Ohio/Kentucky/West Virginia Trip
 

We enjoyed our trip to Ohio and actually wish we had another day or two. Here is a breakdown of what we did:

Cincinnati area: Drove to Cincinnati (wow...a boring ride as far as scenery). Walked around the riverfront, saw the Bengals and Reds stadiums, the Steamboat monument, and a beer at Rock Bottom. Crossed into Newport, KY and had a beer at the Hofbrauhaus and a 5-way chili and coney at Skyline. We did not care for the chili (not our style), did not like the flavor.

Columbus area: Beer at Barley's Pub and Barley's smokehouse. Visited the Ohio State campus and football stadium. Food at Eddie George's 27 Grille (very good food and good beer selection). Also beer at BJ's and Gordon Biersch. Drove around some different parts of the city and through the German Village area.

Loop tour: we had decided there were some other things we wanted to see outside of the city areas so we decided to check out of the hotel and make the journey. Left very early one morning from Columbus and headed out to Hocking Hills. Because we only had a limited amount of time, we only did the Old Man's Cave (loved it and would someday like to do the entire trail system). Thanks for the recs. on this place, worth it. Headed through some of the back roads in and out of small interesting towns to Portsmouth to get a beer and lunch at Mault's Brewpub/Portsmouth brewing. Lot's of flooding around this area. Drove along the river to Huntington, WV to visit Marshall University and see the memorials to the 1970 plane crash. Headed to Point Pleasant, WV to see the Mothman. Walked around the riverfront and also visited the battle memorial. Drove to Parkersburg, WV to have a beer at The North end Tavern. Headed on to Marietta, OH and decided we did not want to drive anymore. Marietta Brewing was having a grand re-opening that night, so we added another brew stop to out list. On our way back to Columbus the next morning, we went to see the Longaberger basket and then headed to the Homestead. Going to the outlet and production facility is an experience. Let's just say it's like being in the middle of a shark feeding frenzy but with a bunch of women.

We really enjoyed the trip and got more out of it than we thought we would. I would not mind going back again for a couple of days to do more of Hocking and to also see a mound (which I did not get to do). Tried to see Shrum Mound on the last day but the map we had showed it was in one area outside of downtown Columbus but we could not find it. When we got home, I looked at my atlas and it showed it in a totally different area.

Thanks for all the assistance......

Sounds like fun. Could you please tell me where you stayed in Columbus? We are heading to a Bluejackets game in a few weeks and I was wanting a hotel near the arena. Thanks.

January,

Did not stay downtown, stayed off of 270 near Obetz (Sleep Inn).

You covered alot of ground. Thanks for reporting back on what you did.

Will say that I've run into some folks who don't like Cincinnati chili. For example, people who find Texas style chili to be their nirvana (pretty much beef, chili peppers, and salt in purest form, maybe some tomatoes or tomato paste or onions as well) may find Cincy's version odd with its added sweet spices and chocolate, plus all the spaghetti and beans and cheese and such.

I love the stuff, myself. But then again I like pretty much all versions of chili I've ever tried.

If you go back to Hocking Hills you might try checking out the following -- may be some places you want to see along this route:
http://www.byways.org/explore/byways...irections.html

Yes, Cincinnati chili is different. Also totally agree -- I71 between Columbus and Cincinnati is not a scenic route. I-75 is better. We got the following book when we went up to northern Michigan -- interesting if you are travelling on I75 -- Along I75 by Dave Hunter

Not sure where all you have been but from your report (and since you liked Hocking Hills) I think you might enjoy Kentucky. I75 is scenic and there are many state parks (Natural Bridge/Red River Gorge and Cumberland Falls to name two) not far from the interstate. Also breweries, Mammoth Cave, Louisville and Lexington.

What was the Mothman like? Only know what I saw in the movie?

Plan to get to the Louisville/Lexington area at some point.

Was not much in Point Pleasant: Mothman statue in the old part of town, memorial and historic marker for the bridge collapse, a riverfront walk with murals, and a battle memorial (Chief cornstalk). There is not much on the old main street and right next to it is a busy road with your normal McDonald's and other junk. There is also a Mothman museum in the old section but we did not go to it. Going here was just one of those things we always wanted to do since seeing the movie.

Regarding the chili: actually I have not really found a style I like, I prefer to make it myself.

Here is my online album if you want to check out the trip.

http://travel.webshots.com/album/576707010PMKKtI