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Excerpt from April 2009 edition of
OhioTraveler
By Frank R. Satullo
I believe baseball is the greatest sport of all time. On the surface, there’s the game, but to real fans, there are layers to the game and at its core, there’s an inside game that is fascinating.
It isn’t so much the action that compels me but the anticipation of action. Sure in the modern game, casual fans cheer the towering home runs but to me the most beautiful play in the game is stealing home.
Imagine the pent up intensity. The eyeballing of every micro move from pitcher, catcher, third baseman, base runner, third base coach, on deck circle, dugout, umpire and even fans on top of the action in the box seats down the third baseline. As the runner inches down the line and retreats, as the pitcher eyes him and then the plate and him again, voices aloud, voices in the head, the tension builds to the moment it just can’t be contained. The pitcher goes into his windup and the runner breaks for the plate as if someone just shot him from a canon. This is the action after the suspense but it also builds new suspense. For the next three seconds time slows to a crawl and everything is vivid. All five senses dance to life. Sound – silence. Sight – red. Voice – breath. Touch – sweat. Smell – dirt. The play at the plate is going to be close. The third baseman shrieks. The fans gasp and then are dead silent. The pitcher panics after releasing the ball and charges in on the plate as well. The catcher now knows what’s barreling down the line and has to hold his position and wait for the ball. The runner decides his approach – take the plate wide and reach in or try to knock the catcher into the stratosphere. Then, everything speeds up again and in a flash of lightning, ACTION! It is over as soon as it started and the dust is everywhere. Everybody is frozen. More suspense. More anticipation. SILENCE. Then there it is; the culmination of the most beautiful thing in sports. “SAFE!”
I grew up learning about baseball from my Dad and Grandpa. My Grandpa moved to Cleveland from Sicily when he was 7-years-old and probably never missed an Indians game win or lose. If the team did poorly, he was a spectator of individual achievements like a perfect game or a rare sight like the triple play. Nothing beats seeing feats live. The ESPN highlight reel is a poor substitute for totally unexpected live phenomena.
My favorite memory of baseball growing up was when Dad took Grandpa and me to old Municipal Stadium on the Lake Erie shore. Grandpa kept a scorecard. This is another great treat of baseball. Scoring a game on a card is better than taping the game in my mind. There’s an account for most every movement and each scorer develops a style of their own to mark things like how hard or where a ball is hit and other subtleties of the game. It’s a mind opener. Anyway, Dad went to get some foot longs and I sat there with my little league glove next to Grandpa who was pushing 80. I heard the crack of the bat. I saw the ball coming closer. Closer. CLOSER. We were in the upper deck down the third base line. When that ball whizzed directly over my head I yanked back my outstretched glove because I wanted no part of it. The thing looked like a basketball at that moment. I shook Grandpa afterward and screamed “Did you see that!” He grunted, "See what, see what?” He had no clue what just happened. Little did he know that was the moment I became a die-hard fan of the game, the Indians, and Cleveland sports.
Dad started me on my baseball card collection. He would get a pack and I would get a pack (with his money). We kept our collections separate. Then one night he gave me his box of cards. I was stunned. Then I became an addict. I got a paper route to support my addiction. I’d go to the five and dime in our neighborhood in Avon Lake and use all my paper route money whenever I got paid and buyout the supply of cards at the store. Then I’d sit in the parking lot with my friend and we’d go through each pack like it was Christmas morning to see what was there. I’d give him the gum that came with each pack. After a while, I grew tired of getting triples and quadruples of certain cards and wrote a letter to Topps baseball card company asking if there was a way I could just buy one of every card they made that year. I was delighted to receive the news that I could buy the complete set for something like $50. It got expensive when other companies appeared in my consciousness like Fleer, Donruss and Upper Deck. I loved my Oscar Gamble and Toby Harrah cards and missed getting doubles or triples of those cards.
It’s funny, but I don’t remember any of my childhood friends or classmates being Cleveland Indians baseball fans. Maybe it was too painful to admit openly. When Pat Corrales was manager, I was in 10th grade. The Cleveland Plain Dealer ran an essay contest – “Why Do You Like The Indians?” By this age I was reading the sports section daily so I was all over it. And I won! I think back and wonder if I was perhaps the only one who bothered writing an essay. None-the-less, the prize was “dinner with the Indians” and a free ballgame. “Dinner with the Indians” meant I got to eat lunch with a friend at the stadium for the first stop of the winter press tour. Only the manager and a couple players showed up to talk to the room full of reporters and afterward, I got to wait in line and shake some hands. But when we got there, Mom dropped us off and my buddy and I walked in.
When we entered the room we scanned it for a place to sit and this booth, center stage and next to huge windows high above ground outside, had our names on it. Not really but we knew it was ours! Until some lackey in a suit scrambled across the room to us as some old guys and their entourage entered. He said we couldn’t sit there. We said we could. He demanded we move. I said I won the contest. He looked dumbfounded and by this time, the old guys were standing there too. One said “What seems to be the problem?” The scared looking man (lackey) sounded like he had diarrhea of the mouth so I explained. The old man in charge said, “You boys have a good time” and left us to the enormous booth while he and his entourage pulled tables and chairs together. Later he was introduced as Gabe Paul, General Manager of the Cleveland Indians. The other old guy was assistant GM Phil Seghi. Say what you will about those men and how they handled the Indians, but in that brief moment they taught me the success of selflessness in the world of business. On the way out, my friend and I shared an elevator with a rising star named Pat Tabler. He had a girl under each arm and had become a bigger hero of ours than just a moment earlier.
When I returned from overseas after spending a few years in the Army, I lived at home for the summer and decided to coach little league baseball. My old coach was a legend in Avon Lake youth sports and he gave me the opportunity. At 21-years-old, I was able to share my favorite pastime with a new generation. But it was also an eye-opener into the underbelly of youth sports. First, our team stunk. But we did win some games and eventually made the playoffs. But the early part of the season grew frustrating, not for me, but some of the parents. They wanted me to make their kids into little Rick Mannings or Sandy Alomars. Then one game, a father that always sat at the end of the parent line near shallow right field with a cooler, sprang from his lawn chair and charged the umpire (who was only 17-years-old). He was spitting, cussing, and when I finally got my shocked body out there to diffuse him, I was shocked again for the potent smell of alcohol was in the air all around this nut. The commissioner later had me contact the nutty father to notify him he was banned from coming to any other games.
My Dad and I drove to downtown Cleveland to watch the progress on Gateway’s construction when I came home from college. Gateway was the name given to the complex downtown that would house Jacob’s Field, new home to our beloved Tribe.
When I began my career, Major League Baseball went on strike just when the Indians were legitimately competing for the first time in my life. Jacobs Field magic or carryover from the curse of Rocky Calavito? The following year we went to the World Series and my wife became a fan of the Tribe even though she grew up far from C-town. As players from that year did the modern-day shuffle from one team to the next, my wife would track their careers and tell me how Tavarez was doing or Sorrento. Another World Series in 1997 and my wife learned what The Drive and The Shot felt like. Only this time it was one word – MESA!
When the Indians fell back out of favor and we were clearly rebuilding, I took my, then, four-year-old daughter to a game. I gave her the whole experience I grew up with. We got on the Rapid Transit and she loved the train ride. A man plopped down in the seat in front of her and she laughed and pointed and said very loudly, “Dad – look, that man has a comb stuck in his head.” Having survived that uncomfortable event, we walked to the stadium. Then she said, “Dad look, Indians.” And so there were, Native-Americans protesting Chief Wahoo. By the way, my Grandma was a full-blooded Delaware (Lenape). My Dad is half Lenape and half Sicilian. But we respect everyone’s convictions and right to free speech so we chatted a bit and went inside the gate.
I don’t give my kids a lot by today’s standards but I flat out spoiled my daughter on this day. Program – yes. Hot dog – yes. Peanuts – Yes. Cracker Jack – yes. When I tried to show her how to keep a scorecard – NO! Then after all this and three innings, she saw the cotton-candy man and I knew instantly this was her moment that would forever make her a fan. One section over, she followed him with her eyes. Then she asked questions about this strange sight and knew she had to have cotton candy. Half an inning later she was twisted backward thumping my shoulder without looking as she panted, “He’s coming Dad. Dad here he comes.” So I decided to make her earn this treat and said that she had to get his attention to come down here or she’s out of luck. She asked how to do it and I said just yell “Cotton Candy Here.” And she did! LOUDLY and REPEATEDLY. She handled the entire transaction herself and when she was done, like she needed it, many in our section gave her a standing ovation.
Gone are Thome, Belle, Ramirez, Visquel and in were a fresh batch of kids making noise. In 2007 I found myself far away from the shoreline I called home. But a business trip brought me back for a night. My Dad and I watched the Tribe win a huge ALCS game against Boston putting us one win from another World Series. It was a special night I’ll remember. Just the two of us watching the game alone in his family room, cheering, reminiscing, analyzing, talking, and having the time of our lives. When I returned home, my son met me at the door donning his Sizemore jersey and Wahoo cap eager to share something he learned to sing at school – “Take Me Out To The Ball Game …”
You can start your great American family pastime all over Ohio at
Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, Toledo Mud Hens, Akron Aeros, Lake County Captains, Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Columbus Clippers and Dayton Dragons. For those that want a fascinating look at the history of the game, visit Ohio Village Muffins, read Baseball Anecdotes, or rent the 10-pack DVD set – Baseball.By Frank R. Satullo, The OhioTraveler
Printout: Ohio Baseball
TROPHY BUCKS IN COSHOCTON,
OHIO
Ohio's #1 Place to Hunt Deer
Excerpt from past edition of OhioTraveler eMagazine by Jan Myers
If you're looking to tag a big buck this season, then
"I believe that over the next five years, we will have a near world-record
buck come out of this county," said
Andy Hershner, Wildlife Technician at Woodbury Wildlife Area feels
Coshocton County is blessed to not only have a large supply of quality
deer, but plenty of easy access on over
"The biggest trend we've seen at Woodbury Wildlife is the number of
non-Ohio residents hunting here," said Hershner. "We not only see a lot
of hunters from the big
Hershner says other hunting is popular in the area including coyote (year-round), turkey, squirrel and rabbit. "We also have 150 stocked ponds at Woodbury Wildlife and see a large number of fisherman and even ice fishing in the winter," he added. "We've also seen a significant increase in archery activity for deer hunting lately. There is more skill involved and the archery season is much longer and therefore a lot less crowded."
