The Scioto Mile

Downtown Columbus has another new park that opened this summer...

The Scioto Mile opened last week so the kids and I went down to check it out! We walked along the beautiful sidewalks with verandas and benches & swings! Tossed some coins into the Koi fountains and then ended up at the Creme DE Le creme.... the fountain splash park!

Why did they never have stuff like this when WE were kids?!!?

I loved that they had the little fountains for the younger ones, saw ALOT of babies sitting next to the little streams of water and smiling and laughing and have the best time! Then there's the BIG water fun! Kids were running and sitting and frolicking... yes actual frolicking through the splash park! I loved that they had Columbus Parks & Rec staff IN the fountain area and they were helping kids. My youngest fell and got hurt but was on the opposite side of the fountains so I didn't see or hear him (the water is VERY loud)and then one of the staff helped him find me, and then offered to get a band aid or ice.

Here's a 360 video of the splash park....

What the video did not capture was the cute little Bistro that's right next to the fountains. It's a little pricey; Sandwiches $9 and pizza's $12 but you pay for the Location location location. I think it'd be a nice little spot for a lunch date or to bring the kids and meet Mom/Dad for lunch on a work day. They had public restrooms that were very clean and ample seating area. There were picnic tables and huge shade trees just screaming for a picnic lunch to be had underneath.

They've got concerts, kids activities, & movie's scheduled for the rest of the summer, I can't wait to see what they have this fall as well! We parked on the street at a meter, but that was pure luck!

Free kids activities every Wednesday 11:30-1:30 with free ice cream!

Directions:

Right across the river from COSI, Take Broad street and turn south on Civic Center Drive. You'll see what they refer to as the promenade... the splash park is located in Bicentennial Park which is on Civic Center Drive between Rich & Main Street.

Go to their website for schedule and parking directions: www.sciotomile.com

Slate Run Historical Farm

On our first official trip of the 2011 season we headed back to Slate Run Historical farm. Our family has been there a few times before but we love going there! The farm was built in the 1800's and still runs today as it did over 100 years ago!

The farm was built in 1856 and it's as if it's been frozen in time! They work the farm and care for the animals 365 days a year (Except for Monday's ) It's amazing to see how they plant, harvest, cook, preserve and clean up! We got to see a cake they'd made out in the summer kitchen (Smelled so yummy) in this stoveThe kids can touch and play with alot of the things on the farm so here they are using a corn mill! We got to see them move hay/straw up into the hay loft with a horse and an elaborate pulley system.There are tons of farm animals that the kids can pet and they also really loved the water pump! Somehow water tastes so much better when you pump it yourself! There are toys that kids would have played with and a swing on the side of the house that just has to be swung in for a bit! and if the sun gets to be too much you can go sit a spell under the wisteria covered porch! (I have no idea if it's really wisteria) but it's beautiful!

This is the perfect way to spend a few hours, so pack a lunch and sit at one of the picnic benches before or after you wander around the farm.

***I will warn you that their is NO plumbing so be prepared if you have squeamish potty-ers! Stop at a bathroom at one of the places right by State route 33 and pack wet wipes for when you need to wash hands!!!***

Getting There

From the metro parks website: From I-270, take U.S. 33 east toward Lancaster to the Canal Winchester/S.R. 674 exit. Turn right onto Gender Rd./S.R. 674 and go about two miles until it dead-ends into Lithopolis Road. Turn left and go about 1/2 mile to S.R. 674. Turn right and go about four miles to the entrance on the right. Once inside the park, go past the ranger station and take the first road left and follow the signs to the farm.

Here is the website: http://www.metroparks.net/ParksSlateRunFarm.aspx

Scioto Audubon

Saturday we spent the day at The Scioto Audubon Park which is right downtown. I'll warn you now that the signage in the park can be a bit confusing. I had to ask the park ranger where the dog park was. I was a bit disappointed that it's basically just empty fields at the back of the park, closest to the free-way. But was told they are working on fencing in the dog park and making it a really fantastic place for our four legged friends. (so I plan on going back to check it out)
The coolest part of the park is the rock climbing wall! There were alot of climbers on the wall and were using the "lingo" that I didn't understand. Since we didn't have any of our own climbing gear we weren't able to climb the wall, but mentioned to a few of the climbers that we need a beginners class with the gear for people to come and enjoy the wall. I think that's a great idea.... now who wants to organize that? Still the kids had alot of fun on the playground equipment that focused alot on climbing activities as well and the coolest "tongue" slide. I've never seen anything like it! We also had alot of fun on the sand volley ball courts! We didn't play volleyball but had a blast trying to bury our dog! After a LONG time playing on the playground and volleyball courts we wandered around the path through the little bird watching area.... and then stumbled upon the bike path. The bike path appears to connect with several of the other bike trails in the downtown area. (They had signs up for "Ride the C-bus" which is a 37 mile bike ride)
This is definitely a park still in the developing stages. No bathrooms (Porta pottys) and it's right next to the Columbus police impound lot (IE. A bunch of old crappy cars) but I've been told that's going to be moved and then that will be developed as part of the park as well! We did NOT go into the Grange Audubon Center but it too sounds like it could develop into a great nature center with educational classes as well!
I'd give this park a B.... its got some cool stuff and has the potential to be even more fun! We'll be going back to check on it's progress!
Getting there
It's visible from 70, but you have to know it's there...Think Brewery district... Here's the Physical address 395 W. Whittier Street Columbus, OH 43215

