Foodie Retreat at Murphin Ridge Inn {Travel}

At Murphin Ridge Inn in southern Ohio, guests enjoy spacious rooms, expansive views and perfect understated service. There is only one distraction from the calm, and it's a good one: the food. A visit to the bed and breakfast starts with finding a handmade cookie in your room. Make a cup of hot coffee or tea in the gathering room to compliment the treat.

(Click pictures to view them full size.)

Explore the grounds by hiking one of the marked trails or enjoying the vistas while seated on a rocking chair. Flower and vegetable gardens are tucked into sunny spots all over the property. You can view the plants that provide inspiration to meals including a patch of asparagus, plenty of peppers, and herbs galore.

The Inn truly comes alive during dinner. The seasonal menu throws more than just a nod to the locavore movement. Plates are filled with local everything from Adams County meats to Ohio creamery cheeses to garnishes from the gardens around the Inn.

On the night I dined with six-year-old Lillian, our starters were the stand out dishes. A pear and celery soup surprised me with subtle sweetness from the pear and deep earthiness of the celery root. Lillian, usually vegetable averse, gobbled the house salad, a lightly dressed romaine lettuce with apples and nuts. We later enjoyed our dinner of hot dog and potato wedges (her) and house-made butternut ravioli (me).

There is an air of comfortable elegance at Murphin Ridge Inn. The warm atmosphere is perfect for inspiring a child to be on her best behavior. Dinner service is neither too stuffy nor lax and includes quick bread service and coloring books to encourage quiet calm children.

After dinner we enjoyed chatting with chef Brad. He is clearly excited about using Adams County bounty in meals and also sources from Cincinnati's Findlay Market. Sherry McKenney, co-owner of Murphin Ridge, was busy preparing desserts but made time to talk to us about breakfast options.

After a cozy evening without television (Lillian can survive!) we slept comfortably. The next morning we followed a cat back to the Inn for breakfast.

We munched on homemade granola, yogurt, and fruit in the company of friendly guests before the entrée. On the day we dined, breakfast was orange French toast and locally sourced pork sausage. The menu rotates daily and seasonally.

Lil and I spent a few more hours in the morning playing tennis, following kitties, and watching birds at the dozens of feeders.  We reluctantly packed our bags to leave Murphin Ridge Inn and vowed to return to the truly relaxing retreat soon.

When you go:

• Murphin Ridge Inn is a pleasant 2 hour drive from Columbus. Suggested stops along the way include Serpent Mound Memorial and Purple Turtle Bakery in Washington Court House.
• Bring a book. Rooms do not have television, though the common area does. Free wifi is inconsistent around the site and cell phone service may be spotty. Murphin Ridge is a great place to take a break from the 24/7 on-call world.
• Consider a romantic stay in one of the cabins. These are for adults only and feature vaulted ceilings, hot tubs, and secluded, wooded surroundings.
• Be prepared for the outdoor activities you might want to enjoy. The pool is open seasonally and many nights include a campfire.
• Buy gift certificates for 10% off now through January 15th.
• Restaurant reservations are available for those who do not stay overnight. The Inn also offers holiday dinners and a summer Farm-To-Table series.

Murphin Ridge Inn 750 Murphin Ridge Road West Union, Ohio 45693 Make reservations online or by calling 877-687-7446 or 937-544-2263 Follow Murphin Ridge Inn on Facebook and Twitter for news and specials.

Murphin Ridge generously provided an overnight stay, dinner, and breakfast for Lillian and I. All opinions remain my own.

Experience Columbus Bathrooms {Friday Five}

Last week, Experience Columbus treated a group of bloggers from around the US and I to a whirlwind tour of the Columbus food scene. The other guests captured some fabulous shots of the food we ate and drank. I took pictures in the bathrooms. My line of reporting was unintentional but actually makes sense in hindsight. More than a place to wash up, the best restrooms reflect the sensibility of a place. Here's what I found in the toilets around town:

1) The food scene tour started in the Men's Room of the Westin Columbus. The loo is not of note but it houses one of the most notable people I've ever met in central Ohio: Carey, the Shoe Artist. Fine shoe collectors send him their leathers and Carey restores the shoes to former luster...from his office in the bathroom. 2) I carried my purse into the Basi Italia water closet. I didn't expect to use the camera in the bag but I couldn't resist documenting chef Johnny's cookbook collection and quirky choice of a light switch plate.

