September 29 - Lake Avenue

Starting Weather: Mostly Cloudy 66° 
Ending Weather: Cloudy 64°
Distance Covered:  1.2 miles
Time: 5:20 PM - 6:24 PM
We went to Lake Avenue after work today.  I ended my day at the Massillon site and met Kay at about 5:15.  The wildflowers near the river are becoming brown and shriveled, nut there were still a few butterflies around.  It was shocking to see how early the sun took on that sunset type of glow, but it looked pretty reflecting off the trees to the east.  There were several trees beginning to show autumn color.  It will be exciting to watch as more and more of the leaves turn shades of yellow and red.  October is almost here, and it promises to be a very colorful month!

September 26 - Peninsula

Starting Weather: Cloudy 58° 
Ending Weather: Cloudy 58°
Distance Covered:  1 mile
Time: 2:59 PM - 4:55 PM

Today we got an up close look and listen at The Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 Berkshire No. 765. It is a fabulous steam locomotive that was pulling the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. I found it so thrilling to see the black, billowing smoke and hear the blasting "WooWOO" of the whistle, that I felt like a young child again. I then heard a woman standing nearby with her family say to her little daughter, "Look, Gigi!"
A wrinkle in time?

September 25 - Akron, Big Bend and Deep Lock

Starting Weather: Partly Cloudy 61° 
Ending Weather: Mostly Cloudy 60°
Distance Covered:  6.1 miles
Time: 9:58 AM - 4:22 PM

Today we sort of blew it.  The Akron Roadrunner marathon took place, much of it right on the Towpath Trail, but we didn't make it up there in time to get photos of the runners.  We didn't get there as it was winding down, but we missed some pretty dramatic photo opportunities.   We hung out in the area for awhile. Always a favorite is downtown Akron!  We then headed to Big bend, in an attempt to see the big steam engine that would be pulling the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad today.  We did see it pass by, but were too close.  We decided to go to Deep Lock Quarry to get a glimpse of its next run later in the afternoon.  There is a bridge crossing the Cuyahoga River, which we decided would afford a great view.  We saw the train go by, but heading north it had the steam engine on the tail end.   We waited for at least two hours for its return.  It was worth the wait, just to hear the loud, dramatic whistle, but my camera froze at the moment the train passed across the bridge.

September 23 - Canal Fulton

Starting Weather: Partly Cloudy 86° 
Ending Weather: Partly Cloudy 77°
Distance Covered:  1 mile
Time: 6:18 PM - 7:58 PM

European Starling

Had to go out for awhile tonight, since it is the first full day of autumn.  I went to Canal Fulton, and was lucky enough to see the canal boat taking off and returning.  Not too many visual signs of fall, but the length of the day is one sign.  I did see a woman and a teenage girl walk by, eating very large ice cream cones.  I was pretty sure the woman was someone I had worked with years ago, but I wasn't positive, so I didn't say anything.  Turns out, I saw them awhile later walking back on the trail.  This time I did say something.  It turns out that it was Carri, a young woman who worked at IBH when I was there, and the teenager with her was her daughter Hannah, who was born while we both worked there in the mid-nineties.  Amazing!  I hung around for awhile to wait for the harvest moon to rise, but there really wasn't a great view of it from the trail.

September 22 - Vanderhoof

New York Aster

Starting Weather: Mostly Cloudy 79° 
Ending Weather: Partly Cloudy 74°
Distance Covered:  1.8 mile
Time: 6:02 PM - 7:22 PM

Shadow Darner Dragonfly

This was an after-work hike, so we got a late start.  It's amazing how much earlier it has been getting dark.  We went to Vanderhoof and spent some time in the parking lot, perusing the wildflowers.  We then headed south.  There are some very nice views of distant trees from the trail here, and they were starting to show some fall color.  I had remembered from hiking here few years ago that there was a field to the east of the trail where there were large flocks of blackbirds.  These blackbirds - or their descendants- were here today in the same spot.  They were very loud, and moved from tree to tree in large flocks.  It was amazing to see and hear.  We noticed at a little after 7:00 PM that it was as dark then as it had been at about 9:00 PM just two months ago.  Summer is indeed winding down, as well it should, since this is the LAST DAY OF SUMMER!!

September 19 - Tour of Massillon

Sycamore leaves changing

Starting Weather: Cloudy 69° 
Ending Weather: Partly Sunny 70°
Distance Covered:  4.5 miles
Time: 2:40 PM - 4:50 PM
Today was sort of a blah day.  The weather was cooler, which was great, but it was overcast.  I decided to park at Forty Corners in Massillon and walk south.  It was actually starting to look more like fall today, especially in regards to the sycamore trees, whose leaves have begun to change color and fall off the trees.  I walked to Bridgeport Quarry, and kept going south.  There was many coniferous trees here on the west side of the trail, and they were accompanied by "No Trespassing" signs. I must not have traveled this part of the trail very recently, because it did not have a familiar look.  I got to Towpath Avenue, near where the trail runs under Route 21, and decided to go to Lake Avenue before turning around.  On the way back, the sun started to break through the clouds.  A nice hike, not much drama.

