This young buck was strolling right by our window — he was just as startled to see us as we were to see him.
-photo by r. kerr
Just in case you missed the memo, “Home of the Buckeyes” is code for Columbus, Ohio. Our state, for whatever reason, decided to make the buckeye the official tree of our state’s symbolism. Decades before that decision, the buckeye had become the athletic nickname of Ohio’s largest public university aka THE Ohio State University. For those of us born and bred here, Brutus the Buckeye is quite an admired mascot. To anyone aware that from leaves to bark, the buckeye tree is a poisonous plant? I’m thinking we come off as slightly nutty. Nevertheless — Dovetail Lodge is nearby yet feels far away from this land grant institution. (Dear Reader, I mention all this as it is something to keep in mind should this place transform into an BnB and you are looking for lodging near OSU - all TBD.)
On our side of town there exists a series of ravines so it FEELS like one has escaped to the woods. Even the sounds of the city are fainter when one is at the lodge. Currently, a family of deer believe they are the true owners of this place. The mamma is mostly tolerant of our visits but less enthusiastic if I pop by around sunset when she’s trying to get her little ones bedded down for the night. I don't blame her. I just need her to understand that we will be sharing our space -- eventually.
This homestead used to be the only house sitting on over 12 acres of woodland. Now it's footprint is less than an acre yet it still extends to the bottom of the ravine on the back side of the property. Hence why the deer have designed their own pathway right by the house to get from one level of their forest floor to another. I know the reality of having deer as neighbors can be foreboding. In the continued evolution of this fairytale project, having a buck peak in our windows while a doe and her fawns choose our front “yard” as their safe place to slumber is quite enchanting.
Mom, mom, mom…that weird lady is taking pictures of us again.
-photo by dj