I've always wanted to explore some of the ancient American Indian sites in the southern half of Ohio so Erin planned a short trip for us that combined that with some cycling. She found us a rustic cabin that was only a few hundred feet from The Little Miami Scenic Trail - a paved bike path that ran right to the Fort Ancient Park. On our second full day we drove to the Great Serpent Mound - viewing that has been something I've wanted to do since my Ohio History class in elementary school. I didn't shoot a ton of photos on the trip but like the last few get-aways put more effort into making a video that will be posted in the next few days.
We left Saturday afternoon and stopped at Lineage Brewing in Columbus for dinner and a drink.
The beer and food were both fantastic. They specialized in hand pies and we split a couple. My only complaint would be the price per portion - I definitely prefer quality food over quantity but I still felt it was a bit high - Erin might have a different opinion.
The only lens I brought was my wide-angle zoom 16-35mm. It is a fun lens to use at 16mm on a full frame camera - I correct some of the extreme distortion in Photoshop.
beer.
Kiss Cam
If I'm going to be "car camping" or staying in a campground I've really grown to enjoy these small rustic cabins instead. I still love back country camping in a tent, but nothing beats a solid roof when the weather turns. On the second morning it was raining and we were able to cook breakfast on the porch - not to mention not having to pack up a bunch of wet gear.
Getting ready to roll.
From the drone
We rode our bikes about 15 miles down the smooth, scenic trail on a perfect Fall day and then hiked up to Fort Ancient. Fort Ancient is the most significant hilltop earthworks in the entire country. Its name is deceiving though as it wasn't built by the Fort Ancient culture and it isn't a fort at all. It believed to have been built by the Hopewell culture around the time of Jesus for ceremonial purposes. We found the museum to be just as interesting as the site - if not more so. The site is impressive in its scale - and is worth it on a beautiful day for a hike - but really it is a bunch of wall-like mounds covered in trees. Like most of Ohio's pre-historic sites parts have been destroyed or are on private property.
We tried our hand at some ancient Indian hunting techniques. Erin may have injured a mammoth - but my attempts wouldn't even have scared one.
Glamour Shot with the Mound
A tough hike back to the trail through the park and another 15 mile ride and we were ready for a beer.
My Schwinn Traveler - my "touring" bike.
The Great Serpent Mound
It was raining pretty good when we arrived here on the next day. We tried to wait it out by watching the well-produced movie in the little museum but to no avail. Regardless it was still really impressive and kind of a "bucket list" item for me. Unfortunately it seems we still know little about the mound or its builders. It does seem to have celestial alignments and it is the largest serpent effigy mound in the world.
Erin on the overlook platform.
"Hey - stand in front of it" classic vacation photo-style.
I would have liked to take a few more photos here but it really was wet out.
No offense to Peebles, OH but the Serpent Mound really is in the middle of nowhere - we took a scenic, rainy drive through the country relying on old school maps as there was no cell connection. We came to this great bakery called Country Crush and had a delicious Amish lunch.
We then found the freeway and turned toward home - another Ohio trip in the books.
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