An American Girl's Travels

Solo Getaway- Whitewater Rafting Weekend

2011-11-03T21:35:00.018-04:00

Solo Getaway- Whitewater Rafting Weekend
Oak Hill, West Virginia
October 7-9, 2011

I just knew that I was going to win as soon as I entered the contest. When Ace Adventure Resorts announced a contest to win a free whitewater rafting trip during Gauley Season just by posting your best ‘Warrior Face’ picture on their Facebook page, I knew exactly which pic to enter. When J first saw the picture- one I’d taken in my Warrior Helmet after the Logan, Ohio Warrior Dash- he told me that it was so scary that I should delete it. But I knew it would come in handy should I ever need to intimidate someone or to win a Warrior Face contest or something. A few days later I heard I was their very first winner of a free Gauley trip- what a huge score!

I decided to make it a solo trip combining my annual three-day Algonquin Mill weekend with the West Virginia whitewater adventure. The weekend started as usual on Friday morning- Jo and I stopped for breakfast, for a little antique shopping and then onto the Annual Algonquin Mill Festival for a few hours. From there, we split up with Jo heading east toward Pittsburgh for a Women’s Retreat while I drove south toward West Virginia. Autumn in the country is spectacular and the drive from rural Ohio into rural West Virginia was full of vivid color and stunning views. I checked into a comfortable room at the Holiday Lodge in Oak Hill, West Virginia, very near Ace Adventure Resort. Unfortunately, I was coming down with a killer cold and decided to stay in my room, order a club sandwich from the hotel restaurant Dory’s Grill, dose up on cold medications and get to bed.

The next morning I got to Ace Adventure Resort early so that I could enjoy their breakfast buffet and fuel up for the day ahead. After enjoying bacon, bagels, fresh fruit, and juice I walked up to the big top and checked in for the trip. We went through the safety stuff, talked about clothing, got our equipment and filled the bus. Ugh, the bus- this hour-long ride was the only bad part of the entire trip. I was still feeling under the weather, getting hot in my gear and becoming more and more regretful of eating anything at all that morning as the bus went careened down narrow and twisting mountain passes.

Every fall monitored water releases from the Summersville Dam gush into the Gauley River turning it into a huge whitewater adventure. The weather was perfect for my fall excursion down the lower portion of the rushing Gauley River. While the air temperature was in the low 70’s, the water temp was a crisp 55°F. I wore synthetic fabrics under a neoprene wetsuit and rain jacket and was comfortable all day.

Our guide, Jim, seemed laid back but commanded authority of the boat. I really liked Jim’s guiding style- he’d talk us through each maneuver, yell encouragement the whole time and extol us when we succeeded. The motto of our boat became ‘Nice and easy- like walking the dog.’ He whipped us into shape in no time which is a good thing- the rapids started almost as soon as we put our boat in the water. It is hard to put into words the exhilaration one feels bouncing and splashing through Class V rapids like the Upper and Lower M.A.S.H. or Pure Screaming Hell. What I can say is that it lived up to the expectations that I held for a wild and crazy whitewater ride- huge boulders, crashing waves and lots of screaming along the way. I cannot thank Ace Adventure Resort enough for the amazing time I had on the Lower Gauley River.

Not one to miss a shopportunity, I spent the time between our return to base camp and the premiere of our very own whitewater rafting trip video browsing the Ace Adventure Resort Gift Shop for a T-shirt declaring I had conquered the Lower Gauley, stickers for my kayak and a postcard for my collection. After viewing the hysterical video done by Rob, the same kayaking video guy that recorded our previous adventure, I thanked Jim again for all the fun, traded info with a girl in the boat so that we could share pics (although mine turned out to be less than awesome- waterproof camera fail) and headed back to my hotel to relax in the hot tub for a little bit.

That evening I enjoyed a pizza from ‘Pies & Pints’ in Fayetteville, WV, about a 10 minute drive from my hotel. I ordered ahead and drove to pick it up- when I arrived the place was so busy I had to wait at least ten minutes before I even made it to the counter to pay for my pizza. I ran into a few people from another boat in our rafting group and chatted with two recent Ohio State grads that were taking on the Upper Gauley the next morning. The pizza was worth the wait! I ordered a small Grape Pie ($11) with red grapes, gorgonzola cheese and fresh rosemary and it was scrumptious! I spent the rest of my evening drinking wine, eating pizza and watching the Ohio State/Nebraska game (which started off great and ended in crushing defeat).

I woke up early on Sunday morning and watched the sun rise from my hotel room window. I had one last activity I wanted to do before leaving the area. Just a few miles up US Route 19 in Fayetteville is the New River Gorge Bridge, one of the world’s longest arch bridges. A winding stairway down into the Gorge offers breathtaking bridge views from a few overlook points. I arrived in the morning when fog still hung in the valley under the bridge but by the time I was preparing to hike the approximately 150 steps back up to the parking lot the fog had lifted revealing even more magnificent vistas. Fall colors were also vibrantly displayed on trees throughout the area making my drive home just a slightly longer Sunday drive through the countryside.

Trip Advisor Top Contributor

2011-10-24T22:42:00.004-04:00

Trip Advisor Top Contributor

Look what I got from TripAdvisor! In recognition of the diligent effort I put into each of the hotel, restaurant and attraction reviews I have written and posted on their website, TripAdvisor has presented me with this lovely embroidered tote which proclaims that I am a ‘TripAdvisor Top Contributor’. Although I am tempted to use this status to seek free upgrades and complimentary desserts, I vow to continue to write unbiased reviews that comply with the high standards of those in the TripAdvisor Top Contributor community.

Warrior Dash- Ohio II

2011-10-24T19:42:00.017-04:00

Warrior Dash- Ohio II
Carrollton, Ohio
September 10, 2011

Okay, so maybe it wasn’t technically a road trip. That doesn’t mean I can’t post about Jo and I completing our second Warrior Dash this year, this one located in Carrollton, Ohio, our old stomping ground. After finishing the Dash in Logan, we were instantly sold on trying another race and were delighted to hear that an event was scheduled in the small town of Carrollton, a rural farm community in eastern Ohio near my hometown.

That had to have been the most traffic Carrollton had seen in a long time! Jo and I were in the 10:am heat and got an early start that morning. We still waited at least 45 minutes in bumper-to-bumper traffic before parking (by the time we left the line of cars stretched for miles) but had plenty of time to check in, stretch out and take some pictures before the race. We again decided to just take our time, have fun and enjoy the experience- this time we brought along a disposable camera to photograph the fun!

The race started with a downhill run and continued to pack in grueling up and down action for the rest of the course. Not to mention the shin-deep mud which made climbing and descending the hills that much more difficult or the obstacles that each presented their own unique challenge from climbing in and out of dumpsters to up and over cargo net barriers. The downhill start was a good indication of the uphill finish to come. It wouldn’t have been that bad except for the giant fire we had to jump over immediately after scaling the long steep incline. After leaping over the flames, we finally crawled through a pit full of thick mud and dashed for the finish line.

When Joanna and I finished Logan we had an amazing feeling of accomplishment and were proud to have finished together. In Carrollton we had a group of cheering fans at the finish line and sharing the experience with our family added to the elated feeling of achievement. To top if all off, after seeing the race in person our little sister decided to compete with us next year! Can’t wait!

Group Getaway- Whitewater Rafting Weekend

2011-09-04T21:41:00.035-04:00

Group Getaway- Whitewater Rafting Weekend
Minden, WV
August 12-14, 2011

You know what’s cool? When a Groupon for a rafting package comes up the day after I had just mentioned to the gang that it might be fun to try whitewater rafting. I took it as a sign and forwarded the Groupon to all of my friends. They were in- the deal was on!

We had assembled quite a group for the trip- Joanna, Diana, Janet, Jean, her boyfriend Bob, Megan, her boyfriend Neil and his friend Zak and I all met at Megan’s and started packing up the vehicles. Thank goodness for Bob’s truck! Even when we try to pack lightly, we still end up with at least three times our weight in clothing, gear and snacks.

We were on the road by the early afternoon, following Interstate 77 South. As we crossed over the Ohio River into West Virginia, we decided to stop and relax under the bridge and take in the river scenery before heading into the mountains of WV. We followed I-77 South through Charleston to WV-612 to US-19 North to WV-16 to Minden. Minden Road, a narrow road that just about becomes one lane at points, twists and turns through the small town and up a hill to the ACE Adventure Resort, a deluxe campground that offers all sorts of recreational activities ranging from a lake full of inflatable toys and a life-sized chess set to mountain biking and whitewater kayaking. ACE has a very casual, laid back atmosphere where merriment is encouraged and we met many unique and interesting individuals during our stay.

Included in the Groupon package was two nights of primitive camping but we opted to upgrade to Cozy Cabins which include sleeping for five, air conditioning, a large back porch and a hot tub. We were able to reserve two cabins right next to each other with a large area and a fire ring between. The couples stayed in one cabin, the single girls stayed in another- Zak slept in a hammock by the fire.

As always, we go way overboard when it comes to eating at any of our group outings. We all decided to bring something and ended up with a dish of stuffed shells, grilled bratwurst, Asian slaw, a pan of peanut butter bars, several bags of pretzels, chips and popcorn and an assortment of candy bars. After enjoying a feast we relaxed by the fire before heading to bed.

The next morning we rose at 6: am in anticipation of our big trip. Breakfast was included in the Groupon package and it was tasty. We were blown away by the selection. The buffet included eggs, biscuits, croissants, sausage, bacon, gravy, fresh fruit, French toast and many other items I can’t recall. After carbing up for our exciting day, we headed up to the big top tent to check in for our whitewater rafting adventure.

We were briefed on the basics of whitewater rafting using hilarious terms like ‘dork dots’ (the indentations left on one’s forehead if their helmet is on backward) and ‘raft ass’ (the rash the develops on one’s bum as it rubs against the rubber raft all day). We were now ready to take on the New River Gorge with North American River Runners! Our guide, Archy, a totally awesome former military man, made me instantly feel safe. We went through all the motions before heading out into the river. The first rapids we reached were mild but we still cheered as we bounced through the rocky pass. On another set of rapids, Archy encouraged us to get out and swim. I think this was a great strategy in making us feel comfortable being in the rushing water. Soon, we were facing bigger rapids with larger obstacles that required more maneuvering. It was exhilarating!

Halfway through the trip we pulled over to a sandy beach, rolled a raft over and made a picnic buffet. The lunch was pretty scrumptious- sandwiches, pasta salad, hummus and pita- all sorts of deliciousness. We spent some time chilling with other boaters, crawling around on the large rocks that line the river or swimming. After lunch we continued down the river to face bigger rapids with names like Dudley’s Dip, Double Z and Greyhound Bus Stopper. Each set offered a different challenge but Archy guided us through safely. One stop on the ride was ‘Jumping Rock’, which is exactly what it sounds like. Joanna, Janet, Neil and Zak all took up the challenge and jumped off the 30’ drop.

At one point, Archy told us to jump out of the boat, form a chain and let the water carry us between a group of rocks called ‘Thread the Needle’. He assured us that even though it looks like we’re going to slam into the boulders, if we stick together in chain formation, we’ll slide right through. I was the leader and he was right- it DID look like we were going to splat against the giant rock. Joanna was behind me chanting ‘We won’t hit, we won’t hit’ as we got closer and closer to running into the jagged edge of stone. But, just inches away from the rock face, the current caught us and slid us through the rocks. We’d just threaded the needle! The entire whitewater rafting experience was thrilling and we got to relive it all over again by watching a video captured by a kayaking cameraman named Rob that followed along documenting the events of the day. It was hysterical. Rob captured several of the funniest moments in our group including a group of Girl Scouts singing ‘Rock the boat, but don’t tip it over.’ Believe me, that song sticks in your head for days. Not to mention a particularly fun song that I gather is about a dog named after a bean that goes ‘Where oh where has jelly been? Where oh where has green been? Where or where has garbanzo been?’ That’s another song that will never leave my mind. Anyway...

We were starved by the time dinner rolled around. You can imagine our glee when we walked into the dining hall for our Groupon-included dinner and found an oyster bar, clam & mussel bake, barbequed ribs, a roasted pig, carved brisket, sides, veggies and desserts. They really outdo themselves when it comes to delicious food at ACE Adventure Report.

After dinner Joanna, Megan and I decided to play on the lake inflatables and jump around on the water trampoline. Apparently, I am not as agile as an 11 year old- after the trampoline, I attempted to crawl up on an inflatable but fell right off. I was able to get up on something I called the AstroSlide, a super slippery runway leading to steps you have to pull yourself up only to slide down the other side and into the water- total blast! After a few trips down the slide and after giving up attempting to pull myself up onto a giant inflated iceberg, we decided to head back to the cabin, relax in the hot tub, and sit by the fire with some drinks. Some of the gang headed up to the bar to listen to the live blues band- I never made it.

This is where things get a little hazy. What started with a bottle of wine, a bucket full of frozen mango margaritas and some super sweet, extraordinarily spiked herbal tea ended with me being helped back to the cabin to sleep it off. I declared the day to be ‘The Most Extreme Day of my Life!’

The next morning we woke up early, packed up the vehicles and browsed the gift shop before heading home. On the way we stopped at ‘Shoney’s’, which was featuring a breakfast and dinner buffet- yum! We piled our plates with biscuits and gravy, bacon, pancakes, turkey stuffing, macaroni & cheese and dinner rolls. We were all tired and sore but had the time of our lives. On the ride home we discussed returning for a week, trying more activities, rafting the harder Gauley River, doing the Bridge Walk or a jet boat tour and experiencing more of what that area of West Virginia has to offer. We had a truly crazy time- West Virginia really is wild and wonderful!

Ohio Day Trip- An Afternoon of Wine Tasting

2011-08-17T18:43:00.013-04:00

Ohio Day Trip- An Afternoon of Wine Tasting
Dover, Ohio
July 23, 2011

You know you’re all grown up when you feel delighted for a friend getting a minivan. With seating for seven, Jan’s new vehicle is the perfect mode of transport for our large group of girlfriends. Dubbed ‘Jansportation’, we were thrilled to get to ride in it to explore some wineries in the Dover area.

Jan, Megan and I met at Janet & Jeans. We all piled into the sweet ride and headed down Interstate 77 South from Canton. Jan’s GPS ‘Tom’ had a wandering mind of his own. Frequently waiting until after we’d turned one way to indicate that we should have headed the other direction, he also preferred the scenic route vs. the path more taken. Luckily we quite enjoyed the roundabout way which took us through beautiful green countryside dotted with brightly painted red barns. We erupted in laughter when the road went even more rural and changed from paved to gravel but the thought that Tom was leading us along an access road into a strip mine was definitely in the back of my mind.

It was a typical Ohio July day- sunny, 90F with 75% humidity. With that kind of weather comes afternoon storms. The sky was darkening as we pulled up to our first stop- Silver Moon Winery (4915 Old Route 39 NW, Dover). Silver Moon is a boutique winery that produces all of their wines on site. As a storm raged on we each tried several samples at the Tasting Bar, bought glasses or bottles of our favorites and sat in a corner booth to enjoy our wine. Silver Moon understands the female wine drinker’s desire to shop and includes a large gift shop to browse seasonal gifts, wine accessories and funny magnets. At one point the power went out- everyone continued to drink wine, browse the shop and enjoy the afternoon. The electricity was quickly restored, we made our final wine and gift purchases and enjoyed a picnic snack of cheese, crackers and fruit in the minivan before moving on to our next destination.

Breitenbach Amish Country Wines (5934 Old Route 39 NW, Dover) was just a few hundred yards up the road. Breitenbach produces a variety of fruit and berry wines and includes an Amish Country Store where deli meat, cheese, preserves, chocolates and other items complimentary to wine can be purchased. Probably the most commercially well-known winery on our tour it was very crowded. We saw a group of girlfriends that we’d chatted with earlier at Silver Moon. We continued to run into them at various wineries throughout the day joking and laughing each time we saw each other. They were obviously another group of girlfriends that just liked to have a fun time!

From Breitenbach we headed toward the Broad Run Cheese Factory & Swiss Heritage Winery (6011 Old Route 39 NW), which is basically right across the street. An assortment of cheese and dips to sample sat on the wine tasting counter. Divided into a tasting room, cheese & meat deli and gift shop, there are bountiful shopportunities. To add to the fun, on our way out we stopped to take pictures with the cheesy character cut-outs that I adore so much.

From there we headed to the School House Winery (455 Schneiders Crossing Road N.W.). Housed in an old one-room school house, the winery features live music either inside or at the pond-side stage. We sat at a large candle-lit table and enjoyed a snack of bread & oil and pepperoni rolls while drinking a few glasses of wine and listening to a local band called ‘Blonde on Blonde’. Obviously a very popular place we enjoyed the wine, music and atmosphere very much.As always, we evaluated which wineries were our favorites on the ride home. Not surprisingly, everyone had a different personal favorite. The wineries each have their own personality and something unique appealed to us. I, personally, am looking forward to visiting all of them again. But aside from the wine, food and shopping, we had a blast just driving around the charming countryside. What I enjoyed most about the afternoon is that I never stopped laughing.

Ohio Day Trip- Gordon Square Arts District

2011-08-16T20:19:00.014-04:00

Gordon Square Arts District
West Side- Cleveland, Ohio

The Gordon Square Arts District is part of the vibrant Detroit Shoreway community centered on Detroit Avenue between W. 54th to W. 76th on the west side of Cleveland. Theatres, restaurants, galleries, wine bars and shops occupy the area. The neighborhood has a diverse population and a hip vibe while maintaining laidback charm. I was first introduced to the Gordon Square Arts District while working as an environmental consultant on a restoration project in the area. I spent my lunch hours and time after work exploring the neighborhood and find it a fabulous destination for an Ohio Day Trip.

Exploring Gordon Square Arts District is best done on foot. With all the cute shops and eclectic restaurants, don’t risk driving right past a fabulous find. There is plentiful parking in any of several public lots. Groupings of funky-shaped benches are arranged on the sidewalk for relaxing, people-watching or reading the latest Scene Magazine. Community gardens now occupy formerly vacant lots. The Cleveland Lakeshore Bikeway also runs through the neighborhood between Ohio City to the east and the Lake Erie shore to the north.

Theatres

The Cleveland Public Theatre (6415 Detroit Avenue) is a group of performance spaces which bring exciting productions to the stage by showcasing plays, dance troupes, and performance artists. The appearance of the buildings and the intimate seating add to the ambiance of the theatre experience. My sister Megan and I attended a performance of the Verb Ballet, a contemporary dance company. The dancing and music were expressive and evocative and the performance was so stirring that Megan and I were moved to tears.

The Capital Theatre (1390 W. 65th Street) shows independent movies, documentaries and foreign films on three screens. The building was originally built in 1921 and was vacant for two decades before reopening as a movie house with concessions as well as beer and wine sales- my kind of movie theatre!

Restaurants

Breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert are covered in the Gordon Square Arts District. I’ve made quite a few restaurant discoveries while working in the neighborhood. My first meal in the area was at the Gypsy Bean & Baking Company on the corner of Detroit and 65th. Since enjoying that tasty sandwich I’ve tried bagels, breakfast muffins, paninies, pizza and Greek pasta but my absolute favorite dish is the Open Face Hummus Sandwich- yum!

One of the most unique places in the area is Happy Dog (5801 Detroit Avenue), a hot dog joint that serves quarter pound meat and veggie dogs with just about any topping you can imagine. While you can get the usual ketchup and mustard you can add habanera sauce, chipotle hollandaise or baby bok choy coca cola stir fry. I had my first vegan dog with saffron aioli, garlicky escarole and smoked gouda- delish! The next time I had a meat dog with truffle mustard and bacon- tasty! A favorite of Cleveland native Iron Chef Michael Symon, they even had a write-up in the July 2011 edition of ‘Travel & Leisure’ magazine. Plus, they sell the cutest T-shirts- who doesn’t want a shirt that says ‘Happy Dog’?

Across the street from Happy Dog is another great area restaurant- Latitude 41 (5712 Detroit Avenue). Latitude serves the most delectable comfort foods with soup, salads, sandwiches and pizza on the menu. They also have a good wine selection and some delicious desserts. Megan and I shared pasta for dinner before our night at the theatre and returned afterward to discuss the performance over shared desserts- everything was scrumptious!

Another fine dessert place is Sweet Moses Soda Fountain & Sweet Shop (6800 Detroit Avenue). The shop has an old-fashioned cash register, a long counter with stools and tables with restored wrought-iron chairs. Handmade confections are sold from a large display case and homemade ice cream is served from behind an authentic soda fountain. I’m always thrilled when I can get an old family favorite, a chocolate soda!

There are many more restaurants in the area that I have yet to visit. These include the Big Egg, La Boca Barrio Tapas & Wine Bar, XYX Tavern, Stone Mad Irish Pub & Restaurant and Rincon Criollo Puerto Rican Restaurant.

Shopping

I’ll just admit it- I love clothing and accessories that are glamorous, bold and edgy. Turn Style Boutique (6505 Detroit Avenue) has a unique selection of pieces with a certain type of sophisticated sex appeal. On top of nice clothing is the boutique atmosphere- the owner Terri introduced herself to me the first time I visited. I truly felt treated to high-end personal service.

Right next door to Turn Style is another great boutique- Duo Home Decor (6507 Detroit Avenue). As I first gazed in the window at the collection of contemporary and quirky furniture and home decor I thought anything inside would be way out of my price range. I was wrong. Pleasantly surprised, I found that everything in the store was very reasonably priced and of high quality- a rare combination!

In the Gordon Square Arcade building is S.P. Leather (6702 Detroit Avenue) a little leather goods shop with a nice collection for the girly biker set (in addition to the usual leather stuff). Not that I’m a biker babe or anything, but I know a cute pink-detailed fringed leather vest when I see one. They also do leather repair, a service I’m going to keep in mind as I have some boots and a few purses that I never want to see injured!

Every Saturday from June to October the Gordon Square Farmers’ Market
is held in the parking lot of the B ethany Presbyterian Church at West 65th and West Clinton Streets from 10:am to 2:pm. Herbs, produce, baked goods and other local items can be purchased from local vendors.

On the third Friday of every month the 78th Street Studios stays open late for browsing the galleries, music studios and design firms. Music and live events are often hosted by galleries within the complex. As a huge fan of Canton’s First Friday celebration I look forward to getting a chance to visit Gordon Square’s Third Friday affair.

In June an arts festival is held in the neighborhood. Around this time pop-up boutiques, retail spaces which operate on a temporary basis, featuring the work of local artists, designers and craftsman fill available storefronts. I learned that everything sold at Collective Upcycle, a gift shop with items ranging from handmade clothing and jewelry to home and outdoor decor, was created from items that were repurposed as art or decoration- a classic trash to treasure story and a great shopping experience. The only downside is that it was only open for about three weeks- I hope it returns next year.

The Gordon Square Arts District is one of those neighborhoods that pulsates with a metropolitan vibe and a real feeling of urban community. While it is cultured and open-minded it isn’t pretentious or snobby. With something to do any time of the day, visiting the Gordon Square Arts District is a fabulous way to spend a day.

Sister Trip- Warrior Dash and Other Adventures

2011-07-09T22:41:00.028-04:00

Sister Trip- Warrior Dash and Other Adventures
Gambier, Utica, Logan and Athens, Ohio
June 4-6, 2011

Someone recently asked me how I got into doing activities like the Warrior Dash. The truth is, I really don’t know. I’ve always enjoyed outdoor recreation but I’d never felt the need to compete in organized events. However, as soon as I heard about a mud run/obstacle course race known as the Warrior Dash I knew I had to give it a try. My sister Joanna was also up for the challenge and we decided to make a weekend out of it. Similar to last year’s Sister Trip with Jo to Indiana, we utilized Hotels.com Reward Nights, restaurant gift cards and visited free attractions to get the most bang for our buck.

We packed up Jo’s Jeep Wrangler, our favorite mode of transportation for active weekend excursions. Jo and I planned a leisurely drive making a few stops along the way. Meg and Neil came along for the day trip in another vehicle. As we drove west on US Route 30, we decided on our first stop, a family favorite- Shisler’s Cheese House. We shopped the small store for snacks and treats like pumpkin cookies, sesame sticks and, of course, cheese.

