Tag Archives: oaks

Featured Ohio Winery: Markko Vineyard

Conneaut is about as far northeast as one could possibly drive in the state of Ohio.  It is also home to one of the oldest wineries, so I set out to spend a weekend in Ashtabula and Lake County to visit as many wineries as possible.

As I approached Markko Vineyard, and after driving around in circles for a half an hour, I finally called for directions.  I began to see acres of vineyards surrounding me and felt comfortable that I would arrive at any moment.  As I drove up the gravel driveway, I felt as though I was entering a secret society, tucked away in the Sherwood Forest, hidden by tall oaks and maples, welcomed by stone pillars.

I began my tasting with the 2013 Reserve Chardonnay.  Described as “typical Linda elegance, fruit finesse”, a bottle sells for $36 per bottle.  I noted that this wine was a little acidic, but smooth.   The 2012 Reserve Chardonnay was a bit smoother and I preferred it over the 2013.

My final tastings included the Pinot Noir 2012 Reserve which is “fruity with a hint of currant with a crisp, nice finish.”  I enjoyed the body of this wine as it did not feel weighty but light.  I continued with the Pinot Noir wines, a 2013 Reserve, “light red, fruity, medium body balanced”.  I enjoyed the earthy, fruity finish of this wine which sells for $30 a bottle.   

There were several wines available to include Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, Cabernet Sauvignons, a Johannisburg Riesling, non-vintage wines and a dry Champagne.

Excelsior is a 1993 Champagne Brut made from “Riesling sekt for majestic celebrations in both red and white.”

The 1999 Late Harvest Select Reserve Chardonnay sounded lovely, “rich floral honey, unctuous “like Ice Wine”, selling for $75 per bottle.

More recent vintages of Markko’s Chardonnay begin in 2009 described as having a refreshing finish, smoky pears, while the 2010 provided spice, citrus and a bright finish.  They were selling their 2012 Select Reserve Chardonnay for $36 a bottle described as “pear, melon, light opulence, complex finish that will grow with age.

Markko Vineyard also produced several Cabernet Sauvignon selections starting with its 2012 Reserve with cherry berries and restrained long elegance and their 2012 Select Reserve with dark fruits and a delicate complexity.  These wines are priced at $33, $36 and $39 per bottle respectively.  The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon reserve was described as “dark berries, garden glory lingers”.

The 2009 Johannesburg Riesling was described as light fruit, dry, hint of pine, selling for $27 per bottle.

In addition to the two Pinot Noirs I had sampled, the vineyard also sold a 2009 Majestic Reserve for $27 per bottle with “currant flavors, spices, sandlewood and almond, finesse suspended.”

Producing a line of non-vintage wine under the name “Covered Bridge”, the estate provides an $18 Riesling, a Chardonnay for $21, the Picnic White for $18 and a $12 wine named Picnic Red.

Arnie Esterer planted his vineyard in 1968 making Markko one of the oldest wineries in the state of Ohio.  The wines on this estate are some of the best I have ever sampled.  Arnie takes pride in the science of making wine and works each year in perfecting his craft.

To compliment your wine tasting or to order with a bottle to enjoy on their patio, Markko Vineyard also provides cheeses from Mayfield Road Creamery and their own Gouda and Camembert.

Directions:

  • Off of Interstate 90, take exit 235 (route 193) north ½ mile to the first stop light, Main Street. Turn right (east) on Main Street for approximately 3 miles;  You will be close when the road turns to gravel.  Take first driveway on left (north side) back into the woods.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Markko Vineyard?  What was your favorite wine?  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 wonderful experience at Markko Vineyard and wishing you many Happy Travels!  Cheers!

What to See and What to Do:

Markko Vineyard
4500 S Ridge Road W
Conneaut, OH  44030
Telephone:  440 593 3197

Because the winery hours of operation are seasonal, please reference the winery’s website prior to visiting the winery.

