different trails.

I feel like my parents took me to this place possibly when I was younger, but I don’t remember much about it. I wondered if seeing it would trigger any memories.

Just a little info about this park- Mammoth Cave National Park preserves the world’s longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave is a limestone labyrinthine and you with more than 400 miles of it explored, and the park estimates a potential for another 600 miles in its system. Can you imagine? Discovering this back in the 1800s.

I knew I wasn’t going to be able to explore the cave, since reservations are required due to Covid and general summer tourism. Maybe I will come back again with a friend to take a look, but for now, I was just day tripping to get some sunshine and exercise.

On my drive there I stopped at a rest area and there was this poppy meadow in front of where I parked. I couldn’t resist.

I literally covered all the trail routes. Not knowing if I’d be back. Wanting to see all the sites. Was out walking the trails for 3 hours.

Map location in Kentucky. I was curious what city it was closest to. There was a time change which literally made me feel like I was in a time warp as I was hiking for over an hour and then it said I was only out 15 minutes.

Heading down the historic trail. This led you to the opening of the Mammoth Cave. You could literally feel the temps drop when you walked by.

Oh Virlane- wtf is up with this tree bark? It was the only one like it.

Heavily covered but it did nothing to help with the humidity.

Check out the tree roots adaptability. Talk about will to live.

Occasionally there would be paved or wooden walkways.

Looking down into the opening of a cave. I decided to find my way down to it for an up close personal look.

I spotted a fallen tree in the distance and hiked along the slanted muddy/sandy/slick edge to reach it. Knowing it may be the only secluded part of the woods. Most paths had many hikers and families. Off the paths was poison ivy galore.

And planted myself for a much needed silence check-in. Listening to the birds and water. Asking God what’s next for me.

This ironically was sent to me from Kang Kang which was perfectly appropriate for the days end.

How in the world does nature so easily embrace and conform when as a human I always kick and scream against change.

These shrooms looked like ruffles on a dress in their warm coloration.

And these cuties were so small and sprouting up as a new layer on a fallen log pronouncing their existence.

Rocks or boulders are always along Kentucky trails.

Nothing to see here. Very disappointing.

Ferns showing off in a spiral form. New to me. Always seeking new shapes.

The sinkhole was more like a dried up river bed.

Surrounded by ferns not seen elsewhere in the park.

My love of roots and their strength. Supportive. Surviving. Enduring whatever elements come their way.

The mud path ended that I was following along the sinkhole sight.

Leading to a place to watch the sunset. It led to an opening overlooking the tree covered mountains. I was about 4 hours early.

Cemetery for the slaves that gave tours in the caves for generations.

The Dixon trail cave. Nothing much to see.

One last look as I made my way back out of the forest and back to the parking lot.

I stopped in Elizabeth Town, Ky for dinner and had to capture this thoughtful mural.

As I was making my way back to the apartment I saw this little guy in a parking spot. Like he’d fallen out of a car and was left behind. My heart broke. So I set him up in this position as if calling out “ I’m here!!”

Keehner Park Trail- Westchester, Ohio

Sedona agreed to go on a hike with me this weekend so I googled a few trails that were within a 30 minute radius. This park pulled up so off we went to explore.

I’ve never heard of this place but being that it was Saturday, families were out in the picnic areas celebrating recent graduations.

We started down this steep pathway that immediately led to the creek.

You know I love the water. This creek was shallow enough to easily walk through.

We were surrounded by a fresh green glow. The color seemed vibrant probably due to the week of rain we endured.

And the paths were muddy as hell. There was no escaping it.

This vine was wrapped as if in attack mode trying to take down the tree.

Half and half. Made me want one of those twisty soft served ice cream cones with chocolate and vanilla.

Was tough to capture a photo but this tree literally had two large long branches that I felt were reaching out to me! Sedona was certain that it was not wanting me, but possibly another tree.

One of the neighbors must have built this cute fort. After getting a few cobwebs off, Sedona climbed up.

Teeny petals. Not many flowers along these paths.

I nearly fell thinking the wood would be more stable than the mud.

We ended up at one point trekking across this open field. It was so strange emerging from the coverage suddenly.

Sedona in a peaceful moment under the natural archway.

I thought this little sprout needed some attention. Looked like art to me.

We heard kids in the distance probably enjoying the break from the sun and the coolness coming off the water. It was another humid 90 degree day.

Great overhead coverage providing shade.

Hmmmm not very helpful in our decision making.

Moving water always fascinated me. I mean how does it never stop?

Hiking with my daughters always makes me happy.

We decided to take the stairs up hoping they’d lead us back to the main park level. Wasn’t sure if we could get a grip in the mud on an incline.

Trillium Valley Trail-California Woods, Ohio

Rain is predicted for every day next week. Unlike some who are comforted by the sound of rain and the excuse to stay indoors, I dread a cloudy Ohio day. It depresses me somehow. I enjoy the sound at night when I am trying to sleep, but otherwise it puts me in a comatose condition. So I wanted to get out again if possible and not waste the morning as the storm clouds started rolling in.

I met up with my friend Linda at California Woods. Unlike the last time we were here, the parking and trails were empty even though it was a Sunday.

blahahhhhakrgk — I saw this trail on my drive to the parking lot so while I was waiting for Linda I walked back to check it out.

Map of the park

I spotted this pathway and wandered til it’s dead end. I love the tall grass. Reminds me of ‘weed forts’ we used to make as kids. We would create trails in the tall grass by matting down the grass, then covering up the entrances so no one could find us.
Shout out to my Westmoor comrades.

