There is a story behind every picture I take. Those are my legs in this sycamore tree on Blennerhassett Island, on the Ohio River, which borders Ohio and West Virginia. This was one of our stops on our trip to West Virginia.
The day before, we would visit the Biggest Tree in West Virginia. A sycamore tree leaned over the road, making for a nice drive in the mountains. We had never encountered a tree like this before, and one of the goals of our first trip this far south into the USA was to see as many different animals and plants as possible.
While on a wagon tour of this island, we would learn that sycamore trees can get huge. There is a story that once a sycamore grew so large that the hollow inside was large enough for a dinner party of 18 to comfortably sit around a table. Such trees no longer exist, but there was a tree on this island that someone could comfortably stand inside.
Naturally, I took a mental note of the tree and its location so that I could go inside. I have never been inside a tree, and I suspect most people will be able to claim the same. Travelling is about gaining new experiences, and I had to experience standing in a tree.
But I am a scaredy cat.
I am not too comfortable with surprises. I did not want to climb into a tree only to discover it was filled with bats, snakes, rats, bugs and the Mothman. My wife took a video of me cautiously entering the tree. After noticing it was “safe,” I crawled in and enjoyed the experience.
Truthfully, it was dark, and there was not much to see. I failed to turn on the flash on my camera.
After correcting this mistake, I was able to take a picture of the inside, looking up.
Standing in a tree was everything like I imagined it would be: nothing much.
But I did it. I have been inside a sycamore tree on Blennerhassett Island on the Ohio River. A new experience that I can add to my ever-growing list of things we have done.
- Blennerhassett Island is only accessible by boat. The building to purchase tickets also houses an extensive local museum. It is well worth visiting. We did part of it before our boat ride and returned to finish.
- The ticket price includes a mansion. George Washington visited this island and its mansion.
- Touring the island and all it holds is included in the ticket price. It is well worth the admission and access to the sycamore, and inside the sycamore tree is an added bonus.
- Check out my map, All The Places We Have Been To, to see other great places to explore and have new experiences.
