May 15 - Beaver Marsh

Mallards

Baby Robins

Red-wing Blackbird

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

We had gone to the Big Bend area of Sand Run Park to access the towpath this morning. Since we were this far north, we decided to stop at the Beaver Marsh. As we walked the trail leading to the marsh, I was able to get a photo of a female rose-breasted grosbeak. This is funny because Kay had just photographed a male of the same species about two hours prior, and neither of us had photographed this species up till today. As we approached the marsh, several people in succession yelled to us (having seen our cameras) "Hurry, there's a heron, crane, etc. on the boardwalk, in a tree, etc." When we got to the marsh, there was no such bird in sight! We went to check on the robin's nest which is just north of the marsh. All is well, with the baby robins growing and flapping their wings. While checking for rails, which we did not see, we found a snake coiled around a log and a bullfrog, both of which posed for us. No baby ducks or geese here yet!

May 15 - Big Bend at Sand Run

Today part one took place at the Big Bend area at Sand Run. It was a beautiful day with blue skies and just enough clouds to make things interesting. We saw lots of birds, including Kay's sighting of a rose-breasted grosbeak. We also saw a hairy wood pecker feeding its baby, whose head was poking out of a cavity in a tree. The trail here is beautiful, with a long wooden boardwalk for about a quarter of a mile. We also saw a frog on the trail, and a photogenic one at that. Wildflowers continue to grace the trails, in ever increasing varieties.

May 14 - Craig Pittman Park

Today after work we went to Craig Pittman Park in Navarre and walked south. The trail is very pretty here, and a vast array of wildflowers added to the beauty. We spotted two new species of birds: the red-eyed vireo and the green heron. We also added another class of animals to our trail sightings: amphibians. There were a number of bullfrogs in the canal and we photographed them sticking their heads above water. With some of them, we could see the rest of their bodies under the water.
There are actually nice homes backing right up to the trail here. We were envious of these homeowners!

May 13 - Lake Lucerne and Clinton

Tonight we went to the trailhead across the street from Lake Lucerne. We walked north towards Clinton. We saw some new types of wildflowers and spent quite a while photographing a red-bellied woodpecker going in and out of its tree- cavity nest. We did not see any other birds or eggs, but we could see that the crevice in the tree was fairly deep.
After leaving this area, we stopped in Clinton and walked towards the pond, watching several Canada Goose families carry on their early evening activities.

May 11 - Butterbridge

A good day to stay home, chilly and gray, but we stopped at Butterbridge for a while. Saw what we think may have been a beaver or two. Kind of quiet. Saw some yellow irises growing on the banks of the canal. We went to Cherry Street Creamery, which is right on the towpath, on the way home for ice cream. We love our towpath food stops!

More like March than May
Except for the May flowers
With their soft colors

May 10 - Brecksville, Rockside

We decided today that it was time to check on the eagles' nest again, so off to Brecksville we went. We carried our gear to the spot on the trail where we thought we could see best. It was pretty far away, but Kay's telephoto lens afforded a pretty good view. We got to see both parents, taking turns staying with the little ones while the other went fishing. The two chicks were standing in the nest and stretching their wings. They are getting so big! Unfortunately, we were too far away to get any usable photos, but it is always a thrill to see Bald Eagles.
Everything here looks so lush since last time we were here, and way greener - of course - than when we were here in January. Wildflowers line the trail and fill the air with their scents (mm, honeysuckle) while at the same time we are treated to the songs of birds of many species.
After we had tired of stalking the eagles, we headed to Rockside Road and walked north. Again, we were stalkers, chasing after a heron who was having dinner all up and down the canal. It was chilly today, but sunny and beautiful. A nice day overall.