Looking up always gives me hope. Thank God my vertigo has been at bay.

Look at her bulges. Her rounded hips make me smile with relatable compassion.

As I was walking I snapped this photo in attempt to capture the narrowness of the trail we were on.

Inspirational rocks make my day as I hike. A common find on Cincinnati trails.

A look back. The forest was so green, humid, buzzing with the rhythm of cicadas. We couldn’t stop for long because we’d get bitten by mosquitoes and other gnats looking for something new to attack.

We climbed quite a height. Linda didn’t seem phased with the incline, meanwhile I was trying to catch my breath attempting to keep up.

An artistic composition of fallen timber.

How many faces can you see in this beauty?

Perfection. The raindrops in their oval shapes could not have been posed any better, lining the leaves’ edges.

It was an easy trail to follow. Signs were blocking a lot of the options for restoration.

This flowering tree caught my eye snd I made Linda pose by it.

Such feathery petals with no scent whatsoever.

Linda stopped to skip rocks in the stream while we caught up on each other’s lives.

My badass friend. The joy of being back in my city.

French Park- Cincinnati, Ohio

I received a sweet text message from Alexandra Leurck who had just returned after spending a semester abroad. I haven’t seen her since her grandfather’s funeral and we decided to check out French Park and catch up. I wanted to hear all about her European adventures and find out what her plans are for the summer.

She was determined to hike barefoot, grounding herself with nature. I love this girl’s heart! She is a genuinely kind, passionate protector of the earth that encompasses the wisdom of a recycled soul. I absolutely adore her and could talk with her on my level for hours without feeling the age difference. I can’t wait to see where she ends up in the world. A free spirit for sure with empathy and a grip on what makes a human happy. Admirable to be at that place mentally in your 20s.

We came across a water spigot which was still functioning.

As we were walking at the beginning of the trail, the aroma was overwhelming. Lilacs. But not the big oversized flowers I was used to seeing, it was coming from these tiny little guys. (which I was just informed is called honeysuckle. So much I could be learning!) We were both just breathing it in. It was like walking in a fairyland with the sweet scent surrounding us.

The paths were so quiet. It was morning and the sun was not yet hot. I love when trees naturally create archways over the trails. This one with its shape in particular was unique.

As Alexandra was walking, she snagged this clover between her toes. Instead of my heavy shoes crushing nature, she was becoming part of it.

I am constantly amazed at how I notice different plants and flowers every time I hike. Are the species are endless? And as Alexandra pointed out, there are so many more seasons than we are educated on. Anytime you get out there is always change. Lesson there in life.

This cicada did not stray far from its shell which is right below it. These ugly bugs live a simple life. The noise yesterday was at its peak with them singing. Today seems a bit quieter.

The white bark of this tree stood out with its enormous height.

Check out these flowers. The buds are so tiny, like baby’s breath and then they bloom into a cross shape of adorable miniscule petals with tonal spiked edges. My new favorite. And honestly, I have never seen before. (was told by a blog reader, aka Jane, that these are poisonous-yikes!)

Another archway making the other side seem even more mysterious. We walked along many different paths, randomly selecting as we went.

I made her stand under this guy to capture it’s scale. Maybe another day I’ll come back and scale the branch leaning up and perch myself up there for a bit for a different perspective.

The bark of this tree had such interesting markings on it. And up higher, unfortunately, was the victim to many lover’s initials. It was a survivor for sure. More than likely outlasting the love of teenagers who falsely promised forever.

We got to the creek and Alexandra rinsed off her muddy soles.

Can’t tell you how happy I was to be out again, and with the energy and company of this beautiful gal!

A memorial to some childhood friends in the early 1920s – I’ll have to google the story.

The roots of the riverbed trees. Always intriguing.

As we continued we passed a venue where it looked like they may be hosting a wedding tonight. June. The wedding month. So happy to see things in the USA opening back up thanks to all us who believe in science and risked the vaccine for the greater good.

Color and texture combinations always make me ponder the creativity of the creator.

So delicate. Reminded me of Kathy’s newly renovated home with touches of blush and pink. (Kathy is Alexandra’s mom and wonder woman!)

When I got home I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with the remainder of my day, but knew I it was a rare moment in the sun, so I got my hammock out and listed to the Dreams & Detours podcast on my ear pods while relaxing and enjoying life. As I was heading back up to the house for lunch, I spotted this perfectly placed heart flower.

Open your eyes out there. It is a fascinatingly communicative world.

36 Quotes About Change - Wise Words About Transitions

Last night sleeping in Vanessa- George Wyth State Park, Iowa

Driving eastbound, I knew I wasn’t going to make it to my intended destination. I was getting tired on the road and the nothingness landscape of Iowa was starting to bore me. I was entertained for a long while listening to a Chelsea Handler book I downloaded, at the suggestion of Ethan, my new friend I met in Albuquerque. But once that was finished, my old playlists were also on my nerves and the repetitiveness of siriusxm pop stations were enough to push me over the edge.

With the help of my Louisville lover, who we will nickname GPP, I was able to spend the evening at a state park. Rightfully, he thought my last night with Vanessa should be in nature and not another Walmart parking lot. I was so appreciative to have the help and research done for me. For 12$ I would be surrounded by the ducks, water and trees instead of the florescent lighting and sound of pick up trucks revving up their engines.