We’d decided to take a roundabout way to enjoy the scenery and small villages along the rural route which winds through farm land and Amish Country. We were sure we’d find a restaurant along the way and had a feeling when we pulled into the small town of Nashville, Ohio, that there’d be a good place to grab some lunch. The Buckeye Deli was that place. We chose a booth by the front window, ordered some garlic bread and shared a bacon pizza in the local hang-out. Back by the bathrooms pictures hang of men, women and children proudly displaying the bucks they bagged that year. Local sports memorabilia covers the walls. The Buckeye Deli is a comfortable place with a fun personality and pizza that hits the spot.
Our next stop was an attraction that we’d been meaning to visit for quite some time. I first learned of Schnormeier Gardens years ago while researching a biking trip to the area. Schnormeier Gardens in Gambier, Ohio is a privately owned residence with 50 acres of spectacular gardens featuring unique sculptures, Oriental structures, waterfalls, stone walls and wooded paths surrounding a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired home. The grounds open to the public once a year so that visitors can enjoy the extraordinary estate. It really is an amazing place. There are no distinct pathways- they encourage roaming the property so that each individual experience is unique. A stunning view is found around every corner. Sculptures are hidden in little nooks, waiting to be discovered. The terrain is hilly, stone paths are uneven, some areas may be slippery. Don’t make the same mistake I made- ditch your cute sandals and put on some shoes that won’t cause blisters. You want to be able to meander around freely to make the most of this dramatic setting.

Another family favorite, Velvet Ice Cream in Utica, Ohio, was next on the agenda. We’ve been to the Utica Ice Cream Festival many times but had never eaten in their ice cream parlor. We all indulged in their specialty, ice cream made onsite in an assortment of flavors. Joanna went for a double dip of her favorite Black Raspberry Fudge Cordial and Butter Pecan & Cashew. Megan had Wild Blueberry Pie and Neil tried Caramel Crunch. Although I usually get one of their traditional flavors, Buckeye Classic, I decided to go for a seasonal variety- Peanut Butter Overload. We were all pleased with our choices. After finishing up a delicious mid-afternoon snack we split up, Neil and Megan toward home and Joanna and I heading to the Hocking Hills region. Hocking Hills is a wonderful place to enjoy outdoor recreation. Miles of hiking trails, repelling areas, ATV courses, zip line tours, canoeing, horseback riding and many other activities make it a marvelous spot for adventurers. Instead of staying in a cabin like we usually do, we booked a room at the Baymont Inn in Athens, Ohio. As always our only requirements are a pool and hot tub- after a long day of physical activity, it is nice to unwind in an aquatic setting. We met a few other Warrior Dash participants while relaxing in the whirlpool that night. They had completed the race on the first day of the competition and filled us in on the course, offered encouragement and made us feel a bit more prepared for what was ahead the next day.

The next morning Joanna and I rose early and prepared for the Warrior Dash, donning our matching outfits and psyching ourselves up for the challenge ahead. After a breakfast of bagels, cereal and fruit we headed to Kaeppner Woods in Logan, Ohio. Our excitement grew as we pulled into the parking lot with hundreds of other Dash contestants and made our way to the race location. We had the perfect amount of time to sign in, get our packets, t-shirt and warrior helmet, put on our Warrior Dash eye patches, take a few pictures, go to gear check and get to the starting line. Although we were fairly far away, we could still feel the heat of the pyrotechnic flames as the beginning of the race was signaled.

From there Joanna and I had the time of our lives climbing huge hills, sliding down muddy ravines, scaling walls, wading through water and jumping over fire. Although each obstacle presented its own challenge, they were all enjoyable to complete. Joanna and I had decided before the race that we were just going to relax, stick together and enjoy the race at an easy pace instead of going all out for a great time. In the end, I’m glad that we were able to complete the race as a team. Some of my best memories of the day include high-fiving after completing the most difficult obstacles, jumping over the fire together and running over the finish line with our arms up in victory.

Even though we were sprayed down with a fire hose after the race, we were still pretty muddy and just wanted to get back to the hotel room to clean up. We turned down our complimentary turkey legs, left our shoes in the huge piles of discarded footwear to be donated to charity and made our way back to the parking lot and out of town. As we passed other racers on the street we’d wave and cheer to each other. The ride back to the hotel was filled with excited discussion of the adventure we’d just completed.
After getting cleaned up we set out to have some lunch and enjoy the rest of our afternoon. The Olde Dutch Restaurant was the right place to refuel after our big morning. We walked past the lunch buffet as we were being seated and Jo immediately declared that was what she’d be having. I decided on the soup and salad bar. We were both well-fed for a very reasonable price.

Joanna and I have both been to Hocking Hills many times but neither of us had ever been to Conkle’s Hollow, one of the most impressive features of the Hocking Hills region. Towering cliffs with vast overlook points display views of birds soaring above the lush foliage of a deep gorge and a recently renovated path to accommodate visitors of all abilities winds through the rock formations on the valley floor. Jo and I spent the afternoon exploring the area. We chose to do the rim trail first, climbing to the cliffs above, circling and hiking down into the gorge, following the gorge path all the way to the end to take in the striking views of a steam cascading over the rock formation.
We went back to the hotel to relax a little before dinner. While there, we watched a few episodes of a show on the National Geographic channel called ‘Locked Up Abroad’. Wow, that is one scary show! Not that I’d ever planned on it before but I will most definitely not be engaging any international crime after seeing this! Still, I was pretty excited to have found a show that combines my love of crime shows with my passion for travel.

Joanna and I were craving Mexican food for dinner and went out in search. We drove down a main commercial street surveying the restaurant options as we went. We drove farther and farther down the road, passing restaurants on the right and left but none of them were Mexican. Just as we were about to turn around we saw Casa Lopez- qué suerte! Unfortunately, we did not learn until after we were seated that this Mexican restaurant does not serve alcohol- no margaritas for us. While we enjoyed our dinners, it just wasn’t the same.

We wound down our evening by taking one last dip in the hot tub before dropping into bed and almost instantly falling asleep. After breakfast the next morning, we packed up and headed home. I had two bruised knees and a smashed finger. Joanna had lots of bug bites and some minor scrapes. We both left with the goal to compete in the Warrior Dash being held in Carrollton, Ohio in September. We ended up finishing right in the middle of the pack, an acceptable position, but now that we have a time to beat we’re both determined to shave a little time off in our next performance. No matter what, I’m looking forward to sharing the experience again with Joanna.

The 330 Blogger Collective

2011-06-30T21:52:00.007-04:00

In the hopes of meeting fascinating people and improving the content of my own blog, I've joined the 330 Blogger Collective, a group of local bloggers interested in supporting each other in our varied creative endeavors. Reading fresh points of view from local bloggers has really inspired me to take my own travel blog in new directions, exploring and tying other interests, such as fashion, gardening and art, into my travels.

International Travel- Peru

2011-05-25T23:34:00.117-04:00

Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
April 16-23, 2011

We were supposed to go to Orlando. Researching a week-long trip to Florida, I decided to check prices to Peru on a whim. When I realized that the difference wasn’t that big, I convinced J to at least consider a change in location. Although it wasn’t J’s idea of a vacation spot, Peru was a top destination for me- I’d wanted to visit from the moment I saw Machu Picchu on the TV in my teens. I was ecstatic when J agreed to spend a week exploring Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

I planned the trip utilizing travel websites like TripAdvisor and guidebooks from the library. I was able to reserve tickets for PeruRail online and started corresponding with private tour guides through email. We got the necessary vaccinations and prescriptions for altitude sickness and food poisoning. Our first-aid kit consisted of band-aids, bug spray, skin ointment and Pepto-Bismol. This would be our first time traveling to another continent but I was armed with the tools I needed to plan for any contingency.

Day 1- Traveling from Lima to Cusco and into the Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo, Peru

Although I usually have a detailed itinerary for every trip, I quickly learned that this wasn’t the type of journey for a regimented schedule. We arrived in Lima, Peru around 11:pm- we thought we had about 5 hours to kill before we could check into our flight to Cusco but couldn’t find it on the out-going flight list. Our fears were confirmed hours later when rumors of a 5 hour delay made their way down the line at check-in. It seemed silly to go to a hotel for such a short time when we had only a few hours to wait, but after spending nearly 12 hours in the Lima airport, we regretted not having a place to take a shower or stretch out to sleep. Instead we sat on the floor, leaning against our backpacks, trying in vain to get a little bit of comfort. I was jealous of the trekkers that had their sleeping pads.

The delay had its upside- we met several interesting travelers while waiting in the Lima airport. A man and his wife from Salt Lake City were preparing to start the trek to Machu Picchu on Tuesday. A girl from Mississippi was planning to spend a few months in Peru learning Spanish. We enjoyed lamenting about the situation and sharing our plans. Finally, we boarded our flight to Cusco at around 10:30am.

After all the travel bumps and delays, we were ecstatic to see our driver standing in front of the Cusco Airport. He quickly got us settled in the car and artfully weaved in and out of airport traffic, honking his horn at every pedestrian that got near. Even though he’d waited for hours, he was happy to point out the sights as we made our way out of Cusco. J and I looked out the windows with wide eyes taking in the city and watched the scenery change as we descended into the Sacred Valley.

The higher altitudes didn’t seem to be much of an issue but we could instantly feel the difference in elevation when we started up the stairway that led to our hotel in Ollantaytambo, Peru, at 9,100 feet above sea level. Hostal Iskay ($40/night) is built on original Inca terraces and walls, has tranquil gardens, fountains and stunning views of the Ollantaytambo ruins. Set away from the main square, the hotel offers a lot of privacy. We enjoyed a quiet and comfortable stay.

After a much needed nap, we set out in the late afternoon to see Ollantaytambo. The sun sets early in the Urubamba River Valley and it was dark by the time we made our way through cobblestone streets toward the main square. We happened upon Puka Rumi restaurant, a place that had been recommended by our hotel. We entered through a courtyard and found the interior of the restaurant cozy and intimate with no more than 8 tables, each lit by candlelight. This is where I had my first Pisco sour, a wonderful drink that tastes like a Peruvian margarita. After a delicious dinner of steak with red pepper sauce and pizza with artichokes, mushrooms and onions, we walked back to our hotel and fell asleep to the sound of river water rushing outside our window.

Day 2- Sacred Valley Via Ferrata & Zip Lining

We woke up early for one of our most anticipated events of the entire trip- rock climbing and zip lining with Sacred Valley Via Ferrata & Zip Lining (265 soles per person). We enjoyed a breakfast buffet at El Hautacay (included with our room), a small restaurant and shop next to our hotel. Areo, the owner of the adventure company, picked us up in the lobby of the hotel and treated us like old friends from the start, asking us about our home and telling us more about the Sacred Valley. The mountain we were climbing, Kunog, was only 10 minutes outside of Ollantaytambo and we were soon suited up and ready to go. Areo introduced us to Marco and Alex, our guides for the day, and gave us a talk on safety, demonstrating how to use the gear. Soon we were making our way up a short path to start the climb.

There was a moment at the beginning when I wondered if I’d gotten myself in over my head but the higher I climbed and more confident I was using the safety equipment, the more relaxed I felt. The view grew more spectacular the higher we went. Via ferrata is a safety system combined with a series of metal handholds installed on the rock face in the most difficult areas making climbing easier for beginners while still providing a challenge. Although it was a strenuous climb, it is not an activity that anyone in normal health cannot complete. The scariest part of the 400 meter climb was crossing the 20 meter cable bridge- with shaky legs it is hard to even get started. But I followed Marco’s instructions and was soon inching my way across a cable bridge stretched over the jagged edges of the rocks below.

We’d climbed to the top; now we were going to zip line down. J and I had zip lined before but had always been in a canopy of trees. These zip lines were out in the open, stretching from mountain to mountain, each measuring 400 to 500 meters long and getting up to super speeds- what an exhilarating ride! The combined experience of climbing to the top of the mountain and zipping down was one of the highlights of our entire trip.

We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring Ollantaytambo. We had sandwiches for lunch at the Hearts Cafe located on the main square. I had another Pisco Sour and Josh tried Cusquena Dark, the Peruvian national beer brand. We sat outside and watched the activity in the middle of town then strolled through traditional Inca settlements, along streets with canals of rushing water running down the middle, going into little shops and walking around the artisan market outside the entrance to the ruins.

Safety was never a concern while we were in Peru. There is an obvious police presence throughout the areas that are popular with tourists. Venders are polite and not at all pushy although I did have one unique bargaining experience- I asked a young girl the price of an item and when she replied ’20 soles’ another merchant chimed in ‘No, charge her 25!’

Day 3- Machu Picchu

I found it hard to sleep the night before we went to Machu Picchu. We rose early for the first train out of Ollantaytambo- PeruRail Expedition (about $70 pp roundtrip). We got a taxi, just for the experience of riding in an enclosed motorcycle, for the short ride to the train station on the outskirts of Ollantaytambo. We purchased sandwiches and a brownie to take for lunch at Cafe Mayo on the train station platform. The entire train experience was delightful- I enjoyed chatting with our seatmates, a group of teachers from the Washington, DC area. Snacks came in the cutest little PeruRail brown paper bags. It was all topped by magnificent views of the rushing Urubamba River, snow capped Andes Mountains, lush jungle foliage and ancient ruins scattered throughout the 1.5 hour journey.
We arrived in Aguas Calientes, walked to the Centro Cultura to purchase our tickets for Machu Picchu ($46/pp) and to the buses for the ride up the mountain ($14/pp roundtrip). I was expecting rickety school bus type vehicles- they were actually Mercedes tour buses with wide comfortable seating. As we wound our way up, I took in the fantastic views of the surrounding mountain peaks. The woman sitting beside me commented that the mountains in this area reminded her of China, her home country.

We finally made it to Machu Picchu and secured our special Machu Picchu passport stamp. Instead of entering the complex right away, we took a winding uphill path to a spot that overlooks much of the ruins. My first view of Machu Picchu (at 8,000 feet) was the city coming in and out of a foggy haze- the image perfectly projected the magical aura that surrounds this mysterious place.
From there we decided to hike along the Inca Trail to Inti Punku, or the Sun Gate (at 9,000 feet). Walking along the Inca Trail was a unique experience- we made our way along the cobblestone road laid by the Incas hundreds of years ago. Wild orchids and other flowers grow amongst huge rock formations. The ruins would intermittently come out from behind the fog until finally appearing in full view when the haze cleared mid-morning. As an avid hiker, I enjoyed every minute of it. But I’ll be honest- it was pretty hot and steamy, the trail had many stairs, was uneven and slippery. We witnessed people turn around saying the terrain, the heights, the heat were too much. It was probably on this hour-long uphill hike that J started planning his rebellion. By the time we made it back to the main complex, J declared that he refused to walk up another hill or climb another flight up steps.

For the rest of the visit we took everything a little bit more slowly. We passed through the Main Gate, which was the original access gate to the city complex, and started exploring the ruins. There were new and unique discoveries around every twist and turn. We came upon several creatures living within the city walls- lizards, birds, mountain viscacha, a member of the chinchilla family and, of course, llamas which roam freely through the area. Running water still flows through the complex utilizing a series of canals and fountains that run along the passageways. A quiet and shady area away from the crowds can be found in the Sunken Plaza. As I made my way through the dwellings that used to house the royal family as well as commoners, I tried to imagine the way it might have been to live as an Inca in the time that Machu Picchu was populated.

When we’d made our way through the Machu Picchu complex (utilizing a self-guided tour from Moon Handbooks ‘Cusco & Machu Picchu’), we headed back down the mountain to Aguas Calientes for dinner. We chose a table next to the rushing Urubamba River at Toto’s House Restaurant and enjoyed Pisco Sours and Cusquena to unwind after our action-packed day. I still crave the distinctive flavors of their quinoa chowder, a tomato-based soup with grain, lots of veggies and a poached egg on top.

Riding the train on our way back to Ollantaytambo, I realized that Machu Picchu is a lot like an amusement park- while it was incredible and inspiring it was also crowded and hot and involved a whole a lot of walking. It cost 1 sole to use the bathroom; fortunately, the cost included toilet paper. Still, visiting Machu Picchu was a dream come true and exploring the ancient city is one of the most stirring and extraordinary experiences I’ve ever had.

Day 4- Traveling to Cusco

We spent our last morning in Ollantaytambo relaxing in the town square, strolling along the city streets and buying gifts for friends and family. Looking back I wish I’d bought more in the Sacred Valley- the markets and prices were much better than what I found later in Cusco.

I promised J we’d go at a more relaxed pace and he was happy to hear the next few sights were accessible by car and little hiking. Our adventure started by paying three soles to cross a creaking bridge, then maneuvering up a long and winding dirt path which took us through rolling countryside, deeper and deeper into unknown territory. Finally, I saw a parking lot with a few buses, cars and a group of corralled horses. We were at our first stop- the circular terraces known as Moray. Visually, the curving lines of Moray’s structure are quite pleasing. But beliefs about its use, contending that it is anything from an ancient agricultural laboratory to the center of a spiritual force field, add to the mystifying allure of this extraordinary place.

After Moray we made our way to the Salinas de Maras, a series of terraces constructed by ancient Incas and still used to mine salt today. Our driver chuckled when J explained that his achy legs were the reason we chose not to walk down into the valley to investigate the operation a little more closely. The art in the small chapel on sight was a lovely surprise. Over and over we were moved by the religious art we encountered on our trip.

We took in many sights from the back seat as we drove through the Sacred Valley toward Cusco- courtyards full of handmade clay bricks, rusted but intricate iron gates, harvests of corn laying out in the sun to dry and political signs everywhere. Many of the tour guides, drivers and locals we spoke with were happy to explain Peruvian political structure, history and their opinion of past, current and potential leaders.

The moment we pulled up to our hotel in Cusco, Andenes Al Cielo ($80/night), we were blown away by the appearance and quality of service. We walked through a central courtyard as the manager showed us to our room, opening up the balcony and encouraging us to have a fire built. Our room, with towering beamed ceilings, arched alcoves and an iron chandelier, was elegant but comfortable. We were thrilled to spend the rest of our time in Peru in such a luxurious setting.

We set out to explore Cusco (at 11,000 feet), walking just a few blocks from our hotel in the San Blas area to the central plaza. As we made our way through the alleyways of Inca stone we passed tourists, locals, venders, beggars and a man dressed as the Inca warrior king. We walked around the Plaza de Armas, the main square, taking in the striking views of the Cusco Cathedral and Iglesia de la Compania, the churches that dominate the space.
After reading a few menus, we decided on Sumaq Grill, a restaurant with open views of the entire square. The only occurrence of bad weather on the entire trip, a hail storm passed through the city as we sat and enjoyed our drinks. We dined on queso frito, alpaca steak, chicken stuffed with Peruvian cheese and vegetables, various potato dishes, passion fruit panna cotta and a complementary chocolate mousse- the server must have overheard us going back and forth over our dessert selection. With great service and scrumptious food, it was one of the best meals we had in Peru. After dinner we bought a few bottles of South American wine, one Peruvian white and an Argentinean red, and settled into our room to enjoy a night in front of the fire.

Day 5- Cusco

After breakfast we headed up to the rooftop deck to enjoy a morning cup of coca tea and the views of the city before going out on foot. We explored the Cusco area at a leisurely pace, stopping frequently to relax in various plazas such as the calm and quiet Plazoleta Nazarenas or the Plaza Regocijo where J and I had a conversation with a delightful elderly Quechua woman. We visited the Pre-Colombian Art Museum (MAP- $7/pp), a museum dedicated to presenting artifacts as ancient works of art with a collection of masks, jewelry and ceramics.

We were drawn back to the Sumaq Grille for a second time so J could try their cuy (guinea pig), which is prepared in a wood-burning oven in the middle of the restaurant. When the Peruvian delicacy arrived, we were a little taken aback. We were looking at the fully intact body of roasted guinea pig, teeth and all. After taking a picture, the server cut the cuy into more manageable pieces. With very little meat to pick off the bone the actual act of eating a guinea pig is quite tedious, although we enjoyed being able to try a traditional Andean entree.

That afternoon the Cathedral opened its massive doors and we were able to take in the remarkable vast area full of baroque artwork, gilded alters and tourists in awe of such beauty. As I do in every church we visit in our travels, I spent a moment saying a prayer. I had unknowingly planned our trip for the week before Easter and we had the good fortune of experiencing local traditions and observations surrounding the holiday. We arrived on Palm Sunday morning and passed a large procession carrying palms out of a cathedral and through the streets of Cusco. While in Ollantaytambo we witnessed a group preparing a life-sized statue of Jesus in the courtyard of the church. We spent much of our time in Lima on Good Friday as part of a huge crowd congregated in the historical center of the city parading from one church to the next. It was quite moving to be able to experience Easter as it is celebrated in another culture.

We went to Incanto, an Italian restaurant with Peruvian influences, for our last dinner in Cusco. It is easy to see why it is one of the highest rated restaurants in the city- the minimalist decor shows off the original Inca walls, diners can watch chefs in the kitchen through a wall of windows and the menu features exciting dishes like saffron scallop risotto and the four-mushroom pasta.

We finished the evening with a few drinks in Jack’s Cafe, a small pub and restaurant down the street from our hotel. Although there was a line out the door for dinner, we were able to get seats at the bar right away and enjoyed Pisco Sours and Cusquena while checking out the assortment of beautiful desserts in the case sitting on the far end of the counter.

Day 6- Lima

Our flight from Cusco to Lima arrived at 1:30pm and our flight back to the states left at 12:40am- we had a little time to kill. We arranged a tour of the city with Edward from Lima Cabs. He received rave reviews on TripAdvisor and lived up to his reputation. He drove us through the city, explaining the history while taking us in notable buildings like a famous hotel and a ship merchant’s home. We joined a massive crowd of people celebrating Good Friday by moving through the main square Plaza Mayor, from church to church, saying a quick prayer or hearing an entire mass in each.

In the late afternoon we moved to the Miraflores district, visited the Love Park, the famous Kissing sculpture and watched parasailers prepare for flight. We stopped at Larcomar, a shopping mall built on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. On a whim we decided to eat at Bembos, a Peruvian fast food place with burgers, hot dogs, beer and Inca Cola, a sweet banana-flavored soda. From there we made our way down to the bottom of the cliff where we sat at the ocean’s edge and watched the sun set into the water.

While the entire tour had been delightful, the highlight of our time in Lima was visiting the Magic Water Circuit Water Park, a fountain garden featuring different displays including a show put to music with entrancing laser and lighting effects. Pink, green and orange lights illuminated the cascading water and made the fountains glow. The park was packed with multi-generational families, children dancing in fountains and couples strolling hand-in-hand, all delighting in the brilliant combination of liquid and light. After a whirlwind tour of Lima, I nearly fell asleep as Edward drove us to the airport to catch our flight back home.
It is hard to wrap up a blog entry about visiting Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Cusco and Lima, Peru. I have thousands of memories- the girl at the Lima airport that passed on her book of crime brainteasers to me, Edward commenting that Lima has the most disappointing soccer team in all of South America (as diehard Cleveland fans, we understand his pain), J and Marco practicing their second languages together, correcting each other’s pronunciation while learning about one another. J came way out of his travel comfort zone to make my dream come true and while we saw many marvelous sights, it is realizing this dream with J that made the trip so special.

Girls’ Shopping Trip Weekend- Grove City PremiumOutlets

2011-05-21T06:41:00.035-04:00

Girls’ Shopping Trip Weekend
Grove City Premium Outlets
Grove City, Pennsylvania
March 19-20, 2011

My sister Joanna is the last person you’d expect to suggest a shopping trip but when the gang was discussing our next adventure, it was Jo that recommended a weekend at the Grove City Premium Outlets in Pennsylvania. Being only an hour away and with no sales tax on clothing in PA, this getaway had the potential to bring a lot of bang for our buck.

As always, I researched like crazy to execute a shopping trip with optimum time efficiency and maximum savings. I made a list of every store I wanted to visit and plotted the location of each on a map of the shopping complex. I highlighted those stores I wanted to visit the most. I devised a shopping strategy that considered which stores had the best deals compared to the list I’d prepared detailing each item I hoped to find.

As luck would have it, the week of the trip I scored a 30% off Give & Get Coupon good at Banana Republic, the Gap and Old Navy which I passed on to the other girls. Inspired, I checked the Outlet’s website for more savings opportunities. By signing up for the VIP Club, I accessed many more coupons including 30% off at Calvin Klein and $25 off at Nike.

