It's a bit of a misnomer: Ohio River Islands because the Wildlife Refuge is definitely NOT on an island in the Ohio, but, instead, near one. However, it is one of my favorite places in my immediate vicinity.
Cool Guy and I went this afternoon, a brisk afternoon, armed with jackets just in case. When we arrived, there were about 8 trucks in the staff parking lot and zero in the visitor parking lot. Perfect!
The first stop is at the building. It is bright, new, solar-powered, and full of interesting, well-thought-out displays and information. We had clean bathrooms, water fountains, tanks of fish from the Ohio, lots of neat information. The very friendly ranger gave me a trail map.
Now, the downside, which is the case in all of our area, is that this is pretty tame. We're not going to get wonderful outlooks, no ridges, bluffs, canyons. And the trail is very tame. However, it is close, it is quiet, it is peaceful. And you just can't go wrong with a trail as earnest and cared for as these.
We began with the bird and butterfly loop, which is paved. On either side of the walk is a meadow which has deliberately not been mowed, so all the wild flowers and "weeds" are allowed to come to their full fruition, which they were in at this time. Most notable was the plethora of tiny grasshoppers all along the pathway. Honestly, we had to work to keep from stepping on them. We noticed lots of milkweed and thistles.
The midway point of the loop met with a parking lot and a gravel road leading to the river trail. There were port-a-potties at the parking lot and a sign, which I could understand, showing us the various trails. We chose the grass mown one that would take us along the river bank. This led us into a more woodsy environment, but it was still half meadow. Through the trees, we had glimpses of the river. After a short, flat, easy walk, we were at a concrete walk that led to the edge of the edge of the bank for an overlook into the river.
From there, we found a more primitive trail and followed it, still flat and easy, but working a little harder getting over the tree roots and dodging limbs. It dead ended at a magnificent tree, and we retraced our steps. From there, we followed the path back to the parking lot and from there, the bird and butterfly trail, part 2.
Total distance covered was probably only a little more than a mile. But for an afternoon break from house, yard, and duties, it was worth the time and trouble.
We are definitely going back here a lot. I am especially interested in seeing the river up close when it is frozen along the edges.
Cool Guy and I went this afternoon, a brisk afternoon, armed with jackets just in case. When we arrived, there were about 8 trucks in the staff parking lot and zero in the visitor parking lot. Perfect!
The first stop is at the building. It is bright, new, solar-powered, and full of interesting, well-thought-out displays and information. We had clean bathrooms, water fountains, tanks of fish from the Ohio, lots of neat information. The very friendly ranger gave me a trail map.
Now, the downside, which is the case in all of our area, is that this is pretty tame. We're not going to get wonderful outlooks, no ridges, bluffs, canyons. And the trail is very tame. However, it is close, it is quiet, it is peaceful. And you just can't go wrong with a trail as earnest and cared for as these.
We began with the bird and butterfly loop, which is paved. On either side of the walk is a meadow which has deliberately not been mowed, so all the wild flowers and "weeds" are allowed to come to their full fruition, which they were in at this time. Most notable was the plethora of tiny grasshoppers all along the pathway. Honestly, we had to work to keep from stepping on them. We noticed lots of milkweed and thistles.
The midway point of the loop met with a parking lot and a gravel road leading to the river trail. There were port-a-potties at the parking lot and a sign, which I could understand, showing us the various trails. We chose the grass mown one that would take us along the river bank. This led us into a more woodsy environment, but it was still half meadow. Through the trees, we had glimpses of the river. After a short, flat, easy walk, we were at a concrete walk that led to the edge of the edge of the bank for an overlook into the river.
From there, we found a more primitive trail and followed it, still flat and easy, but working a little harder getting over the tree roots and dodging limbs. It dead ended at a magnificent tree, and we retraced our steps. From there, we followed the path back to the parking lot and from there, the bird and butterfly trail, part 2.
Total distance covered was probably only a little more than a mile. But for an afternoon break from house, yard, and duties, it was worth the time and trouble.
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