Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve

Dolomite Cliff face in Clifton Gorge.

Yet another beautiful place to hike and enjoy nature in the state of Ohio. One can see why it was named a National Natural Landmark in 1968. Part of the Little Miami State and National Scenic River system it covers roughly 268 acres. The park is on a 2 mile stretch of the river.

We started by taking the Rim Trail through the forest catching glimpses of the river below.

Little Miami River from Rim Trail.

The preserve is home to Eastern Hemlocks, Red Baneberry, Canada Yews, Mountain Maples,
and Chinkapin Oaks. We made our way down to the Gorge Trail that meanders by the river. It can be rather slippery with moss on the stones and the dampness. We descended into a cool and narrow canyon with dolomite and limestone cliffs towering above us. In the spring it is supposed to be a haven for wildflowers including rare Snow Trillium.  Saw a lovely patch of bright golden Cone flowers by the Blue Hole.

The Blue Hole is at a widening of the river. It is calm and lazy, rather looks like a secluded grotto with overhanging trees. Tiny minnows and turtles swim in the cool waters. The scene was caught in 1851 by African-American artist Robert Duncanson which now hangs in the Cincinnati Museum of Art. The Shawnee called it "Spirit Pool".

The Blue Pool in August.

                          


The Blue Hole by Robert Duncanson, 1851.


 

We turned up at this point and followed the Gorge Trail back towards Clifton. There are Slump caves to explore and large Slump rocks in the river. These are overhanging pieces of dolomite that have broken off and fallen. A rather large one is called Steamboat Rock.



Steam Boat slump rock, other end.

 

Being August you could see that some areas that normally have falls were dry but it was still dramatic. Just a lovely walk and the trails were quite busy with happy hikers. We climbed the stone steps back up to the Rim Trail and went to the Nature Center.

River View from the covered bridge at Clifton Mills.

We also went to Clifton to see the Historic Mill and their covered bridge. Nice view of the river and gorge from there too. I look forward to returning to the Gorge in the Autumn which should prove spectacular with color. A truly pleasant day exploring the countryside.



Ohio State Fair 2013

 

 

 

 The Cardinal is the Ohio state bird and he greets you at the entrance to the Ohio State fair in Columbus, in a big way! I love a state fair, a county fair, any kind of fair really and this one did not disappoint. Being one of the largest fairs in the United States it has a lot to see and do... and eat. We spent the day and didn't even go on any rides.

 

I love to see everything that is hand made by amazingly creative people whether it's a long flowing, intricately hand-cut, paper sculpture in the Cox Fine Arts building, to a hand-pieced and embroidered American quilt in the DiSalle Creative Arts building. In the Heritage Crafts building we met a lovely couple who own the Ohio Colonial Soap Company. Not only do they make soap but the most beautiful brooms. They explained all the steps to making a handmade broom from planting, growing, drying, etc. A real labor of love and so reasonable for the amount of work. Cakes, pies, cookies, jams and jellies, pickles, relishes, you name it and some one has made it and you can file past cabinets and see the ribbons on the best. There was even a competition for making things out of Duct tape and Brillo pads-amazing creations!

 

What would a state fair be without animals?  Horses, cows, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, and pigs. The schedules per day full of competitions and shows.

 

 

 

 

These little cuties were born at the fair and were five days old. If you can't get enough of the real animals then you can see the Butter Cow and calf and this years surprise, the choir. Eight thousand sticks of butter were used to make this years butter sculptures! They are kept in a 45 degree cooler.

 

 

 Of course there are buildings of Antiques and Collectibles, Marketplaces and
all kinds of shopping opportunity's. Cooking demonstrations and contests. Buildings devoted to corn, soy beans, and farming and you can try your hand at milking a cow. There was even Ohio wine education and sampling!

I really enjoyed the Natural Resources Park at the back of the fairgrounds. A beautiful 8-acre green area with a Butterfly house where you can observe swallowtail butterflies as they fly free; learn about Native Ohio animals like fox and flying squirrels; walk through a tall-grass prairie full of beautiful wildflowers; learn to kayak in a small pond; or sit and enjoy a Bluegrass band play music outside of a log cabin.

 

 

I also learned about Ohio State Parks and Nature Reserves throughout the state and picked up maps to help me find them. Viewed fossils and even camping opportunity's whether it be tent camping or renting a cabin or yurt. Overall just a celebration of natural Ohio.

 

Of course a fair wouldn't be complete without the fair food.  However I like to get something that is unique to an area. You can get deep-fried "anything and everything" at all fairs. For me it was the spicy Bahama Mama sausage from Schmidt's Sausage Haus. This Columbus institution has been in business since 1886 in German Village. The Bahama Mama is a mildly spicy German style sausage served on a square hot dog bun (reminiscent of a real Maine lobster roll bun.) The sausage has just the right amount of snap from the casing and with a good slather of mustard it is perfect! Of course we couldn't pass up their cream puff which they are also famous for and it was quite good. The filling is whipped cream and vanilla pudding...how can you go wrong?  This fifth generation restaurant was featured on TV's Man Vs. Food.

 

So if you can get yourselves to the Fair before it ends, which is in just a few days, August 4th, GO! If not, by all means get yourself to any State or County Fair and enjoy and celebrate your own area.