To have as much cargo room as possible, we decided to take the largest vehicles we had- a compact SUV and a pick-up truck. Janet, Jean, Joanna and Megan rode up in the truck. Di, Jan and I manned the SUV. After enjoying breakfast, we followed Interstate 76 East to I-80E to I-79S to Route 208 in Grove City.

At first sight, the complex was huge with a massive parking lot quickly filling with crazed shoppers such as ourselves. We were ready to go, giddy with excitement, thinking of the shopportunities that lay before us. We jumped out of the cars and into the fresh air. Damn- it was cold! I was thankful I’d worn a scarf and jacket. I was also glad I’d brought a large canvas shopping bag to keep all of my purchases- many people commented on the convenience.

I’m not going to lie- it was overwhelming at first. 130 stores doesn’t sound like too much, does it? Well, it looks like a whole lot! Even with my map and shopping strategy, it took a moment to get my bearings. When looking at stores to the left and stores to the right and stores up ahead, it was hard to decide which way to go first. We decided to head toward the food court which became our rendezvous spot for the weekend, a place of chaos and comfort.

From there we set off on our own. I started the day in Nike with Joanna and Jan but split from them when I headed to Bath & Body Works and they browsed the VF Outlet. I ran into Megan in Charlotte Russe- thank goodness! I needed input on a cardigan and I trust her completely. I provided my fashion opinion on a cute black top Megan found on clearance at White House/Black Market. We headed to Banana Republic Factory Store armed with my 30% off coupon, or so I thought. After finding the perfect white wrap top for 40% off I realized that I’d left the 30% coupon in the car. Technology to the rescue- I brought up the email on my Palm Pixi and the cashier scanned the coupon right from my cell phone for a huge discount. Okay, that’s pretty awesome!

We shopped our way back to the food court to meet up for lunch. A zillion other people had the same idea. It is hard to find a table for seven in a food court teeming with deal-thirsty shoppers, especially when in competition with those in twos and fours. I staked out a large table taken on either end by couples that appeared to be finishing their lunches. As they wrapped up, Megan and I planted ourselves in the middle establishing temporary ownership of the space. We then employed glares and snarls as a deterrent to anyone eyeing up the chairs we were saving for the other girls while they ordered.

After lunch I kicked it into high gear, using my 30% off coupon at Calvin Klein to get a new wallet, browsing BCBG for summer dresses and resisting a green dress just out of my range at Ralph Lauren. The disappointment of the day was when I found the perfect pair of leopard print pumps at Nine West only to hear that they did not have my size.

By mid-afternoon we needed a break and headed to the Hampton Inn for a little relaxation. The hotel was the perfect lodging for a girlfriends’ shopping trip- well located, well priced, with friendly service and nice details like granite counter tops and premium toiletries in the bathrooms, a fitness room and a pool with large hot tub. We enjoyed a few glasses of wine, sampled chocolates Megan had bought and then geared up for another round of shopping.

The difference between shopping at Grove City Premium during the day and night is like, well, night and day. During the day, the complex is crawling with thousands of people that came in as couples, in vans and on bus trips. We were amazed by the number of out of state and out of country license plates we saw in the parking lot- does Ontario, Canada not have any outlets? By the evening, most of the buses had cleared out and only those of us truly dedicated to the concept of ‘shop ‘til we drop’ remained. The absence of crowds made finding great deals very easy. I found excellent sales, great deals and put my coupons to good work- by the end of the evening I’d declared it the ‘Day of the Discount!’

In keeping with that theme, we headed to the Elephant & Castle Pub for a late dinner, prompted by the 15% off coupon the front desk gave us. We called ahead but still had to wait and were worn out by the time we were seated. However, our server had a dry sense of humor which instantly perked me up. After dinner we wrapped up our evening enjoying the pool and hot tub. We were each asleep within minutes of turning out the lights.

The next morning we enjoyed the hotel’s complimentary breakfast buffet and decided to spend a few more hours making some final purchases before heading home. Although I’d just about reached my spending limit, I still had a few gift cards I received for Christmas and was able to make a few last minutes purchases at the Gap and Old Navy. We had one last lunch in the food court and then headed home with the backs of our vehicles packed to the top with shopping bags!

The highlight of the weekend was chilling in our rooms at the end of the night, showing each other our fabulous finds which ranged from hiking boots to diamond earrings. I’d saved about $170 just by using coupons, not counting additional sale or clearance discounts which were in abundance. Going through my receipts and adding up my savings was a huge thrill. But the best part for me was spending another great getaway weekend with my fabulous group of friends!

Ohio Day Trip- A Day of Shopping & Wine Tasting

2011-02-01T21:24:00.014-05:00

Ohio Day Trip
A Day of Shopping & Wine Tasting
Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson & Aurora, Ohio
January 8, 2011

It all started as a simple shopping trip to Hoopla with my sister Megan. She mentioned that we should try a few wineries in the area during our afternoon out. I told our friend Di. Megan told our friend Janet. Before we knew it, we had planned a group outing to spend the day shopping and wine tasting.
Our first destination was Sarah’s Vineyard (1204 W. Steels Corners Road) in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Built in a restored barn with stunning chandeliers, large windows and wooden beams, the walls are covered with art for sale. We sampled several different wines, ordered appetizers and browsed the large selection of pottery, glassware and metalwork while waiting for our lunch (turkey panini, asiago & basil rollup and a cheese plate). The customers around us enjoyed themselves playing board games, working on their computers or simply relaxing with a glass of wine. Sarah’s Vineyard has a very casual feeling and I look forward to visiting it in the warmer months to enjoy their outdoor space.

Next we headed toward Hoopla in Hudson but were disappointed to see they’d closed early. Not to be dissuaded, we decided to turn into the First & Main shopping development. Because our original plan was to browse accessories at Hoopla, we thought InStyle Accessories shop (96 First Street, Hudson) was the perfect compromise.

A sale sign beckoned us across the street to Outfitters (95 First Street, Hudson), a boutique with a fabulous assortment of women’s clothing, jewelry and outerwear. Megan found an amazing gold metallic jacket on the clearance rack. I was instantly drawn to a plum scarf and was thrilled to find it was 50% off. The owner was charming and commented on items as we looked around the store. I just love it when something I’m purchasing has a back story!

From there we walked down to Gracylane (103 First Street, Hudson), a shop that has a unique collection of ornaments, candles, tote bags and other items for those that appreciate a touch of flare. Of course I was crazy about an ornament of Santa, dressed as a butler and serving wine and cheese (which was a steal at 50% off). I caught a glimpse of a deep red feathered bird ornament on my way to the register and snatched that up as well.

Our final destination in the First & Main complex was Heather’s Heat & Flavor (94 First Street, Hudson). We spent quite a while sampling dips, sorting through the vast chocolate varieties and laughing at the adult-eyes-only hot sauces. I found some hot pepper jam that J and I love- a huge score as we’d just run out over the holidays!

We were ready for more wine and headed north on Route 91 to the North End Wine Bar (7542 Darrow Road, Hudson). However, when we pulled into the parking lot we decided that we were looking for more of a winery vibe and decided to check out ThornCreek Winery (155 Treat Road, Aurora, Ohio), instead. As soon as we opened the door, we were drawn in by the elegant decor. There was a fire burning in the corner with cozy love seats and arm chairs arranged around the area. We sat at a large table near where Ryan Humbert, the evening’s live musician, was setting up. Our server was friendly and upbeat, made menu and wine suggestions and was generally fun. We decided to try a flight with samples of several of their wines. There was more than enough for the four of us to try a sip or two of each wine. We decided to share a bottle of Riesling with an assortment of warm breads and herbed olive oil while enjoying the music. Between the beautiful decor, great wine, food and entertainment, ThornCreek Winery was the highlight of the day! I can’t wait to visit in the spring to take in their gardens.

By the time we left ThornCreek, we’d had a full day- good shopping, food and wine tasting, more shopping, more food, more wine tasting. There was only one missing component- dessert. We considered Main Street Cupcakes in Hudson but alas, they were closed. However, our spirits were instantly lifted when we discovered that the same plaza that holds Hoopla also holds Hershey’s Ice Cream Shoppe (50 W. Streetsboro Street, Hudson). We wound down our day enjoying a scoop of our favorite frozen treat and checking out the huge assortment of old-time candies, nuts and chocolates. Our afternoon and evening ended up feeling like an adventure- we discovered new places and shared the experience with good friends.

An Evening at Maize Valley Winery

2011-01-16T21:14:00.016-05:00

An Evening at Maize Valley Winery
Hartville, Ohio
October 8, 2010

Autumn in Ohio is a special time. The weather is beautiful, the colors are vibrant and everyone is trying to fit in as much outdoor time as they can before winter sets in. Many area farms contribute to all the fun by designing corn mazes, holding hayrides and hosting pick-your-own apple and pumpkin excursions. Maize Valley Farm in Hartville, Ohio is one of my favorite fall-time destinations. While I’d partaken in all of the fall fun Maize Valley had to offer in the past, this visit was planned around another one of my favorite pastimes- drinking wine at the Maize Valley Winery!

After a busy summer season, my friends and I were eager to get out for a fun night of wine tasting and good food. The tasting room of the Maize Valley Winery is gorgeously set up in the restored barn with hand-hewn beams and hand-quarried sandstone walls. Although there is plenty of seating, we were happy we arrived early. When we met up that evening, we were pleasantly surprised to find a live musician setting up to entertain the growing crowd. After tasting a variety of wines and choosing our favorites, we ordered an assortment of appetizers and enjoyed the music. Another fun aspect of the Maize Valley Winery is the market which includes a deli, bakery and local farmers’ fresh harvest. I never miss a shopopportunity and loved walking around the market, checking out the cheese assortment, mustard varieties and wine-centric items. I do adore drinking and shopping.

Before leaving, we made sure to make the most of the photo-ops and took silly pictures with cut-out costumes and behind hay bails. That’s one of the things I love the most about my group of friends- we sure know how to party!

Weekend in Hocking Hills- Hiking, Zip-Lining and Camping

2011-01-16T20:14:00.016-05:00

Weekend in Hocking Hills- Hiking, Zip-Lining and Camping
September 11-12, 2010

I’ve met many friendly people that share a mutual love of hiking and enjoying the outdoors by joining the Northeast Ohio Hiking Club though Meetup.com. I meet someone new and interesting at every event. I’ve also had the pleasure of reconnecting with someone from high school and getting to know her as an adult. It has been such an enriching experience! I was very excited when the Northeast Ohio Hiking Club planned an overnight camping trip to Hocking Hills. It is one of my favorite getaway destinations.

The group met for a delicious lunch at Millstone BBQ in Logan, Ohio, then made our way to Old Man’s Cave Campground. Our group campsite was one of only four in the area and down the road a little so we were fairly secluded from other campers. I’d helped my husband put up the tent many times but was still thrilled when we girls managed to get it up without needing any help!

Next, we headed to Hocking Hills Canopy Tours for a little adrenalin rush. While many in the group decided on the traditional tour (which I reviewed in a previous blog entry), a fellow camper and I decided to try the SuperZip ($50, 3 rides), a quarter-mile long trip getting up to speeds around 50 mph! Even though I’d zipped before and didn’t think I’d be too scared, I admit that I did let out a scream as the canopy opened up and we flew out over the Hocking River. We SuperZipped once in a seated position and two times laying in Super Man position- I could easily sense how much speed was gained when I pulled myself into a tight flying position. What an exhilarating feeling!

After zipping, we wrapped up our afternoon by exploring Cantwell Cliffs, known for its tight crevices and towering cliffs. That night we enjoyed our dinner by campfire, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, munching on a variety of potluck choices and drinking wine. My two tent mates and I fell asleep to the sound of acorns hitting the roof of our tent.

The next morning I woke early and walked down to Rose Lake, sat on a rock and looked out over the still water. Calming moments don’t come around often- I like to take advantage of them when they do. When everyone was packed up we headed to the Visitor’s Center near Old Man’s Cave to start our hike. From Old Man’s Cave we followed the Gorge Overlook Trail three miles across the Rose Lake dam, over the A-frame bridge and to the bottom of Cedar Falls. After relaxing for a bit, we took another trail that looped back to Old Man’s Cave. The entire walk was full of breathtaking scenery- huge rock formations, hemlock groves, waterfalls and unique shapes eroded into the sandstone. I had been on the Gorge overlook trail before but hadn’t hiked the alternate return route and enjoyed the trail that hugged the rock wall and weaved through giant boulders that had fallen from above.

After completing the hike, we all split up and headed home. I stopped at Millstone to pick up some BBQ for J and happened upon a classic car show. I wandering around and gawked at all the beautifully restored automobiles while waiting for the take-out order. From there I headed home, enjoying every moment of the quiet Sunday drive through the countryside on an early fall afternoon.

Ohio Daytrip- Exploring Ohio & Erie Canal Towns

2010-09-06T20:50:00.012-04:00

Ohio Daytrip- Exploring Ohio & Erie Canal Towns
Zoar, Navarre and the Ohio & Erie Canalway
August 7, 2010

Sometimes daytrips just happen. When my idea to spend an afternoon at the Zoar Harvest Festival in Zoar, Ohio combined with Di’s idea to visit the Winery at Perennial Gardens near Navarre a theme emerged. When I first planned this daytrip, I didn’t know I was going to visit several communities that were influenced by the Ohio & Erie Canal. I didn’t expect it to include an assortment of delectable foods. I hadn’t anticipated it being a casual exploration of Ohio history. But that made this summer afternoon in August all the more enjoyable.

Thanks to community efforts to maintain the heritage and character of the village, Zoar Ohio looks much like it did nearly 200 years ago when it was founded as a commune by German Separatists fleeing religious persecution. Just 15 miles south of Canton, I’d passed through Zoar many times and always admired the village. I was excited to explore the historic community on foot while browsing the wares for sale at the Zoar Harvest Festival ($7/pp).

Diana and I arrived in the early afternoon and meandered around the quaint village taking in the community buildings, admiring the Communal Gardens, listening to live music near the brew tent and browsing the arts and crafts stands. All of the goods offered for sale were handmade items, quality furniture and unique folk art pieces. Although I left with postcards, a matted print by a local artist and a small carved bird, my best purchases turned out to be food items. First was a German pretzel. After perusing the antique tents, Di and I shared a bratwurst with sour kraut and mustard while relaxing in the shade. The highlight of the afternoon was sitting at a small table outside the Bakery with Di, enjoying a scrumptious apple fritter. We finished the afternoon strolling around the neighborhood noting the unique features of the homes and B&Bs in the area.

From Zoar we decided to follow a segment of the Ohio & Erie Canalway. The O&E Canalway is a scenic drive that follows the path of the canal from Cleveland to Dover. We drove through beautiful farm land and many small communities. In Bolivar, we stopped by the Fort Laurens Memorial and took a long walk around town. We found a wacky photo opportunity near downtown Navarre. A sunset drive along a scenic byway on a beautiful Saturday evening is hard to beat!

Di and I wound down the day at the Winery at Perennial Vineyards, an Agricultural Winery located amongst the beautiful rolling hills of Ohio Amish Country in between Brewster and Navarre, Ohio. We made our way through the tasting room, dining room and patio to the back pavilion. Di and I enjoyed a bottle of Vidal Blanc ($17) and a tasty white pizza sitting under the stars at a candle-lit picnic table while taking in some live music.

From visiting a community that has been able to maintain its nineteenth century charm to taking a scenic drive following a path of Ohio heritage to spending the evening under the stars with a nice bottle of wine, the day turned out to feature much of what makes the small Ohio communities and countryside a beautiful place to visit for the day, a weekend or indefinitely.

Ohio Day Trip- A Summer Afternoon in Cleveland

2010-08-23T20:23:00.010-04:00

Ohio Day Trip
A Summer Afternoon in Cleveland
July 10, 2010

There’s just something about summertime in Cleveland. Lake Erie comes alive with brightly colored sailboats on the water, people strolling its shores and taking in all the north coast has to offer. A celebration of some kind is always brewing in Cleveland.

Neil, Megan and I decided to spend a hot and sunny Saturday afternoon enjoying the Tall Ships Festival and viewing the Bodies Exhibit. We headed up Interstate 77 North to East 9th Street, past Progressive Field and headed toward Browns Stadium. After parking in the municipal parking deck ($10) we walked in the direction of Lake Erie, past the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Great Lakes Science Center and the Steamship William G. Mather on our way to the Port of Cleveland where the fleet of majestic ships lined the shore. The first sight of all the Tall Ships was spectacular. We made our way through the crowds to get closer to each vessel and examined them from the side. Although the admission ($14/pp) included boarding each ship to look around, by the time we arrived there were very long lines. We decided to pass on the interior tours and instead enjoyed mulling about.

After looking at each of the ships we made our way downtown to East 4th and Euclid Avenue to meet our friend Carl and take in the Bodies Exhibit. ‘Bodies-The Exhibition’ ($22/pp) presents real human cadavers which have been dissected and displayed to inform and provoke us to learn something about ourselves in the most intimate way. The first exhibits included the muscular and skeletal systems. The heart and vascular system were shown in great detail. An area with signs warning sensitive viewers of its contents presented fetuses in various stages of gestation. A blackened lung demonstrated the effects of cigarette smoking. Placed beside the exhibit was a bin to collect the cigarettes discarded by those that decided to quit the moment they saw that lung. After the exhibit we discussed which displays were most fascinating to us. I was most impressed with the displays of the nervous system, reproductive system and cancerous tumors. The day came to an end with a good chuckle over the group photograph we took as we entered the exhibit. Just 42 hours after Lebron James announced his decision to leave Cleveland, the seemingly skinned basketball player displayed in the photo seemed fitting.

Hiking Trip- Turkey Run State Park

2010-07-08T20:10:00.025-04:00

Hiking Trip and Get Together
Turkey Run State Park
Marshall, Indiana
June 25-27, 2010

I first read of Turkey Run State Park in National Geographic Adventure magazine. Ever since seeing pictures of the rugged and striking surroundings, I’ve wanted to visit. Several friends live within driving distance of the park so we planned a quick trip to meet up and take on the trails.

My middle sister Joanna and I embarked after work on Friday afternoon. We packed up her Jeep Wrangler, removed the windows and hit the highway, taking Interstate 76 West to I-71 South to I-70 West toward Indiana. We had quite a voyage, receiving no less than 4 honks from passing semi-truckers. As 30-something housewives, we felt pretty hot!

We arrived at the Staybridge Suites in Fishers, Indiana around 11:pm and got to bed shortly after. We planned to meet at Turkey Run State Park around 11:am on Saturday morning. When we pulled into the park ($7/out-of-state car), we were surprised by all the activities that are offered. A stately historic inn stood on the same grounds as miles of hiking trails, a huge swimming pool, picnic facilities, horse stables, camping and much more. Kayaking, canoeing and tubing can be enjoyed on the creek that snakes through the area. Our rendezvous spot was the Nature Center where Joanna and I met Liz & Ian from Chicago and Beth & Rob from Indianapolis. From there we jumped right into the hike, agreeing to take on one of the most difficult trails in the park, the 1.7 mile Trail 3 known as the Ladders Trail.

As soon as we crossed the suspension bridge over Sugar Creek, we were greeted by large rock formations. The trail wound along the Creek and then turned into a deep ravine and stream bed. After heavy rains earlier in the week, the stream had plenty of water to wade through or attempt to traverse by bouncing from stone to stone. Sometimes paths were cut along narrow ledges above the stream and other times there was nothing to do but just walk through the moving water. We climbed a series of ladders out of the creek bed and to the top of the ravine, walked up and down several flights of steps and into and out of deep valleys. After completing Trail 3 we decided to do the 1-mile Trail 2. Crossing under cliff edges, it is another of the more adventurous trails offered in Turkey Run. We then followed a portion of Trail 1 past a covered bridge and along Sugar Creek. The excursion was quite an adventure.

After a few hours of strenuous hiking, we were all pretty hungry. We brought our own sandwiches, a side dish to share and had a picnic. We enjoyed a delicious lunch with choices like zucchini orzo salad, beer bread, black-eyed pea salsa, a fruit platter and many other items. We’re all the sort of people who bring way too much to these types of events!

Horseback riding was next on the agenda ($16/pp). Jo was paired Gumbie, the biggest horse of them all and I was assigned Mary, a smaller blond horse that loved to lag behind. The bright side of this predicament was that she occasionally realized how slow she was going and would speed up to a fast trot to catch the rest of the group. It was quite fun!

We were exhausted by the end of the ride and after stopping by the Inn to see the interior and purchase some postcards, we headed back to the hotel to enjoy the lap pool and hot tub. That evening we ordered a half cheese/half pepperoni pizza, breadsticks and cinnamon dessert (about $20 + tip) from Wise Guys Pizza and spent the evening playing games and watching movies.

The next morning we packed up the Jeep and hit the road. We had one more stop planned on our way home and were excited to arrive at our destination. After seeing a billboard advertising the attraction, we counted down the miles to our exit. Right off exit 145 and Interstate 70, the huge candle was hard to miss! We had arrived at the Warm Glow Candle Outlet. So much more than a candle shop, this huge 11,000 square foot building houses all sorts of things for the home, from decor to food items. I set out to smell as many varieties of candles as I could and was thrilled when Jo pointed out a section of relishes, sauces and jams. I ended up leaving with 12 candles in flavors like Lemon Verbena, Nutmeg Chutney and Mandarin, an ornament and a jar of Basil Pesto Mustard.

Various reward programs made this trip very budget-friendly! I was thrilled to be able to cash in my very first Hotels.com Welcome Rewards free night. In addition, we purchased gas on the way using $3-off/gallon Fuel Perks from Giant Eagle/GetGo. We packed a cooler full of picnic foods, wine, fruit and water and ordered out only once. A huge buffet breakfast offering numerous hot and cold items was complementary at the hotel. All in all, it was a very economical jaunt.

Romantic Weekend Getaway- Hocking Hills, Ohio

2010-05-23T08:36:00.020-04:00

Romantic Weekend Getaway- Hocking Hills State Park
Hocking Hills Region, Ohio
May 13-16, 2010

I enjoy packing as much activity as possible into a vacation. Josh loves vacations that include a whole lot of relaxing. Our conflicting travel styles can sometimes be a problem but we’ve managed to find a balance and choose destinations that can offer a little bit for both of us. The Hocking Hills Region in southeastern Ohio was the perfect spot for a long weekend getaway!

J and I stayed at the Hemlock Log Cabin in Rockbridge, Ohio. I had been there before on a girls’ getaway and love the secluded location and huge hot tub. We packed a cooler full of stuff to grill, snacks, beer, wine, bourbon and fixings to make s’mores. We left after work on Thursday evening, headed down Interstate 77 South to I-70W to OH-37 to US 33 and followed country roads to our cabin. After a long day, I thought we’d fall right to sleep. Instead we spent the evening having drinks, sitting on the huge front porch and relaxing in the hot tub.

The next morning we headed out to do some hiking. Our first stop was the Rock House, the only true cave in Hocking Hills State Park. We hiked down a short trail and were soon at the cave. We climbed in through one of the crevices and began exploring from one end of the cave to the other. The ceilings were high and it was very roomy. Inscriptions of visitors past dating back at least 150 years were carved into the cave walls. The beautiful coloring inside was breathtaking.

On our way to the next natural wonder we stopped at Grandma Faye’s Grocery, located on State Route 664 South. We browsed the general store that has a little bit of everything, purchased a few necessities and then drove on to Ash Cave. From the parking lot, the path to Ash Cave is only about a ¼ mile, paved and wheelchair accessible. The astounding sight at the end of the trail is well worth the small amount of effort it takes to get there. We’d heard that Ash Cave is one of the most spectacular sights in the whole park but we were still amazed by the view. The huge rock shelter rises above a vast, open area into which a waterfall is pouring from above. We hiked along the formation, behind the waterfall, up some steps and around the top to the ridge of the cave. Although Josh is definitely not a hiker, he said these short hikes had some high pay-offs offering stunning views with only a small amount of physical exertion.

From Ash Cave we drove down Route 56 to Etta’s Lunchbox Cafe’, a restaurant and lunch box museum. This quirky destination offers casual menu items, a small store and a collection of more than 800 lunchboxes. We ordered a medium pizza, half cheese/half pepperoni (about $15 with drinks) and explored the museum while we waited, finding our first lunchboxes in the huge collection while the curator recited his own unique commentary on the history of lunch pails. After enjoying a delicious lunch, we followed Route 56 to Route 278 into Nelsonville.