September 15 - Butterbridge

Starting Weather: Mostly Cloudy 75° 

Ending Weather: Mostly Cloudy 71°

Distance Covered:  1.48 mile

Time: 5:55 PM - 7:03 PM

We hadn't been to the Butterbridge trailhead for awhile - in fact, the last time was after a rain, when we gotten eaten alive by mosquitoes.  It was a fairly uneventful walk.  I decided to walk all the way the Lock 4, and Kay said she would work her way back to the car and meet me there.  Most of the wildflowers are dead or dying; it's kind of depressing.  Things just look brown and shriveled up right now.  I hope this is not a prediction of what kind of fall we will have. It has been very dry, and the fall color could be affected.

September 12 - Krieger Center

Starting Weather: Partly Cloudy 71° 
Ending Weather: Partly Cloudy 72°
Distance Covered:  1.07 mile
Time: 4:02 PM - 4:55 PM
Next stop:  Krieger Visitor Center, located in the Ohio and Erie Canalway Reservation, within the Cleveland Metroparks.  This location has an indoor center with nature displays, photographs taken in the area, and a gift shop with lots of books and snacks.  We love it here!  After a stop inside, we went out on the trail for awhile.   This is one of the northernmost trailheads of the Towpath Trail at this point - a mere seven miles from Lake Erie, as noted on the mile marker.  There's a small wetland area tucked behind the trail, and there was a Great Blue Heron and a Green Heron enjoying the area when I walked up to it.  The trestle bridge is always an amazing sight, and we got to see a train run across.  We didn't stay long; decided to head back to Stark County and have supper at Cracker Barrel, since today is Kay's birthday.  Happy Birthday, Kay!   

September 12 - Bacci Park

Starting Weather: Mostly Cloudy 67° 
Ending Weather: Partly Cloudy 69°
Distance Covered:  3.63 miles
Time: 12:16 PM - 3:05 PM
Today was a perfectly beautiful day.  The temperature was in the high 60's, there was a nice breeze, and the blue sky was punctuated with big, fluffy clouds.  It was heaven being out on the trail.  I kept wishing everyday could be like today, and that I could spend every day like this.  We drove north to Bacci Park in Cuyahoga Heights.  We walked south over the two very cool, white footbridges.  The clouds served to enhance the view.  We turned around north of the I-480 bridges, and headed north.  I can't imagine being anywhere else in the world and enjoying it any more.  I walked almost all the way the the Krieger Center, but decided to turn around and meet Kay, then both drive up there.  

September 11 - Brecksville

Ruby Meadowhawk Dragonfly

Starting Weather: Mostly Cloudy 73° 
Ending Weather: Cloudy 75°
Distance Covered:  2.49 miles
Time: 2:20 PM - 4:09 PM

Canada Geese flying over Route 82 Bridge

Viscose Company Steam Engine

Viscose Company Steam Engine

Today we went to Brecksville to see the steam engine on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.  It was really crowded, with people taking photos and videos.  After the train left the station, we decided to walk north along the tracks, something we haven't done since we "accidentally" wandered up here in February.  The eagles have long since left the nest, so the area is open again.  We got to see the train go by a few more times; it was nice to see it out further, far from the crowd.  We enjoyed the area where the herons have set up shop and where the eagles' nest is located.  We could see lots of tree stumps that were the results of beaver.  It was really beautiful here, with lots of birds, including a type of warbler we haven't identified yet, and a red-headed woodpecker.  We also noticed lots of insects near the tracks.

Today is the ninth anniversary of the 9/11/01 attacks, one of the most tragic days in American history, and a day still fresh in our minds. 

September 10 - Canal Fulton

Foot bridge south of Lake Lucerne

Juvenile American Robin

Starting Weather: Partly Cloudy, 66°
Ending Weather: Partly Cloudy, 65°
Distance Covered: 1.36 mile
Time: 6:24 PM - 7:14 PM

A quick stop in Canal Fulton tonight.  It was pleasant outside.  I walked north to near Lake Lucerne before  turning around.  There wasn't too much activity on the trail, and not much light.  The evenings seem to be getting darker sooner, and even when the sun is still up, the quality of light doesn't seem as good.  Maybe this weekend will bring better things. 

