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Park Hopping in Ohio October 2025


As you know, I love spending time outdoors—especially in the fall, when the crisp air and crunch of leaves underfoot bring back a kind of quiet joy that’s hard to describe.

With Friday and Saturday off, my husband and I made the most of it, walking and hiking at parks within driving distance. Our first stop was Riverside Park in Findlay, Ohio. We walked the familiar jaunt we used to take with our dogs. The memories hit me as we retraced those steps. At one point, I couldn’t resist flopping into a massive pile of leaves. It felt like something my younger self would have done, and it made me laugh. 



Van Buren State Park was a suprise to both of us. We hadn't heard about the restoration project underway. At one time, we thought that lake setting was one of the most beautiful in the state as the lake extended all the way to the back woods.We were glad to learn there will be a wetland complex when the area is complete.



Later that day, we went to Litzenberg Memorial Woods. I ended up walking the trails in sandals because I’d left my shoes at home—not the smartest choice, but somehow fitting for the kind of unplanned, peaceful wandering we'd hope for. I almost turned around when I saw all the roots snaking across my path on the climb up the Back Woods Trail. ( Sorry about the quality of this image. I grabbed it from my video of the uphill climb.)




Saturday, the plan was to head to the Pumpkin Show in Bradford, Ohio, after a hike at Stillwater Prairie Reserve in Covington, Ohio. We followed a couple with a Goldendoodle for a bit, and then we made a few wrong turns on trails, and that kept us at Stillwater longer than we'd expected. We never did make it to Bradford, but somehow, it felt okay. We made it to the car, and then made it home — tired, content, and filled with the kind of stillness only nature can give.


If you want to see the videos to thes Park Hops check out my vlogs.








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