Ohio

The Buckeye State

October 2016

So what’s special about the Buckeye State, you asked? For starter, 8 of the 44 presidents of the United States and 24 astronauts were from Ohio. That’s one impressive list anyone will tell ya! Out of the 8 presidents, 7 are Ohio natives. Only one other state can lay claim to producing the most commander-in-chief is Virginia. But that isn’t the reason we are visiting Ohio, you see, our destination happens to be one of the largest modern Amish community in the country.  

Blue Hen Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

But first, the charming Cuyahoga Valley National Park is on our list for its hard history and beautiful scenery. The only national park in Ohio is just 30 minutes south of Cleveland.

Learn More
Wooden trail skirting Berea Sandstone formation leading to Brandywine Falls
Stairs leading down to Brandywine Falls viewpoint
Brandywine Falls drawn water from the creek of the same name, and it's not the wine!
Blue Hen Falls in a draught season

Drove back to Cleveland to visit Cleveland Botanical Garden, we found solace and peaceful in its natural settings. The botanical garden found in 1930 and was the first of its kind in the US, and later other states follow suit. One can be strolling in the desert of Africa’s Madagascar, gazing up the replica of the legendary baobab tree with colorful butterflies and birds darting about. Then breathing the moist air and feel the damp forest of Costa Rica. We went under a small waterfall and emerge into a dream-like garden with mist suspended in the mid-air and refreshing light columns from above.

We were admiring light beam came from above
Children Garden completed with koi pond, stepping stones and 2 stories gazebo
Acoustic Canopy Tree House
Twisted Tree House

Leaving the clouded forest of Cleveland Botanical Garden behind, we drove 1.5 hours to Millersburg in Holmes County just south of Cleveland. The Amish have made their home here since 1808. Today their number is nearly 30,000 and growing. Their productive and colorful farmlands spread out upon undulating hills. Simple dressed Amish folks go about their business on bicycles and buggies can be found along rural roads. The clip-clop sound from trotting horses and elegant black buggies are forever mesmerizing. We found this rural setting to be the most scenic routes since Quebec.

We spent 2 nights at the Mohican KOA campground and enjoyed the luxury of hot showers, clean bathrooms, and cozy beds while we visiting the Amish country. Using picnic table outside, we prepared a morning breakfast with sunny-side eggs, applewood smoked bacon with dense Amish bread. After breakfast, we drove for 30 minutes on OH-60 south to pick up some farm-fresh produces at Harvey’s Market.

Harvey's Market run by honest local folks
We were tallying up her purchases on a small store notebook
Fresh turnips, spaghetti and butternut squash, cabbage, green and red tomatoes, assortment of apples, sweet watermelons, etc. became our dinner ingredients for that day
Customers pay for their purchases by inserting money in that ammo can!

If you got used to dealing with a stone-faced cashier, or grim-faced clerk verify your purchase as you leaving, and security cameras watching and zoom in at your every move in the West Coast… then you in for a treat! The refreshing approach of Harvey’s business model utterly caught us by surprise. Beside open 24/7 with no cashier or employee present, all products are farm-fresh and delectable, and all juices are squeezed in the morning. You just tally up your purchase and insert money into an ammo can on the counter! That’s it. It’s a humbling experience to be treated with honesty and integrity. Both of us suddenly became quiet and more reflective, and the sky above somehow seems brighter on our way back to the campground.

Our cozy cabin in Mohican KOA campground
Fishing pond on the back of our cabin

After wonderful brunch and freshly brewed coffee the next morning, we headed to Millersburg for Sunday shopping. Unfortunately, most of the Amish stores were closed but their beautifully crafted items are displayed in the storefront. One can find comfy Adirondack chairs, colorful birdhouses, whimsical wind chimes, garden decors, wooden toys, and all sort of arts and crafts… out in the open, with nobody around to watch them! We pleasantly surprised to see more honest folks and communities out there than we realized.

Time to visit an Amish store in town
The comfy composite Adirondack chairs for ultimate durability for the price of regular wood chairs
Beautifully colored composite Adirondack for adults and kids

Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen is an authentic Amish restaurant tuck away from route 241 in Millersburg. “Authentic Amish” is, of course, an oxymoron for all Amish foods were always prepared fresh and proven recipes trickled down from earlier generations. But only the most heart-warming and fulfilling recipes will ever make it to this Amish restaurant. Don’t believe us? Even the local Amish come there for broast chicken, “out of this world” pot roast, Amish corn, “to-die-for” Wedding Steak, Smoked Ham Steak… and of course scrumptious wedge of Date Cake.

Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen served up amazing buffets. Yep, that lots of good foods!
Amish truck (front) and passenger buggies (back)
Amish vehicles come with 2 colors; matte black for the body and orange warning sign. Even the horses are black!
Convertible version! We watched in awe as these ladies deftly maneuver the carriage around like a race car on busy street
Parking out in front! This vehicle is checking us out!

We couldn’t visit all the destinations in our itinerary, and there are so much more to see in Ohio, so this visit certainly won’t be our last. Consciously, we felt Ohio folks pulled out a welcome mat with both honesty and integrity that were “normal” for them, and we were lucky enough to experience that warm feeling of trust, fair, and friendly demeanor that has been baked-in through generations. One thing for certain, with colorful landscapes and warm honest people, will surely pull us back to Ohio few more times soon.

GPS Coordinates

  1. Brandywine Falls – 41°16’36.7″N 81°32’19.8″W
  2. Blue Hen Falls – 41°15’25.4″N 81°34’21.7″W
  3. Cleveland Botanical Garden – 41°30’40.1″N 81°36’34.4″W
  4. Mohican KOA – 40°34’07.3″N 82°21’24.0″W
  5. Mrs Yoder’s Kitchen, Millersburg – 40°37’27.9″N 81°47’07.9″W
  6. Harvey’s Market, Big Prairie – 40°35’21.4″N 82°04’33.8″W

References

  • Destination details from local knowledge, some were extracted from hand-out literature/brochure, or website, and Wikipedia

  • Coordinates are from Google map in Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds (DMS)