CyclingExplorer

Today I wanted to highlight Battelle Darby Metro Park and Nature Center. Battelle Darby Creek is the largest central Ohio Metro Park with more than 7,000 acres of prairies, fields and forests, and more than 20 miles of riparian forest along the Big and Little Darby Creeks. The Darby creeks are noted nationally for their tremendous diversity and abundance of both aquatic and terrestrial plants and animals.

A century ago this May Day, Jospeh Dager founded Velvet Ice Cream in Utica, Ohio. Four generations later, the company is still family-owned and operated, and produces over five million gallons of ice cream a year. Only roughly 3% of all American businesses will ever achieve this milestone, and so to commemorate, Velvet Ice cream will host a series of specials, events, and activities for their loyal followers in Ohio. The first of these is the opening of Ye Old Mill on May 1st. Ye Old Mill is the headquarters for the brand, and also houses an ice cream and milling museum. It was named one of America’s Best Ice Cream Factory Tours by Frommer’s. The Mill will be open from May 1st – October 31st, and is a great field trip for students as well as adults, especially during the annual Utica Ice Cream Festival, which will be held May 24th-May 26th this year. On National Ice Cream Day, July 20th, visitors at Ye Old Mill will be able to enjoy buy-one-get-one-free ice cream. There will also be free entertainment every Sunday at the Mill during its opening. Velvet Ice Cream is also celebrating its birthday with a new, all natural line of flavors. This new brand uses cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup, farm fresh cream, pure vanilla, and sustainably-grown chocolate. Ice cream lovers will be able to find this new line in these flavors: Vanilla, Bourbon Pecan, Salted Chocolate Fudge, and Vanilla Chocolate Duo. They’re available in stores, like Raisin Rack Natural Food Market, now. Velvet Ice Cream will also be launching several new flavors in its anniversary activities, as well as reintroducing old favorites, like the Peach Cobbler. They will also release a cookbook featuring recipes and its history. Velvet Ice Cream will continue to announce specials throughout the year as they remember a century of ice cream making. Ye Old Mill is located at 11324 Mount Vernon Road in Utica. For a complete list of activities, visit www.velveticecream.com.

Slate Run Living Historical Farm As part of the Columbus Metro Park system, this Living Farm is extremely educational for both young and old. Have you been there?

I want to start a thread on the park systems in Ohio. I am interested in your thoughts on the parks and if they meet your expectations. Which are good campgrounds and which to stay away from? New trails opening up in the parks? Best nature trails? I figure I would start off with a visit to Old Mans cave. If you like a good hike, then this is a good place for you. Steep steps and some great pictures to be had. Parking is good but bring a pair of walking shoes if you visit. What are some of your favorite places???

What are the chances to get a subforum associated with the National, State, and local parks? I think getting some input on say which camp grounds, lodges, or even bike trails would be a good addition. Some parks have trams and others have nature centers that would be great to get out as summer approaches.

For those who have not been inside the North Market.

Who's been to the Buxton Inn for Brunch?

Hocking Valley Scenic Railway is gearing up for another season. Hopefully someone can post a pic or two from the Easter Bunny Train. If you have not been down there, here are some of what you are missing: One of the stops: Link to their page: https://www.facebook.com/hvsry

Here are some cyclists being picked up behind Lock 38.

Here are some night shots of the Bexley area.

Columbus is looking for input on Bike Plan The City of Columbus is hoping lots of people will add their voices to this year’s update of the Bicentennial Bikeways Plan. The first opportunity for participation is an online survey, which is up now and will be available through this weekend. Link is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CbusTransportation

A video of Easton Mall and area.

In the celebration of their 100 years, I thought I would post a recent tour. They open in May with a big event planned for Memoral Day weekend!

2013 Circleville Pumpkin show.

For those interested, I put together a small documentary of Jeffrey Mansion.

I have videos from different areas of the Zoo and also the Wilds. If you want to see what you are missing, check them out!

Olentangy River Project near OSU.

Some shots of Lock 38 and visitor center.

Alum Creek Trail Suspension Bridge near Wolfe Park is complete and open!

The light show at the lake from last night - enjoy!

Christmas Corner starts tonight, but I was able to get some picture last night - enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaasohdJB3c

Tree lighting at the Ohio Statehouse (2013) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG9SRgLcrlQ

For those who have not been inside the Statehouse in a while: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4jrYNprGFE

The Ohio Statehouse Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting Tuesday, December 3, 2013 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Ohio Statehouse; 1 Capitol Square; downtown Columbus http://www.ohiostatehouse.org 614/728-9777 It’s that time of the year again to grab your entire family, your friends and bring some holiday cheer to celebrate the Ohio Statehouse Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting. This year’s celebration will take place Tuesday, December 3, 2013 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This free family-friendly event is open to the public! The festival marks the beginning of the holiday season on Capitol Square and throughout all of central Ohio. The indoor ceremony will take place in the Statehouse Atrium and consist of a short program, welcoming Santa and Mrs. Claus, followed by the lighting of our historically decorated holiday tree. The festivities will then continue with refreshments, arts and crafts activities, games and special performances by local bands and choirs. There will also be a free photo station available to capture your families’ moment with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Refreshments courtesy of Starbucks on Capitol Square, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council and the eight exclusive caterers of the Ohio Statehouse. Scheduled activities include: Ongoing Activity Stations: Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board, Ohio Ornament Highlights Magazine Activity Table Office of the Treasurer Activity Table Office of the Secretary of State, Vote for your Favorite Holiday Tradition Office of the State Auditor, Reindeer Hats Office of the Attorney General Activity Table American Red Cross, Writing Letters to Soldiers COSI, Fun with Physics Make Snowman Treats CAMA, Face Painting Make a Hand Print Wreath Ohio Paper Folders, Holiday Origami Station Writing Letters to Santa Play Pin the Nose on Rudolf Play Santa Says Holiday Bookmark Performances on the Museum Gallery Stage: Kristina D’Onofrio and Brandon Whited performing Sugar Plum pas de deaux Highway Patrol Bomb Dog demonstration Pickerington High School Chamber Orchestra Choir Line Up: The Alliance of Greater Central Ohio Con Brio Children’s Choir Mad River Dulcimer Society Worthington Chorus Mascots: Holiday Cardinal Clara and the Nutcracker- BalletMet Columbus Lou Seal- Columbus Clippers Krash- Columbus Clippers Salvation Army Bell Ringers

Here are some videos on the museum. Last I heard, the shuttle trainer will be open to the public before the end of the year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOaT3kYLwns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oogstKo2tdo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8mmI6-8emA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnONal-dEP0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWZAicOg6Jk