Glacier RidgeMetro Park. Marsh Hawk trail 3 miles.

It was a little iffy on whether or not the rain would hold off but we decided to head on out and take our chances. As far as wildlife goes it has been the best so far, because we we close enough to a nest that we could have almost touched the little birds. It was built on the underside of the observation tower. The baby birds looked as if they would be ready to try a fly in a couple of weeks. There was another nest on top of the tower but it was a bit farther out.

~C. I'm just poking in to add my two cents and a couple of pictures from my new iphone. Agree that seeing the little baby birdies was very cool. As far as the rest of the walk goes I think it was a bit too metro for me. I'm not sure I found Paris here, but, I do have to say it was interesting to note that only Dublin, Ohio would place a Frisbee Golf Course in the middle of a nature walk! Pics at the bottom. ~ C.






The first stop was at the observation tower where we took some pictures and got a feel for the rest of the park. The only trail was the 3 mile (one way) to the north end of the park and seeing that it might pour we opted to take a few pictures and then drive up to the north end to catch a quick hike.







The Glacier Ridge Trail system is a multi use trail so there are runners, walkers and bicyclists. It is much more urban than most of the parks and a portion of it buts up to a . There is a wind and solar learning center. The trails are fairly flat so its a good one to try if you are up for a leisurely hike.

S.

Trail #5 Heritage Trail

Heritage Rails to Trails entry way in Hilliard, Ohio. This trail is almost 7 miles in total and actually ends up in another small town, but, we only walked about 3 miles or so.

Finally it has cooled down enough to actually start back on the trails again... It seems like it has been forever ago since we took our last trail. One of the nice things about this trail was it is close to us, pick it up from old Hilliard. A nice easy jaunt to get back in the swing of things.



It is kind of appropriate at this time because all too often you get sidetracked (especially me) from your goal, which currently is to walk all of the Metro Park trails. This little thing called life happens.... Kids go back to school, extra busy at work, way too hot outside .... the list goes on. But that is not the problem, because no matter how hard we try , things WILL happen. The problem is that it gets harder to start back up again. All it takes is that one time and then it is easier to say well I'll do it next week. That gets me on a regular basis. But we started again And that is what matters.

You too can be a statue!














Now about the trail itself: It is actually quite travelled. Bikes, runners, rollerbladers, walkers and dogs. It is very hidden considering the fact that it runs through town. Its also a lengthy trail that goes out to Plain City. From there you can pick up the trail to Yellow Springs.

It is lined on both sides with trees that provide nice shade and a good place for cardinals to live (which we learned on a previous walk) Some interesting plant life and check out the sunset! Will be a good trail when the leaves turn. (and if we ever got some snow of any substance good for a cross country ski trip.






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Ah! Sunset!!

~S.

A quick diversion...

Our trail hiking is helping shape our thinking about Paris being a state of mind that we can transfer and transport everywhere. But, there is always room for dessert!

SS rarely shows up without dessert from our favorite dessert boutique! Pistacia Vera provides desserts that would stack up against the pastries we found in Monmarte. www.pistaciavera.com

Just looking at this image of the delicacies we ate after Trail #4 makes me yearn for a cup of earthy brown espresso! Aromatic Macaroons made with lavender or rose or peach. Cakes with real limes, pistachio nuts, or strawberries. Ah…Paris IS definitely to be found at Pistacia!



~Cyndi

One of the great things about walking in Paris was finding a little pastry shop as we wound around the city. So many culinary delights... Pastcia Vera is right along those lines in it's quality and presentation/packaging of it's goodies.

On the walk we saw an Indian mound... I always wonder how they figured out it was one... Do you dig it up or is there something else that distinguishes them from just a small hill? As I write this it sounds like a stupid question, but sadly I can't figure out the answer...

Trail #4, Highbanks, The Return of J. Cow-ouac...

COWSSS* walk the Coyote Run Pet Trail at Highbanks Metro Park

None other than J. Cow-ouac. J. Was extraordinarily annoyed with us for leaving him out of our last hike. Here he is hoping to prove to us that he is the best in trail guides. Interestingly, he insisted we read the signage for the Adena Indian Burail Mound ourselves. I mean, what kind of trail guide holds back information simply to make a point?


