Ohio Statehouse: House of Representatives

Around Ohio

Another feature of the Ohio Statehouse is the room where the Ohio House of Representatives meets. It currently comprises ninety-nine seats, all of which are up for election every two years.

The House of Representatives has been meeting since Ohio became a state in 1803. However, the laptop computers visible on every desk have to be a more recent addition to the room's elaborate décor.

House of Representatives

 

The stained glass skylights and fancy light fixtures are only a few of the chamber's ornate features. A balcony running along three walls allows visitors to observe the House while it is in session.

 

Chandelier

Ohio Statehouse: State Seal

Around Ohio

As I mentioned in my last post, the roof of the cupola comprises an elaborate stained glass window. Although the roof sits high above the floor below, the zoom on my camera allowed me to make it appear larger in the picture.

Stained Glass Window

At the very center of the stained glass window is a detailed rendering of the Ohio State Seal. The scenic view in the seal is based on the area surrounding the Adena Mansion.

State Seal

Ohio Statehouse: Rotunda

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One of the more important buildings in Columbus, the Ohio Statehouse serves as the most visible representation of the Ohio government. In addition, it exhibits some outstanding architecture and décor.

The majority of statehouses in the U.S. flaunt some kind of central dome or rotunda, in many shapes and sizes. The Ohio Statehouse centers around a rotunda, with a stained-glass representation of the Ohio State Seal at the very top of the cupola. During my visit, the rotunda's floorspace was set up with chairs for a wedding reception.

 

Rotunda

This photo shows the view up into the cupola. The innermost circle on the center stained glass window displays the Ohio State Seal.

Cupola

Hot Air Balloons 2

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These balloons were truly held aloft by hot air, rather than a lighter gas such as helium or hydrogen. During the launch, each balloon was partially inflated by a giant fan, until there was enough air to safely ignite the giant propane burner at the top of the gondola.

Liftoff

This brightly colored balloon was one of my favorite. Balloon patterns ranged from checkers to stripes to smiley-faces, but the contrasting blue and yellow on this design made it stand out.

Checkered Balloon

As the balloons disappeared into the blue sky, they almost looked like giant floating mushrooms. The wind speed seemed quite calm on the ground, but most of the balloons managed to disappear over the horizon within ten minutes after launching.

Wild Blue Yonder

Hot Air Balloons

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Last summer, a Grove City park held a show where local balloonists could come and launch their airships. It was fun to take pictures of all the colorful balloons.

The shot below shows the balloons getting ready to take off. The pink balloon in the front, with the eyes and mouth, was called "The Pig."

The Pig

One by one, the balloons sailed away into the sky. The barely noticeable ropes on several balloons kept them close to the ground as they gave short rides to the public.

Balloons

Fall Colors 2

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Near the same lake, I found this park bench planted along the shore. The warm rays of the setting sun on the trees behind it made a nice picture.

Park Bench

 

The setting sun also added some interest to this shot of a cluster of seed pods.

Seed Pods

Fall Colors

Around Ohio

During a recent trip to Prairie Oaks, I came across this scene along the Big Darby Creek. The changing colors of the trees were reflected perfectly in the glassy surface of the creek.

Fall Colors

Not far from the creek, I found these dry, seed-bearing plants growing at the edge of one of the quarry lakes.

Dry Weeds

BibleWalk Wax Museum 2

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Two final scenes from the BibleWalk Wax Museum caught my attention. This depiction of Moses and the Ten Commandments includes realistic stone tablets and a detailed backdrop. During the narration, red lights from the "sky" illuminated the scene.

Moses and the Ten Commandments 

This second scene shows Ruth and Naomi in the grain fields. Real grain is used in the foreground, blending into another detailed painted backdrop.

Ruth and Naomi

BibleWalk Wax Museum

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The BibleWalk Wax Museum, located in Mansfield, Ohio, gives visitors a life-sized view of events from the Bible and early church history. Wax figures populate the seventy scenes, along with a variety of other objects and backdrops. This depiction from the story of Jonah included a giant stuffed whale.

Jonah and the Whale

Hand-painted trees and a beautiful sunset backdropped this scene, which depicts David playing his harp while tending his flock of sheep.

David

Presque Isle State Park

Around the U.S.
 

On my way back through Pennsylvania, I decided to stop at Presque Isle State Park on Lake Erie. The park actually sits on a peninsula that stretches out into Lake Erie, roughly parallel to the shoreline. I managed to capture some cloud formations before continuing on my way home.

Clouds on Lake Erie

 

The dark clouds in this picture look a little more ominous.

Cloudy Day

Lake Ontario

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The deep greenish-blue hue of Lake Ontario is almost matched by the sky above it. A park on the north side of Niagara-on-the-Lake, with shady trees along the shoreline, provides some beautiful views of the lake.

Lake Ontario

 

The water appears greener near the shore. This is because the grayish lake bottom and higher viewing angle dull the sky's reflection.

Shoreline

 

A number of boats were enjoying the excellent weather. Here are a few sailboats, along with some seagulls that also seemed to be taking advantage of the balmy day.

Sailboats

Fort Mississauga

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Another old fort is located in Niagara on the Lake. It is known as Fort Mississauga. The star-shaped pattern of mounds around the fort provided additional protection. Today it is surrounded by a golf course.

Fort Mississauga

 

The fort is constructed primarily of bricks. However, from the look of its exterior, it seems to have undergone several repairs throughout its history.

Side of the Fort

Niagara River

Around the U.S.
 

The mouth of the Niagara River lies near the eastern end of Lake Ontario. By the time the river reaches the lake, the cliffs immediately below the falls have fallen in height to the river level. In this lovely view, the river flows in from the right into Lake Ontario on the left.

