Two Lane Adventure to Ohio – Wednesday, May 22nd 2019

photo credit: Harry & Judi

Today we left Pymatuning State Park in Jamestown PA. We wanted to get an early start, so we said “see ya later” to Harry & Judi early. We were lucky to see the Baltimore Orioles, while we were at their site. They have an Oriole feeder that they put grape jelly in. So, Charlie & I gave them a jar of grape jelly for their hospitality!

It is amazing that Harry & Judi have kept these beautiful birds coming back year after year. The rich, whistling song of the Baltimore Oriole, echoing from treetops, is a sweet herald of spring in the 600 section of Pymatuning State Park. When you find these singers: the male’s brilliant orange plumage blazes from high branches like a torch.

Nearby, you might spot the yellow orange of the female.

Baltimore Orioles seek out sweet things. Harry & Judi have a special oriole feeders filled with sugar water supplement the flower nectar that Baltimore Orioles gather. But, the Orioles don’t like it … but the humming birds do!

Baltimore Orioles sometimes use their slender beaks to feed in an unusual way, called “gaping”: they stab the closed bill into soft fruits, then open their mouths to cut a juicy swath from which they drink with their brushy-tipped tongues.

Baltimore Orioles got their name from their bold orange-and-black plumage: they sport the same colors as the heraldic crest of England’s Baltimore family (who also gave their name to Maryland’s largest city).

We depart Pymatuning State Park in Pennsylvania and crossed back into Ohio. We have been in and out of Ohio several times over the last few days, as we toured the area.

The State of Ohio celebrates Ohio statehood on March 1. The reason for this is because the Ohio General Assembly met for the first time on this day in 1803. In reality, Ohio became a state on February 19, 1803, when President Jefferson endorsed the United States Congress's decision to grant Ohio statehood.

We traveled west for a bit on US Route 322. Along this route, we found an almost normal relative of Maudine, Maynard and the whole Geek-E-Bird family. It must be a distant cousin. He or she was sitting atop an old tractor. Yes, it is a white metal chicken!

We turned north onto Route 193. This route will take us directly to the campground in North Kingsville, where Brian and Janet stay. The Dogwood Trees are in full bloom, right now. The dogwood tree is a common feature in landscaping designs and is prized for its delicate flowers and scent. The dogwood tree is native to the Middle East. Many legends in Christianity include the dogwood. The symbolic meaning of a dogwood tree is intrinsically linked to Christianity. It is said that the wood of the dogwood tree is the hardest and that it was chosen to be used in the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. Although there are no direct accounts that this is so, it is known that dogwood grew in the areas surrounding Jerusalem during this time period, and it is entirely likely that this wood was used. The closest thing we have to this in Florida, is the Jacaranda tree. In the springtime it is covered with immense purple flower clusters.

After we arrived and got set up, Brian and Janet took us on a tour of the area where they spend their summers. One of the greatest assets and natural resources is the 30 miles of beautiful lakeshore along Lake Erie. You can enjoy public beaches, parks with playgrounds, a couple of marinas and even a mud flat.

The Conneaut harbor's mud flats offers a great bird sanctuary if you're into watching migratory birds. Because of migration patterns and the unique mudflats created by the break wall, Conneaut finds itself a stopping point for many rare bird species.  We did not see any rare birds, but we did see some Geese families!

We headed down on Route 531 from Conneaut to Ashtabula. We stopped at the over 50 -acre L-shaped Lakeshore Park is on the north side of State Route 531 and east of the Ashtabula River. Lakeshore Park’s main access road, loops the park connecting the site’s amenities. At the west end of the parks nearly half-mile waterline is a multi-lane boat launch. Fishing access is provided along this stretch of armored shore and from a 250-foot pier extending into Lake Erie.

The 440-foot long Lakeshore Park Main Pavilion is perched atop shore-adjacent green space, the pavilion is believed to be the longest and oldest Great Lakes pavilion in continuous use.

The eastern 900 feet of shore is a groomed-sand swimming beach averaging 115 feet wide. In 1982, 34,000 cubic yards of sand were placed on the beach after the three 125-foot long, segmented, rubble-mound breakwaters were constructed to help stabilize the beach. A playground is at the back of the beach. The remaining park grounds are open to partially shaded mowed-grass green space and beautiful gardens where many wedding photos are taken.

We went to Tony’s Dog House for lunch. Some had hot dogs, some had sausage and Charlie had a hamburger. But we all had some of his famous ribbon fries!

The exterior of this church, really caught my eye. It is the Second Congregational Church in Ashtabula, Ohio. I could not find much information about the church history.

Brain and Janet took us on a covered bridge tour.

Our first stop was at the Indian Trails Park to see the Riverview Bridge. This bridge is 150 feet long and 14 feet wide, making it one of the larger bridges, yet it carries only pedestrian traffic.

It mirrors the Pratt arch design of its big brother, Smolen-Gulf, which rises above. Both cross the Ashtabula River at Indian Trails Park. It was dedicated in 2016 and provides exercise trails and a place to enjoy the beautiful river scenery.

The rain started to come, so we drove back up to the Smolen-Gulf Bridge. It is a Pratt Truss construction that carries Route 25 across it. Engineering and structural design was done by John W Smolen and architectural design was done by Timothy J Martin. It was dedicated in 2008.

It is the longest covered bridge in the US. It is 613 feet long and stands 93 feet above the river. With a clear width of 30 feet, it will support full legal load traffic and has a life expectancy of 100 years.

Brian spotted geese or turkey, in a field we drove by. He backed up and said “Yup, geese.” I zoomed in with my camera and nope, turkeys!

The State Road Bridge has a clearance of 16 feet 2 inches. It contains 97,000 feet of southern pine and oak. The State Road Bridge was erected in 1983 across Conneaut Creek. This 152-foot-long Town Lattice was the first covered bridge designed and built by County Engineer, John W Smolen.

The Creek Road Bridge has a clearance of 11 foot 4 inches. The construction date of this bridge is unknown. It is a 125 foot long Town Lattice bridge. It sits 25 feet above the Conneaut Creek and was renovated in 1994. The day we visited it had a visitor sitting on the edge of the bridge. Look closely and you can see him!

We enjoyed dinner in the second half of Covered Bridge that we ate in a few days ago in Andover, Ohio. This one is located just down the road from Brian & Janet’s campground in North Kingsville.

It was the perfect place to eat after we explored covered bridges in Ashtabula County. The Covered Bridge Pizza Parlor is built inside one half of the former 1862 Froman Road Bridge. When the original bridge was replaced in 1972, it was sold to the highest bidder -- the pizza parlor owners -- for five dollars.

The clouds cleared for just a while, so we could site outside.

We were able to enjoy the first fire of the season at the Village Green Campground. It was a great visit with friends!