September 10 - Ohio and Erie Canalway Coaltion

I placed a phone call today to the Ohi and Erie Canalway Coaltion.  The woman who answered was able to tell me where the trail began and ended, which areas were not complete, and when some areas of the trail might be open.  I asked about Dover and New Philly.  She said that there are no trailheads yet in these areas, and that the southern terminus is currently at Canal Lands park in Zoar.  She stated that is the southernmost trailhead that affords parking.  She also said that Harvard Avenue trailhead is currently considered the northern terminus, even though there is a one-mile section at Steelyard Commons to the north.  We talked about the gap in Bolivar, the not-yet-open section in Barberton north of Eastern Road, and the Bartges Street bridge which is under construction.  She said that some of the sections of trail are expected to be open some time in 2011, but that the entire trail is not expected to be completed until 2020.  Good information!

September 8 - Lake Avenue

Starting Weather: Mostly Sunny 72°
Ending Weather: Mostly Sunny 69°
Distance Covered: 1.14 mile
Time: 6:14 PM - 6:55 PM

Cedar Waxwing

Today was an after-work jaunt.  Since Lake Avenue is close and has a variety of natural and man-made sites, we went there.  I headed south and Kay headed north.  I went down to the river, but most of the wildflowers were dead or dying.  The butterfly population has decreased significantly.  I did notice quite a few Cedar Waxwings - both adults and juveniles- flying around this area.   I photographed a garden spider in a web, but it was moving so fast, I didn't get a sharp photo of it.  Didn't stay long, not a whole lot going on here.

September 6 - Center Road

Differential Grasshopper

Kay being adventuresome

 

  
Starting Weather: Mostly Cloudy 72° 
Ending Weather:Mostly Cloudy 78°
Distance Covered:  2.77 miles
Time: 12:08 PM - 3:06 PM

Today is Labor Day.  We had Billy, Tim, and Jim coming over for home-made pizza later, so we have decided to stay close to home.  We parked at the Center Road trailhead and walked south towards Clinton.  There is an area right off the trail to the east where we have been told there is an owl living in a tree.  We went there but didn't see any owls.  Kay has an idea which tree the owl might be in.  (We have had more luck with owls at home than on the trail.)  We got back on the trail and continued south.  At one point, the trail opens up to the west and you can walk over by the train tracks.  Kay decided to lie down on the tracks to take some photos, but when I looked over at her, I saw that her arm was covered with grease.  Good thing we weren't planning on going anywhere right afterward.  A man with a little boy told me that two fawns had been leisurely snacking on grass near the canal, and that they didn't appear to be bothered by all the people stopping to watch.  I went to the spot he described, but no fawns.  I then went to an area filled with wildflowers, where I saw many goldfinches who flew away as soon as I approached.  I also saw a hummingbird, lagging slightly behind the goldfinches, but who also flew away when i approached.  I lingered for awhile, trying to hide a bit and be perfectly still, but none of them returned while i was there.  Called my son Jim and chatted while I walked towards the Clinton parking lot where Kay was going to meet me.

September 5 - Vanderhoof

Common Buckeye Butterfly

Starting Weather: Partly Cloudy 71°
Ending Weather: Mostly Cloudy 70°
Distance Covered:  .29 mile
Time: 4:23 PM - 4:55 PM

A "Very Hungry" Monarch Caterpillar

Since it was on our way home, and since we can't seem to get enough of butterflies and other insects right now, we stopped at the Vanderhoof trailhead for awhile.  There are still quite a few wildflowers in bloom, so we were able to capture some good butterfly photos.  The ever-changing landscape of the towpath will eventually render this spot a less favorable place to see butterflies very soon, so we want to visit here as often as possible right now.

September 5- Summit Lake

Painted Turtle sunning itself on an old tire

Starting Weather: Partly Cloudy 68°
Ending Weather: Partly Cloudy 69°
Distance Covered:  3.27 mile
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:03 PM
Today was an adventure.  We parked at the Wilbeth Road parking lot and walked towards Summit Lake.  The sky was pretty, with big, fluffy clouds.  We saw a turtle sunning itself on an old tire.  There were gulls and cormorants, mourning doves and juvenile cedar waxwings.  I walked ahead of Kay towards the lake, and ran into a man on a bike who asked me if a woman passed out by the side of the lake was with me.  Um, no.  He called 911 and the paramedics came and hauled her off.  It was a mini-circus for awhile, with lots of spectators.   On the way back to the car, we saw a baby doll in the canal, covered with algae.  We were sure it was a dead baby, even poked it with a monopod.  It was plastic, but very realistic looking.  An eventful day, but at least the "law" wasn't there because of our misbehavior this time.

