Mohican River Inn

OCVN Naturalists State Leadership Conference

2010-03-07T06:19:00.000-08:00

We were honored to present a program about the Phenology of Trees' at Camp Ohio yesterday as part of the Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist (OCVN) orgnanization through OSU Extension.

We talked about observing the signs of nature , described 10 native trees (out of our 100 favorites,) described growing degree days and how those calculations are used to predict bloom times and insect emergence, and viewed pictures from around the United States and beyond.

OCVN Recognition Event

2009-09-11T20:17:00.000-07:00

canoe trip wednesday july 29

2009-08-01T06:37:00.000-07:00

The trip was filled with wonders. Amazing to get the river perspective after driving up and down Wally Road hundreds of times. It's a totally different world from the river

The Walhonding Valley Railroad used this bridge pier for 50 years---after another 50 years it is still here...beautiful local sandstone, beautiful form and construction

looking back upstream; we had a lot of rain the day before...and on this day!

This is just below Greer...saw a bald eagle overhead near here.

interesting rock face

incredible stand of Adiantum pedatum at the foot of Devil's Backbone

John Muir

2009-07-20T17:00:00.001-07:00

"When one tugs at a single thing in nature he finds it attached to the rest of the world."

~John Muir~

running trail and mosses

2009-07-09T02:46:00.000-07:00

here is the top of Hawk Ridge a little downhill from the old smoke signal pit

and a lot of pictures of the moss at the bottom of an old red oak

Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes

2009-07-07T06:20:00.000-07:00

Shades of purple this week in the garden; here are some good Emerson quotes.

R.W.E. quote:

"Drive out nature with a fork, she comes running back."

R.W.E. Quote:

"Civilized man has built a coach, but has lost the use of his feet. He is supported on crutches, but lacks so much support of muscle. He has got a fine Geneva watch, but he has lost the skill to tell the hour by the sun."

R.W.E. quote:

"There is a crack in everything that God has made."

some good pics from Hawk Ridge

2009-07-06T09:38:00.000-07:00

Fairy Community in the Mohican Country. Who knew?

2009-06-28T20:51:00.000-07:00

Haven points out the fairy queen's seat. Left is the sleeping area (under the logs,) and teepee. Lower in the photo is the fire ring, with seating logs encircling the fairy fire ring.

You must be initiated into this new realm. It is the newly created Fairy Community, the
brainchild of 5 under-age-10 kids at the head of the Smoke Signal Trail here at the Mohcian River Inn, replete with Fire Ring, sleeping area (with skylight), thrones for the queen Fairies, teepee, spa (with aromatherapy are---yes the exact, correct herbs were harvested and enlisted for this installation,) a pool (with Sycamore leaf canopy) and a beautiful garden.
Yes, that shard of broken bottle IS the mirror for the spa in case you were wondering....and, yes, those ARE indeed bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and essential herbal extracts atop the table.

The Fairy Garden... with crown vetch flowers, daisies, white clover, AND a dandelion.

Good job! I think the fairies' lives will now be better somehow...

Pebble Update

2009-06-14T10:37:00.000-07:00

OK, so here is the final report on the stolen stone

this is the note we received:

"GREAT NEWS! While in captivity your Mexican River pebble met a Mohican river rock that we already had been holding for ransom. They fell in love, and this morning we found out they have two twin boys........There names are Rocky 3.2 oz and Igneous (we call him Iggy) 3.1 oz. They have been to much to handle we are willing to give them back and pay you to take them off our hands! You can't believe the smell that come out of those baby rock!"

Yoga in Thailand

2009-06-06T06:03:00.001-07:00

Christine is visiting Ohio again later this year, but right now she is enjoying a master class with Richard Freeman in Thailand. Here he is demonstrating the headstand.

traveling pebble

2009-06-06T06:00:00.001-07:00

this may be the last installment and the story may come to an end soon, as we have been promised that pebble will be coming home soon. here are the updates: Paris, London, and the Grand Canyon.

the drama continues...

2009-06-05T07:38:00.001-07:00

So the story is this:

One of our stones was 'kidnapped' off the pillars here at the inn, and we have been receiving very threatening (and creative) emails that suggest there may be a list of 'demands,' maybe, sometime in the future.

We are having a lot of fun with this, and appreciate you following along in our pseduo drama of the Mexican River Gravel drama.

