Lovin' Life in Siesta Key!

About 10 years ago I read an article in the newspaper about the beach at Siesta Key on the Gulf side of Florida. The article described powdery white sand, blue water, and a fun vibe in the little town, Siesta Village.  My family decided to give it a whirl, and after a week, we decided it was best beach vacation we’d ever had in the United States.

On rougher surf days, kids will have enough wave
action to use boogie boards and play in the water.

Fast forward to 2015 and another trip to Siesta Key. I was reminded about why the beach on this barrier island has been named the “#1 beach in America.” The Caribbean- white sand, made from pure white quartz, is soft and cool beneath the toes. It’s a pleasure to walk on, a pleasure to look at, and awfully for fun building sand castles.

The surf here is typically calm, and the warm summertime water is like soaking in a bath. Waves don’t crash like they do over on the Atlantic side, but on rough days the kiddos have enough water action to keep them busy.

The wide swath of public beach sits central to the island and is the only lifeguard-managed portion of beach. The public beach offers amenities, such as food, restrooms, a surf shop, and handicap accessibility. The parking lot fills quickly during the busy season, so day trippers need an early start to grab a good spot.

Siesta Village is the hub of all activity on Siesta Key. Visitors will find a plethora of restaurants and shops nestled here. The Daiquiri Deck and Gilligan’s are two delicious restaurants to visit. Also, save room for dessert at Big Olaf’s ice cream. Handmade and hand scooped, it’s worth more than one visit. Shops in the village offer everything from the typical tourist trinkets to swimwear to high-end clothing. Parking is an issue in the village, so smart visitors just walk from their lodgings, when possible. Otherwise, any of the free shuttles can transport folks to the village for a simple tip to the driver.

The excellent Siesta Dunes condo complex is an ideal place to
stay on Siesta Key.

The majority of lodging on Siesta Key is rentable condos or houses. A few hotels dot the island, but they are independently owned; no chain hotels here. Our condo of choice sits nestled in the Siesta Dunes complex facing the ocean and with its own private section of beach, but there are certainly many to choose from all along the island. www.siestadunes.com

When a trip to the Caribbean is too far away, do the next best thing. Stick your toes in the white sand at Siesta Key, America’s #1 beach.

Restaurants I recommend...
Captain Curt's Oyster Bar: http://www.captaincurts.com/ 
The Daiquiri Deck: http://www.daiquiridecksiestakey.com/ 
Gilligan's Island Bar: http://gilligansislandbar.com/ (On our most recent trip, this was our best meal of the week!)
Phillippi Creek: http://www.creekseafood.com/
The Hub Baja Grill: http://www.thehubsiestakey.com/
The Old Salty Dog: http://www.theoldsaltydog.com/SiestaKey/ 
Big Olaf's Ice Cream: http://www.bigolafsiestakey.com/ 

Also Consider...
Siesta Key Oyster Bar (SKOB): http://www.skob.com/
Walt's Fish Market and Restaurant: http://www.waltsfishmarketrestaurant.com/ 
Lobster Pot: http://www.sarasotalobsterpot.com/

This baby sea turtle washed up on our beach. Don't worry, he was on his way to safety via the local sheriff! 

Never a dull moment eating at Phillippi Creek Seafood!

Day tripping at Charleston Falls

The Miami County Parks in western Ohio are a local treasure. Besides being so well maintained, they offer a wide variety of educational programs and activities for the entire family. My favorite park is the Charleston Falls Preserve.

This gem of a park is located between Tipp City and Huber Heights, Ohio. It covers 216 acres and offers almost 4 miles of hiking and jogging trails. The main reason to visit this particular park, though, is the waterfall. At 37 feet in height, it can be called a “Miniature Niagara” due to the rock strata of the same nature as the real Niagara Falls. These falls are fed from underground springs several miles away, but they are most spectacular after heavy rainfall. During periods of intense cold in the winter, the falls will actually freeze, and it’s worth the chilly walk to see this amazing sight.

The trek to the falls is an easy gravel pathway from the parking lot, less than half a mile. There are two vantage points for seeing the falls. The upper view allows visitors to see the top of the falls as the water tumbles over the cliff. Informational signage is posted as well as warning signs for safety. The lower vantage point is from a staircase which leads visitors down to the observation boardwalk. Visitors can see the falls as they splash down into the pool at the bottom. A bit of spray can sometimes be felt depending on the amount of water and the wind.

