Hiking Buzzardroost Rock in Ohio

Located in the rolling hills of southwest Ohio is one of my favorite hikes, Buzzardroost Rock. Nearly two hours of driving from Cincinnati, I arrived at the lot where I parked my car and took the stairs down to the trail head.

An old sign marked the start of the trail so I crossed the road where I entered a forest of maple trees.  Considered a moderately difficult trail, I was guaranteed stunning views of the valley once I reached the scenic overlook.

Additional stairs brought me further into the woods where I reached a board walk protecting me from the surrounding wetlands.  Even a small rain would cause this area to flood, so the wooded platform was much appreciated.

Wooden stairs were a welcome sight for climbing up the side of the hill.

I crossed over the creek using wooden planks which had been perfectly laid down for hikers to span the trickling water.

Large sandstone rocks appeared at the crest of the hill and as the sun began to set, its reflection gave the monolith stones a reddish orange glow.

I was a little disappointed that the sun was beginning to set, but the sky was such a beautiful pink and orange that I took a few moments to enjoy the spectacular colors streaming through the trees.

The further I walked, the more beautiful the colors came together.  It was so worth taking a few moments to enjoy the views, but I was also wanting to make sure that I made it to the overlook before it was too late.

I continued walking while enjoying the beautiful sunset.

The sky remained dusk when I reached the overlook.  The boardwalk led to a circular viewing area which seemed to cling to the side of the hill.

A closer look at the countryside below leaves me breathless….or it may have just been the hike.  I could feel the peace and quiet as I looked down over the valley.  I immediately took notice of the farmhouse, surrounded by acres of land and agreed that the hike was definitely worth the effort.

Have you had the opportunity to hike Buzzardroost Rock? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.   Thanks for reading about my evening hike at Buzzardroost and wishing you many Happy Trails!

To hike Buzzardroost Rock, enter the following address into your GPS to  reach the parking lot for the trail:

Buzzardroost Rock Trail
16300 OH-125
West Union, OH  45693

Travel Tip – Getting Back into Work Mode

I love adding a few vacation days to a holiday weekend.  So after being in holiday mode for a week, there are times when getting back into work mode can be somewhat challenging.  Here are some tips for making the transition easier.

  1. Set up my “out of office” message – This alerts co-workers and clients that I will be out of the office and if there is an urgent need to either leave a voicemail, especially if I will not be able to check email, or an email that I can check once I return to the office.  Which leads to my second point.
  2. Have a backup person – Putting someone in charge while I am out of the office is not only helpful to my clients, but it also relieves me of some of the duties that I would have had to cover had I not been on vacation. It is always a great idea for me to meet with that person prior to leaving to discuss any unfinished business and to meet upon my return for any urgent action items that may need to be resolved as soon as possible.
  3. Sneak a peek once in awhile – If I am accessible during my holiday away from work, I don’t mind checking email or voicemail on a 24 hour basis just to make sure that something has not slipped through the cracks or that there is a situation that requires immediate attention. I don’t want to spend all day working on my vacay, but checking every now and then doesn’t hurt.
  4. Put up a sign “In Teleconference” – After being away for a week, I may need to take some uninterrupted time to go through email and voicemail and snail mail to catch up on some loose ends. I can either provide a time when I will be available or just leave the sign up on the closed door until I feel I can take on any additional work/questions from colleagues.  Of course, I can also add “Interrupt in an absolute emergency”, so my co-workers are not too frightened to disturb me in the event that they need to do so.
  5. Prioritize and tackle – So while I am hibernating away to follow up and address any concerns, issues or questions, I want to see if there are any urgent notices (emails or voicemails) that require attention right away. I will many times answer the not so urgent messages stating that I have (or have not) had a chance to review their message, but will do so as soon as possible or even give them a time limit.

Vacations are a much needed priority to feel recharged and renewed.  I certainly don’t want to feel overwhelmed after my holiday, so I try to think about ways to proactively set myself up for an easy transition back into work.  It certainly can make a difference.

Disclosure:   Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

Home Cooking at The Farm, Adena, OH

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Stephi,  from The Black Sheep Vineyard, suggested I visit The Farm for dinner which is located just around the corner from the winery.  She mentioned that the restaurant provided home-style cooking and recommended the prime rib with their homemade butter.  That sounded absolutely fabulous so I purchased a couple of bottles of wine and made my way over to the restaurant.

