Sunday, May 9, 2010

Bilbo Tours the Parks

Bilbo_OldMansCave2

Bilbo has been sight seeing this week in the Hocking Hills.
He wanted to have a look at the different parks in the Hocking Hills State Park
area. So my daughter and I took him to Old Man’s Cave first.
Old Man’s Cave is the most popular among the parks.

Bilbo_OldMansCave3

Of course since he is now the big Gardening Idol and
Playboy he wanted his picture taken at all of the parks.
You have to remember he thinks he is all that.
Maybe he thought his fans or Lady Followers were
pining to see his handsome self.

Bilbo_OldMansCave5

He wasn’t into all this hiking stuff though and had
to be persuaded that he needed the exercise after all
of that laying around in a box for days upon days
and cooped up on planes and trucks.

OMC_Sign2

I do not know whether Bilbo is just not really the rustic
woodsman type or that he thought he would not be macho
looking enough with a backpack on his back but a six mile
hike was not in his plans at all.
There are just not too many bikini babes hiking in the
parks either or any for that matter.
Bikini’s, mosquitoes and green briars do not work well
together. It is outdoor wear and hiking boots here.
Forget it Bilbo you are not here to ogle or charm the
girls anyway so get that idea off of your mind.
You are going to have to walk in any of these parks.

OMC_UpperFalls6

It was a hot day and he decided he wanted to go swimming.
I had to grab him fast because he was ready to jump right in.
”Bilbo, no! They do not allow swimming here and you
will break every porcelain bone in your little body going over the
upper falls and I don’t think you can stand any more of that”.
So we got him out of there fast.

Bilbo_CedarFalls

Next on the tour was Cedar Falls Park.
At the sight and sound of water he was back to the going
swimming again. What is up with all of this wanting to swim
stuff? Did he have his Speedo's on under his clothes?
Does he have anything at all on under those remnants
of gold?
On second thought I don’t even want to go there.

CF_UpperFalls_Sp2010

“No, Bilbo you cannot swim here either”.
We have got to get him away from the water.
To say the least he is not a very happy gnome
and you can tell he does not like being told no to.

Bilbo_AshCave2

Next in line was Ash Cave Park.


Bilbo_AC

“No, Bilbo you cannot dive off of the bridge into the
creek. Besides it is not deep enough to swim in.”
We got to take him up the trail and get him away from
this creek. Maybe he just wants to get his watering can
filled? He does take it everywhere with him.

Bilbo_AC_Moss

I hope he is being careful and does not slip off of that
mossy log. He is starting to wear me out a little and before
this tour is over I may find a creek and gladly toss him in.

AC_Falls5_Sp2010_SM

“Bilbo no!”
Has he got a death wish or what wanting to dive
off of the falls? “And no, you cannot stand under the
falls”.

AC_Falls6_Sp2010

“ I don’t care if that little boy is playing under the
falls. He is much bigger than you. Good grief Bilbo you
are only four inches tall and all of that water will pound
you right into the sand.”
We really got to get him somewhere away from any
kind of water.

Bilbo_ConklesHollow

Prodding him away from the water and the falls we got him
into the car and off to Conkle’s Hollow.

CH_Falls2_Spring

Water, water, everywhere.
Everyone say it! “Bilbo, no!'”

Bilbo_AC_Rock

“ Bilbo be very careful that is a mighty big rock so do not
fall and, no, they do not allow rock climbing here in the hollow.”


CH_Warning

They have those signs in the parks for a very good
reason you know. People get off of the trails and fall
very often down over the cliffs.
”Bilbo stay on the trail!”
” No, Bilbo you cannot carve your name into a tree or
on the rocks to mark your visit.” “Why, because if
everyone who visited did it it would ruin the natural
beauty of the parks.”
Time to get him out of here I cannot take much more of
this. I keep having to tell him no. Maybe it was not a good
idea to bring him to the Hocking Hills.

CantwellCliffs_Signs

Okay we are now at Cantwell Cliffs Park. I got a feeling
that this was a very bad idea.

CantwellCliffs_Cabin

“ I know its old and small but Bilbo NO you cannot
stay overnight there. Remember the Forest Closes at Dark!”

CC_Squeeze

“ Bilbo no. You may fit down through those steps and
through the Fat Lady’s Squeeze but I won’t”.

CC_RockShelf

“ No Bilbo they don’t allow rock climbing here either”.

Bilbo_AC_Roots

Bilbo_AC_Roots2


Thank goodness there is not enough water here to
send him off on that swimming kick again.
I think he has finally forgotten all about swimming.

Bilbo_CantwellCliffs

Now, you see what happens when everyone writes
their names on things in the parks that beautiful”
stone fireplace is now a ruined mess.
” No Bilbo, I didn’t bring any hotdogs.”
We need to get him out of these parks and go
somewhere else, anywhere else.

bilbo4

“See the pretty swans Bilbo.”

LL_Swan5_May2010

It is a good thing they built that nest so high after all of
the rain. She has seven eggs that are about ready to hatch.

” No Bilbo, you cannot swim with the Swans.”
” Besides the Cob is guarding the Pen on the eggs
and will eat you alive and your not insured Bilbo”.

IMG_7343

“Why not go fishing Bilbo, they have many docks
and places where you can fish at Lake Logan”.
” No Bilbo, you cannot fish near the Swans”.
”What do you mean fishing is not cool and would
ruin your image.” “ And I suppose carrying that
watering can everywhere is cool?” “Ugh, this gnome”.


