Ohio April 2013 Daycation | The Beauty Around Us

Ohio Day Trip: Paine Falls

Bob and I went on a day trip to Ohio this past Saturday (April 6). We saw three waterfalls, a covered bridge and a few birds. In my previous blog posts I shared photographs of Brandywine Falls, the Everett Road Covered Bridge, the Beaver Marsh and heron rookery — all three of which are located in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The second waterfall that we saw was right in the middle of Chagrin Falls. We visited the third waterfall on our way home from Ohio.

Paine Falls

Paine Falls is located at Paine Falls Park, in Leroy Township near Painesville, OH. It is an easy stop for anyone traveling Interstate 90 between Erie and Cleveland.

This is the second time that we have visited this waterfall. Our first visit was in early August last year. There hadn’t been much rainfall, so we saw very little falling water during that visit. Provided below is a photograph from our August 2012 visit. Notice the big change in water volume between that visit and our visit this past Saturday!

Paine Falls in August 2012

I don’t know what it is about this waterfall. It was raining here, during our first visit. It rained again during this visit!

This concludes my blog posts about our day trip to Ohio. I hope that you enjoyed seeing the sights through my camera lens.

Ohio Day Trip: Chagrin Falls

Bob and I went on a day trip to Ohio this past Saturday (April 6). We saw three waterfalls, a covered bridge and a few birds. In my previous blog posts I shared photographs of Brandywine Falls, the Everett Road Covered Bridge, and the Beaver Marsh and heron rookery — all three of which are located in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

After photographing the Great Blue Heron at the rookery, we left Cuyahoga Valley National Park and ate lunch at a nearby Texas Roadhouse. We both enjoyed steak entrees. After lunch we drove to the picturesque village of Chagrin Falls, which was about a 30-minute drive from Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The second waterfall that we saw during our day trip was right in the middle of Chagrin Falls.

There are two vantage points from which to see the Chagrin Falls waterfall. A boardwalk leads down to an observation platform from each vantage point.

From the first vantage point you can see the boardwalk for the second vantage point (opposite side).

View of falls from first vantage point

In addition to viewing Chagrin Falls from the observation platform of the first vantage point, we ventured down to the river bed for another prospective.

View of Chagrin Falls from the river bed

The next photograph was taken from the second vantage point.

This is the second time that we have visited this waterfall. Our first visit was in early August last year. There hadn’t been much rainfall, so we saw very little falling water during that visit. Provided below is a photograph from our August 2012 visit. Notice the big change in water volume between that visit and our visit this past Saturday!

Chagrin Falls in August 2012

After looking at the waterfall, we climbed back up to Main Street. We went inside the Popcorn Shop, where Bob enjoyed a cup of coffee and I enjoyed a Vanilla Custard cone. Bob said that the coffee was good. The Vanilla Custard cone was so rich and creamy; delicious!.

The Popcorn Shop

There was one more thing about Chagrin Falls that we liked … MOTORCYCLES!

I mentioned to Bob that we should ride to Chagrin Falls on the motorcycle one day. He agreed.

Ohio Day Trip: Beaver Marsh and Heron Rookery

Bob and I went on a day trip to Ohio this past Saturday (April 6). We saw three waterfalls, a covered bridge and a few birds. In my previous blog posts I shared photographs of Brandywine Falls and the Everett Road Covered Bridge, both of which are located in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. We made two other stops, while in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. We went for a walk at Beaver Marsh and visited the heron rookery along Bath Road.

The park’s description for the Beaver Marsh says to “look for beavers, otters, muskrats, and waterfowl along the wetland boardwalk”. We didn’t see any beavers, otters or muskrats. We did, however, see a Cardinal, a Red-Winged Blackbird, several Tree Swallows, ducks and a goose.

Red-Winged Blackbird

Red-Wing Blackbird, in flight

Tree Swallow

When I see a goose, I usually see a pair of geese. This goose was by itself.

We met a very nice girl, by the name of Cheryl, at Beaver Marsh. We arrived at Beaver Marsh at about the same time, walking to the boardwalk together. I asked Cheryl if she was familiar with the park and learned that she is a regular visitor to Cuyahoga Valley National Park. I then asked directions to the heron rookery .. take a left out of the parking lot, go to the light and make a left onto Bath Road. You can’t miss it. By the way, if Cheryl hadn’t called my attention to the Red-Winged Blackbird shown in the first photograph that I shared, I would have missed seeing it. Before we parted ways, I asked Cheryl if she had a card. She did (I should carry my card with me more often!). When you have a chance, check out Cheryl’s nature photographs, itscherylsnature, on Smugmug.

From the Beaver Marsh we drove to the heron rookery on Bath Road, per Cheryl’s instructions. She’s right. We couldn’t miss it. Cars were lined up along the side of the street.

Great Blue Heron Rookery

his is one of several trees in which the great blue herons built nests.

We arrived at the heron rookery around 12:30 PM. The afternoon sun was harsh. I would like to return to Cuyahoga Valley National Park next Spring and visit the heron rookery during the early morning hours. I am positive that I would be much happier with the results of my photography during those hours than in the afternoon!

Ohio Day Trip: Everett Road Covered Bridge

Bob and I went on a day trip to Ohio this past Saturday (April 6). We saw three waterfalls, a covered bridge and a few birds. In my previous blog post I shared photographs of Brandywine Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Our second stop in Cuyahoga Valley National Park was at the Everett Road Covered Bridge.

Everett Covered Bridge

This was our second visit to the Everett Road Covered Bridge. During our first visit in early August 2012 I wanted to take a picture of the bridge from the creek bed; however, a wedding party was down there having their pictures taken. There wasn’t any wedding party during Saturday’s visit, so I captured my creek bed photographs!

Ohio Day Trip: Brandywine Falls

Bob and I went on a day trip to Ohio this past Saturday (April 6). We saw three waterfalls, a covered bridge and a few birds. The first waterfall that we visited was Brandywine Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Brandywine Falls is 65 feet high; it is one of Ohio’s highest waterfalls.
A boardwalk takes you to upper and lower observation platforms.

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This is the second time that we have visited this waterfall. Our first visit was in early August last year. There hadn’t been much rainfall, so we saw very little falling water during that visit. Provided below are two photographs from our August 2012 visit. Notice the big change in water volume between that visit and our visit this past Saturday!