Cantwell Cliffs at Hocking Hills

12 January 201716 September 2024

It was a beautiful weekend of hiking throughout Hocking Hills State Park and I wanted to find a short, moderate hike that would be a little challenging as well as scenic. Cantwell Cliffs Loop was the perfect trail measuring less than 2 miles featuring gorges and a gorgeous waterfall. Located 17 miles from Old Man’s Cave, this would also be a convenient stop on my way back home to Columbus.

The fall leaves had collected along the edges of the trail . As I reached the top of the stairs, I caught a glimpse of a bushy tail rushing up beech a tree.

Created by the erosion of the rock caused by the Buck Run tributary, the Cantwell trail runs through both the gorge and the rim of the cliffs. The stairways leading up to the rim were steep and made for a great work out, a section of the trail known as Fat Woman’s Squeeze.

A closer look at the Blackstone rock showed striations as well as small caverns. Thin layers of moss covered the boulders and streaming lines of ants were leaving from their little cave homes in search of food.

The scenery throughout this hike was unique with twisted trees and tight spaces between the rocks. Quietly enjoying my surroundings, I could hear the crunching of leaves beneath my boots and the occasion tweet from a bird.

Ascending the trail, I looked back to see the thick woods of white poplar trees. The wind was beginning to pick up with the light flutter of branches and leaves and soon I had approached the waterfall.

While I was excited to see the waterfall, it was only a trickle of water. The sound coming from the small stream and droplets echoed off of the rocks as the water slowly reached the ground. I as a little disappointed that there was not much of a fall, so I will ahve to return again to see it this summer. I always love an excuse to hike.

Have you hiked Cantwell Cliffs? 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 spring hike of Cantwell Cliffs and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Cantwell Cliffs at Hocking Hills State Park
13540 OH-374
Rockbridge, OH 43143
Telephone: 740 385 6842

Admission Fee: Free
Hours: Open daily from dusk to dawn
Tips for Your Visit: Where sturdy shoes or hiking boots and during the rainy seasons, you may want a walking stick to keep from falling. Early morning hikes are best in season as the trails can fill up. Try hiking the trail during each of the seasons for a different perspective.

Where to Stay:

Hocking Hills Inn and Coffee Emporium
13984 OH-664 Scenic
Logan, OH 43138
Telephone: 740 270 2697

Where to Eat:

Millstone Southern Smoked BBQ
12790 Grey Street
Logan, OH 43138
Telephone: 740 385 5341

What to Read:

Hocking Hills, by Doreen McMillian
Hocking Hills Day Hikes, by Mary Reed

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

Springtime in Sharon Woods, Metro Park, Columbus

11 August 201616 September 2024

It was a beautiful weekend and my mother had come to meet me in Columbus for a visit. I told her about the great wildlife that I had been seeing lately at Sharon Woods and she wanted to come along to see it for herself. We are both nature lovers, so it only made sense that we should wake up before sunrise and head out for an early morning walk along one of the paved trails at the park.

It was a foggy morning and just as we were pulling into the Sharon Woods, we noticed a deer and her fawn to our right. They were so close to our car and did not seem to mind, so I thought I would exit my car and take a couple of photos. Slowly inching closer for the perfect shot, it was then that the mother gave me a hearty snort and a signal from her hoof warning me to keep my distance. Realizing that she was not too pleased, I returned to my car hoping that I had taken some great pics.

Within minutes, the fog was lifting and we managed to stay on point with our hike which was not going to take much time. We stopped to listen to the sounds in the trees and to identify some of the plants, insects and animals along the way. The vibrant colors of butterflies landing against the greenery and blooms were a sign that spring had finally arrived.

With each step, the musical sounds of the birds were coming towards us at every direction and we were surrounded by blue jays, orioles and cardinals. The male cardinals were easy to find with their bold red colors and we could see the females resting on the tree limbs nearby.

Schrock Lake was full of activity with ducks and geese paddling and chasing each other along the shoreline. We found a front row seat on a nearby bench along the dock and watched the signs of spring before heading back to the trail.

We had just returned to the walking path when we encountered a wild turkey and her chicks. This was the first time I had ever seen them at Sharon Woods, so I was happy that I had brought along my camera. I’ve hiked many of the Columbus Metro Parks and Sharon Woods is one of my favorites, just for the simple reason to experience its wildlife.