Eaglets in the nest
Getting bigger every day
We watch from afar

May 9 - Akron

Today we went to Akron. We parked in the Spaghetti Warehouse lot, where the trail stops before it picks up just north of Summit Lake. We walked north, admiring the beauty of this section of Akron. The blue skies and white fluffy clouds certainly added to the loveliness of the day. Throw in several groups of ducks and ducklings and geese and goslings, and you have the ingredients for a wonderful Mother's Day walk. This part of the trail runs by the Akron Aeros' home, Canal park, and the Akron YMCA, both attractive structures. We walked north until the trail turned into a vague meandering through downtown Akron prior to picking back up at the walkway over Route 59.
Next we headed to Summit Lake. It was a pretty day still, but we didn't see a lot of wildlife there this time. As we were driving home, we noticed that there was a great view of the boardwalk over the lake, and we stopped and took some photos from the bridge on Manchester Road that runs over the trail. What an awesome view of this beautiful new floating boardwalk!










Puffy clouds, chilly
Akron at its most lovely
Happy Mother's Day!

May 8 - Canal Boat Ride

Today was the first day of the season for the sailing of the Helena III, the replica canal boat that is located in Canal Fulton. We wanted to be there the first day for two reasons: to photograph it as an event, and to experience the ride down the canal and take photographs from the boat.
When we arrived, several other people were there. We thought they were other passengers, but they were reporters. We were actually interviewed by a reporter with the Canton Repository. We told her about the project we we doing, and how we got the ides.
The ride was enjoyable, but it was chilly and rainy. It was interesting to actually be in the canal we have walked beside for over four months now. A very nice gentleman narrated the ride and gave us lots of facts about the history of the canal and the canal boats.
We both we to ride the boat again when the weather improves, but it was important that we be on the boat its first day of the season. And, by the way, other than a reporter from the Massillon paper, we were the only passengers!

A canal boat ride
Learning what it was like then
Enjoying the now

May 7 - Beaver Marsh, New Philadelphia and Bolivar

Today was a three-parter. We started off at the Beaver Marsh, since Kay had such a rip-roaring day there yesterday. We did see the Robin's nest and the Robin feeding her chicks, and far up in a sycamore tree we could see an Oriole's nest. We also chased a Sora through the marshy grass (they like to hide) and stalked a Great Blue Heron looking for lunch in the pond. We saw some yellow wild irises.
Our next stop was to try to get to what the Towpath Companion called the southern gate to the Towpath Trail, in New Philadelphia. We drove over 50 miles from the Beaver Marsh to new Philadelphia in search of Blake's Mill, which was listed in the guide. None of the locals we asked had ever heard of Blake's Mill and none even knew there was supposed to be a lock in town. We eventually found the lock, surrounded on both sides by chain-link fence. The buildings that were supposed to be nearby were harder to find. There is reportedly a building left from the mill days and a lock-keeper's house. The only structures we could find that fit those descriptions were obviously being used as private residences. Anyway, we got to see the lock, and even visualized how it will look some day when the trail is completed. We also got to see signs for the end of the Ohio Scenic Highway, and when we turned the car around, the beginning. This highway corresponds to the towpath trail and is a driving route a person can use to follow the trail.
Lastly, on our way back from new Philly, we stopped at a section of the trail off Dolphin Street outside Bolivar. This was a section we had not seen or hiked before. We walked about a third of a mile before turning around. If we had continued north, we'd have ended up at Craig Pittman Park in Navarre.

In our comfort zone
Off to explore the unknown
Many miles of trail!

May 6 - Clinton

Today was an after-work jaunt for me (Kay is on break from school.) We went to Clinton in search of goslings and ducklings. We did see a goose family, complete with mom and dad and nine goslings. We crossed the street from the pond and walked north, across one of our favorite bridges. We saw and heard plenty of birds, including the Eastern Bluebirds that are almost always around this part of the trail. We saw groups of 3 or 4 Goldfinches flitting around and also saw some Yellow Warblers. There were a few woodpeckers, and numerous Turkey Vultures (buzzards) soaring overhead. We always enjoy this trail, as there are bridges, locks, a pond, plentiful birds and many other picturesque features.