Hocking Hills State Park

Hocking Hills State park is about an hour South East of Columbus... home to over 12 parks this place in the outdoorsy people paradise! Full of waterfalls, caves, cliffs, and ravines this is an amazing place to hike and spend the day, or even the night. There is even a Zip line tour! The region is full of camp grounds, cabins, hotels, and spa's. We didn't get to spend the night, THIS time... but I see a weekend retreat in my future! :)

We made it to only 2 of the 12 attractions, my husband had a bum ankle and a 3 year old without a nap don't make the best combination for an all day hiking excursion.

Ash Cave

I'll warn you right now the pictures do NOT do the place justice. It's impossible to capture the grand scale and beauty with a little old camera. This is one of those places that you walk into and are immediately humbled. The power of mother nature is amazing.

You couldn't dream this stuff up! It's a straight shot from the parking lot to the cave, no up hill climbing or torturous terrain. It'd be wheelchair and stroller accessible (But I'd recommend a carrier for the littlest ones so you can hike up the side and explore around the cave as well. But if you do travel up the stair case at the far end of the cave remember that if you go to the left you'll be ABOVE the cave and therefore there is a 90 foot drop so keep your kids close! There is a posted warning sign that I recommend you read allowed to the kids and threaten them with catastrophic results if they don't listen and stay close. Yes I have a 9 year old boy can you tell?!?!

(Luckily we had no problems and went up the stairs and to the right and it wound back down to the parking lot)

Ash Cave is 700 feet from end to end and 90 feet high.

Just Amazing! This cave has A LOT of history. If you go to the website for hocking hills they have alot of stories about each park and the history of each place.

http://www.hockinghills.com/parks.html

I had not read anything before we went and just happened to come across thisPeople have carved their names and the dates into the rear of the cave and I thought it was pretty cool to capture this little piece of history... 1903 seems SO long ago to me.... if the walls of the cave could talk... I can only imagine what it's seen! While we were hiking we talked alot about the Indians that lived in the area and what it must have been like to live here. We talked about how they got their food, where they slept and how they took baths... we also talked about how they hollered for one another.... you know the one I'm talking about....Yes I had to capture them doing an Indian War cry! :)

Cedar falls.

I have NO idea why it wont let me flip this picture, but it's GORGEOUS!!! It's a down hill hike to the falls from the parking lots. (Lots of Stairs) so NO wheel chairs or strollers down here! It's a short hike down to the falls. When we got there, several people we wading in the water, some even had swim suits. So I let the kids take off their shoes and of course it didn't take them long to be completely soaked.

A "local" was at the falls and she had warned him that the rocks leading up to the falls were and I quote "Slicker than snot" (lovely). As you can see my 9 year old was only knee deep so it's not very deep! The kids had a blast

The littlest one wanted to give an "Indian bath" a try.Luckily the water isn't muddy so they were able to make do with just a change of clothes but that was unfortunately the end of our time there ... we didn't even make it to Old mans cave... but I found out that there is a 3 mile hiking trail that connects Old Mans Cave, Cedar Falls, and Ash Cave... that would be doable with the kids. There are also several picnic areas (pack a lunch). and restrooms (porta-potties) along the way.

This last picture is just because I thought it was beautiful. I can only imagine how beautiful this place is in the fall when all the leaves are changing!

Getting there

I'm not going to even try to give directions to Hocking Hills...

http://www.hockinghills.com/driving_directions.html.

I STRONGLY suggest you go to their website and research where you'd like to visit, read a little of the history and then if you want to turn it into an over night trip you can find cabins or campsites on their website as well! This truly is a MUST see ...MUST do trip!!!

***Fill the Gas tank before you leave, bring a change of clothes and drinking water with you!***

Prarie Oaks - Metro Park

If you have a dog, you'll especially want to know about this next park! Prairie Oaks is the newest Metro park in Franklin County and it's just beautiful! There are several different "Parts" to this park, so let me clarify that if you have a dog you'll want to go to Darby Bend lakes on 2755 Amity Road.