3) Rockmill Brewery is an earthy yet refined place. The birds eye maple sink cabinet drawer fronts reflect this aesthetic exactly.

4) The light and tasteful restroom of Pistacia Vera perfectly mirrors the atmosphere of the rest of their elegant bakery.

5) The last bathroom I want to highlight is not pictured because it doesn't exist, sorta. Non-Columbus folks were surprised and thrilled at the diversity and quality of the taco trucks we toured with Columbus Food Adventures, whose van is not equipped with a lavatory. Ever prepared, guide Bethia was ready with potty break spots for guests as needed.

Stay tuned to my fellow travelers for their impressions of Columbus: Blue Kitchen (Chicago) Cincinnati Nomerati Eat The Love (San Francisco) The Heritage Cook (San Francisco Bay) Joe of The Hungry Dudes (Detroit) A Thought For Food (Boston) Vanilla Icing (Pittsburgh) Wine Me, Dine Me Cincinnati

Disclosure: Experience Columbus paid for my meals and transportation for a three day extravaganza of eating. I bet they didn't expect a review of restaurant johns when they asked me to come along. ;)

Family Attractions in Urbana, Ohio {Day Trip}

One weekday this summer, Lil (age nearly 6), Anna (20 year old Japanese exchange student) and I took a day trip to Urbana, Ohio, approximately fifty miles from central Ohio. A simple drive west on 70 and north on 29 led us first to Cedar Bog State Nature Preserve, park reviewed here.

After a lovely hike in Ohio's largest public fen, we ate lunch in town. The pizza joint we picked was a poor choice - overly salted crust, loud Christian music, and cheap toppings. Next time we visit, I will check out Mumford's Potato Chip & Deli because the bagged chips we picked up were delightfully crispy and fresh.

Next we headed up to Freshwater Farms of Ohio. My farm profile has more details about the farm's petting zoo, store, and Shrimp Fest.

We spontaneously ended our day at the Johnny Appleseed Museum. Read my full museum review for more about the tiny museum packed with fascinating information.

In a short day away from Columbus, Urbana treated us to new perspectives on nature, homegrown tastes, and exciting history. We will surely return to explore more of what this nearby gem of a town has to offer.

Our trip was not paid or otherwise sponsored. We just really enjoyed our visit and wanted to share!

Freshwater Farms of Ohio {Profile}

Freshwater Farms of Ohio was one of the stops in our Urbana, Ohio field trip. Click the link to read about the rest of our trip. Since our first trip to Freshwater Farms of Ohio for the 2009 Shrimp Fest, I can't help but return every so often.

Where else can you pet a sturgeon? And pick up toads? And view native fish and stream species? And purchase fine smoked trout for use in your mousseline?

Freshwater Farms of Ohio is an educational destination and purveyor of farm raised trout to local home cooks and restaurant chefs.

I believe that the energy used to farm fish indoors is not sustainable in the long view. However, Freshwater is very clean, the animals are treated humanely, and waste is processed cleanly. In my opinion, low fat, high protein trout raised in such a manner is the next best thing to catching your own.

The large fish barn, a short walk from the parking lot near the store, is open to the public Monday - Saturday. Groups can self-tour, reading about species on well designed signs on each tank. Children are welcome to pick up toads, pet the sturgeon, and feed trout in outdoor tanks.

Frozen, fresh, and smoked fish is available for purchase at the farm store visible from Rt. 29, a few miles north of Urbana. Our family loved the trout smoked on site, a completely natural fish+woodsmoke only product. The shop includes a small selection of local food items including crunchy, delicious Mumford's Potato Chips. Pond and aquaculture equipment and stocking fish are also for sale.

If you go:

• Bring the kids! Freshwater Farm folks are friendly and open to questions.
• Carry a few quarters to the barn to purchase trout pellets if you wish to feed.
• Keep a cooler in the car for transport back home. Even the smoked fish is recommended to stay refrigerated.
• There is a public restroom with a sink for hand washing in the store building.
• Schedule a tour with snacks for your group for $3/person.
• Self guided tours are free.
• Consider visiting on Shrimp Fest Weekend. Entertainment, food vendors, tastes of Ohio farm raised shrimp, and guided tours are available the third weekend of every September. We'll be there!