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I was greeted with a warm smile by the hostess, who led me to a table close to the fireplace.  The atmosphere was electric as waiters kept busy with a full house.  My server was helpful in providing me with a list of specials which included a Shrimp and Scallop Pasta with Grilled Vegetables & Alfredo with Salad for $22, Baked or Fried Cod with two sides for $14 and a twenty-ounce Cowboy Steak with two sides for $32.   There was also a Berry Chicken Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing for $14.  The vegetable of the day was Broccoli with Cheese.  Everything sounded so fantastic, so I splurged on the Alfredo special and ordered ranch dressing with my salad.

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My salad was perfectly chilled with mixed greens, beets, green beans, cheese and croutons.  The dressing, a homemade ranch, was absolutely delicious and perfectly seasoned with ground pepper.  I checked out some of the orders passing from the kitchen to the tables where I noticed homemade noodles and stuffed Italian peppers.

I could sense my dinner was arriving as I smelled the creamy cheese sauce.  There were plenty of meat, vegetables and topped with fresh Parmesan cheese.  With so much food, I requested a take out box ahead of time, so I wouldn’t overeat and have leftovers for the next day or two.

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Before leaving, I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting Sally, the owner of the restaurant.  She is the epitome of hospitality and what a fabulous cook.  She learned that I was interested in writing about The Farm and wanted to introduce herself to me.  I thanked her for the delicious meal and before I could pay my bill, she met me at my table with another package….she was so excited to share with me her pot roast and wanted me to try her notorious bread pudding.  I would have loved to have tried the meal at the restaurant, but I was quite full from my delicious meal.  I needed to make it back to Columbus and thanked her again for her generous hospitality.   While I didn’t have room for dessert, I was happy that I saved time for the sunset.

Have you had the opportunity to visit The Farm in Adena, Ohio?  What did you order or what is your favorite meal?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.

Disclosure:   Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

Where to Eat:

The Farm Restaurant
1247 OH-150
Adena, Ohio  43901
Telephone:  740 769 2050

For more information about The Farm Restaurant, you can check out their Facebook page to access their menu and to find out more information about their hours of operation.  I would like to thank Sally and the staff at The Farm for their generous hospitality and kindness during my visit!  All opinions provided are my own!

Where to Drink:

The Black Sheep Winery
1454 US-250
Adena, Ohio  43901
Telephone:  740 546 3741

Where to Stay:

Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham
620 Lincoln Avenue
Cadiz, OH  43907
Telephone:  740 942 1161

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Yummy Pot Roast with Awesome Gravy

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Incredible Bread Pudding

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The Spectacular Sunset at The Farm Restaurant, Adena, OH

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Bodega Restaurant in Athens, OH

 

I arrived early for lunch at the Bodega in Athens, Ohio.  A well-known restaurant located in Uptown, it is a perfect stop for local students attending Ohio University.  The Bodega is a part of a co-operative, opened in 1986 under the Casa Nueva name as a restaurant.  The business continued to grow to include a salsa and later expanded to add The Bodega with its own kitchen.

I found a place at the bar to place my order and was handed a polyethylene coated piece of paper with the number 13.

In the corner of the restaurant is an electrical, back-lit board which displays a number when an order has been completed.  Once the number is displayed on the “Bingo Board”, there is a small pass-through to pick up the food.

Until my food was completed, I was happy to enjoy a Pineapple Hurricane made with orange juice, pineapple juice, grenadine and pineapple infused alcohol.

My grilled chicken burrito arrived with a side of chips and salsa, which was absolutely fresh with the perfect amount of heat.  I met a couple of students who had just arrived to the restaurant preparing for their last test of the day.  This was the last day of the semester for the students and many would be making the journey home.

As I finished the last of my burrito, the restaurant was filling up with students, so I grabbed my leftovers and headed back to The Plains to wait for my niece and nephew to return home.

