Late Autumn at Ohiopyle State Park

So I finally managed to get up to my favorite place to hike and take pictures, Ohiopyle State Park.  Even though I missed peak color, I was quite happy with everything I saw.

I went out with the plan on only using a single lens, the Rokinon 12mm so that I could really force myself into visualizing a shot.  I did add a circular polarizer and occasionally a variable ND filter.  Overall, I’d say the day was a success and it got me out in the middle of the woods to relax.  That’s a win win situation.

Laurelville in Autumn

Laurelville is a place that my family enjoys spending time at.  My wife grew up going to camp there and now we are Association Members.  Twice a year, the members go and visit the grounds and spend time together and help out with volunteer projects.  It’s always a wonderful weekend of fellowship and slowing down.  I normally try to sneak in a quick hike to revel in the nature of it all.

Near the high point of the property is Split Rock, which can be reached by following a trail to the top.  Coming back down to Jacob’s Creek, a small waterfall rushes.  This trip was preceded by an abundance of rain, so the creek was quite high.

There is also a kiln on the property which was in use for the entire weekend.  There was a crew from a local class that were stoking the fires every hour of the day and night.  I stopped down Saturday night to check it out.

The temperature was roughly 1,600 degree’s at this point, and they still wanted to take it even higher to around 2,500.  The heat output was intense and getting close was quite hot.  It seemed like the kiln’s appetite for wood never let up, every few minutes, more logs would be tossed into the inferno within.

The weekend came to an end and my family and I are back at home.  Now we have to go back to the real world.