Ohio Caverns 2

Around Ohio

The picture below shows one of the iron oxide formations that add color to the ceiling throughout much of the caverns. Although the dim lighting in the caves masks some of the bright colors, they come out quite clearly when exposed to a camera flash.

Iron Oxide Formations

One of the more unusual formations in the cave is shown below. It is called a helictite because of its unusual shape. It seems to resemble a water spigot or old hand pump.

 

Water Spigot

Ohio Caverns: Crystal King

Around Ohio

The Crystal King is the largest stalactite found in the Ohio Caverns. With a length of almost five feet and an estimated weight of 400 pounds, it is also one of the largest stalactites in Ohio. The Crystal King is found at the deepest point in the cave from the surface.

 

Crystal King

The stalactites and stalagmites in the photo below reminded me of a shark's mouth. The minerals in this picture are known as dual formations because they consist of calcite stalactites growing on an iron oxide base.

Shark's Mouth

Ohio Caverns

Around Ohio

Located in western Ohio, the Ohio Caverns showcases some amazing crystal formations spread throughout a maze of winding tunnels. The abundance of crystals, which have taken thousands of years to form, makes the caverns unique.

As with most underground passages, the majority of the Ohio Cavern's tunnels are quite narrow, but the picture below shows a slightly larger area. The oranges and browns on the ceiling are caused by aqueous iron that trickles down through the rock above and oxidizes when it reaches the cave ceiling.

Crystal Cave 

This next shot depicts a more tunnel-like part of the caverns. When the caves were first discovered, most of the tunnels were partially obstructed by mud and other sediment, which had to be cleared away to make the passageways passable.

 

Rocky Passage

Eden Park: Ducks

Around Ohio

Eden Park also contained a small pond, which had a healthy population of ducks. They seemed quite tame, and a few waddled after me, waiting for food. I caught these Mallards taking a spin out on the water.

Like a Duck to Water...

Also at the pond were these two beautiful white Pekin ducks. They seemed to be the only ones of their kind, but were quite tame nonetheless.

White Pekins

Eden Park

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To finish up my tour of southwestern Ohio, I stopped at Eden Park, located on the northern side of the Ohio River in the Cincinnati area. Although not too obvious in these pictures, the park was located on top of a high ridge along the river, giving an extensive view in both directions.

The River

Across from the park lies the town of Dayton, Kentucky. Here, the buildings reflect the slightly warmer evening rays.

Dayton, KY

Purple People Bridge: Flowers 2

Around the U.S.

A number of the planters also contained red plants. The broad-leafed red vegetation below added some interest to the planter it occupied.

Red & Spiky

And finally, I ran across these pink-leafed plants. They seemed to be thriving, despite their unusual color.

Pink Plants

Purple People Bridge: Flowers

Around the U.S.

As I mentioned earlier, one side of the Purple People Bridge was lined with planters containing a variety of colorful flowers, many of them purple.

These colorful bluish-purple flowers made a nice contrast in front of the geometrical patterns of the bridge behind them.

Purple Flowers

This cluster of pink blooms seemed a little lost in the sea of green vegetation and unusual purple flowers surrounding it. I could hardly tell which plant each flower belonged to.

Pink & Purple

Purple People Bridge 2

Around the U.S.

A number of other bridges also cross the Ohio River in the Cincinnati area. This yellow bridge, seen from the Purple People Bridge, is one of them. A variety of barges, such as the one in this picture, motor up and down the Ohio River.

Yellow Bridge

This skyscraper, owned by the Great American Insurance Group, forms part of the Cincinnati skyline.

Skyscraper

Purple People Bridge

Around the U.S.

Although many bridges span the Ohio River between Ohio and Kentucky, the Purple People Bridge is one of the more unusual—for its purple color, if nothing else.

The bridge first opened in 1872 as a railroad bridge. Since then, it has supported trains, streetcars, automobiles, and pedestrians. After many years of deterioration, the Purple People Bridge was restored in 2003 as a solely pedestrian bridge, which it remains to this day. The intricate framework of metal girders make the long walk across quite interesting.

 

Purple People Bridge 

This "lane" of the bridge, running parallel to the one previously pictured, probably used to accommodate trains or automobiles. Today the outer side is lined with flower boxes maintained by local botanical societies. Many of the planters specialize in the color purple.

Flower Boxes

Cathedral Basilica 2

Around Ohio

The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption also boasts the largest handmade stained glass window in a church in the world. While a German church used to hold this claim, its stained glass windows was sadly destroyed by bombing during World War II.

The lower half of this window depicts the Council of Ephesus, which met in A.D. 431. Below it are images of various saints.

 

Stained Glass Window

 

Another feature of the cathedral is a massive pipe organ in one balcony. The organist was rehearsing some pieces for a mass while I was there.

Pipe Organ