Columbus Water Tower ground cover (FREE) and Mullins

Couple things need to be clarified about The Columbus Police and the 200ish pullovers - this was a combined city/County effort and they did this in a few cities not just Columbus. Pull'm over look for drugs and let them go.  At the time the CPD refused to give City Council any real data on this so the actual number is  ????  . 

This was also the time when the police had the demerit point system for bars and they were the accuser, judge AND jury for closing a bar and it was also when they gave out MANY Easter Day tickets because of Winter Parking rules (we changed the rules after that) and it was over 50 degrees outside.  

They are fine now in my book - this was a decade ago. 

************************** On to the real blog

First off - From Wisconsin Road Trips page.  SADLY #9 Mullins Short Stop was posted on a Wisconsin page with the WRONG city name. 

Up in Cumberland at 1398 2nd Avenue, (in the REAL world it would say Up dare in Columbus at 641 N Ludington St) Mullins Short Stop Drive In represents everything great about small-town Wisconsin dining. This isn’t a place trying to be hip or trendy, it’s a straightforward, honest drive-in that’s been serving the community with pride and consistency for years.

The building looks like it could have been here since the golden age of drive-ins, with that classic architecture and signage that immediately tells you what kind of experience you’re about to have.

The burgers at Mullins are hefty and satisfying, made with quality beef that gets cooked just right every single time. They don’t skimp on the patties, giving you substantial portions that actually fill you up instead of leaving you hungry an hour later.

The toppings are fresh and plentiful, with crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and tangy pickles adding layers of flavor and texture. Everything gets assembled with care, wrapped up tight, and handed over still hot from the grill.

Their milkshake game is strong, with thick, creamy versions of all the classics that taste like they were made in someone’s kitchen rather than a restaurant. The vanilla lets you appreciate the quality of the ice cream without any distractions, while the chocolate satisfies those deeper cravings for something rich and indulgent.

The strawberry strikes a nice balance between fruit flavor and creaminess. French fries come golden and crispy, perfect for eating alongside your burger or saving to dip in your shake if you’re feeling adventurous with your food combinations.

**********************************

It's that time of decade again when I remind everyone that the Columbus Utilities Water Tower has the best ground cover EVER and its free for your pickings.

 Blooming sedum at the tower.

Ten years ago when I was a Columbus Water and Light Commissioner I decided the hideous looking  water tower needed beautification. There were beer cans, cig butts Frito packages and garbage and a lot of weeds. Nobody was taking care of it. 

 WELL - it seemed that after the 20 volunteers I rounded up to paint the inside of the Amtrak Station it was time for this monstrosity to be fixed. 

I asked Erik the Commissioner at the time if he could supply a friend and I two cubic yards of dirt we would fix it up. 

I was a HOT HOT day when we started in the morning.  First clearing out the junk.  My noon we were at this point.    

Erik delivered a backhoe of dirt - not good dirt - this ground cover does not like GOOD dirt, and we started filling all he crevices.  SO SO many crevasses - more then we anticipated. 

Then over the next few weeks we harvested sprigs from my house and repurposed them to the tower.  

Here is how to do it.

Put your hand into the sedum and pick a sprig at the base  

Then the easy part.  Put a scratch in your dirt 

Lay the sedum in it

And cover 

That's it. You CAN water it but its not needed. We have NEVER watered the tower.  It will not allow weeds to grow. We have it in shade as well as full 100% sunlight. 

We have NEVER weeded it, watered it and have basically ignored it for 10+ years.  Someone (Columbus Utilities? the City?) used to kill the weeds on top and below but never in the rocks.  

And seriously - each crevice had ONE sprig, it grows and fills out but it's very shallow and if you HAVE too - just pick it and discard. ZERO problems.  

When not flowering it looks like this from my house  

Name?  Sedum kamtschaticum, commonly known as Kamchatka sedum or Kamchatka stonecrop if you are wondering. 

I want to thank Columbus Water and Light for allowing us to beautify the the ignored Water Tower.  

NEXT week - why is Wild Tomato in Door County suing Wild Man Pizza 20 miles away.  You can't have the word WILD in a restaurant?  HEY - Columbus attorney (love you man) want to chime in? 
and other mindless drivel.    

Where ya all coming from?