A handicapped accessible road and area has just been installed at Woodbury Wildlife for those hunters who qualify for a handicapped permit. Contact 1-800-WILDLIFE for information.
Primitive camping is available at Woodbury Wildlife Area and at many of
the other public lands in
Hunters can also find other lodging options are listed at
www.visitcoshocton.com. For more
information on hunting in Coshocton
By Jan Myers
Printout: Coshocton Deer Hunting
LAZER KRAZE FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT CENTERS
(Admission: Laser Tag - 1 mission $8, 2 missions $14, 3 mission $17. Inflatables
- open play $8, open w/ 2 mission laser tag purchase $4. Spider Climbing - 1
climb $5, 1 climb for 2 people $8. Arcade Video Games - most games 1 or 2
tokens)
Open Year Around – See website for open play inflatable times
Deerfield Township Location: 3187 Western Row Rd, Maineville Ohio 45039 - 513-339-1030
Erlanger Location: 1335 Donaldson Hwy, Erlanger Ky 41018 - 859-371-KRAZ (5729)
Lazer Kraze has two great locations serving the Greater Cincinnati area. This one-of-a-kind entertainment center features a huge 3DX Scenic Studio themed multi-level laser tag arena in Erlanger, KY and a true Tri-level "Wow Effect" laser tag arena with 3 distinct playing levels near Kings Island in Deerfield Township, Ohio. Both feature the largest laser tag systems available in the Southwest Ohio tri-state area and the top-selling laser tag system in the world, huge arcades (most games just 1 or 2 tokens!), fresh-made pizzas, snack bars and PRIVATE event/party rooms. The Erlanger location also features a HUGE inflatables room, Galactic Gaming with 4 linked Xbox360 games for up to 16 players at once, Wii with Rockband and Guitar hero, and Magnetic Spider Climbing. With both large and small meeting rooms and 40-vest systems, we can host your birthday party, group event, lock-in, corporate team-building event, offsite meeting, and team celebration whatever the size!
Printout: Lazer Kraze
This Southwest Ohio working farm is loaded with things to do but one of the most popular is paintball! It features Lighted Field, Ultimate Air, Woods, Speedball, X Ball, Hyper Ball, Rentals, Paint, CO2, Compressed Air, and Supplies.
Open play is Saturday 11am – 5pm and Sunday 1-5pm. Other times by request. Private parties welcome. Weekend and season passes plus gift certificates are available. It’s a great idea for company events, birthdays, bachelor & bachelorette parties. Large groups (15 or more) requiring rentals should call in advance so that enough equipment can be prepared for the entire party.
Excerpt from April 2009 edition of OhioTraveler by Frank R. Satullo
OHIO PAINTBALL
COUNTRY
(PLAY VIDEO)
The
Niederman Family Farm is being saved one paintball game at a time.
What began with a handful of locals asking to play paintball in an old cow pasture on a 210 acre farm has turned into nine sophisticated paintball courses attracting several hundred players for some games.
“One day we’re sitting around the supper table racking our brains for ideas to save the farm and the next we’re knee deep in paintball requests,” said Bob Niederman.
In order to generate a new form of revenue to preserve life on his family farm, Bob dove into the opportunity to meet the demand of paintball enthusiasts. He signed up for a paintball safety course having never played the game of paintball in his life. Then he added bales of hay and straw, old water tanks, cast off farm equipment and anything else he could rummage to create bunkers for players to seek protection from enemy fire.
The early days in 2000 required a complete family effort. The Niederman children were occasionally summoned to play a game of paintball when teams needed an extra player to have even sides. Players must be at least ten years old and everyone participating has to sign a waiver.
The paintball venture snowballed.
In addition to working the fields of agriculture Monday through Friday, Bob Niederman now has to work the fields of paint Saturdays and Sundays.
“We have come a long way and now host major tournaments and themed events that range from Star Wars to Wizard of Oz,” said Bob Niederman.
Niederman Family Farm has everything anyone needs to play paintball: Safety goggles, guns, paintballs and anything else to suit up and join the fun. They get a lot of walk-ins. Those players are added to groups on various courses throughout the farm according to skill level. Any size group can reserve a field of play. Group events include church outings, bachelor and birthday parties, and corporate team building exercises, family reunions, youth day camps, and sports teams.
“One of the nice things about reserving a field for a special occasion is that the game goes on no matter the weather conditions,” said Bethann Niederman. “Plus we have covered pavilions, and barns to keep everyone dry for parties while not on the field of play. Besides, some believe the nastier the conditions, the more fun the game.”
Niederman Family Farm’s paintball courses are open year-round on weekends. There are about 50 players any given Saturday or Sunday. Groups may also play weekdays by reservation only.
About Paintball
Paintball has rapidly become one of the world's most popular outdoor participation sports. Players include anyone from housewives to high-school students.
A paintball has a thin outer skin with colored liquid inside it resembling a gelatin-like capsule. The liquid interior is non-toxic, non-caustic, water-soluble and biodegradable. It rinses out of clothing and off skin with mild soap and water.
Paintball is a very safe sport as long as safety rules are followed. Referees on the field enforce safety with strict game rules. Each player is required to wear safety goggles at all times. The rifle is an air gun. Players are eliminated when a paintball splats on them. Being hit by a paintball leaves a bright colored paint mark on the clothes and can sometimes sting, leaving a little bit of redness on the skin.
About Niederman Family Farm
Niederman Family Farm, surrounded by a burgeoning suburbia, is a working farm that invites the public to see an American culture of yesteryear. In its fourth generation, the Niederman’s have been educating families, school children and groups about farm life for more than a decade.
This season, Niederman Family Farm’s 210 acres will offer more than ever before. In addition to farm tours, the Niederman’s provide hayrides and allow visitors to plant pumpkins to come back and pick in fall during the Harvest Moon Maze fall festival. There’s plenty of livestock to see and fun to be had. After all, it is a working farm.
Ongoing activities feature barn rentals, primitive cabins (with heat and air), bonfire pits, paintball courses, and many seasonal events. Group accommodations are routinely made for families, Mom’s clubs, school groups, day care centers and home school groups. The Niederman’s also accommodate large family reunions and corporate events in a restored 1890s barn with modern amenities.
If one day isn’t long enough to take in the relaxing sights and sounds of farm life, stay a night at the Gregory Creek Inn Bed & Breakfast located at the farm.
Niederman Family Farm is located at 5110 LeSourdsville-West Chester Road in Liberty Township, Ohio between Cincinnati and Dayton. Reservations are required. Call 513-779-6184 or visit www.niedermanfamilyfarm.com.
By Frank R. Satullo, OhioTraveler
Printout: Ohio Paintball Country
MONSTER MINI
GOLF
(Admission: $5.50, $6.50, or $7.50 depending on height)
Open Year Round
7058 Ridgetop Drive West Chester, OH 45069
513-759-5400
10,000 sq feet of indoor 18 hole Monster themed Glow-in-the-Dark Mini Golf complete with cool special effects, great music, state of the art Arcade Games, Glow Air Hockey, tons of Redemption games with great prizes and a Mini Golf experience like you’ve never had before! Monster Golf is high energy, 3 dimensional Mini Golf. We even take it a step further and add a live DJ that not only is a little weird but gives away prizes for some of the craziest reasons! Great place for Birthday Parties and Corporate Events with 2 Private very Posh Party Rooms!
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Cedar
Point Amusement Park & Resort |
Toboganning | Wake Nation |
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Open: May - October
Location: Sandusky, Ohio, between Cleveland and Toledo
Phone: 419-627-2350
Cedar Point is a 364-acre amusement park/resort that is home to the most exhilarating collection of thrill rides and roller coasters on Earth. Featuring some of the tallest and fastest scream machines around, this thrill-seeker's paradise also boasts a huge outdoor waterpark (Soak City); four resort hotels; luxury RV campground with cottages and cabins; two large marinas; outdoor entertainment complex featuring go-karts, mini golf and more (Challenge Park); award-winning live shows; gift shops; delicious eateries; four giant kids’ areas and more.
PREHISTORIC FOREST AND MYSTERY
HILL
(Admission is $7.95 for adults and $5.95 for both seniors and children.)
Open: Daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (During May and September only open on weekends.)
Location: 8232 East Harbor Road in Marblehead, OH 43440
Phone: 419-798-5230
The Prehistoric Forest offers an imitation volcano with a 35 foot waterfall. The volcano will shake and smoke. The tour of the 10 acre natural forest offers a variety of surprises on the way such as replica dinosaur nests complete with eggs and dinosaur bones as well. The park offers life size replicas of many dinosaurs such as the Tyrannosaurus Rex and Triceratops and also a variety of living animals because the park is natural. Finally visitors will be offered the opportunity to participate in their own dig; uncovering bones, fossils, and footprints. Mystery Hill is also part of the same park and has some very unique features of its own. Visitors can witness water running up hill, a pendulum that will only swing to the south, and a ball that rolls up hill and will not roll back down. At the vortex of the hill visitors sense of balance may be pushed to the limit as most people will seemingly change height right before ones eyes. The park also offers a girt shop, picnic tables in the woods, and water balloon cages to provide an escape from the heat.
Printout: Prehistoric Forest and Mystery Hill
Welcome to the only public ice chutes in the state!
Experience the winter thrill ride of Ohio – tobogganing down two steep refrigerated ice chutes that operate whether or not snow is on the ground. Located at Mill Stream Run Reservation in Strongsville, Ohio, people of all ages have found heart-racing excitement here for decades.
Riders climb aboard a traditional wooden toboggan, but that’s where the tradition ends . . . The two toboggan chutes are approximately 1,000 icy feet long with an initial vertical drop of 70 feet. It’s a fast, fun and furious ride.