Most kids love the cave! Bring a flashlight and watch
out for standing water. 

From the lower observation boardwalk, it’s a short walk to the limestone cave. This is a popular spot with kids as they love to climb inside. The opening isn’t huge, so crawling is required (parents beware!). A flashlight or headlamp is handy since it becomes dark quickly. If the weather has been rainy, cave crawlers can expect standing water on the bottom.

From the cave, continue to follow the trail which rises to the junctions of the Redbud Valley and the Thorny Badlands. Either trail takes visitors to the outer reaches of the park. The trails loop through the woods, sometimes winding alongside the stream, the same one created by the waterfall which eventually empties into the Great Miami River. The lookout tower can be accessed from the Thorny Badlands trail, and it allows travelers to climb a bit higher for a birds’ eye view.

Visitors can also inspect the Cedar Pond, where glimpses of fish, snakes, or frogs may be seen. The pond is one section of the park not covered by trees, so sunny days are even more pleasant there. No fishing or swimming is allowed, just careful observation.

Charleston Falls Preserve also has picnic tables and full service restrooms adjacent to the parking lot. As with all the Miami County Parks, the preserve is open from 8:00 a.m. to sunset. Helpful signs at the park entrance alert visitors to the official closing times each day. Other handy signs are also posted throughout the park to remind visitors about safety and to also give directions.

Plan a visit to Charleston Falls or any of the Miami County Parks by visiting the website at http://www.miamicountyparks.com/ .

The stream running away from the falls is quite picturesque.

Wintertime visitors might get lucky enough to see this!

The Thorny Badlands is neither thorny, not bad! It's a lovely tree lined
walk through the woods.

Summertime Adventures at Marengo Cave

You WILL get muddy and wet on the "Waterfall Crawl!"

If you’re in the market for a summertime adventure, beat the heat at southern Indiana’s Marengo Cave, a U.S. National Landmark. Registering a cool 52 degrees year-round, this cave system covers approximately 122 forested acres. With a total length of 5 miles, the cave features dry upper level passages and two parallel underground rivers. The upper level show cave is Indiana’s most visited show cave, and the lower level is the largest of Indiana’s 3,000 known caves.

Adventurous visitors will want to hit at least one of the five cave exploring tours. Warning – you will get wet! Wear old clothes because explorers walk, crawl, crouch, and squirm through the mud. But it’s all worth it to see the waterfall at the end of the “Waterfall Crawl.” This two-hour tour leaves the spelunkers covered from head to toe in mud, as recently experienced by my teenage daughter. Once reaching the waterfall, the tour can be extended even further with the “Beyond the Falls Adventure.” This takes spelunkers to the most remote section of the cave. The “Underground Adventure” gives explorers the chance to wade in an underground river and crawl through narrow passages. All of these tours are offered year-round. Helmets and headlamps are provided.

Down into the depths -- the five cave exploring tours are
definitely for the adventurous!

The two “iCave” experiences are summer-only Saturday tours. Like the year-round tours, visitors walk, crawl, and crouch through the lower passages to the Old Town Spring Cave and the New Discovery Cave. Lucky visitors may see some cave dwelling animals, such as salamanders, crayfish, sculpin, or (gulp) the bat.

Folks who prefer a gentler cave experience can take walking tours, either the Crystal Palace or the Dripstone Trail. Both of these tours are ideal for families with small children, senior citizens, or folks who just don’t want to get wet. The Crystal Palace tour is a 40-minute walk past stalactites and stalagmites, huge flowstone deposits, and formation filled rooms. Visitors learn about the history of the cave and how it felt to explore the cave by candlelight, as the first visitors did.

The Dripstone Trail covers one mile of cave. This 60-minute tour allows visitors to see totem pole stalagmites, delicate soda straw formations, and the unique penny ceiling. Visitors experience total darkness when the lights are turned off. Unique parts of the cave, such as the Looking Glass Lake, Sherwood Forest, and Cave Hill Cemetery, delight visitors of all ages.  Note that the walking tours are not wheelchair or stroller accessible

In addition to the cave, try canoeing on the Blue River, Indiana’s first state scenic river. Trips for all experience levels are available from April through October.

Camping and cabins are available on-site for folks who want to spend several days. Air conditioned cabins feature electricity, bunk beds, fire pits, grills, and picnic tables. Restrooms and showers are a short walk. Electric and primitive campsites also have fire pits, grills, and picnic tables. Free wi-fi is available at the gift shop, and a playground is nearby for the little ones. All camping and cabins are open year-round.