Our friends and fellow hikers!!!and the addition of COWS plus (or cows to the fourth power)….NS and SS hiked along with us on this trail. For this journey, and for everytime they hike along, we will add S to the fourth power!! *



SS and me. Friends forever…


NS doing what she does best! What a perfect memory she has for identifying plants and telling us how they can be useful! Did you know that Jewel Weed can be used on mosquito bites? We have a lot to learn from NS!









This trail is nearer to civilization than our recent walks. Cars can be heard whooshing by on the nearby route 23 North. It's a rush to the senses to hear automation at the same time you can explore amazing scenery. Like the many gardens found in and around Paris, there is an urban sense in a rural, peaceful setting.

Trail #3, Prairie Oaks Metro Park

Sycamore Trail actually covers three trails and is a total of 2.2 miles of interesting terrain and foliage. Parts of the trail lead to water and the twisted, exposed roots of old and large sycamore trees. Dragonflies abound, mulberry bushes with ripe berries, and very lush marshy places.

On the trail we met Sarah

who shared her knowledge of birds and nests with us! What a treat to discover a hummingbird nest and hear about the mother bird creating a nest from spider webbing so that it will expand for the babies. If we are fortunate enough to connect with interesting people on even part of the trails, this journey will be worth it! Sarah also shared how to identify the bird by their call. I'll never listen to bird calls the same on this trail nor on others!


We took a bit of a silly break on the Tallgrass Trail portion of our hike. This part of the trail is a relatively open meadow and, while not as interesting as the Osage and Sycamore portions, it breaks up the hike and provides a bit of sun (that would be a welcome relief in cooler weather).



I have to admit that the most fascinating moment for me came we happened to "meet" this astonishing character! It makes me want to recite a poem! I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a bee! Well, okay, WASP, not bee. She was laying eggs for most of the time we watched her. Of course, we didn't know she was a wasp at the time or this probably would not be a close up!

Trail #3 is tops so far for me. I can't WAIT to return to Prairie Oaks and find other treasures such as this mega-wasp and these scrumptious looking berries… ~Cyndi (July 31, 2010)

Trail #2, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, Darby Creek Trail. J. Cow-ouac

J. Cow-ouac joined us on the Darby Creek Trail at Prairie Oaks Metro Park. Prairie Oaks, as it turns out, is not far from where we live, but, that didn't stop us from getting a bit lost in getting there. Out goal on Trail #2 was simple. Get there. Walk Exercise Winnie the Poodle. Go to Dairy Queen for treats afterward to stave off the heat.

We ended up driving quite a bit out of our way due to slacking on accurately identifying the location of the park. In the end, it was a good thing to do because we learned the lay of the land at Prairie Oaks for future navigational purposes.



The Dog Park at Prairie Oaks should have been an amusement park for our little Winnie the Poodle. I guess when you are knee-high to a grasshopper (and have a distinct poodle personality) dog parks and swimming holes for feisty dogs just isn't your style. Dogs can be off leash in this area and Winnie was quite timid around the bouncy puppy and large dog that just wanted to be friends!

We stayed long enough to allow Winnie to feel the freedom of off leash running and then headed out onto the trail. This walk was quick for us. The heat just didn't promote walking for any distance and we both realized we were going to need better walking shoes to do anything substantial. Still, Paris really is to be found in the beauty of the Metro Parks. Perhaps it would be better understood by us if the parks had a romantic name such as parc de métro….or even jardin de metro!


~Cyndi (July 30, 2010)

Trail #1, Battell Darby Creek Metro Park

So the journey has taken its first step, both literally and electronically. Why the feet picture? Well Cyndi has been taking them since before we met, and when I came along it seemed only natural to join in the fun. It now seems to have become a trademark shot for us. We have foot pictures from just about every vacation, day trip, family reunion.... Sometimes there are friends feet in as well.

When this relationship started out we did quite a bit of hiking in the metro parks and early one saw our first double rainbow together. Then things got busy, there where new jobs, new schools, new activities.... And it always seems that the things you like to do get put off and then pushed to the side.

