The Stone Bridge at Mill Creek Park

One of my favorite places in northwestern Ohio is the old Stone Bridge in beautiful Mill Creek Park. It is beautiful in every season. This photo was shot last year at the end of autumn. If you are in the area, stop by to walk in this sparkling gem of a park, visit the Davis Center in the Riverside Park area for botanical information, shop for unusual gifts at the Gft Shop, and have a snack at he Snack Bar.

The following is from the Mill Creek Park website.

Mill Creek Park

Ford Nature Center

Fellows Riverside Gardens

D.D. Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center

Mill Creek Golf Course

James L. Wick, Jr. Recreation Area

Lanterman’s Mill

Judge Leo P. Morley Performing Arts Pavilion

Lakes & Ponds

Mill Creek Park was established in 1891 by Volney Rogers as the first park district in Ohio. Mill Creek Park is the largest area of the MetroParks encompassing 2,882 acres of the MetroParks’ 4,400 acres. Recreation opportunities include hiking, biking, boating, fishing, golf, tennis, volleyball, picnicking, cross country skiing, sledding, and much more. Mill Creek Park offers 20 miles of drives and 15 miles of foot trails.

Mill Creek flows through the Park in a northerly direction supplying water to three lakes. Mill Creek Park extends along the Mill Creek Valley from Western Reserve Road to the confluence of Mill Creek and the Mahoning River.

The northern section of Mill Creek Park includes Lanterman’s Falls and the Mill Creek Gorge. This area offers breathtaking views with its cascading waters, steep hillsides beautifully covered with deciduous and evergreen trees, bold sandstone outcroppings, and numerous grass-covered meadows. South of the gorge the land is rolling and partly wooded.

Download a map of Mill Creek MetroParks

Bravo! 

Mill Creek Park rated "excellent" by 137 travelers

Volney Rogers

Volney Rogers (1846-1919), a remarkable visionary, believed that land itself could improve the lives of Youngstown citizens by providing a healthful alternative to the rapidly industrializing city. After exploration of an area on horseback and by foot, Volney knew that the land bordering Mill Creek with its hemlock-laced gorge, breathtaking falls, and magnificent vistas would need to be protected from industrial development. His dream was to open a parcel of 400 acres to the people, enhancing the land and the lives of those who would visit there, partaking of nature’s healing ways. Rogers wanted to share his discovery and preserve it for all future wanderers.

Volney Rogers was instrumental in writing the legislation for creating a park district in Ohio. Approved by voters in April 1891, Youngstown Township Park District (Mill Creek Park) became the first park district in Ohio.

A committee was formed to honor Volney Rogers for his efforts in creating, planning, and protecting Mill Creek Park. The plan was to have a statue erected in his likeness, and sculptor Frederick C. Hibbard was commissioned for the project. In February 1919, Volney left for a tour of the west. While in Colorado, he visited a site that resembled the Mill Creek Gorge and was caught in a surprise blizzard. He contracted a serious cold that led to pneumonia and his death on December 3, 1919, at the age of 73. Volney Rogers is buried at Tod Cemetery in Youngstown, Ohio.

“Not only is Volney Rogers remembered for his foresight in conceiving the idea of a park district, his lifelong interest in nature led him to supervise every aspect of the formation of park lands. He studied landscape architecture and engineering to be able to work alongside the specialists who were hired to shape the beauty of this land. He used his legal expertise to protect and define the park. As a citizen of the Mahoning Valley, he cherished the park on a daily basis. His commitment has made possible the living trust that we…have been given to enjoy and protect.”
– Bridgett M. Williams, The Legacy of Mill Creek Park

“The benefits of the land to people have increased over the last century. Recreation fields, golf courses, and trails are still great places of outdoor fun. Spirits continue to soar with the great blue herons over the lakes, family gatherings abound at indoor and outdoor facilities, and educators work with folks of all ages–sharing the wonders of nature and horticulture. A magical garden draws visitors from around the world. The young and young at heart are charmed by a vast array of memorable special events.

Since voters approved converting to Mill Creek MetroParks in 1989, park lands have continued to enhance life in the community. There are new vistas to appreciate as more open space and its wildlife are protected from development. The legacy of Volney Rogers goes beyond the preserved and enhanced lands and waters; his lessons in stewardship travel home with every inspired visitor, giving support to those who strive to save our valuable environmental treasures. His philosophy was a century ahead of its time.”
– Carol Potter and Rick Shale, Historic Mill Creek Park

Orchid Show

Dear Gentle Readers,
I'm going to the orchid show at Riverside Gardens in Mill Creek Park today. I'll take plenty of photos to share with you. I know my own orchids at home aren't as lovely or prolific as usual. The fluctuation of temperature in the sun room is one reason. Gotta go.
Hugs,
Carol

Charming Deception NOW Available!

Dear Gentle Readers,

If you liked this preview of Charming Deception, you can now download the complete novel in kindle edition at http://tinyurl.com/jhl4tnm on Amazon.com for $2.99.

Charming Deception

Dear Gentle Readers,

If you liked this preview of Charming Deception, you can now download the complete novel in kindle edition at http://tinyurl.com/jhl4tnm on Amazon.com for $2.99.

Charming Deception, Page 23

“Father, please. Lower him?”

The king groans and presses some buttons. Jakson puddles to the ground, rubbing his shoulders.

“Is that a little better?” I whisper to Jakson. He nods. “Would you rather a chair?” He shook his head no and sat on the floor. I pull up a chair right in front of him and sit.

“Begin whenever you wish, Isabella. I’ll sit behind you. I will handle the remote.”

“I am Princess Isabella of Robesson,” I wink at him and mouth a kiss. “I will be conducting this, uh, interview today. I know you will be very truthful with me because you’ve been double dosed with truth serum. Do not speak unless I ask you to or you will be shocked. My father, King Frederick, can bypass the shock device with the remote in his hand. Do you understand?” Jaks nods.

