Exploring Barkcamp State Park

by Sarah Binning

Mother Nature apparently did not get the memo. Unseasonably chilly weather is cooping us inside. Despite the fact it is only October, cabin fever is setting in already and I need to get outside. Unable to afford any of the expensive remedies to cabin fever (like going to a museum or seeing a movie), I pack a light backpack and head to Barkcamp State Park.

Conveniently located a few miles off I-70 in Belmont, nature beckons all to hike in the quiet hills of Barkcamp. Standing in the park’s overlook, I see peaks of autumn color beginning to emerge from the treetops. I begin my adventure with a simple half-mile hike from the overlook to the camp’s beach.

The weather is brisk, but welcoming. Within a matter of minutes I am lost in the excitement in my friend’s voice as he teaches me how to identify trees. He scoops a fallen leaf from the path, “This is a red maple leaf. Know how you can tell?” He draws my attention to the small, sharp teethed ridge of the leaf.

The sun dances through the trees as we continue the trail. “Oh, here we go. Smell this,” Bryan says as he plucks an overhanging leaf. I raise my eyebrow. “No trust me, you’ll like it.”

He rubs the top of the leaf, surfacing the plant’s oils so I can inhale the sweet, fruity scent of sassafras.

I am not sure which is more satisfying, my taking the time to learn and enjoy nature or the fact I am doing it for free. Other than the cost of gas, I spent nothing for an entire day of activities.

With Ohio’s unemployment rate reaching 10.8 percent in August, it’s no wonder why families are turning to Barkcamp for vacations and getaways.

For overnight excursions, families pay a small fee to camp on the grounds. “The economy is bringing more campers,” Park Officer Dave Casasanta says. April through October, regular camping costs $20 per night, about the fourth of a cheap motel cost.

Camping is available year round, even in the dead of winter. Prices drop to only $18 per night during off-seasons. “We’ve even had families who have camped here for Thanksgiving. More people are starting to come for Christmas Eve and Christmas,” Casasanta says.

Camping in winter? Who could be so crazy? Yet despite how absurd it sounds, the park offers special seasonal activities to entice late fall and winter visitors.

In addition to seasonal hunting, guests can take advantage of the archery range. Many guests also use the multipurpose trail for horseback riding. Once snow hits the trails, guests are welcome to use the 24-mile path for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.

I can hardly wait for Belmont Lake to freeze. My ice skates are sitting in my closet, as I eagerly wait to return to Barkcamp and test my talents on solid ice. Who knows, while I’m there maybe I’ll try my hand at ice fishing too.

Little Cola Cabins in Hocking County

by Carolyn Miller

There is nothing like a nice getaway to Hocking County. There are so many sights to see with all of the natural gems that this county has been blessed with, and after a long day of hiking and biking, all you need is a good place to kick up your feet.

Little Cola Cabins is a family business that owns a pair of mid-1800s cabins so that visitors can kick back and relax in style. Located in Rockwell, Ohio, Little Cola Cabins are just minutes from Cantwell Cliffs and the Rockhouse. They are the perfect place to stay after a long day of experiencing nature. The cabins aren’t facsimiles; each one is an original building constructed centuries ago. They were dismantled log-by-log and reconstructed in a 65 acre forest in the heart of Hocking Hills, complete with kitchen, fireplace, porch swing, pool table, hammock, wood burning stove, grill and (yes!) a hot tub. Who knew people from the 1800s had this much style?

The cabins themselves are nothing short of darling. Each truly looks as though it has stepped out of the pages of history, nestled quietly between the trees with gardens in front. It would make for an incredibly romantic and secluded weekend getaway for two, though both cabins can accommodate up to six people.

The cabins charge $155 per night on winter weekends, $135 per night on winter weekdays (December 1-May 31), $175 per night on summer weekends and $155 per night on summer weekdays (June 1-November 30). There are discounts for longer stays and children under five can stay for free. Dates fill up fast, so if you are planning a trip and would like to stay in Little Cola Cabins, it is best to make your plans weeks or even months in advance.

These cabins are a must-stay in your Hocking Hills experience.

Historical Well of Noble County

by Brittany Perrine

Noble County is home to several significant historical sites that are easily accessible from most of southeast Ohio. One of these sites is the Thorla-McKee Well, the first oil well in North America. The well can still be seen today in its original condition and continues to give oil, gas and salt water in limited quantities.

