Cooper’s Mill, Bucyrus
An hour north of Columbus on the way to Sandusky, Cooper’s Mill makes a tasty stop. Sharon Sparks, daughter of the original owner, told me that her parents started the business in 1969 selling produce from a roadside stand.
Throughout the store, I sampled numerous food products made in Ohio. The adjacent factory produces jellies and jams. Among the all-natural, non-GMO and gluten-free products are 40 flavors of jams and jellies; five relishes; and apple butters, including no-sugar flavors. Sharon’s brother, Dan, develops recipes, such as their new line of barbecue sauces.
In the deli area, apple cider doughnuts fried daily are glazed several ways, all available for sampling. Inventive flavors of fudge, such as chocolate with a chewy praline layer, are made several times each week. Visitors can buy fresh peanut butter made four ways, pies baked in Ohio, raw honey, and local cookie and pancake mixes. The store also stocks farm-fresh produce, candles made locally, hand towels, rag rugs and other kitchen items.
Lake Erie Shores and Islands
Upon arriving in the Sandusky area, I checked into Sawmill Creek Resort on the shores of Lake Erie. This 232-room property offers a private beach, charter fishing for perch and walleye, a Tom Fazio golf course and the delightful Sawmill Shops, former barns filled with a variety of clothes, jewelry and home decor.
Even in the Midwest, island hopping and sandy beaches are within reach on a narrated Goodtime Lake Erie Island Cruise. Rented golf carts and bicycles made getting around the islands easy. From Sandusky, we cruised past Cedar Point and stopped at Kelleys Island first, before heading to Put-in-Bay.
On laid-back Kelleys Island, the only hotel is the Kelleys Island Venture Resort, with lovely gardens and water views. The island’s North Shore Loop Trail skirts a rocky shoreline, and the picturesque state park beach offers a half-moon of sand and waves, plus kayak rentals. Nearby, the island’s glacial grooves rank as the world’s largest, excavated display. It’s worth taking the trail that overlooks the 396-foot-long and 30-foot-wide grooves. On the way back to the pier, we picked up a to-go lunch of traditional fried-perch sandwiches, fries and house chowder at second-generation-owned Village Pump.
In contrast to relaxed Kelleys Island, Put-in-Bay, nicknamed the Key West of the Midwest, bustles with restaurants, bars and shops. Tram tours offer an island overview, and they’re a one-stop shop that’s especially fun for groups. Near town, Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center offers cave tours, a rock-climbing wall, miniature golf, a butterfly house and mining for gems.
Groups touring the area should be sure to visit Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, which commemorates the Battle of Lake Erie that took place in the surrounding waters. The visitor center details this significant battle during the War of 1812. Perry’s Monument observation deck rises 352 feet above Lake Erie with panoramic views. The island has numerous eateries, and a mid-afternoon ice cream cone at the Chocolate Café hit the mark.
Firelands Winery, Sandusky
Award-winning Firelands Winery, the state’s largest producing and distributing winery, is proof that Ohio can make great wines. The winery’s name originated from the Firelands region of north-central Ohio, allotted to Connecticut citizens whose homes were burned by the British during the Revolutionary War. As they resettled, they brought with them their winemaking heritage.
Firelands’ winemaker for 30 years, Claudio Salvador, hails from Italy. His 2014 Firelands Gewurztraminer won best white wine in the state at the Director’s Choice awards. Grapes are grown on-site and obtained from New York and Pennsylvania, since demand far exceeds the winery’s acreage. The winery also stocks home winemaking supplies.
Tasting flights feature four one-ounce samples plus a bonus round, usually an Italian import. Salvador imports Italian wines; one label is from his wife’s family, who are winemakers in Italy. Hourlong group tastings in a cozy upstairs room accommodate up to 60 people. Tastings include a tour that overlooks the wine production area: stainless tanks, riddling racks for champagne and the bottling line. Each person takes home a glass stamped with the winery’s name.
Hocking Hills State Park, Logan
Ohio’s diverse geography offers many opportunities for outdoor recreation. In the heart of the state, approximately an hour south of Columbus, I looped back to visit Hocking Hills State Park. This spot is like no other in Ohio with its dramatic rock formations, waterfalls and caves.
Old Man’s Cave Trail leads hikers to its upper, middle and lower falls amid sandstone cliffs and steep hills. The trail is accessed by stairways and paths built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Zip lining, kayaking and fishing round out the park’s outdoor activities. According to locals, spring rains create picturesque waterfalls, and the autumn leaves are spectacular.
Hocking Hills Lodge serves renowned brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken and ribs for groups. Chef Matt Rapposseli, a New England Culinary Institute graduate and veteran chef, uses a wood-fired smoker, whose mouthwatering aroma lures diners in from the parking lot. He cooks meats overnight for fall-off-the-bone tenderness. Except for the ketchup and barbecue sauce, everything on the outstanding menu is made from scratch, down to the salad dressings, potato rolls and pizza crust. Next time, I’ll plan a return visit for the lodge’s popular Sunday brunch.