We took our 100 pound puppy, Gus, with us because we had heard that there were trails that the dog could go on as well as a swimming area. The scenery is just breath taking. There are several different lakes, where you can fish, canoe, and one especially for your favorite pooch to swim in!

We had never taking Gus anywhere to swim, but we knew that he like to play in the water, I guess I just didn't realize what a water lover he was! We could hardly get him out of the water once he got in!

What I liked

There are 9 different trails on the Prairie Oaks site with several easy and short hikes. Mound trail is only .3 miles Even if you don't have a dog I would still recommend this park! It's beautiful! They do NOT have a playground for the kids but there are several "natural" play areas. My kids had a ball climbing on a big pile of rocks. and of course being able to get dirty is always fun, so pack some extra clothes and bring along a plastic bag for muddy shoes! They have sheltered picnic area and a carry in carry out policy. And I honestly didn't find out about the bathroom situation (I know I saw port-a-pots but there was also a building next to the other shelter house that looked a tad more promising) We'll be going there again soon so the Pup can play and I'll investigate a little further!

Getting there

To Darby Bend Lakes (2755 Amity Road, Hilliard):From I-270, take I-70 west to the West Jefferson / Plain City exit, turn right onto Plain City-Georgesville Road / State Route 142. Go about 2.25 miles to Lucas Road (passing the main park entrance) and turn right. Go across Big Darby Creek and turn right at the stop sign onto Amity Road. Entrance is about 0.5 miles on right.

Indian Run Falls - Dublin

Today our adventures lead us to Indian Run Falls. This beatiful environment is tucked in an unlikely spot and once again it's amazing that we can be in the city, but feel like were are out in the Wild!

This is a georgeous spot with very well maintained trails. There are several board walks and stair cases to make this a safe and fairly short hike with the family. There were several business professionals in their work attire that must come there during lunch to eat & walk around!

I wasnt sure at first if we were allowed to go down into the water and the falls in one spot are VERY steep and not at all safe to play. but if you go to your right when you first come down from the parking lot there is a stair case that leads you right down to the water! Now the rules posted say that you are not suppose to get in the water. When we first got there, no one was in the water and we just followed the trail around to the end. where there in an old cemetary that we walked around and looked at the name and dates... 1834.... On our way back there were several people in the water and one Mom advised me that I would want to go UP stream with the kids... ok! so if you were to go down the stair case when you first arrive you could go into the water and go upstream and be safe. Which I'll admit, that is what we did! The kids loved playing in the water and exploring the stream and rocks. We had a friends 10 week old puppy with us, so I was paying very close attention to how deep it was and if there was anything that could hurt him or the kids. (dogs are allowed as long as they are on leash and you clean up after them!)

I'm happy to report it didnt get more than 1/2 way up my calf (about 6 inches) deep and there was no garbage or broken glass. It was a great afternoon! It was a Hot Summer day, but it was nice in the shade and the water was refreshing!

My only complaint, no bathrooms, so the kids made use of the trees, well the boys did anyway. Hopefully because it's so close to the real world bathrooms will be coming soon! They also had 2 covered picnic areas really close to the falls

Getting there

just off 161 near Post road.... your turn onto Shawan Falls Drive and the park is right across the street from the post office. Physical address: 700 Shawan Falls Drive, Dublin

Franklin County fair

I'm sure most of you have heard about the Ohio State Fair here in Columbus every summer. That is a huge Fair with tons of thing to do and see. The Fair will he here in town this summer July 28 - August 8th. (Monday August 2nd is Family Value day. )

But for me the State Fair can be a bit overwhelming! Too many people, too much stuff so luckily my hubby knew about the Franklin County Fair. The fair ran from July 17th - 24th. and is located in Hilliard, Ohio
Now I know this post wont do you any good this summer since the fair is over, but hopefully you'll remember it NEXT summer so you can get your fix of fried food and rides that spin you into oblivion! What I like about the Franklin county fair is that it still gives you the "fair" experience without the huge crowds and overwhelming expense. It had all your usual fair going enjoyment, livestock (and the smell that goes with it), the rides, the food, the grandstand events demolition, tractor pull etc.

Admission to the fair is/was $5

Parking Free
Rides- purchase tickets or a wrist band for $12 for unlimited rides
Food- Oh the fair food.... all deep friend or loaded with sugar but surprisingly not insanely over priced.
So since I'm feeling bad that this one was After the fact, I'll throw on their website address so you can jump over there and get all the details for the fair Summer 2011!!!
http://www.fcfair.org/