Black-Eyed Susans bloom near the Grandin Rd. bridge

by Tom McCray

As I rode into Morrow I saw many riders already filling the shelter. Normally this is where I take a break and eat a snack. I contemplated moving on to another location but I saw an unoccupied corner table where I could sit down. There were five other cyclists there, three on recumbent trikes and the other two on upright bikes outfitted with panniers and a trailer. There was already a discussion going on with the guys on regular bikes asking the others how they like their recumbent bikes – a common discussion with recumbent riders. I was curious about the guys all packed up with touring equipment and asked them a few questions.
It turns out they were brothers-in-law out on an overnight adventure. They started their day in Newtown destined for Spring Valley where they planned to camp for the night. From there they would finish in Springfield. One was from Cincinnati and the other from the Columbus area.

There was also a husband and wife team visiting from Terre Haute, riding the trail for a few days and visiting some nearby attractions. They were staying at a bed and breakfast in Yellow Springs.

The discussion came around to our trail and others that members of the group had ridden on: the Great Allegheny Passage, the C & O Canal Towpath from Pittsburgh to Washington D.C., and the Greenbrier River Trail through the southern mountains of West Virginia. I realized that we don’t just have a trail used by local residents; we have a destination trail used by many out-of-state visitors and vacationers. They are coming here to ride our trail.

Just yesterday, a beautiful Sunday, I set out from Corwin and made a point to check the license plates in the nearly-full parking lot. Granted, most of the vehicles were from Ohio, but I also found Texas, Virginia, and Florida plates. During my ride I was stopped by a woman walking the trail. From Kentucky and just passing through, she had heard about the trail and wanted to check out. She had a lot of questions, was quite impressed, and indicated that she and her husband would plan to return in the fall to do a multiday ride.

Our area does have a lot to offer: paved and maintained trails with hundreds of miles of connecting segments, canoeing and kayaking along the Little Miami River, zip-lining over the river gorge, historic sites like Ft. Ancient, nearby state parks and numerous nature preserves. It’s easy to take for granted this wonderful resource almost in our backyard, but the word is getting out. So don’t assume that the rider or walker that you just passed is a local resident. They may be from Hawaii.

July 2017

July 5, 2017

George and John were joined by Rod Gossett and Joe Hermann for a late lunch at By Golly's in Milford—a restaurant which, at 0.95 miles from the Trail, just barely met our one-mile-from-the-trail cutoff criterion.

By Golly's is essentially a low key, unassuming, modestly priced neighborhood place which specializes in "burgers and beer,” though they also offer comfort food appetizers such as onion straws, waffle fries and nachos. Salads and pizza, as well as heartier dinner plates, are also on the menu. The dining area is one large room with a bar in one corner; outdoor seating is also available. A number of lunch specials are offered, and each comes with a draft domestic beer. Full bar service is available. Perhaps half a dozen beers are on draft, with many others available in bottles. Domestic drafts are $2; craft beers $4.50.

When you walk in the door it’s not long before you realize that you probably shouldn’t take a seat at the bar, even if every stool is open. Each of those stools probably has the (unwritten) name of some local who finds their way there at various times of the day. Not a problem, though; there is plenty of seating at the tables. Looking around we saw at least 9 televisions, an outdoor patio, historic picture of Milford on the wall and plenty of local patrons having lunch.

We started our lunch with a couple of baskets of popcorn from the popcorn maker positioned at the side entrance. Nothing beats a bar with free appetizers. Luckily the popcorn was self-serve because the service was slow. It took several minutes after getting there to get drinks ordered and several minutes after that to actually get our drinks.

Rod chose a By Gollyburger -- swiss cheese, sautéed onions and honey mustard dressing. Joe got a chicken sandwich off the lunch specials menu instead of a burger. George took a Black and Bleu burger, blue cheese and New Orleans spices. All three were priced at $8.99. John, being more adventurous, selected the Sunny Day Burger topped with goetta (only in the Cincinnati area!), a fried egg and cheddar cheese, all for $9.49 (Tums and/or Pepto-Bismol available at extra charge). All burgers were cooked as ordered—medium rare, well done or whatever—which was a happy and refreshing change from the one-preparation-fits-all attitude exhibited by most chain restaurants.

