Sarah’s Vineyard, an Ohio Winery in a State Park

21 August 202122 September 2024

A small fire was ablaze on this beautiful October afternoon as I approached the outdoor seating area of Sarah’s Vineyard Winery & Art Gallery. The welcoming stone fireplace was in need of a few more fire sticks to keep the embers burning, but the smell reminded me of a pleasant fall day, perfect for sampling wine.

It would have been a wonderful afternoon to linger by the fire but I soon learned that a private event was scheduled for this outdoor space. The server kindly directed me towards the beautifully restored 1840s barn where I would find the tasting room and additional seating. The bar was full but within minutes I was able to place my wine order and find the perfect high top table to enjoy my wine.

I started out with the Cuyahoga Valley Reserve, a red zinfandel blend that is aged in oak. This grape varietal is one of my favorites and I am happy with my selection. Sitting next to me was a woman in her mid-30’s waiting for a couple of friends for a wine tasting. She suggested me that I return to Sarah’s Vineyard for their Annual Summer Solstice Festival in June, a celebration of the start of summer.

Looking for another red to sample, I notice a wine labeled “Miserabile.” I asked about this wine and learned that it is a blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, Zinfandel and Rubiana grapes. This wine was far less miserable yet smooth and divine.

My final pour was the Sweet Elisa made from Niagara and Concord grapes. A popular blend for Ohio wineries, the wine is a fruity wine that is refreshing when served cold. Very sweet, this is a typical first wine for beginners who are just starting out.

Looking over the menu, I wished I would have made reservations for dinner. With a great selection of starters, soups, salads and sandwiches, the winery also provides wood-fired pizzas. I decided instead to order a carafe of Sweet Elisa, the winery’s top seller, and find a seat outdoors among the endless rows of grapevines. The Indian summer sun felt comforting and warm. I sat at my table happy to have a few moments to relax and take in my rural surroundings.

The Lytz family has been serving wine at Sarah’s Vineyard since the early 2000s. Sitting upon 15 acres in northeast Ohio, the property includes the winery, vineyards and a beautiful view of the surrounding farmland. Varietals grown here include hearty grapes that easily sustain the cold Midwest weather such as Cabernet Franc, Traminette, Niagara and Rubiana. They have six wines that they regularly produce which are the Blue Heron, Golden Solstice, Sarah’s Secret, Miserabile, Cuyahoga Valley Reserve and Sweet Elisa.

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the winery was also an art gallery and studio. Sarah’s Vineyards hosts a variety of art shows throughout the year and art classes are offered on a regular basis. Located in the midst of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, quiet surroundings and gorgeous landscape are perfect for a day of art and wine tasting.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Sarah’s 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 visit to Sarah’s Vineyard and wishing you many Happy Travels!

Winery Contact Information:

Sarah’s Vineyard Winery & Art Gallery
1204 W. Steels Corners Road
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223
Telephone: 330 929 8057

Where to Stay:

Vineyard Woods
740 State Route 534 North
Geneva, OH 44041
Telephone: 440 624 3054
Website: http://www.vineyardwoods.com/

Where to Eat:

The Pickled Pepper
4949 Golf Avenue
Geneva on the Lake, OH 44041
Telephone: 440 361 4014

We entered the brightly colored outdoor restaurant and ordered the deep fried pickles to satisfy my obsession. Yum!

The Clifton Mill Holiday Lights, Ohio

31 December 202022 September 2024

Sometimes I find myself lost in the hustle and bustle of the holidays and realize that there is so much more to Christmas than mall shopping for gifts. I decided to take an evening to escape the madness and planned a visit to Clifton Mill for their spectacular light show.

Each year, the Mill sponsors a legendary holiday event that takes place in Clifton, Ohio. From the day after Thanksgiving to December 31^st, visitors can experience this over-the-top display with more than 3.5 million lights.

For over 20 years, the mill has been lighting up the holiday season by illuminating the mill, the bridge, the gorge, and the riverbank. In preparation for the event, it takes six men approximately three months to put up the light display.

Located just outside of the mill is a miniature village that displays some of Clifton’s local, historic buildings as well as other structures that would be found in town. For example, there is a drive-in movie theater where a movie is actually playing on its “big screen” as well as the county fair with its moving ferris wheel. I watched the men working in the auto mechanics shop and firefighters climbing on a ladder to put out a fire at the village’s log cabin.

A 1950’s re-creation of Clifton Mill, and the Ohio State band creating its script Ohio as the Goodyear blimp hovers over the field are additional displays which are absolutely spectacular. Before Christmas, visitors can see Santa working out of his workshop. through the frosty glass, I stepped up to the window to see what kinds of toys he was making.

