John Bryan State Park

John Bryan State Park is on our list to revisit. First off, it is within a 10 minute distance from Young's Jersey Dairy, so yes. Second, it was a beautiful park. The only thing that I would do differently is take a different path. The path we chose (so we could see the bridge) was VERY rocky and thin going straight into the water. 

The boys really did a great job. I was proud of both of them after we completed the trail.

The trail started with the stairs (pictured below) cut from rock. There were about 36 steps or so, which we took at a nice slow pace. At the bottom of the steps we encountered a plywood bridge (just over a small creek) most likely created from the amount of rain we had recently. We saw a rushing river which the boys probably could have stayed and watched for a while. B The rest of the trail on the way to the bridge felt like a booby trapped Indiana Jones Sequel, but it was an adventure! I tried taking pictures of the trail, but it just didn't do it justice. 

B is finally at the age when he sees signs he gets really excited because he wants to "read" the sign and point out the letters. Yes, he is two so when he sees a "T" and says "B" we roll with it and read the sign with him. He just is enjoying and finally getting to the point of understanding that he is actually seeing letters! Yay!

It was a beautiful (and cold) day outside. We bundled up, so we weren't worried, and we ending up working on our stamina and walked over a mile this time! B just can't go quite farther yet. We will get there. We are also working on being rock collectors. I am in the process of working on some type of "rock" explorer kit because we end up collecting a lot of rocks, some went into the river.

According to OhioDNR, "The park takes its name from businessman John Bryan who was responsible for the preservation of much of the area as a state preserve. In 1896, Bryan purchased 335 acres along the gorge and called these acres, "Riverside Farm." Bryan had a great respect for the natural world. In 1918, he bequeathed Riverside Farm to the state of Ohio, "...to be cultivated by the state as a forestry, botanic and wildlife reserve park and experiment station," which would bear his name. 

In May of 1925, John Bryan's land became one of the state's first forest parks. In 1949, John Bryan State Park was transferred to the newly created ODNR Division of Parks and Recreation. John Bryan State Park and the adjoining Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve overlook the beautiful Little Miami River gorge that has been designated as a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior."

It has snowed a few days before and there was still snow on the bridge. The boys enjoyed throwing the snow into the river and a few rocks to hear the "plop" sound. The look on E's face was PRICELESS. He loved his time on the bridge.

I just love trees. #guentheradventures