Gravel about to unravel

2009-06-04T09:38:00.001-07:00

the next chapter in the saga...will provide more details soon

pebble hostage

2009-06-04T07:47:00.001-07:00

there is a story behind this....stay tuned for details...

good quote

2009-06-02T17:00:00.001-07:00

"Earth has no sorrow that
Heaven cannot heal"
-Author Unknown

more for the eyes

2009-06-02T16:17:00.000-07:00

flower photos from...here!

2009-06-02T16:03:00.001-07:00

pebbles and rocks atop stones

2009-06-02T15:55:00.000-07:00

these are some of the signature elements I incorporate into the gardens that are most personal to me

nature observations

2009-05-27T20:40:00.000-07:00

today marks our 1-year anniversary of taking on the property

a few things noticed this week:
-the first cricket chirps of the season (just today)
-the tree frogs started their calls this week also, on Sunday night for hte first time, they haven't missed a night since...i think they keep talking for another 6 weeks, through at least the end of June
-several German Bearded iris varieties are in bloom: burgundy, pale blue, cream, yellow, and the most common blue...thanks to my sister and brother in law who salvaged them last Summer...the rocky hillside now is cloaked in beautiful color and with gorgeous fragrance
-the Siberian irises along the driveway are blooming
-the tomatoes and peppers are planted
-continuing to label all the plants we installed this year, and several species throughout our wooded areas
-we had the heaviest rain we have seen for a couple years that washed out part of the local township road...our driveway held strong. the Japanese sedges, siberian irises, and ribbon grass held everything in place and slowed the water down bautifully so it wouldn't gorge out beside the driveway

Mohican Valley Arts and Entertainment

2009-05-14T12:48:00.001-07:00

www.movallart.org

THE ARTS COME TO MOHICAN COUNTRY

Coming this SUMMER! The week of July 13-18, 2009! The Arts join the natural surroundings of the beautiful Mohican Valley. A new experience for a region rich in history, rich in scenic views, rich in family oriented fun! Besides canoe-trips, horseback riding, swimming, and the usual rest and recreations of the area, the Mohican Wilderness Campgrounds and the Mohican River Inn will host a series of events that with entertain, educate, energize and exhilarate the whole family, group or organization.

The Mohican Arts in Nature Festival (M.A.I.N.- Fest) will present an array of different artistic programming the entire week. All events are family friendly and full of fun. Pick one event or more, one day or spend up to the whole week learning, laughing, and even getting scared silly with affordable prices for one or all events.

The events include an Underground Railroad Experience, Living History Chautauqua’s with Johnny Appleseed, Tecumseh, Daniel Boone and John Brown, Ghost Stories, Tales from the Valley, Old Time Radio, Improv Comedy, a Contra Dance [precursor of square dancing and Civil War Ballroom Dancing – don’t worry the caller walks you through every move] and the Mohican Valley Finale, think of it as something Garrison Keillor might enjoy. Sit back and be entertained, or actively participate in as many activities as you like and don’t be afraid to expand your horizons

You know about the Indian Pow-Wow’s, the Bluegrass Festival, the 100 mile iron man run and related activities that are already established events that occur annually in the area, now the Mohican Valley Arts & Entertainment organization brings the Arts to join as a partner in these vacation destinations, with something for everyone to enjoy.

After a day swimming, horseback riding, canoeing, sightseeing, shopping, dining, and just having a fun vacation, top off the evening with the arts. And for you who aren’t vacationing, it’s still the perfect way to spend a summer evening in natural surroundings, breathing sweet natural air and getting away from the hustle and bustle of every day life.

For ticket information and more details how you can join in the fun, visit www.MOVALLART.org or www.VisitKnoxOhio.org or call 1-800-837-5282 or (740) 392-6102.

observations

2009-05-11T20:44:00.000-07:00

here are some random, and possibly boring, observations from the inn

-the bluets are in late bloom and pair nicely with the mosses that blanket several areas around the restaurant and inn
-the white snakeroot is growing everywhere in teh open spaces around the inn; learned this week that if cows eat this plant their milk can be toxic to humans
-the juvenile beech trees have finally lost last season's leaves and all are budding out
-the deer have found the newly planted blackeyed-susans in the meadow next to the beardtongue
-a neighborhood cat ran off with a chipmunk this morning around 10am
-the jack-in-the-pulpits are blooming everywhere...and fortunately the new plants have all grown up nicely
-Jack and Lucie visited last weekend and learned about garlic mustard, and never to eat anything from the wild unless they were with Uncle Andy
-watched a turkey fly down the hill into the meadow
-ran into a nieghbor today looking for mushrooms in the woods (I was running the trail toward October Hill)

