The land was once mined for coal and for a while was the site of a summer camp for boys called Camp Arrowhead. Today, it’s the Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve.
I had hiked there a few times over the years but always hiked the same trail. This time I chose a different trail that took me past the lake and a waterfall. There was a stand of pines, large boulders and all manner of wildflowers and fungi to enjoy. The birds were boisterous the day I visited and there were a ton of squirrels.
This fifty acre lake is surrounded by sandstone cliffs and open for recreational fishing.
The beautiful thing about nature preserves here in Ohio is that the trails are typically in great condition and they usually don’t draw big crowds. Also, pets are not allowed which is a big plus for those of us who are intimidated by dogs.
If you’re in southern Ohio and looking for a peaceful place to hike, fish or reflect, Lake Katherine is lovely. It’s almost idyllic.
Want the specifics? Find trail descriptions, rules and more here.
Today they call it the Wellston Wildlife Area but, to me it will always just be Lake Rupert. The property is about 1,300 acres and features a 327 acre man made lake.
It was built in 1969 so many local people remember homes and even a covered bridge that once were located at the site. The covered bridge was picked up and moved to another location but the homes were simply vacated and flooded.
This is a popular spot for fishing and boating. I like it for the birdwatching and for the hibiscus which are in bloom right now.
I usually like to reflect on accomplishments and lessons learned during the last year. Honestly, I don’t know what I learned this year other than how to adapt, make do and survive. Changes at work and a major hiccup in my physical well being have dominated these last several months.
I’m tired and I’m tired of feeling like I’m living in a fog while fighting to figure out my new life. The issues that come with hypothyroidism are surprisingly difficult to shake.
It’s not all bad though. My health has improved and things have settled down at work. I’m hopeful that I’m headed in the right direction because survival mode is no place to dwell for too long. Once it becomes a way of life, it’s hard to get back to something better.
But I did get to travel some and explored a good bit in my own area this last year. Sunflower fields, a real life haunted house, fall in Denver, a trip down the river and a whirlwind trip through our nation’s Capitol are among my favorite memories. I even saw Old Glory and the only DaVinci in America during that DC trip. Of course, most of those things occurred before my thyroid diagnosis.
So there was a lot of good amidst the sad, the frustrating and the exhausting. It wasn’t all bad but it was still vital that the last day of my 44th trip around the sun be a good one.
And so I made it that way.
First up, I met a friend for a biplane ride at the James A. Rhodes Airport in Jackson County. My friend Dewey had brought his biplane Ace – a 1929 Travel Air – for some good old fashioned Barnstorming. I never pass up an opportunity to ride with him and it was a bucket list item for my friend too!
I had actually met Dewey at this airport a few years ago. You can also read about that experience – still one of my favorite memories. Learn more about him and his planes at his website.
The airport was hosting a fly-in so there were other aircraft including an incredible B-25 Mitchell Bomber from the Tri State Warbirds Museum.
And this nice Stearman which I believe was a World War II era training plane.
It was a gorgeous day. At eighty degrees, it was much cooler than we’ve seen lately and the sky was a brilliant blue. So after the airport event, I swung by Lake Katherine Nature Preserve for a peaceful hike.
It was wonderful having a moment in the woods to reflect, move and simply breathe. Sometimes you need to just breathe and do nothing else.
All told, this was a perfect day. Planes and nature. What more can a gal want?