The public tobogganing hours are: Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays from 6p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturdays from Noon to 10:30 p.m., and Sundays from Noon to 5 p.m.
The admission fee for tobogganing is $8 for adults and $6 for children, 11 & under, and includes unlimited toboggan rides for the day. One-time ride tickets are available for $3.
All riders must wear gloves or mittens. Children must be at least 42 inches tall to ride and must be accompanied by an adult. Personal toboggans are not allowed at the facility.
In addition to tobogganing, the Chalet Recreation Area facility features two fireplaces (indoor and outdoor), a main gathering area with a large-screen television, a snack bar, a loft area with video games, and indoor restrooms.
Group discount rates, for 20 or more people, are available during public hours. Groups must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance. Group rates are not valid for season pass holders.
The Chalet Recreation Area, including the toboggan chutes, can also be rented for private, exclusive use during non-public hours.
The Chalet Recreation Area is located on Valley Parkway in Cleveland Metro Parks Mill Stream Run Reservation, between Routes 42 and 82 in Strongsville - just a short distance from I-71 and the Ohio Turnpike. For more information and to make group or private rental reservations, call 440-572-9990.
OZONE ZIPLINE ADVENTURES
(Admission: $75/person – tour lasts 2.5 – 3 hours)
Open: Daily from Memorial Day Weekend through December
Location: 5291 State Route 350 • Oregonia, OH
Phone: 513-932-3756
http://www.ozonezips.org/ or http://www.ohioslargestplayground.com/zipline
Ozone ZipLine Adventures in Warren County, Ohio is the largest zipline tour in the Midwest. It includes some of the longest single zipline runs in the U.S.
Consists of 10 zip lines connecting across the canopy of the Little Miami River Valley. This will give participants more than 10,000 feet of zipping at heights up to from 15 feet to 220 feet above the ground. The lengths of the lines vary from 220 feet to 1200 feet long. The tours include A 50 foot Zip tower, nine sky bridges and on the extended tour a 300 foot nature trail.
Ozone ZipLine Adventure also includes an educational component. Tour guides share information with riders about Ohio history, ecology of the region, basic physics of “zipping” and information about Fort Ancient State Park. Two types of tours are available. Tradition tour takes about 3 hours and the extended tour takes about 4 hours.
Printout:
Zip Lining
WAKE NATION
CINCINNATI
(Admission: $20 for 1 hour, $25 for 2 hours, $30 for 4 hours, $35
for all day)
Open: May 1 daily through October, 10 a.m.- dark.
Location: 201 Joe Nuxhall Way in Fairfield, Ohio 45014 at Joyce Park
Phone: 513-887-WAKE
Web: www.wakenation.com
Incredible new watersports complex unlike anything else in the Midwest! Hit the water in a whole new way - wakeboarding, water skiing, kneeboarding, and wakeskating using a high-tech cable system, all WITHOUT A BOAT! From 10 years old up, from first-timers to experienced wakeboarders. Just bring your bathing suit-everything else is available on site. Great for family & friends because seven riders can be on the lake at the same time.
Printout: Wake Nation
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African Safari Wildlife Park
(Admission: Main Season Regular Admission 7 years and older $16.95
Children 3-6 years old $10.95 Off Season Regular Admision 7 years and
older $13.95 Children 3-6 years old $7.95 2 and younger are Free)
Come for a day of fun, education, and entertainment. Home of over 400 of the world’s most beautiful and exotic animals. Make sure you bring your camera, you view and may feed the animals from the comfort of your own vehicle in our Drive Through Section. Our 100-acre preserve is something you don’t want to miss. The pay-one-price admission includes our drive-thru safari and safari junction walk-thru. The Walk Through has many exhibited animals. We also offer from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Pony Rides, Camel Rides, Animal Shows and Pig Races. Kids won’t want to leave there is so much to do! We are located 17 miles west of Cedar Point.
Printout: African Safari Wildlife Park
Admission:
$6.00 Adults ages 13-64, $5.00 Seniors ages 65+, $4.50 Children ages 4-12 and
Children 3 & under are free with an adult
Hours: May 1 through September 30 from Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday: Noon - 5 p.m.
Location: 11455 Obee Road, Whitehouse, Ohio 43571
Phone: 419-877-2733
Web Site: http://butterfly-house.com
Come and visit the enchanting world of butterflies at The Butterfly House. The air conditioned Visitor Center is filled with educational information about our numerous butterflies and offers a gift shop. The outdoor butterfly gardens and other habitat have been created to promote increased population of the local species. Many people pack a picnic lunch and are welcome to use the outside picnic tables. The Butterfly House is handicap accessible and is equipped to serve groups of all different sizes. Prior scheduling is requested to insure maximum comfort. The average length of stay in The Butterfly House is approximately 45 minutes. Get eye-to-eye with a Butterfly. Hundreds of live butterflies from North America, Central America and Asia in free flight in a beautiful, indoor garden setting. We look forward to seeing you!
Printout: The Butterfly House
Admission is FREE for Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township residents on Mondays ONLY. (If a legal holiday falls on a Monday, an admission is charged but the FREE day will apply on the next day – Tuesday instead)
Ready for safari? This is no ordinary zoo. It lays claim to the largest collection of primate species in North America. In addition, there are thousands of other animals to see, hear and yes, smell throughout nearly 170 acres of discovery. The zoo also features an Australian Adventure and enormous two-acre indoor tropical rainforest. The Australian Adventure is designed for children and has many unique sites, sounds and activities available for its little explorers. And the rainforest captures the mood just right with its towering waterfall entrance to a room that rains every 15 minutes. It comes complete with wildlife, including animals and plants.
Printout:
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
and Rainforest
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Admission: Adults
$12.95, Seniors (62 and over) $10.95, Children (2-12) $7.95
Parking:
$6.50
Open: Open daily 9
a.m. (Except during Festival of Lights). Call 1-800-94 –HIPPO or 513-475-6124 or
visit our website at
www.cincinnatizoo.org for information on
current hours and details on special events for the entire family.
Location: 3400 Vine
Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220-1399. Located 10 minutes from downtown, with easy
access from three major interstates: From I-71 South – Take Dana Avenue Exit
(#5).
From I-75
North or South – Take Mitchell Avenue Exit (#6). From I-74 – Take I-75 North to
Mitchell Avenue Exit (#6).
Phone: 1-800-94-HIPPO or 513-475-6124
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden was rated the #1 attraction locally and one of the top 10 zoos in the nation by Zagat Survey. It has also been recognized by Child Magazine as one of “The 10 Best Zoos for Kids. ”Over 1.2 million people visit the Zoo’s award-winning exhibits, 500 animal and 3,000 plant species annually. Whether you are seeing polar bears at Lords of the Arctic, bonobo and orangutans in Jungle Trails, elephants, giraffe and okapi at Vanishing Giants, manatees at Manatee Springs or gorillas at Gorilla World, you will have an enjoyable day visiting animals from every continent and over 20 lush gardens.
Kids will love the train and shuttle rides as well as the Zoo’s Carousel and Children’s Zoo. The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is the number one family attraction in town. Don’t miss it!
Printout:
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Admission: Adults ages 10-59 = $12; Children ages 2-9 and adults 60+ = $7; Children under 2 years of age = Free
Parking: $5 per car
Open: 365 days a year. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Labor Day - Memorial Day weekend. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Memorial Day weekend - Labor Day. 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Wednesdays mid-June to mid-August
Location: 4850 W. Powell Rd., Powell, Ohio 43065 (This is our physical address. The 9990 address is our mailing address)
Phone: (614) 645-3550
Visitors of all ages find adventure in our naturalistic wildlife habitats with hundreds of species from around the globe. See our world famous gorilla family, experience one of the three venues outside the state of Florida to house and rehabilitate manatees and see the Zoo that Jack Hanna made famous.
Our newest region is Asia Quest, and true to its name, every experience is a quest to find the amazing diversity of animals including sun bears, giant fruit bats and Siberian tigers, langur monkeys, fruit bats (you listed fruit bats twice. Please delete one) and the world's largest snake in a zoo, a python named "Fluffy". There's also the 100,000 gallon Discovery Reef that features colorful fish and unique sharks.
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Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
Elk Ridge Game Farm
Bucyrus, Ohio
419-562-0195 (evenings)
419-562-9997 (clubhouse)
They will strive to provide a quality hunt as close to the wild as possible. You are encouraged to bring your own dog or use their experienced guides and dogs to provide quality hunting every time. Their excellent bird holding cover of 400 acres consist of a mixture of warm season prairie grass, sorghum and farmland. Their season runs from September 1st to April 1st and their open 7 days a week. The hunts consist of morning (8:30 - 12:00) and afternoon (1:00 - 4:30) and are by reservation only. Hunts are booked on a first come first serve basis.
Printout: Elk Ridge Game Farm for Hunters in Ohio
Admission:
$9.00 Adults (ages 12- 59) $6.00 Children (ages 2 - 11) and Seniors (60+) FREE
for Members and Children under 2 years; free for all Lucas County residents on
Mondays between 10 a.m. and noon (must have valid ID; does not apply on
holidays)
Parking: $5.00 per vehicle
Open: every day
except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. May 1 -
Labor Day. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Labor Day - April 30
Location: 2700
Broadway, Toledo, Ohio 43609 (mailing address: P.O. Box 140130, Toledo, Ohio,
43614)
Phone: (419) 385-5721
This is not your ordinary zoo, folks. For starters, Toledo Zoo houses an
internationally-famous Hippoquarium®, where observers watch from inches away as
hippos swim and play in their 360,000-gallon glass-sided pool. Other exhibits
that make this zoo special are Arctic Encounter, Frog Town, Cheetah Valley, and
Primate Forest. The newest exhibit, Africa!, which opened in May of 2004,
features free-roaming African animals such as giraffes, zebras, wildebeests,
impalas, wild dogs, and ostriches, and can be enjoyed from an observation deck
or the guided Safari train that circles the exhibit itself.
Youngsters will especially enjoy riding the African animal carousel (made in Mansfield, Ohio), playing on the playground, visiting the Museum of Science, and petting the animals in the Children’s Zoo. And then there’s the food; 13 (yes, 13) eateries that include an outdoor gourmet restaurant, a barbeque pavilion, and a cafeteria built inside the former lion house. Who needs McDonald’s?