More good signs of Spring

2009-04-17T07:42:00.000-07:00

-Saw the first bunny rabbit sitting outside room 109 today
-Saw a red fox in the Meadow who got spooked and darted up and over the ridge when he saw me...i think there may be a den near the meadow
-Saw the first bumblebee this morning
-the garlic in the meadow is growing well
-the red maples are mostly blooming now (some started as early as 3 weeks ago! )
-and the multiflora roses (aaargh) have broken bud and are leafing out
-the buckeye leaves are unfurling on the sunny slopes
-a sparrow is building a nest outside the main office door...I'm still too much of a tree hugger to remove it...
-the grass is 2 shades greener than it was last week.
-the wahoo (burning bush, Euonymus) is beginning to leaf out
-the hellebore (Lenten Rose) flowers are starting to fade

Mohican Valley Eagle Watch--and Wally Road is going green

2009-03-23T18:15:00.000-07:00

We are hosting several nature programs this year here on Wally Road at the Mohican River Inn....
The first of these is Mohican Valley Eagle Watch and we had a wonderful turnout Friday...106 people showed up for the event. Jon Minard, who is in charge of the bald eagle census in the Mohican and Kokosing River areas for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, discussed the unique bald eagle habitat of these pristine tree-lined river corridors. Then Laura Jordan, Executive Director of the Medina Raptor Center, brought Migisi (means 'eagle' in the Ojibway language, and several other native languages) and discussed the threats bald eagles still face such as lead poisoning. Medina Raptor Center rehabiliatates several birds every year including hawks, owls, and eagles.

On Saturday, morning, Jon minard led a grop of us through the backroads of Holmes, Knox and Ashland counties and we saw 8 bald eagles. Our group joyfully discovered the FIRST eagle nest EVER in Ashland County, as confirmed by ODNR Wildlife District 3 officer Brian Banbury.

The Mohican Valley Eagle Watch is the first of many nature programs planned for the Mohican area this year. River corridor tree planting, a 10-mile native garden trail, a 10-mile bluebird trail, canoe trips guided by a naturalist, the OSU Extension naturalist program, and several arts and entertainment opportunities throughout the year.

We'll post some photos from the Saturday tour when they are available...here are some photos from the Mohican Valley Eagle Watch program Friday, March 20.

Jon Minard speaks about the local eagle population.

Migisi (from Medina Raptor Center) makes her entrance...

Laura Jordan, Executive Director of the Medina Raptor Center answers questions from the audience as Debbie supports Migisi. Migisi kept her eyes ont eh crowd the whole time she was there.

Migisi decides it is time to leave and carries Debbie off to the car (this is just a joke...i flipped the picture on its side)

Spring Peepers

2009-03-17T19:30:00.000-07:00

While we are excited thinking about watching the bald eagles this upcoming weekend, the first of the Spring Peepers can now be heard in the valley below.

Can't make it for a visit soon? Listen to what the wetspots in the valley are producing... go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_Peeper and hear the audio for yourself.

Sunday morning walk

2009-03-03T17:39:00.000-08:00

when the soil around here freezes, the water in the soil crystallizes and heaps it up into tiny delicate columns...let's call them dirt-spires...maybe they are more like the earth getting goosebumps
here is a late-Winter morning view from the Stargazer meadow. it would have been colder on the moon, so I am not complaining, but I still should have worn gloves...

the moss always greens up the rocks at this point along the trail to the Smoke Signal Pit

Weekend Retreat Glenmont St. John's

2009-03-03T17:28:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Glenmont St. John's for holding their Winter book study retreat here! It was cold outside but the conference space was warm.

there were 3 clergy in the group, and one clergy widow

lively discussion during breaks

Valentine's Fun

2009-02-16T07:49:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate Valentine's Day with us!

Here are a few pictures--Please send any pictures you want to share to mohicanriverinn@gmail.com

Thanks!