Do you have a favorite Metro Park in Columbus? I would love to hear where you like to spend time outdoors, so if you would leave your story in the comments, section, that would be great! Many thanks for reading about my day at Sharon Woods and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Sharon Woods Metro Park
6911 Cleveland Avenue
Westerville, OH 43081
Telephone: 614 315 5520

Admission Fee: Free
Hours: Daily from 6:30AM to 10PM from April through September and from 6:30AM to 8PM from October through
Amenities: Park programs, trails, shelters, biking, fishing, picknicking, and sledding
Scenic View: Early morning and dusk, there are several types of animals that roam the park.
Length of Visit: 1 – 2 hours or more depending on the activity

Where to Stay:

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Columbus Downtown
50 South Front Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Telephone: 614 228 4600

Where to Eat:

Yanni’s Greek Restaurant
6196 Cleveland Avenue
Columbus, OH 43231
Telephone: 614 890 4775

I had a light lunch here ordering the tzatziki sauce with pita bread.

Here are more of my favorite Columbus Classics:

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream: Known for her unique flavor combinations, Jeni Britton Bauer has made ice cream famous in C-Bus!
North Market: A one-stop shop for universal cuisine, Columbus’ North Market is worth a stop in the Short North District of the city.
The Thurman Cafe: The Thurmanator is the burger of all burgers at this longtime local cafe in German Village. There may be a wait all burgers are made to order.
Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Restaurant: While the sausage at Schmidt’s is the official food of Columbus, it’s the amazing Cream Puffs that have the locals lining up at the door.

What to Read:

Columbus: The Story of a City, by Ed Lentz
Columbus, Ohio: A Photographic Portrait, by Randall L Schieber and Robin Smith
Ohio in Photographs: A Portrait of the Buckeye State, by Ian Adams
Secret Columbus, by Anietra Hamper

Photo Guide for Columbus:

Coffman Park: small ponds, bridges, white barn, pavilion, landscaping, public art
Columbus Museum of Art: the grounds, inside artwork and special exhibits
Everal Barn and Homestead: landscaping, white barn, beautiful lake
Frank Fetch Park: gardens, brick paths, beautiful trees and landscaping
Franklin Park Conservatory: beautiful gardens, artwork, flowers and special exhibits
Gantz Park: barn, beautiful trees,
German Village: brick streets, landscaping, parks, charming architecture, Old World charm, historical buildings
Grove City: brick roads, small town, shopping area
Hayden Falls – wooden walking path, waterfall
Historical Village of Hilliard: a small village to include a schoolhouse, train car, chapel, log cabin, covered bridge, gazebo and granary
Homestead Park in Hilliard: walking path, covered bridge, barns, trains, tractor, pond and pet park
Inniswood Metro Gardens: gardens, lily pond, herb garden, play area for children, secret garden
Ohio State House: rotunda and landscaping (photo permit required)
Ohio State University: campus, landscaping, Mirror Lake, Ohio Stadium (you can pay a small fee to take photos inside)
Park of Roses in Clintonville: various types of rose gardens
Riverfront Park: city view, Scioto River, landscapes, fountains, walking paths
Schiller Park: gardens, walking paths, stone columns, wooden bridge, small lake
Scioto Mile: city views, Scioto River, landscapes, fountains, walking paths
Scioto Park in Dublin: statue of Chief Leatherlips, river views, landscaping, and paths
Short North: restaurants, italian village, shops, city views, murals
Topiary Park: depiction of George Seurat’s 1884 painting, landscape, fountains, small pond, gazebo

Dyer’s Mill, Hiking at Battelle Darby Creek

23 April 201531 August 2024

With below freezing temperatures and a couple of inches of water at the start of the trail, I almost considered turning back to reschedule my day hike at Battelle Darby Creek. The Dyer Mill Trail starts at Darby Creek Drive in Galloway and is a 2.5 mile loop trail that takes about an hour and a half to complete. I wanted to test out my new hiking boots anyway, so this would be the perfect opportunity.

Towards the start of the trail, there was a fork in the road but regardless of which path I took, I would return where I started on this loop hike. Surrounded by trees and woods for nearly an hour, I arrived at a clearing. The scenery was what I gad expected from a winter hike and I was hoping to catch a glimpse of wildlife brave enough to venture out in the cold. I happened upon a few birds, but up until that time, there was no sign of life. I continued along the path of sallow greens and browns, and searched through my binoculars to see eagles, hawks or even vultures among the soothing silence.

The pathway was a mix of grass and gravel and perfect for cross-country skiers after a winter snowfall. Ranked as moderately difficult, there were a couple of hills that were somewhat steep but not incapacitating.