Printout: Toledo Zoo
The Wilds
(Safari Transport Tours: $20/adult, $19 seniors, $15 children, and children 3
and under free. Open-Air Safaris: $27 per person. All rates subject to change)
Open: Saturdays and Sundays in May, September, and October; and daily June through August. Hours 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: 14000 International Road in Cumberland, OH 43732
Phone: 740-638-5030
The Wilds is one of the largest and most innovative wildlife conservation centers in the world. Located on nearly 10,000 acres in southeast Ohio, it is home to rare and endangered species from around the world, like rhinos, giraffes, and cheetahs, living in natural, open-range habitat, as well as home to hundreds of indigenous species. In addition to innovative, in-depth science and education programs, the Wilds offers guided safari tour experiences to the public on selected days May through October.
Printout: The Wilds
MAN-MADE AND WITHSTANDING THE TEST OF TIME
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In the name of progress, we must build and leave our mark behind. And if built well enough, it’ll stay a very long time.
Buckeye Furnace
Admission is Free
Built in 1852, this reconstructed charcoal-fired iron blast furnace is a site to see. It includes an original stack. The site includes a reconstructed casting shed, an engine house and former company store. Furnaces such as that found here were used for producing iron. The 270-acre park-site includes hiking trails.
Printout:
Buckeye Furnace
There is just something about a covered bridge that attracts us. It may be the untold- history hinted at by its weathered look or the distinct architectural craftsmanship that sets one apart from the other. My goodness, there’s even been a feature film about covered bridges. Okay, maybe Bridges of Madison County wasn’t exactly about the covered bridges. In any case, Ohio has many covered bridges – most old and historic and some new. There are various resources to learn the history of these bridges and where to find them. It makes for a great driving-tour. For more information, visit the following Web sites:
Printout: Article about Preble County and Montgomery County Covered Bridges plus the above information about Ohio Covered Bridges, Ashtabula County Covered Bridges, Fairfield County Covered Bridges and More Covered Bridges in Ohio
The Ohio Statehouse
Admission is Free
The statehouse is more than a modern day functional meeting place for government officials, it is wrought with historical significance and is one of the oldest working statehouses left in the country. In addition to tours offered to see where and how the state’s government officials operate, visitors can enjoy touch-screen kiosks for interactive presentations and view additional educational displays offering much to share about the state’s civic milestones and Ohio history.
Printout:
The Ohio Statehouse
Lockington Locks
Admission is Free
As part of the Miami and Erie Canal system connecting the Ohio River in Cincinnati to Lake Erie in Toledo, these five stair-step locks were vital to transportation and water supply in the mid nineteenth century. Today, the locks lead to Loramie Creek. The sites remains include the abutments and aqueducts of the locks as well as the dry-lock basin and lockmaster’s home.
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Lockington Locks
Leo Petroglyth
Admission is Free
Some 37 inscriptions in sandstone mark the ancient culture of the Fort Ancient Indians dating between the years 1000 and 1650. The drawings, who’s meanings have not yet been translated, are of Indians and animals representing the time and region. Today, visitors can view these creations as well as a scenic ravine, gorge and cliffs.
Printout:
Leo Petroglyths
Inscription Rock
Admission is Free
Archeologists believe that these prehistoric Indian rock inscriptions date between 1200 and 1600. Much of the 32 X 21 foot rock has been eroded through time by the lake but a roof has since been built to preserve what’s left and a viewing platform for created for visitors to appreciate the remains. The drawings are of people and animals carved into limestone. It was discovered in 1833.
Printout:
Inscription Rock
This is the historic battle site where General Anthony Wayne had a decisive victory resulting in the Indians of the Northwest Territory signing the Treaty of Greenville. The treaty gave the southern and eastern regions of Ohio to the settlers. The name Fallen Timbers was derived due to a massive windstorm knocking down trees just before the battle. The park also has a monument honoring Wayne, the soldiers and Indians who died there.
Printout:
Fallen Timbers
Come see the stars. And I don’t mean Hollywood’s. Hey, you may even make a discovery of a new planet, see a meteor or just star-gaze at the constellations. In any case, Mt. Lookout Observatory was the first professional observatory in the country. And it holds a capacity of 40 people. Reservations required.
Printout:
Mount Lookout Observatory
Perry's Cave Family Fun Center
(Admission:
$7.00 for adults, $3.50 for children 6-12, 6 and under are free)
The Duggan family of Put-in-Bay continues to add to its array of family attractions at Perry's Cave Family Fun Center. The new Butterfly House at Put-in-Bay joins Perry’s Cave & Gemstone Mining, The War of 18-Holes Mini-golf course, 25-ft Rock Climbing Wall and The Antique Car Museum as additions to the Family Fun Center in the past three years.
Visitors can walk among hundreds of colorful, exotic butterflies from North and Central America, as well as Asia, while enjoying the enchanting, instrumental background music. The butterflies dance, court and feed all around guests as they wind their way through the 4000-square foot greenhouse, among beautiful flowers, plants and bushes, selected specifically for their ability to attract and nourish butterflies. The adjacent, brand-new gift shop covers 5000 square feet with something for everyone.
The Butterfly House at Put-in-Bay, as well as Perry’s Cave, can accommodate school groups, scouts, corporate outings or other gatherings for a fun, unique and educational experience. There are shaded picnic areas and gas grills for guest use. A new concession diner is planned for Summer 2005.
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Perry's Cave Family Fun CenterWalk through 120 wooded acres featuring the Stations of the Cross and enjoy many shrines and grottos, and all the beauty of nature in a peaceful atmosphere. This historic shrine established in 1850 is the oldest place of pilgrimage dedicated to Mary in the Midwest. The shrine grounds have more than 40 points of interest including the famous open air Pieta chapel built in 1968. Visit the grounds, pilgrimage center, cafeteria and gift shop (all handicap accessible). Personal and group pilgrimages are scheduled year round and special events run from April through October. The shrine's scheduled masses are Saturdays at 11am and 4pm, Sundays 9:00am and 11:00am, and weekdays at 11 am. Confessions are held a half hour prior to masses.
Printout: Sorrowful Mother Shrine
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Well, maybe not “mounds of fun” but certainly mounds of history. The following are ancient burial grounds of various prehistoric Indians throughout Ohio.
Visitors may make the 116 foot climb to the top of this historic mound to capture a panoramic view of the 37-acre park. This burial mound is the largest discovered in Ohio and measures 877 feet around. It was built by the Adena Indians between 800 B.C. and 100 A.D.
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Miamisburg Mound
Built by the Hopwell Indians between 100 B.C. and 500 A.D., this historic complex of burial mounds and earthworks were once one of the most impressive discovered in the U.S. Today, there are still walls adjoining the mounds in the 20-acre circular embankment. Additional smaller mounds are also found opposite the openings within the Octagonal works.
Printout:
Octagonal Earthworks
This is the central burial earthwork in what was once a much larger complex built by the Hopewell Indians between 100 B.C. and 500 A.D. Today, this geometrical archeological discovery measures 240 feet by 130 feet and stands about 30 feet high. Archeologists’ discoveries of artifacts buried with the Indians at this site indicate that the Hopwell’s were very advanced for their time in developing crafts. The location of addition structures, no longer existent, are outlined with markers to provide visitors with a perspective of what the entire site once looked like.
Printout:
Seip Mound
Filled with
mystery and surrounded by nature’s splendor, the largest and most famous Indian
effigy mound in North America awaits. Serpent Mound is one of the oldest
unsolved mysteries challenging scientists to unravel the mystique of the winding
earthen snake some 1,300 feet long, 25 feet wide, 5 feet high and more than
1,000 years old.
Who built this fascinating earthwork, when and why? These questions have plagued scientists for more than a century.
Today, visitors from around the globe descend on Peebles, Ohio to take in the impressive view of the massive winding earthwork from high atop a tower or along a walkway hugging the serpent’s twisted body. The Serpent Mound Museum hosts captivating illustrations and stories of the mound, the theories behind its history. The park itself includes other ancient mounds and a breathtaking view of a geological anomaly, five miles in diameter, believed to have been caused by a meteorite or volcanic explosion, despite the lack of any volcanic or meteorite evidence. Much like the Great Serpent slithering toward the edge of this grand bluff, it remains a mystery.
Printout:
Serpent Mound
Built by the Adena Indians approximately 2,000 years ago, it is currently a grass-covered hill 100 foot in diameter and nearly 20 feet high. There are steps leading to the top.
Printout:
Shrum Mound
Story Mound is a prehistoric burial mound dating between 800 B.C. and 100 A.D. It was built by the Adena Indians as a ceremonial place. It is currently nearly 100 feet in diameter and twenty feet high covering almost an acre. It is of note to archeologists because it represents the first documented example of such a structure connected to the Adena’s. It was excavated in 1897.
Printout:
Story Mound
These geometrical enclosures were built by the Hopewell Indians between 100 B.C. and 500 A.D. They had religious and social significance to the Indians of the time. The remains measure approximately 50 feet in length. And although city expansion and development has eliminated portions of the Wright Earthworks’ original mounds and walls, vital parts of the complex have been preserved.
Printout: The Wright Earthworks
BACK TO NATURE & AMISH COUNTRY & MORE
Ohio is certainly blessed with many nature centers. This is a perfect afternoon diversion for nature-lovers, children or those that simply need a quite escape. Although some nature centers charge admission, most do not. It is recommended that you contact your local parks division or visitors bureau to find what’s available nearby or simply check the entertainment section of your local newspaper. Although many nature centers appear to be similar, they each have their own distinctive touch. Also, many unique activities occur weekly at these little community jewels – and some are free.
Here are some of the highlights you may find at your nature center:
Printout:
Ohio Nature Centers
Akron Metro Parks Hiking Club
Fee: Free unless you join – then it’s $10 per year for singles; $12.50 for families
When: See monthly schedule at www.amphc.com
Location: All around northeastern Ohio (mostly Summit County)
Phone: 330-524-9415
The club has been around for more than 40 years and always welcomes new members and people who may just want to hike at any given time. The hikes are usually five miles and are generally conducted at a moderate pace of 3 mph. There are also leisure hikes for those who prefer a slower pace. Wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots as the trails are often muddy.
