| Boating’s great in Brown County |
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| Thursday, 17 September 2009 | |
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Each year in late spring people from a three-state region migrate toward southern Ohio to the Ohio River to get away from life’s trial’s and tribulations. Brown County, an hour east of Cincinnati, has eight campgrounds along the Ohio River. For many of the visitors, boating is much more than a weekend escape from the city. While everyone has their own reasons for heading to the river each year, most of the visitors agree that it’s the people who make the trip worthwhile every year. Dayton resident Steve Wuellner said that he has been camping in southern Ohio for 12 years, and said that the people around the Ripley area are always willing to lend a hand. “It’s the great escape,” said Wuellner. “People are always willing to help you out.” Wuellner said that he met some great friends through camping and that they keep in touch even during the winters and holidays. Wuellner, along with Mike and Marie Vontz of Batavia, Mike and Barb Null of Dayton, and Bob and Tina Simmons, were enjoying a meal at the Ripley Boat Club, located off of Front Street in Ripley. The Boat Club actually floats on the Ohio River and is a popular social spot in the summer. “I come down here to get out of the city,” Mike Null said. “There’s no phone or stress, you just get on the boat and float. Coming down here is like camping with family.” His friend agreed. “These people are like family to us,” Mike Vontz said. “This is like our extended family.” The group normally camps at the Riverside Campground and Light House Marina and boats up and down to the different marinas along the way. While the 2009 summer saw a lot of rain in the Brown County area, Null said that the group still makes a point to come out regardless of the weather. “I’d rather sit down here in the rain than up in Dayton in the rain,” Null said. Cincinnati resident Rick Basler has been coming south to Brown County to camp for more than 30 years with a large group of friends. Basler owns a personal campground lot near Brush Creek, and said that he makes a point to come down every weekend. “This is our little getaway,” Basler said. “The people who know about it, know about it, but this is kind of our secret.” John and Mary Adams are members of the Ripley Boat Club and said that there’s always something to see on the Ohio River. Over the past several years, the two have watched as the boating community has grown along the river. “A boater never knows a stranger,” Mary Adams said. “If you get in trouble, there’s always someone willing to help you out. Everyone feels like they’re a part of a community down here.” John and Carolyn Studenka agree. Originally from Portsmouth, the two have lived on the river for the past six years. Mike Studenka said that everyone pitches in when a job needs done, from installing and removing boat docks to repairing boats. “We put out our docks, and keep an eye on everyone’s place,” Studenka said. “The water’s cleaner up here than it is down around Cincinnati. We love it, it’s never boring, there’s always something to do.” Mike and Pam Minick, the owners of the White Oak Creek Marina and Campground got into their business because they enjoy “river” people. “The number one thing down here is the people,” Minick said. “We came down here from Cincinnati, and we won’t go back. Down here, everyone is friendly and they’ll all wave at you when they drive past.” “It’s not like that everywhere,” Pam Minick said. “The people just down the river in Portsmouth are different from the people you’ll find here. There’s just something about Brown County.” For more information about boating in Brown County, call Brown County Tourism at (937) 378-1970. The public boat ramp in Ripley is close to many different businesses such as Rockin’ Robin’s Soda Shoppe, Snapper’s Saloon, the Riveria, Cohearts Restaurant and much, much more. The following are some of the campgrounds and marinas in the area: • Riverside Campground and Light House Marina at (937) 375-4800 • Eagle Creek Marina at (937) 392-4989 and the Eagle Creek Campground at (937) 392-1440 • Lively Lady Landing and Campground at (937) 795-0303 • Logan’s Gap Camping Resort at (937) 392-0500 • Straight Creek Marina at (937) 392-1676 • White Oak Creek Marina and Campground at (937) 375-5444 • Tara Villa RV Park and Marina at (937) 392-4801 • Red Oak Campground at (937) 392-4308 • Brush Creek Campground and Boat Ramp at 937-549-3380 • Sandy Springs Campground at (740) 464-8092 or (740) 464-8748 • Island Creek Marina and Campground at (937) 549-1430 |
By BRYAN PECK| < Prev | Next > |
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