Freshwater Farms of Ohio 2624 North US Hwy. 68, Urbana, OH 43078 1-800-634-7434 Open Monday - Saturday, 10am - 6pm

Read about additional Urbana, Ohio destinations: Johnny Appleseed Museum Cedar Bog Nature Preserve

Cedar Bog Nature Preserve

We visited Cedar Bog Nature Preserve as part of our day trip to Urbana Ohio. Click the preceding link to read about all of our stops. Cedar Bog Nature Preserve is a large and rare fen, preserved by the Ohio Historical Society and the the Cedar Bog Association. It is fifty miles from central Ohio, accessible by driving west on 70 and north on 29 to just south of Urbana Ohio.

Visitors can view the unique habitat from a mile-long boardwalk that winds over the fen and through boreal forest. Engaging signage explains the natural features and some of the creatures expected at stops along the way. Though I have hiked all over the state of Ohio, I was delighted to learn about this new-to-me environment.

With stops for observation and discussion, walking the trail took Lil, exchange student Anna, and I about one hour. We witnessed many species of birds, several kinds of dragon and damsel flies, land snails, a salamander, and a baby northern brown snake. There was a light breeze during our hike; the trail is likely very buggy on days without such air flow.

The newly opened eco-friendly nature center offers accessible and clean restrooms, well designed exhibits, classroom space, and a small gift shop. The staff person there when we visited was extremely knowledgeable, helping to identify the snake based on our description and view screen on the camera. He offered us a program of their upcoming activities including nature walks, lectures, and a family Boo-in-the-Bog on October 14 and 15.

Admission to the park is $5 for adults, $4 for children 6-12 and free for children five and under and Ohio Historical Society members. The boardwalk is open during daylight hours. The center is open 10 am - 4 pm Wednesday - Sunday.

If you go:

• Bring a water bottle and perhaps a snack. There is no food service.
• Wear light long sleeved clothing and pants or bug spray to prevent mosquito and black fly bites.
• Leave your pet at home.
• Bring your camera to capture the beauty of the diverse species that inhabit Cedar Bog.
• Call ahead to schedule a tour for your school or civic group.
• Consider bringing your bike; the bog is adjacent to the Simon Kenton Bike Trail.

Cedar Bog Nature Preserve 980 Woodburn Road Urbana, OH 43078-9417 Phone Number: 937-484-3744

Additional Urbana, Ohio Field Trip Destinations: Ohio Fish Farm Johnny Appleseed Museum

Johnny Appleseed Museum Urbana, Ohio {Profile}

As we were driving out of Urbana after our walk at Cedar Bog and trip to Freshwater Farm, the city pulled us in again. My apple-loving self spied a sign for the Johnny Appleseed Museum and had to follow it. The one room museum is nestled in Bailey Hall at Urbana University. Bailey Hall is the first building on the right on top of the hill as you enter Urbana University, a fact I wish I'd known as we circled around the tiny campus several time before locating it.

Stepping into the small museum, I expected we might stay 15 minutes, maybe 20. Thanks to recent renovations that include interactive displays and games, tired Lil, Anna and I stayed about an hour.

We chatted with other guests, watched the classic Disney short on Appleseed, played apple games on their awesome apple tables (I want!) and read well illustrated signs about Chapman's work as an apple grower and Swedenborg missionary. (There is a Swedenborg bent, as the University is affiliated with the Swedenborg movement and the church helped fund the museum renovation.) We also enjoyed the displays of Johnny Appleseed memorabilia.

I learned that Appleseed was an herbalist who advised early settlers about plants that can heal. I read about where Chapman visited Ohio and enjoyed the pictures of Appleseed trees, including several on the Urbana University campus. I did not take time to page through the wall of additional texts and resource binders available to researchers and teachers.

What I appreciated most about the Urbana Johnny Appleseed Museum was the way in which the legend and truth were presented side by side to let visitors discover what was embellishment and fact.

If you go:

• Visit Tues-Fri, from 10 to 2pm; Sat, noon to 4pm or by appointment.
• Study up about Appleseed before your visit.
• Be ready to browse their small but well curated gift and book shop.
• Consider bringing a cash donation to support the museum.

Johnny Appleseed Museum on Urbana University Campus Bailey Hall 579 College Way, Urbana, OH Urbana, Ohio 43078

Phone: 937-484-1303

 Read about our whole day in Urbana, Ohio.

Apple Hill Orchards, Mansfield Ohio {Pick Your Own Farm}

I wanted fresh Ohio fruit last Monday though none was ripe in the backyard. With the company of two young girls and a few hours to spare, I trekked to a new-to-me orchard, Apple Hill, near Mansfield Ohio. We made a spontaneous stop at a beautiful park in Lexington, Ohio. The Bicentennial Park has play spaces for children of all ages, several picnic shelters, swings, shady areas, and tennis courts. The girls enjoyed playing and picnicking before the five minute drive to the farm.