Favorite bridge, bluebirds
Always something new though, too
A place of beauty

May 5 - Lock 4 Park

Nesting Mourning Dove

We met at Lock 4 Park after I got done with work. Lock 4 is only about a ten minute drive from home, and it's become our quickie default site. In other words, if we have some interesting weather all of a sudden, or don't have much time, we head to Lock 4. In addition to being close, this park is also very scenic, with a lake-like section of the canal, a lock, a little red lockkeeper's house replica, and access to the Tuscarawas River. Kay found a Mourning Dove sitting in a nest. Lots of people fishing, getting greener here every day.

A great place to meet
Always something to observe
Mother Mourning Dove

May 4 - Navarre

Today we went to the Wooster Avenue trailhead in Navarre and walked south. We had been here before when it was very cold. How different it is today! Lots of birds: we saw some orioles and some sort of sandpiper on the banks of the Tuscarawas River. We heard lots of other birds, but it's getting more difficult to find them, now that the leaves are coming back. We enjoyed walking past the Nickle's Bakery, with its wonderful smells. Speaking of wonderful smells, the honeysuckle is in full bloom and is a delight to the senses.

Birds more plentiful
More able to hide from us
Their songs delight us

May 3 - Beaver Marsh

Today I stayed home from work. I had gone to Stat Care thinking I had appendicitis. They (sort of) ruled that out. But my stomach still hurt so I stayed home from work all day. Later in the afternoon, we decided to go to the Beaver marsh, as it is a place that does not entail a lot of walking and has ample seating.
As usual, it was nothing short of a wonderland. Birds, muskrat, turtles, etc. combined to make the visit and worthwhile one. The tree swallows are always a delight. And there are usually Canada Geese and Wood Ducks around. We are looking for goslings and ducklings right about now, but it appears the Beaver Marsh maternity ward is not yet open for this season.
WE stopped at Deep Lock Quarry and walked to the trail from the parking lot. Kay had not been to this section of the trail, and she got to see the Deep Lock and take birds photos.

May 2 - Krieger Center and Steelyard Commons

Today we drove to the Krieger Center in Cuyahoga Heights. There is a visitors' ceneter there, with displays and a shop. We had been here before in the dead of winter. I walked south to get to the point I had walked to from Bacci Park back in January. It was a pretty walk, but when I reached my destination, I got the best surprise of all: two families of Canda geese. One family consisted of a ssingle goose and several goslings (octogoose?) The other consisted of two adults and three goslings. They were so adorable, all fluffy, waddling along.
When we left the Krieger Center, we headed north in search f the only section of the trail north of here that is complete - a one-mile section that runs behind a shopping center. We arrived at Steelyard Commons just as it was starting to rain. We waited out the rain in the car, then ventured out. It was an interesting section, and we even had views of downtown Cleveland!

Time to revisit
What was white has turned to green
We like it both ways

May 1 - Beaver Marsh and Points North

The first day of May, here already. The forecast is calling for thunderstorms from late morning into the afternoon. When we arrived at the Beaver Marsh at 7:45, it was 67 degrees and mostly cloudy. As always, the area was a photographer's paradise. After spending a couple hours on the boardwalk, I walked up to Everett Road, where Kay picked me up. Of course, everything is so much greener now than it was last time I walked up here.
Kay then dropped me off at Deep Lock Quarry. I walked to the Towpath Trail from the parking lot. The stretch from Deep Lock to Peninsula is one I had only partially covered before today. I spent some time in Peninsula, and continued walking north. One of my favorite parts of the trail is where it passes underneath the I-2711 and I-80 bridges. These are very high bridges and very dramatic-looking. It started to rain about this time, so I covered my camera with my sweatshirt. My camera battery ran out at this time also, something I hadn't experienced before. Luckily, I had a spare! I continued on the the Boston Store, where I picked up a great map of the trail. I walked across the street to the Trail Mix store, a store run by the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which sells refreshments, hiker's aids, and books and maps about the park. I got something to eat and drink, and continued north. The rain subsided, and I saw a raccoon in the canal - our first raccoon sighting so far. When I got to the Red Lock trailhead on Highland Road, I continued north for about a quarter mile, but ended up called Kay (who was in Brecksville photographing eaglets!) and told her I'd had enough walking for the day. She came and got me, and we were both amazed at how many hundreds of photos we had taken today!

