USA – GoGrano

We decided to ride the rails for my granddaughter Maddy’s 8th birthday. So we drove through a blaze of fall leaves in Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park to ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR).

cvsr-2016-dsc06736 — We caught the train at the very first stop at Rockside. That way we were guaranteed our seats in the premium panoramic car and we also got the longest ride, nearly 4 1/2 hours.

All aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad with my son David, daughter-in-law Stacey and granddaughter Maddy. We were welcomed by the CVSR volunteers.

I last rode the CVSR nearly 30 years ago. I remember how excited Maddy’s daddy was to climb aboard the huge steam-driven train for a ride between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. We rode with the windows open and cinders flew into our faces as we stormed down the tracks towards the newly opened Quaker Square in downtown Akron. The old Quaker Oats factory is now used by students at the University of Akron but it was a fun destination back in 1985 where we bought balloons and cotton candy before re-boarding the train for home.

Maddy and Stacey ready for the CVSR adventure.

Times have changed and my sophisticated little granddaughter climbed aboard the train with the aplomb of an experienced traveler. We shooed folks out of our reserved seats in the panoramic car (if ticket-holders don’t show up, they are available to anyone who wants to sit there) and tucked into our comfy leather seats for a 4-hour round-trip adventure through the Cuyahoga Valley.

Most of the train cars are different because the CVSR has purchased cars as they become available. This is a typical passenger car.

cvsr-2016-dsc06841 — One car featured strap-in seats for babies and toddlers.

Our conductor turned up just as we were about to take off with a basket of complimentary treats and drinks. He is one of the all-volunteer force that welcomes passengers and shares stories about the Cuyahoga Valley. We packed snacks and food for the trip and no one seemed to mind when we snacked as we rode.

There is a food car on the train where you can buy vending snacks or food at a snack bar. The train also features full breakfast (buy your tickets ahead of time) and frequent dinner trips.

I knew you would want to see the toilet facilities - here you go. — I knew you would want to see the toilet facilities – here you go.

The National Park is part of the Ohio & Erie Canalway. The 110-mile canal extends from Cleveland south to New Philadelphia. We caught glimpses of the canal during our journey along with peeks at swamps, forests and ravines. We didn’t see much in the way of wildlife but we did spot a few bald eagles perched at the top of dead trees in a swamp and a great blue heron flew alongside the train like one of Harry Potter’s snowy owls looking to deliver mail.

It was fun to whiz by cars stopped at the railroad crossings to get a perspective of what train passengers see when it's my turn to wait. — It was fun to whiz by cars stopped at the railroad crossings to get a perspective of what train passengers see when it’s my turn to wait.

cvsr-2016-dsc06769 — A typical pastoral scene in Ohio complete with a flock of Canadian geese.

cvsr-2016-dsc06820 — It was inspiring to travel under the turnpike and freeway bridges to see what man has created next to nature.

cvsr-2016-dsc06745 — One of their posters even publicizes the beauty of the bridges soaring over the train.

cvsr-2016-dsc06818 — This is a shallow bit of the waterways (maybe the canal) that lines the bed next to the railroad tracks.

There's something wondrous about traveling on a train and seeing the front of the train curving round a bend. — There’s something wondrous about traveling on a train and seeing the front of the train curving round a bend.

cvsr-2016-dsc06764 — We saw some little waterfalls along the way but the water was very shallow in October.

Our ride was smooth as we moved at a leisurely pace through the national park. We saw an equal mix of families and athletes along the trails and frequently passed the tiny farms and villages reminiscent of turn-of-the-century rural Ohio.

One of the many typical farms still existing in the national park.

cvsr-2016-dsc06749 — Wetlands in the Cuyahogal Valley National Park.

The week before our trip, our conductor had bicycled the tow path with friends and he said he was happy to be in our air-conditioned car while bicyclers rode in the box car near the front of the train. “You don’t want to be in there,” he confided. “It stinks!”

The CVSR operates a Bike Aboard!, Hike Aboard! and Run Aboard! program for cyclists, hikers and runners to traverse the Towpath Trail in one direction and ride the train in the other (CVSR). Like most of the other 1,700 passengers scheduled on the day we traveled, we chose to ride in the comfort of a passenger car and enjoy the passing scenery.

cvsr-2016-dsc06845 — There is also a nice selection of souvenirs ranging from high quality shirts to the parents’ favorite, a loud train whistle.

Maddy was mesmerized for the first hour but we were all glad that I packed coloring books, crayons, puzzles and snacks to keep her occupied as the morning wore on.