The Santa Claus Museum displays the Satariano family’s private collection of over 3,000 Santas. Some of the items date as far back as 1850 and has taken the family about 40 years to collect. You will find a wide variety of Santas from over the years that range from interesting, odd and elegant.

One of my favorite features was the 100 foot “waterfall” of red and white lights along the riverbank. From here I had a wonderful vantage point to view the synchronized light show that includes the covered bridge and gorge.

After perusing the fascinating holiday display, I strolled over to the mill where I had my choice of hot dogs, sandwiches, popcorn, soft drinks, cookies and pies. I just couldn’t resist a hot chocolate.

Have you made visiting the Clifton Mill’s Legendary Light Display a holiday tradition in your family? I would love to hear from you, so leave a message about your experience in the Comments section below! Happy Travels!

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

What to See and What to Do:

Clifton Mill
75 Water Street
Clifton, OH 45316
Telephone: 937 767 5501

The light display begins the day after Thanksgiving and open nightly through December 31st. Gates open daily at 5PM and the light show starts at 6PM. Gates close at 9PM and the lights are turned off 30 minutes after the gates close. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, the gates close at 8PM.

Parking is free and there is an admission of $10 for guests, 7 years and older, while children 6 and under can enter at no charge.

Where to Stay:

Mills Park Hotel
321 Xenia Avenue
Yellow Springs, OH 45387
Telephone: 937 319 0400

Where to Eat:

Clifton Mill
75 Water Street
Clifton, OH 45316
Telephone: 937 767 5501

Clifton Mill is open on New Year’s Eve with a full menu from 5PM to 8PM, and open daily for breakfast and lunch. Breakfast is served all day.

One of my favorite meals at Clifton Mill is the order of pancakes. They are huge! Their pies are delish as well.

What to Read:

Not That I Could Tell, by Jessica Strawser

Photo Guide to Yellow Springs:

Clifton Gorge
Colorful, Artsy Streets
Glen Helen Nature Reserve
John Bryan State Park
Sunflower Field, located at 4625 US-68, Yellow Springs (The Tecumseh Sunflower Field)
Wall Murals
- Preparation for Life Work by Axel Horn hangs in the Yellow Springs Post Office
- Village Cyclery is the location of the oldest mural in Yellow Springs
- “Keith’s Alley” located behind the shops on the east side of Xenia Avenue between Cory and Glen Street showcases several murals
- Winds Cafe displays one of the largest murals in town
- Ohio Silver Co. displays a beautiful painting by Maxfield Parrish
- The patio of Sunrise Cafe
- The Smoking Octopus displays the works of Sarah Dickens
- The Xenia Avenue Shops’ painting was created by local Mandy Knaul (Mandy Sue)
- Corner Cone mural designed by Pierre Nagley
- Kings Yard murals

The beautiful Clifton Mill Holiday Light Display

The County Fair, Auto Mechanics Shop and Firefighters at the Scene

1950’s style diner

The Ohio State Football Game

A re-creation of the Clifton Mill

Santa and his reindeer

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth af Fluff Bakery in Athens, Ohio

11 March 202022 September 2024

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

Grandpa’s Cheese Barn, Ashland, Ohio

28 May 201918 September 2024

Each time I travel to see my brother’s family in Butler, I pass the large white barn of Grandpa’s Cheese Barn in Ashland, Ohio. Just off of the interstate, I think about stopping, but I always seem to be in a hurry arriving to either one place or the next. This time I decided to stop for lunch and to pick up a couple of items for gift baskets.

“Grandpa” Yarman began the business with cheese, selling a portable RCA radio to purchase a wheel of Swiss. Opening a shop in West Salem, Ohio, he broadened his offerings to include smoked meats. His daughter would marry Dick Baum and expand the business selling jellies and jams, dips, chocolates and more and eventually opened a total of three Cheesebarns in Ohio.

While there are many selections available, my favorite area of the store is searching for Ohio-made items, such as honey, flavored jams and syrups, perfect for filling gift baskets.

Not only is the barn a store, but a cafe as well where you can pick up a number of deli-style items such as sandwiches, soups and snacks for lunch. The menu items are made to order or you can choose from premade selections, all served on a souvenir Frisbee.

Some of the locations also include an ice cream shop which uses whole milk to create a number of delicious flavors of ice cream and decadent milkshakes. Select locations include a candy shop named Sweeties Jumbo Chocolates for a variety of baked goods and candies. I prefer the homemade peanut butter fudge or the Buckeye Pizza with bits of Buckeye candies layered over white and milk chocolates which is an incredibly rich combination.

