Girls' Trip- Geneva-on-the-Lake

Girls' Trip- Geneva-on-the-Lake
May 30- June 1, 2014
Geneva, Ohio

The first time I drove through Geneva-on-the-Lake was on a cold February afternoon but even with the piles of snow and most of the businesses closed for the season, I was struck by the atmosphere of the area.  The main strip reminded me of Key West with gift shops, arcades, bars and food stands mixed with clothing boutiques, wineries and a few upscale restaurants. Only an hour away, it was the perfect location for a girls' trip at the start of the summer.

Jan, Di and I drove together, arriving at Abigail's Cottages in the late afternoon.  Pulling up, it appears to be a small complex of cottages right on the main strip.  But just one step through the gate and the entire place opens to a huge grassy area surrounded by quaint cottages, all with breathtaking views of Lake Erie. There's a lower lakefront sundeck that offers a huge fire pit and a whole lot of places to sit, relax and watch the sunset.  Rocky steps lead straight out into the lake but in late May the water was still quite chilly.  Halfway up the hill, a gazebo perched on the hillside overlooks the lake, as well. That lakefront patio became our group's main hangout for the weekend.

Joanna, Megan and Tera arrived a few hours later after taking the 'scenic route' famished and demanding dinner. Luckily, there was a pizza place right across the street and we enjoyed a quick bite around the picnic table outside.  The cottage was perfect for a group of our size- Di, Jan and Megan all had rooms of their own, Tera slept on a couch and Joanna and I shared a room with 3 beds.  There were two bathrooms, one with a claw foot tub.  I don't know why- I'm not usually a bath-taker but for some reason whenever I see a claw foot tub I start to think I might enjoy it.

After dinner and watching the sunset we all set out to explore the strip a little.  Our first stop was a bar with dueling pianos and $4 shots of Patron.  After taking in a few awesome piano renditions of songs like 'Nuttin but a G-Thang' and 'Brick House', we moved up the strip to an arcade to play some ski-ball.  Now let me say that my Grampy was a ski-ball champion and that must be in our blood because I tore it up at ski-ball, too. I converted all my tickets into temporary tattoos and continued up the strip.  We found a cute little shop called Harmony Jade which offered just about all the hippie chick clothes a girl could want. Not to miss a hippie dress shopportunity,I dug through everything until I found a bright purple dress with a colorful tribal print to make my own.  We stopped for ice cream on our way back to the cottage and made wine floats.

The next morning we woke up, made breakfast and then headed down to the sundeck for a few Sun Salutations beside the water- what an invigorating way to start the day.  We drove to Geneva State Park and walked along the shore, following the coast away from the main beach to more secluded parts.  Then we jogged to the other end, crawled along the rocks and looked for sea glass before we strolled back to the car.  Megan and Tera went to do water slides while the rest of us stayed back to relax by the water after lunch.  Let me just say that I have a long track record of getting moderately to severely banged up on waterslides so when Tera returned with a harrowing tale of her own waterslide related incident, I was glad I'd chosen to relax on the sundeck.  In the late afternoon, most of us headed up the strip to play mini golf (I got a hole-in-one on the 18th hole!) and bumper boats while Di and Jan stayed back to grill up steaks and prepare a delicious dinner.

Now, I take all the blame for making a Tiramisu Trifle with so much homemade amaretto that it might have put us in an alcohol-induced slumber but shortly after consuming dessert and several bottles of wine, we all kinda headed up to bed early.  We woke up the next morning and took one last walk up the strip before packing up and moving out.

Geneva-on-the-Lake was a fantastic Girls' Trip destination- just a short drive away, the excellent location of our cottage enabled us walk almost everywhere we wanted to go but also provided a wonderful area to just relax if we wanted.  Gathering on the sun deck for morning yoga or evening chilling was the highlight of my trip and I'm looking forward to visiting again!

71 Hours in Colorado

71 Hours in Colorado
April 20-23, 2013

“This is the last time we’ll have a chance to sit for the next three days”, I told Meg and Neil at the Hamburger Stand as we sat and ate our lunch shortly after arriving in Denver.  We’d decided to stop before heading over to our friend Lisa’s because I knew that our visit to Denver was going to be a chaotic and haphazard expedition from that point on.  And it was.  Just minutes after arriving at Lisa’s SW Denver apartment, we were piling her family and the three of us into a two-car caravan headed straight for Downtown Denver.  We were already head first and full swing into another wild Colorado adventure. 