Maddy journaling her trip through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

As for me? I could have kept riding and looking out the windows for hours on end. Can’t wait to do it again.

For more information: www.cvsr.com, 800.468.4070

There’s a mountain of creativity going on in the sand hills of North Carolina. You get an inkling that something’s up when signs start popping up along Highway 220 pointing you towards Seagrove and the Pottery Road on Route 705.

The Pottery Road - Route 705, NC — The Pottery Road – Route 705, NC

At first all you see are farms and rolling hills cut out of the towering pine woods. Road signs keep assuring you that you’re on the Pottery Road but you don’t see massive tourist signs or strip malls anchored by McDonalds. Instead, you see old North Carolina with sparse main streets featuring a dozen small shops or a quaint log cabin tucked into a forest with a pottery sign sprouting out of a tree out front. Each shop holds an artist’s treasure. Pottery.

This is art you hold in your hand. You feel the heft of the very clay you stand upon. You examine the vessel’s craftsmanship while admiring the glaze, the design, the impressions that make this one piece the art you must take home.

Dean & Martin Pottery at Seagrove Creations Pottery

“I could put this in my den,” I think, but then I ask, “Wouldn’t this look amazing if I add a pot of flowers and put it in my dining room?” Then as I spot another beauty, I tuck the first piece under my arm and reach out for a brilliant blue vase, perfect for my bedroom.

With about 100 potteries to choose from, a visitor can get confused fast. So make your first stop at the Seagrove Creations. This gallery is located in the heart of the pottery road and features collections from dozens of local potters. You can easily compare artists’ styles and prices in a bright and attractive setting. While contemplating purchases, you can even enjoy a coffee and muffin the the gallery’s snack bar.

Seagrove Creations Pottery Gallery, 354 Little River Rd., Seagrove.

Tom Gray Pottery at Seagrove Creations Pottery

Potts Pottery at Seagrove Creations Pottery

Dover Pottery at at Seagrove Creations Pottery

Caldwell-Hohl artworks at Seagrove Creations Pottery Gallery

Latham's Pottery at Seagrove Creations Pottery Gallery — Latham’s Pottery at Seagrove Creations Pottery Gallery

Seagrove Creations Pottery also sells attractive jewelry and similar collectibles.

Coffee Shop at Seagrove Creations Pottery – a pretty place to relax after all the shopping.

You’ll see the Official Visitor Guide at every little stop you make along the Pottery Highway. Pick one up because it features an easy-to-follow map and a few details of the many sights along the highway. The brochure says Seagrove is, “the largest community of potters with the longest continued history of pottery making in the United States.”

DSC01978 Seagrove NC 2016 — 2016 Offiical Visitor Guide

DSC01979 Seagrove NC 2016 — Map located inside the visitor guide.

The North Carolina Pottery Center celebrates the pottery making industry of the area. A working potter was on site the day we visited. Admission is $2.50.

Now it’s time to head down the Pottery Highway and tuck into the individual artist’s studios. But first stop in at the old time Seagrove Hardware store where you can still buy nails by the pound.

Keep a sharp eye out and you’ll see potters at work in studios, garages, and behind potters sheds. This potter was working with heat and a wheel to make his art. We didn’t even have to get out of the car to see him at work.

Don’t you love this romantic little pottery? Visit Levi Mahan‘s website to see some of his extraordinary work.

Pottery ranges from the sophisticated art of Levi Mahan (above) to the folk art of Crystal King (below). Pottery from the Seagrove area is collected by locals as well as the White House, the Smithsonian and fine arts museums. Pottery ranges from a few dollars to thousands of dollars. There really is something for everyone.

Crystal King Pottery — North Carolina Pottery Center

All the shopping made us hungry. We asked locals for recommendations and all agreed – try the Westmoore Family Restaurant. Located 7 miles outside of Seagrove, the drive was easy as traffic is light along the Pottery Highway. The drive was well worth it as we were treated to North Carolina fried white fish – delicious!

DSC01973 Seagrove NC 2016 — Westmoore Family Restaurant, 2172 NC-705, Seagrove, NC 27341

DSC01976 Seagrove NC 2016 — Just $7.49 for a full fish dinner complete with hushpuppies.

DSC01980 Seagrove NC 2016 — Fried white fish, baked potato, sweet/sour cole slaw and hush puppies.

Shopped out and full, we went looking for the perfect summer peaches of North Carolina….and found beauties in West End. The perfect ending to a peach of a day!

Category: USA

Cuyahoga Valley National Park & Scenic Railroad

The Pottery Road – Seagrove, North Carolina