Have you visited The Bodega inside of Casa Nueva?  What did you order?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my visit to one of Athens’ best restaurants and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Casa Nueva – The Bodega
4 West State Street
Athens, OH  45701
Telephone:  740 592 2016

What to Eat:

Each day the restaurant prepares fresh salsas and ingredients for their wraps and burritos.  Each menu item is made to order and each selection comes highly recommended.

Nostalgic Nutcracker Family Restaurant in Pataskala, Ohio

Meeting my cousin for dinner, we decided on a spot that would make the halfway point for both of us, selecting The Nutcracker in Pataskala.  Located on the back roads of Ohio’s farmland, this gorgeous diner first opened as an ice cream parlor in 1995.

Taking my first step through the door, I recognized all of the features that make this restaurant a 1950’s diner, but I also could not help noticing that I was surrounded by Nutcrackers of all shapes and sizes.

The antique cars and authentic signs add to the charm of this roadside restaurant.  The black and white checkered floor throughout adds the final touch.  I felt a little nostalgic seeing all of the Coca Cola memorabilia as it reminded me of visiting my Grandfather.

My eyes were immediately drawn to the neon signs “Service Station” and the “FrosTop Root Beer” advertisement as I waited to be seated.  A small table next to a window sill held about fifteen more Nutcrackers in all shapes and sizes.

Looking through the menu, there were so many items that I had a difficult time narrowing down my order.  I remembered walking through the front door where I noticed the advertisement for Snicker Cookie Pie that I knew I wanted to save room for dessert.

I finally decided on the BLT sandwich with fries, placed my order and immediately flipped to the dessert page of the menu.  I did not wait long for my meal to arrive and asked for a slice of the seasonal  pumpkin roll with whipped cream.

Full from lunch and dessert, I approached the cash register where there was a large pastry display with whole pies, chocolate candies and their famous cream puffs.  I was tempted to take a few items to go, but thought it would be best to pass on the additional sugar and wait until the next time I was in town.

Instead of dinner next time, I wouldn’t mind trying a couple of desserts.

Have you stopped by The Nutcracker in Pataskala for an amazing trip down memory lane?  Let me know what you ordered by leaving a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my fabulous dining experience at The Nutcracker and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Nutcracker Family Restaurant
63 E. Broad Street
Pataskala, OH  43062
Telephone:  740 964 0056

Where to Eat:

Nutcracker Family Restaurant
63 E. Broad Street
Pataskala, OH  43062
Telephone:  740 964 0056

Exploring the Shawshank Trail in Mansfield, Ohio

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Shawshank Redemption is an all-time classic starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freedman. The movie won several awards and was filmed in central Ohio.  So when I learned that most of the movie was filmed in Mansfield, I jumped at the opportunity to download the “Shawshank Trail Drive It Yourself Tour” and began my trek up north.  Fourteen sites identify where Hollywood filmed the movie including the Ohio State Reformatory, which is now a museum and open to the public for tours. Here are the details of my tour.   SPOILER ALERT!

Shawshank signs and decals identify the sites that are listed on the tour.   The drive begins at the Ohio State Reformatory and ends in Upper Sandusky, Ohio where two of the sites were filmed about an hour outside of Mansfield.

Please note:   I have put the sites in order in which they appear in the movie and not in the sequence of the driving tour.

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At the start of the film, Andy Dufresne is sitting outside of his wife’s lover’s house where he knows she is inside.  The façade of the home is Pugh Cabin located at Malabar Farm State Park in Lucas, Ohio.

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Located in Upper Sandusky, the Wyandot County Courthouse is the site where Andy’s trial took place.  Because I completed the driving tour on a Saturday, the courthouse was not open.  NOTE:  Should you visit from Monday through Friday, from 8:30 to 4:30, it is required that you ask permission of a courthouse employee prior to taking photos of the inside of the building.

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When Red and the other prisoners come out to watch the new prisoners enter the prison yard, there are several angles of the Ohio State Reformatory that are familiar in these scenes.

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The guard tower is seen from several angles, but as Red is entering the courtyard of the prison, the view of the post can be seen in the background.

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One of my favorite shots in the movie is when the film follows the entrance road up to the façade of the Ohio State Reformatory leading into an aerial view of the prison.  It is such a dramatic part of the film that highlights the fascinating architecture of the building.

