Pair of kayakers enjoy early spring  trip on Hoover  Reservoir

Pair of kayakers enjoy early spring trip on Hoover Reservoir

Pair of kayakers enjoy early spring  trip at Hoover

Pair of kayakers enjoy early spring trip at Hoover

Taking an afternoon trip across Hoover Reservoir wasn’t a fool’s chore for this pair of young kayakers who braved chill winds and choppy waters for their first outdoor adventure of the spring.

Despite temperatures barely above freezing and a brisk wind from the west, the pair completed one crossing with a round-about return near the bridge where they encountered headwinds that buffeted their single person kayaks just enough to make the return difficult.

Despite the hazards and cold breezes they discussed their next trip to the lake although both hoped it would be a little warmer next time.

Pair of kayakers enjoy early spring  trip on Hoover  Reservoir

Pair of kayakers enjoy early spring trip on Hoover Reservoir

And, the day wouldn’t be complete without an iPhone Hiopstamatic Tintype of the duo.

The farm house on the hill

The farm house on the hill

Farm house on a hill in Ohio farm country

Farm house on a hiil in Ohio farm country

There’s a lot of farm country near my daughter’s home north of Johnstown.

About two miles away on the crest of a small ridge sits an old farm house recently refurbished from a condition that showed years of abandonment and disrepair. It now has new siding, roof, a mowed front yard, cars in the garage, and  is filled with the sounds of family.

What hasn’t changed is the wonderful perspective I get from the bottom end of the eastern rise of that small hill. The house, garage, and trees make near perfect stencil cut silhouettes against the setting sun and sky almost every time I visit.

The exact shape and color of the sky is always different. Sometimes, depending on the season, the sun sets directly behind the house, its bright orange orb dominating the frame.

Other days, like Easter Sunday, it’s the clouds that make the statement allowing the sun to splash its rays through the cloud edges casting inspirational rays across the land.

And, I’ve been there during rain, snow, corn too tall to see over, and drought so hot that the ground cracked and crops shriveled.

What is common about these moments, about the times I pulled a camera to my face, is the house on a hill. A house that is now a home and much more than a silhouette cutout.

The farm house on the hill

The farm house on the hill

Farm house on a hill in Ohio farm country

Farm house on a hiil in Ohio farm country

There’s a lot of farm country near my daughter’s home north of Johnstown.

About two miles away on the crest of a small ridge sits an old farm house recently refurbished from a condition that showed years of abandonment and disrepair. It now has new siding, roof, a mowed front yard, cars in the garage, and  is filled with the sounds of family.

What hasn’t changed is the wonderful perspective I get from the bottom end of the eastern rise of that small hill. The house, garage, and trees make near perfect stencil cut silhouettes against the setting sun and sky almost every time I visit.

The exact shape and color of the sky is always different. Sometimes, depending on the season, the sun sets directly behind the house, its bright orange orb dominating the frame.

Other days, like Easter Sunday, it’s the clouds that make the statement allowing the sun to splash its rays through the cloud edges casting inspirational rays across the land.

And, I’ve been there during rain, snow, corn too tall to see over, and drought so hot that the ground cracked and crops shriveled.

What is common about these moments, about the times I pulled a camera to my face, is the house on a hill. A house that is now a home and much more than a silhouette cutout.