Nelsonville used to thrive on clay, making the distinctive Star Bricks which line its sidewalks today. The old crumbling kilns of Nelsonville Brick still stand near town. Nelsonville now thrives as a local Appalachian arts community. In the heart of the town is the Nelsonville Historic Square Arts District. The square has local galleries, shops and other artistic establishments. We walked around the area, spoke with some of the locals and made a few purchases. I’d love to return to Nelsonville with a better shopping partner!

Next we headed to Logan, Ohio, another Ohio Appalachian community that offers homegrown art. We stopped at the Logan Art Gallery and bought a small clay heart ornament. The Logan Art Gallery happened to be moving across the street to the Emporium so we visited there as well. More a gift shop than a gallery, the Emporium offered a wide-range of items but lacked the homemade quality that we were looking for. I did find a small handmade clay pot and was quite pleased my purchase.

After essentially making a huge circle around the area, Josh and I headed back to the cabin to relax and enjoy the evening. Josh grilled up bratwurst, peppers and onions, built a fire; we roasted marshmallows and enjoyed s'mores. I became transfixed by the flames. Not one to spend too much time just sitting, relaxing by the warm blaze while watching it dance in the darkness was quite marvelous.

The next day we enjoyed what was by far the highlight of our trip- a zip line adventure with Hocking Hills Canopy Tours. We loved every minute of it! I have always been a little scared of heights but as soon as I stepped into the harness, I felt safe and secure. It wasn’t at all scary walking off the platform and zipping along, sailing through the tree tops, over rivers and in between rocky ledges. Our guides Leifken and Jake engaged us in interesting and humorous conversation. The tour, which included a ride on an all-terrain vehicle, 10 zip lines, 5 sky bridges and 1 repel, was worth every penny. After completing the course, Josh declared that he’d like to travel around doing other canopy tours and zip line challenges. We can’t wait to return!

On Leifken’s and another zip liner’s recommendation we decided to try the Millstone BBQ Restaurant, located off Route 664, for lunch. It defiantly lived up to its reputation. Our waitress was spacey but took great care of us. Josh is a huge cornbread fan, I usually don’t like it- we both loved their cornbread. The house salads come with a choice of dressings- regular ranch or spicy chipotle. I ordered the Texas Trio, a combination of three mini sandwiches- a cheeseburger, pulled pork and beef brisket and a side of mac & cheese. Josh chose the Millstone Combo with pulled pork and smoked turkey with sweet potato fries. Our dishes arrived with both sweet and spicy bbq sauces. Before leaving, our waitress brought us a huge basket full of cornbread to take home. Completely stuffed, we’d enjoyed a great meal and the leftovers we took home sure hit the spot later that night!

We spent our last evening at the cabin by the fire, relaxing in the hot tub, playing pool and sitting on the front porch, as we’d done every night before. It was nice to be able to relax after an exciting day. Reflecting on the trip, we both agreed that it would be nice to return with friends to take on a group adventure. We spent one last quiet morning in the cabin, then packed up and drove home on Sunday.

Our weekend trip to Hocking Hills was just what we wanted- a quick get-away that didn’t include a lot of travel time but did include great activities and relaxation. We found everything we were looking for and more.

More Photographs:

Ohio Day Trip- Hartville Marketplace

2010-05-22T21:02:00.004-04:00

Ohio Day Trip- Hartville Marketplace
Hartville, Ohio
May 8, 2010

Although I had visited the Hartville Flea Market many times as a child, I hadn’t been to the market since they built the indoor Hartville Marketplace. I had driven past it many times on my way to another Hartville destination, Quail Hollow State Park, for hiking or cross-country skiing and had always thought about visiting. When I started my quest to visit a variety of Ohio destinations, the Hartville Marketplace was near the top of my list. My friend Diana and I decided to visit the market on a cold and rainy day in early May.

The market holds a variety of items ranging from clothing, religious objects, jewelry and glassware to cheese, meat and specialty food products. It is definitely the type of place where you can find a unique gift for the hard-to-buy-for family member. After browsing the indoor market, we headed outside. Because of the adverse weather conditions, there weren’t many people in the outdoor market but a handful of hearty fellows sold their produce, plants and baked goods. At the end of our excursion, Di had found a few decorative crosses for her home and I had bought a couple paperbacks and a jar of hot chili pepper jelly.

I hope to visit the market again sometime during the summer when the outdoor flea market is flourishing and the variety of products is even better. Still, the Hartville Marketplace is a great place to browse a wide variety of products in a nice, indoor setting.

Girls' Weekend Getaway- Kalahari Waterpark Resort

2010-04-24T23:31:00.026-04:00

Girls’ Weekend Getaway
Kalahari Waterpark Resort- Sandusky, Ohio
April 16-17, 2010

An indoor water park is not my typical destination. I prefer state parks to water parks, smaller hotels to large resorts and like to explore an area rather than stay within a complex. But, I found a great price as part of a University of Findlay Alumni Event and decided with my friends Jan and Janet and my sister Megan to take a quick weekend getaway.

We met at my place around 10:30am on Friday morning and packed up the Vue with our overnight bags and a cooler full of wine and food. We decided to bring our own breakfast, lunch and snacks and eat out only for dinner. We were on the road before 11:am, heading up Interstate 77 North to I-80W to US Route 250 N. We arrived a little after noon and our room was already available. Although cozy, our room was immaculate and had everything we needed- a micro/fridge, a flat-screen TV, a fairly private balcony with a nice view of a pond, a large bathroom and two comfortable beds. Every detail was addressed- beds had faux canopies, the lighting was made from faux ox horns- all the decor screamed safari. We moved into the room, had lunch, a few glasses of wine and then headed down to the water park.

Years back, I’d had a bad water park experience where I lost control on a particularly hairpin turn of a waterslide and went from going feet first and on my back to flipped over and going down on my chin, elbows and knees- scrapped up and bruised, it was my ego and pride that were most hurt that day. I had not braved a water slide since, sticking to the wave pool. But, the water park was a blast! I built up the courage to try the Rippling Rhino, a 4-person tube slide where we plunge into complete darkness, spinning around turns and down slopes. Next we tried the Swahili Swirl, another multi-person tube slide where we ended up shooting into a giant funnel. After a few fast rides, we decided to head to the lazy river where we laid in tubes and floated around the perimeter of the water park, going under waterfalls and bouncing off of the walls- it was quite relaxing. I enjoyed the lazy river, the wave pool and laying in a lounge chair reading magazines but the highlight of the park was the indoor/outdoor hot tub with swim-up bar. We spent quite a while and drank many drinks while sitting in the hot tub, steam rising into the chilly mid-April air. At some point it started to rain, which only added to the novelty of the entire experience. After enjoying the water park into the evening, we decided to head back to our room and get ready for dinner.

As we walked around the resort we found plenty to do outside the water park. There is an arcade with indoor mini-golf, some shopping including a boutique with cute bathing suits, cover-ups and sandals, a spa, restaurants and a candy store. We had dinner at the Great Karoo Marketplace and everything was fantastic! The atmosphere was casual but the decor was very nice with huge dining tables, canopied booths and interesting artwork. We walked past a HUGE buffet with just about everything but we decided to order from the menu. We ordered the Southwestern Quesadillas and the Shrimp & Crab Cakes for appetizers and both were superb. Janet tried the Cranberry Chicken Salad, Jan had the Club and Meg and I shared the Pepper Jack Chicken sandwich- our meals were delicious! Our server did a good job of recommending drinks, as well. We stopped by the Candy Hut as we were leaving and chose a few items for dessert like chocolate-covered strawberries, huge peanut butter cups and truffles.

After dinner, we decided to have a little more fun at the water park. Megan and I rode a few two person rides like the Zip Coaster, a watercoaster with uphill climbs, freefalls and sharp turns, a raft ride called Victoria Falls and the Wild Wildebeest and the Elephant’s Trunk, tube slides that I deemed two of my favorite rides. We ended the evening in the hot tub, drinking until closing time. The area had filled with quite a few rambunctious characters and we had a good time laughing and enjoying our drinks. By the time we headed back to our room, we were exhausted. We ended the evening by drinking wine and relaxing on the balcony.

The next morning we got up early and headed back to enjoy the water park a little more. After doing a few of our favorite slides and reaching a goal of climbing at least 1000 steps during the weekend, we headed to the wave pool. We made the most of the pool by swimming laps, battling the waves, dodging people and getting a great workout, all while having a blast splashing around. We relaxed one last time in the outdoor hot tub. The steam rising from the water in the cold air of early morning hours made it a beautiful sight. Although we could have stayed until 3:pm, we were tired out by the point and decided to head out early. We were on the road by 11:am and back home by 12:30 on Saturday afternoon.

It was just a quick weekend getaway but we did all sorts of activities, relaxed and had a great time. Everything was in one large complex- it was nice to be able to walk from the park to our room and back whenever we wanted. It was a very active excursion- there’s plenty of walking, stair climbing and swimming. There were many little perks which made our stay enjoyable, including the Kalahari Outpost, a gift shop that had everything from canned soup, candy bars and postcards to bottle-openers and corkscrews (which we just happened to forget), the laundry facilities on each floor in which we dried our towels and suits and all the coupons for the restaurants and spa that we received at check-in. We continually commented on how our visit to Kalahari far exceeded our expectations. Although it isn’t my typical destination it ended up being a good time with great friends!

Great American Cities- Lexington, Kentucky

2010-04-06T20:54:00.009-04:00

Great American City- Lexington, Kentucky
March 25-28, 2010

As a huge fan of the Kentucky Derby I had originally intended to travel to Louisville, KY but when I found out that the Derby Museum was closed for repairs, I had to rethink my original plan. I knew that Lexington offered a lot of what I was hoping for in a Kentucky trip- great hiking, beautiful countryside and close to the bourbon trail so I shifted my plans a little to the east and decided to explore that area. What a fabulous experience it turned out to be!

Megan, my sister/usual travel partner, and I decided to make this trip as economical as possible. We chose a hotel that served breakfast, packed our lunches and snacks, brought our own wine and ate out at local places for dinner. Many of the activities we did were free. We prefer to spend our mornings doing active things like hiking and spend our afternoons visiting local attractions, seeing the sights or shopping.

Megan and I left after work/school on Thursday evening. We headed out around 5:30pm and followed Interstate 76 West to I-71 S to I-75 S into Lexington, Kentucky. Because of snow and rain, visibility was terrible and we were happy when we pulled into out hotel around 10:30pm. We settled into our cozy but comfortable room.

The next morning Megan and I got ready for our first activity- hiking in Raven Run Nature Sanctuary. The drive to Raven Run is beautiful- into horse country, past vast farms with thoroughbreds out for morning exercise. The weather was beautiful as well- although it was supposed to rain and started out on the chilly side, by midmorning the sky was blue and it was starting to warm up. Raven Run is a 734-acre nature preserve that features babbling streams, artifacts of 19th century settlers, scenic overlooks of the Kentucky River and many other beautiful sights. When we arrived we found an empty parking lot and didn’t encounter anyone else the entire time we were there. We did, however, encounter abundant wildlife including a group of wild turkeys, beautiful song birds and two friendly dogs. Megan and I did the 4-mile main Red Trail as well as a few of the side trails which included a walk past an old grist mill, through a ‘flower bowl’ and to an old lime kiln, which frankly looks like something Blair witch related. The trail followed a moss-covered stone wall built almost two centuries ago, along a deep ravine with a gushing brook and to a cliff overlook with beautiful views. We found fossils imbedded in the rock, viewed woodland flowers and small waterfalls. We continually commented on the beauty of the area. We explored for a few hours and then headed back to the hotel.

After enjoying a lunch consisting of homemade sandwiches, salad and snacks, we got ready to visit a distillery on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. We decided on Woodford Reserve and made it just in time for the last tour of the day ($5/per person including tour and sample). We were so thankful to have chosen this location- Woodford Reserve it the most prestigious of bourbons. Woodford Reserve is the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, is manufactured in a building on the National Register of Historic Places and produces only small batches of top-quality spirits. Some distilleries produce thousands of barrels a day- Woodford barely makes a thousand barrels a year- the spirits age an average six to nine years to become a complex and smooth bourbon. By the end of the tour we knew a little about how to make bourbon, the history behind it and even a few Kentucky political accounts involving bourbon ‘lubricating the wheels of policy’. After the tour we were each given samples- while whiskey is typically not my drink of choice, I enjoyed my taste of the deep and complex bourbon.

We went into downtown Lexington in the late afternoon- through the cute little area that holds Transylvania University, past Triangle Park and the beautiful fountains in downtown Lexington. Our dinner destination, Joe Bologna’s Restaurant & Pizzeria (120 West Maxwell Street, Lexington, KY), is located in an old Jewish temple and maintains many of the original architectural features like the stained glass windows. Joe Bologna’s was recommended by many and it lived up to its reputation. We ordered the pan pizza, half cheese/half pepperoni, and a breadstick and were so surprised to be served one huge breadstick in a dish of garlic butter for dipping (about $20 for 2). Everything was delicious- we enjoyed the food as well as the atmosphere of hanging out in a local Lexington hot spot.

Our hotel was located in a commercial area with other hotels, restaurants and shopping and a Hustler Hollywood store was nearby. Megan and I decided to visit and browse a little. Hustler Hollywood is not a seedy establishment with creepy clientele- it is like a department store for adult goods. We looked at clothing, lingerie and accessories without even venturing into the back that held magazines and videos. After shopping for a bit, we headed back to the room to relax. We spent the evening drinking wine, playing card games, bananagrams and watching TV movies.

The next morning we took I-64E to the Mountain Parkway and toward the Red River Gorge Geological area, ‘the Land of the Arches’. We were excited to do some strenuous hiking and take in some of the best views of natural arches in this part of the United States in the Natural Bridge State Park. The experience blew us away. We started out on the Original Trail but soon branched off onto the Battleship Rock Trail, a much steeper, more difficult trail that included rugged terrain, the Needles Eye Staircase which consists of hundreds of steps and even a couple areas where we had to pull ourselves over ledges by grabbing onto roots and small tree trunks! We continued climbing- about 500 feet or 40 stories- and were soon looking out over the vast valley from Lover’s Leap. We followed the Laurel Ridge Trail to an Overlook and got our first view of the Natural Bridge. The sight was breath taking. Millions of years of wind and water chipped away at 900 tons of rock and formed a huge arch suspended between two ridges. We moved up the trail which curved around to the Natural Bridge. From the top of the path, you’d never know you were standing on a huge arch. From the Natural Bridge we took the Balanced Rock Trail down.

With more than 450 steps to the bottom, we were happy to be heading downhill but sometimes got our heart pumping by turning around and marching up again. The Balanced Rock trail was just as scenic as the other trails in the park with rock formations, caves and ledges. Although each individual trail was only half a mile to a mile long, they each displayed rough and rocky terrain, steep inclines and some obstacles so the approximately 3.5 miles we completed were some of the most challenging hiking we’ve ever done.After hiking in the Natural Bridge State Resort Park, we decided to take in a little more of the area by driving some of the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway. We followed it to the 900-foot Nada Tunnel, a one-lane, hand-carved tunnel through solid rock. I’m not a big fan of tunnels, caves or any other deep, enclosed spot but the Nada Tunnel was quite an experience. From there we followed the Byway along the Red River, past Raven Rock, the Gladie Historic Site and to a beautiful view of the Sky Bridge, the largest arch in the system. Along the way we past campgrounds and primitive camp sites, a rock-climbing event, several backpackers and countless other hikers- it is an amazing place to visit for the outdoor enthusiast.

After lunch, we headed down I-75S to Berea, Kentucky, an artisan village which features shops, galleries and boutiques pedaling local wares. Our first stop was Powdermill Pottery in Old Town. We browsed the selection of absolutely eye-catching pottery made by the shop’s owner Jeff Gieringer. The prices were equally amazing. As soon as I set eyes on a handmade brie baker, I knew I had found my first purchase. Megan chose a soy candle made by Lesa Gieringer that turned out to be half-off so we were both pleased with our purchases. Next we headed to the Chocolate Factory- we couldn’t resist- a small candy shop with an assortment of sweets, homemade chocolates and European truffles. We immediately recognized some of the Easter candy forms- the shop owner told us that his molds are made in Hartville, Ohio from the same place my mom got her molds so long ago- small world! Megan and I picked up a dark chocolate Amish buggy form for our sister Jo, an assortment of traditional German ganache truffles for my husband J, some homemade peanut butter cups, choco-covered graham crackers and, my favorite, chocolate-covered blue berries. The flavor and juice of the berries exploded in our mouths when we bit through the chocolate coating. In I Love My Stuff, I found a great gift for my mother-in-law, something handmade by a local artist. From Old Town we headed to the shops on Chestnut Street- the goods at PeaceCraft, a not-for-profit fair trade organization with items from all around the world, were interesting and unique. I passed on an amazing stone necklace made in South Africa but chose some great green wooden earrings made in India for Jo. Next we headed up to College Square were we browsed a number of stores, purchased bourbon-smoked peppercorns for J at the Appalachian Fireside Gallery and a magnet and ladybug miniature at Appalachian Arts & Crafts and Quilt Shop. We walked around the corner and into the Promenade Gallery- I was instantly in stirred by the local art that was displayed. Amazing watercolors, intricate wood carvings, colorful and quirky prints were exhibited and everything we looked at, from large paintings to lawn ornaments, we loved. Megan found a miniature nativity scene with animals other than the usual camels, sheep and donkeys in normal nativities- this had rabbits, cats and birds. I found several linoleum prints by Jan Heather- I spent quite a while narrowing down my choices and walked out with a beautiful piece called ‘Trees Along the Road- Spring’.

When looking into local Kentucky dishes I heard that the Hot Brown, an open faced turkey and ham sandwich with bacon, gravy and melted cheese was the local favorite. Ramsey’s Diner was recommended and that’s where we went. Ramsey’s (3090 Helmsdale Place, Lexington) was near our hotel, just one exit up off of Man O’ War Blvd. When we walked in I was immediately attracted the casual atmosphere. We were quickly seated and served- we shared a Hot Brown, Megan got a side of fries and I tried the side of mac & cheese (dinner for two, around $20). This was comfort food at its best.

At the end of the day Megan and I swam in the pool, chatted with people from around the US in the hot tub and hung around the hotel. We started to pack our bags, played games and reminisced about the experiences of the past two days. The next morning we got an early start and were on our way by 8:am. We had planned to stop at the Jeffersonville Outlet Shops just north of Cincinnati on our way home but decided against it because Megan had plans later that evening. We were home by 1:pm on Sunday afternoon.

When reflecting on the trip, one thing that really struck me was everything we did not get to do- we wanted to stop at a winery or two, take in at least one more distillery, maybe see the Botanical Garden and visit the Shops at Lexington Center. Lexington has a wide-range of activities for any type of visitor whether it is a sports lover looking for a March Madness game, an outdoor enthusiast that’s looking for an amazing nature experience or a couple of girlfriends looking for great shopping. Lexington, KY went from a city I hadn’t considered visiting to a city I can’t wait to visit again!

Ohio Day Trip- West Side Market

2010-03-29T20:18:00.009-04:00

Ohio Day Trip- West Side Market
Cleveland, Ohio
March 20, 2010

Cleveland, Ohio offers something for everyone- a large theatre district, world-class museums, a fantastic zoo and, of course, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. But if you are looking for an experience which is uniquely Cleveland, a visit to the West Side Market is a must!
The West Side Market has been in Cleveland since 1840. The building it now resides in was built in 1912 and it is quite impressive. Built of yellow brick, the inside features a vast arched ceiling and the outside displays a clock tower. Located at the corner of Lorain and West 25th Street, it is nestled in hip Ohio City where there are plenty of restaurants, galleries and shops to create an all-day shopping experience.

My friend Amy and I decided to meet up at 8:30am on a Saturday morning at the Market for a little shopping. When we arrived the Market was already bustling with activity. We entered through the produce area built around the perimeter of the main building but made our way to the main concourse to start shopping. The seafood, meat, cheese, bread and other non-produce stands are housed in the main building, along with a cafe, a creperie, a chocolate shop and a Mediterranean market. After picking up some coffee and hot cocoa, Amy and I went from stand to stand looking for the ingredients we had listed on our menu plans and made a few impulse buys along the way. I was shopping for an assortment of mushrooms to make a pasta dish and some soup but I ended up getting a couple cheddar & chive chicken sausages as well as some sour dough bread bowls to ladle the soup into.

Next we headed out to the produce area. Many of the venders recognized Amy and greeted her warmly as she chose a variety fresh veggies. After I picked up an assortment of wild mushrooms that included cremini, shitake and some beautiful oyster mushrooms, we did a little more browsing of a stand that sells several different kinds of homemade jam as well as their own honey and then made our way to the parking lot.

A visit to the West Side Market is a great way to experience Cleveland and its locals. The shopping cannot be better for a foodie with stands featuring rare cheeses, escargot, fine chocolates and choice meats. But, it is a great place to just sit with a cup of coffee and a fresh pastry to people-watch or meet up with a friend to catch up while getting a little grocery shopping out of the way. The West Side Market is a unique Cleveland experience for all ages.

Ohio Day Trip- Shopping in Hudson

2010-02-06T23:28:00.007-05:00

Ohio Day Trip- Shopping in Hudson
Hudson, Ohio
January 23, 2010

‘Staycations’ are one of the ways to deal with harder economic times. More conservative travel budgets are pushing the travel addict to get their fix in shorter time periods, traveling to closer destinations. I’ve always been a firm believer in the ability to find something to do just about anywhere I end up. So, I’ve decided to focus on exploring my own state of Ohio for a while and taking advantage of all it has to offer by taking day and weekend trips. There are so many local places I’ve been planning to visit and activities that I’ve been meaning to do and now is the perfect time!

Hudson, Ohio is an affluent, historic suburb of Cleveland. The Main Street shopping district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Upscale restaurants and new shopping developments like the First & Main Shopping Complex make it a great place to spend an afternoon shopping or an evening enjoying good food and great wine.

For the middle of January, we had unusually warm weekend temperatures and my best friend Di and I decided to spend an afternoon shopping and dining in Hudson. We’d been to a wine festival in the summer sponsored by the Vue Restaurant and I’ve wanted to sample the cuisine ever since so I was happy to get the opportunity and make a day of it.
Our first stop was Hoopla Woman’s Accessories Shop at 50 West Streetsboro Street – I’d found this shop by accident one day when dropping off my computer at the tech place next door. I was totally blown away by their selection and great prices on the bold and hip accessories that I love so much! Di and I were like kids in a candy store trying on hats, sunglasses and necklaces while checking out how we looked with different bags on our shoulders. In the end I decided on purple sunglasses and a huge purple shoulder bag and Di got two hats and a black purse. At the register we were pleased to find out that bags were $5 off and sunglasses and hats were 50% off so we really found some great deals!

Next we drove through historic Hudson, passing by the square, City Hall and the historic shopping district. We pulled into the First & Main complex and drove around the area a little before parking. It is a mixed-use area with condos and housing, doctor’s offices, gyms and yoga studios, restaurants and shopping.

We first stopped at Jake’s Good Life at 41 Village Way, a store dedicated to the ‘Life is Good’ brand. I love to hike and bike and their tee shirts always appeal to me. I found a beautiful glass platter while Di sampled hand lotions. We browsed the store for a little bit before moving on.

Lunch at Vue Restaurant at 49 Village Way was next on the agenda. I was very excited to have a meal at a place that has won cuisine, wine list and decor awards and I was not disappointed. When we walked in, we were blown away by the art work, stained glass and unique lighting fixtures. The decor, done in deep red tones and with bold paintings, glasswork, lavish curtains and window treatments created a distinctive ambiance. The table settings featured oversized silver wear and glass bread plates in assorted colors. This is the type of restaurant you expect to find in an upscale and trendy city spot.

The lunch menu at the Vue offered an amazing selection and it was hard to decide what I wanted. I went back and forth between the Pizza Bianco with white truffles or the Butternut Squash Ravioli with foraged mushrooms. I finally decided on the lunch trio ($10) of pear salad, French onion soup and a turkey avocado wrap while Di got the trio, as well, except with chicken salad. We decided to share a side of truffle mac & cheese. The wine list (pages and pages of bottles) has won awards from Food & Wine Magazine as well as Wine Enthusiast and is recognized as one of the best in the area. We each tried a fabulous glass of Riesling ($9), which I don’t remember the name of- it sounded like Montoff. Everything was perfect! The bread with olive tapenade was a great way to start the meal. I loved how light and just slightly sweet the pear salad was. Di and I laughed at each other trying to gracefully eat French onion soup. The mac & cheese was so creamy that it has spoiled any future mac & cheese meals that don’t feature the gourmet elements of this dish! Even with the glass of wine and the decadent side, the bill for lunch was very reasonable for the overall food, wine and decor experience that the Vue presented.

