By Ron Coffey

Wish you could get away for a few days to a place that "has it all" without spending all you have? Logan County, Ohio boasts "Four Seasons of Fun" and backs it up with natural beauty, centuries of history and many curiosities.

Logan County is probably best known as the home of the Ohio Caverns, the Piatt Castles, Indian Lake and Mad River Mountain. There are many other attractions, as I learned during a recent visit.

The Ohio Caverns near West Liberty feature some of the most colorful formations found underground. Spelunkers have marveled at this cave system since its discovery in 1897. The well-lit passageways are cool (54 degrees year-round) and a bit damp, but well worth the hike. At about 103 feet beneath the surface of the earth, I spied countless stalactites and stalagmites, including the famous "Crystal King," which stands almost five feet in height. Rick Metzger, our tour guide, pointed out The Jewel Room and other highlights as we trekked through the limestone wonderland.

Zane Shawnee Caverns is another notable cave system which offers its own unique geologic formations, including the only "cave pearls" found in Ohio. Another interesting feature of Zane Shawnee Caverns is its ownership by the Shawnee Nation, United Remnant Band. We were greeted by a Shawnee storyteller, Ayapia, dressed in native attire. Ayapia shared several interesting stories that have been handed down over the centuries. We also met Chongo, who wore the European style clothing of the 1780s time period, and Blue Corn, who showed us around the museum that traces native American culture and explained the significance of "The Three Sisters" -- corn, beans and squash -- to Native American culture.

Two of the most interesting buildings in Logan County are the Piatt Castles, a pair of European-style chateaus built by brothers Abram and Donn Piatt in the late 1800s. Known as Mac-A-Cheek and Mac-O-Chee, the castles will fascinate anyone who enjoys history, stone masonry or woodworking.

Known locally as "A" (Mac-A-Cheek) and "O" (Mac-O-Chee), each home is uniquely appointed. I visited "A," which is open to touring from April through Halloween and for special occasions at other times. I stepped into the drawing room and admired the floor, constructed in a herringbone pattern of oak, walnut and cherry. The room also features Gothic arches and an intricately painted ceiling. Angie Wayre, my tour guide, pointed out many features of the elegant home as well as facts about the Piatts and their contemporaries.

Near the castles is the log home of the family patriarch, Judge Benjamin Piatt, and his wife Elizabeth. This was a stop on the Underground Railroad, as Mrs. Piatt was an ardent abolitionist. Today visitors can view the room where runaway slaves hid and examine many interesting craft items that fill the cabin.

Mad River Mountain is a popular ski resort that brings out the fun in wintertime. Family packages, group programs, special events and competitions are featured at this resort, which is continually adding to its snowmaking capability. Also new this winter will be another quad lift to help speed the trip to the top of the slopes.

Another noteworthy attraction is Indian Lake State Park, which at 5,800 acres has plenty of room for all types of watercraft. A two-and-a-half-mile walking path along the beach is a popular area for walkers and joggers. Indian Lake residents Dave and Linda Leiter showed me around in their pontoon boat, pointing out Oldfield Beach, which explodes in a colorful display of fireworks each July 4, and Russells Point, once known as "The Million Dollar Playground" with many rides and amusements. I was amazed at the number of beautiful homes that line the shores of Indian Lake. However, there are also undeveloped inlets where we observed an osprey, turtles and a beaver in their natural habitat.

Nature lovers will enjoy the Indian Lake Nature Center, which was funded with private donations and offers a close-up look at the wildlife of the area. Ranger Vert Molitor showed off a pair of deer antlers which were locked together during a battle between two bucks, and let me handle a small king snake as Nita Smiley, the director of events for Logan County, fled the room.

Close to Indian Lake is The Fun Place, which features miniature golf, a game arcade and three tracks for NASCAR wannabes. Although the racecars were powered by go-cart engines, I learned from experience that they seem quite fast when the driver is so close to the pavement! Another big attraction is the Sky Coaster, a sort of cross between bungee jumping and skydiving that provides a speedy descent to within a few feet of the ground!

A more laid-back way to get down-to-earth can be found at Marmon Valley Farm. One morning a tractor-drawn hay wagon towed us up a hill to an outdoor cooking area covered with golden leaves and black walnuts. Matt Wiley prepared our vittles in a large iron skillet, skillfully blending eggs and sizzling bacon. Anyone who desired could make his own toast over the open fire with the aid of a long-handled metal apparatus that held the bread. The dining experience is unique and very popular with visitors. "Sunday there will be 200 people here for breakfast," he observed.

Matt and his family have blended their love of the outdoors with their faith. They provide a variety of experiences featuring horseback riding, hayrides and everything from week-long camps to a few hours for tour groups. After breakfast, our hayride continued over some of the 450 acres of fields, woods, hills and streams. After a steep ride up a hill, we had a splendid view of the Marmon Valley and Rt. 33. We passed by a pond and made a stop at the outdoor chapel, then drove into the woods. Matt paused several times to share his observations about life and faith with Bible quotes and lessons from nature.

"We do some senior citizen outings, sororities, youth groups, Christian conferences, school field trips, " Matt said. Each camper is assigned a horse to care for during the duration of the camp. The Wileys maintain a herd of about 130 horses for their enthusiastic patrons.

There's a lot of history in Logan County, which was the home of Shawnee Chief Blue Jacket and frequented by frontiersman Simon Kenton. Noted author Allan W. Eckert, who wrote the outdoor drama "Tecumseh!" as well as several popular books including "The Frontiersmen," is a resident of the county. Dr. Earl Sloan, a veterinarian who concocted Dr. Sloan's Liniment ("good for man or beast") in the 1800s, also was a Logan Countian. There's a lot more, of course, and the Logan County Historical Museum in Bellefontaine is just the place for the casual enthusiast or the serious aficionado to spend an afternoon.

Logan County features an amazing array of items for tourists, collectors and gift-givers. A good place to start is Peach Tree Books & Company in Bellefontaine, which features Waterford crystal, Christmas decorations, candles, books and much more. Collectibles galore can be found at the Bellefontaine Antique Mall. Take a break from shopping at Canterbury Coffee Inc., where the coffee beans are roasted and ground for the freshest cup around, and the tea and smoothies aren't bad either!

I've just scratched the surface on shopping, but one place that must be mentioned is Marie's Candies in West Liberty. Located in a former New York Central Railroad depot, Marie's offers some 90 varieties of homemade candy.

Four golf courses are nestled amid the rolling hills of Logan County to challenge linksters and spouses of shopaholics. There are many other diversions, so an overnight trip is a good idea. I sampled the Whitmore House, a Victorian bed and breakfast near Bellefontaine, and enjoyed the excellent food, firm bed and friendly hosts. There are several other B&Bs in the county, as well as hotels, motels and campgrounds to meet every lodging need.

Curiosity seekers and trivia buffs will enjoy Logan County's collection of oddities, which include the "Highest, Shortest and Oldest." At 1,550 feet above sea level, Mount Campbell is the highest point in Ohio. Shortest refers to McKinley Street in Bellefontaine, a street just 29 feet long. The oldest concrete street in America (Court Street) is also located in Bellefontaine.

Logan Countians are rightfully proud of their friendly and beautiful community. They have preserved the past and protected the natural beauty of the area while coping with the demands of modern life such as industrial development. There really are "Four Seasons of Fun" in Logan County, and the red carpet is always out.