Ohio .... Beautiful Ohio ....

My mom and dad were born and raised in the state of Ohio. So attending the Bee and visiting the state is a bit like going home for this born and raised California girl. This year, my cousin invited the three of us to stay with her for a few days and show us some sites. We jumped at the opportunity and Saturday after our day at the Longaberger Homestead we headed south to Lancaster in Fairfield County,

After our arrival we collected Mary Ann and off we went to Bob Evans! Yep, we love Bob Evans and we don't have them in sunny California.

Bob Evans Company History

Our Beginnings

Bob Evans Farms got its start when our founder, Bob Evans, began making sausage on his southeastern Ohio farm to serve at a 12-stool diner he owned in nearby Gallipolis in 1948.
"We served a lot of breakfasts, but we couldn't get any decent sausage," Bob recalled. "So I decided to start making my own from hogs raised right on our farm, using all the best parts of the hog, including the hams and tenderloins." The restaurant drew many truck drivers who traveled through the region. "You might say the truck drivers did my research for me," Bob said. "They would tell me that this was the best sausage they ever had, and then buy 10-pound tubs to take home."
These good reports prompted Bob Evans to go into the sausage business. The building where he made the sausage was built with open ends, at the suggestion of his father, so it could be used as a machinery shed if the sausage business failed. But, it didn't fail. In 1953, a group of friends and family recognized the growing demand for Bob's sausage and became business partners by establishing Bob Evans Farms.

 Sunday morning we slept in ... it felt good after 4 days of hustle bustle. After we finally pulled ourselves together we loaded in the car and headed west towards historic Rock Mill. Sharing that same area of the county was Curry's Antiques. Located on Rock Mill Road, steps from the mill is a 25 acre living history museum owned by the Curry family.

They are open on Sunday's by appointment only. We made an appointment for noon and I'm so glad we did! Such a fun place to visit. The shop was full of 1700/1800 century primitive antiques and some truly wonderful hand made goods.

I'm sitting in one of their custom "Make-Do" chairs ... this little gem runs about $800.00 - YIKES!

This is a witch! They are getting ready for the Harvest event in late September ...

A closer look ... love her teeth! How about that wart on her forehead!!

The black smith shop ...

The Curry's personal home complete with Amish buggy!

They even had their own corn field ...

Inside the 8 room hand built log cabin with owner Ginny Curry. Each room held a treasure all its own, we stayed over two hours and I could have stayed all day!  I am planning a Tour to Ohio next fall  - 2015 and we will be dining at the Curry Homestead! PS - Ginny is 74 years young! She was full of energy and history.

 

 

Just a quick picture of my Homestead purchases ... LOVE Liberty ... the baby mouse!

Finally we visited the Historic Rock Mill. Built in the 1800's this mill sat abandoned for many years. Recently it has been under going a much needed restoration. A new roof, new shutter style doors with hand forged iron hasps and new fencing. The inside has been completely reinforced allowing tours to be taken. 

Another view of the mill. To the right of the open door is the water wheel which makes the mill run. There were high school aged kids here jumping off the rocks into the cool water below. Kids, they're just to dumb to be scared! Behind the mill, to the right you can see a corner of the covered bridge. It is closed off and no longer in use but it was awesome to see. 

If you ever visit Fairfield County Ohio this area is worth a visit.