Although it's been quite a challenging and dark year, a rare Christmas star will light up the night just four days before the beloved holiday arrives. Here in Ohio, you can spot this spectacular Christmas star just after sunset on the evening of December 21, 2020. It's a rare celestial event that hasn't occurred since the Middle Ages—and you won't want to miss it.
If you look to the sky on the night of December 21 this year, you'll witness a beautiful phenomenon that's commonly called the Christmas Star.
From the shores of Lake Erie to the banks of the Ohio River, the Christmas Star will shine bright over Ohio this year.
Interestingly enough, the Christmas Star isn't actually a star. It's a rare alignment of Jupiter and Saturn where the planets are so close to one another that they actually appear as one giant star.
Astronomers report that such a close alignment won't happen again until early March 15 of the year 2080.
The Christmas Star name originates from the idea that some astronomers believe that the biblical Star of Bethlehem was also the result of a rare alignment of Jupiter, Saturn and Mars.
This is the same star that serves as the inspiration for Christmas tree toppers around the world.
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Since nearly nothing about the year 2020 has been typical, it's fitting (and maybe a bit magical?) that a rare phenomenon would occur on the Winter Solstice.
While Ohio's nature scene is finally getting a bit of the national recognition it so deserves, our state is home to just one national park. We may be dwarfed by California's nine national parks and Alaska's eight, but The Buckeye State's one-and-only national park is still dazzling.
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Cuyahoga Valley National Park has waterfalls, cliffs comprised of Devonian-era rocks, historic locks and remnants of the Ohio & Erie Canal, and trees estimated to be hundreds of years old! And yet, today, we're going to visit a hidden gem you might not even think twice about: Indigo Lake, a man-made water basin that's fed by natural springs and, as a result, is very clean. This scenic spot is so charming that it just might become your favorite hidden gem in Ohio.
If you've never been to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, you might be surprised to see its historic railroad and old structures. The 32,783-acre space started its life as a national recreation area in the 1970s, and in 2000, it was formally designated as a national park. To fuel its creation, the government gobbled up local land parcels, which resulted in bizarre legends of abandonment and some very necessary cleanup projects. As cleanup wrapped up and the landscape prospered, Mother Nature took the area back over. Nevertheless, old structures still wait to greet visitors if you know where to look.
Dede Fields/AllTrails
Before you even make it to Indigo Lake, you might encounter Indigo Lake Station. While it may look historic, the yellow paint on this station actually distinguishes it as a new structure. (If you explore landmarks like Jaite, don't let this "yellow means new" rule confuse you. It only applies to the train depots!) The building here popped up to support traffic to the surrounding hiking trails, which includes the Towpath Trail, Hale Farm & Village, Beaver Marsh, and Indigo Lake itself.
Like many structures in the national park, Indigo Lake is a monument to human activity in the area. The structure started as a sand and gravel mine known as Gray's Quarry. Quarries, as you may know, often filled with water after their abandonment... or, alternatively, water may have led to its abandonment. It wasn't unusual for miners and quarry workers to hit natural springs underground, which naturally filled up quarries like the Peninsula Quarry right around the corner. This lake, however, was formed when the National Park Service filled it with water. Nowadays, that water supply is indeed fueled by underground springs, making it clear, healthy for indigenous species to thrive in, and beautiful.
Kirsty McIntyre/AllTrails
Locals love this area as a fishing spot. Yes, like the water, fish were introduced to the lake by the National Park Service. As it's 89 feet to the bottom at its deepest point, the small lake is surprisingly spacious for indigenous species to thrive in. That depth also makes this hidden gem in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park a favorite hangout for migratory waterfowl, meaning you might be able to spot some rare species here in the spring and fall.
Interestingly, as winter sets in, humans are the one species you're especially likely to encounter here. The Akron Fire Department's Water Rescue Team uses this spot for ice diving training, a much-needed and lifesaving skill in a place with winters as brutal as ours.