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A view of the bullpen occurs when the prisoners, upon entering the penitentiary, are required to line up on the yellow line.  It is here where the new prisoners experience their first sight of police brutality on the inside.

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The area set aside for Solitary Confinement is marked within the Ohio State Reformatory.  It is here where the prisoners would be sent as additional punishment for not following the rules.

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At one point, Andy is washing his face, which shows the inside of his prison cell.

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The shower scene in the movie looks very similar to the showers inside of the reformatory except for the fact that the movie shower heads are larger.

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Another angle of the shower shows where the towels and clothes of the prisoners are hanging from hooks along the back wall.

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Moving away from the Ohio State Reformatory, the next location site is the Shawshank Workshop. Inside of this building is where the filming took place that represented the workshop inside of Shawshank Prison.  There are several scenes which shows the prisoners working in the workshop.  The most notable scene is when Andy locks himself up in the warden’s office and plays opera over the load speaker for the prisoners to hear, playing Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro”.

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There is a scene in the movie where Andy is coming down the stairs with the warden.  Although painted a different color than the film, this scene was filmed at the Ohio State Reformatory.

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If you look closely to the floor where Andy works on the same level as the warden’s office, you will notice the circular tiles.  This floor is located on the first floor of the Ohio State Reformatory and is part of the administrative offices and gift shop.

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The façade of the Blissman Building was used as the Brewster Hotel as well as the Portland Daily Bugle.  The hotel was where Brooks would stay after being released from prison and would later on, hang himself in his room.  On the corner of Main and Fifth is where Brooks would try to cross the street, only to realize that the times are now moving faster and is almost hit by a car. This building is considered haunted and is included in the Haunted Mansfield Tour.

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The set for Brooks’ room can be seen at the Ohio State Reformatory.

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The scene where Brooks is waiting for his crow, Jake, to return has been replaced with a gazebo.

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On the other side of the park is a bench that has been designated as a prop for the movie as the location where Brooks sat waiting for his pet crow, Jake.

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On the ground floor of the Ohio State Reformatory is the model for the tunnel where Andy dug his way out to freedom.  This is the actual film prop where the Warden throws one of Andy’s stone images that happens to expose the hole from which Andy escapes.

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The most memorable prop is that where Andy crawls his way out of the sewage pipe that leads outside of the prison and ending at a creek.  According to the museum, the sewage was created by using sawdust, chocolate syrup and water.

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One of the most thrilling events of the movie is when Andy enters the Maine National Bank and cashes in his account under the name of Randall Stevens and drops of a package for the bank to mail on his behalf.  You can find the location where they shot this scene at what is known as Crosby Advisory Group, LLC.  There is the vault door and an office upstairs that was used in the movie.

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After Red is released from prison, there is a scene in the movie where he happens to look inside of a storefront window and gazes upon a compass.  It will be this compass that will help Red find the Oak Tree that Andy directs him to find.

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One of the movie locations that requires a little driving is approximately 15 miles outside of Mansfield on the country roads of Bellville.  It is one of my favorite scenes where Red, looking for the Oak Tree, hitches a ride with a man driving a pickup truck.  He drops him off at an intersection and is one of the prettiest scenes in the movie.  It is at the intersection of Snyder Road and Hagerman Road in Bellville.

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The movie zooms in on Red as he continues his journey searching for the Oak Tree.

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It is an exciting moment in the movie when Red eventually finds the Oak Tree and the treasure that Andy has left for him.  The scene shows Red walking along a hay field and then following a small wall of rocks until he reaches the tree.  Located in Pleasant Valley near Malabar Farm, only half of this tree remains due to a lightning strike on July 29, 2011.

UPDATE:  On July 22, 2016, winds damaged the 200+ year old tree and the remainder of the tree was cut down on April 9, 2017.

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Once Red finds the treasure, he returns back to the Brewer Hotel to pack his belongings. It is here that he also leaves his mark at the hotel “So Was Red”, next to his dear friend’s last message “Brooks Was Here”.  This image can be found at the Ohio Reformatory in Mansfield.

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Inside of this building is where Andy waits in line to purchase his bus ticket to Fort Hancock, Texas, located at the American/Mexican border.  This building is located on Orange Street in Ashland, Ohio.