The well is located in a small park just off SR 78, two miles east of Caldwell off exit 25. It is a peaceful, small park, no bigger than one acre, with two picnic tables shaded by towering trees. Toward the back edge of the park is the actual well, which is barely visible from the parking lot and entrance. There is also an old railroad boxcar that was donated by a local family in 1993, along with a small wooden shelter for those rainy days. A sign at the entrance of the park marks it as an official Ohio Historical Site and tells the history of the well. When Silas Thorla and Robert McKee drilled the well in 1814, they intended to find salt, but also found oil and natural gas. They cased the well with a hollow sycamore log down to the bedrock about 18 feet deep and 34 inches in diameter.

It is pretty amazing to see the drill still rigged up and the original sycamore log casing around the well. There’s just something about seeing a piece of history that is almost 200 years old and is still in the exact same condition today as it was when it was created. If you have some spare time, take the family for a scenic drive and history lesson, and check out this well in Noble County.

Cardo's Pizza

by Rachel Godward

In 1989, Ohio University alumnus John Moore opened Cardo’s Pizza in a cramped 500-square-foot building on Broadway Street in downtown Jackson, Ohio. Today Cardo’s hosts parties and serves buffet-style pizza in a roomy, refurbished Henry’s grocery store decorated with movie posters, Ohio paraphernalia, awards and a spunky, old jukebox that surprisingly still works. An antique Cardo’s delivery car door even hangs from the ceiling above the condiments. Upon entering the restaurant, smells of fresh dough and spices fill the nostrils, and the tender smell of pepperoni surrounds the place like a solid brick wall.

As an Italian myself, with an Italian roommate, father and grandparents that spend hours slaving over traditional dishes in the kitchen, I feel fully qualified to answer the following question: Sure, this pizza shop’s atmosphere is superb, but are the pies just as nice?

Meh, I could do without this. = ©

Hmm, that’s not too bad, but I’ve had better. = ©©

Mmm, that’s pretty tasty. = ©©©

Woah! Can I have 20 of this? Or at least the recipe? Please?! = ©©©©

Let’s start with the sides:

Garlic Bread — ©

As with every buffet, food can get cold pretty quickly. However, this garlic bread could not afford to lose its heat. This generic-looking bread was cold and hard. It was yellow with something that definitely was not butter and sprinkled lightly with basic spices. In summary, the garlic bread looked and tasted store bought.

Cheesy Bread — ©©©

Is soft, doughy and super cheesy your thing? If so, this bread is a necessary addition to your buffet plate. It’s simple, but classic. The edges are lightly baked to a brown crisp, but the middle retains its chewy, “melt in your mouth” appeal. Just make sure to grab this special side when it comes right out of the oven.

Now, on to the crispy, thin-crusted pizzas:

BBQ Chicken — ©©©©

This pie is covered edge-to-edge with chicken bits and crispy bacon crumbles, smothered in a deep brown sauce. The flavor is subtly smoky, just like it was cooked on the grill. It’s super tasty and not too filling, so you could afford to grab seconds. And trust me, after trying this divine pie, you’ll want more.

Cheeseburger — ©

This pizza is covered in a generic red sauce with a blend of cheeses on top. Sounds pretty normal, right? But instead of using ground beef, this pizza substitutes with sausage. It looks the same, but it doesn’t taste the same. It’s definitely a let down for cheeseburger lovers everywhere.

BLT —©©©©

This one took me by surprise. As a BLT lover, I had high expectations and the pie didn’t look all that impressive, but once I took a bite I realized my first impression was wrong. This pizza is, in fact, a BLT. It’s covered in crispy bacon pieces with a mayonnaise base, and topped with heaping amounts of lettuce and tomato. And no one flavor is overpowering; they all work together to recreate that classic sandwich taste.

So, are the pies just as nice as Cardo’s refurbished location? I’d vote yes. Sure, the place has a couple taste bud downfalls, but as long as you stick to the Cheesy Bread, BBQ Chicken and BLT pizzas, you’ll probably be so enveloped in delicious flavors that you’ll forget all about the mediocre pies. Just remember: It’s an all-you-can eat buffet for one flat price, so be sure to grab seconds, thirds and fourths of all your favorites!

The giant pumpkin of Circleville

by Danielle Purcell

Lindsey’s Bakery Caters to Circleville Pumpkin Show with Monster-Sized Pie

Cartoon pumpkin stickers decorate shop windows in downtown Circleville, proclaiming the arrival of the town’s annual Pumpkin Show. For over one hundred years, Circleville residents have honored these rotund squashes with parades, pageants and contests. The city rejoices for several days, from October 21^st to 24^th, in celebration of the pumpkin. Only one local shop, Lindsey’s Bakery, has the bravado to prepare a monstrous pumpkin pie.