LL_BeachSigns

“ Okay, okay, I see the sign Bilbo”.
”Oh, I give up! Go Swimming!”


bilbo5 Bilbo_LLBeach2_SM

“ Bilbo I thought you wanted to go swimming.”
“Yes, I know your tired after hiking all day.”
“Yes, I know you have an image to keep.”
“And, oh yes, you definitely have to keep that golden tan
of yours from fading,
but Bilbo that watering can is going to leave a mark.”
”Mister you have one hour and then it is home
and back into the box with you”.
”What a Day!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is one more story about Bilbo and then
I am packing this wandering garden gnome off to
further adventures in other gardens and locations.
If you would like to have Bilbo visit your Garden please
let me know. I know you all are feeling quite sorry for
me by now and are willing to take him off of my hands?
No?
I promise I will get him straightened out and all calmed
down before he gets to your home and he will not be
a problem at all.
Now, who would like him to visit?



Thank you, Thank you!
Lona

Bilbo wants to wish his Mom a
Happy Mothers Day !!


24 comments:

The Redneck Rosarian said...

Beautiful park!

Stone Art's Blog said...

wow looks bueatiful there, lucky Bilbo!

A Garden of Threads said...

You must be very tired chasing after Bilbo. But pictures of your trip are fantastic. Thanks for sharing them. Have wonderfull Mother's Day:)

Patsy said...

You poor thing, I can see that Bilbo has not been a good boy.
That trip to the parks was great.
Happy Mother's Day
Patsy

IsobelleGoLightly said...

Bilbo could visit us here but we'd probably try to eat him! He could sit in the garden but would also have to help with the barn chores. Does Bilbo like goats? hee hee

Kay said...

BTW....great photos

:C)

Kay said...

Just wanted to thank Bilbo for taking us on his little trips. He sure does get around. Is he related to the Travelosity Gnome?

Kay

Anonymous said...

Oh my ~ you sure showed him a good time Lona!! He should be thoroughly exhausted after his visit with you.

You sure have some gorgeous blooms right now. I love that pale lavender clematis. Just gorgeous and so it the pink Barlow columbine. I started some mixed seeds last year ~ I hope a couple bloom this year. I'm wondering what color they will be?!
Happy Mother's Day to you too! Hope you had a great day.

Rebecca @ In The Garden said...

Wow Lona, quite a character, that Bilbo! Not cool to go fishing, he really thinks he's something, doesn't he? I may have been tempted to leave him in the little cabin overnight, it may have done him some good. Has he been flying fist class? Perhaps the stewardesses have been too friendly towards him and he has let it go to his head. It looks like he's really enjoying himself, is it possible he doesn't realize he's only 4 inches tall?

Pat said...

You crack me up with little Bilbo !!!

Nice tour...need to do the same soon.

Unknown said...

Hocking Hills has been one of my favorite places to go and be with mother nature. From an early age I have been driving down from Columbus. I have not been in a year. I think its time to go on down.

Anonymous said...

That Bilbo is quite a rascal! And how lovely to see Hocking Hills again, it's been far too long since we saw it last summer. We've just come back from hot and sunny Florida on Saturday, so this chilly blast is MOST unwelcome!

Roses and Lilacs said...

Good morning, I thought he looked very charming on the mossy log and rocks. More the kind of habitat one would expect to find a gnome in.

I guess I forgot, this is no ordinary gnome.
Marnie

Bonnie said...

What a beautiful place! I really think it has to be on wish list of places to see. It is just gorgeous!

luisa said...

Hi, Lona.I´m from Argentina,sorry for my english please.Your blog and picture the flowers and garden are beautiful and very inspiring.
PD:visit my blog!! Adios!!!

Noelle Johnson said...

Bilbo sounds a bit like my son, who just loves water, even before he could swim ;-)

Christine B. said...

I'm glad to see the little golden boy has forgotten about trying to swim. Seeing a gnome in speedos might have pushed even a patient person such as yourself over the edge!

Christine in Alaska

Rosie Nixon Fluerty said...

Does Bilbo have life insurance? He needs coverage for dangerous pursuits.

Jennifer said...

Poor Bilbo... so many things he couldn't do. LOL! Lovely photos!

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

He really has a lot of energy! No wonder he wanted to see so many places, it's beautiful there! Glad you are watching him so carefully.
He sure looks cool with his shades and towel all stretched out.

CanadianGardenJoy said...

OMG ... Lona .. Bilbo is truly a "Gnome about TOWN" of should I say PARK ! ?
If my boys in the hood, get even a tiny whiff of what Bilbo has been up to ? .. well my life would be in a shambles carting them every where (aka garden centers) with me !
I especially loved Bilbo's picture with the swan in the background !
All of the park was amazing .. I love seeing the water falls : )
Bilbo is one determined traveler who insists on trying everything possible .. I know you must be worn out keeping him in hand .. perhaps one of those toddler leashes might be best to keep a grip on him ? hehehehe
Great post girl ! That is one gorgeous park !
Joy : ) & the boys wink wink

Gardening in a Sandbox said...

Bilbo sure has a great time on his outings. It is a good thing you are there to save him from some of his antics. Thanks for taking us on your walk through the park. Valerie

Stephanie said...

It must have been super fun to experience nature in this park :-D

tina said...

I did not know Bilbo was still making his rounds. Too cute! If I was him I'd want to jump in those falls too-they look most refreshing.