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As Andy rides the bus towards Fort Hancock, Texas, there is a view of the bus heading down a road along the beautiful countryside.  This scenic location is also in Belleville, on the corner of Hagerman and Route 95.  This is another one of my favorite scenes because it shows a brand new beginning for Red and the opportunity for him to have a second chance.

Shawshank Redemption is a movie about friendship, loyalty, innocence and revenge.  It is a thrilling drama where the good guy wins and the bad guy has a second chance.  Although it was not a box office success, the US Library of Congress added this film to their National Film Registry finding it “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.”  I couldn’t agree more.

Have you seen Shawshank Redemption or taken the Shawshank Trail in Mansfield?  What were you thoughts about the movie?  I would love to hear about your experience and thoughts if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many Thanks and Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Malabar Farm State Park
4050 Bromfield Road
Lucas, OH  44843
Telephone:  419 892 2784

  • Admission Fee:  No  fee to drive up to the cabin at Malabar Farm State Park
  • Hours:  Park grounds are open from dawn to dusk.
  • Amenities:   Mt. Jeez lookout, picnic areas, restroom facilities, campgrounds, guided tours, Malabar Restaurant, 32-room country mansion
  • Scenic View:   Pugh Cabin, the façade of the house was filmed as Andy Dufresne’s wife’s lover; the park is extensive with scenic views, especially the Mt. Jeez Lookout
  • Length of Visit:  30 minutes, unless you continue to explore this beautiful state park
  • Tips for Your Visit:  If visiting the park from November through April, some of the facilities may be closed/unavailable

Wyandot County Courthouse
109 S. Sandusky Avenue
Upper Sandusky, OH 43351
Telephone:  419 294 3826

  • Hours:  Monday through Friday:  8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Length of Visit:  Less than 30 minutes
  • Tips for Your Visit:  You must have permission to take photographs inside.

The Ohio State Reformatory
100 Reformatory Road
Mansfield, OH  44905
Telephone:  419 522 2644

  • Admission:  Self-guided tours for adults (18 & up) are $12 while guided tours cost $17.  Students (7 – 17), Seniors (age 60+) and College ID and Military are $10 for self-guided tours and $15 for guided tours.  Children 6 and under are free and there is an additional $5 cost for the audio wand.  NOTE:  Cash only, but there is an ATM machine provided.
  • Hours:  Winter Hours (February 2 to March 31) are from 11 AM to 4 PM, Friday, Saturday and Sunday only;  Spring/Summer Hours (April 1 to September 2) are from 11 AM to 4 PM, daily; Holiday Tours (November 24 to December 17) are from 11 AM to 4PM, daily
  • Amenities:  New for 2018, the reformatory will be open for abbreviated tours (September 4th – November 4th – Thursdays through Sunday only in October);  self-guided tours; guided tours offered regularly between June and August on Saturdays and Sundays;  Specialized guided tours include: History Meets Hollywood Tour, Beyond the Bars Tour, and the Inmate Tour led by Michael Humphrey who spent 14 months here in the late 1960s. This tour contains adult themes and is intended for mature audiences only.  Please contact the Ohio State Reformatory to confirm when this tour is available.
  • Scenic View:  There are several scenic views of the reformatory from the Warden’s Quarters and other locations throughout the prison.
  • Length of Visit:  For the basic self-guided or guided tour, allow 1.5 to 2 hours for your visit.  Depending on the number of guided tours you purchase, you will require additional time.
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Pay the additional fee for the audio tour which provides interesting information about the reformatory.  Admission is cash only but there is an ATM machine provided.  Wear proper shoes due to the condition of the metal stairs in the cell block.  If you think you can handle it, visit during the overnight ghost tour.

Blissman Building
193 N. Main Street
Mansfield, OH  44902
Telephone:  419 295 2537

  • Admission Fee:  No Fee, but donations are appreciated
  • Hours:  If the door is open, come on in! Let the staff know you are on the Shawshank Tour
  • Scenic View:   The façade represents the Brewer Hotel and the Portland Daily Bugle
  • Length of Visit:  Less than 30 minutes
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Only the façade was used for the movie.

