What makes Mulberry sights so special is the quiet way with which a small village breathes in Ohio history while at the same time trying not to disappear completely in the shade of Cincinati. I remember driving over the old main road for the first time – a piece of asphalt, which has hardly been changed since the 1800s, lined by the once magnificent Mulberry trees after which the village was named. The foundation dates back to 1815, when pioneers opened the area in today's Miami Township and later in 1865 the official community started to live. Who comes here quickly realizes that the inhabitants are proud of their heritage, but also a bit of annoyed by the tourists looking for “authentic” land lives.
A short trip to the State Route 32 takes you out of the hustle and bustle of the metropolis; the approach is a cat jump from I‐275, and if you're lucky, you'll get one of the few Clermont County Transit buses that still hold here. I don't quite understand the hype around the “rustic cafes” – one restaurant serves only coffee, the other tries to sell a gourmet breakfast that sounds more like marketing. Nevertheless, if you want to experience the real, slightly swept flair of Mulberry, the village is just the right place to lose a few hours before you return to the big city.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey leads me to East Fork State Park, one of the largest lakes in Ohio, hidden in the heart of the hill country just half an hour drive from Mulberry. I spent a weekend with my old off-road car, and parking was surprisingly uncomplicated – as long as you don't arrive on Friday night after the neighbor's barbecue, then the field becomes a small battlefield from SUVs and caravans. The lake itself is crystal clear enough that you almost feel like sitting in a huge glass while paddling, and the trails offer enough variety to satisfy both the ambitious trekker and the cozy walker. I do not understand the hype about the “Lakefront Yoga Sessions” completely, but the morning light that dances over the water is really a picture for the gods.
A short detour to the north brings me to Miami Whitewater Forest, a forest area that looks more like a wild fairy tale book than a planned recreation area. There is a climbing park here, which was more of a test of my fear of height for me personally – I was stuck on one of the ropes while a squirrel jumped past me unimpressed. Parking is a little labyrinth, but once you discover the small wooden sign with the lettering “Welcome to the Wild”, you know that you are in the right place. The trails swell through streams, which in summer almost seem like liquid silver, and the sound of the falling leaves is a perfect companion for a bit of self-reflection.
A bit further south, almost in the shadow of the old railway bridge, lies this Stonelick State Park. I took a fishing trip there for the first time, and that was a real waste – the fish seemed to have a secret agreement all day to ignore me. Nevertheless, the park area is a real secret tip for picnic lovers; the picnic tables overlooking the Stonelick Lake are so well placed that you almost forget that you actually wanted to eat a sandwich. And if you're lucky, you can watch a small fireworks of fireflies in the late afternoon – that's at least a reason to miss the sunset.
A short jump over the road leads me to Clermont County Historical Society Museum in Batavia, which offers more than just dusty exhibits. I remember the old tractor show where a retired farmer told me that he repaired the first diesel engine in Ohio – a bit exaggerated, but the passion was real. The museum has a small café, which serves surprisingly good apple cake, and parking is always a children's game there, because the terrain is almost exclusively made of empty field paths that you can easily travel.
For those who prefer to travel on wheels, Little Miami Scenic Trail A must. I tried the trail once with my old racing bike, and the track of about 70 kilometers is a mix of flat sections and gentle climbs that give you the feeling of sliding through an endless green. The trail is well signposted, and parking at the entry points is usually free, except during the weekends when local groups turn the field into a colorful mess. A little hint: The bridge over the Little Miami River is a popular photo pot, so keep your camera ready if you don't want to be overrun by a passing jogger.
A little away from the usual tourist paths lies the Clermont County Fairgrounds, which hosts various events all year round – from livestock auctions to local craft markets. I was there in summer when a regional rock band gave an improvised concert on the main field; that was a real ear scarf when taking into account the oblique acoustics of the open terrain. Parking is huge, but it is necessary to adjust that the paths to the stands sometimes become excessively muddy as soon as a rain shower starts.
Whether you are looking for a quiet lake, a wild forest, a historical museum or an endless cycle path – the surroundings of Mulberry offers a colorful range of experiences that go far beyond what you would expect from a small place in Ohio. And if you plan your itinerary the next time, remember that the Mulberry sights not only to be found in the city itself, but in the surrounding landscapes that make every visit a small adventure.
Those who come to Mulberry, Miami Township, Clermont, Ohio for the first time will immediately notice that the whole village looks a bit like a well-maintained secret – a place where time seems to be slower, but the WLAN is still reliable.
I have to start with my favorite attraction: Mulberry Community Center. The building is not exactly an architectural miracle, but here the true heart of the community pulsates. I have already experienced the annual Chili Festival, where the locals talk with a mixture of pride and light spots about who has the most sharp recipe. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you do not arrive there on Saturday night after the concert – then the field becomes a small battlefield of cars and pedestrians.
A short walk further Mulberry Park, a piece of green that has more to offer than one would expect from a “park” in a small town. The playgrounds are a bit worn out, but this makes the charm; Here the kids meet, while the parents sit on the benches and discuss the latest developments in urban policy – a hobby that is almost Olympic. I once made a picnic with my neighbour who told me that he had been on the 1st every 30 years. May celebrate the “Bier-und-Brot-Ritual” there – no joke, that is a real ritual.
If you want to sniff a bit of history, look at these Mulberry Church of Christ on. The building dates from the 1880s, and the wooden benches still smell like old pine resin. I don't always understand the hype about old churches, but here the church has a weekly choir that is so loud that you hear the echo until the next crossing – an acoustic highlight that you should not miss.
Another must for those who like to dive into the past is that Mulberry Cemetery. Yes, a cemetery as a tourist attraction sounds only after macaber marketing, but the artistically worked tombstones tell stories of pioneers who bought the country here to later realize that the weather in Ohio is not just suitable for winemaking. I found an old, slightly weathered tomb that had the name “Eleanor “Ellen” McAllister” – she was supposed to be the first teacher in the area, and her estate includes a diary that is now in the local museum.
A short detour leads you to the Mulberry Creek Trailsa net of narrow paths that run along the brook of the same name. The paths are not particularly well marked, but this is part of the adventure: you have to orient yourself a bit, and that gives you the feeling of being a real explorer. I once made a family trip where my little nephew suddenly caught a frog and triumphantly proclaimed that he discovered “the king of the forest” – a moment I will never forget.
Of course you can Mulberry sights not only from a distance, but must experience it. People here are honest, a bit dry and always ready to give you advice – be it where you get the best piece of cake (the bakery on the corner I will mention later) or how you do not offend the local football team, the Mulberry Mustangs, when you miss the game.
A short detour to Mulberry bakery (Official “Sweet Crust Bakery”) is always worth it. The owner, a resolute woman named Marge, has been baking the best apple cake recipe in the region for over 20 years. I once tried a piece there and immediately noticed that the secret is not only the apples, but the pinch of cinnamon that secretly contributes them from an old family recipe. Parking is a children's game because the small car park is right next to the store – a real bonus if you want something sweet after a long walk through the park.
In conclusion, I would like to Miami Township Historical Society Museum not exactly located in Mulberry, but just a few minutes drive away and gives a good overview of the development of the region. I found an old map that shows how the area was once covered by dense forests – an interesting contrast to what we see today.
So, if you ask about Ohio the next time and ask yourself if you should make a trip to Mulberry, remember that there is more to discover here than you would suspect at first sight. And if you take that one or other piece of cake home, you have the perfect proof that you were really there.
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