Hiking is done year-round in all kinds of weather, predominantly in Summit County but other areas of Ohio are also explored. Frequently, hikes are scheduled in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and in all the Summit County Metro Parks.
It’s a great way to exercise, enjoy nature and meet others that love to hike. The club also hosts social activities (picnic, lunches, annual soup/chili hike). Twice a year, weekenders are planned in Ohio and neighboring states.
Aullwood
Audubon Center and Farm
Relax with nature at Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm, a 350-acre nature sanctuary and working organic farm with six miles of walking trails winding through prairie, woods, ponds, farmland and meadows including the Birds, Flight and the Wrights Trail, an all people accessible 4/10 mile loop. The Marie S. Aull Education Center is filled with dozens of hands-on exhibits that interpret southwest Ohio's flora and fauna in two discovery rooms; countless opportunities to explore rich natural history resources in six thematic classrooms; and places for quiet reflection in observation rooms. A 200-seat auditorium provides space for meetings, conferences, wedding receptions, parties and other community events.
Aullwood's organic farm invites visitors to explore the century old bank barn, which is home to pigs, goats, horses and other livestock. The Farm Education Building features interactive exhibits, which interpret sustainable agriculture. Visitors may explore pastures, colorful herb and vegetable gardens, springhouse and croplands.
Eighteen environmental education programs are offered which meet the newly approved Ohio academic standards for science and social studies. Guided and self-guided tours are also available. Aullwood's Center for Lifelong Learning offers activities and classes for infants through seniors. Program fees vary. Call Aullwood for additional information 937-890-7360.
Open all year from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Closed some major holidays. Admission is $4.00/adults and $2.00/child
(age 2 and under free). Friends of Aullwood and National Audubon Society members are FREE.
The Marie S. Aull Education Center is located at 1000 Aullwood Road and Aullwood Farm at 9101 Frederick Pike, Dayton, OH 45414. Both facilities are three miles west of the Dayton International Airport and a short 20-minute drive from downtown Dayton on Interstate 75 North. There is ample free parking. For more information call Aullwood at 937-890-7360 or visit our website at http://aullwood.center.audubon.org
Printout: Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm
Black Swamp Bird
Observatory Visitor's Center
Hours: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Open extended hours in the Spring and Fall. Please call for times.
Location: 13551 W. State Route 2, Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449, at the entrance to Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area
Phone: 419-898-4070
Visit Black Swamp Bird Observatory for the opportunity to
view beautiful songbirds and Bald Eagles on our wonderful, handicap accessible
walking trail; stop by our fabulous gift shop; and spend some quiet time
enjoying the wide variety of birds that visit our feeders and our lovely
waterfall just outside our window on wildlife.
Located in the remnants of the once vast Great Black Swamp region of Northwest
Ohio, Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO) is a 510(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to
promoting bird conservation by advancing knowledge of the needs of migrant and
resident birds through scientific research; by using this knowledge to instill
appreciation and understanding of birds and their habitats through education and
outreach; and by encouraging community awareness and participation.
Essentially, BSBO is a vital link in connecting people with nature. We provide opportunities to make a meaningful difference for the environment through our many volunteer-based programs and projects, and to be involved in something regenerative; working together to safeguard our natural world for future generations.
Printout:
Black Swamp Bird Observatory Nature Center
Brukner
Nature Center
is a privately funded,
nonprofit nature preserve dedicated to environmental education and
wildlife rehabilitation, located just five miles west of Troy, Ohio off
State Route 55. The 165 acre preserve, bounded by the Scenic Stillwater
River, is comprised of a variety of habitats including pine forest,
prairie, woodlands and wetland all traversed by over 6 miles of hiking
trails. Brukner Nature Center offers numerous educational programs for
school children, adults and families. Brukner cares for over 40 permanently
injured native Ohio wildlife that form the backbone of their educational
programming. They also operate a Wildlife Rehabilitation Unit, accepting
orphaned and injured native wildlife. Brukner's beautiful interpretive building
houses a nature shop, wild animal exhibits and hands-on displays and is
open Monday through Saturday from 9:00am – 5:00pm and Sunday from 12:30 –
5:00pm. Hiking trails are open from sunrise to sunset.
http://www.bruknernaturecenter.com/.
Fee: Monday through Saturday $2.50 per person or $10 per family. Free on
Sunday.
Printout: Brukner Nature Center
Many people fantasize of one day hiking the distance of the Appalachian Trail. But, did you know that Ohio has its very own version of a marathon hiking exploration awaiting the modern day adventurer? The Buckeye Trail will take its hikers all round Ohio, literally, and expose hikers to all of Ohio's habitats, including that of man. It follows urban streets and greenbelt areas, towpaths along the Ohio and Erie and Miami and Erie canals; visits scenic hills and waterfalls like those found in the Hocking Hills area, known to some as the "Little Smokies" after the Smokey Mountains; passes rural farms with livestock and fields grain, and leads to a beachhead at Lake Erie, an overlook at the Ohio River in Cincinnati, and so much more. However, be prepared if you seriously want to tackle this quest as the entire trail spans 1,445 miles of foot transportation. Also keep in mind, the trail was not originally laid out for long distance backpacking and you may have to be creative in finding camping and resupply locations. >
The Web site listed above also provides information for shorter excursions covering portions of the Buckeye Trail with day-hikes and features hikes. It also provides an overview map of the entire trail and detailed maps of the 26 sections of the trail. The Buckeye Trail is marked with 2" x 6" blue blazes on poles and tree trunks so hikers can stay the course.
Printout:
The Buckeye Trail
The Canal Experience
At Providence Metropark
Ride an authentic, mule-drawn canal boat (tickets: $6 adults, $5 seniors 60 and over, $3 children 3 to 12). Free tours of historic Isaac Ludwig Mill. General Store.
Open Wednesday-Sunday, May-October
Location: Grand Rapids, Ohio
Phone: 419-407-9700
Travel back in time to the days when the smoothest way to go long distances was aboard boats towed by mules along manmade waterways. Board an authentic, mule-drawn canal boat named The Volunteer to experience what life was like during the canal era. Historical reenactors operate the boat, staying in character on the first half of the 45-minute cruise to spin tales of life in mid-1800s Ohio. Then tour an authentic, 1800s saw and gristmill where interpreters demonstrate how water power was used to saw wood and grind flour.
Printout: The Canal Experience
CAVE CANYON
Excerpt from April 2009 edition of
OhioTraveler by
Robert Carpenter
It seems to be a law of nature that the best things are not easily acquired. If achievement is effortless the result is never fully appreciated, according to the natural decree. So it has always been with Cave Canyon, and admiration of this natural wonder has never diminished.
There was a time when the forests of southern Ohio were so dense over rough terrain that the only way to reach the canyon was by horseback or wade up miles of Rocky Fork Creek from an access point in a little town called Paint—no longer on the map. Regardless of the difficulty, thousands of people made the trek to view one of nature’s premier showplaces.
Today entry is more obliging, but still a little hard to find. It’s south of SR50 about halfway between Chillicothe and Hillsboro, just west of the Highland/Ross county line. You have to watch for the sign and Cave Road. Recent maps still list the site as Seven Caves. That’s what it was called until this past year.
Cave Canyon Nature Preserve, as it is now titled (officially the Rocky Fork Gorge) is part of the Arc of Appalachia Preserve System, a nonprofit organization founded in 1995. It is unusual that such a spectacular landscape is not part of the state’s park system, but in fact owned privately for more than a century.
In 1928 Clyde Chaney visited from Indiana and was so captivated with the gorge he went home and convinced five other investors to buy the property. Chaney improved the track now known as Cave Road, cleared trails, constructed rock steps, ran electric lights into the seven caves, and increased admission from the previous owner’s dime to 25 cents.
It is to Chaney’s credit that access was made available to volumes of nature lovers but it was also unfortunate to be a time without regulations or full appreciation for nature preservation. There were thousands of stalactites formed over thousands of years hanging from cave ceilings, but souvenir hunters removed every one.
However, there were always more appealing caverns in Ohio, and the caves in these canyon walls were never the main attraction. They are shallow--ranging from a few feet to a few hundred feet. Other than sanctuaries for fleeing desperados in early days the caves were a necessary habitat for cave-dwelling species, especially bats. Currently the caves are dark and off limits to visitors and fast being returned to their natural inhabitants.
It’s the visual impact from the creek’s edge that first strikes most people—the waterfalls running between dolomite canyon walls rising one hundred feet. Towering hemlocks at the base seem to lend support to ancient white cedars clinging to the cliff’s edge.
For serious botanists and naturalists the appeal is the plant life and climatic conditions existing in the canyon that differs drastically from the environment above. At the base there is a micro-Canadian ecosystem, so called because of similarity to weather formation hundreds of miles north—and of course unique to the latitude of southern Ohio.
There are three self-guided trails for exploration, ranging in length from one quarter to one third of a mile—not long but a lot of up and down travel. One trail follows the Rocky Fork Creek with panoramic views of the soaring trees and canyon walls. Another takes you along the rim with a breathtaking sight of the canyon floor, and a third is through an old-growth beech forest—an intact ecosystem and forest community, as close as can be duplicated to frontier experience.
A fourth trail is available only with a guide and limited to Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The guide assumes the persona of William Sullivant, a 19th-century naturalist who steers you along springs, sinkholes, and cave entrances and points out the geological beauty and botanicals. Most rare of the flowers is a saxifrage discovered by Sullivant and named Sullivantia sullivantia for obvious reasons. Previously unknown to science, it has since been found only in a few parts of the world.
It is recommended that the best time to visit Cave Canyon is the month of April and early May during the spectacular display of wildflowers said to be the best in the state. Known as the Pyramid of Trilliums are the large-flowered trilliums tumbling out of side valleys by the thousands. At the same time there are masses of the more rare diminutive snow trilliums clinging to the bare rocks of the canyon walls. By mid-summer the vertical dolomites are so densely blanketed with bulblet ferns, wild hydrangea, and ginger that the rocks are virtually hidden, but there is no time during their open season from April through October when the scenery of this geological and botanical paradise is not impressive.
