Almost the end of summer

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Last week, when our oldest daughter and son-in-law flew in from Phoenix for a short visit, climbing the Emergent Tower at Holden Arboretum was included on the list of “things to do and places to visit.” Monday was a beautiful day, so off we went to Holden and had a great time. After we all experienced the Canopy Walk, Gretchen and I climbed the Tower, while Bob and Rod kept Gulliver company at ground level. For very good reasons, dogs are not allowed on the Walk or the Tower.

Ready to climb

Dwarfed by the tower

Gretchen and Rod

Yep, I climbed too!

Gretchen and the view of Lake Erie

We were the last climbers to leave the Tower and the afternoon was waning, so we paused for a photo opp by the gate into the Rhododendron Garden… 2016_08_29_Trailwalks_Holden Arboretum_0013

…and then walked back down the trail. In the little time we had left, we wanted to wander a while in the Butterfly garden before we headed home.

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It wasn’t a long visit, but, in my opinion, every visit to Holden Arboretum is special, and this afternoon was no exception.Thanks for coming along. I hope you enjoyed the climb. Maybe the wander through the butterfly garden was more your speed, but whatever your preference, it’s all good! There is something at the Arboretum for everyone.

Note: The past week has been all about family time, so I have a lot of catching up to do, pictures to process, and posts to write up, but eventually I will get caught up. And I’ll be back soon with another post from last week.

Thanks for coming along on this walk.
Trail Walker

September 3, 2016 6

Walking the trails in Holden Arboretum

This is the first of three posts about our Holden Trail Walk.
More to come next week!

Our grandson Michael is home from Indiana for the week, so he and I planned a trail walk in Holden Arboretum. On Mike’s last visit home, the Emergent Tower and Canopy Walk were closed for the winter, and he has been anticipating a climb to the top of the the 12-story tower to see the view of Lake Erie. Today was the day! Weather-wise, it couldn’t have been more perfect. I’ve climbed the Tower six times, and the view today was the best I’ve ever seen. Take a look:

Heading down the trail

One of my favorite ponds

Capturing a landscape

Clear view of Lake Erie

After our climb, we took a hike that eventually brought us back to the visitor’s center and Butterfly Garden, taking lots of pictures along the way. Unfortunately, I don’t have enough time (or energy) this evening to process all of them. All the hiking and climbing depleted today’s supply of both, so this brief post is just a “teaser” because I am going to make this the first of a three part series.

Thanks for visiting today.
See you soon with another post from the Arboretum.
Trail Walker

July 15, 2016 5

Spring trail walk in Holden Arboretum

Today’s visit to the Murch Canopy Walk and Kalberer Emergent Tower marks my fifth time to experience these special features at the Arboretum. Links to those earlier visits can be seen here and here.

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One of my favorite sights in the rhododendron garden is the gazebo pictured above. Sometimes, when I want to just enjoy the peace of the garden, I will take my lunch and sit in the gazebo.

But today I met my friend Lorna at the visitor’s center where we purchased tickets for the Emergent Tower and Canopy Walk, and we are going to head down the trail to the rhododendron garden. Lunch will wait until after we enjoy the garden, climb the Emergent Tower, and make our way back to the patio at the visitors’ center. If I had special ordered the weather for today’s visit to Holden Arboretum, it would have been for a day exactly like this, so let’s head on down the trail. Click on any of the pictures in the gallery and immerse yourself in the sights of summer in the Arboretum.

The walk into the rhododendron garden starts here.

Walking the Canopy Walk

Lorna is standing on the Canopy Walk where you can see a glimpse of the Tower in the background.

Other guests enjoying the walk through the tree tops.

The Walk winds through the forest and over a deep ravine.

The Canopy Walk sways when many people are on it.

After our walk through the tree tops, we climbed the 102 steps to the top of the Tower.

Emerging above the trees, we had a fabulous view of Lake Erie in the distance.

A trail in the rhododendron garden

Gazebo in the Garden

Wildflowers in the bog

Azaleas in full bloom

Beautiful blossom

More blossoms

Winding through the rhododendrons.

I hope you enjoyed your virtual walk in the garden. And I know you didn’t get out of breath like I did when we climbed the Tower! Thankfully they have places you can stop and catch your breath while you enjoy the view on the way up. I needed them! Now it’s time for lunch. Lorna and I brought ours, but you’re on your own! Thanks for joining us for this virtual tour in the Arboretum.