Natural, man-made
All combine with great beauty
Coalescence

April 30 - Walnut to Warmington

Canada Goose hiding gosling in its wings

I know - another Canada Goose - big deal! But if you look closely at the goose's feathers, you can see that she is hiding a little one in there. It may be because several minutes earlier, Kay saw a hawk trying to have a gosling snack!
Today Kay dropped me off at the trail off Walnut Road. There is an interruption of the trail north of Walnut, and no place to park. So out I went, and she headed to Warmington Road. It was a warm, beautiful day, with blue, blue skies. I saw a huge turtle on a log, but before I could take a photo, it plopped into the water. A nice hike, and some new territory covered.

The cycle of life
Nature's not always pretty
Only some survive

April 29 - Clinton

Tonight we went to the Clinton trailhead, with the plan being to focus on the pond to the south. Nothing going on there, so we walked back to the north side of the trail. It was a beautiful evening. I heard some birds chirping in a tree above me, and lo and behold, there were two Baltimore Orioles frolicking up there. Kay got some beautiful shots with her long lens. I liked how the bridge looked with the glow of the setting sun. Still one of my favorite spots!

Always something new
If you stop, look and listen
Who knew they were there?

April 28 - Summit Lake

Canada Geese with goslings

Mallard with ducklings

Today we went to Summit Lake, in an attempt to spot some fancy migrating water fowl. Bad news: All we saw were Mallards and Canada Geese. Good news: They had babies in tow. The geese were a little far away and i didn't get a great view of the goslings. The ducks swam mush closer, and were the ducklings ever cute. there were so many of them! Mom swam with the kids, while dad stood guard near the shore. Another sign that sping is here!!

We know spring is here
Ducklings, goslings, puffs of fuzz
Everything is new

April 27 - Manchester Road

Today is the second Muir birthday of the spring - Jim turned 25 today. I talked to him on the phone while I was walking on the trail at Manchester Road trailhead. The clouds were pretty again today, but the shadows were so long and harsh when I got there at around 6 P.M. I was hoping to see some exotic ducks coming off the Portage lakes, but, alas, only the mallard was in evidence! I walked for awhile, and talked to Kay on the phone. We decided to meet at Center Road for awhile before heading home. (She'd had her mom at the Cleveland Clinic all afternoon.) Unfortunately, by the time we got to Center Road, it was starting to get dark, and nothing much was going on. We headed home to watch the Cavs put away the Bulls.

Chilly but sunny
Fluffy clouds filling the sky
Happy Birthday, Jim!

April 26- Lock 4 Park

It rained all day long today, so I planned to take the day off from the trail, as difficult as that would be. I went home after work and did a few things, and then - wouldn't you know - it stopped raining! I had no choice but to go out for awhile. I texted Kay, who was still in class, and asked her if she wanted to meet me at Lock 4 Park. You see, Lock 4 Park is 10 minutes from our house, so we sometimes dash down The sun's glow was making everything orangish. There is a beautiful horse chestnut tree, with branches flowing out over the lock. And the little red lock keeper's house replica is always good for adding a splash of color in any season. It had already been almost 7:30 when we arrived, so it got dark pretty quickly. At least I haven't had to miss a day in April yet!

Rainy, rainy day
Sun breaks through - it's not too late
Color everywhere

April 25 - Clinton

Today I didn't have a lot of time to spend. Jim and Katie are here and we are celebrating Jim's birthday today in Copley. The kids decided to have lunch with friends, so i stopped in Clinton. The clouds were big and puffy against the blue skyy when i arrived - just how I like them. The longer I was there, the darker the sky became, and by the time I got back to my car, it was raining. I saw another gnat-catcher though and some bluebirds. I also saw my first mayapples of the year. This remains one of my favorite sections of the trail.