For an adult entry fee of $10 and $5 for children, enjoy a slide presentation and roam the trails to your heart’s content. Also greeting you is the newly renovated museum that interprets America’s eastern temperate forest as it was when covering the eastern third of the entire country. To capture the spirit of this rich historical region you should bring a camera and binoculars. If you plan to spend the day bring a lunch because there are no food concessions—and above all bring a good pair of hiking shoes.
For more information call 937-365-1935 or go to www.arcofappalachia.org.
By Robert Carpenter
Robert Carpenter was born and raised in the New Philadelphia, Ohio area.
Printout: Cave Canyon
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Excerpt from a past edition of
OhioTraveler eMagazine
CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
Mother nature carved a niche of artistry when the last ice age retreated, leaving us with Ohio’s only national park.
Native American’s pronounced its name Ka-ih-ogh-ha. It’s meaning – crooked river. An aerial view of it looks like God created a 100 mile smile in the landscape. Its headwater or origin is east of Cleveland. Its waters run south and then north emptying its mouth into Lake Erie.
Certainly this pleasant view from above can sometimes seem like heaven on Earth. So it was preserved as Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Although there are national historic sites, national historic parks and memorials in Ohio, this is the only site recognized with the status of national park, according to the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
The park’s valley spans 33,000 acres along a 22 mile section of the Cuyahoga River between Akron and Cleveland. It offers forests, prairies, wetlands, gorges, historic towns, canal way and a scenic railway. Hiking opportunities abound. It is a biking paradise.
The entire park system is so bike friendly you can pedal the distance along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. This path along the river and old canal is flat and has a hard surface making it handicap accessible as well. If you grow tired of walking, running or pedaling, you can hop the train. Pay an additional $2 to transport your bike with you. The Cuyahoga Scenic Railway has eight depots across the park and each depot has six boarding times regularly from Wednesday through Sunday from June through October. An all-day pass to hop on and off trains at will costs $15/adult and $10/child.
The heart of the park bustles around the Peninsula Depot. The historic town of Peninsula offers shops, galleries and restaurants along with historic architecture. The depot itself was originally erected in 1879. Off the beaten path are three nearby waterfalls. Brandywine Falls is the most popular. A boardwalk cuts into the cliff and parts the trees to an overlook that delivers a vista of cascading water. So beautiful is this spot, just about any wedding photographer in the region worth his salt is sure to lure bridal parties there for stunning wedding pictures.
The walkway stretches to the top of the falls where the foundation and wall of an 1814 saw mill still stands. It is one of the few remnants of the old village of Brandywine – one of the first communities to flourish in the Cuyahoga Valley. Another survivor of this lost village is the Inn at Brandywine Falls built in 1848. This luxurious property is renovated offering modern amenities like wireless Internet, but its rooms are decorated with Ohio antiques.
Other areas of the park system are not as easy as accessing trailheads near the Towpath but are gems just the same. One that should not be missed is simply known as the Ledges. The Ledges are just that – ledges of rock. Walk through the woods and you come to a ravine. The lookout point reveals a wooded valley with towering oak and hickory trees as far as the eyes can see. It takes little imagination to walk a mile in someone else’s moccasins at this point. But walk you will. A grand stone staircase descends to the bottom of the ledges where the real fun begins. Hikers will need to navigate boulders, slip between enormous cracks in the stone walls that jut up the cliff straight into the surrounding tree line. Mixed into the peculiar rock outcrops are hemlock and wildflowers. Don’t miss Ice Box Cave. How far can you go into it without a flashlight is the question.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park includes a matrix of hiking trails, including part of the statewide Buckeye Trail. Other highlights include plenty of fishing and picnicking areas, bridle trails and Shady Oaks Farm bed and breakfast where you can stable your horses. Ranger guided tours are available too. If you enjoy golfing, there are four public golf courses to choose from. Complete details about Cuyahoga Valley National Park, including maps and visitor information, are at www.nps.gov/cuva. A complete attractions guide for the park is available at www.dayinthevalley.com. You may also contact the park by calling (800) 445-9667.
By Frank R. Satullo, the OhioTraveler
Printout: Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Okay, so this national natural landmark had nothing to do with nature connecting with man as the introduction implies – until man quarried away many other grooves during the 20th century. Today, these 18,000 year-old glacial grooves are “protected” and measure 400 feet long, 35-feet wide and 10-feet deep. Visitors can get up close for a good view and pictures of the grooves from an observation stairway/walkway. There are also marine-fossil remains in the limestone bedrock dating nearly 400 million-years-old.
Printout: Glacial Grooves at Kelly's Island
LAKE PARK -- Coshocton
City and County Park District
Open: Seasonal
Location: 23253 State Route 83 in Coshocton, OH 43812
Phone: 740-622-7528
Web Site: www.coshoctonlakepark.com Email: lakepark@clover.net
The Coshocton City and County Park District (Lake Park) is all about fun recreation and relaxation. Located just a half mile from Coshocton and Roscoe Village, this park offers many recreational opportunities for you and your family. From camping to hiking, golf to paddle boating, biking to swimming, and fishing to picnicking, the Lake Park area has it all in one place. Located in the center of all the activities is the Lake Park Pavilion. This restored 1920s big band dance hall hosts a variety of activities such as weddings, banquets and dances.
You'll also find paved walking and biking paths, a huge public playground, wooded hiking trails and an outdoor aquatic center complete with body and tube slides and a kiddie water play area. The horse-drawn Monticello III Canal Boat is also part of the Lake Park complex offering seasonal rides so visitors can experience what life was like on this form of 1830s era transportation. You'll find at the top of the park – Hilltop Golf Course. Entrance to the park is free. There is an admission to the aquatic center, canal boat, golf course and for camping.
Printout: Lake Park
A plaque now marks the spot where Mingo tribe’s Chief Logan delivered a famous speech on Indian and “white-man” relations back in 1774. It was said to have taken place under the shade of a 65-foot tall Elm tree with a trunk measuring 24-feet around. Unfortunately, the tree died in 1964 due to storm damage. The park also has monuments representing other significant Native-Americans and settlers of Ohio.
Printout:
Logan Elm
Plan a visit to see Ohio’s “living and working history museum” – the world of the Amish. It is a great day trip to see and learn about the Amish way of life in splendid quality and simplicity. Let’s start with the three Ohio counties with significant Amish life bustling within.
Printout: Ohio Amish Country featuring Holmes County, Adams County and Wayne County Amish Communities
Excerpt from April 2009 edition of OhioTraveler by Frank R. Satullo
STAYCATIONS DRIVING PEOPLE AMISH
The
down economy has brought many folks back to basics. And that’s just what
Amish merchants like Miller’s Furniture & Bakery cater to in Southern
Ohio’s Wheat Ridge Amish community.
Yesteryear’s family daytrip is today’s staycation where an inexpensive exploration of something unique near home is the way to spend a day. Many are even packing picnic baskets instead of hitting the nearest drive-through while en-route to their weekend adventure.
Miller’s offers not only a great escape at a great price, they can load you up on anything you need while you’re there – picnic foods, baked goods, indoor & outdoor wood furniture galore, and bulk foods for you to stock up and take home.
Off the beaten path, a pilgrimage down Wheat Ridge Road in the family truckster (okay SUV) will treat its passengers with a view of the simple life. Miller’s is in the heart of Adams County Amish Country in Southern Ohio nestled in the picturesque foothills of Appalachia. It is here that the senses dance to the rhythmic spin of a buggy wheel, the harmony of a handcrafted armoire getting fine tuned, and a hypnotizing breeze carrying the oven-fresh-baked apple pie across the field.
A trip here is a trip to yesteryear where we could all take a lesson in living the good life with less. There is plenty that the Amish can teach us about scaling back and enjoying better quality during tough times.
Some things stand out in contrast to big box shopping. Instead of buying cheap goods at a cheap price, Miller’s prides itself on providing top-notch quality at bargain prices. Not only that, their goods aren’t made overseas or mass produced. Not only do you buy heirloom quality, you buy authenticity. And if they don’t have what you want, they’ll make it! It’s the Amish way of doing business.
The workmanship at Miller’s isn’t just crafty, it’s creative. In this economy, maybe hand crafted furniture in cherry wood is over the budget but you really want to have a quality wood piece for less. Miller’s can turn brown maple to look just like cherry and save you a pretty penny. So it goes.
Not much has changed in the 32 years since Harry and Lydia Miller settled here. In 1977, they started baking with their six children in the farmhouse. All it took was sharing their baked goods before people stopped by in droves to buy some bread, pies, cinnamon roll, you name it. Harry would often visit Holmes County, Ohio and bring back furniture, which sold, well, like hotcakes. The more trips, the more furniture, the more sales. And so the farming days for the Miller’s, raising cattle, hogs, sheep and such gave way to a thriving baking and woodworking business.
Today, the 300-acre farm has 34,000 square feet of furniture under one roof, plus more outside, and a separate building for the bakery and another for the bulk food store. The cash registers are powered by wind-generated energy. Plus the Miller’s use a lot of solar energy and air compressors. In the parking lot, it’s not uncommon for a horse and buggy to be standing next to a BMW.
The Miller family is in its third generation in their Adams County, Ohio home. Most of Harry and Lydia’s children run things now. Daniel is at the Furniture Store, Larry at the Bakery, and Harry Jr. at the Bulk Food Store. Malinda helps too. The other two sons, Gerold and David come back often to visit. All together, the six children have provided Harry and Lydia 20 grandkids. With that, the family business and legacy looks like it will continue serving their loyal customers for years to come.
Throughout 2009, the Miller’s have special events planned to give back to their customers in times of greater need by offering specials from wood products to baked goods and more. Updates and details are posted at www.ohiotraveler.com/ohio_amish_stores.htm.
For a day in the country, Miller’s is a crossroads in time. The Amish offerings at Miller’s Bakery, Furniture and Bulk Foods are plentiful and diverse. You name it they have it. But if by chance they don’t, they’ll make it – just like they’ve been doing for decades.