The snow struggled to blanket the field as it melted under the warming temperatures. I could hear the crunching of ice under my boots as I made my way towards a bridge on the trail. I stopped to check how my boots were holding up and put my scarf in my backpack.

The snow-covered trail widened under the trees and cleaned the dirt out of my boots. I was surprised at how comfortable I felt in the cold and was happy my feet were surviving the breaking in of my new boots. By the visible impressions in the snow, I was hoping to find some animal prints.

Walking further along, Little Darby Creek appeared to my left and I could hear the faint sound of its rippling downstream. I managed to walk down to its bank to touch the water and it was absolutely freezing. There were islands of ice in several spots along the waterway and I realized, that in just a couple of weeks, they will have melted and the scenery will have changed.

I finally reached the steep climb, and I was thankful that there was neither ice nor snow on the hill. The fallen leaves provided great traction and I felt the remainder of the trek should be easy.

I approached another patch of snow and decided to follow it into the woods where it remained untouched by hikers. I finally came upon some animal footprints which made me think about the hibernating wildlife and those who have ventured out into the cold for food. I felt a happiness knowing that these nature preserves protect the adorable creatures and nearby land so we can enjoy them for years to come.

I was near the end of the trail coming back to where I had started. This was the section of the trail that was flooded, but lucky for me, my waterproof boots had passed the test.

I was satisfied that my boots had passed the waterproof test and spending time in the outdoors during winter was especially invigorating. I was happy that I continued with my hike that day and it was a beautiful, quiet afternoon to explore Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.

What to See and What to Do:

Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
1775 Darby Creek Drive
Galloway, OH 43119
Telephone: 614 891 0700

Admission Fee: There is no admission fee for visiting the park.
Hours: Cedar Ridge Area: Open daily from 6:30AM to 10PM (April through September) and from 6:30AM to 8PM from October through March; All other park areas close at dark year-round
Amenities: shelter rental, lodge, biking, canoeing/kayaking, cross country skiing, fishing, hunting, ice skating, natural play areas, nature centers, picnicking, pets and sledding
Scenic Views: Viewing area for bison watching
Length of your Visit: 2 – 3 hours for hiking, nature center and bison viewing
Tips for Your Visit: Check the metro park’s website for special events, shelter rentals and trail maps.

Where to Stay:

Courtyard by Marriott Columbus Grove City
1668 Buckeye Place
Grove City, OH 43123
Telephone: 614 782 8292

Where to Eat:

Ann & Tony’s Restaurant
211 East Main Street
West Jefferson, OH 43162
Telephone: 614 879 8897

I absolutely love Ann & Tony’s Fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp, served with a tossed salad, rolls and garlic butter.

Here are more of my favorite Columbus Classics:

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream: Known for her unique flavor combinations, Jeni Britton Bauer has made ice cream famous in C-Bus!
North Market: A one-stop shop for universal cuisine, Columbus’ North Market is worth a stop in the Short North District of the city.
The Thurman Cafe: The Thurmanator is the burger of all burgers at this longtime local cafe in German Village. There may be a wait all burgers are made to order.
Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Restaurant: While the sausage at Schmidt’s is the official food of Columbus, it’s the amazing Cream Puffs that have the locals lining up at the door.

What to Read:

Columbus: The Story of a City, by Ed Lentz
Columbus, Ohio: A Photographic Portrait, by Randall L Schieber and Robin Smith
Ohio in Photographs: A Portrait of the Buckeye State, by Ian Adams
Secret Columbus, by Anietra Hamper

Photo Guide for Columbus:

Coffman Park: small ponds, bridges, white barn, pavilion, landscaping, public art
Columbus Museum of Art: the grounds, inside artwork and special exhibits
Everal Barn and Homestead: landscaping, white barn, beautiful lake
Frank Fetch Park: gardens, brick paths, beautiful trees and landscaping
Franklin Park Conservatory: beautiful gardens, artwork, flowers and special exhibits
Gantz Park: barn, beautiful trees,
German Village: brick streets, landscaping, parks, charming architecture, Old World charm, historical buildings
Grove City: brick roads, small town, shopping area
Hayden Falls: wooden walking path, waterfall
Historical Village of Hilliard: a small village to include a schoolhouse, train car, chapel, log cabin, covered bridge, gazebo and granary
Homestead Park in Hilliard: walking path, covered bridge, barns, trains, tractor, pond and pet park
Inniswood Metro Gardens: gardens, lily pond, herb garden, play area for children, secret garden
Ohio State House: rotunda and landscaping (photo permit required)
Ohio State University: campus, landscaping, Mirror Lake, Ohio Stadium (you can pay a small fee to take photos inside)
Park of Roses in Clintonville: various types of rose gardens
Riverfront Park: city view, Scioto River, landscapes, fountains, walking paths
Schiller Park: gardens, walking paths, stone columns, wooden bridge, small lake
Scioto Mile: city views, Scioto River, landscapes, fountains, walking paths
Scioto Park in Dublin: statue of Chief Leatherlips, river views, landscaping, and paths
Short North: restaurants, italian village, shops, city views, murals
Topiary Park: depiction of George Seurat’s 1884 painting, landscape, fountains, small pond, gazebo

