Marilyn Jones

Clifton Mill

75 Water Street, Clifton

Two waterfalls on the Little Miami River have powered Clifton Mill, which sits on the gorge, for more than 220 years. The mill is the largest of the 47 remaining gristmills in the nation. The best view of the mill and falls is from a covered bridge spanning the river. It’s an easy trek and a popular tourist attraction in addition to the restaurant and gift shop housed in the mill (see photo background in the above gallery).

Clifton Gorge 

State Nature Preserve

Greeted by four rescue dogs as I walk toward the 19th-century farmhouse in rural Licking County, I know their barks are more of an announcement than a warning. Once in the yard, the welcoming committee swells to include several turkeys, ducks, chickens, geese, and guineas before farm owners Jeff Wince and Chad Snelling open the door of their 1823 home and invite me in.

Heading along Ohio’s Interstates and limited access highways, we sometimes forget there are amazing attractions at some of the exits.

Just off US Route 23 is Wyandot Popcorn Museum, located in downtown Marion. Famous for collecting and restoring the world’s largest collection of popcorn antiques and peanut roasters, the collection will fascinate anyone interested in antiques, collectables, and wonderful memories of another time. Two examples are more than 100 years old.

If every day is an awakening, you will never grow old. You will just keep growing. — Author Gail Sheehy

“Through the years, my husband and I did much traveling. Our grown children took us on many trips, also,” says Vera Peters of Hillsboro.

She isn’t finished.

“Now at the age of 94, on my bucket list before it’s too late, I want to take a hot air balloon ride,” the South Central Power customer says. “I’ve read that it is so enjoyable and so quiet that you can hear people on the ground talking.”