BibleWalk Wax Museum 2

Around Ohio

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

Around Ohio

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

Around the U.S.
 

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

Around the U.S.
 

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

Around the U.S.

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