Where to Stay:

Holiday Inn Express Ashtabula – Geneva
1831 Austinburg Road
Austinburg, OH   44010
Telephone:  440 275 2020

Where to Eat:

Biscotti’s Restaurant
186 Park Avenue
Conneaut, OH  44030
Telephone: 440 593 6766

Serving  Italian cuisine, I ordered the Medallions Gorgonzola Alfredo to try their homemade Alfredo sauce, so rich and delicious.

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The Great Smoky Mountains Laurel Falls Hike

Laurel Falls is considered one of the most popular trails at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  The 2.6 mile round trip paved trail is considered easy and reaches the spectacular 80 foot high falls.   For 50 cents I picked up a self-guided pamphlet which pointed out several places of interest and we set out for the trail surrounded by pine trees and oaks for an enjoyable trek through the mountain wilderness.

There are eleven markers that correlate with the trail brochure and the first stop describes the laurel plant which grows along the path.  During the early summer its blooms range from pink to white.  Rhododendron are also popular along the path displaying larger leaves and growing taller than the mountain laurel.

Having passed through the forest of pine, oak and hardwoods, the topography switched from ridge to ravine.  Here the trail curved sharply with deep drop-offs to the left.  We began to see more rocks and there were several places to take a break along the path.

We regrouped and continued upwards as the trail continued its gradual climb towards the falls.  We crossed over a small creek that trickled down the hill, through large and small rocks providing water to the rhododendron, hemlock and beech plants along the trail.

Soon, there was a break in the trees creating a “picture window” at marker number seven.  The rounded peak in the distance was covered with trees and there was a sharp drop from the edge of the pavement.

The further we continued up the trail, the more contorted the trees became due to high winds, lightning strikes and other severe weather conditions.  Interestingly, the aggressive change in climate does not affect the lichen that attaches itself to rocks and trees.

The pathway changed drastically before reaching the falls.  Steep cliffs dangerously hugged the narrow trail which alerted us that we were nearing our destination.  We began to hear sounds of water rushing from Cove Mountain as we continued our approach and gave a sigh of relief that we had arrived safely.

The double-drop cascade was spectacular as its light spray lit upon our faces cooling us down from the hike.  The rocks were slippery and we moved with caution to allow other hikers to pass by standing in awe of its beauty. We gave ourselves about fifteen minutes to revel in our accomplishment and curiously tested the temperature of the runoff before backtracking towards the trailhead.  It would all be downhill from here.

Have you hiked the Laurel Falls Trail or other trails in the Great Smoky Mountains?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for checking out my hike and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Laurel Falls
From Sugarlands Visitor Center, turn toward Cades Cove on Little River Road and drive 3.5 miles to the trailhead where there are parking areas on both sides of the road.
Telephone:  865 436 1200

  • Admission Fee:  There is no charge to visit Laurel Falls as it is a part of the Great Smoky National Park.
  • Hours:  The park is open year around, though access to Laurel Falls may be limited during the winter months.
  • Amenities:  Pamphlet for hike ($.50)
  • Scenic View: Spectacular views of Great Smoky Mountains throughout the hike
  • Length of Visit:  1 – 2 hours, depending on whether you can walk up the steep hill
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Wear comfortable shoes for hiking.  Wildlife, such as bears, may be wandering around the property, so be on the lookout and do not approach them.  We like to visit here in the afternoon as the trees provide shade from the warmer weather.

Where to Stay: 

We stayed in a rental through VRBO called the Firefly Chalet.

Where to Eat:

Bennett’s Bar-B-Que
2910 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN
Telephone:  865 429 2200

I ordered the Carolina Pork Sandwich and the Salad Bar.

Currituck Heritage Park, Corolla, North Carolina

From the top of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, we had a beautiful bird’s eye view of Currituck Heritage Park below.  The 39-acre property includes the lighthouse as well as the Whalehead Club located along the sound.  Our walk was a short stroll from the light.  Through the parking lot, we traveled towards the footbridge crossing over the pond to explore the waterfront.

It was a great change from a day at the beach as we strolled among the breezy 80 degree weather.  Various water fowl gathered in the shallow end of the marsh looking for their afternoon snack while tourists were securing their life jackets for a short kayak trip around the Currituck Sound.

