Why oh why oh did I ever leave Ohio?
Part 1: Outdoors in Appalachian Ohio
By Erika Petty, Photos by Barbara Petty

The rolling hills of Holmes County.

When North Carolinians think of Appalachia, they may think of our Great Smoky Mountains, skiing in West Virginia, or the Catskills. What they might not think of when they think of the over 2,174 miles of Appalachia between Georgia and Maine is Eastern Ohio. The central east and southeastern regions of Ohio, however, should not be overlooked for they are as scenic as any other Appalachian region and have a charm that is reminiscent of older, simpler times. Imagine rolling hills in the countryside patched with golden striped fields, red barns and white houses occasionally bordered by winding rivers and lush vegetation… you are now picturing Appalachian Ohio.

In an effort to increase the tourism to this portion of Ohio, my mother and I were invited to a five-day tour of various counties in the region to learn about the outdoors, history, culture and arts that make Eastern Ohio a hidden treasure. This portion of the story will cover all the activities for the outdoor adventurer and nature enthusiast, while next month’s article will feature attractions that will appeal to the history buff and arts and culture aficionado. Read on to learn more about how you can enjoy the many rivers, lakes and parks of Appalachia in a singular locale that is close to North Carolina yet has an enchanting environment all its own.

If hiking is your thing, there are many gorgeous parks you can explore and some unique options for navigating. A group from our tour went to Salt Fork State Park, Ohio’s largest state park, in Guernsey County where they had a high-tech treasure hunt using GPS units (global positioning system) to explore the park and find their treasure. Using these hand-held navigation units, which are provided by the Salt Fork Resort and Conference Center, some of the more competitive headed off on their own while others worked together. Another group went hiking in Hocking Hills State Park where geological formations were the main attractions. This park features stunning caves, cliffs and waterfalls. Ash Cave is so named because of the mysterious piles of ash found in the recesses of the cave, the source of which has never been discovered. According to local folklore, the Rock House Cave was used by bootleggers, robbers and horse thieves. You can walk along the ridge of the Cantwell Cliffs or along the bottom of the valley and look up at the precipice.

Kayaking on Lake Burr Oak.

Our group did not get to go hiking - we got a little lost and ended up taking a tour of the perimeter of Lake Burr Oak. We did, however, get to do some leisurely kayaking on the lake with our guide Mimi Morrison of Touch the Earth Adventures. We paddled along the shore while Michael Flynn of Wild Birds Unlimited helped us scout out birds and their calls. Mimi has a unique approach to her tours – she emphasizes rejuvenating the spirit through communing with nature. Mimi’s life mission is inspiring people to “be in tune with our Earth and to be empowered through hiking, kayaking and cycling adventures.” Touch the Earth trips range from kayaking, hiking and backpacking in Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Massachusetts, so you can find one that fits you.

View from the Atwood Lake Resort.

If you want to enjoy the water without being your own motor, you can rent a boat at Atwood Lake and go fishing, go tubing or just relax and cruise around. We took a trip on the Atwood Queen Cruise Boat around the gorgeous lake and stopped for dinner at the Atwood Lake Resort where we enjoyed a sampling of fabulous food from their menu. The resort sits on a hill overlooking the lake and has an elegant yet rustic charm to its facilities. On another night we enjoyed dinner and music as we floated down the Muskingum River aboard the Lorena Sternwheeler, taking in the view of the rolling hills.

The Atwood Queen.

Another superb view of the hills of Ohio can be found over in Holmes County in Amish country. Here cars, bikes, and buggies all share the road. The Amish, Christians who believe in a very simple lifestyle, do not use electricity and certain technologies, so their mode of transportation is a horse drawn buggy. One group from our tour explored the Amish countryside on bikes, which is a great way to get off the beaten path and explore the back roads of Holmes County – the very picture of pristine farmland described earlier. You can read more about our visit to the Amish land in next month’s story.

Giraffes and camels and rhinos, oh my! Animals rule at The Wilds.

Our last night of the trip we experienced what was probably the highlight of the five-day visit – The Wilds. Created out of over 10,000 acres of reclaimed strip-mining land, The Wilds is America’s largest conservation center - a safari-like open range that is home to antelopes, rhinos, giraffes, Asian wild horses, onyxes, deer, camels, and bison as well as native species. The animals live in large multi-species fields where the animals form herds and exhibit group behavior. In our safari tour of the land, open air buses drove us along the fields and often came right up to the animals, giving us an up close and personal look at some of the world’s most beautiful and fascinating creatures in an environment very close to their natural habitat. Though we were never in danger, we had a bit of excitement when viewing a baby rhino: the mother became angry and threatened to charge. The giraffes were magnificent to see – we came upon them while they were feeding alongside the road, and they turned to watch us watch them. They were completely unafraid, even curious, including the youngest. One of the giraffes walked into the road behind us and stood watching as we drove away.

The Wilds is about more than giving safari tours of these animals. As someone who majored in environmental studies, I was especially excited by the work of the center. It is focused on conserving these threatened species in habitats that are ecologically healthy and natural. They are continually working to restore the land to its natural state by weeding out invasive exotic species, while practicing animal management, husbandry and health care. Students from nearby universities come to use the wonderful resource of The Wilds to study and train in conservation and biology. They will continue restoring the land and managing new species. They hope to have a section for predator animals in the future (all current animals are herbivores).

Ohio was not a place that typically came to mind for me when I thought of the great outdoors, but after our trip I certainly would include Appalachian Ohio on my list of locations for taking in beautiful scenery and having an outdoor adventure. Eastern Ohio also has some unique local history and culture, so be sure to read next month about our experience with the Amish, local arts, history, food, wine and accommodations.

August 2008
Tune Up for Adventure at the U.S. National Whitewater Center

July 2008
Antigua, the Miracle Worker

June 2008
Carolina's Crystal Coast

May 2008
Egypt Trip, Part 2

April 2008
Egypt Trip, Part 1

April 2008
Mar 2008: Complementary and Alternative Medicine Options

February 2008
Historic Highways

January 2008
San Diego - A Touch of Paradise in America

December 2007
Celebrate the Season in Wilmington

November 2007
Sweet Home (Mobile) Alabama

October 2007
Living Abroad

September 2007
A Tale of Two Islands, Part II: St. Thomas

August 2007
A Tale of Two Islands, Part I: St. Croix

July 2007
Petty Family Idaho Vacation

June 2007
Enjoy the Mitford Life at Blowing Rock

May 2007
Charleston Hosts Spoleto and Piccolo Spoleto

April 2007
If Not Now, When? Your Dream Vacation to Egypt Awaits

March 2007
Play Mystic for Me

February 2007
Spiritual and Earthly Pleasures

January 2007
All Aboard the NCRR

December 2006
Holiday Spectaculars

November 2006
Monet in Normandy at the NCMA

October 2006
Ohio Art and Culture

September 2006
Why oh why oh did I ever leave Ohio?

August 2006
Highway 64 - Brasstown and the John C. Campbell Folk School

July 2006
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June 2006
Pueblo, City of History and Heroes

May 2006
A Melding of Old World and New Arts

April 2006
Edenton, The South's Prettiest Small Town


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