Guernsey State Park - A Hike Along Old Quarry Road

Tomorrow is the first day of fall, once a day of celebration for the bounty of summer gardens and fields. Now it is more of a, “When is the first day of fall anyway?” Let me be the first to wish all of you a happy fall, or should I say, let me be the only one to wish you a happy fall.

As the days cool we are spending more and more time in the park, several good hikes this week. If any of you have never tried a fall walk outside of the city limits, with leaves starting to turn and the smell of Autumn in the air, I highly recommend it.

Two days ago we took an enjoyable hike from Upper Spotted Tail to where it joins Old Quarry Road. We followed this old path back to the old onyx mine.

3122 Co Road Rock along the trail

Always a great walk and, just guessing here, only about a mile and a half, maybe two.  All of today's photos are from that hike.

Get out and enjoy fall, it's not all just about Halloween.

With cold weather approaching it’s time to get exercise and for the days you will stay inside –take a look at my books here – including the one on the building of GuernseyState Park.

Splitting Limestone about 80 Years ago

Guernsey State Park - Back to Normal

A Touch of Fall in the Park

Looks like the park is back to normal after more than 30,000 people showed up for the four-day Eclipse celebration. It was terrific seeing so many people enjoying the park, but it sure is nice to have it quiet down as we head toward fall.

This is the time of year when Jan and I enjoy hikes and drives in the park. Our activities range from walks of a couple of miles to simply sitting somewhere and enjoying the views.

Taking a Break on Black Canyon Point Trail

I have spent some time the past few days looking at some of the smaller projects the Civilian Conservation Corps finished in the park. I don’t think it is possible to find all of the parks CCC work, but it sure is fun when we find something new.

A small area along Lakeshore Drive - Built by the CCC, Holding Back the Mountainside.

Cooler weather means it is a terrific time to hike or just sit and enjoy the view in Guernsey State Park.

My book on the park is still selling well, both locally and on line. You can pick up an inexpensive eBook copy here or order the soft cover edition and put it in the office, on the coffee table, or make it a gift for someone who loves the park.

CCC Worker Statue at the CCC Museum in Guernsey State Park

If you like reading western fiction, mysteries, gardening books or fun kid’s chapter books take a look at all my books here. That ends my shameless self-promotion of my CCC and the Building of Guernsey State Park book and my eight fiction titles.

On The Trails Again

Where has the summer gone? I know, it's not Labor Day yet so we still have summer and officially after Labor Day we still have another three weeks until fall. But I can feel it, cooler nights and evening rains sure seems fall like to me.

On another note what a great job the crew at Guernsey State Park did for the eclipse, we were out and about in the park a couple of days before and the day after the eclipse and it looked like a lot of fun was had by all.

Now that it is cooler, somewhat anyway, we have resumed hiking in the park. Did you know that Newell Bay Trail has more than 100 CCC built steps? What a great trail. We were not up to doing a full loop but did half on two different evenings.

This is one of my favorite times in the park, fall colors starting and still some wildflowers. It is also the time of year we see the park's animals starting to move around a bit more. Give it a try.