First on our agenda:  a tour of several banks in the downtown Denver area, searching for one with a working ATM.  As we crossed from bank to bank we could hear the beat of drums in the distance and the feeling I get when in Colorado was already coming over me.  From my outside perspective, Colorado seems to be a fine mix of libertarian ideals that combine conservative fiscal beliefs with liberal social ideas for a state that is clean, healthy and accepting of marriage equality and marijuana.  After finally scoring some dough, we turned and headed toward the rhythm that had been calling to us- two drum kits facing each other and hammering out a dueling cadence.  That was the first time we danced.

From there we wandered around the city in no particular fashion.  Denver has a lot of random things to see- metal sculptures standing in the middle of grassy knolls, giant blue bears peering into the windows of the Convention Center- that kinda thing.  Another spectacle observed that afternoon was the Annual Marijuana Rally held in a downtown park.  A typically jovial and laidback crowd numbering in the tens of thousands were gathered to celebrate Colorado’s recent legalization of pot.  We stayed for just a few minutes before continuing our tour of the city on foot and by car. (About an hour later, two people were injured when they were shot in an isolated incident which took place at the rally.  It is unfortunate that gun violence happened at what is supposed to be a peaceful gathering.)

Late that afternoon we checked into our hotel the Residence Inn by Marriot Denver Downtown- our studio room was the perfect size for three- and got ready for one of the highlights of our entire trip: the Cypress Hill/Slightly Stoopid ‘Hot Box at Red Rocks’ 4/20 show.  You know Meg and I had been talking about what we planned to wear to this event for the past few months.  We had thoughts of long dresses or hippie skirts.  Alas it was in the 30s that night and we were bundled in hoodies, hats and gloves. 

We met up with a couple of Lisa’s friends in the upper parking lot of Red Rocks Amphitheatre, chomped on some Doritos and headed in.  Not only does it have some of the best natural acoustics in the entire world, it is the most visually stunning arena I have ever experienced at any concert or performance at this point in my life.  As we walked down the steps toward the stage, a feeling of euphoria filled my body.  I was chilling with my family and friends at Red Rocks watching a spectacular event. 

After Tribal Seeds ended a short but powerful set, the act I was there to see- Cypress Hill- took the stage.  I was a teenager in the 90s.  We drove around listening to stuff like Rage Against the Machine, House of Pain and I cannot express just how much I loved the Judgment Night soundtrack.  So anyway, seeing Cypress Hill live was crazy!  We danced, Danced, DANCED.  At one point I looked up at the lights and noticed that it was snowing but there was such a great vibe moving through the crowd and we were all boogying with such abandon that it really didn’t seem cold at all. I chilled a bit more for the Slightly Stoopid portion of the evening and made an effort to take everything in- the lights of the stage and directed onto the rocks on either side, the sound of the instruments coming at me, the beat of the music, the laughter of my friends.  It was an incredible evening.  Legendary.  Epic. 

The next morning we rose early and started another day of exploration with a blast to the past- way deep into dinosaur times.  We headed out to Dinosaur Ridge, a small educational center that offers tours of nearby dinosaur bones, ancient dinosaur footprints and information about the geology of the area.  We paid $5/per adult for a bus ride to the top and a guided tour.  I think our guide’s name was TJ, it was his birthday and he was super.  He was such a smartie!  He knew everything about dinosaurs and fossils and microbes and stuff.  The 45-minute tour was interesting for the kids and adults in the group. 

We had a picnic in Red Rocks Park, then hiked one of the easier trails, a gradually climbing trail that transitions from packed ground to slabs of rocks and boulders to navigate around.  It was a beautiful day and the whole gang spent some try relaxing on some rocks with the sun on our faces before heading back down the hill.  On our walk down we encountered a Red Rocks Ranger, a particularly friendly woman who chatted about other parks nearby and funny experiences she’s had at this one.  I really appreciate the open friendliness of the population in Colorado.

