Color paths
Surround yourself in fall’s glory on these Toledo Area Metroparks’ Trails. Mingle with the shifting sand dunes on Oak Opening’s 1.7-mile Sand Dune Red Trail and on Secor’s .9-mile Meadow Green Trail’s open fields. They highlight gorgeously wrought seed heads and pods on native plants and grasses. Drench yourself in the forest-like setting of richly toned maple, cherry and oak leaves on Swan Creek’s .8-mile Big Woods Yellow Trail, or on Wildwood’s 2.4-mile Upland Woods Red Trail.
Visit metroparkstoledo.com for more info.
Awesome fall game
The best way to spend a crisp, earthy autumn day is at Bull Creek Paintball playing an exhilarating, strategic game of tag. In this battle-like scenario, capture the other team’s flag while firing and dodging balls that splatter you with paint. BCP is a regional course in a 30-acre natural setting of mature trees, with forts, towers and bridges tucked into the terrain.
Located at 9703 Greensburg Pike, Portage, the course is open Wednesday-Saturday by appointment, and 11am-5pm Sunday. Visit bullcreekpaintball.org for info, fees, registration, age restrictions and directions.
Autumn Sky
Foliage isn’t the only awe-inspiring showstopper in October. View the lunar eclipse tonight,Wednesday, October 8, and the partial solar eclipse on Thursday, October 23. Watch the Orionid Meteor Shower (named for the constellation Orion the Hunter) light up the southeastern night sky, with peak visibility October 20-21 between midnight and dawn. Also this month, Jupiter, our brightest planet, will be blazing away in the east/northeast beginning at 7pm.
Pavement view
Cruise hilly, sweeping curves along rural roads framing golden cornfields by following OH-13/SR 13 to OH/US 250 through Mansfield, an Amish Country area. Enroute, drive through the 1,000-acre Mohican State Park, 3116 State Rte. 3 in Loudonville (driving map at mohicanstatepark.org).
Goll Woods
is “the least disturbed woodland in Northwestern Ohio.” Take in the sense of peace and ancient restfulness which dwells among the absolutely glorious 250-450 year old bur, chinquapin and red oaks (some of Ohio’s largest), their branches festooned in lustrous red and yellow leaves. Visit the preserved on-site Goll Family Cemetery, the restored barn and the State Champion Largest Rock Elm. Located in Fulton County, 1½ miles north of Archibold.
Free, open 7am-dusk. Restrooms are closed October-April. For info/directions/park maps visit naturepreserves.ohiodnr.gov/gollwoods.
Seeking color
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources website provides a daily color report with maps pinpointing the best routes to see lush fall scenery. Links highlight events and places with breathtaking, panoramic views as well as hiking, biking, paddling and golfing.
