Chapin Forest Reservation (6/26/2016)

Sunday, June 26, 2016
Bob W joined us for a morning hike in Chapin Forest Reservation in Kirtland, OH.

Bob, Kent, Brynne, and Gus

We followed the Lucky Stone Trail

Lucky stones are quartz pebbles brought here by glaciers

Chapin Ledges are made of Sharon Conglomerate (sand and stone)
that broke off when the underlying shale eroded

Chapin Ledges

Some of the stones in the Sharon
Conglomerate are the lucky quartz pebbles

Chapin Ledges

Bent but still alive beech tree

Conopholis americana/Squawroot, a parasitic plant
growing from the roots of oak and beech trees

Lucky Stones Trail: SE loop

Sharon Conglomerate

What's that on the Lucky Stones Trail NW loop? (KSS)

Pantherophis alleghaniansis/Eastern Ratsnake,
a good four feet long (KSS)

Eastern Ratsnake (KSS)

Historic Sperry Quarry, where from 1959-1972, the Sharon
Conglomerate was removed and crushed to extract sand and gravel

A view of the Cleveland skyline from 16-18 miles away

Gus and Brynne at the Historic
Sperry Quarry Lookout

Bob and Kent emerge from the woods

More Sharon Conglomerate

We returned to civilization for lunch at the New Heights Grill in Cleveland Heights, where the gentlemen found further evidence of NBA Cleveland Cavaliers fever/pride...

(KSS)

Ohio Derby (6/25/2016)

Saturday, June 25, 2016
We live only three miles from the Thistledown Race Track, which has thoroughbred horse racing in season. It also has a casino, recently named JACK Thistledown Racino. The track is home to the Ohio Derby, the only graded stakes race in the state of Ohio.
Today was Ohio Derby Day. After parking for free in the new parking ramp, we had to walk through the Racino to the track, meaning Brynne had to prove she was at least 21-years old. Plenty of slot machines and places to eat.

JACK Thistledown Racino

Thistledown Grandstand

The undyed beard look...

We were in time for the seventh race of the day, and placed a bet on a horse with a jockey wearing purple.

Mo Don't No supporters

Big bettors Tamiko and Kent (PBB)

Our money is on this horse, La Nina Branca
(actually hidden behind his lead pony)

And they're off!

Down the stretch!

Well, the wrong purple won!
Justalittlesmoke in the Winner's Circle

The winner gets sprayed down

The eighth race was the Ohio Derby, with a purse of $500,000.

This time we, as Clevelanders, bet on the long shot/underdog:
Riding in the Wind

The favorite, Mo Tom, wins

The trophies for the day, and a garland of roses

Mo Tom gets the garland of roses in the Winner's Circle

Presentation of trophies, with four Cleveland
Cavaliers cheerleaders adding to the group

As in other sport venues, they throw t-shirts into
the crowd, and Kent snagged one, which
 means we came out even in the betting game...

West Woods (6/25/2016)

Saturday, June 25, 2016
Decided on a hike closer to home, this time at West Woods in Russell, OH. It was dark in the forest of hardwood trees.

A downed tree left what looks like God's chisel

Kent on a boardwalk

Not much to see except benches donated by
organizations and individuals

View from the bench of dried out Pebble Brook

Bridge on Ansel's Cave Trail

Slate-like dry creek bed

Ansel's Cave is not really a cave but was called a cave by early settlers
if rock ledges or overhangs protected them from the elements

Ansel Savage lived in a home near the cave in the early 1800s. It may have been used by runaway slaves and bootleggers. Today you cannot explore the area due to the dangers of falling or slippery rocks, and also to protect the fragile terrain and the stream running through it. Another sign indicated the presence of white nose syndrome, which is fatal to bats, and keeping humans out means we won't spread the disease.

Reflection in some water in Pebble Brook

Kent at a Sharon Conglomerate sandstone ledge

Sharon Conglomerate is rock made from sand and pebbles that was deposited on shale. The Conglomerate resists erosion while the shale beneath disappears. The unstable Conglomerate breaks away, leaving sheer cliffs and deep crevices.

This "cave" is a dead end!

Gus at the Green Roof Building; growing plants on the roof
will slow storm water runoff to reduce flooding and
pollution, and acts as insulation for the building

Trout Lily Trail boardwalk with Brynne and Gus

Sunset Overlook

View from Sunset Overlook

Gus, Brynne, and Kent take a break

Man-made stick pile

Discovery Trail has information panels

Pond of duckweed