The best way to really live in the moment is to do something unplanned and adventurous. At least, this was true for us this weekend.
Evan, Peter and I hit the open road at 9am on Saturday for a full day of discovery. The plan was to head south-east and make stops anytime something seemed interesting. The plan was to have no plan! We wanted to let fate be our guide.
Now lets go back in time as I take you on a journey through the small and seemingly forgotten towns of south-east Ohio...
Vultures feasting on something dead.
This sign was pointing the way to a nature conservatory of some sort. It ended up being "closed for the season" so apparently it doesn't like the second day of spring?
So we continued on the road out into the woods anyway. We figured we might as well see where it takes us! That is the point of the day after all.
We find a little town. I saw a sign for an "Artisan Mall - Crafts & Antiques" and got really excited to find it. We found it!! Yayy!
Empty?? Nooooooo!! *look at the pain in my face!!*
So we push on to the next neighboring town which happened to be Logan, Ohio. We got out to tour Logan on foot. It was nice outside.
We come across "The Spotted Owl Cafe" and go in for some caffeine.
That was about all we really saw of Logan. It was a quiet little place. The road then takes us through more winding woods and some trailer parks until we come across a home I can only assume is owned by the King of Ohio. It's out of control how awesome this house looks!
We soon approached a town perched at the base of a hilly area. It was such a curious place. Or, we were curious about it, I should say. What IS this place?? Where are the people?
It screamed "old west ghost town". It was surreal - like a movie set.
Later on - our research tells us that this town is
Shawnee, Ohio. A great write-up on it can be found
here. It sort of
is a semi-ghost town! There was something so intriguing about it though. I want to go back and just sit in the local bar and meet everyone and hear their stories.
Traveling on, we come to
Crooksville, Ohio. Crooksville is a pottery town known for its clay and pottery. Their High School "mascot" is the Crooksville "Ceramics"! Haha. Intimidating.
We get out and walk to find something to eat.
Oh wow - they DO have pottery!
FOOD.
My tummy has been acting up weird lately and I'm on a diet of "no fried, spicy or dairy foods". That is hard. So I ordered a salad thinking even though there was some cheese on it - usually it's just a sprinkling. Not in Crooksville!!!
I was served a CHEESE salad. There were a few pieces of lettuce under there that I managed to eat. Then I had mashed potatoes-n-gravy. An interesting lunch.
We parked our car next to this lovely condemned building.
After Crooksville we head north toward
Zanesville. We pass an interesting looking building that happens to be an 'exotic dance club' called "
The Foxhole". Apparently they have a one-armed stripper there! Their sign said "Check out OUR stimulus pac". Ehhhw. No thanks not today.
This was the only water we really saw all day and it was gone in a flash. Ohio really lacks water. Us Michiganders are not used to that. A road-trip in Michigan would consist of happening upon more lakes and rivers than you could count. We miss water.
Big bronze statues! *notice there's even one on the top corner of that building!*
Walking around Zanesville...
We pass a restaurant that shocked us a little. Christ's Table? I've never seen a religious themed restaurant before.
My GOD. No weapons! *duh?* And wait what does that other sign say?
HAAAAA!!! What?! Oh. Look at the hours. It's a soup kitchen. Ohhhhhh.
Moving on. To the Antiques!!
DANG! This building is amazing! And oh so photogenic, right?
This downtown area reminds me of the houses in Amsterdam.
A dirty-pretty alley I couldn't resist capturing.
After Zanesville it was around 4pm and we were pretty tired. The drive home was pretty quick - only about 45 minutes once we hopped on the highway.
What an adventure and great use of a Saturday. Taking a trip like this makes me feel like I'm really living life and making the most of it.
I can't wait until the next one :)....
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