Back
in Time
by
Rick Brown
I
have a long history with the Marblehead
Peninsula here in Ohio. The area has many, many memories for
me. Nearby is Cedar Point, East Harbor, Catawba Island, Kelley’s
Island, Put-in-Bay and since I grew up just west of Cleveland
these places were frequented by my family and friends through
the years. When I was a boy there was a public campground on Marblehead.
My family vacationed there a couple times. Camping is how poor
people get the opportunity to travel…at least that was my
experience.
So it’s no surprise to me that I talked my father into taking
us to Mystery Hill. The area had (still has) a plethora of tourist
traps. Besides the historic Cedar Point amusement park there was
the now closed Blue Hole (Don’t MISS IT!). Legend had it
the Blue Hole was a bottomless pool of water discovered by a farmer
plowing his fields one afternoon. They sent divers down. And it
was so deep…bottomless it was said…that they could
not possibly make it to the bottom. As kids, my brothers and I
bought this hook, line and sinker. Then there was Cheese Haven…which
is still there. Apparently this haven of fromage has more varieties
than anywhere in the universe. Yet Mystery Hill is cheesier than
even Cheese Haven.
It’s
a “house” built on the side of a hill that leans in
direct proportion to the hill itself. As we entered that mysterious
abode so many years ago our guide told us we would feel “a
strange force pulling us towards the wall”. And even at
the tender age of 12, I knew this was pure bullshit…and
I loved it. Right next door…in the same complex…was
Prehistoric Forest. I never visited there…until this past
July.
Oh to make a pilgrimage to Mystery Hill. It’s not the kind
of thing a person takes lightly. And one has to have appropriate
company. Who did I know with enough spirit of adventure to take
a 2-hour drive in a topless Miata to be pulled mysteriously towards
a cabin wall? College friend and past partner in crime Diane gladly
accepted my invitation.
And what a day we inherited! The drive up in spectacular weather…a
picnic by the Marblehead Lighthouse…and then off to the
excitement of Mystery Hill and Prehistoric Forest!! Surely our
lives will never be the same. Of course that “mysterious
force” still pulls you towards the wall. (See the photos
for proof!) WOW!! And water flowing…tennis balls rolling…uphill!!
Such mystery!! (http://www.prehistoricforest.com/)
Following this amazement was a stroll through a forest admiring
all the awesome fiberglass dinosaurs!!
Of
course this is all a spectacular sham. But both Prehistoric Forest
and Mystery Hill have a legacy along Ohio’s Lake Erie shore.
And as Diane and I embraced this delightfully dumb experience,
we both again felt that long forgotten childhood thrill of being
somewhere…anywhere…other than home or school
or work or church. Take your Polaroid at the right angle and MAN…you
really are being pulled by a strange force towards the
wall!! Honest!!
Prehistoric Forest and Mystery Hill are closed for the season.
But I highly recommend making plans…marking your calendar
for late spring 2010…for a visit to this paranormal place
of pure primitive pleasure. It’s cheap. The people are friendly.
God knows this world could use more glorious, gratifying goofiness.
Indulge yourself! And best of all…the souvenir store has
really…really cool t-shirts!
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