Upon choosing my list for the Columbus to do list assignment, I tried to identify which category seemed to offer the most experience and which applied to me personally.  These requisites led me to choose the neighborhood section of the list, more specifically, Clintonville.  From merely reading the list, Clintonville appeared to be a trendy neighborhood, with ethnic and vegetarian food options as well as unique shops.  However, through my experience accomplishing the list and the documentary associated with the city, I learned Clintonville possesses a history and lifestyle beyond my initial sentiment.

When I first watched the Clintonville documentary, I was pleasantly surprised by the historically rich content and community passion.  Clintonville’s origins began with Native Americans populating the area for thousands of years, until the beloved resident Bill Moose died in 1937, as one of the last Native Americans of the area.  His family refused to be relocated to Kansas, and they settled in Clintonville. Moose became a community figure, loved by neighbors and children.  Clintonville was a farm land, with one of the original settlers as Thomas Bull.  It was his sons, however, that I found to be one of the most interesting aspects of Clintonville’s history.  The Bull brothers were firm abolitionists, and practiced their beliefs by using their chapel as an Underground Railroad post.  They housed escaped slaves, and provided them with shelter and security, before passing them along to the next post.  I knew Ohio had a significant role in the assistance of runaway slaves, however I never knew Clintonville acted as a part of this. The documentary followed Clintonville through its farm roots and pathway to industrialization, following notable figures such as the Dusenberry Brothers, the Hollenback family, Pat Murnan, and many more.  However, what I found most interesting about Clintonville, was its modern day connection to its roots.  Many restaurants and homes are self-sustainable, such as the Crest Gastropub that grows its own food and supports farmers.  The Clintonville farmers market sells locally grown and organic foods, providing healthy options and community growth.  I find that amongst the urbanization and trendiness that is Clintonville, many historical roots remain.  The residents and individuals value and still embrace farming, something the community was founded on.  My experience with Clintonville’s destinations only further solidified the neighborhood as a multilayered community.

I embarked on the Columbus To Do List with companions Maureen and Matt.  We settled on Clintonville for its diverse options and overall trendy atmosphere. Matt lives in Upper Arlington, and therefore has access to his car, which from now on will be referred to as the Matt Mobile.  The Matt Mobile provided us with our means of transportation for the entirety of our list, and our first stop was the Clintonville Park of Roses.   The only issues we experienced at this stop was the rain, but armed with our umbrellas we trudged through the landscape, encapsulated by the autumn beauty that surrounded the park.  Though the roses were out of season, I was able to witness the beautiful colors of the trees.  We walked through a path into the woods surrounded by forestry and received a friendly greeting from a shaggy dog.  I would love to return to the Park of Roses, especially in the spring or summer to see the flowers at their peak beauty.

The next stop on our list was the Walhalla Ravine.  I googled pictures of the ravine online to reveal an eerie image of a fog ridden road surrounded by leaves.  This web search led to the discovery of the history behind Walhalla road, death.  The road is an acclaimed haunted site, with a past ridden with murders and deaths, as well as many spooky tails from those that have ventured the road after night.  One legend claimed if a car is placed in neutral on the road, it will continue to cruise down the path.  This peaked our interest and we set forth for the ravine.  Our GPS brought us to an intersection above the ravine, but no means of reaching the ravine itself.  Our team may have slightly trespassed along front yard to descend into the ravine through which Walhalla road traveled.  Though we didn’t encounter any phantoms or specters, we traveled along the road appreciating the beauty of the houses. The homes resided in the foggy rain, displaying the history of Clintonville, large and beautiful.  I would love to return to the Walhalla Ravine preferably after dusk, maybe with a neutral car and Ouija board.

Our third stop was dinner at Portia’s Café.  The Matt Mobile carried us to the vegan restaurant in the night rain, with hungry stomachs and unexpectant minds.  As a vegetarian, I am constantly searching for tasty restaurants that cater to this dietary choice, and was pleasantly satisfied with Clintonville’s options.  Besides Portia’s, Whole World Natural Bakery and Restaurant is another vegetarian option, and is one of the oldest vegetarian establishments in Columbus.  By a flip of a coin, we chose Portia’s.  The café was furnished with original paintings and brilliant colors.  We each ordered a vegan dish, and I enjoyed a delicious quesadilla that was made without harming animals. While Portia’s food was tasty, it was slightly expensive.  I would return to Portia’s, however, I would first try Whole World Natural Bakery.

On another Sunday, Maureen, Matt, and I once again piled into the Matt Mobile for the remaining two destinations on our list.  Our first stop was at Studio 35, a single screened movie theater.  I enjoyed the old school feel of the theater, with its cinematic lights and intimate setting.  We saw The Martian, which quickly became one of my favorite science fiction films.  While the theater was a unique experience, I wouldn’t particularly return there.  The Gateway on High Street plays independent films as well as box office movies, at a student discount, contrasting Studio 35’s distance and price.  However, Studio 35 offers a different cinematic experience that I very much enjoyed.

Our final stop on our list was Clintonville Outfitters.  It is a camping store with a wide variety of supplies and outerwear. They offer a large amount of products, many of which are environmentally friendly.  I enjoyed this aspect of the store because I think a core value to those who enjoy outdoor activities is conservation and environmental protection.  While I am not looking for any camping supplies at the moment, I will be sure to return to Clintonville Outfitters when it is necessary.

The Columbus To Do List offered a unique experience of exploring Columbus.  Rather than tackle the entire city, I was able to receive a greater understanding of a specific area, Clintonville.  I learned about a historically rich city that remains true to its roots while simultaneously embracing a modern atmosphere.  I will gladly return many of the destinations on the list, and will continue to explore Clintonville in the future.  I would love to visit the farmers market, enjoying the farming aspect of Clintonville’s past and present.  I was aware that Columbus is very much a city, but the Park of Roses provided a beautiful walk through nature.  I wasn’t sure what to expect when venturing to this foreign neighborhood, however I rushed in with an open mind and readiness to adventure, resulting in a wonderful experience.  This strategy is one I would advise to those attempting the Clintonville list, be open and begin without expectations.  The Columbus To Do List provided me with a spirited exploration of Columbus and a greater understanding of a city I am beginning to call home.