Fans of the movie Shawshank Redemption will be heartbroken to learn that a very special tree, featured in the movie, fell to the ground on Friday, July 22nd.
The tree was located on private property next door to the Malabar State Park in Lucas. It was struck by lightning in August of 2011, but managed to survive for almost six years. Park managers worried that a severe storm would finish the tree, and they were right...wind is believed to be the cause of the tree’s fall.
This tree played an integral part near the end of Shawshank Redemption.
In a very touching scene, Red (played by Morgan Freeman) returns to the farm and finds the letter that Andy left him. The letter instructs Red to meet Andy in Mexico, where they can start new lives. Andy writes, "Remember Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies." It’s quite possibly the best line in the entire movie.
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Fans also visit nearby Malabar State Park, which also served as a filming site for the movie.
While there's much to love about summer in Ohio, fall is a special time of year in the Buckeye State. As August turns to September and September tumbles into October, Ohioans are treated to not only cobalt blue skies and crisp temps, but also a kaleidoscope of fall foliage and color. In my corner of the Buckeye State, there are tons of mature trees and I love tracking their shift from verdant green to golden yellow, pumpkin orange, and crimson red on my daily walks with the dog.
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Wondering When do the leaves change color in Ohio? You're in luck! Our friends at Smoky Mountains have released their annual Fall Foliage Prediction Map for the US; here's when you can expect the leaves to change and "peak" fall foliage to happen in Ohio:
As the long, lazy days of summer begin to wane and kids return to school, most Ohioans are all too happy to turn their attention to fall. Fall in Ohio is a wonderful time of year, and if you're wondering when do the leaves change color in 2024, read on!
The folks at Smoky Mountains just released their 2024 Fall Foliage Map, and it's an easy and reliable way to determine when the leaves will change near you. By sliding the bar beneath the map to the right, you can see how the colors change across the US each week. On a micro level, you can even zoom in on your exact county!
For 2024, the fall foliage forecast for the US is a bit wild. Some regions will peak by the beginning of October, while other parts of the country won't show any changes until October... and then once the leaves begin to change, things escalate quickly!
So... the million dollar question: when do the leaves change in Ohio? According to the Smoky Mountains map, the first three weeks of October are when the magic happens.
Just as in years past, the northeast corner of Ohio (hi there, Cuyahoga Valley National Park!) will change first. In this region, the leaves will start changing color as early as the second week of September, peaking the beginning of October.
Ohio Amish Country and the north-central swath of the state will quickly follow suit, with some counties possibly experiencing "peak" fall foliage concurrently with those in the far northeast.
As for the southern "band" of the Buckeye State, expect a significantly later fall foliage bloom. Leaves will remain largely unchanged through the end of September; the four weeks of October should put on quite a colorful show, though!
Now's the time to start planning your next big fall road trip -- there are so many beautiful byways and scenic routes in Ohio that offer amazing dashboard views of the changing leaves and foliage.
Hocking County is a stunning region in Ohio, primarily known for Hocking Hills State Park. While this state park in Ohio is gorgeous, it's not the only one in Hocking County that belongs on your bucket list. Heck, it's not even the only state park in Logan, Ohio! Today, we're going to take a virtual visit to Lake Logan State Park, an underrated attraction in one of Ohio's most memorable small towns.
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With just over 7,000 residents across a five square mile space, Logan is a community that will instantly feel airy and open. The population density is about 1,523 people per square mile — for contrast, Cleveland has a density of 4,793 people per square mile. Compared to even metropolitan suburbs in Ohio, you'll find that live just moves at a slower pace in Logan.
This area, believe it or not, is something of a musical haven. Logan is home to one of the only remaining washboard manufacturing companies in the nation, and their annual Washboard Music Festival in June is a weird and wonderful nod to this strange claim to fame. In July, the Diamond Music Festival takes place on the banks of Lake Logan.
Interestingly, Lake Logan is a man-made feature in a nature-rich region. By damming a tributary of the Hocking River in 1955, Lake Logan was intentionally crafted for recreational enjoyment. While it was originally known as Hocking Lake, it has since been renamed to avoid confusion with the more-famous state park in town.
John Hudson Photography/Moment via Getty Images
Today, the 400-acre lake is the crown jewel of Lake Logan State Park. People flock here for fishing, boating, and swimming, but there's a great deal of nature-based activities that make the park special. A stretch of the Buckeye Trail runs through the park, and the one-mile Pine Vista Hiking Trail circles a hilltop and provides a stunning vantage point for visitors.
Birding is also a popular activity at the lake. As with any body of water, visitors can expect to encounter waterfowl like ducks, geese, and heron. With gorgeous wooded trails, a wide variety of birds — from songbirds to raptors — can be seen. As the sun bleeds into the horizon, owls are also a common sight here.
While swimming is one of the best summertime activities in the park, there's something special here throughout each and every season. As fall arrives, gorgeous and rich foliage erupts around the lake, and its reflection in the rippling water is like a nature-made watercolor painting. Once snow blankets the region, sledding, ice skating, and ice fishing are popular features in the park. And, of course, come spring, watching flowers bloom around the lake is a treat like no other.
John Hudson Photography/Moment via Getty Images
No matter which season you visit in, you're going to love Lake Logan State Park. It's a gorgeous place to picnic and reflect, especially when autumn leaves are painting the local landscape in warm shades of rust. Plus, its proximity to Hocking Hills State Park makes it an excellent place to unplug and take it easy after knocking out some more demanding hikes.
This state park in Ohio is absolutely breathtaking, and it's open to visitors all year-round. With 318 acres of land and 400 acres of water to explore, its landscape is easily memorable, and it's a brilliant escape from the hustle and bustle of big city life.
Want to make the most of your visit to Logan, Ohio? Be sure to check out our list of cozy attractions in the area. From welcoming cabins to wine nights, you'll love settling into this pretty region in The Buckeye State.