Overhead we noticed an osprey flying towards the Whalehead Club, so out of curiosity, we followed it and watched it come to rest at the crest of the rooftop.  Fragments of thick, tall grass draped over the roof which suggested there was a nest.  Walking further away from the building, we had a clearer view of the tiny beaks stretching up towards the sky.  The children mimicked the birds with their necks distended trying to catch a glimpse of the baby birds.  They lit up with excitement as their father put each one on his shoulders so they could have a clearer view and a few minutes to watch the baby chicks.

The Whalehead Club was built by Edward and Marie Louise Knight in the 1920s.  During this time, it was not uncommon for the wealthy northeasterners to build hunt clubs and invite their friends for some recreational waterfowl and duck hunting.  The former mansion is available for tours by appointment.

Following the walking path, we passed by the main pond where we noticed a family taking their chance at crabbing.  They added a piece of chicken to the end of a string and waited for a crab to clamp down.  It wasn’t long until one of the young boys, about seven years old, pulled up on his twine and a little crab was holding tightly to the end of it.  We were just as excited for him as he handed over his catch of the day.

Throughout the park were beautiful outstretched oaks that provided adequate shade for a picnic or solitary space to relax.  There were several walking trails that followed along the saltwater pond, led to the canal that feeds into the sound and directed visitors to waterfront vistas and boardwalks.

Displayed outside of the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education was the skull a whale that had washed ashore in September of 2009.  By the time it was discovered, it had already decomposed to the point that its bones were exposed.  The placard notes that the whale was “found  to be a male, sub-adult approximately three years old and twenty four feet in length.”

Additional exhibits showcasing the Outer Banks’ ecosystem continued inside the 5,000 square foot complex.   There were numerous attractions and artifacts as well as an 8,000 gallon aquarium. A life-sized demonstration of the saltwater marsh duck-blind was a reminder of Currituck’s history of water-fowl hunting.

Have you visited Currituck Heritage Park?  Have you attended one of their events?  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 Currituck and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do: 

Currituck Heritage Park
1160 Village Lane
Corolla, NC  27927
Telephone:  252 453 0221

  • Admission Fee:  There is no fee to enter the park.
  • Hours: 9 AM to 5:30 PM
  • Amenities:  fishing, picnicking, nearby Currituck lighthouse, rental of the Whalehead Club, kayaking, bird watching
  • Scenic View: Spectacular views of the sound from the bridge; beautiful views of the area from the lighthouse.
  • Length of Visit:  1 – 2 hours
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Sunrise and sunset are the best times to visit to watch the sunrise and sunset.

Where to Stay:

Inn at Corolla Light
9606, 1066 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927
Telephone: 252 453 3340

Where to Eat:

Outer Banks Boil Company
Timbuck II Shopping Village
9501 Suite D, 785 Sunset Blvd.
Corolla, NC  27927
Telephone:  252 453 6578

We ordered the shrimp boil pot which included jumbo shrimp, Louisiana spicy andouille sausage, red bliss potatoes, corn on the cob and Vidalia onion which are all cooked together in a pot.

Duck Donuts
1190 Duck Road
Duck, NC  27949
Telephone:  252 480 3304

Try their maple bacon donut!c

What to Eat: 

  • Crab Benedict at Sam and Ornies on Nag’s Head
  • Frogmore Stew Steamer Bucket from Armstrong’s Seafood in Nag’s Head
  • Donuts at Duck Donuts
  • Carolina Barbecue at Pigman’s BBQ on Nag’s Head

What to Read: 

  • Hatteras Blue, by David Poyer
  • Early from the Dance, by David Payne
  • Surf Men by C.T. Marshall
  • Murder at Hatteras by Joe C. Ellis
  • Return to the Outer Banks by Diann Ducharme

Photo Guide for the Outer Banks

  • Pea Island Wildlife Refuge for capturing local birds
  • Jennette’s Pier to photograph local fishermen and beautiful sunrises
  • Ocracoke Horses
  • Triangle Shipwreck at Kill Devils Hill
  • Shipwreck artifacts at Seagreen Gallery
  • The Cape Hatteras lighthouse at Cape Hatteras
  • Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo

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