George’s food was mediocre, at best; the greasy burger just didn't sit well with him. John’s sturdier constitution seemed impervious to any grease issues, and he even reveled in them. However, some grease backlash hit later with a one-and-a-half-hour nap after he got home. Joe and Rod voiced no complaints, but neither did they offer any praises. As mentioned service was exceptionally slow, despite it being mid-afternoon when we ordered, and our waitress, while competent, was unenthusiastic. These factors, coupled with the lack of proximity to the Trail, would lead me to not recommend By Golly’s to Trail users; overall, I just can't see it being worth the almost two miles round trip from the Trail.

By Golly’s rates 2.5 bells out of 5. Don’t let this keep you from going, though. If you like the local bar atmosphere, and are looking for a variety of burger choices, then this is the place. Another positive are the prices. This lunch was 40% less expensive than a couple of other places we’ve visited.

By Golly’s
714 Lila Ave., Milford
Website: www.bygollys.com
Phone: 513/248-4444
Hours: 11:00 am to 2:30 pm, Mon. through Sat.
   

June 21, 2017

When the Trail Taste Adventure was conceived we didn’t plan to stop in Terrace Park; as far as we knew there was nothing but a Subway, and Subway did not fit our Taste Adventure criteria.  Terrace Park has always been a town you’d drive through at or under the speed limit but never had a reason to stop—until now. 

We welcomed summer with lunch at The Birch on Rt. 50, opened just ten weeks ago, according to manager/owner Aaron Tritsch. The Birch derives its name, we assume, from the full grown "clump birch" which shades the outdoor eating area in a cozy and secluded courtyard which also contains a full-size bocce court.  It’s just a quarter mile from where the trail crosses New Street in Terrace Park.  The closest trail parking lot is at the Milford Trailhead which is about a half mile walk, ride, or jog from New Street.  You can reasonably park, walk to eat, and then have a casual walk back to the car and burn off some of your meal.  If you’re coming from the south, it is about 2.75 mile from the Avoca Park trail access.  A considerably longer walk, but a nice bike ride.   Of course, The Birch also has its own parking lot.

My first impression of The Birch was “this isn’t my kind of place.”  It looked fancy and clean, almost too clean, and had ONLY ONE television that I saw.  Don’t get me wrong.  It was nice, really nice; but felt like you had to remove your ball cap and tuck in your shirt while you were there.  We were greeted before we even got to the door by our server, who made us both feel welcome.  Suddenly we realized she doesn’t care if your shirt is tucked in or not, she just wants you to have a nice lunch and enjoy yourself.

It was a nice day so we decided to eat outside.  The Birch has a great patio.  It kind of felt like some of the places at a beach resort, minus the sounds and smells of the ocean.  Road noise from nearby Wooster Pike is discernible, but not obtrusive.  The menu tends to lighter, healthier fare: salads, appetizers, sandwiches and vegetable sides.  There is also a daily soup which does not appear on the menu.  They offer a relatively broad wine list, as well as four beers on draft.  There were no fries, cheese sticks or fried pickles.

Interested in something a little different, George ordered the Charcuterie and Cheese Board for $16.  It had three types of cold sausage, three types of cheese, three pickles, two types of mustard, a pat of butter, a few spiced peanuts—and a bowl of French bread slices to go with everything.  All was enjoyed except the uncased red pork sausage, which was spiced just a bit heavier than George could handle.  (John, being made of sterner stuff, found it delightful.)  Service was prompt, professional and friendly.  With two pints of Loose Cannon IPA (@$6), George’s total bill was $29.96—plus tip.

John chose the burger.  The server couldn’t be talked into including fries with that, but she did add bacon.  It came with a leafy, light salad, which was good (we know we should eat more stuff like that), but kitchen chips with Cajun seasoning would have been better.  The burger, ordered medium, was a good-sized sandwich with tomato, pickles, onion and their special sauce, which was not Thousand Island dressing.  You just have to pause after the first bite to feel the flavors and enjoy the moment.  The juices start dripping and then everything comes together for what might be the best burger ever. And mine was cooked perfectly medium.  WOW!  The only downside was another $12 burger.

While we were happy with the food, the beer and the atmosphere, we both felt the place was a tad pricey, and seemed to cater to more of an upscale clientele than the average, casual Trail user.  Maybe a few local softball teams and happy hour groups will start going regularly to give it a little attitude.  That’s really the only thing it is lacking, so we give it a 4 out of 5 bells rating.  Excellent food and a nice place; it just doesn’t have that “place-to-be” feel—yet.  Give it time. The Birch is definitely worth a visit. 

The Birch
702 Indian Hill Road, Terrace Park OH
Phone:  513/831-5678
Website: thebirchtp.com
Hours: 11 am to 9 pm Tues. through Sat.; closed Sun. & Mon.