This past June became our hottest June on record breaking a mark that stood since 1952. Before the month slid into history, there was time for one more adventure at the Falls of the Ohio. Rising from the polystyrene and insulating foam, I constructed this little figure to be my guide and companion as we toured the sights together. Here’s his very first picture.
The little Tour Guide’s hat is the cap from a deodorant stick, but it fits his Styrofoam head just right. He offered to take me around to see what we could see on this sweltering day and I offered no resistance. Following are a few of the marvels we came across as we walked the riverbank. The fishing had been particularly good and our guide was able to land a fish of his own. I’m not sure what he used for bait, but this fish is like no other I have seen before. Looking closely, I could see it is made from green foam.
The last high water incident deposited a lot of wood and junk upon the bank and there is plenty to discover. Among the more unusual finds was this wooden Easter Bunny who offered our guide an egg. I’m guessing that this was originally a seasonal yard decoration used in pagan celebrations? With a pink dress, this is obviously the female and it made me wonder what the male looked like and was he carrying an egg too?
Near the rabbit was a truck tire. I know what you are thinking…what could be so special about that? I feature them in this blog all the time. Well, this tire is also a record breaker being the largest one that I have come across in the last seven years I have been working this project. I bet this thing was originally very expensive and now it’s apparently worthless.
It’s usually a treat to find artworks made by others out here. This time our guide showed me a series of sand drawings he came across. I think the one where abstract wavy lines are coming out of a drum is my favorite one. The sand drawing featuring the head with open mouth is a bit naughty and so I’m only showing you part of it. Here are three images in succession.
We moved off of the sandy bank and headed towards the Interpretive Center. The little guide told me that the day lilies were looking especially colorful and I couldn’t wait to see them. I snapped this image of the guide by some very intensely orange blossoms. These flower beds are just past their peak and I’m glad I saw them when I did.
This Fourth of July weekend is shaping up to be cooler and so I’m anticipating being able to work out here a bit longer. Thanks for coming along with us on this outing…we enjoyed showing you the sights. I’ll close for now with this nice image from the day lily garden overlooking the Falls of the Ohio.
Artist at Exit 0 Riverblog 
Hi Al, just made quite a long comment only to lose it all when I submitted it! (so I am copying and pasting this one)
A good post, I love the guide, a robust little fellow by all acounts tougher than he looks to be tramping through the sweltering heat! Glad to see he had the sense to to wear a hat! I love the wooden easter bunny – wonder what times and celebrations it saw – and how many young faces it lit up. Quite sad really to see discarded memories ending up in the river. I am amazed at the very colourful flora to be found by the riverside – does anyone make use of it? or they not allowed to pick it?
Laughed at the drawings (obviously by someone who the heat had affected:) ) The massive tyre – surely there’s a way of recycling those?
Is the new guide permanant? or will he be job sharing his role with others?
Very entertaining post!
Hi Lynda! The Little Tour Guide has moved on. I gave him away as a birthday present to a friend. I guess I’m also sentimental and like you, have a hard time understanding how some things make it into the river.
If the new guide is to be a permanent fixture, perhaps a liver check? The whites of his eyes are so yellow! 🙂 Joking. I thouroughly enjoyed his tour. I thought him to be much taller until he stood beside the tire. Beautiful lillies!
He does look jaundiced doesn’t he? I do look forward to seeing this lily collection every year by the Interpretive Center’s gardens. Last year I did a post about these flowers and posed the question can a flower be art? What do you think? Thanks Leslie for your comment.
Yes….all of nature is art………
al gorman. what a find. i loved your work in college and i love it still.
What a nice blast from the past! How long has it been? Thanks for the kind comment and for visiting the riverblog.