Note: If you want to see my earlier posts about the Canopy Walk and Emergent Tower, click here and go back to last fall’s trail walks with more pictures.

See you in a day or two for another trail walk.
Trail Walker

May 24, 2016 4

It happened overnight!

What happened? you ask. An abrupt change in the warm weather we have enjoyed recently. Much cooler temperatures and a few raindrops moved in last night, but that’s not all bad. There’s a positive side to cooler temperatures that I mentioned in my Arboretum post yesterday. Cooler, crisper nighttime temperatures may bring about the glorious, vibrant fall colors we hope to see when October rolls around. Those rich autumnal hues are our last celebratory hurrah as five months of frigid, frosty weather breathes down our necks.

Don’t misunderstand me for a winter wimp though. While nobody would call me a winter weather aficionado (I don’t ski, skate, or own a sled); however, I do possess a good pair of boots, a set of cleats to make my boots safe for winter walking, and all the other winter weather necessities, including hand warmers to carry in my pocket on my regular trail walks. I also encourage people to go trail walking in the winter. It’s good for the mind and body. However, October, with its deep blue skies and vibrant colors, is my favorite month…a time that I treasure.

So today I am sharing a few pictures I took on yesterday’s trail walk in Holden Arboretum. If you saw the fall color images I posted yesterday, you know that I promised that today’s post would be the pictures I took from the top of the Emergent Tower. There is still a lot of green in the tree canopy, but the reds and some oranges are showing up in certain sections of the landscape, and Lake Erie is clearly visible on the horizon in a few of the shots. Take a look:

NOTE: If you missed my earlier posts on climbing the Tower, you can see them HERE and HERE.

That’s it for today, fellow trail walkers. I hope you enjoyed the climb. It was a little crowded on the Tower because it was a holiday. When I made the climb just after the noon hour, I was the 540th visitor for the day, and there was still a steady stream of people wending their way along the trail to the Tower after I descended. If you’re thinking about making the climb, do it soon. After November 1st, the Tower will be closed until spring. Although I did hear something about it being open on an occasional good weather day, don’t count on that happening. Remember what our last two winters have been like, and visit the tower NOW.

See you tomorrow. I’m bringing photos from the Canopy Walk, and you’ll need to bring your jacket.

Trail Walker

October 13, 2015 7

Climbing the Emergent Tower: Sharing lessons I’ve learned

Autumn is definitely here; I can see countless signs! With winter nipping at our heels (sob-sob), I’m trying my best to take advantage of the beautiful weather we are enjoying right now. Who’s to say how long it will be before Jack Frost sneaks onto the scene and dramatically changes the landscape. With that in mind, I headed for Holden Arboretum to climb the Emergent Tower this morning with Alison, Bob, and Tom Loomis.

A Lesson Learned

The Emergent Tower is 120 feet (or 12 stories) tall, very well constructed, and not a difficult climb. However, there are a few things you should bear in mind if you set out:

Don’t go on an empty stomach. Eat a good meal if you are considering the climb. I learned that lesson this morning after I stood in my kitchen and gobbled down a meager bowl of cereal because I was running late and “Just didn’t have time to eat.”
Make sure you are well hydrated. Also, it doesn’t hurt to carry water because the climb can make you thirsty. Although it doesn’t take a long time, it is exercise that makes your heart work a little harder than normal. You could get a little winded and thirsty.
Wear good walking shoes. I actually saw someone climbing in high heeled shoes. I wouldn’t recommend it!
Don’t take your dog. They’re not allowed on the tower, and don’t take small children in strollers. You cannot climb the Tower pulling a stroller behind you.
The Tower does sway. The more climbers, the more it sways. It’s built that way. It’s not unsafe, but it can be a little unsettling for people who don’t like heights.
On each level there is a deck where you can stop to catch your breath and enjoy the view. There is also a chair if you should want to sit, rest, and relax for a few minutes.
A phenomenal view of the countryside is your reward IF you make it all the way to the top, so don’t give up when you’re part way there. Just set a pace that works for you and keep climbing. I’m pushing 80, and I’ve climbed the tower twice, so I’m sure you can too!
I hope you remembered to carry your camera (or phone) because when you reach the top, you will want to snap a few pictures of the view and a selfie or two to prove that you were there.

Check out the gallery below for a few pictures that I took at the Arboretum today. Maybe they will inspire you to get out there and go for a walk along the trail. Any trail will do; just put on your walking shoes and head to the nearest trail. Have fun!