By Frank R. Satullo, The OhioTraveler
Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition
(Admission: Free)
Location: The Richard Howe House at 47 West Exchange Street in Akron,
Ohio 44311
Phone: 330-434-5657
Web site:
www.OhioandErieCanalway.com
Before turnpikes, interstate highways and railroads, water was the easiest and
cheapest way to travel. When the Ohio & Erie Canal opened in 1827, it was the
first major canal west of the Appalachian Mountains. Today, the Ohio & Erie
Canalway is a National Heritage Area; a place to experience trails, trains and
scenic byways, canal towns and ethnic neighborhoods, working rivers and great
lakes, industrial landscapes and green spaces, as you explore our state's past,
present and future. The canalway provides a variety of outdoor adventures.
Visitors will encounter amazing museums, interesting historic sites, outstanding
recreational opportunities and places of natural beauty in four counties
stretching from Lake Erie's shoreline to the historic village of Zoar.
Printout: Ohio
& Erie Canalway
Rowe Woods
Excerpt from the February 2009 edition of
OhioTraveler
Ahhh, there’s nothing like a winter hike. Every season has its bonuses when hiking Ohio. Winter allows you to see much further than any other time of year. You can scan the ridges and hills and see wildlife galore.
Rowe Woods is a special treat because it offers a diverse landscape spanning more than 1,000 acres of hilly terrain mixed with meadows, forest, and wetlands. Some 14 miles of loop hiking trails crisscross the scenery allowing deep exploration into wild Ohio. Rowe Woods, operated by the Cincinnati Nature Center, is located in Milford, Ohio.
Perhaps the best part of a nice winter hike is afterward with a mug of hot cocoa warming the hands and innards while toes toast in front of a fireplace hearth in an old hickory rocking chair. Sprinkle in some good conversation and laughter and you feel life can’t get any better than this.
If you find yourself unable to bear being cooped up indoors another weekend in February, don’t fret. Rowe Woods offers several great opportunities to get out and breathe again.
Rowe Woods Visitor Center is open daily from 9am – 5pm. The grounds times vary from month-to-month. Admission is free on Monday, $3/adult and $1/child (age 3 – 12) Tuesday – Friday and $5/adult and $1/child Saturday and Sunday. Rowe Woods is located at 4949 Tealtown Road in Milford, Ohio 45150. For more information, call 513-831-1711 or visit www.cincynature.org.
Printout: Rowe Woods
Stark County Park
District
(Admission: Free)
5300 Tyner St. NW
Canton, OH 44708
330-477-3552
Web site: starkparks.com
The Stark County Park District features 11 parks, four lakes, and nearly 60
miles of recreational trails, including 25 miles of the
historic Ohio & Erie National Heritage Canalway for hikers, bicycle riders,
equestrians and nature lovers of all ages. The park district runs two marinas
that feature motor boats, row boats, canoes, kayaks for rent by the hour.
Pontoon boat rides for up to 9 passengers are offered with two-week's advance
reservations. Picnic facilities available, as are nature education programs and
naturalist-guided hikes.
Printout: Stark County Parks
HOCKING HILLS
Chasing Frozen Waterfalls
Excerpt from February 2009 edition of OhioTraveler
(PLAY VIDEO)
It’s about this time of year everyone could use a weekend getaway.
Whether it’s alone time, together time or family time, a case can be made to escape for a couple to three days in the ice caves of Hocking Hills. Of course, when the ice hikes are over you retreat to the cabin, light a fire, have hot cocoa and then hop into the hot-tub. Now that’s a cure for the winter blahs!
It’s amazing how many people don’t know about the winter paradise in Southeast Ohio's Appalachia territory. Those that do mostly visit Hocking Hills in Fall or summer, even spring but winter? You bet!
What makes the wilderness of Hocking Hills so inviting in winter is the awe-inspiring sights of frozen waterfalls and ridges lined with icicles creating crystalized walls. But one of the more unusual sights are the iceberg plateaus protruding from a body of water below a waterfall, ascending upward creating an ice table.
The peace, quiet and serenity of this cluster of nine state parks allows one to rejuvenate their soul, rekindle romance or reacquaint themselves with their kids. Winter at Hocking Hills is the perfect time and place to just be. Most cabins even let you bring your dog.
Nearby there are small towns providing great shopping excursions for antique and craft lovers. For the more adventurous, there are activities such as horseback riding and rappelling. Side trips include a tour of the nation’s only washboard museum and other unique to-do's.
A mid-winter Hocking Hills night can be brisk but clear. There is no light pollution making the heavens above black with shiny white dots connecting one constellation to another. When’s the last time you ate popcorn and watched a meteor shower?
Buried treasure and nature’s riches fill the Hocking legends and wilderness. Among the caves, waterfalls, gorges, and rock outcrops are the unclaimed lore of robbers, the unmarked graves of early settlers, remains of ancient Indian civilizations and natural splendor.
Conkle’s Hollow looks much today as it always has – one of the deepest gorges in Ohio, it has steep cliffs plunging to a valley floor so dense with plant life, sunlight is blocked at its deepest depth. The setting is perfect…for a tall tale. A petroglyph is rumored to have adorned the gorge wall, created by a band of Indians who stole huge sums of money from settlers along the Ohio riverbanks. The wall carving was an arrow pointing across the hollow to a hiding spot only reachable by climbing a towering hemlock. After the settlers gave up the hunt for the thieves, the outlaws returned to find the hemlock destroyed, thereby making it impossible to reach the treasure buried in the rocky wall of the gorge. The petroglyph having long eroded away leaves only the mystery of whether or not the money is still somewhere to be claimed.
Nearby, another legend and natural wonder exists in what was once referred to as Robbers Roost, known today as the Rock House. The Rock House is, surprisingly, the only true cave in the Hocking Hills region. It is a corridor located halfway up a 150 foot cliff measuring 25 feet high, 25 feet wide and stretching 200 feet long. Its structure includes natural windows cut through stonewalls and porous rock in the rear of the cave where Native Americans lit fires to cook and warm the cave. There is even evidence of a drinking water supply maintained by manmade troughs used to contain spring water that entered through the wholly sandstone. However, such amenities later made this an ideal hideout for robbers.
Old Man’s Cave is one of the most popular natural attractions in Hocking Hills and also serves as the final resting place for some of its earliest inhabitants. A hermit by the name of Richard Rowe lived and died there. He is buried beneath the ledge of the cave. Before Rowe, two brothers who built a cabin by the cave’s entrance are also buried nearby. Old Man’s Cave has a bit of everything for nature lovers along its stretch of valley offering waterfalls, streams, forest, and wide variety of plant life, cliffs and undercut rocks. It is also part of the Buckeye Trail and America's Discovery Trail.
Perhaps the most impressive natural treasure in the region is
Ash Cave, Ohio’s largest recess cave. Its massive horseshoe shape
spans 700 feet wide, 100 feet high and comes complete with a cascading
waterfall. Its name is telling of its history. Several thousand bushels of
ashes were discovered there (one measured 100 feet long and 30 feet wide).
The ash remains included pottery, arrows, animal bones, flints and
additional evidence of Native American campfires dating back hundreds of
years. Today, the enormous cave-like ridge features impressive views from
top to bottom. While hiking up the inner side behind the falling water,
people on the ground floor look like ants.
Conkle's Hollow, Rock House, Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave are just several of the many adventures to be had at Hocking Hills. Visitors will also enjoy the scenery of Cedar Falls – the best waterfall in the region; breathtaking Cantwell Cliffs; and Rock Bridge, a natural stone arch.
There's plenty of winter left to find a weekend to escape life as you know it. Retreat to the hot-tub capital of Ohio - Hocking Hills!
Excerpt from February 2009 edition of OhioTraveler by Frank R. Satullo
Marblehead Lighthouse
Contact via East Harbor State Park at 419-734-4424 or www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/marblehead.htm
Location: 110 Lighthouse Drive, Marblehead OH 43440
Days and hours: Grounds open daily; tower and adjacent museum open 1 pm - 4:45 pm Monday through Friday, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, as well as the second Saturday of the month, June 1 through October.
Fee: No
The Marblehead Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes, has guided sailors safely along the rocky shores of Marblehead Peninsula since 1822. Today, the Marblehead Lighthouse State Park invites visitors to explore the fascination history of maritime commerce, daring rescues at sea, and the unique lifestyle of the lighthouse keeper as technology changed the profession over time.
South Bass Island Lighthouse
Contact via The OSU/Ohio Sea Grant office at 419-285-2341 or www.ohioseagrant.osu.edu
Location: the southern tip of South Bass Island.
Days and hours: Thursdays to Sundays from 1-4 during the summer.
Fee
Directions: To get to the island, take either the Jet Express from Port Clinton (Route 163) or downtown Sandusky (Jackson St. off Route 6) or take the Miller Boat Line from Catawba (Route 53). To see the lighthouse from shore, take Langram Road past the Miller Boat Line dock until it dead ends.
The Fairport Harbor Marine Museum and Lighthouse
Contact via the Fairport Harbor Historical Society at 440-354-4825 or www.fairportlighthouse.com
Days and hours: Open from the end of May through the third weekend of September on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, from 1 to 6 pm; special tours are available by appointment.
Fee: Yes
Directions: Take Route 2 to the Painesville Exit. Head north on Richmond St. (which becomes High St.) Museum is on corner of Second and High Streets [129 Second St.]
Toledo Harbor Lighthouse
Toledo Harbor Lighthouse Society
1750 Park Rd. #2, Oregon OH 43618
419-691-3788
Vermilion Lighthouse and Inland Seas Maritime Museum
480 Main St., P.O. Box 435, Vermilion OH 44089
800-893-1485 or 440-967-3467
Although
lighthouses can be found in many countries, they have reached an
almost cultic status here in the US. American lighthouses have been
pictured on postcards, travel brochures, T-shirts, family room
wallpaper, and even US postage stamps, and their iconic shape has made
its way into many graphic designs. Lighthouses are usually thought of
as a New England attraction, but there are lighthouses in other
states, too, including the ones that border the Great Lakes. In fact,
there are more inland lighthouses along the shores of the Great Lakes
than most countries have along their entire ocean coast line.