By the end of the meal we were feeling very stuffed and needed to stroll it off. We decided to walk around the First & Main Shopping Complex and visit a few more of the shops. We walked by Talbots, Chicos, Ann Taylor Loft and other apparel shops before stopping at Heathers Heat & Flavor at 94 First Street. Heather’s is a shop that features dried herbs, hot sauces, mustards, salsas and just about any other sauce or spice you could possibly want. We both wished we weren’t so stuffed because there were product samples everywhere. Di and I tried tiny bites of sample barbeque sauces and sweet salsas, looked at the dry rubs, mustards and cute gift ideas. I decided to purchase a few of the quirkier items at the store including ‘Baconaise’, a vegetarian kosher bacon spread that I think will make great turkey wraps as well as a present for my husband, Heather’s Butt Rub, a spice rub that works well on grilled meats as well as made into a dip. I loved Heather’s and can’t wait to return with my husband, the true hot sauce lover of the family. We continued on, passed a delicious-smelling coffee place and visiting a toy shop before walking back to the car to head home.

Although Hudson is only about 25 minutes from my home in Akron, Ohio I hadn’t ever taken much time to explore the quaint, historic area. I was happy to get the chance to visit somewhere nearby to sample some food and visit a few shops. Di and I had a great time spending a mild winter afternoon doing a lot of our favorite things- shopping, eating good food and enjoying great wine!

Girls’ Winter Weekend Getaway- Hocking Hills State Park

2010-01-23T23:34:00.011-05:00

Girls’ Winter Weekend Getaway
Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio
January 15-17, 2010

My friends and I are bound together by a mutual love of wine, outdoor activities and good times. We spend weekend afternoons hiking or riding bikes and evenings having drinks and playing games. We’re up for whatever sounds fun! When we heard about the 45th Annual Hocking Hills Winter Hike, it seemed like the perfect reason to get out of town and spend a weekend away.

The Hocking Hills area is a place known for its unique natural beauty. Millions of years ago, a shallow sea covered the area with streams running into it which deposited sand. After an ice age, running water from glaciers cut gorges, caves and other rock formations into the sandstone creating the unmatched beauty of the area.

Two cars, jammed packed with passengers, luggage, coolers and bags of groceries were required to make the trip. Even though each of us planned to pack lightly, we realized that we had way more than previously anticipated. Meg, Jo, Jan and I left around 1:pm on Friday afternoon. Janet, Jean and Di left after 3:. We followed Interstate 77South to I-70W to Ohio 37 to US 22 to US 33 and then followed directions to the cabin. The drive was fun- we chatted about the trip as we drove along the highway. We left the interstate, the farmland quickly changed to hills and we were soon seeing large rock formations. We followed winding roads deep into the Hocking Hills State Forest getting more and more excited about the weekend to come.

We rented the Hemlock Log Cabin in Rockbridge, Ohio. As soon as we pulled up the driveway, we were blown away by the beautiful and secluded setting. When we walked through the door, the real fun began. We got to explore every room of the cabin, taking in all the little details that added to the charm of the decor- moose, bear and tree cut-outs in the woodwork, leather lodge furniture, mission lighting. There are three bedrooms, two queen beds and a king, with an extra queen bed in the loft area that opens to the living room below. A fireplace is the focal point of the living space, which has a sofa, love seat and huge lounge chair. There is a flat-screen TV in the living area, as well, with satellite and a DVD player. Both bathrooms have claw foot tubs. There’s a pool table in the basement. But to us, the very best features of the cabin were the front porch which overlooks a wooded bluff and the huge hot tub.

Another feature of the cabin is abundant wildlife, mostly in the form of barn cats and farm dogs. A tortoise-shell cat greeted us with disdainful bellowing as soon as we pulled up and she never relented for the entire time that we were there. Frankly, I was sometimes afraid to cross her path to get to the hot tub. She always looked ready to strike. However, my heart was stolen by a cute and friendly neighborhood dog I named Pugsly. He was happy to run around the cabin area chasing the cat and other dogs and barking at whatever he saw deep in the woods. At one point a black lab and small scruffy dog ran by. None of these animals seemed wild, just free to roam. As many of us were away from our pets, I think these creatures were an added bonus.

The cabin has its own full kitchen, stocked with dishes and cookware, so we decided to bring our own food and make meals to have as a group. On Friday night we feasted on stuffed shells, beer bread with dip, spinach salad, Italian bread, pasta salad, chips, pretzels and an assortment of other foods. We each brought a few bottles of wine and enjoyed sampling different types throughout the night. After dinner, some of us took our first dip in the hot tub while others relaxed by the fire or on the front porch.

The next morning started with another big feast- pancakes, bacon, croissants, bagels, muffins, donuts, orange juice and coffee. I admit it- we’re a bunch that likes to eat. But, we were about to work it off on a long hike. While Jan decided to relax at the cabin for the morning, we headed out toward Hocking Hills State Park, which was only about 5 miles from our cabin. As we got closer, we found thousands and thousands of people! Because of mild temperatures, a record 5,417 participants came out for the 45th Annual Hocking Hills Winter Hike. A long line snaked along the road and toward the path over the Upper Falls. The line moved slowly but we gradually made our way over a bridge, along the side and then down steps to the front of the Upper Falls. From there, the line slowly moved through the gorge, which was about 20 degrees cooler than the low 40Fs above. The waterfalls were frozen and icicles covered the ledges. We made our way to Old Man’s Cave, which is huge! At that point, the hike started to move a little more quickly and we were well on our way into the park. We walked through wilderness, past a lake and dam, over a suspension bridge and down to see Cedar Falls before hiking back up to the lot where they were serving bean soup and hot cocoa. The hike was crowded, muddy in places, icy in others but to experience it on a record-breaking year was neat, not to mention the breath-taking frozen waterfalls, caves and rocky ledges.

After the hike, we enjoyed a lunch of awesome chicken salad on croissants and then spent the afternoon relaxing in the hot tub, sitting on the front porch, playing pool or napping. Soon, another big feast was in order, this time featuring chicken sausages prepared on the grill by Jean, assorted mini pizzas and a selection of foods from the evening before. After dinner, we spent the evening playing games like ‘Pass the Popcorn’ (a movie trivia game) and drinking lots and lots of wine and other spirits.

Although we needed to check out by 11:am on Sunday, we still managed to jam-pack a lot of activity into the morning. Of course we started off the day by indulging in another breakfast feast- egg sandwiches on bagel or croissant with sausage or bacon. Jo noticed a magnet advertising massages in the cabin and she, Jean and Di took advantage of the service ($35, 30 minutes) while Meg, Jean, Jan and I spent a few last minutes relaxing in the hot tub. Even though I’m typically not a bubble-bath type of girl, I decided to bathe in one of the claw foot tubs just to say I did.

We spent the last hour packing up- we seemed to leave with just as much stuff as we came. We gathered on the front porch before we left and reflected on our favorite parts of the trip. To some, enjoying all the family-style feasts topped the list. To others, it was spending evenings on the front porch. But when it comes down to it, everything we did this weekend was about good times with great friends.

The Algonquin Mill Fall Festival- Carrollton, Ohio

2009-11-08T19:50:00.011-05:00

The Algonquin Mill Fall Festival
Carrollton, Ohio
October 9, 2009

The Algonquin Mill Fall Festival has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My parents took me to the Mill as a baby; I played at the festival while in the high school marching band and now enjoy it as an adult. We’ve made it a family tradition- I’ve only missed it once in all my years. As a child I enjoyed jumping into huge piles of hay, Clydesdale-drawn wagon rides and treats like warm cider and apple-butter bread. As an adult, I enjoy shopping for home and holiday decorations, the smell of burning fires and, of course, the endless treats which include cinnamon-spiced almonds, pumpkin roles and goat milk fudge. The Algonquin Mill Festival is the most anticipated festival of the year and one of our biggest family traditions.

The Algonquin Mill was built in 1826 and operated as a grain mill until 1938. It was originally a water-powered mill but was converted to steam power in 1890. It was donated to the Carroll County Historical Society for the purpose of restoration in 1969. In 1970, the first Algonquin Mill Festival was held.

After meeting at Kirk’s Restaurant in Waynesburg, Ohio for breakfast (breakfast, approx. $5) we head toward the Mill Festival, taking Route 43 South to Route 332. My dad usually joins us and we all enjoy the 30 minute ride together through the country. It is a scenic route which passes through picturesque farmland and a quaint town square. On the way, we stop at an antique sale held in a barn. We always have great furniture finds at this antique sale- I’ve found a mahogany chest and Joanna has found a crackled green pantry cupboard. This year, Joanna bought a cherry chest of drawers to match her bedroom set. Browsing for antiques is a great way to start the festival day!

On we go to the Algonquin Mill Festival (parking $8/car). The Algonquin Mill Festival is a family-friendly event with activities for all ages. There is a stage with entertainment from square dancers to violinists. Art contest entries are exhibited in the barn. Restored buildings like a stage-coach inn, a school house and the old grain mill can be visited. Tractors, steam engines and huge wood saws are on display. Stands selling crafts, decorations, food items and furniture are grouped in sections around the festival. Hayrides, face-painting and a petting zoo are only a few of the kids’ activities.

My sisters and I enjoy the shopping and, most of all, the food! The choices are endless- buckeye candies, Swiss cheese and trail bologna sample bags, cookies, warm apple dumplings, sour kraut, roasted nuts, potato soup, cider, pumpkin rolls... I could go on and on. But, with all these choices one thing remains the same- I always get some peanut butter fudge! My dad likes to just relax on the benches, observing whatever is going on around him. My sisters and I wander around the festival complex, browsing the stands that sell everything from alpaca scarves and lye soap to stained glass and wrought iron yard ornaments. At the end of the day we make our purchases and head back to fill up the car and head home. This year I found a great Christmas mantle decoration, Joanna got a few iron lawn ornaments for her new home and Megan got metal ‘icicle’ ornaments. Some years we go all out, saving for months and splurging at the Mill. Other years, we watch our spending and just enjoy the atmosphere. The Algonquin Mill Fall Festival is very special to me. It is an activity that my family has been doing for decades and we hope to continue to do together for years to come!

Ohio Daytrip- Covered Bridges & Wine Tour

2009-11-08T17:20:00.014-05:00

Ohio Daytrip- Covered Bridges & Wine Tour
Ashtabula County, Ohio

October 3, 2009

Visiting the historical covered bridges of Ashtabula County is something that I’ve wanted to do for years but never got around to doing. I requested info on the Ashtabula County Tourism website and they sent pamphlets about covered bridge locations, self-guided tour maps and other attractions in the area. One of the self-guided tours was a Covered Bridges & Wine Tour, which passed several vineyards while making a loop to view three covered bridges. This tour seemed like a perfect daytrip to take with my little sister, Megan and my best friend, Diana.

We headed out around 1:30pm from my home in Akron, Ohio and followed Interstate 77North to I-271N to I-90E to Route 528. We arrived around 3:pm to our first destination, Grand River Cellars. We had been very impressed with Grand River Cellars the last time we visited and wanted to try their restaurant, the Tipsy Grape. We were seated at a high table in a cozy section of the dining room with a huge fireplace, furniture groupings and old world charm. We each decided order an appetizer so that we could all share. I ordered the Brie & Pear with blackberry glaze, Megan had the Artichoke & Asiago Dip and Di went with the cheese plate. We were very pleased with our selections. The portions were generous, the dip was warm and creamy and the pear and berries complimented the baked brie perfectly. We shared a bottle of Grand River Riesling, the remnants of which I’m finishing as I compose this blog. We plotted our course and headed out. While pulled over to the side of the driveway to take some pictures of grapes on the vine, a man in a truck approached us, dangled a freshly picked bunch of grapes out of the window and slurred “You girls are going to hell for stealing those grapes!”, then laughed and sped away. Let me be clear- we did not steal any grapes but the entire scene was so comical that it deserved a mention. We were again impressed with our visit to Grand River Cellars and it remains one of our favorite wineries.

From Grand River Cellars we took Griswold Road and followed a sign to Virant Family Winery, a casual winery that serves a lot of fruity wines. There was a wedding going on at the location and we saw a beautiful bride. The actual building looks much like a family restaurant with quilts and crafts on the walls. We each sampled a variety of wines including Riesling, Chiffon, Chantilly Blush, Blazzin’ Blackberry and Rippling Raspberry. They offer snacks and casual meal options, as well.

Our next destination was South River Vineyard. As soon as we pulled in, we were blown away by the surroundings! The location is gorgeous, settled in endless fields of vines. They have added outdoor areas that seem perfectly suited for weddings and other events. But what is really breathtaking about this vineyard is the building, an old church that was originally built at another location in 1892 and escaped demolition in 2000, being relocated and opened as the South River Vineyard tasting room in 2002. The inside is just as beautiful as the outside- stained glass windows, hard wood floors and long pews maintain the church-look but candles, small tables and the marble bar top create a certain mood. We decided to relax at a table with a few glasses and take in the atmosphere. We tried the Riesling, Riesling Reserve, Temptation, Concord and Blush Ice Wines. South River Vineyard was the find of trip!

We were anxious to see a covered bridge and were now very close to the first one on the tour, the Harpersfield Covered Bridge. The bridge is the 2nd longest in the state, measuring 228 feet. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The bridge was built in 1868 and has a lot of interesting history including being washed out by a storm in 1913. A walkway was added in the 1990s and we were able to cross the bridge and take pictures from a park area on the other side. It was fascinating to observe and utilize a tiny portion of Ohio history.

We followed the tour map and headed for the next bridge. This one was slightly more secluded, down a bumpy, pitted dirt road. The Riverdale Road Covered Bridge was built in 1874 and looks like it had been left to age gracefully. It was much smaller than the previous bridge but has the unique charm of something that looks worn.

From there we headed to the last bridge on the tour, the Mechanicsville Road Covered Bridge. The bridge is very picturesque with an arch construction. Built in 1867, it is believed to be the oldest of Ashtabula’s bridges. We crossed this bridge by foot, taking in its interesting architecture. Another landmark sits right beside the bridge- the oldest tavern in Ohio.

We decided that we’d like to visit one more winery before heading home. Someone had mentioned the Old Mill Winery earlier in the day and we decided to check it out. The restaurant was packed and we overheard management telling a patron that they almost always need to have reservations to get a table on a Saturday night. But, we just wanted to sample a few wines so we headed back to the bar. Megan ordered white sangria while Di and I tried a variety of dry and semi-dry wines. We spent some time relaxing on the outdoor patio and then headed home.

Visiting Ohio Wine Country is always a blast and experiencing a little bit of Ohio history by viewing a few covered bridges just added to the daytrip adventure. Even though Ashtabula County is only about an hour and a half away from my home, it is still a great place to spend a day or a weekend just getting away.

Great American Cities- Detroit

2009-08-11T15:36:00.027-04:00

Sister Trip to see Detroit & Tori Amos Concert
August 8-9, 2009

Any time my sister Megan or I would tell someone we were planning to visit Detroit, Michigan to see a Tori Amos concert, they always said the same thing- “Be careful!” Detroit has a reputation in the media that only reflects the negative aspects of a city hit hard by the recession. But we suspected that Detroit had a lot to offer the weekend road-tripper looking for some fun.

We decided to take a short weekend trip and planned to drive out on Saturday morning, spend the day seeing a few city sights, go to the concert, spend the night and return the next morning. Instead of consulting the AAA guidebook, I posted questions on TripAdvisor as well as other message boards to get local recommendations. Megan and I chose the sights we wanted to see the most and planned our itinerary. At around 10:am on Saturday morning we hit the road. We drove Interstate 77 North to I-80 W to I-280 to I-75 N into Detroit talking about the possibility of running into M&M or Kid Rock while in town. We decided that while M&M has the bad-boy thing going on, Kid Rock is much more approachable. Alas, we didn’t run into either of them.

The first attraction we visited was the Motown Museum ($10/pp). It is a small museum but is packed with unique items that take you back in time to a legendary era in music. Album jackets and gold records for songs that are still popular today cover the walls. Some parts of the museum are kept to look just like they did when the great musicians were actually recording there. These places include the upstairs kitchen, the downstairs office with switchboard and, best of all, the actual recording studio. The highlight of the museum is the presentation in the studio. The narrator tells the history behind the studio, pointing out original musical instruments, pictures on the wall of famous artists and engaging the audience with demonstrations. He pulled me up front with a group of women to shake my hips and sing ‘Stop! In the Name of Love’, which was a total blast. Then he led the entire group in a rendition of ‘My Girl.’ The magnitude of the history behind the place really hit us when he pointed out that we sang a song in the same place that pioneers like the Temptations, the Supremes and Stevie Wonder had sang. Visiting the Motown Museum was a highlight of the trip.

Next we drove to the Detroit Institute of Art (DIA, $8/pp). I love to visit art museums and always make an effort to visit at least one on each of my trips but a little museum goes a long way with Megan. So we decided to limit our visit to a few sections and concentrated our attention on the Contemporary and Modern galleries. The museum has extensive collections and I quite enjoyed taking in the displays of Arts & Crafts furniture and art objects, thought-provoking minimalist pieces and light installations.

We always make a point to try the local fare when we travel. On this trip, we didn’t spend any time in restaurants. Instead we got food from local take-out places, street stands and bakeries. We’d heard that Detroit’s local food delicacy is a Coney Island hot dog and that there was a competition between two downtown places located right next-door to each other- American Coney Island (about $5/2 dogs- 115 Michigan Ave.) and Lafayette Coney Island (about $4/2- 118 W. Lafayette Blvd). We decided to put them to the test. We got two coney dogs with everything from each place and sampled both. In the end, Lafayette had the edge on texture of dog and flavor combination and won hands down.

A great culinary find in downtown Detroit is a little walk-up window located at 2 John R. St. near the Detroit Opera House- ‘Good Girls Go to Paris Creperie.’ We are big fans of crepes and I myself love to make huge batches for visitors so finding a creperie serving piping hot, super thin pancakes stuffed with delicious ingredients was very exciting. There are at least 20 different crepes (about $5/crepe) to choose from and we did go a little crepe crazy, visiting on both days. We sampled savory crepes stuffed with fillings like mushrooms, onions, spinach and chevre or apricot preserves and brie. We also tried sweet crepes with fruit fillings like blue berries and strawberries, bananas, coconut and chocolate or brown sugar and walnut. We enjoyed each one!

After spending the afternoon taking in some sights and tasting local treats, we headed to our hotel to check in and get ready for the concert that evening. We’d reserved a room at the Doubletree Fort Shelby in downtown Detroit. Originally built in 1916, the newly restored hotel has a spacious lobby and a grand staircase. We saw Before & After pictures of the $90 million restoration project and were amazed by the transformation from a graffitied shell to the up to date place it is now. The decor of the hotel combines classic and contemporary pieces and is inviting and comfortable.

Our room was huge. We had a two-room suite on the 9th floor with views of the city, river and bridge. We were able to sit in the windows and watch boats go by. The room had two flat-screen TVs and a great channel selection. The front sitting area had a pull-out couch, lounge chair, coffee and end tables and a work station. The bathroom had granite countertops, ample outlets and great lighting. We had a two-queen bedroom with plenty of room to move around. I was pleased to see that each trash bin was divided into two sections with one side for recyclables.

After relaxing in the room for a little while, we started getting ready for the show. It had rained the entire afternoon but the weather cleared up right before we had to leave. We were both really happy about that- we’re girls, we work hard at our hair and make-up, we were wearing cute clothes and snakeskin heels- rain didn’t go with our outfits! We pranced through the lobby and down the block to the People Mover (50 cents/ride), an elevated tram that circles the downtown area with stops near most of the major attractions in the city- stadiums, theatres, casinos, etc. We rode the tram to the Broadway Station, taking in the bird’s eye views of the city as we passed over.

The Detroit Opera House is beautiful with ornate details, crystal chandeliers and floor to ceiling windows. Originally built in 1922 it underwent an extensive restoration in 1996. We were in the first row of the balcony so we had a great view of the stage. The opening act was ‘One Eskimo’ a folky-pop band with good vocals and thoughtful lyrics. Shortly after the opening act ended, the lights went down and Tori Amos and her band took the stage. This is the fourth time I’ve seen Tori in concert and her show has definitely evolved since the first time I saw her in a small venue with nothing but her and a piano on stage. She now has a drummer, guitarist and a light show. But, she still does things the way she used to, frequently switching between keyboards and sometimes playing two at once. She always puts on a great show and we had a great time.

After the concert, we headed toward the People Mover. As we walked up to the door, a nice guy gave us a few free tokens and we used those to ride for the rest of the evening. We rode to the Greektown Casino and walked around the floor watching people play cards, throw dice and win pots on slot machines. The casino was full of people having fun- there were a lot of events in the city that night, including a Tiger’s game, so there were plenty of characters to mingle with in Greektown. We felt like we were in the middle of a huge party. After exploring the casino, we headed out to the bustling Monroe Street to the Astoria Pastry Shop (541 Monroe St.) to pick out a few late-night snacks before riding the People Mover back to our hotel.

After changing into comfy clothes we explored the hotel- now that it was late there were very few people in the lobby and we had fun descending the grand staircase, testing out all the of lobby furniture and getting a mini workout in by going down and climbing up ten floors of stairs. We stayed up late snacking on pastries from the bakery, watching TV and talking. The next morning we got ready and checked out of the hotel by 10:am. We decided to bring back souvenir pastries from Astoria Pastry Shop so we made our way across town using nothing but our keen sense of direction and the view of the Greektown Casino to guide us. After having crepes for breakfast, we were on the road and heading into Ohio by noon on Sunday.

Megan and I had a great time in Detroit. We moved around the city freely by car, on foot and public transportation and always felt safe. We were welcomed by many friendly local Detroiters that were full of the Midwestern openness we love and were eager to talk about anything from Cleveland vs. Detroit basketball match-ups to our fabulous snakeskin shoes. The spirit of revitalization is apparent in the city. Sporting events, musical performances, casinos and museums offer something for every visitor. We were glad to spend our tourism dollars in Rustbelt city that’s close to home. We hope to bring our friends back soon to spend another fabulous weekend!

Sister Trip to the Finger Lakes Region- Keuka Lake & Hammondsport, NY

2009-07-05T18:32:00.022-04:00

Sister Trip to the Finger Lakes Region- Keuka Lake & Hammondsport, NY

July 1-4, 2009

My little sister Megan and I had wanted to vacation at Keuka Lake in Hammondsport, New York for years. She had spent many summers at Keuka Lake as a nanny to a family with a summer home on the lake. Even after they sold their cottage, she still traveled to Hammondsport for summer vacations. Although Megan and my middle sister, Joanna, had vacationed at Keuka Lake, I’d only spent a day there and was looking forward to experiencing the Lake, the town of Hammondsport and the surrounding Finger Lakes Region on a long holiday weekend.

Day 1- Watkins Glen State Park

From Akron, Ohio the drive to Hammondsport is only about 5.5 hours. We listened to CDs of movie soundtracks, stopped at scenic overlooks and talked about our upcoming adventures as we drove Interstate 77 North to I-271N to I-90E to I-86E to New York Route 54N into Hammondsport, New York, where we’d be staying. But we’d gotten on the road early so our first stop was Watkins Glen State Park, just east of Hammondsport.

The little town of Watkins Glen, on the south end of Seneca Lake, is quite quaint with galleries, antique shops, book stores and other small town storefronts. We were amazed to find the Watkins Glen State Park ($7.00/car) right in the middle of town. It rained our entire trip but when we arrived around 2:00pm the showers had stopped and the sun was peeking out from under the clouds. The views from the parking lot were amazing- we could see steep cliffs on both sides and a bridge crossing over the first of 19 waterfalls.

