#ThursdayDoors | Visiting A Closed Trail Center On A Winter’s Day

/ Ally Bean

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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56 thoughts on “#ThursdayDoors | Visiting A Closed Trail Center On A Winter’s Day”

  2. 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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    • 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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  7. 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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    • 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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  9. 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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  10. 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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    • 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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    • 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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  17. 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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    • 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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