September 4 - Zoar

Common Water Striders

Comma Butterfly

Starting Weather: Partly Cloudy 69°
Ending Weather: Partly Cloudy 68°
Distance Covered:  1.14 mile
Time: 4:07 PM - 5:33 PM

Towpath seen from truss bridge, 9/4/10

Towpath seen from truss bridge, 1/1/10

 Our final stop    of the day

was  Canal Lands park in Zoar.  As soon as we got onto the trail, we saw huge flocks of Red-wing Blackbirds flying from tree to tree.  I was able to get a few good shots of them flying across the Tuscarwas River, and the red on the wings really stands out to make for a great photo.  We saw more butterflies, and some interesting bugs in the canal, that turned out to be Water Striders.  Most of the water in the canal here was dried up like it was in Clinton.  We wonder where all the fish, frogs and turtles have gone.  Spent some time on the awesome truss bridge over the towpath.  I like to photograph the trail from above throughout the seasons and marvel at the changes throughout the year.  Can't wait to come back here when the leaves have changed.

Interesting note:  We photographed both a Question Mark Butterfly and a Comma Butterfly today.  Never knew butterflies were so punctuation-conscious! (There are also "dash" butterflies)

September 4 - Zoarville

Carolina Locust

Starting Weather: Mostly Cloudy, 67°
Ending Weather: Mostly cloudy, 67°
Distance Covered:  .65 mile
Time: 3:12 PM - 3:54 PM

Beelike Tachinid Fly

Zoarville Station Bridge

Next stop- Zoarville.  This is an area where the trail if very iffy.  There is a gap of several hundred yards once the trail south from Zoar ends.  You would need to cross One must cross Route 800 and walk northeast about a quarter mile.  The trail is so primitive here that most people aren't even aware of its existence.  We love to photograph the red-orange truss bridge that was moved here in 2007.
Beautiful here today, but the river is very shallow.  We saw some interesting insects - seems like that's the predominant form of wildlife out there on the trail right now!

September 4 - Navarre

Dusky Azure Butterfly

American Rubyspot Damselfly

Question Mark Butterfly

   Starting Weather: Mostly Cloudy, 62°
Ending Weather: Partly Cloudy, 68°
Distance Covered:  3.76 miles
Time: 11:12 AM - 2:22 PM
A splendid day for hiking!  Today was a wonderful fall preview.  When we started out, the temperature was in the low 60's.  We actually wore sweatshirts.  We decided to go south, starting off in Navarre.  We had been here before, but not for a few months at least.  We are finding that there are fewer birds in plain sight now, but the insect population is booming and willing to pose for the cameras.   We started at Wooster Street and walked to Craig Pittman Park, where we met three lovely ladies taking a break from their bike ride.  We chatted for awhile, and then I decided to keep walking south.  Kay headed back towards the car, and later picked me up on Riverland near Bolivar.  Lots of different butterflies here from what we have seen closer to home.  I saw some acorns today!  

September 3 - Clinton North

Starting Weather: Partly Cloudy, 76°

Ending Weather: Partly Cloudy, 74°

Distance Covered:  1.39 miles

Time: 5:38 PM - 6:38 PM

A Turkey Vulture soars overhead

This was an early evening, after-work hike.  We had gone south from Clinton 2 days ago, so this time we decided to go north.  Lots and lots or Turkey Vultures here - all summer long.  There are usually several of them circling above, although we can't figure out why.  One very striking development today concerned the canal here - it was devoid of water.  Kay walked down into the canal bed and found that it was extremely soggy and "like quicksand," but no water.  This is the same area of the canal where we had stalked a Great Blue Heron fishing less than two weeks ago.  We are going to have to investigate this phenomenon, especially since other areas we have visited, including just south of here, have water in the canal.   I walked to the overlook in an attempt to photographs the swarms of Goldfinches feeding on the thistle, but as I was walking towards the lookout point, I saw something moving out of the corner of my eye, just to the north.  It turned out to be a doe and two fawns walking onto the trail.  I began photographing them, but of course they headed right back into the woods within seconds of their appearance.  It's always a thrill to see deer on the trail! 

A White-tailed doe and her two fawns on the trail

Kay in the dry but gooey canal bed

September 1 - Clinton South

Starting Weather: Mostly Sunny, 87°
Ending Weather: Fair, 84°
Distance Covered:  1.97 miles
Time: 5:57 PM - 7:19 PM

Green Foxtail

Eastern Amberwing Dragonfly

The first day of September, one of the most perfect months of the year.  We start our ninth month of the project, with 8 months under our belts.  It's hard to believe that so many months have passed.  September brings the heat, but also the first day of autumn, and the promise of some crisp fall days as the month progresses.  We went to Clinton and walked south.  We didn't start until almost 6:00 PM, but it was still almost 90 degrees.  Didn't see many butterflies today, except for a beautiful, languid Monarch.  Lots of Canada Geese and Mallards were hanging out near the large pond near the trailhead.  We still enjoying watching them and their now grown-up broods.  This area is so beautiful; I have walked it in the past as part of the Fall Hiking Spree, which by the way, starts today.   Welcome September; we have high hopes for you!