We spent the last four days in rural Ohio [specifically, Holmes County]. At first, we were a little dismayed by the winding roads. There wasn’t a Target, Starbucks, fuel station, or freeway in sight. (We didn’t even have a cell phone signal for most of our trip!).
When we pulled into Whispering Hills RV Park, we sighed a great sigh of relief. The park is beautiful to behold. Masterly cared for, the campground is both modern and quaint, active yet also serene. We walked through the woods. We swam. We played miniature golf. We held kittens, watched bunnies and goats, and experienced the dark skies of an Ohio thunderstorm.
On Tuesday night, we had dinner with an Amish family. Amish Heartland Tours coordinates these spectacular Campfire Chit-Chats. Essentially, we met a group of 10-25 people at an Amish home for stew and cornbread outdoors around a fire. From 6-9pm, we ate and laughed and sang songs. Our girls were absolutely enchanted by the night. There were kids everywhere (Amish families tend to have big families, between 5-10 kids) – jumping on trampolines, planning in the sandbox, running carefree in their bare feet. There were plastic cups of homemade root beer and sticky hands holding on to messy S’mores. On the drive home, Tim stared ahead into the milky darkness as the girls nodded off, “I could almost move right into the Amish community. Just for a year.”
We also both solemnly agreed that our next house must have a backyard with a fire pit…so that we can invite friends and neighbors over for stew and cornbread.
If you want a vacation full of hustle-and-bustle, look elsewhere. If you want to relax – slow down – soak in the quiet…Holmes County may be just the spot you’re looking for.
Have you ever been to Holmes County (or Ohio in general)? What did you like/not like about it?
* Special thanks to the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce for providing a campground spot and tickets to the Campfire Chit-Chat.