Brook’s Bench
Park Avenue West and Park Street
Mansfield, OH  44902
Telephone:  419 744 9820

  • Admission Fee:  No Fee, public location
  • Hours:  Open 24 hours
  • Scenic View:   From the park bench there is a beautiful gazebo in the park.
  • Length of Visit:  Less than 30 minutes

Crosby Advisory Group,
19 W. Main Street
Ashland, OH  44805
www.crosbyadvisory.com

  • Admission Fee:  No Fee, but donations accepted
  • Hours:  8 – 4; Monday through Friday
  • Length of Visit:  Less than 30 minutes
  • Tips for Your Visit:  This building may not be available even during the hours of operation,  The vault door, teller line and one of the offices upstairs were used as scenes from the movie.

Road to Buxton:  Crossroads of Snyder and Hagerman

Shawshank Tree – on Pleasant Valley Road between Malabar Farm and Malabar Farm Restaurant

Revivals Thrift Shop
345 Orange Street
Ashland, OH  44805
Telephone:  419 903 0303

  • Hours:  Open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Open Saturday from 9 AM to 3 PM on Saturday and closed on Sunday.
  • Length of Visit:  30 minutes
  • Tips for Your Visit:  The location was used as the Trailways Bus Station in the movie.  It is a Christian outreach and ministry today.

Route 95 near Hagerman Road in Butler, OH is where Red rode the Trailways Bus after leaving the Shawshank State Prison,

Zihuatenejo
Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge
St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
Telephone: 340 773 4554

  • Admission Fee:  No Fee
  • Hours:  Open on Saturday to Sunday only and is closed from April to August for turtle nesting season
  • Amenities:   None
  • Scenic View:   The coast of Sandy Point is absolutely stunning with its crystal clear waters and gorgeous white sand beaches
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Do not visit this beach alone.  You cannot put a stake in the ground (i.e., for an umbrella) so bring plenty of sunscreen.  The water has a drop off and becomes deep very quickly.  Turtles and rays are seen here.

Where to Stay:

Wishmaker House Bed and Breakfast
116 Main Street
Bellville, OH  44813
Telephone: 419 886 9463

Where to Eat:

Malabar Farm Restaurant
3645 Pleasant Valley Road
Lucas, OH  44864
Telephone:  419 938 5205

I started my meal with the mushroom soup which was creamy and full of flavor.  As my main meal, I ordered the highly popular Reuben sandwich made of slow cooked brisket, kraut, marble rye, artisan Thousand Island and served with chips.  Blog post coming soon!

The Vault Wine Bar
29 W. Main Street
Shelby, OH  44875
Telephone:  567 292 9081
The Suite Life of Travel Blog Post

I had already eaten a big lunch and decided to order the stuffed dates at The Vault which are stuffed with bleu cheese, wrapped in bacon, baked and then drizzled with balsamic reduction.  I could have ordered two servings they were amazing!

Disclosure:   Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

Lunch at Teaberry’s, Springfield, Ohio

Update:  As of December 26, 2022, Teaberry’s and Heart of Ohio Gift Shop has closed. 

Restaurants can bring on a nostalgic feeling and I felt that as I entered Teaberry’s in Springfield.  I remembered visiting craft stores when I was younger and vividly recollected the menu of home-cooked meals.  I was so happy to be visiting here again to try some of the cooking that reminded me of my favorite lunches we shared at my Grandmother’s house.

We were seated straightaway and our server took our drink order.  It was a hot sunny day in my hometown and so I ordered the lemonade, trying to decide on what I would have for lunch.

Once I had decided on the chicken salad sandwich with cauliflower salad, I took time to read the historical account of Teaberry’s learning that the restaurant had once been a two-room schoolhouse in Clark County, built in 1868.  It later became a home, a gift shop and the restaurant was added in 1998.  Today, Teaberry’s has expanded by adding five rooms to accommodate up to 120 guests.

The serving of chicken salad was overflowing from the perfectly baked croissant, lightly toasted with a think layer of butter.  The broccoli salad was dressed with a sweet and salad dressing, which was absolutely delicious.

Of course I had to save room for their famous “orange cakes”, which were moist and full of flavor.  Completely full, we had time to shop  and found a few items to decorate my home and gifts for the upcoming holiday.   I’m not sure which I had enjoyed more…the lunch or the shopping, but both were quite enjoyable.

