Another deer season

Has come and gone. Another fat doe makes my total 62, but that big buck has still eluded me. I did see a big buck at Hoberts getting his ass kicked by one on his mules. We even got snow, which for me hunting deer in the snow is the best, nothing more beautiful to me is  newly fallen snow. I should of had 2 more does, but my gun was sighted in high as I expected some farther shots and overshot both times at close range. Oh well, still got meat in the freezer. The Ranger was a big help and fun too.

Otway, Then & Now

While researching the history of Otway and the railroad, I found these 2 old pictures of town. I even found a Utube video of the last steam train to come by the house in 1990. It was cool. Our little store called "The Depot" is were the old depot use to be in town. I was torn down in the 80's and store built on the same spot. New county bridge is done, ready for traffic, now just get the covered bridge ready. The county got the bridge from an other they abandoned. Painted it, new concrete abutments, and road deck, lot of money for a bridge to nowhere. The railroad access road lets use run the Ranger to town and the bridge without have to go in the road and then deal with Johnny Law.

Where's Waldo

On our way to Wayne NF to go riding again this little doe walks across the road and stop on the side for nice fall picture. But after downloading I looked at it said "Where's the deer". It's right there but you got to believe.

New Bridge

Standing on the deck enjoying the warm sun, I noticed a silver gleam  at the cover bridge. I woke up Bub and we went to investigate. We got a new used bridge from the county somehow. I guess the historical society want to totally restore the bridge to vehicle traffic. We'll see. Just another day in Otway.

Hanging Rock

One of the reasons I like where we live is the abundance of state and federal lands. Today we took advantage of that by taking the Ranger the Wayne National Forest for ATV trail riding. Which is cool as most lands don't welcome ATV riding. Taunya and I weren't disappointed. A crisp clear 50 degree was all one could ask for. It was our first time putting the Ranger through its paces on REAL trails. It did everything I asked of it, with not inkling of being top heavy. Some of the trails were prey steep too. No problem. I think Taunya was a little leery at first, but soon

she was behind the wheel all I could see were teeth. We only did 14 miles on our first trip, but we want to more. Can't wait till the next trip. We didn't even see Hanging Rock, or really is one, but if there is we'll find it.

Halloween Party

Brother Rob has a Halloween Party every year. So Tawny, Bub and I took a trip over last weekend. Rob grew his hair out, just to shave it all white trash and all. I took Homer as a marionette. All had fun. They tore down the old steel bridge next to the covered bridge. The county found another bridge somewhere else and are going to replace it. Don't know when, but the poured new concrete for the abutments. My deer turnips are growing good just new some deer to eat them, and then me to eat the deer. Had to make a new scabbard for my trusty 870.

October

Is my favorite month, not because I was born October, it's the sweet sweet smell of fall. Clean air, wood smoke, reprieve from the summer heat and bugs. But, most of all deer hunting. We got a new 2 day antlerless muzzleloader season the 12&13th, which I was happy to take advantage of. Plus it was good excuse to get a new horse. I had to get a horse that was dependable ,easy keeper, and most important,unlike some I've had in the past,would be where it was when I left it. A Polaris Ranger .A new scabbard was in order as a guy couldn't be expected to carry his gun.

 So it was off the Hobert's for a deer hunt. Rob and I hunted turkeys there this spring. I probably saw 50 while hunting. Wonder where they were hiding when Rob and I were hunting? He has alot of pasture and some curious mules, like Jenny the one I rode last year. So 4hrs on a beautiful fall day in a tree was a delight. Turkeys, squirrels, and deer were everywhere. So the ride in dark on the ATV to pick up tasty button buck capped the day. That makes 61. So with meat in the freezer I can concentrate on a big buck in December. I've have totally fallen in love with southern Ohio, so much so I'll never leave. I say this as I'm watching from our outside bar watching fog lift from the mountain across the valley and listening to turkeys cluck and purr. Our doe even stopped by for a visit ,didn't see the little ones with her though. Taunya, Bub and I are off today for Rob's annual Halloween party. He always gets a good turnout, plus I get to hang with my bro's. I'm going as Homer Simpson sort of, you'll see.

prehistoric vacation

Dennis and I didn't get to make the out west trip, so he came over to our house fro a prehistoric vacation, meaning we would be seeing all the Hopewell and Adena Indian  sites that litter the 5 counties surrounding the house. We went to Old Man's Cave with is a gorge cut thru the soft sandstone, Seip Mound, Serpent Mound, Mound City, and Fort Hill, Fort Ancient, Rock House, Cantwell Cliffs and more.  My handheld GPS was a big help other than letting us know how many miles we walked, which was a lot. The sunset thru the fog and steam after a rain brought the best pictures. And all the primitive Indian stuff and carvings inspired me to do my own rock carving.