Snowy, stark and beautiful

2009-01-29T04:29:00.000-08:00

pictures of the old Walhonding Railroad thruway
winter clouds

weeping wall's frozen tears

the River

from the bridge

like it was taken from a Bierstadt painting:

It's a start...here's the first of hopefully many eagle pictures

2009-01-23T19:23:00.000-08:00

As I reached the top of the driveway plowing snow...I caught sight of her,
grabbed my camera, and snapped a few shots....these are the clearest photos.

She made 2 tight circles directly over top of me and then flew back downstream. The river is thawing so today was the first time I saw her for about a week. What a nice sight.

The latest count in this area is about 27.

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner...She is not like us...

2009-01-21T14:31:00.000-08:00

...she eats junipers.YUCK!

Valley views, winter wild plants, and nighttime in Winter Wally Road

2009-01-21T14:06:00.000-08:00

this view shows part of the Smoke Signal Pit looking down over the hill...beyond those hemlocks and down int he Valley beside the River is Smith's Campgrounds and Cabins (http://www.3smiths.com/).
from the top of the ridge you can get a good view of the Lake Fork Tributary (yes, all that white beyond the trees is a frozen river...)

Rumex crispus in the woods? There are some openings in the canopy of the trees...This Curly Dock stalk with seeds is left over from summer. It is an invasive but usually doesn't like the shade. You appreciate what a root can hold on to if you've ever tried to weed this out of a garden. read more at http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/curly_dock.htm

canada wild rye in the snow. this one is usually mistaken for a scrawny foxtail

and there she is...the christmas fern holding her green even at -20degrees F!

and this is what Wally Road looks like at night covered in snow!

Winter Pictures, Enjoy them while they last! Spring IS on its way!

2009-01-21T13:35:00.000-08:00

the picnic table with incredible background---overlooking the Mohican River Valley
this is our neighbor's campground--Mohican Wilderness...this log cabin will be used for Summer Arts Programs for Ohio kids!

this doe was waiting to get to the juniper at the office door (see her in the distance?)

here's a little closer

and after she spotted me...running up the Smoke Signal Pit trail

China is doing what?

2009-01-14T01:12:00.000-08:00

If you get 1 spare minute, check out this link to see what China is doing to conserve plants

http://www.plants2010.org/

Click the link and look at the "Latest News" section...

This is a neat organization.

Friends and Trash

2009-01-13T06:17:00.000-08:00

Wonderful group of friends visiting from Columbus, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. As a part of helping to bring good energy to the place, they also helped remove trash from neglected areas.
a cleaner hillside... Triumphant over trash: Christine and Billy can tell you that Ohio is chillier than life in the Bahamas, pretty much always.once the 26-year accumulation of trash was removed from the hillside, the simpler things are easier to enjoy. A christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)...

and a wood fern (Dryopteris sp.)

an Eastern White Pine cone (Pinus strobus)...

Piers, Turkies, & Treaties

2009-01-13T06:02:00.001-08:00

The Walhonding Valley Railroad was opened in 1893. It opened a 45 mile connecting route from Loudonville to Coshocton. Many of the old sandstone piers from the bridges can still be seen along the route. Check out http://www.wallyroad.com for more information.

Also, The Greenville Treaty Line crosses Wally Road at the Knox and Holmes County line, about 1.5 miles from Mohican River Inn. Here is more info on that deal. (It didn't work out all that well for the natives, in case you were wondering how the story ended.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Greenville

January 12, 2009...

And this is the source of the gobbles I heard upon slowing down to snap some pictures of the old piers...

What just happened with Clear Fork Gorge?

2009-01-13T05:27:00.000-08:00

Basically, the underground natural gas storage area (Columbia Gas) under the State Forest is being abandoned.

Here is the link for more details....

http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20090102/UPDATES01/90102036

Friends of the Mohican, good news!

The Weeping Wall in Winter

2009-01-07T10:05:00.000-08:00

The Weeping Wall on Wally Road created an amazing addition to my drive to the post office. These icicles are anywhere from 4 inches to 12 feet long.

the old train view

2008-12-21T20:47:00.001-08:00

The skies brightened up for about 20 minutes Friday so I snapped a few photos of the Wally Road Scenic Byway.( www.wallyroad.org) I looked up from the road and saw some of the close-up scenery that made this one of the top scenic train rides in the Midwest.

