Top 12 of 2012 - Number 5:Fort Laurens

Number 5 on the top 12 of 2012 is one of my favorite local events at one of my favorite local sites.  Fort Laurens, located in Bolivar, OH, stood as the only fort built by the early Americans in the area that is now the State of Ohio.  Its short but intense history is part of the American story.  Today on the site stands a museum dedicated to telling the story of the fort.  There is also a Tomb of the Unknown Patriot of the American Revolution.  Like at Arlington, this tomb is dedicated to someone known only to God but that soul was someone that was stationed at this fort and was an American Patriot.  Each year in July, a group of dedicated local historians meet at the site to have an encampment.  Both American and the British are represented.  Each afternoon during the event, a special salute is held at the Tomb to recognize those that sacrificed their lives in our nations early history.  The event is topped off by a "battle" on the field displaying fighting techniques and tactics of both sides.  Always a great event and something I hope more and more people come and witness.  This is an important part of our American story and I'm lucky enough to live just down the road.

Christmas in Zoar 2012

Christmas in Zoar was this past weekend.  Another year where we are getting ready to celebrate the Christmas holiday season with temperatures in the 50's and sunny skies.  I'm not complaining, though.  Was a great day for people to come out and check out Zoar with all it's holiday splendor.

Top 12 of 2012 - Number 6:Dundee Falls

When I told all my friends way back when I was living in Detroit that we were moving to Ohio, the comment most said to me was that it was a flat, boring state.  Well they were wrong.  VERY wrong.  You see, the experience of Ohio most people that live in the greater Detroit area have is what they see out the car window when they travel to the amusement park Cedar Point.  Between Detroit and Sandusky, OH, it's flat.  It used to be a marsh way back when.  So I was amazed when we moved over to Northeast Ohio.  Hills and glacier cut valleys and rock outcroppings.  It really is amazing.  And when I moved south to marry Denise I entered northern Appalachia.  Lots of rolling, beautiful hills.  That's why this location I find so amazing.  For a couple years now I kept hearing about this place called Dundee Falls and we finally were able to find it. Dundee Falls is actually a state wildlife area that is open for public use.  In other words, it's public hunting grounds.  What I found so amazing about this area is how much it reminds me of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park area.  In an area surrounded by farmland and hills, this is a unique place.  But also an area that needs to be taken care of.  Lots of trash and graffiti.  But still one of my new favorite places.

 

Top 12 of 2012 - Number 7:Holland! (Michigan)

Number 7 on the countdown this year again includes friends and also includes the state of my birth, Michigan!  When I was 14, I left Michigan for Ohio and at that point had never been to the west side of the state.  "Up North" was always a destination, but just not the Lake Michigan shoreline.  It wasn't until our friends David and Lee moved to the city of Holland that I had the chance to see for myself just how beautiful and different that side of the state is.  I've been to the Pacific coast before and in my opinion, this is very similar.  The big difference between the two is just how fine the sand is.  Almost like dust it's so fine.  Well, the sand and the saltwater smell.  The sunsets are beautiful in the summer.  Nothing but clear skies all the way to the horizon.  Just love it there.  If we ever were going to move somewhere for a fresh start, that would be the place I think. 

Top 12 of 2012 - Number 8:All Balboa Weekend

Number 8 on the list follows very closely to number 9 because it was another fun event that our pal Craig invited us along to.  The event is called the All Balboa Weekend.  (If you go to the site, Craig did the artwork for it!)  This was a really cool event for a multiple reasons.  First, Denise participated with the Cleveland Dr. Sketchy.  Was great to see her really dive back into drawing and she loved it.  Was also great to watch Craig, Jason and Jen, along with the other artists, quickly sketch the models as they had 15 minutes per model sitting to do so. Also, the clothes.  Everyone was decked out in their best late 30's early 40's ware.  The dancing was intense.  There are people that take swing dancing seriously and it shows.  Was fantastic to witness and photograph.  And finally, the music.  Loved it.
This is something I really hope we have a chance to do again next year.  Really one of my FAVORITE pictures of the entire year, is this first one.  No, not because of the pretty ladies in it. Originally it was in color and was way underexposed.  I did some experimenting and in the end produced this.  For me it looks like this picture could be out of a copy of Life magazine from decades ago.   Just love it.