Our next stop was Myxed Up Creations, a local shop selling Hot Box at Red Rocks concert memorabilia.  Neil wanted to pick up a shirt so we headed out that way taking a winding route through the neighborhoods on the outskirts of downtown Denver.  When we pulled into the parking lot we instantly recognized a familiar sight- the Slightly Stoopid van which had been on stage at the concert the night before.  How cool!  Myxed Up Creations is like a head shop superstore.  It had a large clothing section, purses and pouches, incense and more.  Neil scored his concert T-shirt along with a poster given to him straight out of the store window. 

After eating a dinner prepared by Lisa, we headed out for an evening at a local music venue Quixotes True Blue and watched a band called Funk Trek do their thing.  Funk Trek, a jazz fusion and funk (obviously) group was led by a quirky bass player, flanked by two kool kat saxophones, a key board guy, a guitar player or two, brass instruments and a drummer in the back.  I dug it.  There was a small group on the dance floor and as we started dancing near our table, a few girls moved over to dance with us- yet another experience of the welcoming attitude of the friendly people of Colorado. 

We spent most of our last full day in Colorado Springs, about an hour south of Denver down Interstate 25.  First we stopped at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center to get a map of the road that passes through Garden of the Gods Park.  Although it was very misty, the clouds broke for quick moments and we were able to see Pikes Peak in the distance from the observation deck out front.  We picnicked in the parking lot, then piled into the cars to navigate the one-way route that circles the park and passes by some of the most mesmerizing rock formations I’ve ever seen.    We stopped at every few parking lots to get out and take pictures.  Although it was in the 60s when we arrived in Colorado Springs, it was way windy, like knock-you-over windy.  We had to hold onto each other when taking group pics.  It was hard to pull cars doors open and shut.  The temperature dropped almost 30 degrees in the short time we were there.  And that was just a small taste of the unpredictable and extreme sides of Colorado weather.

Before leaving the area we made one last stop at the Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Museum, located inside the Pikes Peak Harley Davidson.  Although it was small, the motorcycle museum was really neat with a lot of antique bikes, unique motorcycles like those used in World War II or mobile Harley mechanics.  It was a totally free activity with the added bonus of browsing the selection of Harleys for sale in the showroom below- I, personally, would love to get a silver bike that answers to the name Silky. 

Like my last visit, a homemade dinner with Nicole’s family plus the friends we’d met the Red Rocks show was how we spent our last night in Colorado.  We made a giant pan of sausage with peppers and onions, spinach salad with bacon and rolls and Nicole whipped up a delicious desert of fruit baked in cinnamon over ice cream- everything was delicious.  Nicole’s family talked about coming out to Ohio to visit friends and family and it would be great to return their hospitality with a big house party of our own.

The next morning we woke up to the thick layer of snow blanketing Denver.  A 30-minute drive to the airport turned into a hour with horrible road conditions, near zero visibility and driving an unfamiliar car but we still made it back to the airport with plenty of time to return our rental and make it to the gate.  Unfortunately, it took an hour to de-ice the plane and we missed our connection in Atlanta where we spent the next six hours waiting for the next flight.  We finally made it home around midnight.    

It was another fast-paced, high energy, hectic excursion around Denver and points surrounding.  We were again able to fit in a lot of free fun by doing walking tours and hiking trails and by picnicking and making home cooked meals.  We danced every chance we got.  We made the most of every minute of the 71 hours we spend in Colorado. 

The Grape Escape- Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

The Grape Escape
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
August 17, 2012

It is difficult to describe what transpired on the wine train- partly because it is hard to find the words to adequately explain the mayhem and also because I’d had a lot wine.  What I can say is that when we boarded our coach class train car at the Boston Mills Station, people were quietly chatting amongst themselves and when we got off we were wearing fake mustaches, Mardi Gras beads and glostix.  The atmosphere inside the train car went from subdued to roaring within two glasses of wine and things only got more frantic as we worked our way through the five wine selections paired with unique food dishes prepared by a local caterer.  Liz, our main server, worked us up into a frenzy with her playful ribbing and zany attitude.  Gentlemen wearing buttoned-up collared shirts started joking about threesomes and getting flashed.  Little old ladies got a little frisky and out of hand.  I believe I laughed for about 2 straight hours.  It was wild and crazy and a total blast!

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

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

Hiking Trip- Turkey Run State Park

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.