Visit Mohican State Park Resort and Conference Center For Outdoor Recreation And Family Fun, By Melody Schubert.: On our drive along I-71 to the Mohican State Park Resort and Conference Center in North central Ohio, near Loudonville, OH dark clouds loom in the distance. The storm passed ahead and a chilly wind follows in its wake; stirring up the earthy scents of the forest to greet us when we arrive at the Resort. Fall temperatures for the Perrysville-Loudonville area in Ohio normally ranges in the upper 50's at night. In the winter when guests visit the Mohican Memorial State Forest adjacent to the park to cruise the snowy trails on their snowmobiles temperatures drop to a high 20 degrees.

A bit tired, we can't resist slipping into our jackets and taking a brisk walk to admire the bright moon rising in the sky over the Pleasant Hill Lake below the Mohican State Park Resort. The 6000 acre Mohican State Park and forest is peaceful except for the rustling of tree limbs and the distant hoot of an owl. For a brief moment I imagine the Delaware Indians huddled around a camp fire after a day of hunting before they were driven from the area during the War of 1812. The Mohican State Park, Resort, and Camp Grounds are packed throughout the year with those who love hunting, fishing on Pleasant Hill Lake, and camping at one of 123 sites in the park.

In the morning the lobby is filled with aroma of fresh baked muffins. While we dined on our selections of fresh fruits and baked goods from the wonderful buffet at the Bromfield Restaurant outside the window the squirrels and blue jays shared a meal. The Mohican State Park Resort offers plenty of indoor entertainment to challenge kids of all ages, including pool, table tennis, checkers, chess, or a number of other games available in the lobby.

On this visit we came to admire the fall foliage, shop, and by luck we caught an annual parade in Loudonville on our first day out. The area is beautiful at any time of the year though. Spring is especially pretty when the flowers and trees are in bloom! In the fall, colorful leaves skitter across the road while you drive through the forests and over a scenic river below a covered bridge. On our way to Loudonville we find the historic Pine Run Grist Mill where festivals are held annually. There is also a wonderful assortment of outdoor activities like horse back riding, canoeing, and go-carts for our family to enjoy on our summer camping trip next year.

Loudonville has fabulous shops like the Creative Outlet where you can find Southwest décor and a great selection of gifts, Indian art, jewelry in the Creative Outlet, which also has a wonderful Relaxation Center. Across the street we discovered unique gifts and heavenly scented homemade bath products by Grandma's Cupboard for family and friends at a precious shop called The Extraordinary Shoppe.

Part 2: Discover A Modern Day Castle In Ohio's Mohican Country