As soon as we passed through the tunnel which is the entrance to Watkins Glen State Park, we were instantly amazed by the stunning beauty of our surroundings. We’d seen pictures of the park but were still taken aback by everything we were seeing- waterfalls shooting from narrow crevices in the rock wall, small footpaths curving around the gorge, arching bridges over steep cliffs. We decided to explore as much as we could and spent the rest of the afternoon hiking each of the main trails- Indian, South Rim, Lover’s Lane and the spectacular Gorge Trail. We decided to hike the Indian Trail to the top of the Gorge and then walk the Gorge Trail back. This was a very wise decision- there’s a 400-foot rise in elevation over 1.5 miles from the bottom to the top of the Gorge. The Gorge Trail consists of 832 steps- it was much easier for us to make the trek on the Indian Trail with rugged terrain but no steps and just do the steps on the way down.

The views on the Gorge Trail are striking! The sights got more and more impressive as we traveled down the Gorge behind the trickling Rainbow Falls, over a bridge crossing the 60-foot Central Cascade waterfall, into the Spiral Tunnel and behind the rushing Cavern Cascade waterfall. When we reached the bottom of the Gorge Trail we turned around and headed back up so we could do the Lover’s Lane path next. After that, we hiked the South Rim Trail back the Mile Point Bridge and hiked the Gorge Trail out again. Watkins Glen State Park was a great way to start our vacation and was one of the highlights of the entire trip.

From Watkins Glen we traveled beautiful country roads over hills and into valleys back to Hammondsport. We stopped to take in beautiful views of Keuka Lake from an eastern hilltop. After stopping at the Hammondsport Grocery for a few snacks including super-soft and delicious powdered donuts, we checked in to the Vinehurst Inn ($84/night, 10% AAA discount). We enjoyed the Vinehurst very much. The accommodations are very affordable and offer a Continental breakfast, a dining patio and an outdoor fireplace area. We had Room #1 with neutral decor, vaulted ceilings and a small kitchenette area with fridge, microwave, sink and dishes. We loved being the last unit because we had a lot of privacy- there was a landscaped area and a birch tree outside our window and a small area of grapevines beyond. A bench outside our room was a nice place to sit and read. We unpacked, got settled into our room and spent the rest of the evening drinking wine and playing cards.

Day 2- Wine Tasting and More

Although a high chance of rain was in the forecast for every day of our trip, we decided that we were not going to let that stop us from doing most of the things we wanted to do, including hiking a huge hill on the western side of the Lake called ‘Bully Hill.’ After enjoying the Continental breakfast at the Inn, we drove into Hammondsport, parked lakeside and started our hike up a 2.25-milelong continuously climbing hill. The sky was cloudy but blue and there were great views of the hillside, vineyards, lake and bluff. The sky turned dark as we walked back down the hill and rain started to pour as we were nearing the bottom but we just had fun with it, jumping in puddles, kicking our feet and laughing.

Wine-tasting was on the agenda for this day but we first stopped at the Glen Curtis Museum ($7.50/person, $1 AAA discount) because we saw a sign that said they were featuring vintage bathing suits. After watching a short film about Glen Curtis and all his accomplishments (avid athlete and sportsman, aviation pioneer, inventor, “fastest man on Earth”), we took in the bathing suit exhibit. It alone was worth the entrance fee. The bathing suits were fantastic! We loved examining the details of each suit as they were so unique. After the vintage bathing suit exhibit, we walked around the rest of the museum and looked at bicycles and motorcycles that Glen Curtis had built, furniture and jewelry belonging to his wife, and the airplanes, flying boats and other inventions that made him such an influential figure in his day. Visiting the Glen Curtis Museum isn’t the typical type of attraction that we’d take in but we really enjoyed ourselves- the bathing suit exhibit was one of the highlights of the trip.

From there we headed to the Bully Hill Vineyard for our first wine tasting of the trip. We decided to do the custom tasting, which was $1/tasting of any wine on their menu. Our wine guy was very helpful- he took the time to ask us what we typically liked and made suggestions. We chatted with him about hiking in the area while tasting American Riesling, Goat White, Bully Hill Riesling, Sweet Walter White, Ives and Banty Red. After selecting a few bottles to purchase, we headed over to the Bully Hill Restaurant to enjoy a mid-afternoon snack of tapas. We selected Olive Oil Roasted Garlic with Goat Cheese and Baked Brie with Sweet Walter Cranberry Compote along with a glass of Seasons wine. The portions we received were much larger than we had expected and we enjoyed both tapas very much but I think we’d probably give the Roasted Garlic and Goat Cheese the edge if we had to pick a favorite.

From Bully Hill we headed over to Dr. Konstantin Franks Vinifera Wine Cellars for a free tasting. We waited for a few moments to gather a group of about 10 and then headed into a tasting room where a wine guy would give us a choice between two wines, one sweeter and the other drier. Meg and I usually just got one of each so we could try each others, as well. We tried five different pairings including the 2006 Chardonnay, 2007 Gewurztraminer, 2007 Semi Dry Riesling, Salmon Run Coho Red and the Chateau Frank Celebre Champagne. The wine guy was a lot of fun- he kept us laughing the whole time.

After leaving Dr. Franks, our last stop was Heron Hill Winery. We each decided to try any 6 wines on the menu for $5. We loved our wine guy- although he was serving a few different couples he had a way of carrying on individual conversations with each of us. He gave us tastes of wines we had not chosen because he thought we’d enjoy them- all his suggestions were great. He was a blast. I tried the Classic Chardonnay Unoaked 2007, Classic Semi-Dry Riesling 2007, Classic Semi-Sweet Riesling 2007, Late Harvest Vidal Blanc 2007, Reserve Old Riesling 2005, Ingle Vineyard Riesling 2006, Late Harvest Riesling 2004 and Riesling Ice Wine 2003. We made a few purchases and then headed back to our hotel room to relax.

After resting, Megan and I thought it would be fun to go out for a few drinks. We headed to Maloney’s Pub, a place that the Heron Hill wine guy said had live music and a cool vibe. It was open mic night and a duo was playing bar classics like “Margaritaville” and “Rolling Stone.” We met a few locals who generously kept us in shots of Patron and Absolute Cran all night. I chatted with a local grocer Dan who made a few suggestions for the trip to Corning we had planned for the next day. Megan and I had a blast- it was the perfect way to cap off a day full of fun!

Day 3- Bath, Corning and Beyond

It was drizzly and we were recovering from the night out so instead of hiking we decided to just take it easy. Our first destination was Bath to do a little thrift store shopping. On our way we stopped at the Betty Kay Bake Shop to pick up a few treats. The glazed donuts and apple fritters were amazing (3 donuts, 3 cookies- about $3.50)- of all our travels only their glazed donuts have rivaled our own hometown bakery Archer’s.

After making a few purchases at the local thrift shop, we headed East on I-86 to Corning to visit the Corning Museum of Glass. When we arrived the place was packed with kids because they get in for free. Someone had told us that the gift shop offers almost as much to see as the tour does so we decided to skip the tour and visit the huge gift shop instead. What an amazing sight! Everything just gleamed and sparkled. Along with classic Corning and Pyrex bake ware, intricate pieces of art glass and crystal were displayed. Christmas ornaments and household decorations were displayed along with glass lenses used in the space program. As a couple of girls who love to shop, we could have spent hours in here!

We headed into historic Corning for lunch. On Dan’s recommendation, we tried Atlas Brick Oven Pizza (medium pizza, about $9) and it was scrumptious! We ordered the classic sauce and cheese blend, half plain, half with pepperoni. After a morning of feeling slightly under the weather, Atlas Pizza was all I needed to cure a lingering hangover.

That evening we headed to Maloney’s Pub to see ‘Blues Explosion.’ We just wanted to spend a little more time in Hammondsport on our last night so we had a few drinks, enjoyed the band but then headed back to the Inn to start packing up. We spent our last night in the room, playing cards, scrolling through the pictures and reflecting on our trip.

Day 4- Letchworth State Park

Our last day had arrived and we were up early and ready to go by 9:am. Before heading home, we had one last stop to make on our way. We wanted to visit Letchworth State Park, known as the Grand Canyon of the East. From Hammondsport, we headed up NY Route 15 to I-390 and followed county roads from there. Along the way we could see huge wind turbines on the hilltops that surrounded us. We pulled into Letchworth State Park ($6/car) and drove quite a way before we finally came to the Visitors’ Center. We walked from the Visitors’ Center to the lower rim and all the way to the Upper Falls, taking in the views along the way. Letchworth offers vast canyons, roaring waterfalls and grand sights. The Gorge is quite large and offers several spectacular waterfall views. Megan and I enjoyed standing in the misting spray and viewing the rainbows created by the middle falls. We watched a train pass high above the upper falls. We took in many amazing sights.

After leaving Letchworth State Park, we drove northwest until we met up with I-90W and followed that to I-271S to I-77S. We were home by the early evening. Our trip was made up of a combination of the things we enjoy doing the most- active recreation like hiking, relaxing with some wine, doing a little shopping, etc. By preparing and bringing most of our own food we were able to keep costs down. We had a great time at each of the places we ended up and spent our time on a vacation buzz of meeting great people, trying new things and laughing. We’re looking forward to returning soon, hopefully with friends!

More Watkins Glen & Letworth State Parks Pictures

Sisters' Daytrip- Falling Water and Ohiopyle

2009-05-17T21:36:00.011-04:00

Falling Water and Ohiopyle
Saturday, May 16, 2009

Visiting Falling Water has been a dream of mine since I was a teenager and saw a picture of the home in an art book. Falling Water is the masterpiece design of famed US architect Frank Lloyd Wright. After seeing a documentary on the designs of Wright and learning that, located southeast of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, it was within a driving distance I decided to someday travel to the home. However, I never quite made it. So, when it came up again, I decided I didn’t want to push it off to the side again and made plans with my little sister Megan to head out that upcoming Saturday.

Reservations are required to visit Falling Water but tickets can easily be purchased through the website. We orders ours the night before and had our choice of tours but during busier times, reservations should be made up to two weeks in advance. We left on Saturday morning. The 3-hour drive was easy and scenic. We took Interstate 76 East from Akron and into southeastern Pennsylvania to PA Route 31 to PA Route 381. This region of Pennsylvania is much hillier than Ohio and passing on the highway above we enjoyed seeing towns growing out of the valleys below. PA Route 381 is also known as the Laurel Highlands Scenic Byway and we passed many nice views on our way. The road was a mix of tourist attractions, shops offering wood objects, marine gear or country crafts, campgrounds and worn homes. It passed through small towns and over meandering hills in farm country. The ride alone was enjoyable.

We arrived at the entrance of Falling Water and passed through a dense wooded area before finding the gate. When we parked we were amazed by the number of out of state license plates. There were plates from Iowa, California, Texas and many other states from around the nation. We even saw plates from British Columbia and Ontario. We were struck by what an attraction the Wright-designed home really was.

We checked in at the Visitors Center and waited for our group to be announced. The Visitors Center is a large round pavilion that compliments its wooded setting. It offers restrooms, lockers, a cafe’ and a gift shop. When our tour group was announced, we made our way down a winding quarter-mile path lined with wild rhododendron, large rock formations, a babbling stream and a few small waterfalls. Suddenly the home came into view and we took in our first sight of it. Built to blend into the woods around it, it really does mimic the hillside and instead of disturbing the environment is built around it. We gathered on the bridge near the famous waterfall that the house was built around and waited for our tour to begin.

Our tour started with some history of the home, its owners the Kaufmanns (of Kaufmanns Department Store) and its designer Frank Lloyd Wright. Frank Lloyd Wright designed Falling Water on commission as the all-season vacation home of the wealthy Kaufmann family, who resided in Pittsburgh, PA. Wright, who made up the term ‘organic architect’ to explain his philosophy of design, designed Falling Water to look as if it was a part of the landscape. He paid special attention to the surroundings, using the rocks on the property as part of the foundation and the fireplace hearth and having the stream and waterfall pass right under the house. He built the home and guest house on several terraced levels to mimic the hillside where it was perched. The home and surrounding landscape existed in harmony.

We took the $20 general tour which included a tour of the main great room, the guest room, the master bedrooms, the son’s room, the guest house and many of the several terraces around the home. Indoor photography was not permitted on the general tour but we were encouraged to explore the exterior spaces and grounds and take photographs after the tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable and did a great job of talking to everyone in the group and making sure that all were able to hear. She was able to answer everyone’s questions and offered comparisons to other Wright designs. She was a very informative guide and I enjoyed her presentation.

I had looked forward to seeing the home for so long and, of course, the view of the exterior was amazing but I was very surprised to be most captivated by the extensive art collection in the interior. The aesthetic of minimalist furnishings and muted colors complimented by eclectic and colorful art is what I aspire to in my own home so I was quite inspired by the Japanese tapestries, centuries-old religious artwork from all regions, native-American pottery and modern sculptures. Everything in the home except for floor coverings is original and the art collection was one amassed by the frequent travel of the Kaufmanns, although Wright gave them some things from his own collection including Japanese wall hangings and a giant iron pot of his own design that was hung near the fireplace and used to serve soup or mulled wine out of during parties.

I was also very impressed with how the home was built around the natural setting. Instead of moving them, large stones on site were used to make up the hearth of the large fireplace in the great room and the home is cantilevered over the stream and waterfall. A natural stream fills the pool on the upper level. Wright even designed a gap to be left in the floor to let the spring waters trickle down a rock wall that was now part of the home’s interior.

It is said that Falling Water has a hundred steps and that is true. The most unique of the staircases is one that descends from the main great room down to the cool stream below. Another is set near the front door and leads down to a platform near the same stream. Yet another beside the front door leads up to a covered terrace. The terraces were also amazing, all set up with comfortable lounge furniture and simple sculptures. The highest terrace had a small culinary herb garden with thyme, sage, rosemary, chives, basil and all the other fresh herbs that I love to grow myself.

The tour ended with a video about conservation efforts and we took some time to wander the grounds and take some pictures of the home from different view points. We then made our way up the hill, browsed the gift shop and headed back to our vehicle. Megan and I were both blown away by the beauty of the home and grounds and with the tour.

After leaving Falling Water we headed a few miles further down PA Route 381 through Normalville toward Ohiopyle. The first thing we did when we arrived in town was change into hiking gear and have the picnic lunch that we brought with us. We sat on the rocks down by the river and enjoyed our homemade sandwiches and grapes while watching the rushing water.

The town of Ohiopyle is our kind of place- laidback and friendly. There were cute historic buildings in the area like the Visitors' Center in an old train station but many buildings are older and worn-looking. Everyone is friendly and everyone wants to be outdoors. Half the cars in any parking lot had kayaks on top of them, the other half had bike racks. The charm of the town is its ‘I’d rather be ...’ attitude. I wish I had more time to spend relaxing on the patio of the local restaurant or eating hand-dipped ice cream on the porch of the general store.

Next on our agenda was some good hiking. We stopped by the visitors' center and picked up a trail map but decided that instead of doing one long trail we’d rather explore many of the small trails that lead to the riverside. We stood on the bank above and watched kayakers make their way down fast and rough water. We climbed over large boulders and explored crevices. We lounged on large rocks on the edge of the river. We took in the scenery of an amazing place we’d never been. The hiking in the Ohiopyle State Park combines everything we love about individual trails in our parks system- the rapids and waterfalls of the Gorge, the boulder climbing of Virginia Kendall, the rugged terrain of Adams Run. We enjoyed every minute of hiking and really took the time to enjoy our surroundings. We also indulged in our newest obsession- trail running- and ran along some of the higher trails that weren’t close to the rocky riverbed.

After a few hours of hiking and trail running, we heard thunder in the distance and headed back. We jogged over the old train bridge and got into the car just as the storms were starting. We headed back into Normalville and stopped at the central gas station, Speedy Meedy’s. It should not go without saying that the staff of this gas station/deli are friendly and fun! We discussed a Pittsburgh Steelers clock on their wall, the fact that we’re Cleveland Browns fans and the rivalry between the teams. I always love to get the authentic local experience and as odd as it may be, the friendly folks at Speedy Meedy’s provided.

Meg and I headed home following the same route we came. Although there were storms and bad rain all the way home, it was still an easy and enjoyable drive. We discussed the day and our favorite parts. It is hard to identify the highlight of the trip. Visiting Falling Water is a dream come true but experiencing Ohiopyle left us wanting more and we hope to sometime soon bring our group of girlfriends to enjoy all the outdoor experiences available in this area. The excursion was the perfect one-tank trip and combined art and architecture with the ruggedness of the great outdoors. I can’t wait to return to enjoy more of what this region has to offer!

Girlfriends' Daytrip- Wine Tasting in Geneva

2009-05-17T09:30:00.005-04:00

Wine Tasting in Geneva
Geneva, Ohio
April 25, 2009

The northeast tip of Ohio is wine country and is a great destination for a one-tank day trip. We spent an amazing day celebrating a few birthdays in our group. Diana, Jean and Janet were all born on April 23. Diana came up with the great idea to spend the day doing a wine tour of five of the vineyards and wineries in the area. The Winegrowers of the Grand River Valley planned ‘Around the World’, which paired appetizers from different European regions with wines from the Grand River Valley Wine Region. The participating wineries were Debonné Vineyards, Ferrante Winery & Restorante, Grand River Cellars Winery & Restaurant, Laurello Vineyards and St. Joseph Vineyards.

The group included Diana, Di’s friend Kristen, Janet and Jean, Jan, Megan and I. Much thanks to Kristen who provided our mode of transportation, a rocking minivan, and herself as designated driver! Jill, Di’s GPS, unit assisted in directing us to our destinations. The day couldn’t have been better. After a long winter, we were enjoying unseasonably warm April temperatures in the mid-80s. It was so nice being able to wear tank tops and sandals again. We all piled in the minivan and laughed and talked as we headed toward the wine region, taking Interstate 77 North to Interstate 271 North to Interstate 90 East to Route 534.

The first vineyard we visited was Debonné Vineyards. Debonné is a large, polished, bustling vineyard with a lot of outdoor spaces to sit and relax while drinking a bottle of wine and enjoying a cheese plate purchased at the vineyard. The grounds would also be beautiful for a wedding ceremony and reception. They were serving food from Slovenia- Zlinkrofi, a meat-filled dumpling with sauerkraut- and a choice of three white and three red wines. I tried two whites- Vidal Blanc, a sweet wine and Jazz White, a semi-dry. I tried a sip of Kristen’s Harmony, a blend of Chardonnay, Merlot and Riesling. All were good but I preferred the Vidal Blanc. After we each enjoyed a sample of the appetizer and two glasses of wine, we browsed the wine shop, beer tasting room and gift shop. After purchasing a few bottles of wine we gathered to head to the next stop. All in all, Debonné is a beautiful vineyard in a nice setting but lacks a little character.

We headed to St. Joseph Vineyards next. After the polished look of Debonné, St. Joseph seemed like a real home with a tasting room in the back. I loved it- it had a very low key appeal. They were serving food from Germany- a delicious quiche called Zwiebelkuchen German Onion Pie- which was simply scrumptious. Even my very picky little sister Megan, a real hamburger and fries type chick, loved the quiche! I enjoyed mine paired with a Riesling. My next wine choice was the Pinot Noir, which I really enjoyed. Jean got the Merlot and Megan tried the Shiraz so we were all able to sample and compare the three. I think the Pinot Noir won by a landslide! We wandered out back to a small pond and then headed out to the back porch of the tasting room. Picnicking is allowed at St. Joseph so patrons were enjoying their own cheese and fruit with a bottle of wine purchased on site while looking out toward the pond and the wooded areas beyond. I loved the quirky character of this place.

The Grand River Cellars Winery was right up the road and our next destination. To me and I believe everyone else in the group, this was the highlight of the ‘Around the World’ tour. The winery has nice grounds with a restaurant, outdoor patio and manicured landscaping and is understated rather than overdone. After purchasing our tickets, we were told to head down into the cellar. We walked down a series of steps into the basement and entered a huge room with giant vats of wine, other equipment and oak barrels lining the walls. The lights were dimmed and white twinkle lights illuminated the space, paired with candles on wine barrels set up to be used as tables to add to the ambiance. We were all blown away by the charm! We had our choice of their Austin’s White or Austin’s Red paired with an Irish Beef Stew and Oatmeal Bread. I’m not a huge stew fan but it was really good and I loved the bread. We gathered around a wine barrel turned cocktail table and enjoyed the atmosphere of the cellar. A gentleman invited us to sample more wines and we headed over to his table to sample their Vidal Blanc Ice Wine, a winner of the Director’s Choice Award for the Best Dessert Wine in the State! Next he gave us a glass of the White Fox, a sweet wine made from Niagara grapes. I loved the grapeyness of this wine and after resisting at other vineyards, I decided to buy a bottle of the White Fox. In terms of atmosphere, hospitality and warmth, the Grand River Cellars Winery was a huge hit among our group. I hope to visit again soon to try their restaurant, ‘The Tipsy Grape Grille.’

Next we drove to Laurello Vineyards. We had a blast just getting there because Jill instructed us to turn into a grape vine field so Kristen steered the minivan down a dirt road but found another dirt road that led right to the vineyard parking lot. It was an adventure within an adventure. The Laurello Vineyard featured Sicilian Bruschetta. I’m usually not a huge tomato fan but I enjoyed the appetizer with an assortment of red wines. The decor of the vineyard was laid back. There were fish on the wall, large doors, concrete floors and a spacious sitting area with chairs in the back near the barn. The settling was lovely but there wasn’t anything about it that set it apart from the rest. But, the owner would come out to check on customers and the patrons would chat with each other. As one guy asked us what we were celebrating, another took a few groups pictures of us. The laidback atmosphere is complimented by laidback clientele.

The wine tour was from noon to five but it was nearly six by the time we reached Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, our final destination. Although we knew we’d miss the featured Italian appetizer of Portobello Mushroom Risotto and wine pairings, we thought it would be a great ending to our day because it has a restaurant where we could unwind and reflect on the day. The winery is big and bustling- quite the spot to end the evening. Many of the groups that were there were celebrating as well. We got on the restaurant list and then explored the building. There is a gift shop, wine bar and outdoor patio where live music was being played. The outdoor area had several different pavilions and a fountain in the middle. We relaxed outside with a few glasses of wine and listened to the music while watching a woman who was pleasantly drunk on wine dance around the patio. By this point I, too, was pleasantly drunk and very much enjoyed just sitting and enjoying the environment while sipping on glasses of Bianco and Vidal Blanc wines. Our table was large and situated right in front of the windows so we had a great view of the grounds and musician. Megan and I decided to share the Portobello Mushroom & Artichoke Bruschetta, the Pizza Margarita and the Tiramisu. All were amazing. A few others tried the dinner for two which was a three-course meal with wine pairings- cheese manicotti and lobster to start, a beef dish for the second dish and cannoli with red ice dessert wine for dessert. I really enjoyed the restaurant at Ferrante and look forward to returning. Although Ferrante is a larger vineyard that lacks some of the character the smaller vineyards seem to have, it is still warm and relaxing.

To say I had a blast in wine country would be an understatement. As celebrations go, the wine tour was the perfect choice. Not only did I get to spend a beautiful day with my closest friends but we got to enjoy a little slice of what Ohio has to offer. Each vineyard had its own feeling and attitude and I loved the mix that we experienced. There are several other wineries in the area to explore and I can’t wait to visit the region again!

Special thanks to Diana who provided all the pics!

Camp Tuscazoar Maple Days Festival- Dover, Ohio

2009-04-26T19:37:00.025-04:00

Maple Days Festival
Camp Tuscazoar- Dover, Ohio
April 4, 2009

My family has always loved a good festival! Some of my fondest family memories are of jumping in hay bales at the Algonquin Mill Festival, camping out and listening to tribute bands at a Harvest Festival and enjoying ice cream at the Utica Ice Cream Festival. This year we decided to travel to many festivals around our state to get to know a little about each community that holds these celebrations. Along with the festivals we visit annually, we hope to get to a few new ones, too. Although most of these excursions will only be day trips, I’m going to include them in my blog to promote tourism within our own state. Traveling doesn’t have to be spending a certain amount of time in a destination that is a certain distance away. Traveling within the state is a great way to save time and money while spending tourism dollars at local businesses and organizations.

The Camp Tuscazoar Maple Days Festival is one that my family and friends have been visiting for the past four years. Featuring great hiking and all-you-can-eat pancakes with homemade maple syrup, this event kicks off the outdoor season and we all look forward to it. Maple trees within the camp are tapped and connected by miles of tubing. All the sap is collected and made into maple syrup on site. A local Boy Scout troop serves pancakes and sausage to accompany the syrup.

