One of my favorite parts about being out in nature is imagining a group of hobbits traversing similar terrain. I’m always on the lookout for views that remind me of the epic struggle of the War of the Ring, whether it be the tidy gardens of Valparaiso that are so much like the ones decorating Hobbiton or the snow capped peaks of Colorado that bring the Misty Mountains of Tolkien’s story to life. 

This photo was taken at the North Chagrin Reservation in Ohio where a network of earthen paths allow for easy walking among the tall vibrant trees. I couldn’t help thinking of the immense silver barked mallorn trees of Lothlorien, home to the Galadhrim. Nature truly is the stuff of fantasy and has a way of making you believe in magic.