Ohio, the heart of it all

Steel from an old glass factory made into some modern art in the oddest park I have ever visited.

 May 4, 2022

Westerville, Ohio to Mount Vernon Ohio

40 miles 

50 degrees and overcast with a 10 mph north wind.  so, kinda cold.

Our journey today was almost 100% on nicely paved trail.  There was just one small detour.  We passed acres and acres and acres of farmland and enjoyed looking at the  spring wildflowers along the wooded path.  

We passed the midpoint of the trail in Centerburg and the highpoint of the trail just a bit later.  

Centerburg's claim to fame is that it is the geographical center of Ohio.  It is the "Heart of Ohio"  We helped out the local economy and bought lunch here and warmed up with hot tea and soup at the local cafe.  

This trail high point is not very high.  The entire Ohio to Erie Trail is 326 very flat miles. 

In the "Ohio Oddities" category, we visited the very strange Ariel Foundation Park 

The park is located on the former site of a glass making factory.  There is a big tall observation tower, a "tree of life" labyrinth, and acres of terraced lawn and spiral paths.  

The tree of life labyrinth with the lakes in the background.  The lakes are former gravel pits.

Tom is looking down from the observation tower.  That is me in the high - vis jacket lying on the ground.  I was too weary to climb that tower.

The ruins are art installations created from former industrial building matierials .  If my Uncle Michael is reading this, that red steel is from Bethlehem steel!

Modern art knows many forms.  This pile of glass is appropriate here and was found on the site.

Spring in Ohio is so beautiful.  It's a good time to explore close to home. 

Here are the maps from today.  We rode around part of the labryrinth too.