In Ohio we have our own kind of March Madness. It has nothing to do with college hoops. Only in Ohio can you truly appreciate the splendor of Spring. For weeks on end you can see a solid six inches of snow pack from seemingly endless "1-3 inches" daily (see right, click to enlarge). And then suddenly a week of 60 degree weather brings about a burst of Spring. Those who live here know to savor these days... for another shot of cold and wet is sure to come. We don't plant flowers until Memorial Day. We're not surprised of a June frost.
Spring is the time of rebirth, of renewal.
The grays and browns of the woods and lawns slowly dissolve into greens as the buds burst forth. (see left, click to enlarge)Except it's not exactly a bursting, but a slow and methodical March madness of our own. 
We like to kid that in Ohio, Spring is between 2 and 4 p.m. on a weekday in April. In reality sometimes Spring doesn't really appear at all. There are seasons where winter drags interminably on through March, and even in to April, then swiftly passes the baton on to Summer. So when a string of 60-degree days comes along, suddenly everyone is out in its midst enjoying what may be the short-lived Spring. You just don't know. So you grab on to it and ride it for all it can. You never know if Spring is going to be bounced out, much like your favorite seed in the NCAA tournament. And much like the first rounds of March Madness, where sports fans are glued to their TV's all day long, too, are many Ohioans outdoors hanging on to the warmth of the sun after a long cold winter.
January of 2009 went down in Northeast Ohio as the second snowiest ever. It came and it came and it came some more. Most winters I don't bother shoveling, as the ebb and flow of temperatures perks up above freezing often enough to melt it off the driveway. But not this season, as witnessed by the half-shoveled mess of my driveway (see left, click to enlarge).
But when Spring finally does arrives, it's anticipation matches that of the at-large, mid-major colleges waiting for their invite to the tournament.
And Spring comes early and hangs around for a while, we feel like it's our Cinderella team making the Sweet 16 (see right, click to enlarge). Either way, madness is an Ohio March.- J.
Post-script... The NCAA tournament ended on Monday night, April 6th... and a lake effect snow warning was issued the same night. The result of March Madness? More snow in Ohio (see photos below, click to enlarge)
This morning I decided to think Spring and put together an entry on warmer thoughts.
West Akron was home to many of city's elite families as the area prospered early in the Industrial Era and became the Rubber Capital of the world. F.A. Seiberling, the founder of Goodyear, built his spacious mansion, Stan Hywet (map, website), here and a century later the grounds are one of the tourist highlights of the Akron area (see above-left, click to enlarge).
One of the most photographed grounds (several coffee table books can be purchased) of any property, the house and surrounding gardens attract thousands each year. Whether visiting the grand home alone or coupling a visit with many of the themed events throughout the year, the grounds are a striking display of architecture and nature blending harmoniously together (see grape arbor to right, click to enlarge).
Originally the estate ran as far as the eye could trace to the north through what is today the Cuyahoga Valley National Park system (see left, click to enlarge).
Thankfully today the grounds are much smaller, allowing the visitor to wander a reasonable distance. There are many opportunities to follow paths through the woods and it is hard on one visit to take all of the grounds in (see right, click to enlarge).As the seasons of Northeast Ohio allow, repeat visits to the grounds reveal different looks at different times.
Lush green leaves give way to the reds and oranges of autumn. Climbing vines with over-sized leaves and create the fairy-tale feeling (see right, click to enlarge).
Listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks (about NRL, Stan Hywet listing), there is always a different look to the manor house depending upon your vantage point on the grounds (see left, click to enlarge).
The Carriage House contains a gift shop and bakery and is the entrance point for the grounds and tours of the house. It is shown left, peeking above the vast cutting garden between the grape arbor and manor house on the eastern side of the property.
The Conservatory recently played host to a butterfly exhibit (see collage right, click to enlarge) and contains a model train that runs both above and below eye level, even containing a mock blimp hangar mock-up.
There is always an angle, a cornice, a view to behold that keeps photographers clicking away. A view from the grape arbor (see left, click to enlarge) shows a view of two stone shelters that overlook the pond and scenic northern vista (see fourth photo from top of page).
Whether a stop in the water garden area (see right, click to enlarge) or a hidden shed that looks more like a cottage than storage area (see below-left, click to enlarge), there is much to take in on the grounds and never enough time to take.
But thankfully the Seiberling family has left this jewel for us to visit time again. As is etched above the doorway entrance to the home (which serves as the family motto), non nobis solum, Stan Hywet is not for us alone.
- J.
In Ohio we have our own kind of March Madness. It has nothing to do with college hoops. Only in Ohio can you truly appreciate the splendor of Spring. For weeks on end you can see a solid six inches of snow pack from seemingly endless "1-3 inches" daily (see right, click to enlarge). And then suddenly a week of 60 degree weather brings about a burst of Spring. 
Spring is the time of rebirth, of renewal.
We like to kid that in Ohio, Spring is between 2 and 4 p.m. on a weekday in April. In reality sometimes Spring doesn't really appear at all. There are seasons where winter drags interminably on through March, and even in to April, then swiftly passes the baton on to Summer. 
January of 2009 went down in Northeast Ohio as the second snowiest ever. It came and it came and it came some more. Most winters I don't bother shoveling, as the ebb and flow of temperatures perks up above freezing often enough to melt it off the driveway. But not this season, as witnessed by the half-shoveled mess of my driveway (see left, click to enlarge).
And Spring comes early and hangs around for a while, we feel like it's our Cinderella team making the Sweet 16 (see right, click to enlarge). Either way, madness is an Ohio March.
