Waking up Saturday morning, I asked Emilia what she would like for breakfast. "Pancakes!" she said. I got dressed and poked my head into the bedroom and told her that she had 5 minutes to get ready as we were leaving. She protested and I then told her she now had 4 minutes and 30 seconds to get ready, or be left at home.

(Emilia here, just for the record I WAS ready within the 5 minutes!)

We drove to Lima and I took her to IHOP (International House of Pancakes), she had never been to one before. We had a great waitress and the food was very good.

Drove back to the house, quick showers, and headed East towards Bellefontaine, OH, the highest point in Ohio. Made our way through West Liberty and arrived at the entrance to the Ohio Caverns. See the review below.

As we left the caverns, we stopped by 2 other points of interest, the Piatt Castles. Both are nearby the caverns. The two homes were built by Abrham and Donn Piatt, sons of a Federal Circuit Judge. The castles are called Mac-A-Cheek and Mac-O-Chee, which means Smiling Valley in Shawnee Indian-speak.

We didn't go inside the castles, just walked around the grounds and took photos. I have been through both before and they are a good example of history in Ohio.

We then stopped at Marie's Candies in West Liberty, the shop is in the old train depot and when you open the doors, you really know you are in a candy store. The chocolates are delicious, we purchased some malted milk balls.

Headed towards Indian Lake, giving Emilia a brief history of the area and importance of the lake in the past. Drove around the west edge of the lake and stopped at a beach to take some photos. We headed back to Wapakoneta, stopping at my brother's farm to see his new puppy, Rocko, a half boxer, half bull dog. Feisty!

Just another beautiful weekend in Ohio!

What do you do when it is a beautiful weekend during September in Ohio? Go underground of course!

Emilia and I visited the Ohio Caverns near West Liberty, Ohio recently. Ohio Caverns is the largest and most beautiful of all Ohio Caves. Its exquisite crystal-white stalactite and stalagmite formations are nowhere to be found in greater profusion of artistic settings. The diversity of formations and unexcelled coloring are all the more interesting because the formations are still in the process of development.

The caverns are located near the highest point in Ohio. The rolling hills (we Ohioans call these mountains) provides a nice scenic drive through Logan County. The 35 acre park above the caverns is well kept and in constant demand for weddings and corporate retreats. Shelter houses and picnic tables are available. There was a wedding going on while we were taking the tour, and it was well attended. The Historic Tour is only available for groups of 10 or more, is a little longer but not as beautiful as the Regular Tour. A souvenir and gift shop is located within the entrance building. The staff is very knowledgeable and available to answer any questions you may have.

Ohio Caverns is open year round, while only closing 2 days, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. They provide 2 tours, the Regular Tour, which is the most beautiful and the Historic Tour which is the original tour begun in 1897. The Regular Tour runs about 45 minutes long and takes you through the most colorful part of the cavern system.

Regardless of the weather conditions above ground, the temperature of the Ohio Caverns remains a constant 54° F. (12.2° C.) throughout the year. The air inside the Caverns is always fresh and invigorating. The tour route through the Caverns is level concrete path which will allow you to enjoy the natural beauties of the Cavern safely and conveniently.

Still photography is allowed, and encouraged. Tripods are not allowed in the cavern, however I was able to bring my monopod, after being instructed not to carry it horizontally, but to keep it pointing in front of me. Don't want to damage those million year old stalactites! Videotaping is not permitted.

Rates:
Regular Tour:
Adult:    $10.50
Child 5-12 years    $5.50
Child 4 & under     No Charge

Historic Tour:
Adult:    $16.50
Child 5-12 years    $10.00
Child 4 & under     No Charge

Our tour group was small, less than 10 people. This allowed everyone to hear the guide very well and to ask any questions they may have had. Emilia kept pointing out that everything looked liked food: chocolate, coffee, icing, brown sugar, etc. Everybody was hungry after the 45 minute tour.