Ample signage and a helpful employee directed us to Flaming Fury and Contender peach and Paula Red and Ginger Gold apple trees. Bags were available, though we chose to reuse boxes from previous picking excursions.

The fields are spacious and mowed. All was quiet on a Monday afternoon except for the roar of race cars from Mid-Ohio School once in awhile.

The peach and apple trees were very well pruned and easy to pick without climbing. In less than an hour of work, I picked a bushel of peaches and half bushel of apples. The girls' 'help' was fairly limited to tasting the fruit.

The Contender variety tastes like the perfect fresh peach. The juicy thick flesh falls off the pit and peels easily, making me wish I waited for Contenders for my peach canning marathon. The Apple Hill weekly update says they are still picking Contenders and I urge you to go soon if you want a delightful Ohio peach.

I am unsure of the chemical practices at Apple Hill. I saw several mating interceptor devices, a natural way to control insects. The apples had a bit of visible spray residue. There was ample wildlife in the field, a good sign that the farm is being managed with concern for a wide variety of species.

Apple Hill's prices are incredibly reasonable at $15-17 per half bushel depending on the fruit variety. Their cute store also offers cider in season (advertised on their website as available soon), home baked goods, and pre-picked produce.

Apple Hill advertises that nectarines, pears, and several more varieties of apples are now available. I need to plan a return trip!

Date of Visit: August 23, 2011

Apple Hill Orchards 1175 Lex-Ontario Road Mansfield, OH 44903

Open August through Thanksgiving 9am to 6pm Monday through Saturday and 12pm to 6pm on Sunday

(419) 884-1500 or Toll Free (888) APPLE50 (277-5350)

Hounds in the Kitchen pick-your-own farm profiles: Branstool Orchards Charlie's Apples at Windy Hill (no apples for 2011 season, boo) Schacht Family Farm

New Albany Farmers Market

The newest farmer's market in central Ohio belongs to one of the newest suburbs, New Albany. It is scheduled to run every Thursday from 4-7 pm now through September 8 in Market Street Square, 200 Market Street 43054. Lil and I visited on the second week. We found rows of tents arranged around a lovely plaza in front of a Columbus library branch. Ample free parking is available along the streets and in a lot by the library.

For a market only in its second week, New Albany was well attended by producer/grower vendors and buyers. Nearly every shopper I saw was carrying a basket of peaches from Branstool, the first of the season. A family could truly shop for the week here with baked goods (including gluten free), meat, eggs, herbs, fruits, and vegetables available.

I was most excited to find two new-to-me products at the market. First, pictured on the left, is Ohio's first sheep's milk cheese from Kokoborrego Cheese Company. I chatted with the producers and learned that their raw cheeses are aged a minimum of 60 days. Tastes revealed that this cheese is rich and artisanal, rivaling fine European cheeses. Kokoborrego is made by the Sippel family and available at the Clintonville Farmer's market, Columbus restaurants, and stores coming soon.

At right are the Hickory Bark products from Simply Gourmet Syrups. Michael Jaeb, founder and producer, shared his story of turning local and seasonal ingredients into gourmet flavored syrups and jams. His background in design is apparent as everything about the syrup stand is arranged and labeled with an old-timey feel. The showcase product, shagbark hickory syrup, is a completely new flavor to me, nutty and sarsaparilla-like. You can order Simple Gourmet Syrups through their website or find them at other markets throughout the state.

I applaud New Albany for selecting fine vendors and a beautiful location. Family-friendly local businesses surrounding the square include the library, a toy store, gift shops, and restaurants. Though it is a 20 minute drive from Clintonville, I will return with plans to stay and explore more of Market Square next time.

If you go:

• Bring cash and reusable bags as always. If you plan to buy cheese or meat, consider carrying a cooler or ice pack too.
• Check out the weekly highlights schedule for a list of special events and entertainment.
• Consider traffic if coming from other parts of the city. Sometimes the intersection of 161 and 270 can be congested.
• Find restrooms in the public library.
• Connect with New Albany organizers on Facebook and/or Twitter.

Have you been to New Albany Farmers Market? What market do you want to read about next?

More Hounds in the Kitchen farmers market reviews:

Pearl Alley Market

Easton Farmers Market