Here is Wally Road nestled between Mohican River Inn cliffs and the Mohican State Scenic River.

these cliffs are about 150 feet high with the sandstone face...the view from a train car must have been magical to flatlanders like me

Thw old Smoke Signal pit is about 600 feet up the hill from this spot

The Hemlocks and Oaks hold their own by anchoring into the fissures in the sandstone bedrock, and by creating a network of roots throughout the thin soils on these hills

Here is the new rustic sign at the entry...look for it when you visit!

A few of my favorite photos

2008-12-20T20:15:00.000-08:00

as the Ohio snow falls upon these hills

i looked back through all the pictures from summer

here are some of my favorites from this place

we hope you come see it for yourself in '09!

Happy New Year!

along the hiking trails

daisies

impatiens

minds open to wonder

simplicity

i think i am hiding by turning green

hemlock anchoring into the fertile soil from above the cliff

simply gorgeous fern

dogwood blossoms like fluttering butterflies

i could go on....

Close Encounters

2008-12-18T15:40:00.001-08:00

I had the very unique experience today of driving alongside the Bald Eagle as she flew above the river, up the valley toward Smith's Campground and Cabins. As I pulled from my driveway onto Wally Road, I spotted her to my right over the River. She stayed about 30-40 feet above the water as she flew. From our driveway to the north there is a half mile stretch of road where the River parellels the road. She was of course very graceful in flight, and came to perch in a huge Sycamore as I went off to the post office to get my mail. If I had had my camera, I could post the photos. But photos wouldn't do her justice. As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words...but an experience is worth a thousand pictures.

Thanksgiving is obviously over...

2008-12-16T19:24:00.000-08:00

This group of 15 turkeys enjoyed the early morning solitude of the hill. They pecked their way down the hill, across the parking area, and then stood on the edge and considered wandering down the hill toward Wally Road for a minute. After some tentative head bobbing, they turned back around and went back across the parking lot, and finally back into the woods near AJ's. After about 5 minutes of observing them, I did get a 'cluck' when they saw me with the camera around the corner of the front door.

The River

2008-11-27T04:18:00.003-08:00

Nice picture from Monday morning of the Mohican River about 3 miles south of us on this road...we have experienced some sunshine since Monday...so we are still happy down here in the valley.

AJ's Bar and Grill is OPENING!!!!!

2008-11-21T17:48:00.000-08:00

We are excited to announce we will be opening AJs Bar & Grill the first week of December! Our Winter schedule will be Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays. Our starting menu will be simple...burgers, dogs, deli sandwiches, french fries, and other appetizers, and there will be a selection of beverages as well!

The atmosphere is warm, cozy, homey, and we hope you will enjoy spending an evening or weekend with us sometime in the near future! The atmosphere is completed with a pool table, juke box, dart board, video games, satellite TV, and... as long as the world's financial systems are still sort of working, we are proud to say we have the only ATM on the Wally Road Scenic Byway! (if the financial systems do collapse, we will accept eggs, nuts, cheese and potatoes as currency in exchange for beer. So start saving!)

Watch for New Year's Eve packages coming soon!

Thanks for keeping in touch with us!
Andy

Follow up to Sunday morning walk

2008-11-21T13:36:00.000-08:00

i thought it would be neat to see the same things from last Sunday since we got snow

here are pictures of the valley, and the moss-covered log (now the snow-covered log)

here are Christmas Ferns covered in snow, and the buck rub again located at the switchback on the trail that leads to the Indian Smoke Signal Pit

Eastern White Pine cone , nestled in snow

check back again soon to see more great views of the grounds at Mohican River Inn!

Sunday Morning walk

2008-11-16T06:50:00.000-08:00

I got away for 15 minutes and walked halfway up the hill. In that time I saw a bald eagle fly overhead, a deer run around the hill and out of sight, and some chipmunks.

The eagle sometimes follows the ridge up from the river valley and soars out over the Mohican River where it bends at the Lake Fork Tributary across from the smoke signal pit at the highest point on the ridge.