Ohio, which contains part of Lake Erie, is the home of a number of interesting lighthouses, keeper’s homes, and maritime museums, which you can find by following the 293-mile Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail that stretches from Conneaut in the northeast to Toledo in the northwest. This is not too surprising when you consider that Erie is the oldest, the shallowest, the most treacherous, and the most unpredictable of the Great Lakes.
The best-known (or at least the most photographed) of the Ohio lighthouses is Marblehead Lighthouse, formerly known as the Sandusky Bay Light. Located in Marblehead Lighthouse State Park (one of Ohio’s newest state parks) at the mouth of the Sandusky Bay entrance to Lake Erie, it was named after the village of Marblehead, which provided the 65-foot-high tower’s limestone building blocks. The tower, which opened in 1822, is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the Great Lakes. During the summer, the tower is a popular tourist attraction, with hundreds of visitors browsing through the exhibits of lighthouse history in the Keeper’s House, taking guided tours, climbing up the tower’s spiral staircase, taking pictures from the tower balcony, and picnicking on the grounds.
It’s a lovely area and it has served as an attractive backdrop for weddings, vow renewals, proposals, and other special events over the years, although no reservations can be made for such use and the grounds are always open to the public. Visitors who want to make a day of it can also enjoy nearby East Harbor State Park, which offers a number of activities and amenities including camping, swimming, boating, disk golfing, and fishing.
In addition, lighthouse fans can also hop a boat over to South Bass Island (home of NW Ohio’s party town, Put-In-Bay) to visit the South Bass Island Lighthouse, which includes two-and-a-half stories of living space and an attached 60-foot tower. This lighthouse is owned by The Ohio State University, which conducts summer tours of the tower Thursdays through Sundays, from 1 pm to 4 pm. The living space is sometimes used to house visiting OSU speakers and dignitaries and is not open to the public. There is a small air-conditioned space upstairs that can be rented for meetings and various events, with light refreshments or catered meals.
An interesting side note: OSU also owns Gibraltar Island, the 6.5 acre island off the north side of South Bass Island. Located on Gibraltar is OSU’s Franz Theodore Stone Laboratory, the nation's oldest freshwater biological field station. Two-hour tours of the island and facilities are offered in the summer on Wednesdays from 10 am to noon, on a first-come-first served basis. There are box lunches available for order and the $10 tour fee supports student scholarships.
OSU also runs an annual open house in September which offers tours of the island, workshop learning sessions, and microscope activities in the lab; visitors are ferried from the South Bass Island Research Building to Gibraltar and back on one of the university’s research vessels. This year’s open house is on September 6th, from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm, and it coincides with Put-in-Bay's annual Historic Weekend, commemorating Commander Perry's victory over the British in the War of 1812.
The northeastern shore of Ohio has its share of lighthouses, too, but most are not open to the public and can only be seen from a distance. However, the Fairport Harbor Village Lighthouse and Marine Museum, in Fairport Harbor, is worth a visit. The 60-foot-high sandstone and brick tower was built in 1871 at the mouth of the Grand River and has a spiral staircase that takes visitors right to the top. Visitors can also visit the adjacent museum (once the light keeper’s house) to learn more about lighthouses and Ohio history from the museum’s collection of navigational instruments, lighthouse lenses, ship models, Native American relics, and salt-mining and iron ore displays. Efforts are currently underway to restore the 61-year-old Fairport Harbor Breakwall Lighthouse, also located near the village.
I’ve only
hit the highlights of the Ohio lighthouses and museums here. There‘s lots more
to see; from the Moorish charm of the Toledo Harbor Lighthouse as seen from
Maumee Bay State Park’s shoreline, to the Vermilion Lighthouse replica that
stands on the front lawn of the Inland Seas Maritime Museum, the shores of Lake
Erie are full of maritime history and adventure. Visitors with an insatiable
appetite can find out more by contacting the locations listed below. Lighthouse
and museum hours, days of operation, and entrance fees are subject to change;
make sure you call ahead to confirm details before planning a trip.
Jet Express
3 N. Monroe St., Port Clinton OH 43452
800-245-1538
Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail
P.O. Box 1639, Sandusky OH 44870
No phone number found
Coastal Ohio
www.coastalohio.com
[Offers information on over 300 historical sites and natural areas, including a calendar of events for each site, as well as dates of lighthouse festivals and special events.]
Lake Erie Shores and Islands Welcome Center
770 S.E. Catawba Rd. (St. Rte. 53), Port Clinton OH 43452
800-441-1271
Lake Erie Shores and Islands Welcome Center
4424 Milan Rd. (US Rte. 250), Sandusky OH 44870
800-255-3743
Marblehead Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
5681 East Harbor Rd. Ste. C, Marblehead, OH 43440
419-734-9777
Miller Boat Line
Ferries to
Put-in-Bay from Catawba
800-500-2421 or 419-285-2421
Franz Theodore Stone Laboratory Field Station
P.O. Box 119, Put-in-Bay OH 43456
419-285-2341
Bayview Office
419-285-1800
This is an excerpt from the September 2008 edition of
OhioTraveler eMagazine.
Written by Betty Winslow.
Printout: Lake Erie Lighthouses in Ohio
Great Wolf Lodge - Sandusky
4600 Milan Road (U.S. 250)
Sandusky OH 44870
419-609-6000
1-888-779-2327
Great Wolf
Lodge
Great Wolf Lodge - Mason
6100 Kings Island Drive in Mason, OH 45040
1-800-913-9653 (WOLF)
Great Wolf
Lodge
Castaway Bay
2001 Cleveland Rd.
Sandusky OH 44870
419-627-2106
Castaway Bay
Kalahari Waterpark
Resort
7000 Kalahari Drive
Sandusky OH 44870
419-433-7200
1-877-525-2427
Kalahari
Waterpark Resort
Captain Bill
Weirauch aptly named his charter boat business "Fun Fishing and Sailing"
because that’s exactly what it delivers.
The captain knows what role to play no matter who is keeping him company. If a bunch of guys want to catch walleye, Captain Bill buddies along. If mom and dad want the kids to catch perch, Captain Bill is the grandpa that baits their hooks. If it’s a girlfriend getaway, Captain Bill is the father-figure. And for couples, he’s a chaperone.
Whether setting out to sail to Put-in-Bay for lunch or fish the day away, Captain Bill’s crews share the common bond of laughter and good times.
“I’m going fishing or sailing most days anyway, so anyone coming along makes it that much more fun,” said the captain.
But what sets his “Fun Fish” boat and “Dreamin” sailboat apart from the competitive big outfits is the intimacy. Group sizes for either vessel limit six passengers.
Fun Fishing casts off at 7:00 a.m. from Sandusky Bay Marina aboard a 30-foot Baha fishing boat that is 10-feet wide. Charters may be reserved from May 1 through October 30. Due to the marina’s close proximity to Cedar Point, charters make for a great 4 - 10 hour diversion. A unique photo opportunity puts the legendary island amusement park and its towering roller coasters in the background.
Just sit back and enjoy the scenes and leave the fish finding to the captain and his high tech gizmos. Captain Bill makes everything easy for his guests. No fishing rod? No problem, the captain has plenty, rigged and ready to cast. He even has all the bait you’ll need. You just need to bring your fishing license and snacks. If nature calls out on the water, no worries, there’s a private head below deck.
If your day is a success and you’ve filled the boat’s cooler with fish but don’t want to clean them yourself, Captain Bill will direct you to a nearby place, Lake Fish Company in Sandusky, that’ll do it for you, and it’s cheap. Plus it’s fun to watch the experts at work. First, fish are shot through a machine that scales them. Then, someone takes them to a station to clean. The precision and speed in which the knife work is done is remarkable. In the end, beautiful fillets are packed in ice in a cooler that you provide.
Walleye fishing charters are $400/group up to six people. Perch fishing
charters are $350/group up to six people.
Fishing isn’t for everyone, not even the captain’s wife. You’ll find her aboard “Dreamin” ready to sail with her husband and whoever else wants to come.
Sailing charters run from May 1 through October 10 aboard a 33.6 foot Hunter, which is 12-feet wide. Up to six people can take their turns at the helm or just kick-back and enjoy the open waters as the sailboat cuts through them en route to exceptional sites like Marblehead Lighthouse, Perry’s Monument and Cedar Point on an eight-hour leisure trip around the Bass Islands. A shorter excursion for four hours tools around Sandusky Bay.
The captain provides drinks and munchies for the sailing charters. The only thing guests need to remember is the camera. Nothing feels more like a vacation than the sight of sails being hoisted while you’re day-dreamin on a sailboat.
Sailing charters are $200/group up to six people for four hours, $300/group up to six people for 8-10 hours and $400/group up to four people for overnight/24-hour trips. In addition, week-long sailing charters are offered at reasonable rates as well.
Captain Bill is retired and charters his boats for fun and extra money to help with upkeep. With more than 15 years of experience sailing and fishing on Lake Erie, he puts safety first and tries to make everyone’s experience a memorable one. He has a U.S.C.G. 50-ton Masters License with a sailing endorsement. The captain is an Ohio licensed fishing guide, a member of the Harbor Bay Yacht Club, Associate member of the Inter-Lakes Yachting Association and member of the Sandusky Charter Boat Association.
To book a charter aboard Fun Fish or Dreamin at Fun Fishing and Sailing, L.L.C., call Captain Bill Weirauch at 419-592-0761 for fishing trips or 419-966-3817 for sailing trips. More information is at www.funfishingsailingcharters.com.
Excerpt from the August 2009 Edition of OhioTraveler at www.ohiotraveler.com by Frank R. Satullo
Printout: Fish & Sail
Disclosure: As a precaution, please call ahead to the venues you plan to visit to ensure that the hours, admittance and other data in this Web site have not changed. We assume no responsibility for omissions, inaccuracies or errors within the contents of this Web site. However, we will take into consideration, any comments that would better represent the venues within, and add them to our Web site.
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