Rhodes Tower: Columbus

Around Ohio
 

In addition to the Statehouse, the Rhodes Tower provides aerial views of many other buildings in Columbus. This photo show the buildings and scenery east of the Rhodes Tower. The long vertical road is Broad Street.

Columbus East

 

Very close to the Rhodes Tower is the Scioto river. The two truss bridges seen below spanning the river support railroad tracks.

Scioto River

Rhodes Tower: Statehouse

Around Ohio

Across the street from the Ohio Statehouse sits the tallest building in Columbus—the Rhodes Tower. Its observation area on the 40th floor gives an impressive view of the buildings and streets around it.

This first picture shows what the Statehouse looks like from the air—or as it were, a very tall building.

Ohio Statehouse 

The Ohio flag I posted earlier was accompanied by a botanical version of the American flag. Several sets of these flags lie around the Statehouse grounds.

Flower Flags

Ohio Statehouse: Senate

Around Ohio

The other half of Ohio's bicameral legislature is the senate. Its meeting room's layout and furnishings copy those of the House of Representatives quite closely. The only difference I notice is the blue curtain behind the speaking platform. In the House of Representatives, the curtain is red.

Senate

The Statehouse's elaborate architecture can be seen throughout the building, as evidenced by these marble archways and staircases. Most of the Statehouse is built of limestone that came from a local quarry. In some places, fossils can be seen in the bare rock.

Staircases 

This botanical representation of the Ohio flag was in full bloom during my visit to the Statehouse.

Flower Flag

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

Around  Ohio

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

Around Ohio

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

Around Ohio

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

Around Ohio

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