Tag Archives: Lancaster Ohio

One Of These Days

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One of these days I’m going to topple over while trying to snap a picture. Lake Loretta at Alley Park was teaming with dragonflies on Saturday and it brought me great joy to watch them.

I was crouched on rocks on the lake shore, leaning forward and down with nothing to hold me up but what little core strength I have. The fact my heavy zoom lens didn’t make me top heavy is a miracle.

They say you’re among angels when there is a dragonfly nearby. I stood there watching them for a long time but couldn’t resist trying to grab a shot. None turned out great but at least I have something to remember the moment.

Alley Park

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While out running around Saturday, I meandered into Alley Park near Lancaster, Ohio. Part of Lancaster’s city park system, it’s home to picnic areas, seven miles of trails, a terrific log cabin, nature center, a catch and release lake and this covered bridge.

It’s called the George Hutchins Covered Bridge. Built somewhere else in 1865, it was brought here for the Fairfield County Bicentennial Celebration in 2000.

At just 49 feet, it’s not an enormous bridge but it’s in great shape and the perfect venue for small events. In fact, it was decorated Saturday for a late day wedding.

I wandered around here for a bit before heading down the road to bargain shop at Peddlar’s Junction. Just before this, I had visited a local sunflower field. Read about that experience here!

Also, in case you need a pep talk – this flower was growing all alone in a pavement crack. If a little flower can muster this kind of resilience and will to live, we can too!

Alley Park

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While out running around Saturday, I meandered into Alley Park near Lancaster, Ohio. Part of Lancaster’s city park system, it’s home to picnic areas, seven miles of trails, a terrific log cabin, nature center, a catch and release lake and this covered bridge.

It’s called the George Hutchins Covered Bridge. Built somewhere else in 1865, it was brought here for the Fairfield County Bicentennial Celebration in 2000.

At just 49 feet, it’s not an enormous bridge but it’s in great shape and the perfect venue for small events. In fact, it was decorated Saturday for a late day wedding.

I wandered around here for a bit before heading down the road to bargain shop at Peddlar’s Junction. Just before this, I had visited a local sunflower field. Read about that experience here!

Also, in case you need a pep talk – this flower was growing all alone in a pavement crack. If a little flower can muster this kind of resilience and will to live, we can too!

Angel

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“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.”

Michelangelo

After work on Friday, I took some roads I had never been on and ended up at St Mary’s Catholic Cemetery on the outskirts of Lancaster.

Cemeteries are often home to some impressive pieces of art and architecture in the form of mausoleums and statuary. This gem caught my eye and I had to get a closer look.

Isn’t she magnificent? She looks over the final resting place of Army Captain George E. Blaire who died in May 1894.

There are a few interesting pieces here but the angel is hands down my favorite. I am constantly astounded by an artist’s ability to envision such a thing in a block of marble or stone and that they are able to give their ideas life with such exquisite lines and powerful emotions.

Notice how realistic her facial features and hair are. Also pay attention to the folds of fabric around her knee. She is even more magnificent in person.

Here are a few more images from a quick look around.

All of these pieces are larger than life and beautifully done.

Look Up

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Here’s another reason why you should look up and all around.

This is a small space between buildings in downtown Lancaster. I think the installation is gone now but it was such a treat to walk through and many people didn’t even know it existed because they simply weren’t aware of their surroundings.

It was like a special secret for the aware.

What secrets have you found in your world?

Mount Pleasant

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For a panoramic view of Lancaster, take a short hike up Mount Pleasant in Rising Park.

The approximate 250 foot tall sandstone bluff can be reached by a beautiful hiking trail seemingly straight up the mountain. It’s a fantastic workout and the reward is an incredible view of the city.

I went up there on a whim Saturday and realized that I see something different every time I go. It was also fun people watching, stomping through the woods and exploring on some of the rocks.

It would be a great place to take a light lunch or to watch the sunset.

Rising Park has a lot to offer including tennis, horseshoes, shelter houses, a pretty pond and plenty of shady places to stop for a picnic or to just relax.

Rising Park is located at 1120 North High Street in Lancaster, not far from the fairgrounds and from downtown Lancaster.