“Are you ready for me to begin questioning you?” He nods again, staring at me intently.

“Okay. Is your name Jakson Blake?” I hold my breath.

Jakson’s eyes are wide and wet. He seems frozen in fear. I only asked his name. I thought that would be the easiest question of all. I rephrase the question.

“Are you my Jaks?” He breathed a sigh of relief. He nods with a tiny smile.

“And are you also known on this planet as Tarek Ikari?” He nods.

“And nobody around here notices you speak with a British accent? Please explain.” She looked at her father who held down the bypass button.

“They don’t hear it,” he whispers. “They perceive it as nothing more than a regional dialect. From the poor, disadvantaged side of town.”

“Can you explain the doorway to me?”

“Yes. Our scientists were working on a way to travel great distances in short periods of time. They developed a chemical that could fold the layers of space into a portal. But instead of only liquefying the membrane on this planet, it also worked between other livable parallel worlds. At first, it was painted over a plain interior wall, and looked like an old mirror. The liquid could open a portal, or a doorway between two worlds. Of course, we had no idea there were so many parallel worlds out there, and that a doorway once painted open could be accessed from either side, over and over again. It was later we discovered we could actually pick a specific portal by using a translocation disc.”

“Father, you were aware of this technology?”

“Yes, yes, of course we are, Bella. That’s how I sent you to Demby. But, unlike the Galts, we don’t jump back and forth through the damn thing. We use it only in extreme emergencies. It’s rather creepy. And I believe it jangles up one’s brainwaves. Too many trips through the mirror transport and you could end up in a vegetative state.” I roll my eyes.

“Are you the best tracker the Galts have, the best on the planet?” I ask him. He shrugs his shoulders.

“Father, I want to hear his explanation.” King Frederick nods.

“They SAY so, I don’t really know,” Jaks says modestly. “I know I’m good, I don’t know if I’m the best. I can sense body signals. And I can communicate with the animals and plants on most planets. That gives me a definite edge. I’m a tracker,” Jaks looks directly at the king, “but I am NOT a killer.” He edges closer to me.

“Sam, baby, get out of here,” Jaks whispers. “Go home. Find the portal and get out of here. If I know you’re home safe and waiting for me, I can survive this and I’ll get back home to you as soon as I can,” he whispers. I nod, noticing he looked so terrible. I need to get him out of here. How, how…

“What’s all this whispering about?” croaks the king, rearming the device.

“This will be over soon,” I say. “Do you need some water?” He shakes his head no.

Charming Deception, Page 22

“Cora, I am sick to my stomach thinking of what could be happening to him up there…”

“You need to sit and calm down. I’ll bring you something to drink,” says Cora, “something strong.” Claire disappears and returns with a decanter of thick, green neon liquid and two glasses. “Here,” Cora pours and hands me a glass, “drink it down.”

“Good grief, Cora, did you raid my father’s private liquor cabinet? Is this what I think it is?”

“Yes, it’s Verdeviti,” she giggles. “The green elixir of life. This stuff is illegal on most planets.”  Cora pours herself a drink and they drink together. Then they drink some more.

Soon I am calm and in control of my emotions and Cora is all giggly.

“So, you went and got yourself married, huh? Tell me about this husband of yours, Sam.”

“Ahhh! His name is Jakson Blake. And he is… wonderful. He’s an international binding arbitration mediator. He’s an old world, continental gentleman, mannerly, well educated, from a wealthy family, and he speaks seven languages. He’s in demand all over the world. He’s tall, thin, and extremely good-looking. But it’s when he starts talking that he’s truly adorable. He’s so sweet and lovable and romantic. He makes me happy. He makes me smile inside when I look at him.”

“That sounds like love to me. And where did you meet this good looking, sweet, lovable man?”

“I was doing relief work in Ohio, at the high school after a tornado hit my hometown. I was knee-deep in clothing vouchers and private donations and paperwork and old people in dire need of their medication and crying babies with their half-crazed, worried mothers from the minute the doors opened in the morning. I had worked through lunch because we were so short-staffed and was exhausted. And in walked this man in a suit, this breath of fresh air, this picture of calmness and serenity, with an ability to organize chaos with a smile on his face, one gorgeous smile. With a reassuring voice and an air of authority, he had the room cleared out in a matter of minutes, with everybody happily on their way to whatever they needed.

I remember it very well…

“YOU are just remarkable.” Samantha looked up at the man who had taken control of the situation in utter amazement. He flashed his gorgeous smile at her.

“Thank you, thank you very much. And I’m also very hungry. Would you care to accompany me to the cafeteria?” he said, offering her his arm.

“I’d be delighted, Mr…”

“Blake. Jakson Blake.” She took his elbow as they walked toward the cafeteria.

“Well, hello, Blake, Jakson Blake. I’m Hannery, Samantha Hannery.”

“Yes, I know. I asked who you were first thing this morning.”

Soon her father storms into her chambers.

“All right. I’ve had him injected with a double dose of truth serum because these Galts are notoriously strong-willed. I will allow you to question him. But I will be present. I have a list of questions of my own for you to ask him. Here it is. And there will be absolutely NO coddling! Do you understand me, Isabella?”

“Yes, Father, I can agree to that. No torturing and no coddling. We can handle this like civilized people, you’ll see. Jakson is a good man, honest and reasonable. Thank you, Father.”

We walk up to the tower. Justin opens the door.

“What have you done to him?”

“Nothing,” says the king. “Yet.”

“Can’t you remove that horrible shock harness?”

“No”

“Well, then, can you lower him?”

“Isabella, this is not a tea party! It’s SUPPOSED to hurt.”

22.