Also kicked up a deer. Fortunately it was a doe so it wasn't like I was invading her territory as opposed to a buck who may want me out of his territory this time of year...all hocked up on testosterone and such (the buck, that is, not me...). Here is a picture of the nearest "buck rub" I saw. They mark their territory by rubbing the smooth bark off young trees...a calling card that says 'stay back.'

Of course the camera is never fast enough to get the bald eagle. Someday maybe I will get a picture of her close up...

Polyface, Inc.

2008-11-10T07:22:00.000-08:00

If you get a moment, check out this link to Polyface, Inc.

http://www.polyfacefarms.com/

Their philosophy is inspiring and while not producing agricultural products at the inn, reflects our idea of sustaining the landscape we have.

It's worth a couple minutes look if you get a moment...

CONFERENCE AREA

2008-10-25T18:35:00.000-07:00

THESE PICTURES SHOW SEATING SET-UP FOR 50 PEOPLE

AJs and the conference area SNEAK PEEK!!!

2008-10-25T17:27:00.000-07:00

ok....for the first time ever.......

TAKE A PEEK

"HISTORY"

"NATURE"

"HERITAGE"

More deer

2008-10-25T17:06:00.000-07:00

First here is our woodpecker tree at the end of the inn...full of holes and has already broken up enough that it won't pose a threat of falling on anyone...you can see the birds visit it just about any time of day if you just wait a few minutes

These guys were hanging out just outside the office door a couple days ago. Got a picture through the window...it' reflective glass so they couldn't see me right inside the door...

Got another picture of mama as she walked across the drive and into the woods downhill...

Weekend Walk--just photos

2008-10-20T17:06:00.000-07:00

Chipmunks

2008-10-20T16:57:00.000-07:00

Here's a set of cool pictures close up of my closest neighbor--a chipmunk. There are actually several around the inn and you can watch them running around the hillside. If you scare them, they let out a squeak as they run away that makes you chuckle. Often there are 2 at a time chasing each other around, and they are more evident than ever right now as they rustle through the leaves and make a lot of playful commotion.

Here is a link to learn more about these critters.

http://www.chipmunkplace.org/

Oh, Deer

2008-09-29T10:09:00.000-07:00

The local family of deer is pretty used to people at this point. But with their annual rut coming soon, we will be a bit more cautious when we walk the trails.

The top photo is of the mama about 75 feet from the office door...

and the bottom photo is of her twins... about 20 feet from the balcony of Room 103...still with their spots.

Friendliest tree I ever met...

2008-09-29T09:48:00.000-07:00

As the winds reached 70 miles per hour, the red maple close the the deck couldn't take it anymore. As I watched from inside, the tree fell--in slow motion--and lighted upon the deck as gently as could be. It missed the large picture window, the patio door, the upstairs window, the 2 flower pots, and the fountain. And the deck was still intact, as sturdy as ever. The photo shows the size of the tree, as it hung another 10 feet over the other side of the 40 foot long deck!

Clean-up took a day but no-one, or no-thing (except the tree) was injured. That is a friendly half ton of tree!

Time to plant the partial-shade garden now that the tree has relinquished some of its claim to the sunlight...

Bug ID REVEALED!

2008-09-12T07:08:00.000-07:00

This is the kind and quick response I got from Dr. Dave Shetlar from OSU Extension Entomology (aka the BugDoc)

..."This is the saddleback caterpillar, one of the slug caterpillars. All have very potent stinging hairs, as you've found out. The saddleback is a generalist feeder being found on a variety of trees, perennials, and even field corn where it can cause obvious problems during corn harvest.
Treat the stings like any wasp sting (ice packs, antihistamines, etc.)."

Thanks, BugDoc!

Strange bug...

2008-09-11T12:56:00.000-07:00

As I was digging some perennial sunflower (Helianthus sp.) a little caterpillar dressed like Avril Lavigne made its presence known to me....

It felt like a combination of a bald-faced hornet sting and brushing against stinging nettles. The pain subsided after about 30 minutes, but i was a little too exicted to find out what it was to feel much of the pain...

Pileated woodpecker

2008-09-11T05:37:00.000-07:00

This is the woodpecker I saw this morning behind the inn on a large dead branch of an ash tree. The ash appears to have been struck by lightning a few years ago, and is too close for comfort to the inn and will be removed this Winter. Fortunately there is plenty of habitat through the hills here that it shouldn't need to fly too far to find more feeding/breeding ground.