We all decided to meet in the campground parking lot. Although previous years have been cold and rainy, we had a perfect day. The turn-out was huge. The group consisted of my brother Michael, my friend Diana, my sister Joanna and her boyfriend Troy, my friends and sisters Janet and Jean and Jean’s boyfriend Bob, my friend Jan and her dog Carly and me. We decided to take a hike before eating breakfast and headed down the hill to the Dover Dam. There hadn’t been too much flooding this year so it wasn’t a very exciting sight.

We continued down the trail and then headed off the beaten path and into the woods. We climbed a hill, hopped a stream and followed logging trails to the Zoarite Iron Mines, a mine established around 1817 by German settlers. An old stone wall probably used as a loading dock still exists in the middle of the woods. After resting at the mine, we continued on to Buzzards Roost, an outcropping of rocks that sits hundreds of feet above the Tuscarawas River. Once a Native American look-out, it now overlooks the Dover Dam and the river valley below. The views are breathtaking- each year this spot is the highlight of our hike.

We’d hiked a few miles and were ready for some food! We all headed back to Kimble Hall to enjoy some pancakes and maple syrup. The $6 all-you-can-eat breakfast is a hit with everyone. We always head up for seconds of the fluffy pancakes that are served with sausage links, apple sauce and coffee, water or punch. After filling up on breakfast, we walked off a little by climbing the hill to the parking lot. We were all beat but enjoyed another great year at the annual Maple Days Festival.

Maple Days 2010

Maple Days 2011

Travel Products Rave

2009-03-08T09:27:00.005-04:00

Joby Gorillapod- This little 6” tripod is the perfect size to carry with your digital camera. Its design makes it adaptable to a variety of situations. Recently, we used our Gorillapod to take photos of us by the ocean and in the rainforest when there was no one around to snap a picture. It is also great to use when taking photographs that require a steady hand like low light and nighttime scenes.

Sarongs- I’ve long been using sarongs as beach cover-ups and casual skirts but on our recent trip, I discovered another use. We were gone for 10 days and needed to do some laundry. We made laundry bags by wrapping our clothes in sarongs, tying the corners and carrying them to the nearby laundromat. We washed the sarongs with everything else and packed our clean folded clothes in them for the way back.

Carry-on Size Backpacks- Traveling carry-on only is made easier by eliminating the long handles and wheels and instead carrying a backpack style suitcase. We discovered that our backpacks were great when traveling over broken sidewalks and cobblestone streets, as well. I use the Jansport Weekaway and J uses the eBags Weekender. Both have straps that can convert them to a duffel-type bag and are a roomy but manageable size that fit into airplane overhead bins. Skipping the luggage claim is great!

Packing Cubes- When traveling carry-on only, organization is essential. Various size packing cubes make organization much easier. I use two medium, two small and two slim packing cubes with my Jansport Weekaway. These cubes hold a lot of stuff! For my most recent trip to Puerto Rico, I needed to pack a variety of clothing options because we were going to enjoy a wide range of activities from touring a historic city to hiking up a waterfall to enjoying nightlife. The cubes kept everything organized, somewhat like mini drawers within my suitcase.

5th Anniversary Trip- Puerto Rico

2009-02-23T19:17:00.030-05:00

February 11-20, 2009

Puerto Rico was the perfect destination for our 5th anniversary trip for many reasons. Because of its size and geography, the island offers numerous land and water activities- perfect for a couple with one water lover and one lover of land. The history and features of the island can be explored during the day with laid back evenings spent in restaurants and cantinas. We were able to plan a trip that satisfied my desire to do and see as much as possible with J’s need to just slow down and relax.

Many of the travelers that we met agreed that Puerto Rico offers all the benefits of international travel without the hassle. Because it is a commonwealth of the United States, no passport is required. However, the look and atmosphere of Puerto Rico is distinct and unlike any area of mainland US. The Spanish Colonial architecture and Caribbean influences blend to create a culture of rhythm and color.

Old San Juan

Day 1- Arriving in Puerto Rico- Our flight departing Cleveland (connecting in Chicago) left on schedule at 6:05am EST. The flights were full of turbulence so we were happy to land and be on our way by a little after 3:pm AST. We had a great taxi driver who pointed out sights and gave us tips the entire way from the airport into Old San Juan. My husband described pulling into Old San Juan as “culture shock.” The one-way streets are very narrow and offer barely enough room for a line of parked cars, moving vehicles and pedestrians that are crowded off the narrow sidewalks. All of the buildings are beautiful Spanish architecture painted in bright colors with large iron gates that protect open-air courtyards. The streets are paved with blue cobblestones. It was unlike any place we’d ever seen.

We arrived at our guesthouse Casa Candela on Calle St. Sebastian and were lead to a beautiful room on the third floor and back of the building. Casa Candela is in a 400-year old building and features interesting and eclectic art throughout the passageways and rooms. Our room had beamed ceilings that were at least 15 feet tall and a balcony with beautiful views of Old San Juan, the water and the mountains beyond. There is also a roof-top deck with 360° views of Old San Juan, the bay and both forts. The doors and windows have shutters that can be opened to let the breezes pass through the room and we left ours open most of the time. Our room had no TV or telephone and we loved that we had no idea what was going on in the outside world for the time that we were there. Nicer then a hostel but without the amenities of a hotel, there were some drawbacks to our accommodations. There were signs warning of sporadic water problems and there certainly were issues. We were without water for one entire afternoon and evening and a few hours on another day but we agreed with other guests that for what we were paying, we could get by with the large jugs of water that were provided.

After settling into our room, we set out to walk around a bit and find some dinner. We headed down the hill and walked up Calle Fortaleza to Calle Cristo. We finally decided on Maria’s Bar and Restaurant, which has friendly service and the biggest pitchers of Sangria we have ever seen. We each ordered tacos and enchiladas and the casual dinner hit the spot. We couldn’t finish our pitcher of Sangria so they poured it in a bottle for us to take with us. After dinner, we walked around the area a little and strolled by the water for a while before heading back to our room. We were exhausted after a long day of travel and got to bed early.

Day 2- Touring Old San Juan- It was a beautiful morning and I decided to go for a jog around Old San Juan (OSJ). I was greeted by many of the people also jogging along the city walls. When I returned to the room, J was ready to go. I got ready and we headed down to Cafe Mallorca (400 Calle San Francisco) for breakfast. The service was great and we both enjoyed simple eggs and bacon breakfasts with toast for a good price.

After breakfast, J and I embarked on a walking tour of OSJ that I found on TripAdvisor.com. We enjoyed being able to do the tour at our own pace and took the time to visit and explore many of the historical features of Old San Juan. The walking tour passed many Old San Juan landmarks such as the Paseo de la Princesa where an exhibit of aerial photographs was being displayed, the Raices sculpture, the promenade overlooking the bay and then continued up the path along the outside of the City Wall to the City Gate. At the City Gate, we decided to walk the .75-mile one-way Paseo del Morro path along the outside of the wall and under El Morro to enjoy the beautiful water views. We’d heard about the cats and were happy to see most of them looking healthy and enjoying the warm morning sun. We spent a lot of time at the end of the path sitting by the water and watching the waves crash against the rocks. After walking back through the City Gate, we stopped for Limbers (fruit-flavored shaved ice) - I chose passion fruit and J enjoyed limon. We sat in a small plaza right beside the gate and enjoyed our cool treats. As we continued the walking tour, we visited more sites such as the San Juan Cathedral where I said a prayer, the Hotel Convento, the shopping districts of Calle Fortaleza and Calle Cristo, Casa Blanca, La Rogativa Plaza, La Fortaleza, Cristo Chapel and Pigeon Park.

El Morro Fort was one of the highlights of our trip. It is a huge fortress with dark passageways and several levels to explore. There are beautiful views of the sea and city from the walls and observation areas. It only cost $5/per person to visit both El Morro and San Cristobal Forts so it is worth it to see both if you have the time. Although guided tours are available, we enjoyed doing the self-guided tour listed in the pamphlet we received when we entered.

We finished our tour of El Morro in the early afternoon and decided to have lunch at a restaurant near our guesthouse, El Patio de Sam (102 Calle San Sebastian). Our server was friendly and funny and we really appreciated his service. I enjoyed a margarita and J drank beer. We shared the appetizer sampler and Cuban sandwich. All the appetizers were delicious with several types of Puerto Rican fritters and queso frito but I enjoyed the olive bites the most. We headed back to our room for a little siesta after lunch.

In the early afternoon we headed out again for a shared favorite pastime- drinking and shopping! J likes to drink, I like to shop- it works out perfectly. We stopped at Barrachina, the birthplace of the pina colada. I had a few classic pina coladas with dark rum and J sampled aged local rums. We then stopped to purchase cigars, look at hand-carved nativities, jewelry and outlet shopping while popping in small bars along the way to enjoy a few drinks. Since we had a large lunch we decided against dinner and instead picked up snacks and drinks and headed back to enjoy the roof-top deck of the guest house.

Day 3- Touring & Shopping- We decided to take the day a little more slowly. After enjoying a delicious breakfast of toasted mallorca, eggs, bacon, toast and fresh-squeezed orange juice at La Bombonera (259 Calle de San Francisco), we spent the morning relaxing in various plazas around OSJ in between shopping for a hat for J and making purchases at the Puerto Rican Craft Store (204 Calle Fortaleza) and a few outlets for myself.

We set out for San Cristobal Fort in the early afternoon and enjoyed doing the self-guided tour. Although San Cristobal is larger than El Morro, it didn’t seem to have all the areas and levels that El Morro has. I suppose that most pick a favorite and I personally enjoyed El Morro more.

After the Fort we enjoyed a Puerto Rican lunch at El Jiberito (280 Calle Sol). Our server Luis made great suggestions- I had the chicken with a side of beans and rice and J had cube steak with mofongo. We then walked to the cemetery near El Morro and strolled though Casa Blanca’s tropical gardens. Finally, we headed down to the bottom of the hill to sample some of the local rums at Casa Don Q. Even though we had tried to take it easy, we were still weary by the end of the day.

Luquillo

Day 4- Moving to the Beach- Old San Juan is a great option for a long-weekend vacation destination. Three days was the perfect amount of time for us to explore OSJ, enjoy a few restaurants and bars, some shopping and the general atmosphere of the city. We spent a quiet morning sitting on the roof-top deck and packing up our stuff. We walked down to the Plaza de Armas to catch a taxi back to the airport where we picked up our rental to drive to Luquillo for the rest of our vacation. Along the way, we stopped at a road-side stand for a traditional weekend lunch of lechon asado, roasted pig. The people of Puerto Rico are so friendly and open- even though the pig man knew no English and we knew only a little Spanish, we figured out the transaction with smiles and laughs. We ate under a plastic canopy by the side of the road and the experience was one of the most authentic we had.

For the second leg of our trip, we wanted to slow down and spend some time relaxing at the beach. After three days in the hustle and bustle of OSJ, it was nice to pull into Luquillo, a sleepy beach town that looks worn but appreciated by its warm and friendly inhabitants.

When we arrived at the B&B, the Luquillo Sunrise Beach Inn, we were blown away. To say that this place is immaculate would be an understatement. Everything looked great from the parking lot swept free of sand, to the rooms with new tile floors, showers and granite countertops, to the activity room with internet station, games, books and notebooks full of reviews of local restaurants, activities and more. What a great idea! We relied heavily on those review books when deciding where we wanted to eat. The front desk and support staff are all so friendly and helpful. The B&B also serves a great breakfast, with Continental items like breads and bagels with fruit and cereal and hot options that change every day like eggs and potatoes, banana pancakes with bacon and Caribbean breakfast pizza. We had a king-sized room with an extended balcony. Our view of the ocean was so close that we could actually feel the mist of the waves on our balcony!

So, this was Valentine’s Day, our 5th anniversary. We spent the afternoon sitting on the beach in front of the B&B, watching the waves crash. In the evening we started thinking of what we really wanted to do for our anniversary dinner. We usually just enjoy a special dinner at home and decided we’d really rather do something like that. So, we ordered pizza and it was fantastic. We walked to the local place, William’s Pizza, and ordered two personal pizzas. We picked up some rum and beer from the local carry-out and spent our 5th anniversary eating pizza on the balcony overlooking the ocean.

Day 5- Beach Day- We just relaxed for most of the day. We carried lounge chairs down the beach to an area near the rocks and a group of palm trees. The beach directly in front of the B&B, Playa Pared, is a surfers’ beach and there were always at least a few to watch. The swimmers' beach, Playa Azul, was just a 5-minute walk away. Only a short drive away is world-known Luquillo Beach, which boasts the European Blue Flag designation. In the early afternoon, we headed down to Luquillo Beach and to check out the Kiosks for lunch. The Kiosks are made up of approximately 60 individual food stands that sell everything from towels and souvenirs to Puerto Rican food like fritters and mofongo and other stands offer Peruvian food, upscale Italian or fresh oysters.

We decided to try El Jefe Burger Shack (Kiosk #12). What a great place. The burgers are delicious! J ordered the Sampler, which offers mini versions of each of their stuffed burgers- short-rib stuffed, Spanish-chorizo stuffed or Firecracker (green chili and jalapeño stuffed). J loved the Firecracker the most. I ordered a burger with cheddar, bacon and BBQ and it was scrumptious. The food takes a little longer at the Burger Shack because they make everything fresh as you order it but it is worth the wait.

That evening we enjoyed one of our best dinners at Guavas (Veve Calzada Street # 16, La Pared Beach, Luquillo). Guavas is within walking distance of our B&B. They have live music on the weekends and the music they were playing when we were there was amazing. Two classical guitarists were backing up a vocalist singing traditional songs. Patrons of the restaurant would sing along to their favorites and some stood up to dance at their tables when ballads were played. They served beautiful dishes that appeared gourmet in presentation but with appropriate portions. I had the Lobster Ravioli in a Saffron Sauce and J had the Stuffed Chicken. Everything was delightful and we consider this dinner to be the best of the trip.

Day 6- Icacos- We took a Spread Eagle catamaran sailboat trip to the deserted island of Icacos, a small uninhabited island off the northeast coast of PR. J and I spent the first part of the day walking around the island, beach combing. They served a great sandwich buffet on the boat and after lunch I jumped in the water and took a dip while Josh relaxed. In the afternoon the sailboat moved to another reef where I enjoyed snorkeling. Although we were careful to dowse ourselves in sun-screen we both were still slightly red and very tired by the end of the trip. We stopped at the grocery on the way back to pick up pan agua or water bread, a soft white bread, and other sandwich fixings so we could make lunches for our hike the next day. We decided to just have sandwiches that night and got to bed early.

Day 7- El Yunque Rain Forest- Visiting El Yunque Rain Forest was the highlight of the trip for me. I love to hike and trekking through such lush vegetation was a thrill. We took the advice of many and got to the forest early, a little after 8:am. By the time we left, the place was crawling with visitors- thank goodness we arrived early because we felt like we had the place to ourselves in the early morning. We drove all the way to the end of the road, parked and started our walk to the Britton Observation Tower from there. The entire walk to the Tower is uphill but because the path is well-maintained the hike is fairly easy. The view from the tower is amazing. We could see all the way to the ocean and were even able to see the area our B&B is in.

Next, we hiked the Big Tree Trail to see La Mina Falls, which was breathtaking. The trail follows a stream down the rocky riverbed filled with boulders that are easily climbable. There are cool pools to stand in and you are even allowed to swim in the pond that La Mina Falls pours into. We had the entire falls to ourselves. As we hiked out, we encountered a lot of people hiking in so we were happy to be done rather than part of a huge crowd.

J and I headed out to Playa Azul to hang out at the beach that afternoon. J and I jumped in, waded out to where the waves broke and enjoyed splashing around. We had a picnic lunch that day and decided to head out for good old bar food for dinner. We ate at the Brass Cactus, which offers a great menu of pub-style foods like steak fajitas and beer-battered mahi sandwiches. I enjoyed a few stiff margaritas which were perfect.

Day 8- Beach Day- We had planned on biking the Pinones Boardwalk on this day but decided we’d rather have a quiet beach day instead. We walked from the B&B along the beach to an outcropping of rocks that are a part of a Nature Preserve and explored that area for a while. We had tacos at a well-priced local Mexican place called El Sabor. In the early afternoon we got the call we’d be dreading- our trip to the Biobay had been cancelled due to strong winds and bad weather moving in. This was one of our most anticipated activities and we were disappointed that we couldn’t do it. We decided to go out for dinner instead and enjoyed a quiet Italian meal at Osobucco, one of the Kiosks. We were surprised that this place wasn’t busier than what it was because we enjoyed our meals of Pesto Gnocchi and Chicken Parmesan very much. The server was beyond gracious and the sage green decor with Caribbean wood accents was tasteful and welcoming.

Day 9- Gallery Day- It rained most of our last full day in Puerto Rico but that didn’t get us down. We chose to use the day to drive around the area and visit local galleries. Our Inn has a mural painted by a local artist and we wanted to see more of her work so we headed out to Palmer to check out her gallery and others in the area. First we visited a large gallery, the Coqui International Store, that exhibits the work of several Puerto Rican artists in the area. Everything from paintings to wood carvings to food delicacies are available in this area. Across the street is the Melloy Gallery of Jaymee Weinreich that she shares with two other local artists. Jaymee is the mural artist we were looking for and we were pleased and honored to meet and talk with her at her gallery. We ended up purchasing two linoleum prints from a fellow artist at the Gallery as well as a painting done by Ms. Weinreich that was displayed in our B&B. We spent the rest of the afternoon driving around Luquillo and Fajardo gathering the supplies needed to ship a box full of all our purchases back home. Because we enjoyed the burgers so much the first time, we headed back to try something new at the El Jefe Burger Shack. J got a Firecracker burger and I got my burger with sautéed mushrooms. I enjoyed being able to customize my burgers each time depending on what I felt like having.

Day 10- Our Last Day- Our last day had finally arrived and we woke up early to watch the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean. Although we were sad that our vacation had come to an end, we missed our dogs so much and looked forward to getting home just to see them. Our flights home were not nearly as turbulent and we had much more room so we relaxed and enjoyed the flights back. We were home by 8:pm that evening and snuggling with our dogs on the couch shortly after.

Summit MetroParks Fall Hiking Spree Trail Review

2009-01-17T22:36:00.010-05:00
September 1 through November 30, 2008

Anyone that gets a chance to travel to Akron, Ohio should take a few hours to explore one of the many MetroParks in the area. The Parks have so much to offer the community, including ball fields, swimming and other recreational activities but what my family and I enjoy most about the parks are the hiking trails! Summit County MetroParks holds an annual hiking event called the Fall Hiking Spree. They challenge participants to complete at least 8 hikes between September 1 and November 30. My sister Megan and I decided to go for it. This is a review of each of the trails that we completed.

Quarry Trail- Deep Lock Quarry Park (near Peninsula)- 1.2 miles, Difficulty Rating- 2

The Quarry Trail is a beautiful one to complete in the fall. Although there are some hills and rocky terrain, it is an easy trail to complete. When we went, there were many children as well as seniors on the trail. One of the highlights of the trail is an abandoned rock quarry and many were gathered there enjoying the day. Old mill stones still lay along the path and stone-paved walkways presumably used by quarry workers are still evident. The history of the area is apparent by the artifacts that were left behind. This trail would be good for running but be aware of rocks and loose stones! A quick walk with only a few hills, we enjoyed the trail but much prefer more difficult ones.

Willow Trail- Firestone Park (South Akron)- 1.6 miles, Difficulty Rating- 1

One thing we quickly learned about the trails was the lower the difficulty rating, the higher number of people you’ll see there! This trail was packed with families! It goes through open fields, past fishing ponds, streams and canals and over rolling hills. Due to recent rain, part of the trail was flooded but we just waded through. It was a simple and quick walk and would be nice for running.

Gorge Trail-Gorge Park (North Akron, near Cuyahoga Falls)-1.8 miles, Difficulty Rating- 3

The Gorge Trail is a family favorite! One of the most scenic trails in the system, it passes by a cave where a 12 year-old settler girl was held hostage by Native Americans, through rock formations and along the Cuyahoga River Gorge but the gem of the park is the waterfall, which used to be used to create hydropower. The upper trail is full of rocks, roots and sandy areas and is not best for running due to trip hazards. Areas of the lower trail are better for running but trip hazards such as roots exist. One area of the trail offers an ‘Easy’ and a ‘Difficult’ option. The ‘Difficult’ option takes you through a series of rock crevices and includes rock steps. Even in the heat of the summer, it is cool within the rocks. Although this trail has a high difficulty rating, it is a community favorite so many people enjoy the park. There are also picnic tables, pavilions and a fishing dock that make the area a park-dwellers delight.

Adam Run Trail- Hampton Hills Park (Cuyahoga Falls, near Blossom)- 3.2 miles, Diff.- 3

Adam Run is one of the most difficult in the Park system. It has varied terrain which includes several hill climbs, some with steps. Nearly the entire trail passes through a deeply wooded area including a pine grove planted by Girl Scouts in the 60s, more than 40 years ago. There is an open field area at the top of the trail with wild flowers. Because of the difficulty, the trail is less populated. Areas are well suited for trail running and the steps are always a challenge. This trail is great for winter hiking! Adam Run is one of the go-to trails my sis and I consider when we want a good ‘work-out’ hike.

Parcourse Trail- Sand Run Park (Akron)- 1.4 miles, Difficulty Rating- 3

Speaking of ‘work-out’ trails, the Parcourse was designed just for that. Although it is a short trail, it is tough because of the hilly terrain and the twenty individual workout stations that line that path. Signs prompt you to run or walk from station to station providing a total body workout. Stations range from strength exercises such as squats, lunges, push-ups and sit-ups to cardio activities like jumping jacks and jumping logs. Stretching and balancing stations are also included. Cross-country runners love this trail, as well. Because it offers such a great work-out, my sis and I call it “THE Trail” and we’ve brought many friends and family with us to experience the intense workout. My sis and I were pretty devoted to the trail for all the summer and fall and went from flabby and slow to toned and able to run the entire trail within a few months. We can’t wait to take it on again this spring! This is one of our all-time favorites because it is a great fitness trail!

Cherry Lane/ Fernwood Trail- Nature Realm Park (Akron)- 1 mile, Difficulty Rating- 1

The Nature Realm is an educational facility surrounded by a scenic park. It features an arboretum, an herb garden and calming ponds. The trails were very easy to complete. This is a great spot for families and seniors. Because it is more family/senior oriented, running is not allowed.

Deer Run Trail- O’Neil Woods Park (Bath)- 1.8 miles, Difficulty Rating- 3

This trail was the find of the season! It is a new family favorite. It starts at the top of the Cuyahoga River Valley, winds deep into the valley, along the Cuyahoga River and back up to the top. It is a strenuous running trail, just the kind my sis and I love! It is also very scenic- there is a long area of steps that wind down into the valley and the views that overlook the valley are breathtaking. The last part if the trail is a long, somewhat steep hike back up to the top that gets the heart going. For a real workout, we run it backwards so that we’re going up all the steps, rather than down, which is a killer! Because of the scenery and the difficulty of this trail, it is one of our favorites!

Dogwood Trail- Sand Run Park (Akron)- 1.8 miles, Difficulty Rating- 3

The Dogwood Trail has been a family favorite since we moved to Akron. We enjoy trails with hills and this one delivers. It hikes into a valley and back out, ending with what we affectionately call ‘The Big Hill.’ The last time we hiked this trail we saw a fox and have previously encountered deer within feet of us! It is an excellent running trail, as well. This trail is frequently populated because of its great location within Sand Run and good terrain.
Other Great Trails in the MetroParks System
Mingo Trail- Sand Run Park (Akron)- 3.3 miles, Difficulty Rating- 3

The Mingo Trail is a new favorite of Megan's and mine. We've gotten more and more into trail running and the Mingo Trail offers everything we love- varied terrain, lots of elevation changes and great scenery! There are two 'big' hills on the trail that really get your heart going. The rest is smaller hill after smaller hill making it a great trail for interval-type exercising. The trail is packed well and isn't too rooty or rocky so it is a great choice for trail runners! We always run into a few others on the trail but it is never crowded.

Romantic Weekend Trip- Findlay, Ohio

2008-12-28T18:46:00.011-05:00
December 13-14, 2008

J and I had planned on going on a romantic weekend for quite a while but something else always came up. When we decided to travel to Findlay, Ohio for the University of Findlay Graduation Ceremony, it seemed like the perfect time to make a romantic weekend out of a quick in-state trip.

