This week we made our way south down a colorful but wet US 23 after some early morning visiting in Columbus. Stopping along the way, we visited the Circleville Pumpkin Show, Logan Elm State Memorial, Adena Mansion and Gardens, and both the Story and Seip Mound State Memorials unknowingly driving through the Bainbridge Fall Festival of Leaves on the return.
Headed out of Columbus there was a noticeable change from the prior week’s road trip. Last week a majority of fields still held full corn and soybean stalks, however, many of those fields were now newly harvested. As we drove to the foothills of Appalachia near Chillicothe the trees had transformed from a sea of green to a colorful combination of yellow, orange and red. The day began with a drizzle that turned into a steady rain as we visited The Pumpkin Show, however the rain slowly dissipated as the journey continued further south. From atop the Seip Mound we watched the sun sink behind the golden hilltops. Leaving Bainbridge we took the winding SR 41 north towards Washington Church accompanied by a large Harvest Moon to our East.
This was our first visit to The Pumpkin Show, and I expect it will be on our "To Do" list again for next year. Not knowing what to expect, the festival was much larger than anticipated. Main Street was closed and used as center stage for the giant pumpkins. There were a number of other streets that were also closed temporarily to house a huge assortment of food trailers, games, arts and crafts and different demonstrations. There was more pumpkin themed food than someone could possibly eat in one visit, but I look forward to trying next year!
From Circleville we continued south for 8 miles, shortly stopping at the Logan Elm State Memorial. The Memorial previously contained a large Elm tree under which Chief Logan gave an inspired speech in 1775. Interestingly the tree stood until 1964.
After the short stop we continued on our way to Adena Mansion and Gardens which is operated by the Ohio Historical Society. The mansion is well maintained regardless of its age and it is located atop a hill which overlooks Chillicothe and was the inspiration for the "Great Seal of Ohio". The grounds now cover 300 acres, but previously covered 2000 acres when owed by Thomas Worthington, Ohio's sixth governor. The site is possibly one of the most interesting, historically significant and well-manicured estates in Ohio, and is well worth the drive if you have the opportunity.
On the way out of Chillicothe we stopped at the Story Mound State Memorial, but were surprised that the site was closed to the public and strangely located in the middle of a residential neighborhood.
As we departed from the Story mound we headed west on SR 50 which was noticeably more rugged than the trip had been the majority of the day. The route was also the driest and most colorful. The Seip Mound was impressive in its size, but still small when judged against the back drop of the Appalachian Hills.
It was another great Saturday trip around Ohio. Join the journey as we travel north for a long October weekend.
203 Total miles
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