It is a pileated woodpecker....the largest woodpecker there is. It was e model for the cartoon "Woody the Woodepecker."

My photo can't do it justice, so here is a link to some good pictures.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pileated_Woodpecker

Come up sometime and walk the trails....see if you can find him again. (I think it was a 'him' although it was a bit too far to tell.)

They are permanent residents and build new nests every year. Hopefully we'll see him again next year.

New frontispiece

2008-09-10T14:05:00.001-07:00

New landscape addition in front of the inn...

this is the landscape Sunday morning after finding just the right deadwood in the woods along the Indian Trail.

After stripping the sod, we planted the prairie plants scattered-like so they look a bit more natural. The end product looks like this:

We used ornamental grasses (Miscanthus s. 'Morning Light'), some Gayfeather (Liatris sp.,) some sedum varieties (Sedum 'Matrona' and S. kamtschaticum) and Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium purpurea)...have you ever heard of that called Gravel Root?

Indian Pipe Plant

2008-08-18T02:52:00.000-07:00

I spotted this plant a week ago, and was excited to see it again after not being at the property for a couple years.

It is an Indian Pipe Plant

Try this link to read some more about the origin from a Cherokee perspective.

http://www.angelfire.com/ny5/spiritsong/IndianPipePlant.html

Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora), is a plant not a fungus. It belongs to Order Ericales (Heaths). It is also known commonly as Ghost Flower, Corpse Plant, Ghost Pipe, Dutchman's Pipe, Ice Plant, Fairy Smoke, Eyebright, Convulsion Weed, and Fit Root.

Indian Pipe is a unique herbaceous plant, easily spotted by it's waxy-white color. Sometimes it can be pinkish colored. Indian Pipe lacks chlorophyll and thus does not use photosynthesis. Without the need to capture sunlight with leaves, Indian Pipe is morphologically reduced, having no branches and vestigial leaves that are reduced to membranous fleshy scales. It is a perennial plant which can reach 10 inches in height. Blooms first appear in mid July and continue into late August. The number of flower parts may vary but there is only a single flower on each stem. The flowers droop down towards the ground at first later becoming erect as the fruit matures. The fruit contains extremely small seeds.

Weekend visit

2008-08-17T18:01:00.000-07:00

That's me with Jack and Lucie, my godchildren, after hiking to the top of the hill to see the smoke signal pit. Lucie encountered a plant that left about 300 little bur-like seeds in her gangly mass of locks...but held still long enough for all of them to be removed.

Jack took advantage of Uncle Andy's shoulders for the last 200 feet of the trail to the top of the hill, and Lucie was on my shoulders for the hike down.

At the end of the day, Jack cried and didn't want to leave, but they were both fast asleep once Momma pulled the Jeep back out onto Wally Road and headed for Columbus. :)

Not too shabby a way to wake up in the morning...the mist and fog rise up from the Mohican River a few hundred feet beyond the inn. I estimate the elevation is about 200 feet above the river.

The top of the hill is about 600 feet above the river, so it is a nice hike and a good workout for your quads, and the views are worth the uphill walk...

Will need to clean the area up a bit but it is a genuine Native American smoke signal pit. In the Winter the view is magnificent down to both the Mohican River and the Lake Fork Tributary.

Trails

2008-08-12T08:17:00.000-07:00

We are continuing work on the trails throughout the 45 acres.

If you know anyone who can help define the paths, please send them our way! We have about 2 miles to go until we are completely trailed up!

2008-08-09T19:05:00.001-07:00

Another step on our journey.

2008-08-09T13:50:00.000-07:00

NEW owners and

NEW management!

Thanks to everyone who has ventured up the hill to see the Inn! We are continually working to make the property your natural choice for enjoying Mohican!

This is still the good ol' rustic inn but we are adding several features to the property. If you have not been here since before June 2008, you would be really happy to see the progress we have made. We're making a HUGE swing in the right direction with the lodging, trails, fire pit, and our newly revealed feature: the Indian Smoke Signal Pit at the top of the hill.

Clean rooms, winding driveway, secluded spot above the valley...come see what we're up to to know some truly amazing individuals throughout the couty and on the Scenic Byway we now call home!

AJ's Bar and Grill will open in a few weeks and we look forward to your visit!