Pretty Clinton trail
Big, white, fluffy, puffy clouds
Inspirational!

April 24 - Lake Street, Forty Corners

It was supposed to rain all day, but of course, that didn't happen. We started the day where we left off yesterday- at the bar and grill at Forty Corners. I took some photos of a buckeye tree. The flowers are blooming and the beautiful leaves have sprouted. We also went to Lake Street and there was an MS walk going on. Lots of people walking, both people with MS, and those walking to support them. It was turning into a rather pretty day.

Rainy forecast wrong
People walking for a cause
Beautiful buckeye!

April 23 - Warmington Ave. North

We went to the Warmington Ave., John Glenn Grove trailhead after work. Our goal was to check on the goose nest. My hopes were not high that this would be anything other that a routine hike. Of course, since the last time we were here, April 2, things were much greener and there were a lot more blossoms everywhere. We saw a robin building a nest, a blue-gray gnatcatcher (had never even heard of one before) and some white trillium! The goose was sitting on her nest very intently, almost looking like she was playing possum. Everything is so green. We walked beyond the point where we left off last time, and found that the trail went uphill behind the Massillon Water treatment plant and Indian River School. We could also see the stores that we passed on the way here that we thought - from our vantage point - were much farther north. As the trail passes behind the water plant, it borders the Tuscarawas River, which is very wide at this point. It is beautiful here, between the trees, the river and a series of wooden bridges and boardwalks over which the trail passes. We walked all the way to the point where the trail starts running next to Route 21 again. We turned around because it was starting to get late, and we had no bug spray, flashlights or even water. (we walked father than we'd planned, as often happens.) The plan next time is for Kay to drop me off on Walnut, as there is nowhere to park. I can then explore the trail between Walnut and where we left off today. Can't wait!

Trillium growing
Wide Tuscarawas River
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

April 22 - Vanderhoof South

After work, one of those days I'd just planned to go home and relax. It was so nice out though, that I was compelled to stop on the trail, at least for a bit.
I drove to Vanderhoof Rd. and walked south in search of feathered friends. I love watching spring unfold; every day things are a little greener! A few birds were in evidence, but this isn't the great birding spot it had been a few times during the winter. I didn't stay out long, saw some red-winged blackbirds, brown-headed cowbirds and robins. Very few people on this part of the trail this evening!

Spring still bursting forth
Blackbirds, cowbirds and robins
Making their music

April 21- Bridgeport Quarry

Today was a double header. I stopped at the Bridgeport Quarry trailhead at lunch, as I was in massillon this afternoon. It was in the low 60's with lots of sunshine and big, puffy clouds. Two turkey vultures were circling not far above my head. I kept seeing thier huge shadows on the trail. I only walked for about half a mile before turning around. Nothing extraordinary, just a pleasant, seasonal spring day.
After work, Kay and I met at Lock 4 Park. It was so late though, that we just managed to get a few shots of the sunset, before calling it a night.

Vultures flying low
Favorite big puffy cloud day
Just a break from work

April 20 - At the Fishin' Hole

Today after work, I drove to the Lake Lucerne trailhead. This is a part of the trail I had walked by before, but I hadn't parked here and started from here. There were a few people fishing. A young woman had a rather large fish which jumped right out of her hands onto the trail. The last time I had been here, it was the dead of winter. Everything is so green now. I walked to the Market Street side of the trail in Canal Fulton. Not much going on tonight. Just watching some of spring's subtle, and not-so-subtle changes in the landscape.