Mouth of the Niagara
 

This fort, which is barely visible in the last picture, is known as Old Fort Niagara. The part of the fort in this photograph was built by the French in 1726. It played a part in the French and Indian War, during which it was captured by the British. After the Treaty of Paris it became the property of the U.S. Since then, the fort has been used for a number of things by the U.S. government.

Old Fort Niagara
 

Just upstream from the fort, the Niagara River provides an excellent storage area for a fleet of sailboats. Riverfront properties line one side, while a bike trail borders the other.

Boats on the Niagara

Niagara Whirlpool

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After going over the Niagara Falls, the Niagara River flows north through a deep gorge toward Lake Ontario. Along the way it flows through the Niagara Whirlpool, a circular area of water at the corner of one of the river's bends.

In the photo below you can see the water coming in from the upper left. It flows around the whirlpool counterclockwise and actually crosses under the water coming in before exiting on the lower left. A small cable car for tourists runs on the cables that cross the whirlpool.

Niagara Whirlpool

 

This pictures shows more clearly where the Niagara River enters and exits the whirlpool. One end of Rainbow Bridge is barely visible upstream. The steep cliffs that set off the river gorge are similar in height to the falls themselves.

Peninsula

 

This view is actually just upstream from the whirlpool. A considerable amount of vegetation manages to cling to the rocky sides of the river gorge.

River Gorge

Floral Clock

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After seeing all the spectacular views of Niagara Falls, I headed north along the Niagara River. Along the way, I stopped to see this giant floral clock. The hands actually turn around, and the letters around the outside spell out "N-I-A-G-A-R-A - P-A-R-K-S."

Floral Clock

 

Near the clock I found this triangular flowerbed. Its combination of pink, red, and greenish white made for an interesting picture.

Flower Bed

Three Sisters Islands

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Three Sisters Island, another small island in the Niagara River, lies off the south side of Goat Island. Three Sisters Island, accessible only by a footbridge, is surrounded on all sides by the Niagara Rapids. A small trolley continuously circles Goat Island, making it easy for visitors to travel between the various locations.
 

I rode the trolley to the stop nearest Three Sisters Island and walked across the foot bridge. At the far end of the island I found this shady little cove.

Shady Cove

The opposite end of the island provides a view of the Niagara Rapids. Some of the water flowing along the Niagara River is diverted above the falls and used to generate hydroelectric power.

Niagara Rapids

From the bridge back to Goat Island I spotted this little bird perched on one of the rocks in the middle of the rapids. I suppose it was waiting for a fish to swim by.

Bird on Rock

Terrapin Point

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Terrapin Point, another place to get an excellent view of the falls, is located on the western end of Goat Island. Situated on the eastern side of Horseshoe Falls, this viewing area is about the closest visitors can get to the cascading water.

With a crest line of 2,500 feet, Horseshoe Falls is significantly wider than the American Falls, and carries about nine times as much water. The average drop from the brink of Horseshoe Falls to the water below is 167 feet.

Horseshoe Falls

 

Across the gorge is the skyline of the Canadian town of Niagara Falls.

Misty Skyline

 

Downriver, the American Falls are barely visible on the right, with Rainbow Bridge spanning the river farther along.

Bridge and American Falls

Luna Island

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The American Falls and Horseshoe Falls are separated by a chunk of land known as Goat Island. Legend has it that long ago, a farmer brought a bunch of animals onto the island to start a farm. During the first winter, all of the animals died except one tough goat, hence the name, Goat Island.

Just off the north side of Goat Island lies a smaller island known as Luna Island. It happens to sit right on the brink of the falls, separating the American Falls from the relatively small Bridal Veil Falls. A viewing area gives visitors an excellent view from the southwest end of the American Falls, and that is the point from which I captured this shot.

Brink of the Falls

 

The view over the brink is equally stunning. This picture shows the water falling on the far right, with a collection of boulders down below.

Misty Rainbow

 

Upstream from the falls, a stretch of river known as the Niagara Rapids is scattered with miniature waterfalls and boulders. This small cascade lies just a few feet upstream from the brink of the Bridal Veil Falls.

Upstream from the Falls

Journey Behind the Falls

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From the Canadian side of Horseshoe Falls, a series of tunnels have been cut through the rock behind the falls that allow visitors to reach a viewing area on the northwest end of the falls. The roar of the falls from this point is almost deafening, and mist billows across the viewing decks almost continuously.

From the lower viewing area, which is more sheltered from the spray, I was able to get this picture of Horseshoe Falls during a short break in the mist.

Horseshoe Falls

 

The view of the falls from the upper deck is slightly better, but I had a much harder time getting a clear picture through the water drops on my camera's lens.

Horseshoe Falls

 

A tunnel has also been cut to come out directly behind the falling water of Horseshoe Falls. While I couldn't see much more than a sheet of water just outside the tunnel's exit, it certainly was amazing to be standing directly under the falls.

End of the Tunnel

Maid of the Mist

Around the U.S.

 

The next morning, I decided to get a closer look at the falls by riding the Maid of the Mist, a boat that sails around the base of both falls, giving tourists an up-close and somewhat drenching experience of the power of that much water. The boat provides all passengers with plastic rain ponchos, but the wind and water seem to penetrate even the smallest cracks. I resorted to keeping my camera in a plastic bag most of the time. While it made it harder to take pictures through the water accumulating on the plastic, it did ensure my camera was still operational when I disembarked from the boat.
 

The Maid of the Mist swung by the American Falls first, and I managed to capture a few pictures.

Base of the Falls
 

American Falls
 

On the way back to the dock, the sun came out, lighting up the mist rising from the falls.

Niagara Falls
 

The Maid of the Mist dock on the American side sits right under the observation tower. It sure is tall!

Observation Tower