Today I’m joining Thursday Doors, hosted by Norm Frampton, so that I can share with you the following door photos.
I took these photos on Saturday at the Little Miami Scenic River and Trail Center. It’s part of the Little Miami Conservancy.
The Center is on a 78 mile long biking/hiking trail that starts in Springfield, OH [to the north], goes through 5 Ohio counties, and ends in Cincinnati, OH [to the south].
It being winter the Center was closed, but I did see a few cyclists riding on the trail. And there were a few other people like me who were moseying around the trail– even though it was a bleak, boring day to be outside.
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DOOR on the side of the brick building that is the Little Miami Scenic River and Trail Center.
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Look at these happy animals not drawn to scale, but featured nonetheless on this Little Miami Conservancy mural.
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DOOR on the front of the closed Center.
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Plaque commemorating the Lower Little Miami Scenic River: “To protect and enhance the river’s free-flowing character, water quality, & outstandingly remarkable values.”
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Mural painted on a building next to the Little Miami Scenic River and Trail Center. From what I can tell this mural has nothing to do with the Center, but considering that Valentine’s Day is almost here… let’s talk about love.
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I’ve spent a lot of time in southwest Ohio over the years, always on business…
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John, there’s a lot to do around here that is low-key. We’re not a tourist destination, but it’s not a bad place to live either.
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Hi, Ally – I love exploring trails off-season. I like the lack of crowds and always find something interesting to see. I’m glad that you also captured the “On the Wings of Love” photo….very cool and very timely!
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Donna, during the warmer weather this trail is popular and busy. But in the winter there’s not much going on, only a few lost souls such as myself wandering around for something to do.
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Local stuff is always fun and I’m always surprised at what I find. Nice photos.
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Kate, I agree. I like to nose around the small towns and festivals that go on around here. You just never know what you might find…
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Love! I will be in Ohio this summer, but alas, a different part of the state….
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LA, I hope you enjoy your visit. There are 5 different regions in Ohio, each with their own character, if you believe the tourist board.
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We’re going to Cleveland. College visit, rock and roll and roller coaster I believe
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Definitely rock and roll. Roller coasters nearby at Cedar Point Amusement Park. Lots of rugged hiking trails– and lake fish everywhere. You’ll enjoy yourselves.
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Hiking sounds perfect! I also want to try a Michael Simon restaurant
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I’ve never heard of those restaurants, but if there’s one there I’m sure you’ll find it!
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He’s a chef and co host on The Chew, which is the only daytime talk show I dvr and lay when I’m making dinner.
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I know of The Chew, but have never seen it. It’ll be fun to read your review of the restaurant– and Cleveland.
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I’ve always wanted to go so looking forward!
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Thanks for sharing the conservancy message . . . and for the Valentine’s Day bonus shot! Nice touch. 😀
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nancy, I wanted to get some brochures at this Center, but once I got there and saw that it was closed, I had an idea… a door-ish kind of idea… plus that building next door called to me. Love it!
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Nice that you had the trail almost to yourself. I’m sure that in warmer months the place must be full of cyclists and hikers.
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Norm, you’re right. I usually avoid this part of the trail in the warmer months because PEOPLE everywhere. But in the winter it was my kind of mellow fun. And there were doors, so yay!
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You had me fooled with the Little Miami. I had visions of you in the sunny, warm southern climes of Florida on vacation.
Any park building that has a canoe anchored on the side promises to be an haven for outdoor enthusiasts. I don’t know what the temperature was like, but I don’t see any snow and that would be enough for me to consider a trail bike ride! Toss in the giant butterflies and this looks just about perfect 🙂
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Joanne, in truth I was surprised there weren’t more cyclists on the trail. It was about 20ºF out, but no snow or ice at all. Just bleak… and peaceful. But not in FL.
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-7C would be a chilly bike ride … those were brave souls.