People fishing now
Plop! The fish wants to hike too
No trace of winter

April 19 - Crystal Springs

Today was an after-work jaunt. I had planned to take the day off from the trail, but it was so nice and sunny out. I drove to the Crystal Springs trailhead, but ran into a detour on my way. Once I crossed the bridge from the parking lot to the trail, I immediately saw that the trail was closed going south. It said "Closed for mowing," but there was a back hoe park on the trail. I proceeded to walk north. Right away I saw two male cardinals. When one moved to a lower branch, the other followed. This pattern repeated itself until they were both on the ground duking it out. I'm sure it had to be over a woman! I also heard the melodious song of the Eastern Towhhee, but he wouldn't cooperate with my photo efforts. I didn't walk far, and as I neared the parking lot, I saw a downy woodpecker drilling away on a tree. My photo revealed several drill holes in the tree with something oozing out!
The greening of the trail continues daily and is so fun to watch. It's hard to believe that not that long ago, we could barely walk the trails, they were so snow covered!

Detour, trail closure
Cardinals fighting, towhee's song
I dilly-dally

April 18 - I Own the Barberton Towpath!

Today I decided to finish as much of the Barberton segment as possible. Kay and I went to the Snyder Road trailhead and started walking north. She realized she'd brought the wrong lens. She asked if she could go back to the car and drive to the next trailhead, where she's meet me. I agreed, thinking the next trailhead was about half a mile up. Normally I wouldn't care, but this was a creepy day and a creepy area, and no one else was around. When it turned out there was no trailhead where I'd thought and that Kay would have to drive even farther north, leaving me to walk alone that much farther, I was not a happy hiker. Lo and behold, I finally saw her walking towards me from the southern trailhead on Fairview.
We walked up to the State Road bridge (where I'd left off last Sunday)and back. Went to the car and drove south on Vanderhoof, where we could see the trail under construction just to the west. As soon as that's done, a huge section of trail will flow uninterrupted. Can't wait!

A car on the trail
Litter strewn in the canal
Not my favorite spot

April 17 - Beaver Marsh Majesty

Today was a pre- dawn trip to the Beaver Marsh. Even though we left shortly after 6 a.m., it was already fairly light when we arrived. The skies were cloudy and dramatic with the remnants of sunrise. Wood ducks galore, chickadees nesting in a tree stump, and a beaver couple frolicking, were just a few of the sights we enjoyed. It was diffeent today from last time - colder and cloudier and a little subdued.
We stopped up at Boston Mills Road and walked to Stumpy Basin, north of peninsula. We were able to see where the trail had been before the movement of the river eroded it. That section of trail has been re-done with a lengthy boardwalk. Of course, two of our favorite bridges are on the section of the trail - the bridges carrying I-271 and I-80.
Since it was "on our way home," we stopped back at the Beaver Marsh, just in case there was something we'd missed. To our delight, a Great Blue heron was standing in the marsh, just posing away for us in all his splendor. We got to watch him preening as he pondered his next meal.

No beach, no mountains
But heaven on earth for us
Watch nature's cycles

April 16 - Storm Chasing through Canal Fulton

Today was a strange weather day: low 60's, raining one moment, sunny the next. We met at St. Helena Heritage Park in Canal Fulton. We walked down the path to a bridge over the canal, accessed by climbing iron stairs. The bridge is flanked by two large spruce trees. Even though it started pouring while we were on the bridge, the trees sheltered us from the deluge. We took a lot of pictures of the clouds and walked north to see what we could see. Not much going on today. I even stopped at Lock 4 Park on my way home, but didn't stay long.

Rainy day, stayed close to home
Drama in the sky
A spruce for an umbrella

April 15 - Lock 4 Park

Another after work quickie walk today. We went to one of our favorite sites, Lock 4 Park in Canal Fulton. The park is very picturesque, and with the glow of the setting sunning, the trees and the ponds looked exceptionally pretty. We didn't see a whole lot, except for some mourning doves, who seem to like it here. Kay saw her nesting woodpecker briefly, but she wasn't posing for a portrait today. This is a popular site with lots of trail traffic, but also lots of fishing going on. Always lots of color here, even in the winter, thanks to the little red brick lock keeper's house!

How did we miss it?
This lush spot so close to home
Neighborhood haven