We were both so excited to be in Paris where everything was new and exciting. But we always came back to the question "what would people want to see and do in Columbus?" The grass is always greener so we are now looking at Columbus with new eyes. So we can't get to Paris this year, but no matter there are new things to explore in our back yard... ~Scott

I'm astounded by what is old and familiar rather than new and exciting. I spent my childhood and teenage years roaming hills in Wellsburg, WV. Walking the trails is helping me rediscover the meaning those days had for me. I walked alone then. It's good to have someone to walk beside me now...even when we are quiet. ~Cyndi

Why a cow?

Our relationship is a strange one. At least that is what the 9 year-old girl that used to live down the street once said. We have 9 years between us. That's no big deal, right? Believe it or not that has not been our experience. HORRORS! Cyndi is 9 years older than Scott.

9 year old girl: How old are you Cyndi?
Me: 40
9 year old girl: How old are you Scott?
Scott: 31
9 year old girl: That can't be true. Mommy told me that the boy is always older than the girl when you are married.

More HORRORS! We both have previous marriages!
More HORRORS! We both can live without sports!

What do two people do when they don't like sports? Well, in our case we play board games. Sometimes those board games transfer to computer games. For example, at the beginning of our relationship we frequented TGIFriday's where the locals really got into playing online trivia. To play you must have a name. Our initials are CW and SO. I put them together and got SCOW. Yeah, that doesn't sound like much fun to me either. So, we decided to go with COWS at Scott's suggestion. With that we became COWS then when we were able to add my son to the mix we became COWZ. Not only did the nickname stick, but, 15 years later we still get cow paraphernalia from time-to-time.

Our son is an adult now ... we sadly relinquish the "z" and happily return to our original COWS as we set out on our journey to find Paris everywhere.

~Cyndi

Why Paris? Why Everywhere? Who are we? Why a stuffed cow in Paris?

In June of 2007 we fell in love...with Paris, France. It was a happenstance trip. We never talked about going to Paris until our 17 year-old son announced his plans to travel to Europe with American Music Abroad. The conversation went something like this:

Cyndi: We should go to Europe and see the band perform. Too bad they don't take parent chaperones.
Scott: We should go anyway. We didn't have a honeymoon.
Cyndi: It's expensive and we already have to pay for Zane's trip.
Scott: We can afford it....I think.
Cyndi: We couldn't go for three weeks.
Scott: We can go for a week, maybe ten days.
Cyndi: Hmmmm...I have an insurance policy that I bought when I was 25. I said "if I'm alive when I'm 50, I'll cash it in and go somewhere." I'm alive and I just turned 50.
Scott: Let's do it.
Cyndi: Okay. But, let's mainly go to Paris.
Scott: Paris?
Cyndi: Yes, why not.
Scott: Okay!

And so began our affair of the heart with Paris. Nothing compares with Paris and everything is compared to Paris. Our big dream is to learn to speak French and live in Paris for at least a month...hopefully more!

So, what's the problem? Well, we can't afford the time nor the money to go back anytime soon and, thus, the dream is on the back burner indefinitely.

Skip to last week. Cyndi joined a meetup.com group called Babes in the Woods to motivate her to get up and get out of the house. Her first outing to a local metro park was cancelled. Bummer. Scott happened to be home from work early so we decided to go do the walk together.

VIOLA! An idea was born on the first trail. Let's walk all the trails in all the metro parks in a year. We can continue our tradition of documenting it with photos AND we can take Cow with us (aka J. Cow-ouac, our stuffed cow that journeyed to Paris and showed up in photos). Hey! Let's blog about it! Let's blog about all the traveling with the cow we do! Let's..! Let's...!!

We are trying to find that spark of "home" we felt when Paris became our short-lived, much-loved backyard. We are trying to find it anywhere...EVERYWHERE...we go. So, this is a developing project. We'll figure it out as we go along.

What can readers expect? Blog entries from Cyndi. Blog entries from Scott. Combined blog entries. Photos of our travels. Bits and pieces of where we live now. Whatever we do.

Are you game? Join us!

Oh,yeah., who are we?
Cyndi: educator on the verge of retirement, mom, wife, outdoor enthusiast, photographer, queen of minutia
Scott: photographer, massage therapist, dad, husband, computer enthusiast, king of taking things one step farther

Why a cow? Well, that's a whole 'nother post.