Of course you can’t go wrong with the cheese, which come from Ohio’s Amish Country. With close to 300 varieties of cheese (from domestic to international), it may be overwhelming to make your decision. Luckily, the Cheesebarn provides samples to help make your selection much easier.

I could spend hours at Grandpa’s Cheesebarn sampling cheeses, searching for gift items and having lunch, but I only have a couple of hours to make it back to Columbus before dark. From now on, I will stop at Cheesebarn on my to and from Butler to explore any additional items I may have missed.

Have you visited Grandpa’s Cheesebarn? What is your favorite part of the store? I would love to hear about your visit if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my visit to Grandpa’s Cheesebarn and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Grandpa’s Cheesebarn
668 US Highway 250 E
Ashland, OH 44805
Telephone: 419 281 3202

A Taste of Cuba at The Starliner Diner, Hilliard, Ohio

22 September 201716 September 2024

I won’t claim to be an expert on Cuban food, but having lived in Tampa for several years, I’ve have had my share of Cuban sandwiches at Hugos and La Terasita’s served with a side of black beans and rice. So when a friend suggested I try Starliner Diner in Hilliard, Ohio, I was curious to see if they could compare to the authentic dishes I truly missed.

When I arrived at the café on Cemetery Road, I quickly learned (from my friends at Destination Hilliard and the Hilliard Chamber of Commerce) that the restaurant had outgrown its space and had relocated to nearby Main Street in Old Hilliard.

As soon as I entered the restaurant, I briefly felt as though I was back in Florida with the colorful rooms and mounted fish on the walls. Transported to the tropics without the beach, I was escorted to the main dining room sitting next to a huge mural of the sun. The extensive menu was full of amazing Caribbean dishes to include appetizers, salads, sandwiches, pastas, pizzas and supper dishes.

In addition, I was provided a handwritten page of specials for the day, but I already knew what I would be ordering….the Media Noche (Cuban Sandwich) with the fried plantains.

When my meal arrived, my mouth was watering from the sweet aroma of the plantains and the delicious smell of ham and Swiss. My sandwich was perfectly pressed and I was ready to take my first bite. Ahhh…I had been waiting for this moment and I was not disappointed. This Cuban was a perfect blend of marinated pork and ham, Swiss cheese, a hint of mustard and pickles. It tasted as authentic as if I had just ordered it from a roadside food stall in Cuba. The plantains were fried to perfection with a mild taste of sweetness and I love the caramelized texture of this delectable side dish.

The Starliner Diner rates high on my list of restaurants to visit in Hilliard and I wish them nothing but success with its new location. I am already checking my calendar to make plans to visit for the Chiles Rellenos,

Have you had the opportunity to visit Starliner Diner? I would love to hear what you like to order if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below, that would be great! Many thanks for reading my post and I hope you continue to follow my journey as I explore my home state of Ohio and beyond.

Where to Eat:

Starliner Diner
4121 Main Street
Hilliard, Ohio 43026
Telephone: 614 529 1198

Where to Stay:

Hilton Garden Inn Columbus/Dublin
500 Metro Place North
Dublin, OH 43017
Telephone: 614 766 9900

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

The Bow Tie Cafe, Mt. Adams, Cincinnati

2 July 201622 July 2024

It was a perfect, cool autumn day for exploring Mt. Adams near Cincinnati’s downtown. I started my journey at Rookwood and The Celestial, checking out the view from Hill Avenue and made my way to the parking garage on St. Gregory’s. For a daily fee of $3, I had plenty of time to check out my old stomping ground in the glorious Queen City.

I was surprised to find a coffee shop had replaced the corner book store that I had frequented just a few years ago and learned it had been opened by former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker, Dhani Jones. The Bow Tie Café, opening in 2010, is conveniently located in the charming downtown of Mt. Adams where both indoor and outdoor seating are available. Offering a great selection of coffees, teas, drinks and café sandwiches, it is the perfect location for meeting up with friends or enjoying a cup of coffee while reading the weekend paper.

I was curious to learn more about the name of the shop and found myself reading through photos and news clippings displayed on the walls of the cafe. I soon discovered that Jones was inspired by Kunta Littlejohn and his friend’s fascination with bow ties. “If you wanna be somebody, you gotta rock a bow tie,” and hence the name, The Bow Tie Café. Littlejohn, a childhood friend of Jones, was later diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma so Dhani Jones started the Bow Tie Cause, a foundation to raise money for organizations that support leukemia and lymphoma research. Today, Kunta is in remission and plays an integral part in the organization as Chief Inspiration Officer.

Breakfast is served here throughout the day with a wide range of options such as breakfast sandwiches, waffles, burritos and eggs made to order. Additional fare includes granola with yogurt, bagels with cream cheese and cranberry nut oatmeal.

