Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening....

…or meandering through the forest on a Sunday morning.  Give the month showing on the calendar we chose the second option.

Meeting up with friends, part of our new Passion Talks group, in Burlington at 9:00 a.m.  We carpooled in our van to Boone Cliff Nature Preserve.  Originally the outing was planned for the spring but life happened and most of the wildflowers had come and gone.  The cliffs were covered with trees so the views of the cliffs were not available.  But the walk was good, the conversation also.  

We did see remains of a little mole who was feeding the beetles.  There were ‘puff balls’ hanging on an oak tree.  Seed pods or insect nest – where the biology majors when you need them.  The Mayapples actually had apples on them.  The spiderwort (our guess) was in bloom adding a little color.  Mushroom here and there were popping up.  Fallen trees were quietly decaying.  The bird, on the other hand were singing in full chorus.  There were birds that popped out to be identified.    A scarlet tanager, mocking bird, red bellied woodpecker graces us with their presence.

The 1.6 mile trail was enjoyable and relaxing.

The enjoyment continued when we found a little outdoor cafe in Burlington still serving breakfast at 11:00.  A table for 6 greeted us as we walked in.  Good food and good fellowship.  So good.

The mood was almost broken when we got home to a message on our answering machine.  Seems that someone in Mexico was trying to use our credit card number.   Not a good thing but a phone call took care of it all - hopefully.  Thank goodness for the people who catch things like this.  A little inconvenient but manageable. 

Way to go Cincinnati !

Jerry and I headed out for an early morning walk this morning.  Well, I guess 8:00 isn’t too early on a ‘work day.’  We parked over in Newport and walked The Purple People Bridge.  What a wonderful idea turning that in to a walking bridge.

Way to go Newport & Cincinnati!

On the Cincinnati side of the bridge we turned west, wanting to check out Smail Park and the new carousel.  Turning left towards the riverfront we found the area completely blocked off, including the restroom.  The restrooms were in sight just on the other side of the fence and there were people around to inform us that the area was blocked off and no, we could not use the restrooms.  Way to go, Cincinnati !  It wasn’t an issue until Jerry started talking about it.  Seem that the Bunbury Music Concert is happening this weekend and it must be quite a big deal.

We walked along the riverfront where there is a lot of construction and preparation going on for the All Star Game.  Way to go Cincinnati !   Jerry stopped in one of the construction port-a-potties.  Not me, thank you !  We walked up to Fountain Square and low and behold the restrooms were open – open but totally disgusting!  Way to go Cincinnati!

We sat on the square for a bit and then wandered down and found the old Dixie Terminal.  Wanting to take a stroll down memory lane we walked in.  When talking to the guard he gave is some old newspaper articles written about the Terminal.  He invited us to the upper level to tables where we could sit and read the information.  Way to go Cincinnati !  We read for a short bit and then head back down to the riverfront after being permitted to use the locked restrooms in the terminal.  Way to go Cincinnati !

We passed the carousel, the water play area where two men in suits were having a blast along with the 3-5 year olds.  We walked through the black war memorial, enjoyed the many colorful flowers and watched the little kiddies play.  On the way back towards the bridge we sat in the swings for a bit and watched the people and the river roll by.  Way to go Cincinnati !

Headed back to our car which we were able to park on the street for free and resisted the urge to stop in Mokka’s for a little breakfast.  Way to go Jerry and Sue!

We put in 6.2 miles and saw a little of Cincinnati this morning.  It was time well spent.  Hooray for us !