So sorry you aren’t basking in the warmth 🙂
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Joanne, those cyclists were encased in some kind of shiny fabric that I suspect keeps them warm, although maybe they were just crazy. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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Off season is a great time to go exploring, if you’re not into crowds. Is the last building a private residence, Ally?
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Jill, I think that the last building is the side of a garage for a private residence. The Center is in a historic area of a small town on the trail. Buildings around it are unique and a bit off-beat, which adds to the appeal of the trail.
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I would love to have a 78 mile trail like that close to us. We have more sunshine, but crazy, distracted drivers make most of our roads inhospitable for cyclists (at least as far as I’m concerned). A protected pathway like this would get me on my bike again for sure.
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Janis, this trail is part former railroad tracks and part meandering path near the side of the river. All of it is paved– with large signs telling you when you’ll be crossing a road with car traffic. It’s about as safe as a trail can be. We walk on parts of it, but long ago gave up cycling.
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I love the small things that we sometimes don’t notice unless the day is gray, or we’re focused on finding the beauty. How much do I miss because I’m looking around and not looking AT?
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Margaret, good question. On a practical level, I tend to be good at seeing the details when there’s not too much sun. Like last Saturday, for instance. On a more philosophical level, I try to be in the moment looking AT what is in front of me, not allowing my monkey mind to take over.
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Not drawn to scale. Haha! Apparently that bothered you somewhat?
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Betsy, that oversize duck in the mural creeps me out. It’s too large and if it quacked I’d go deaf. It’s just not right, I tell ‘ya.
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Haha. Maybe the artist really likes ducks.
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… maybe. But with such a large red eye? Creepy duck. Goofy artist.
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Surely the fish were drawn to a fisherman’s scale! Don’t they always brag about the big one that got away?
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Anne, good point. You made me laugh with that one. No doubt those are the fish that got away!
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Nothing like a mural to cheer up a glum day.
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JT Twissel, I agree. I didn’t mind that the Center wasn’t open when I realized that for once, with no people around, I could get a good photo of that animal mural. And then to find the other mural about love, made my day.
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I like trails and beaches off season. Great pictures.
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Dan, thanks. I agree, the off-season makes for some fun adventures.
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love the boat above the sign in your first capture! Sometimes there is more adventure when things are “closed”:)
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jesh stg, I like that canoe up there on the wall, too. It catches the eye, even before you see the mural. I agree that when things are closed, I often have the best time.
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:):)
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Those butterflies! I want to paint that on our backyard fence.
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Janet, those butterflies and the message made my day. I liked everything at the Center, but when I saw that someone had painted the side of their garage just for the joy of it, I felt like my adventure was complete. 🦋
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The expressions on the faces of those not drawn to scale animals are quite bizarre. The spotted fish seems to fear it’s about to be eaten, the otter looks quite confused, the fox appears worried about something, and that huge bird in the foreground just thinks the whole situation is amusing…
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evilsquirrel13, I find that mural to be unsettling. It’s all off– in the ways you mention. Plus during the busy season I see people sitting at the table and chairs while those animals peer over their shoulders. I dunno, it’s weird.
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I like how the murals give the building a personality – even when it is closed.
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Sheryl, I like the murals, too. The doors weren’t all that special, but I still wanted to visit this Center because of the murals. Whatever works, eh?
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I LOVE that red door and red shutters. The murals are great, too!
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marian, that shade of red contrasts nicely with the bleak grayness of winter! I only wish the Center had been open, if only to see the other side of the pretty front door.
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Nice! Bit like home 🙂
I love the mural, scale schmale, what great characters! Love 211, too. Cheerful.
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joey, the mural on the side of the Center has fascinated me for years, creeped me out a little bit– but definitely caught my interest. I, too, love the little red front door. It stands out beautifully year-round… even when the place is closed. 🙄
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Aww, I like the looks of that place.
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I know, Kate. It’s such a cute building. Next time I get that way I’m going to make sure it’s open so I can see the inside.
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Ooo! Love that last one.
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jazzytower, it’s cool, isn’t it? ❤️
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