REVIEW: A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

There is nothing I love more than A WALK IN THE WOODS myself, so reading about thru-hikers is fascinating to me. After reading this book by Bill Bryson, I realize I need more of his books! I love travelogues, so Bill Bryson’s books have long been on my radar. I caught the bug with WILD…

Category: Books, Hiking, Life through the Lens, Movie Review, Reviews, TBR Mountain Range Challenge 2016, Travel, Travel Highlights

A Cottage Garden in Ohio – Part 1

Visiting a Cottage Garden in Ohio brings back memories of my great-grandmother, Nanny, who grew many of these same beauties when I was child. Gardening is more fun when it’s shared with a friend. Especially if it’s one who is as obsessed as you are and loves the same unusual peculiarities of the plant world….

Category: Garden, Life through the Lens

Veterans week in West Virginia – Sunsets, Mountains, More!

Veterans Week in West Virginia was an enjoyable getaway in late fall. The photos tell our story and will entice you to make your own. West Virginia State Resort Parks offered a 50% discount to Veterans from the first through the fifteenth of November, so my husband and I took advantage of it. I’m so…

Category: Life through the Lens, Travel, Travel Highlights

Hiking Challenge Extra – Plum Creek

It’s fun when your family loves the outdoors as much as you do. We added in an extra Fall hike with our son and granddaughters at Plum Creek Park in Medina County, Ohio, in mid November. It doesn’t officially count for our Fall challenge because of the county difference but an extra is always okay…

Category: Hiking, Life through the Lens, Travel, Travel Highlights

Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart!

We saw this arrangement at Pipestem Resort State Park in West Virginia and we thought how appropriate for this time of year. I do give thanks with a grateful heart to family and friends who make my life so zestful. From our family to yours, may you have a zest filled Thanksgiving! I’ll share more…

Category: Life through the Lens, Travel, Travel Highlights

Sunset at Springfield Lake reflects colors of Autumn

Sunsets draw me to them like a moth to flame. Nothing ends a day more beautifully than a sunset, in my opinion. I quickly veered off from our destination when I saw this one developing at Springfield Lake, Ohio. When the sun starts going down behind a treeline, you have to be quick, so I…

Category: Life through the Lens, Travel, Travel Highlights

Hiking Challenge – Nature Realm Seneca Trail

Our sixth hike was at one our favorite parks, Nature Realm in Akron, part of the Summit County Metro Parks. We’ve hiked the easy trails here many times and always enjoy the gardens and gift shop, plus the special programs. This time we took a leap of faith and hiked the moderate rated 1.4 mile…

Category: Garden, Hiking, Life through the Lens, Travel, Travel Highlights

Hiking Challenge 2015 – Quarry in Peninsula

Our fifth hike for our 2015 Hiking Challenge was at the Deep Lock Quarry in Peninsula alongside part of the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath. This 1.4 mile hike is rated moderate, so it’s a bit more difficult than the first 4 hikes we did so far for this challenge. I have conflicting figures between…

Category: Hiking, Life through the Lens, Travel, Travel Highlights

Hiking Challenge 2015 – Bike & Hike Munroe Falls

Last week we got a respite from the cold snap we experienced over the weekend (several hard frosts) and the sun came out so, of course, we went on our fourth hike. I was trying to find an easy hike because I didn’t think we were ready for something more strenuous, yet. The Bike &…

Category: Hiking, Life through the Lens, Travel, Travel Highlights

Hiking Challenge 2015 – Furnace Run – Richfield

Our third hike for the 2015 Fall Hiking Spree Challenge was at Furnace Run Metro Park in Richfield, Ohio, on the Old Mill trail. I didn’t remember being here before, at first, but after we pulled into the parking lot, my dad and I thought it looked a bit familiar. We finally remembered that we…