Kirsty McIntyre/AllTrails
In the warmer months, this man-made lake in Ohio is a coveted hiking spot. It's right off the Towpath Trail, a massively long stretch of historic path that follows the route of the old Ohio & Erie Canal. This old waterway was constructed in the 1820s and 1830s, and it really allowed the communities along its path to prosper. This old waterway was how goods were transported before the railroads took over, though a flood in 1913 ultimately spelled its end. Nowadays, it's fascinating to see both the canal remains and the railroad in the area around Peninsula, Ohio. These structures allowed a little middle-of-nowhere community south of Cleveland to thrive before highways were common.
Jessica Misko/AllTrails
Whether you're stopping by to hike or fish, Indigo Lake is a true sight to see. It's one of just two spots in the national park where swimming is not allowed, unfortunately, but you'll still want to sit and soak up the area's natural beauty. Stunning, historic, and boasting a legacy that stretches back to the community's birth and early success, this area is a true hidden gem.
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While you're in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, make sure you budget some time to visit Brandywine Falls. At 65 feet in height, it trickles down rocks that predate the dinosaurs.
My out-of-state friends have teasingly asked, "Why would I want to go to Ohio?" And, boy, do I have a whole list of reasons to visit Ohio! For my more nature-oriented friends, I just have two words: Hocking Hills. While many use the term to refer to Hocking Hills State Park, the entire Hocking Hills region is covered in magnificent structures. And, lately, it's been getting the national recognition it deserves.
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Earlier this year, USA Today rated its Whispering Cave hike the best in the U.S. While it's one of many incredible features in the state park, it's absolutely deserving of this recognition. AllTrails has a map to Whispering Cave that's perfect for planning an in-person visit, but in the meantime, let's take a virtual visit to this magnificent Ohio landmark.
Korban Reiter/AllTrails
If you haven't heard of Whispering Cave, you're not alone! This trail only opened in 2017, and it's still something of a hidden gem... the long-standing and more popular attractions in the region simply beat it out in the average conversation. But once you experience it, you'll know why in-the-know hikers love it so much. With a 300 foot wide recess cave that overlooks a richly forested landscape, stepping inside it is like stepping into a fairytale world.
If the massive cave isn't enough to wow you, a trickle of water that's over 100 feet tall just might do the trick. Like the rest of the Hocking Hills region, Blackhand Sandstone makes up this magnificently massive cave, and its waterfall is seasonal and best observed after a decent rain.
M Fandango/AllTrails
If you're heading out into Hocking Hills, you should expect something of an arduous hike. The landscape here is anything but flat, and many of the trails are rather wild. Wear reliable hiking boots and bring a buddy, and since cell phone serve is spotty in the region, make sure you bring everything you might need. To get to Whispering Cave, you'll take Hemlock Bridge Trail until it forks at the 0.6-mile mark. From there, Whispering Cave Trail will take you another 0.2 miles to your destination. After you take in the splendor of this "best in the U.S." trail, head back toward Hemlock Bridge Trail. This route can take you to Cedar Falls and Old Man's Cave, two magnificent spots that belong on any nature lover's bucket list.
The overhanging cliff above Whispering Cave is truly a sight to behold, and it creates a veil between your private view and the rest of the state park that feels intimate. As this is one of the newer hikes in the park, you might just have the place all to yourself while less-informed hikers hit up the massively popular local landmarks. If that's the case, absolutely take the time to soak up the views. Whispering Cave serves up a dose of pure majesty.
Chad Lewis/AllTrails
This unique hike in Ohio isn't for the faint of heart, as changing elevations and rocky terrain make it a bit of a challenge. Nevertheless, it's an incredible hiking spot that every nature lover should experience at least once. Whether you're a native Ohioan or an out-of-towner stopping by to experience the best of The Buckeye State, you're in for an absolute treat at Whispering Cave.
After your hike, you'll probably work up an appetite. Capt. Ron's Pirate Pizza is the perfect addition to your itinerary, and its customizable pizzas are piled high with toppings to help you fuel up for another day of hiking.
