In life it's not where you go but who you are with……Charles Shultz
Vagabond Tales- Nothing Stays the Same
August 24, 2026 Maumee Bay State Park Site 162. Oregon, Ohio. Maumee Bay is part of Lake Erie
We are going to do some comparison pictures tonight…Then- June 2023 Now- August 2026
The Boardwalk Trail No dogs allowed! This year, I was more interested in a tick proof outfit! In ‘23 wood and in ‘26 composite.
Early June ‘23 left and late August ‘26 on the right. In June of 2023 Maumee Bay State Park experienced a tornado that caused a lot of damage, specifically along this boardwalk trail. It must have taken place, shortly after we left. They began repairing/ replacing the boardwalk in phases. We did not see any work going on during our walk today but to our own eyes, they have replaced the entire walk. Also, in the following picture, you will note many dead standing trees, probably tornado related.
The waterway was quite open in ‘ 23 allowing all types of waterfowl. This year it was practically choked with rushes and cattails. Perhaps the loss of trees or the construction work did reduce the wildlife we saw today, from what we saw in ‘23. Colin, these Trumpeter Swan picture are for you. They were taken by me in 2023. We hunted several places today and were coming up empty, so I thought you might like to see them with their cygnets!They were very careful to keep their cygnets between them! I’m thinking, they may not have stayed in this region after the babies could fly and they will return late fall to find mates and winter here in the waterways. Some of the same plants are still thriving. The left is the Button Bush in the spring and the reddish ones on the right are August this year!Top- Reed in ‘23 late spring. Bottom-Reed in ‘26 in late AugustNo flowers blooming in ‘23 but in ‘26. We saw … left- swamp Rose Hibiscus…these were everywhere. Right top…Queen Anne’s Lace. Middle- A grouping of Purple Loosestrife. Bottom- Purple Loosestrife- this one is an invasive species in the Great Lake Region wetlands. A fun new addition to the Boardwalk trail…The Eagles nest! Once you climb it, you can see Lake Erie off in the far distance!
Still on the Trumpeter Swan Hunt Howard Marsh Metro Park
We found some new areas to explore in hopes of finding the illusive Trumpeter Swan. The Madewell Trail was fabulous! We wished we had more time to explore and they allowed Finn McCool entry! Yay! This was an amazing place to walk, very flat graveled walkways and boardwalks!
The White egret was in every waterway.A sunset for you from our camper Site 162!
hkdorr 
I love the comparison pictures. Karen, you haven’t changed at all! The scenery is just beautiful. Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures.♥️
Ha…a close up would say different!😄. Thank you! 🩷K
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Are you all okay? Haven’t heard from you since Monday.♥️
Great to talk to you today! We are parked, had dinner and are now relaxing! 🩷K!
Glad you are at your destination for today! Loved talking to you!
Me, too! Saw you were asking for dates. I will try to get them to you by tomorrow! ❤️K.