Regular readers here know I have the best job in the Universe. For those of you who are new here, I am the Candy Lady. I fill candy jars at 53 real estate offices every week as a way to market my boss’s home inspection company. I mean, how much fun is that? People love me and can’t wait till I show up each week.
OK. OK!!! So it is really the candy they love and wait for.
But it is still a fun job. Most of that is because the people I meet in the offices I visit are just so nice and so much fun. This job is my first experience working with the real estate industry. And all I can say is they are among the best, friendliest, and nicest people to be found anywhere.
For example, earlier this week I went into one office and Tara asked me if I wanted to see pictures of what she had done over the weekend. She and a friend went to Old Man’s Cave in south east Ohio. From car lot to cave is a mile or more. But they both braved the cold and snow and ice. They are braver than I am.
As cold as it has been, and as snowy and icy the cave was, Tara braved it all and had wonderful time.
I have wanted to do a blog post on all of the state parks in south east Ohio for years. But never had a hook or point of view to bring a piece together. Tara’s pictures gave me a human view point, and she graciously allowed me to use some of the pictures she took.
Nestled in the gently rolling hills of southeast Ohio in what millions of years ago used to be the Appalachian Mountains, are twelve (12) Ohio State Regional Parks. Collectively the area is known as the Hocking Hills:
11111
Old Man’s Cave
Old Man’s Cave
Ash Cave
Cedar Falls
Conkles Hollow
Cantwell Cliffs
Rock House
Clear Creek
Rock Bridge
Lake Logan
Tar Hollow
Hocking State Forest
Wayne State Forest
I first visited this area around age nine or ten when my family went on vacation there. There is so much to see in the area we vacationed there several years. We rented a cabin in the forest and participated in many of the programs run by the Ohio State Department of Natural Resources Park Rangers. The programs included identifying plants and animals to night sky gazing. Science lessons made fun.
Below: Tara’s picture of an ice cycle in Old Man’s Cave.
This huge area that spans several counties in Ohio was formed by Mother Nature. Three-hundred and thirty million years ago the entire area was covered by the Atlantic Ocean.
Ten thousand years ago the area was covered by the Wisconsin Glacier. When that glacier began to retreat it created what we see today in all of the twelve parks listed above. The retreat of the Wisconsin Glacier created much of natural beauty of what we now see and enjoy throughout the Midwest, Eastern America, and Canada in terms landforms, lakes, and flora and fauna. As an aside, it was also during this glacial period that there was a land bridge across the Bering Strait between modern day Russia and Alaska. It is how humans first reached North America.
Anyway, this wonderful glacier created heaven on earth just an hour’s drive from where I live. And last weekend Tara made snow angels in the park. They were the most beautiful snow angels I have ever seen. She also took some wonderful pictures which are scattered through this post.
The Hocking Hill area has many activities that include something you love to do in every and any season: camping, hiking trails, family activities, swimming, art and antiquing, and hunting and fishing. And eating. Can’t forget all of the great restaurants in the area.
Enjoy more pictures of this idyllic area below. Take a 5 minutes break from your day’s work. You are worth it. You deserve it. You earned it!
I also extend an invitation to you to come and visit this lovely area. You won’t be disappointed.
Devil’s Bathtub – in the upper gorge of Old Man’s Cave. Picture from Wikipedia
Devil’s Bathtub
The pictures below are from PHOTOREE:
Long Cave Hocking Hills
Tree trunks in sun.
Old Man’s Cave Summer
I’ll close this lovely tour with a video of Early Spring at Old Man’s Cave.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
And remember! All of these pictures and the video is only of Old Man’s Cave. There are eleven (11) other distinct parks in the area, each one different. While there are hiking trails that link a few of the parks for most of them you must get back in your car or on your bike and drive to them.
Featured Recipe Zucchini Parmesan Crisps
Number one today, I have a new oven. I have lots to learn about it. This dish is the first I cooked on/or in it. I chose an easy dish for that reason.
Today’s recipe is courtesy of Ellie Kriegr via Food Network
Back when Red Lobster was still a good restaurant and the prices were still low enough that the Middle Class could afford to go, there was an appetizer for something they called Zucchini Crisps.
When they discontinued this dish I tried a dozen or more ways to copy them in my kitchen. Colossal failure.
So then not to be deterred at eating something I really, REALLY, REALLY liked I took to the internets. I tried half a dozen or so recipes. This one is the best I have found to date. If anyone has an even better recipe for this dish please let me know. If you want to share it I would be glad to resurrect Everyday Cooks.
This is super great as an after school snack, a side dish for dinner, or a wickedly can’t eat just one hor dourve, and makes one fantastic Midnight snack.
The zucchini today were very small. I bought 3 to make yp for the size. Several stores had none at all. I am guessing the cold weather had something to do with it. Therefore, the zucchini circles are very small. Bigger zucchini will remedy that. But they still tasted fabulous!
This is what you will need for 4 – ½ cup servings:
Cooking spray
2 medium zucchini (about 1 pound total)
1 tablespoon olive oil
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan
¼ cup plain dry bread crumbs
⅛ teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Roberta’s Additional Ingredients:
Shredded Parmesan cheese
Chili Sauce
Horseradish Sauce
Here is what you do:
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
Wash then slice the zucchini into ¼ inch thick rounds.
In a medium bowl, toss the zucchini with the oil. Make sure each slice is coated with the oil.
NOTE: Forgot to take a picture of this step. You can see the zucchini rounds in the bowl at the back of the next picture. It is hidden behind the Parmesan Cheese jar.
In a small bowl, combine the Parmesan, bread crumbs, salt, and a few turns of pepper.
Dip each oil covered round into the Parmesan mixture, coating it evenly on both sides, pressing the coating on to stick, and place in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake the zucchini rounds until browned and crisp, 25 to 30 minutes.
When the time is up they are ready to eat. Hot out of the oven.
However, of you want to do Roberta’s addition: Sprinkle with some shredded Parmesan or sprinkle with more grated Parmesan cheese. Then put back in the oven for about 1 minute just to melt the cheese.
Hot out of the oven again after cheese has melted.
Remove with spatula.
Serve right away dipping them in either chili sauce or Horseradish sauce, or naked. Any way you eat these delectable bites they are a slice of heaven on earth.
Bon appétit!!!
Cost
Cooking spray $0.11
3 medium zucchini $1.39
1 tablespoon olive oil $0.27
¼ cup grated Parmesan $1.04
¼ cup dry bread crumbs $0.64
Salt and pepper to taste
Total Cost = $3.45
Cost per person = $0.63
Roberta’s Additional Ingredients:
Shredd Parme cheese $0.24
Chili Sauce $0.27
Horseradish Sauce $0.37
Total Cost Extras per person = $0.88 more
Quote of the Day
Man’s heart away from nature becomes hard.
Standing Bear
22222222