Girls' Weekend Getaway- Kalahari Waterpark Resort

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

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

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

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

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

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!