Song Of India

One of the neat things about the internet is that I can track where (geographically) and how someone got to this blog. For example, I've seen visitors from my own hometown as well as visitors from New Zealand, South Australia, Australia and Chile as well as locations across the United States..

One person, and I have no idea who it is or was, recently used a Google search looking for the theme song for former WBNS radio host Irwin Johnson and landed on this page. I could respond personally if I knew who he or she was, but I don't.

But I do know the answer to the reason for the Google search.

Irwin Johnson, known better locally as the Early Worm because of his morning wake up show used Tommy Dorsey's "Song of India" as his theme song.

For many years, Johnson as the "Early Worm" ruled morning radio Columbus. I don't know when he began that reign, but it continued through the 50's and possibly into the 60's. I don't remember listening to Johnson, but everytime someone mentioned great radio announcers in Columbus, the either the name "The Early Worm" or Irwin Johnson would be among the first to be rattled off.

Tommy Dorsey was the leader of a Big Band when Big Band's were all the rage in the 30's and 40's. Tommy brought to the forefront the talents of Jo Stafford and a scrappy young male vocalist from Hoboken, New Jersey Frank Sinatra.

Like The Early Worm, Dorsey's theme song for openning and closing his national radio programs was "Song of India".

Who knows. Whoever initiated that search may search once again and find their answer.

Update: In reading some old archives of the Columbus Citizen Journal, Irwin Johnson worked for WBNS from 1940 to 1969. When he retired, Bill Hamilton filled the morning show slot.

Columbus Day Hike

On Columbus Day, Diana and I decided to head for the Hocking Hills to enjoy a day outside. Ohio often is overlooked as a place to find natures beauty, but the Hocking Hills region competes with some of the best places to see scenery and enjoy the outdoors.

It was a beautiful but warmer than normal fall day and the fall colors were coming into view. The air was fresh and that special aroma that is uniquely fall was in the air.

Our first stop was Ash Cave.

Ash Cave is the largest recess cave in the state. The photo you're seeing was taken from the top rim of the cave. In wet weather, a small water fall drops from the top rim 90 feet to the small pool below. The floor of the cave is sandy, giving an almost beach like feeling.

Yesterday, three girls were playing in the sand and admitted it was just like beign at the beach.

We decided to walk the trail to Cedar Falls. Unfortunately it was about this time that we discovered the battery in the camera had called it a day and we were not able to take more pictures. However, I have some photos of the falls from a previous trip two years ago.

The signs on the road say the trip from Ash Cave to Cedar Falls is two miles. But our hike through the woods convinced us the trail somehow must be longer. Upon our return home, we learned the trip was three miles each way.

First, after a fairly easy start, the trail does become more ambitious. Not impossible, but if you're out of shape, you know you've been exerting yourself on the trail. We arrived at Cedar Falls about an hour and a half after our start. The photo seen was taken slightly over two years ago after a rain storm. Queer Creek was thundering over the drop into the pool below.

While we were there this time, there was no water spilling over the cliff. Unfortunately, the photo was taken with a cell phone from a distance that didn't make for a clear picture. Note to self, remember to keep the battery charged in the digital camera. The area is quite scenic and peaceful. Unlike nearby and better known Old Mans cave, the Cedar Falls and Ash Cave areas can provide some solitude and quiet in a scenic environment if that's what your seeking.

After exploring the are briefly and taking a short breather at one of the picnic tables, we gathered up our courage for the trip back to Ash Cave and the car.

It was really a neat day.