Due to a scheduling conflict, our kid-free mini vacation got moved up to August this year. We decided to visit a friend in Columbus. Since we were already northwest of the city when we dropped the kids off, we continued to drive northwest first for a visit to Cuyahoga Valley National Park. We stopped at Brecksville Reservation, and I hiked the Deer Lick Cave trail.
At one point I passed a sign for the My Mountain overlook, and was compelled to go up and see what passes for a northeast Ohio mountain. It was adorable!
Deer Lick Cave is not actually a cave! It’s just a rock overhang. I wasn’t too disappointed.
After the hike, we visited Brandywine Falls, before driving to Columbus.
The next day, we split up. Jess hung out with her friend, and I explored some Columbus metro parks. First up, and chosen mostly for its proximity to the hotel: Highbanks Metro Park, named for its “massive” 100-foot-high shale bluff “towering” over the Olentangy State Scenic River. As Jess's friend said, “It’s Ohio. We work with what we’ve got.” It was a beautiful day and a beautiful hike, and the park was surprisingly busy.
On the way from our friends’ house to Highbanks Metro Park, I saw a sign for a garden. So after meeting them for lunch, I went off on my own again to Inniswood Metro Gardens. I explored for a while, until a thunderstorm rolled in.
Jess’s friend’s husband is a chef, and he made us a fantastic dinner. Then we all hung out and played some board games. The gardens were so beautiful I took Jess back the next day to check them out before we headed back home.
Obligatory foodposting, including the chef-made 12-hour carnitas burrito...and Waffle House
