Blue Hen Falls

Blue Hen Falls, also located in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, is described on various websites as small, not interesting, and unimpressive.  It is small compared to Brandywine Falls, and perhaps not as interesting or impressive, but I thought it was beautiful, and certainly much more peaceful even though this waterfall was also running more water than usual.

The Blue Hen Falls Trail is an easy to moderate 1.5 mile hike.  We didn’t hike the entire trail because it was raining and close to sunset.

That means we missed the next waterfall, Buttermilk Falls which is described as prettier and more interesting than Blue Hen Falls.  Another reason we passed on continuing downstream to see Buttermilk Falls is because it was unlikely we’d be able to get there.  The trail crosses the stream three times (no bridges on that part of the trail), and with the water running high, we weren’t sure we could cross Spring Creek.

It is said that Blue Hen Falls is haunted by a young girl who was murdered there 20 years ago.  Rumor has it that very often blue orbs show up in photos taken during the daytime, and that these blue orbs are the girl’s spirit still roaming the woods around the falls.  I did not find blue orbs in any of my photos.  (I didn’t know to look for them either.  I didn’t find out it is haunted until I looked up information about the falls for this post.)

How was your Christmas?  M and I had a lovely day, spent with M the Younger and Merdi, his lovely wife.  Instead of cooking one big meal, I made a variety of tapas.  I also tried to keep the food fairly light (not fatty) and healthy.  No overly cheesy dishes, although it was a little carb heavy since several of the things I made required bread as a vehicle for the food to go from plate to mouth.

I’m thinking of going back to a gluten-free diet soon so it was nice to enjoy some freshly baked breads.  I don’t eat much bread anymore.

A few years ago I pared down my diet, omitting wheat, meat, and dairy from it.  I often think of it as one of the healthiest times in my life.  I had a lot more energy, my skin looked good, and most importantly, I felt good.  Going gluten-free at that time was a little more difficult than it is now.  It’s much easier to find gluten-free breads and pastas these days.  Because I don’t eat much bread anymore and I’m enjoying a whole host of grains other than wheat, switching over to a gluten-free diet won’t be the big deal it was back then.  Plus M is very good at making and baking gluten-free breads that taste good and don’t have the density of a rock.

That’s about it from the Bogs for today.  Thank you for joining me on my hike to Blue Hen Falls.  I hope your holidays were filled with love and fun.  We’re having a sunny day here in the Bogs so I think I’ll head on outside and see what’s going on around the pond.  You’re welcome to come along if you like.

Or you can have a seat here by the waterfall and enjoy the sight and sound of the water as it makes its way over the rocks.

Crossing the creek on the way back to the parking lot

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