Mr. and Mrs. Lindsey, the original owners, maintained the store for “a good long time” before leaving their legacy to their daughter. Now, Grandma Katie Miller, bustles about the back half of the store.

A framed letter Grandma Katie received from Bob Dole hangs on the right wall. The Lindseys watch from their frame on the left. A gigantic tray sits atop its pumpkin throne. Its diameter exceeds ten feet. Grandma Katie’s nephew and employee Chad Kushmer says it’s “the small one.” Kushmer says he will not aid in preparation of the beastly pastry.

“If I tried to help at all, I’d mess it up,” he said. “I’ll leave it to the professionals.”

The actual tray for the famed pie is extremely large. Think fourteen feet in diameter large. A sign above the tray displays the famed recipe for the gigantic pie, which calls for a whopping 96 pounds of pumpkin guts for its filling. Professionals, indeed.

The shop also offers an array of pumpkin-based delights, including donuts, cookies and pies, which tempt customers in neatly-iced rows beneath the glass. Kushmer says the pumpkin donuts are exceptional, the “big season seller.”

Ironically, after the famed pumpkin pie is prepared and displayed, no one enjoys the pie. Lindsey’s Bakery employees agree that too many customers have touched it. The pie’s remains are donated to local farmers and fed to pigs.

Marv's Place and Ethel's Attic

by Sarah Kyriakedes

Homemade food, cheerful service and picturesque scenery are three aspects in the realm of restaurants that are hard to come by today; however, Marv’s Place, located at the center of the quaint town of Sardis, Ohio, along the Ohio River provides those who visit with all of the above.

The restaurant’s old-fashioned structure and unique atmosphere truly takes customers on a journey back into time with its authentic wood countertops and original black and white photographs adorning the walls.

The restaurant is located in the historical 1894 commercial building that was acquired in the 1940s by Marvin and Ethel Merriner. Under the Merriner’s ownership the building served as a grocery store, poolroom, and apartment complex. Over time the building was passed down to their grandchildren and the townspeople of Sardis feared that it would get torn down and an important piece of Sardis history would be lost. Instead, the family renovated it by turning it into the family-run restaurant on the first level and a consignment and artwork shop in the upper level called Ethel’s Attic. To honor their lineage they decided to name the business after their grandparents, Marvin and Ethel.

Although the restaurant is distinct in its historical value, it has other claims to fame in both Ohio and West Virginia. All of the food served at Marv’s Place is made from scratch. The family strives to serve quality food that, as its co-owner, Sharon Davis said, “one would expect their grandma to fix.” From the infamous Marv’s burger to the homemade desserts, it is hard to go wrong when choosing an item off their menu.

“People love to come here, because we’re one of the few places left that serves food that doesn’t taste like a TV dinner,” Davis explained.

Marv’s Place attracts a varied clientele ranging from townspeople stopping by for their daily cup of soup to the out-of-town travelers stumbling in to grab a bite to eat.

After a satisfying home-cooked meal, head upstairs to browse antique goods and homemade crafts in Ethel’s Attic. A few years ago, Davis and her two brothers, Charles and Jim Merriner, decided to expand their business and open this charming little shop.

Keeping in line with authentic feel of Marv’s Place, the shop acts as both a consignment shop and an Artisan’s Mall. Customers can drop off their antique goods to be sold and they can also browse artwork made by local Southern Ohio artists.

When shopping, it truly feels like you have discovered a world full of treasures; handmade baskets hang from a wooden tree in the corner, intricate painting line the walls, beautiful glass ornaments lie in an antique trunk and colorful marbles fill several baskets. And all of this exceptional art is only half of what you can find at Ethel’s Attic.

The shop also sells antiques that townspeople have brought in- original glass Coca-Cola bottles, sewing machines, wooden furniture and china dishware, are just a few of the items that can be found.

There is also a children’s toy section to keep the little ones busy while mom and dad shop around. There are no electronic video games or board games to be found; only toys from a much simpler time are sold here.

The Merriner family is able to provide their customers with two businesses that stop you in your tracks with a cheerful atmosphere and quality of life products; both of which are not all that common in today’s society. Marv’s Place and Ethel’s Attic are truly a breath of fresh air, and worth the trip to Sardis, Ohio.