Capuchins in Quepos

8 December 201431 August 2024

My first week in Costa Rica flew by as we began to make our drive south towards the Pacific Coast. It felt great to arrive at our beach house for an afternoon of relaxation and then to host a bonfire for our neighbors in the evening. Cheffy cooked an amazing meal for us and we watched a couple of movies before turning in. We had a big day planned with a day of surfing and exploring Manuel Antonio Park in Quepos, about an hour drive from Playa Palo Seco.

We stopped by to see our neighbor Maria to see if she needed us to pick up anything from the grocery on our way back. She had decided that she had a freezer full of quick and easy prepackaged meals and a a refrigerator stocked with Imperial beer. She should be good for a couple of days.

Known for its white sandy beaches and outdoor bars, the sleepy town of Quepos is most known for its local park full of monkeys and sloths. We were so excited to take a few hours to explore Manuel Antonio National Park to interact with the white faced capuchin, hired a local guide and broke out our binoculars to find the elusive three-toed sloth.

As we walked the main path through the park, we felt as though we were being followed by the same troop of monkeys at the start of our adventure. These cheeky capuchins have become accustomed to humans and love to interact. Whether you find it charming or a bit invasive, the adorable primates are determined to be center stage.

Most white-faced monkeys travel together in numbers that reach between 18 to 20. We learned from our guide that it was mating season and that the gestation period lasts for close to 160 days. Their diet consists of both plants and animals such as nuts, fruits, insects, birds, squirrels, lizards and tree rats.

The two-toed sloths, on the other hand, could care less about their surroundings and stay high towards the top of the trees to maintain their privacy. Because they are nocturnal, these “smiling” sloths are very difficult to find. The sloths are synonymous with laziness, but in fact, they do as least they can to conserve energy. It takes nearly two weeks for a meal to be digested for the sloth and lucky for them, their diet consists of tree leaves and branches. It is rare to find a sloth near the ground as they only leave their treehouses about once a week to relieve themselves. One of the easiest ways to spot a sloth is to hire a guide, while some find sloth spotting easier on a night hike when they are wide awake.

Hiking the Punta Catedral brought us to the park’s island, where we could easily see the diversity of the park. From its snow white beaches, life sustaining rain forest and colorful coral reefs, we decided to cross over a small stream of water to reach the stunning isle.

Nearly a half a million visitors explore Manuel Antonio National Park each year and it has recently opened its elevated trail. Each year we would make our pilgrimage to one of Costa Rica’s most visited attractions to practice spotting sloths and tracking monkeys. We would end the day watching the sunset from our local friends’ home and reflecting on our spectacular adventure would agree that this is Pura Vida.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Manuel Antonio National Park? What was your favorite part of the day? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading through one of my favorite places to visit in the world and wishing you many Happy Travels.

What to See and What to Do:

Manuel Antonio National Park
Quepos, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Telephone: 506 2777 3339 or 800 280 2597

