Cranberry Bog

A true treat for the nature enthusiast is a trip to the Cranberry Bog located in Buckeye Lake which I was provided the pleasure of exploring a couple of weekends ago. Free to visit but a permit is required to do so normally. However, once a year a pre-planned trip is available through the Department of Natural Resources.

This "island" is a BOG comprised not of dirt but sphagnum moss. Being so unique as to the be the only know occurrence in which the lake surrounds the Bog instead of the bog surrounding the lake. "Our" bog is home to some very interesting vegetation including of course the Large Cranberry which does produce the edible berry with a very short harvest period.




Present and growing on the island naturally are the Northern Pitcher Plant.


The Calopogon Orchid as well as the Rose Pogonia Orchid (2 very RARE orchids).














The Cinnamon Fern (below left) as well as the Royal Fern (below right).


















Indigenous UNFORTUNATELY to the island is also the Poison Sumac (shown below)! Growing abundantly in tree form it is the most poisonous of the woody plants and should be avoided at all costs.

Kingwood Center

Located in Mansfield are the beautiful Lush gardens of Kingwood Estates. A once private garden that is now enjoyed by the public. Featured are the beautiful flowering Dogwoods lining the main walkway to the Mansion that was the home of Mr. & Mrs. Charles Kelley King.


Well know for their beautiful displays of Tulips in the Spring and Poinsettias in the Winter it becomes easy to miss the extensive Tropical Greenhouse garden. The cost of admission is a modest $5 per car and makes for a pleasant family activity.
















These gardens can be enjoyed from the various benches throughout the park or quietly around the clear blue pond with the Mallards and Peacocks.

Fantastic Mansfield Carousel

Mansfield’s carousel is one of 16 active carousels in Ohio and features 52 animal figures. Each of the pieces are hand carved and/or painted just up the road from the Carousel by Carousel Works. Carousel Works is the world's largest manufacturer of wooden carousels and they design & paint in the style of G. A. Dentzel, one of the most revered carvers of the early 1900s. What a treasure it is to find something affordable for the family to enjoy with such dedication of so many craftsmen to carry on the fine skills of the artists before our time.

A Child at heart can never be to old to enjoy a Carousel ride, especially on a bunny OF COURSE. :-)

Westeria- a powerful force

In the yard at "HOME" is a powerful force. One that has proven Nature will always prevail and find a way to survive. This BEAUTIFUL Vine has proven to Grandmother, Grandfather, Neighbors and Mother that NOTHING will ever take it out or remove it from it's home! It has been "dug" out, chopped down and poisoned! Yet today MY beautiful Westeria, which in its glory days was home to Cecropia Moths measuring the width of my Grandfather hand and larger, still blooms profusely at "HOME" for a short time in late May with such fragrance it's unmistakable for anything else.

the Missing Link...

Scott returning to work has been a blessing and means I can get back to "normal". But "catching" up is the hard part! Finances, well I won't even go there; lol. But, bunny activity, website updating and what I've been up to seems like it will take forever to get everything back to "normal". Stay tuned.... over the next couple of weeks I'll be getting seriously busy and updating my blog, website and activities I've been participating in. It's sure to bring laughter and tears to you.