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/

Graters- Bethel Rd.

Does anyone think I'm using this blog as an excuse to eat ice cream? Two Ice Cream companies in under a week! Geese! But hey, It's summer, It's hot and Ice cream is cold and yummy!

Today we hit the Graters on Bethel Rd. They have a delightful indoor play area for the kids (ages 9 & under) as well as a viewing area to watch them make ice cream.... oh and of course a place to buy/eat ice cream too!

The Entrance to the play area... looks good enough to eat! I found this just too cute, a banana teeter totter! slides and play area Such a fun time!

What I liked.

OK whats not to like, it was indoors (A/C), had bathrooms, well maintained, sweet smelling, and lots of fun! Make sure to wear or bring socks cause they require all kids to wear socks! If you forget they are kind enough to sell them at the counter for $1.

Getting there.

To the corporate office where they have tours and the play are you'll want to head to 2555 Bethel Road.... off 315. If you just want the ice cream, I'm sure you know where there is a Graters close to you, but visit their website http://www.grater/ for more info!

Velvet Ice Cream - Ye Olde Mill

The whole family went on this latest adventure, but there was the promise of ice cream so it's no surprise we had a full car! Today we went to the home of Velvet Ice Cream in Utica Ohio.

Velvet is a 4th generation family owned company, They proudly boast that the current President and VP's are women and direct descendants of the original owner. They are also very proud of "Ye Olde Mill" this baby is from 1817 and definitely the center of attention....Actually that's not true.... The ICE CREAM is the center of attention, and rightfully so! My hubby ordered this bad boy and I've never been so jealous of someone else's ice cream!

It was called The Buckeye Sundae.. chocolate, peanut butter, bananas, whip cream topped with mini-buckeyes! YUM!!We also treated our self to lunch in the restaurant and all of the items from the kids meal come served in a 1/2 gallon ice cream carton, without the ice cream of course, but the kids thought it was SO fun to get lunch in a box of ice cream!
After lunch we went through the gift shop and ice cream museum. There were lots of things to look at and read, one of my favorite is this GIANT ice cream scoop!


The Ice cream parlor had a cute little table and chairs for the kids to sit at!

What I liked.

Loved all the historic things, the kids learned about the mill and they had some old time machines. The Ice Cream parlor and museum were so quaint and really add charm to this place! Huge shelter houses with picnic tables and a fun little playground for the kids to play on.

What I was a little disappointed about.

The tour- It was 2 large windows with a young girl handing out free samples of the ice cream. Don't get me wrong the ice cream was good, but we couldn't really see them making ice cream, nor did we know what they were even doing. There was a TV screen and a microphone so perhaps if there had been someone talking about what we were seeing it would have been better. or even a video playing it might have been more educational! When we got there they were just finishing a tour so we thought we'd go to the next one, but by then the kids were ready to eat and play and so the tour was kind of a bust. I'm glad we went, it was worth the trip up there, but maybe not someplace you go again and again. They did advertise weekend entertainment and a farmers market so perhaps that would make it worthy of return trips!

Getting there

Velvet Ice Cream is 35 minutes East of Columbus and ten miles north of Newark on Ohio State Route 13.... Physical Address...11324 SR-13, Utica, OH, 43080

Franklin Park Conservatory

Today we visited the Franklin Park Conservatory. Most people in Columbus have heard of the conservatory, but I amazed at how many Columbus natives have never been!

The Conservatory bills itself as a Horticultural and educational institution. It is over 88 acres and has over 400 species of plants. The grounds really are quite impressive. We went tonight because the first Wednesday of every month is free from 5-8pm. Tonight it was also a member only exclusive preview of their new exhibit "Savage Gardens" so it was a pretty busy evening.
Now let me just say this, before I go ANY further...I don't consider myself sophisticated in the least.... and I'm OK with that, however, on this particular night most of the people at the conservatory were members, meaning that they buy a annual pass and come to admire the plants often. Most were dressed very nicely and walked around the conservatory with glasses of wine and cheese plates. My three year old tore threw a crowd of elderly people in his spider man T-shirt and was playing "secret Agent" so I must admit I felt a little out of place. However for those of you who know me, know I never let a little thing like "fitting in" keep me from having an experience and this was a chance to show my kids something new!

We let the 3 year old lead the way and he went straight to the Giant interactive Venus Fly trap. Then we just wandered in and around the different exhibits, the desert, the rain forest, the Japanese gardens just to name a few. The kids loved the Blooms and Butterflies exhibit the most. It was really neat to see the different butterflies, but they were hard to get a picture of! This part of the conservatory also has a look out tower for you to climb, huge koi fish and a waterfall.

This is where they played secret agent....

I have to say that this was a beautiful place and why we enjoyed going, it really does seem better for and older crowd. My 9 year old read some of the signs and liked the real Venus fly traps in the savage garden but the younger two got bored quickly and wanted to move onto the next room before we really had a chance to see anything very closely. That and the fact that we choose a day when it was 95 degrees made it darn near intolerable. I had planned to go walk the grounds, eat a picnic, play on the playground I'd heard was there. But it was just to dang hot!

They have several weddings at the conservatory and maybe one day I'll be lucky enough to go to one, in the mean time. They do have cocktails at the conservatory every Thursday night with live music and appetizers for $10 a person. It'd be a fun, swanky, not your run of the mill date night.