For lunch, patrons can dine on burritos, tacos and quesadillas as well as sandwiches and wraps. Brunch is also served with a mix of lunch and breakfast items to include Eggs Benedict.

I enjoyed reading the list of sandwiches and wraps because there were so many choices on the menu. Club sandwiches, pesto chicken salad, cold cut sandwiches and buffalo chicken wraps are perfect for a light lunch served with kettle style chips and a dill pickle. The vegetarian includes creamy hummus, baby spinach, red onion, tomato, lettuce, pecans, cranberries and balsamic dressing.

For salads, the selection included The Cobb, Southwest Salad, and Chef Salad, with spinach and garden salads as well. Starting at just $7, each salad is made fresh daily.

After studying the menu, I wished I had not already eaten breakfast, but I was happy to enjoy a cup of coffee on the piazza. In addition to The Bow Tie Café’s food selection, the drink menu was just as extensive. With Bloody Mary’s, Whole Fruit Smoothies, Organic Teas and Coffee Cocktails, there is no shortage of refreshments.

Bow Tie Café is one of the few Cincinnati locations that offers Intelligentsia Coffee and Espresso. These coffees are produced from all over the world under the “Direct Trade” label. What this means is that fair wages, which are set above the international trade standards, are paid directly to the growers. The process of making the coffee is also ensured by the trade organization to guarantee a high quality product for the customer. There are approximately 30 types of coffees which can be purchased at The Bow Tie Café and each are hand crafted and made to order.

For now, I will chill out in the outdoor seating area, enjoy my café mocha and know that the proceeds of my purchase are going to a great cause.

Have you visited The Bow Tie Café in Mt. Adams? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below! If you have any additional recommendations for things to do, venues to see and places to eat in Mt. Adams, I would love to hear from you as well! Many thanks for reading about my experience at The Bow Tie Café and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Bow Tie Café
1101 St. Gregory Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 513 621 2233

I enjoyed the cafe mocha that I had ordered for my morning coffee and returned on another visit to have lunch, where I had a difficult time choosing between the street tacos stuffed with chipotle chicken with cilantro lime slaw and queso fresco (which is amazing by the way) or the spinach salad served with red onions, dried cranberries, pecans & queso fresco cheese with raspberry vinaigrette. I selected the salad and have since visited the cafe several times and have enjoyed each item I have ordered.

To learn more about Dhani Jones’ charities, check out his website at www.bowtiecause.org.

Where to Stay:

Springhill Suites by Marriott Cincinnati Midtown
610 Eden Park Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 513 381 8300

Books to Read:

Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride & Prejudice, by Curtis Sittenfeld
Running, by J.T. Cooper
Dead Witch Walking, by Kim Harrison
Beloved, by Toni Morrison
Double Dutch, by Sharon M. Draper
Romiette and Julio, by Sharon M. Draper

Photo Guide for Mt. Adams:

The view from the Mt. Adams Steps
Eden Park Twin Lakes Overview
Rookwood Pottery, the location for the famous pottery once made here
Eden Park’s fountain and gazebo
The Monastery at St. Paul place
The Blind Lemon’s firepit
The view from Mt. Adam’s Park
Celestial Restaurant in Mount Adams – The restaurant is now closed, but you may still be able to use the parking lot.

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

Our Hero Sandwich Shop in Springfield, Ohio

2 April 201531 August 2024

While I have always been a Subway fan, I thought it would be a great change to check out one of my hometown’ local sandwich shops, Our Hero.

The first time I had ever visited an Our Hero sandwich shop was on a Sunday afternoon after church. My youngest sister had lived nearby and she suggested we stop to order a sub sandwich for a quick, healthier meal. She explained that this was not just any sandwich shop but Our Hero, well known for their fresh made-to-order sandwiches. I remember walking through the door for the first time, smelling the delicious aroma of fresh baked bread. I couldn’t wait to order.

Looking over the menu, there were several options, but I learned quickly that they were famous for their Italian sub with baked ham, Genoa salami, pepperoni, capicola ham, provolone cheese, plus The Works, their super delicious oil and vinegar dressing with special spices.

I have to admit that Our Hero soon became one of my favorite stops when I moved closer to her neighborhood. Of course, it was also close to Schuler’s Donuts, another hometown favorite, so I was in a win-win situation. Soon, I would be ordering the Italian sub multiple times per week until I eventually moved to Cincinnati. When I return to visit family, you can be sure I will be making a stop at Our Hero to order an Italian sub or two.

Have you visited Our Hero in Springfield, Ohio? Is it one of your favorite places? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.

Where to Eat:

Our Hero
2983 Derr Road
Springfield, OH 45503
937 399 8644