Have you visited Teaberry’s in Springfield?  What was your experience and did you eat and shop?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my lunch and shopping at Teaberry’s and wishing you many Happy Travels.

What to See and What to Do:

Heart of Country Gift Shop
1600 Leffel Lane
Springfield, OH  45505

Where to Eat:

Teaberry’s
1600 Leffel Lane
Springfield, OH 45505

What to Eat:

  • Chicken Salad
  • Reuben Sandwich
  • Orange Cake

Hiking East Fork State Park in Clermont County, Ohio

I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I was lost on the Steven Newman Trail at East Fork State Park.  I finally gave up and returned a couple of days later to hike one of the mountain bike trails.  Here are some of my favorite photos from visiting East Fork State Park.

Day 1

Day 2

Visiting East Fork State Park in the early spring was a quiet experience as the summer are the park’s busiest time of the year.  For more information about East Fork State Park, visit their website at East Fork State Park (ohiodnr.gov).

Have you visited East Fork State Park?  Do you have a favorite trail that you would like to share?  If so, please leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for browsing some of my favorite photos from my visit to East Fork State Park and wishing you many Happy Travels!

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth af Fluff Bakery in Athens, Ohio

Strolling past Fluff Bakery in Uptown Athens, a sweet smell of sugar and chocolate chips was escaping the door each time it had opened.  I had just eaten lunch with my niece and nephew and they loved the idea of stopping for dessert.

Opened in 2010, Fluff Bakery offers cookies and cakes as well as sandwiches, salads and local craft brews. I couldn’t pass up the decadent chocolate cupcake with chocolate icing, chunks of chocolate and chocolate syrup while the kids selected a large chocolate chip cookie and red velvet whoopie pie.

We took a seat at one of the tables and it didn’t seem long until we had finished our baked goods, so I asked them if they wanted to pick up something for the next day, and of course, we chose a more selections to have after lunch.  With a few more days in town, we may have decide to stop by Fluff Bakery for lunch.

Have you visited Fluff Bakery in Athens?  What did you order?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my stop at Fluff Bakery and wishing you many Happy Travels.

What to See and What to Do: 

Fluff Bakery
8 N. Court Street
Athens, OH 45701
Telephone:  740 249 4286

Little Fish Brewing Co., Athens, Ohio

While visiting family in Athens, one of my favorite breweries to visit is Little Fish Brewing Co.  Opening the summer of 2015, the owners Jimmy Stockwell and Sean White focused on their mission to create beers from Ohio-grown ingredients.  The following year, their  “Barrel-Aged Woodthrush” won the 2016 World Beer Cup Gold Medal in the Belgian- and French-style Ale category.

In addition to their craft beers, I love the atmosphere of Little Fish as soon as I walk through the door.  The wrap-around bar is large enough to seat about twenty-five with a gigantic chalkboard that lists all of their available beers.

Inside, there are board games for families and friends to play as well as decks of cards for Euchre tournaments or a friendly game of Rummy.

Outside are several picnic tables  a large outdoor space for cornhole tournaments or a children’s game of tag.

My favorite craft brews are the Woodthrush and Our Lightest Beer, but there may be a new selection each time I visit.  I’m always happy to try the new brews to add to my list of favorites.

When Little Fish first opened, they brought in food trucks so their customers could order food.  Today, the breweries in Dayton and Athens have kitchens, run by Becky Clark.  In addition to the brewery’s awards over the years, Clark was nominated as a James Beard Award Winning Chef (Best Chef) in the Great Lakes Region for her work with Little Fish.  Just another reason why this brewery is so amazing.

Have you been to Little Fish Brewing Co. in Athens, Ohio?  Which craft beer did you like best?  Many thanks for reading about my visit to this award winning brewery and wishing you many Happy Travels.

What to See and What to Do:

Little Fish Brewing Co.
8675 Armitage Road
Athens, OH  45701
Telephone:  740 447 5011

Where to Eat:

Little Fish Brewing Co.
8675 Armitage Road
Athens, OH  45701
Telephone:  740 447 5011

Where to Drink:

Little Fish Brewing Co.
8675 Armitage Road
Athens, OH  45701
Telephone:  740 447 5011