falling in love with summer

by Kaylah Stroup
urban waterfall, ohio, waterfall, bedford reservation

I feel like I’ve shared my frustrations with summer many time before, or maybe I’ve just typed and deleted one million times. Basically it boils down to the fact that there is so much to do, and just not enough time… so I get stressed and end up doing nothing. Or maybe I plan to do something but realize, dang, it’s just way too hot for me. Both Jeff and I are complete weaklings in the heat. We wilt like flowers so most plans have to be taken care of early in the morning or in the late evening. I really do love summer, but it definitely stresses me out.

A week or so ago Jeff and I ended up stumbling across a waterfall while on a day trip to Columbus. It was a nice little hike and splashing around in the water was super refreshing! When we got back in the car it hit me, we should spend our summer checking out all the local waterfalls. Ohio probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you think of waterfalls but surprisingly, we have A LOT of them.

urban waterfall, ohio, waterfall, bedford reservation

Sunday morning I woke up to my phone vibrating. It was Jeff asking if I wanted to go check out a some falls at Bedford Reservation. Less than an hour later we were on our way! There were a handful to choose from but I thought Great Falls of Tinker’s Creek looked the most promising… and I was totally right! A very short hike from the parking lot is this gorgeous waterfall.

I wasn’t too interested in shooting the falls until I finally listened to Jeff and tried a long exposure. Part of me feels like long exposures of waterfalls are kind of played out, and result in the same exact shot that just about everyone else has ever taken but I always have to remind myself that just because someone else has probably taken a similar shot doesn’t mean I shouldn’t take my own. We actually sat in bed and talked about that subject for a great deal of time later that night.

Anyway, once I got started with the long exposures of the falls I didn’t want to stop! I only got a few shots before we left. Part of me considered just filing them away since I didn’t have enough for a full post on our falls adventure but I am really excited to share these and be able to look back on them at the end of summer to see how much my waterfall photography has hopefully improved. So I tossed in some photos from later in the day at my brother’s house. I think they all flow together pretty well. They’re not all waterfall shots but they do sum up a pretty perfect summer day.

Ohio waterfall
Did you spot the tiny worm in the photo above?

Three waterfalls down for us so far this summer; Indian Run Falls, Paine Falls, and Great Falls of Tinkers Creek. (photographed above) Here’s to finding many more!
xoxo

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24 comments

Molly Kelley June 28, 2016 - 1:59 pm

Wow, gorgeous photos!!! I'm so glad to hear that you and summer are better friends now 🙂

Kaylah June 28, 2016 - 8:18 pm

Summer and I are definitely working on our relationship. 😉

Meescha Dare June 28, 2016 - 3:15 pm

I'm guilty of being a freckly ginger myself, so I know exactly what you mean when you say "wilt". There is so much to do in the Summer! But unfortunately I do most of my activities i.e. gardening, grocery shopping, either before or after hours. I think this year though I'm going to make the best of it all and start going out of my comfort zone 🙂 Bring on the sun screen!

Kaylah June 28, 2016 - 8:19 pm

Good luck! 😀

Tara Hammond June 28, 2016 - 4:23 pm

Long exposures of waterfalls might be played out but, as always, you manage to make it a unique and beautiful photo! I've always been obsessed with long exposure so I'll do it til the day I die 😉 No shame!

Kaylah June 28, 2016 - 8:20 pm

Thank you so much Tara! 🙂

Long exposures are definitely something new to me in the last few years and I always forget what a HUGE difference they can make in how your shot comes out.

Kynia June 28, 2016 - 4:45 pm

your photos are absolutely gorgeous! Xx

kynialikethecountry.blogspot.com

Kaylah June 28, 2016 - 8:20 pm

Thank you Kynia! 🙂

The Evil Banana June 28, 2016 - 7:44 pm

Brandywine Falls next please! I've never been, but my name is painfully similar (Brandy Wyse) and i'm living through you 🙂

Kaylah June 28, 2016 - 8:20 pm

Hahah! That's pretty funny! I will surely post photos if we visit! 🙂

authorwannabe June 28, 2016 - 8:35 pm

Too bad you missed Hayden Run Falls (off of Hayden Run Rd near the Scioto River) when you were here in Columbus. They're a bit more grand (depending on the amount of rainfall we've just had) than Indian Run and not very far from there either.

Kaylah June 30, 2016 - 11:19 am

I can always take another trip back! I'm not that far! 😉

luzmaría moonandroses June 28, 2016 - 11:05 pm

lovely photos

Kaylah June 30, 2016 - 11:19 am

Thank you! 🙂

Margaret Forsey June 29, 2016 - 10:33 am

I also find summer challenging- I thought I was the only one! While I love so many things about the season- swimming outside, bikerides, flowers and fresh berries- I do not feel well or sleep well in the heat. ( I am from Newfoundland, I am not used to heat!!) Also, I find that there is alot of pressure in summer- to take trips, to have epic adventures. While I like adventures, I also need the balance of cosy quiet days of nesting. Maybe that is why I am more of an Autumn girl- there is more of a balance. Any way, thank you for this post! You waterfall photographs inspire me to explore waterfalls in my province! That will help keep me cool!

Kaylah June 30, 2016 - 11:18 am

Oh my gosh – sleeping in the heat is THE WORST. If it's really hot out I have to take a freezing cold shower right before bed or else I'll just toss and turn for hours.

Same, I'm definitely an autumn person too. I really love nesting. I love having the windows open but a cool breeze coming in.

Becky June 29, 2016 - 11:40 am

I know exactly what you mean, honestly. Just the other day I was flopping around on the couch like "But I'm WASTING THE SUMMERRRRRR." There's SO much to do and not enough time when you live in the north. Between picnics, bike rides, long walks, beaches, parties, all kinds of summer cocktails… it's so much to fit into a few short months. Anyway, love the photos, especially the frog friend! Makes me itch to get outside today…

Kaylah June 30, 2016 - 11:20 am

Thanks, Becky! I hate that anyone feels like they're wasting summer but it's really nice to hear that I'm not alone in that feeling.

Sarah Albertson June 30, 2016 - 12:21 am

Oh my gosh those photos are beautiful!! I've have been wanting to try taking some long exposure waterfall shots, they're so pretty. I used to hate summer! But it seems like with each passing year I like it more and more. 🙂

Kaylah June 30, 2016 - 11:21 am

Thanks Sarah! I hope it starts to grow on me too. I LOVED it when I was a kid then sometime in the last few years all of a sudden I was like "NOPE!" about summer.

Rae - Say It Aint So June 30, 2016 - 1:47 am

i used to hate summer too, but now it is my favorite season. and part of it is how much i LOVE to swim under waterfalls! We got to rock island here in tennessee multiple times every summer, and last year we planned a trip to asheville around waterfall visits. the best!

Kaylah June 30, 2016 - 11:23 am

Rae, I think you might be like half the reason I'm so excited about water stuff. You seriously make it look SO fun. My dude isn't crazy about swimming but I'm hoping that waterfalls will lead to swimming holes and tubing and all that good stuff.

Wendy, R.N. June 30, 2016 - 11:20 am

Beautiful photos. I always enjoy your photography. 🙂

Jennifer June 30, 2016 - 8:42 pm

Thank you again for pointing out something interesting to do near where I live! I love the waterfall shots! I am guilty of one million pictures of flowers, bugs, and bees so I think, "So what if there are tons of similar photos, these are mine"! I was trying to think of something nearby and free for my long weekend, perhaps I'll go looking for waterfalls!

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