This Week @ Monday Creek: The End of Summer & Local Dining - Urban Grille

The end of summer @ Monday Creek

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.”

— Psalm 23:2 (KJV)

    If you look at the top photo, you can see my paint mare, Zubie, high on the hillside, grazing. A perfect view from my front porch. A green pasture beside still waters, with the perfect paint mare. She watches me from her perch, waiting for supper. As I watch her watching me, I thank God for His goodness, protection, and love.

Summer had enough hurdles; I am glad to see summer loosen its grip. The days are still warm enough to linger on the porch with a glass of iced tea, but the mornings tell a different story. A light jacket hangs by the door. The dew stays longer on the grass. Barn chores begin under a sky that arrives a little later each day. The scent of freshly cut hay slowly gives way to fallen leaves and wood smoke.

In the hills of Hocking County, the changing season feels especially dramatic. The hardwood forests that blanket the ridges are changing. Maples begin to blush red. Hickories turn gold. Oaks hold their green a little longer before surrendering to shades of rust and bronze. The hillsides are a patchwork quilt of color that draws visitors from around the world.

Cool evenings invite campfires and scenic drives through the backroads of Appalachia. It's a season that encourages us to slow down, breathe deeply, and appreciate the beauty right outside our windows.

Last week, meeting friends at The Urban Grille in Logan for lunch was a welcome respite to a busy week. Perched alongside the Hocking Hills Golf Club, the restaurant offers sweeping views of the surrounding hills, making it an especially pleasant destination as the leaves begin to change color.

The story of the restaurant is closely tied to the golf course itself. In 2013, owners Chris Lanning and Kim Lanning purchased the property, formerly known as the Brass Ring Golf Club. As part of their vision, they opened the Urban Grille, creating a family-friendly gathering place where locals and visitors could enjoy good food while taking in the beauty of the Hocking Hills. They emphasize local ingredients when possible and incorporate elements of Logan's history into the restaurant's décor. Its casual atmosphere, scenic views, and menu of sandwiches, soups, salads, burgers, flatbreads, and desserts make it a comfortable stop.  

Perhaps that's part of what makes autumn so special in southeastern Ohio. It's not just the changing leaves or cooler temperatures. It's the places that invite us to pause and enjoy them; the season reminds us that some of life's best moments aren't rushed. Lunch with friends is always a welcome interlude.

Summer may be taking its final bow, but in southeastern Ohio, autumn is just stepping onto the stage. And as always, it's worth watching.

Lunch: French Onion Soup & Sandwich @ The Urban Grille, Hocking Hills, Logan, Ohio USA 
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