Admission Fee: $18.08 for adults; $5.65 for children ages 2 – 12; children under the age of 2 is free
Hours: Daily from 7AM to 5PM with the exception of Tuesday. The park is open on holidays unless the holiday falls on a Tuesday. The nearby beach closes at 3 and the park rangers will notify the remaining visitors that they will need to leave the park by 4PM, starting towards the exit by 3:30PM.
Amenities: Guided tours ($51 for adults, $35 for children); Private tours ($71 for adults and $55 for children) The tours last for about 2.5 to 3 hours. You can purchase your tickets through a third party (i.e., Viator) that will provide a guide. Guides are available to show you around the park. They will tell you about the flora and fauna as well as show you were the animals are hiding within the parks. Most tours will last only a couple of hours, but should you want to stay longer, the guide can explain how to take the bus back or where to grab a taxi. Independent guides should wear their badges showing their ICT certification. For 2, expect to pay $20 per person for 2 hours and if they charge more, you can easily find another guide that will accept the $20 per hour/per person rate.
Parking: Parking is available at the park and there are several parking lots. Follow the sign at the entrance and an attendant will assist you with parking. Remember to note which parking lot you have parked your vehicle. Do not leave valuables in the car, roll up your windows and ensure the doors are locked. Pay for parking in Costa Rican colones, not American dollars. Depending on the season, you can expect to pay 3000 to 6000 colones. On your way to parking, look for restaurants and shops on the left and this will let you know that you are close. There may be attendants that will tell you that you must park in their lot, but this is a scam. After passing the shops and restaurants, you will see the Super Joseth convenient store. You will notice a small road to your left, so turn left here and past the Hotel Vela Bar to reach the parking lots. Drive carefully as this is a narrow road.
Scenic View: The park’s animals…the sloths and monkeys in the wild.
Length of Visit: 2 – 3 hours to include the beach
Tips for Your Visit: Arrive early before the crowds. Tickets must be purchased online as they are not available at the entrance. If you arrive without a ticket, you will not be able to enter. The park only sells approximately 3000 tickets per day. December through April and June through August are high season, so purchase your tickets well in advance. The website provides instructions for purchasing the tickets and you can select the English language. The tickets are only valid for one day as there are no multi-day tickets available. Your ticket can only be used once, which means you will need to purchase multiple tickets for the dates you would like to enter. Ensure that you hire a certified guide who can point out the elusive sloths. You should ask for their ICT (Institute of Costa Rica Tourism) credentials. There will be scammers dressed in park ranger uniforms or fake badges and name tags. When you arrive at the park, bring a printed copy of your reservation (the reservation number or barcode) in addition to your passport. Should you not have your passport, you can show a copy of your passport for entry. Alcohol, guns, cigarettes, drugs and speakers are prohibited. Set your GPS or Google Maps to “Welcome Center Manuel Antonio” or “Hotel San Beda” for the correct directions.There are three bathrooms at the entrance of the park and three additional bathrooms within the park. There is one facility where you will find bathrooms, showers and changing booths. Visitors are not permitted to being food into the park. In 2023, the park added a cafeteria where visitors can purchase sandwiches, salads and drinks. There are also restaurants at the entrance of the park.

Where to Stay:

We stayed at our private residence located at Playa Palo Seco during our stay

Where to Eat:

Rico Tico Jungle Grill
Near Manuel Antonio Si Como No Resort & Wildlife Refuge
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Telephone: 506 2777 0777

What to Eat:

Arroz con Leche is translated to rice with milk and is a popular dessert in Costa Rica. Additional ingredients include milk, cinnamon, salt and lemon zest, making this a delicious end to your meal.
Casado, which means marriage which is an interesting combination of meat such as beef, pork, chicken and fish as well as rice, beans, tortillas, fried platano maduro and salad. In addition, the dish also includes a fruit juice.
Ceviche is raw fish that has been “cooked” with citrus juices.
Gallo Pinto is a mixture of rice and beans with red bell peppers, onions, cilantro and other spices. The secret ingredient is the Salsa Lizano. It is a popular breakfast dish.
Sopra Negra is translated to black soup, which is the base of this delicious soup. Included with the black beans, there are onions, peppers, tomatoes, soft boiled eggs and spicy spices.
Tamales are similar to their Mexican cousin, but there are some differences, one of which is the wrapping. In Costa Rica, tamales are wrapped in banana leaves rather than corn husks.

What to Drink:

Agua Dolce (sweet water): which is sweetened with cane sugar
Cerveza (Beer): Imperial
Guaro: sugar cane liquor which sneaks up on you. Cacique is the most popular brand.

What to Read:

It’s Every Monkey for Themselves: A True Story of Sex, Love and Lies in the Jungle by Vanessa Woods
Oro by Cizia Zyke
Green Phoenix: Restoring the Tropical Forests of Guanacaste, by William Allen
Monkeys are Made of Chocolate: Exotic and Unseen Costa Rica, by Jack Ewing
Costa Rica: A Traveler’s Literary Companion by Barbara Ras, Oscar Arias
The Year of Fog, by Michelle Richmond

Photo Guide for Costa Rica:

Manuel Antonio National Park for wild animals such as sloths and monkeys
Tortuguero National Park for amazing loggerheads and hawksbill
Poas Volcano National Park for its impressive view of the interior of the volcano

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