We left in the morning of Saturday, December 13, 2008. The route to Findlay is easy- Ohio State Route 224 West all the way from Akron to Findlay. We were on our way! The drive was beautiful. We were lucky to have cold but clear weather. There was a dusting of snow in most places. The route has a few areas of multiple-lane roadway but most of it is a two lane highway, a single direction each way. We drove through small country towns with general stores and small gas stations with only a few old-time pumps. One of the highlights of the drive was passing a family homestead called ‘Castle Hill Farm’. The home on the property is just beautiful and stands proud in her age.

We arrived in Findlay right around noon and checked into our hotel. We enjoyed our stay at the Findlay Holiday Inn Express very much! The excellent customer service started before we even checked in. We arranged to have early check-in and our suite was available when we arrived. The hotel was very welcoming and comfortable. The room and bathroom were very spacious. We had a Jacuzzi suite with a king size bed. The room had two televisions- one large LG flat screen in the bedroom and a smaller TV hanging from the ceiling of the Jacuzzi area.

The highlight of our trip was dinner at the Bistro on Main in Findlay, Ohio! We chose this restaurant based on the recommendation of a business associate and the reviews on TripAdvisor. It seemed like the perfect place and it was! The ambiance of the restaurant is great! All the tables are intimate with white linen table clothes and art-glass lanterns. The artwork is eclectic and quirky. The color scheme of deep green with exposed brick was very nice as well. The service was great- our waitress made great suggestions and while attentive, did not overwhelm us with attention. She had excellent timing when it came to removing our dishes when we were finished and never asked us a question while our mouths were full! We ordered the Brie Brule to start, enjoyed our salads (Hot Bacon Spinach salad and Bistro salad) and our main courses were amazing! I had the Al Forno which is spinach pasta in asiago cream sauce and Josh very much enjoyed the Kobe Beef and Shrimp surf & turf. Every bite was exceptional. We live almost 3 hours away from the Bistro and are planning to visit Findlay again just to try other dishes!

We spent our evening sitting the in tub, drinking champagne and watching the Cleveland Cavaliers game. We also packed a basket with wine and cheese and enjoyed a late-night picnic. We checked out the next morning and made the drive home. Although we didn’t spend much time out of town and even though we didn’t enjoy many sites, we made a quick trip a very romantic one by simply enjoying getting away for a few days.

(Photos of the Bistro on Main found on their website.)

Pedaling Through Amish Country- Holmes County Trail

2008-10-04T22:08:00.008-04:00
October 4, 2008

My sisters and I love to travel around the state to try recreational trails we haven’t done before. One of the things I love most about the trails in Ohio is that each one is different and has its own unique atmosphere. The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail runs along the Tuscarawas River and the Canal and features historic locks and canal towns. The Hike & Bike Trail and northern portions of the Towpath cut through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The Kokosing Trail features rail influences. The Holmes Country Trail runs through the heart of beautiful Amish Country and was yet another exhilarating ride!

The Holmes County Trail is located in Holmes County, Ohio. It currently runs 15 miles from Fredericksburg to Killbuck, Ohio passing through Holmesville and Millersburg. There are plans to expand the trail to 31 miles running to Brinkhaven through Glenmont. It is paved on one side for hikers, joggers and bikers and chip and seal on the other for horses and buggies.

Most of the usual gang decided to come. Megan, Joanna, Janet, Jean and I all met at Jo & Megs. Joanna’s boyfriend Troy and her scuba diving buddy Matt decided to come along. We met Bonnie, her Aunt Betty and her mother at Fredericksburg.

We took US Route 30 West to State Route 241 to State Route 250 to County Road 2 all the way into Fredericksburg. The ride to the trailhead was a blast in itself. The scenery was beautiful. The leaves were starting to change, farmers had harvested their corn and stacked it in teepee formations, the sun was shining and the air was cool and crisp. We passed several Amish buggies as we drove on winding roads and climbed rolling hills through farmland. When we reached the top of a large hill and stared into the valley, white farmhouses and red barns dotted the green landscape. It was simple, quaint and breath-taking.

We parked at the elementary school in Fredericksburg and followed a short path to the trail. We soon were riding through tree cover, open fields and along babbling brooks. As Amish buggies would pass, we’d wave and exchange “Good Morning!” Unlike many recreational trails with several benches along the way, this trail is more of a main route of transportation for the Amish community and has fewer places to stop and rest along the way. We stopped about 5 miles into the ride in the community of Holmesville. It is a small area with nice homes and an agricultural supply facility. We continued on the trail and headed another 5 miles to the town of Millersburg. Millersburg is a beautiful town to visit. They have signs located near the trail with maps detailing the locations of local eateries, lodging, shopping, etc. It had historic buildings and a large Amish community- a small town with a lot to do!

We turned around at the 10 mile marker and headed back. The entire trip was about 21 miles including the trail from the school to the trailhead. After riding, we decided to visit an Amish country store in the area. Again we drove through beautiful Amish Country, over rolling hills and into deep valleys with no electric lines to obstruct the view. We came upon Ashery’s Country Store. From the outside, it looks like a cute little building with a large porch on which local patrons love to relax. Upon entering, you discover room after room of country goodies- a deli full of various cheeses and trail bologna, large freezers with homemade ice cream, a vast room that contained every imaginable food ingredient packed in bulk. Jars of barbeque, jellies and jams were lined on one shelf while pastas, grains and spices were on another. The other side of the room had candies, snacks and treats and other baking goods. Megan picked out graham cracker pretzels, provolone cheese and chocolate covered pretzels. I chose honey mustard pretzel bits and dill havarti cheese and brought home some trail bologna and smoked Swiss cheese for Josh. Jean found some apple butter barbeque sauce that I’m going to look for the next time I stop at this place!

From there we headed up State Route 241 North into Mount Eaten. We stopped there at a family restaurant called Mountaintop. It was decorated with country crafts for sale at reasonable prices. The menu was large for a family place. My grilled chicken club was delicious. Megan enjoyed her chili with salad bar and everyone else seemed to enjoy their meals as well. Stuffed and tired, we headed out to our cars and back to civilization. We were touched by the friendliness of the Amish community and discussed the fun things we experienced such as Amish children laughing as they rollerbladed along their family’s buggy, pedaling through tunnels made with hand-quarried stones and relaxing in the trailside gazebo in Millersburg. It was a great ride and one we hope to continue in the future!

Special thanks to Jean Z. for sharing her pictures from this trip!

Exploring Ohio by Kayak

2008-06-10T21:31:00.006-04:00
In addition to hiking and biking recreational trails all over Ohio, my family and I love to canoe and kayak. We’ve spent many hot afternoons floating down the Tuscarawas River from Canal Fulton to Massillon. The Trailhead Canoe Livery is at the Towpath trailhead at Lake Avenue and State Route 21 in Massillon. Canoe and bike rentals are available.

The Tuscarawas River is a slow, shallow river that is also known as Indian River because it was once a main route used by Native Americans. My family enjoys getting thoroughly soaked during canoe adventures and has even been known to ambush unsuspecting strangers. We love it when the strangers fight back. As we call out our battle cry “Ramming Speed”, we maneuver our boats around and back to attach again, splashing each other. We always have a great time!

Last year, my middle sister and I bought kayaks and started out exploring the Nimisila Reservoir, which is in the Portage Lakes. The Nimisila Reservoir is a great area for recreational boaters. There are always wind surfers, fisherman and other yakkers enjoying the water.

We also enjoy kayaking the Sandy Creek, which is a 41.3 mile long tributary to the Tuscarawas River, part of the Mississippi River watershed. The Sandy Creek runs through my hometown. I have grown up swimming in the Creek, watching my brother jump from the bridge and enjoying hot summer days with other local kids. Later in life, the rail bridge that crosses the Sandy Creek in Oneida was a popular hang-out spot for all sorts of partying and fun.

June 7, 2008

For our first trip of Summer 2008, my sister and I put our boats in at the Pekin Bridge, which is outside of Minerva, Ohio. From there, we generally headed west toward Malvern, Ohio. The Sandy Creek is not maintained for navigation which made the trip quite an adventure. We had to push our boats over, crawl through branches or swim under downed trees. When we couldn’t find our way around debris dams, we’d get out and pull our kayaks along the shore until we found another spot to put in. There were areas of slight rapids and it is fun to try and maneuver in those places. We encountered full families of geese and enjoyed the tranquility of a creek that is not often traveled. After approximately 3 miles, we came upon the Oneida Bridge where we pulled out and headed home. Exploring the Creek, which has been a special place since I was a child, was a great way to start the summer.

June 29, 2008

Our second trip of Summer 2008 was full of excitement and adventure! Although the Sandy Creek is usually a slow moving and shallow body of water, after a week of rain it had risen at least a few feet and was moving much faster! When I mentioned to my dad that we were planning to kayak the Creek he replied, “Oh wow, that would be thrilling- it is moving so fast right now!” No mention of safety concerns or warnings- just enthusiasm. We were both a little nervous but also very excited! We put our boats in at the Oneida Bridge. Our dad was standing on the railroad bridge, cheering us on as we paddled toward our first area of rapids. I heard him exclaim “Wahoo! Watch out for that bump!” as Joanna and I paddled around an area of debris creating 1 foot waves. The water was moving swiftly and we spent more time steering than paddling for a lot of the trip. At one point as we were paddling through an area of Class I rapids, we began to hear a roar ahead of us. As we got closer we saw an area of intimidating nearly Class III rapids! It was a progressive elevation drop of only a few feet with a lot of debris and huge waves. It was scary! I screamed as I paddled into them, water splashing into my little recreational boat, and had a blast as I rode through the area! We were both thrilled with the experience! The rest of the ride was calm. We saw a deer, a crane and fish jumping out of the water to catch insects. We paddled through the pond along State Route 183, created by previous strip-mining activities, and we realized how much larger it is than it appears from the road. We passed under the SR 183 Bridge as well as the Reed Avenue Bridge in Malvern, which has been recently restored. We pulled out behind the ball fields at the Malvern Park, approximately 3-3.5 miles from the Oneida Bridge. Because the water was moving so quickly the trip only took an hour. This trip down the Sandy Creek was very exhilarating!

July 12, 2008

Our third trip down the Sandy Creek was the most dangerous to date. As we traveled farther down the river, the water became deeper and moved more swiftly. There were also many debris dams to deal with. We put in behind the ball fields in Malvern, Ohio. We paddled past the Water Treatment Plant and into the wilderness. Although the Sandy Creek runs parallel with State Route 183 from Minerva to Malvern, the Creek runs deeper into the woods on the Malvern to Waynesburg leg. We encountered lots of wildlife including cranes, ducks, geese and lots of fish.

We soon came to an area of debris that was about 6 feet above water surface and nearly 20 feet long. The water was moving very quickly because of the obstruction and it was much harder to maneuver our boats. We scoped out the area and realized that there was no way to get around the debris but to crawl over it. This was a dangerous endeavor. We had to get out of our boats and push them against rushing water to one side of the debris. Joanna led the way, carefully crawling over the debris. I pushed our boats from behind. Then, we slid back into our boats from atop the debris and headed back down the creek--- for about 10 feet before we encountered another debris dam. Joanna’s kayak rolled but I was able to get around most of the debris and roll out so I could pull my boat over the last bit of logs. It took us about 30 minutes to navigate that area. We found a small island and rested because it was exhausting work.

A mile or two down the Creek and another debris dam was encountered. Although this one was not nearly has high or dense, the water was rushing so swiftly that Joanna quickly rolled. I was right behind her so Joanna nearly got pinned between my kayak and the debris. As she went under the water to avoid my kayak, I rolled as well and plummeted into the water. I became tangled on the debris so although I was only a foot under the water, I was caught and could not breathe. Neither Joanna nor I panicked. Joanna was able to swim under the debris and caught her waterlogged boat on the other side. I broke free of the debris and floated down the creek. My boat became lodged in the pile but the force of the water eventually pushed it through and down the creek, where I caught it. Total loss- 1 Toledo Mudhens Baseball cap. Joanna and I made our way to the shore and rested for a bit, thankful to have made it through that obstacle intact and alive. For the rest of the trip we reflected on the safety issues associated with kayaking a river that is not maintained for navigation. We discussed what we should have done differently and decided to take a few weeks off to recover from our exciting and slightly scary adventure. We pulled out at the Greer Avenue Bridge, just east of Waynesburg, after kayaking approximately 6 miles.

Weekend Road Trip- Mt. Vernon and Utica, Ohio and the Kokosing Gap Trail

2008-05-26T20:10:00.013-04:00
Weekend Road Trip with my Sisters- Mt. Vernon and Utica, Ohio and the Kokosing Gap Trail

May 23-25, 2008

My family has always loved Velvet brand ice cream, which is made in Utica, Ohio. Our favorite flavor is Buckeye Classic, which is peanut butter ice cream with chocolate covered peanut butter balls that resemble the Ohio State Buckeye. While watching PBS one day, a show called ‘Our Ohio’ featured Velvet Ice Cream, the Old Mill and the Utica Ice Cream Festival. My sisters and I decided to attend the Ice Cream Festival, which is held annually over Memorial Day weekend.

While researching lodging and other things to do in the area, I found out about the Kokosing Gap Trail, which is a 14 mile, paved recreational rails-to-trail that runs from Mt. Vernon, through Gambier and Howard and ends in Danville, Ohio. Since my sisters and I love to bike, we decided to load our bikes onto my Vue and head down for a weekend of eating ice cream and cycling.

We left after work on Friday, May 23. We’d packed a cooler with fruit, sandwich fixings, bottled water, soda and snacks. We took US Route 30 West from Canton and through Wooster to Interstate 71 South. In Mansfield, we stopped for dinner at Cracker Barrel and caught State Route 13 right in front of the restaurant. We followed SR13 all the way into Mt. Vernon.

Mt. Vernon is a cute little town with a round-about, big old homes and a lot of charm. We stayed at the Comfort Inn, which is very nice. It had an indoor pool, hot tub and sauna that we all enjoyed quite a bit.

On Saturday morning, May 24, we headed for the trailhead of the Kokosing Gap Trail. From there, we got on our bikes and headed toward Gambier along the Kokosing River. We crossed over old rail bridges and rode past cows grazing in open farm land. In Gambier, we stopped to enjoy the locomotive, flatbed car and caboose. We rode through the Howard Tunnel toward Danville. On the way back through, we stopped and ate lunch at the Howard Tunnel. We also saw a breath-taking bird called an indigo bunting. We had the most amazing day- the temperature was perfect, the sun was shining, other people were out enjoying the trail. We enjoyed the Trail very much!

After we were done riding, we headed back to the hotel to get ready for the Ice Cream Festival. After we were done changing, we headed down SR13 for about 10 miles toward Utica, Ohio. The Festival is held about 1 mile south of Utica in an open area. There is plenty of room for visitors, vendor booths and strollers. The Festival is very well laid out and a brochure that details the location of all the stands is included. Our very first stop was the Ice Cream tent. We all tried our favorite flavor, Buckeye, and then got a second scoop of another flavor. I tried Turtle Tracks, Joanna tried Cookies & Cream as well as Raspberry Chocolate Cordial and Megan tried Black Cherry. Of course, each flavor was delicious. After finishing our ice cream, we walked around the vendor areas buying tie-dyed aprons, sandstone coasters, jewelry, candles and magnets.

After the festival we headed back to the hotel room. We ordered pizza and pasta from a local place, Dirko’s, and drank wine while watching ‘Knocked Up’ on HBO. The next morning we got up early, had breakfast at the hotel and then headed home. We decided to take a back road most of the way. We caught State Route 3 North in Mt. Vernon and followed that through Mohican Area into Wooster, where we got on US Route 30 East toward Canton.

Although the trip was just a weekend excursion, we had a lot of fun. We were able to enjoy an area that we had never been to although it was just a few hours away and really experience what that area has to offer. We were able to spend our tourism dollars in our own state and get to know our state even better. We spent very little time getting to our destination and quite a bit of time really enjoying it. I had a blast and enjoyed the weekend with my sisters very much!

May 23, 2009

We'd had so much fun at the Ice Cream Festival the previous year that we decided to return again! We took an afternoon trip, driving through Mohican Country and arriving in Utica in the mid-afternoon. This year we took the time to go inside the Old Mill, observe the ice cream making exhibit and take a walk around the grounds of Velvet Ice Cream. Then we headed to our most anticipated attraction- the Ice Cream Tent! We each chose two individual scoops so we'd have 6 flavors to sample. We tried Buckeye Classic, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Peach, Pralines & Cream, Chocolate Raspberry Cordial and Cookies & Cream. All the flavors were delicious but I still prefer the Buckeye Classic. After finishing our scoops, we walked around the festival a bit and did some shopping. I ended up with a beautiful peacock pearl necklace purchased from a man that thought Jo, Meg and I were triplets. Yet again, my sisters and I had a blast at the Utica Ice Cream Festival and look forward to returning next year!

Great American Cities- New York City

2008-04-27T08:51:00.017-04:00
May 17-21, 2007- Girls’ Weekend Getway!

Many of my adventures include a group of awesome girlfriends who are always up for anything. When we’re home our activities range from hiking, cross-country skiing and cycling to attending art shows and gallery openings. We enjoy meeting at Mexican restaurants for big pitchers of Margaritas but we also like spending a Saturday night playing games. My friends are an awesome bunch!

The NYC Girls’ Weekend idea originated with my middle sister, Joanna. Her friend Kevin offered to show us around the city. My middle sister Joanna, my little sister Megan, my best friend Di, my friends Jan and Janet (who are also co-workers of Joanna and Megan) and I were in. A date was set and plans started being made. We would celebrate Jan’s birthday in NYC!

We’re all budget travelers and cost was a concern. Although we’d heard that NYC is a very expensive, there are so many ways to save money in NYC! Before leaving, we all ordered the New York Pass (plus one for Kevin), which is a card that gives you admission to more than 40 top NYC attractions. We paid about $85/each for a two-day Pass- considering the cost of the Natural History Museum alone was $56, the Pass is a great deal! The Pass also saves a lot of time! We didn’t have to wait in line to buy tickets at any of the attractions. Because of the Pass, you get to skip the lines and go to a special desk that will issue the tickets.

We left after work on Thursday. We rented a minivan with lots of storage space and a DVD player. We all brought an assortment of snacks for the ride. We watched ‘The Warriors’ while driving toward NYC. We took Interstate 77 North to I-76 East to I-80 East and followed 80 all the way into New Jersey. We stopped around 9:00pm for a dinner at a little Amish place somewhere in Pennsylvania. We drove through the night and arrived at our hotel in the early morning hours. We decided to stay in a hotel in New Jersey near a PATH station and ride the train into the city everyday. What can I say about the hotel? I’ve seen much nicer but for $100/night compared to NYC prices there weren’t bugs and the rooms weren’t dirty but a mirror did come crashing down in the middle of the night and the exterior of the hotel is definitely on the shabby side.

On Friday morning we took off toward NYC. We had an awful hand-drawn map from the front desk with nothing resembling directions to the train station. We still managed to find it with the help of some friendly New-Jerseyians outside the restaurant where we had breakfast. Once we got to the station, we were a little confused because we’re from Ohio and just don’t ride public transportation on a daily basis. Another kind person helped us with the ticket machines and a very helpful man herded us to train minutes before it took off. He spent the 10 minute ride telling us the various places to shop, eat and enjoy ourselves. We rode the train from Journal Square to 33rd Street and come up under the Manhattan Mall. That’s where we met Kevin.

The next few days were a whirl-wind tour. I think I remember most of it but I could have things confused. It is a lot to take in. But, for all the times I’d heard about how overwhelming NYC can be, I didn’t feel that way at all. When we were confused, a local would help us. The signs are pretty clearly marked and no matter what, there’s always some major landmark close to where you are so you can get back on track if you need to. The trains are easy once you get the hang of it. NYC is a visitor-friendly city.

Our first stop was the Museum of Sex, which was covered by the NYC Pass. The MoS was not my thing. I was expecting risqué exhibits but we went on a day when celebrity porn was being featured and that didn't interest me. I enjoyed the first exhibits which featured different fetishes and some of the exhibits at the end were quite interesting. It wasn’t a museum of sexy stuff, it was really a museum of sex.

Next, we went to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, also covered by the Pass. This was slightly fun because you can get your picture taken with your favorite actor, politician, athlete, etc. But, the museum was packed with people and it is hard to navigate around the crowds and the statues. I did enjoy getting a picture of myself kicking Derrick Jeter in the balls.

After Madame Tussaunds we wondered around the city a little taking in Times Square, which basically has everything we have at home, but all lit up and shiny, then heading over to see Rockefeller Center, Saks 5th Avenue, Radio City Music Hall and many other landmarks in that area. We plan on visiting Top of the Rock on our next visit. One of the highlights of the trip was saying a prayer in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It was absolutely beautiful and quite calming in the middle of the hectic city. We only stayed for a few minutes but it was quite touching.

We decided to stop for dinner at a little Italian place at 150 W. 49th St. called Bella Napoli. We just read the menu in the window and decided it looked good. We ordered carafes of red wine and enjoyed delicious salads and entrees. I ordered Tries Fungi, which was mushrooms in cream sauce over pasta and it was amazing. We all got pleasantly tipsy on red wine and headed over to the Empire State Building for a view of NYC at night.

The Empire State Building at night was another of the highlights of the trip. There are long lines getting to the elevators to go up and even longer lines getting to the elevators to go down. But, the time spent on top of the building was great. What a beautiful view! We got our picture taken and then headed down. Kevin headed for Penn Station and we headed back to the PATH to go back to the hotel for the night.

The next day was another day full of running, running, running. Jan ended up walking about 12 miles on her birthday! We came up under the Manhattan Mall but asked a local where a good place to eat was and she pointed us toward a little deli a few blocks over. It had a name like Amores or something like that. I got a huge egg salad sandwich and drink for a few dollars. They also served pizza, sandwiches, soup and salads. We wanted to take a boat tour but because of cold and rainy weather, it was cancelled. Instead we wandered around the Garment District, saw the Parson’s School of Design (where Project Runway, a show that Janet and I love is taped) and the big needle.

We rode the train to the upper West Side and headed to the American Museum of Natural History, covered by the Pass. The museum had a lot of amazing historical exhibits but they all run together now. I know we saw dinosaur bones, Inuit canoes and a solar-system exhibit.

We walked through Central Park toward the Guggenheim, which is on the Upper East Side. The Guggenheim Museum was amazing and I think we all enjoyed it quite a bit. There were interactive light exhibits along with exhibits by well-known painters. There were hidden galleries and the building itself is a work of art.

From there we headed south toward the financial district. First, we stopped at Katz Diner for some lunch. I’m glad we stopped since it is a landmark but since I don’t eat much meat, it wasn’t really for me.

From there we headed down to Battery Park so we could see the Statue of Liberty. The park was deserted and quiet and I enjoyed visiting on a rainy day. We walked into the financial district and got a picture taken with the Bull. We then headed to the World Trade Center/ Ground Zero to pay our respects. There was a simple memorial made up of pictures, statements and timelines of the tragic events of 9/11. I cried most of the time. This was where we separated from Kevin. We all thanked him for being a wonderful guide- he headed back to Penn Station and we got the PATH right there. Instead of going out for Jan’s birthday, she was beat and we decided to order in.

We spent our last day in NYC wondering around and just enjoying the city. When we arrived in the city that morning, we ate at another local diner where the owner was very friendly and the food was good. From there, we headed to the Pier for the Beast Speedboat Tour (which is covered by the Pass). Don’t bother with the slow-boat tours- just take the Beast! We flew by everyone else with the wind in our hair and being splashed with water. The operators are great guys and made the tour even more fun. We circled the Statue of Liberty, saw lots of Manhattan from the water and had the best time. The Beast is probably the most fun we had! We got a limo ride back to Times Square and spent the rest of the day shopping. We spent one last night in our hotel and headed back to Ohio on Monday morning.

We had a great trip and saw so many attractions. I cannot wait to go back and spend more time in Central Park, take in sites we didn’t get to see, like Top of the Rock and the Museum of Modern Art, and get to know the city a little better. Although I’d budgeted $1K for the weekend trip, I barely spent $500! We were able to do everything on a budget. NYC is def a great weekend trip!