Last October, we attended the “It’s Alive” (from the producers of “Tecumseh!”) outdoor play at “Haunted Mountain” usually known as Sugarloaf Amphitheater in Chillicothe, Ohio.  The largest Halloween theatrical production in Ohio ran from October 3-26, 2023.  We attended the show on the night of October 14; a chill was in the air along with a constant mist.  Gratefully, paper towels were available to dry off our seats from the rain.  The eerie weather actually added to the atmosphere most effectively.  We enjoyed the production of talented actors and solid writing that stayed true to some original aspects of Frankenstein while tweaking the story with some various twists, developments, and outcomes. It seemed a little short, but we were actually glad of that due to being cold and wet, but we came prepared with our Iceland gear we had from our vacation to Iceland in 2022 (see our travel posts on our adventures there).  We are curious to see what outdoor play the producers of “Tecumseh!” come up with next year!  We are hopeful for a retelling of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but we will be pleased regardless, as this has become an annual experience for us.  The Legend of Sleepy Hallow and Dracula productions in previous years did not disappoint!     

On our way to Haunted Mountain, we stopped for dinner in downtown Chillicothe at an old brick house with an outdoor smoker, which slow-smokes meat over native hardwoods. Bell Farms Restaurant offers all home-cooked meals.   Our selections included Homestead Pimento Cheese Dip (Jalapeno), Homestead Short Order Noodles (smoked brisket simmered in stock and served over mashed potatoes), peanut butter pie, and Grandma Elsie’s Cheesecake topped with cherries.  We were delighted with this scrumptious meal, historical atmosphere (hardwood floors, as well as rustic furniture and decorations), and friendly service.  It was a perfect warm meal for an October evening that got us started in the right direction for our excursion.