A world of adventure awaits the entire family at Indiana’s Marengo Cave. Plan your trip today by visiting their website at http://www.marengocave.com.

Living the Simpler Life in Ohio's Amish Country

Looking to escape the hectic rat race of everyday life? Why not take a short journey to Ohio’s Amish country? With the largest settlement of Amish and Mennonite people in the United States, its’s a refreshing look at a slice of yesteryear.

Berlin, Ohio is an ideal place to stay and use as a jumping-off point for exploring Amish Country. Centrally located in Holmes County, it’s blessed with a variety of lodging options, as well as restaurants and shops.

Watch cheese being made at Heini's Cheese Chalet.

A must-see attraction for those who want to learn more about the history of the Amish, is the Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center, featuring the Behalt. This 265 by 10-foot cyclorama painting tells the history of the Anabaptist people, who later split into the groups Amish, Mennonite, and Hutterite. It took the artist, Heinz Gaugel, 14 years to complete the mural, and it is one of only four cycloramas in North America. A small fee is charged to view the Behalt which also includes a 30-minute guided tour. A gift shop and small museum are also featured. Find out more at http://behalt.com .

Fun times at Guggisburg Cheese

Cheese making is a major industry in Amish Country, and visitors can witness the cheese making process at two different places. Heini’s Cheese Chalet provides a short tour to learn about the cheese making process which begins with the milk provided from local Amish farmers. From there, step into the country store where over 35 varieties of cheese can be sampled before buying. The store also features other delicacies such as fudge, jams, jellies, Ohio honey, meats, and more! Learn more and order online at http://heinis.com .

Not far away is Guggisburg Cheese, home of the original Baby Swiss. Visitors can again watch cheese being made as well as shop in the store. Stroll the gardens and take pictures before stepping across the street to eat at the Chalet in the Valley. This restaurant, built in the style of a Swiss Chalet, features authentic Austrian and Swiss dishes. Learn more at www.babyswiss.com .

More than a store, Lehman's is a
destination!

It’s a shopper’s paradise in Amish Country! Fine hand-crafted furniture, quilts, baskets, hand-sewn items, outdoor furniture, and more can all be found from one end of the county to the other. For a truly unique experience, be sure to visit Lehmans in Kidron, Ohio. This farm store bills itself as the place to find “Simpler Products for a Simpler Life.” Beyond the many Amish-made items sold there, they also feature unique items that typical stores just don’t sell. Their website is a treasure trove, too. Check it out at www.lehmans.com .

An enormous rocking chair? Why not!!

Don’t miss an authentic farm experience while in Amish Country. Ride horses, see farm animals, take a horse and buggy ride, tour authentic Amish homes to see life without electricity, or visit petting areas. Many working farms also feature markets where visitors can purchase produce and baked goods straight from the source. A farm visit is fun for everyone, especially kids.

When planning a trip to Ohio’s Amish Country, know that most restaurants and businesses are not open on Sundays. Also, shops tend to close at 5:00 p.m. and most restaurants are closed by 8:00 p.m. A slower pace of life is the norm. But, if Ohio’s back country roads and byways are where you want to be, then Ohio’s Amish Country is the place for you!

More Recommendations:

Berlin Resort -- http://www.berlinresort.net/ 

The Berlin Resort was a pleasant surprise in all aspects. Nestled in the hills of Ohio's Amish Country, the resort felt like a little slice of heaven. We stayed in a standard suite, and it was huge. The room featured a king-sized bed, 50 inch television, Jacuzzi bathtub, large walk-in shower with a rain shower head, two sink areas and a separate toilet room, and a refrigerator. Breakfast was included with our stay, and I recommend the cinnamon rolls. They were so good!

The grounds are beautiful at the Berlin Resort.

The indoor swimming pool area was also very nice with a heated saltwater pool and a whirlpool. The sauna and steam room were also right there, and my husband found the steam room to be of excellent quality. We didn't use the exercise room, but from what we could tell, it seemed the be well outfitted. There was also a room used for fitness classes, which seem to be offered throughout the week. 

The grounds are gorgeous! There's a lovely gazebo right next to the koi pond. Also featured is a pergola, a putting green, a children's play village, and a fire ring. Unfortunately it rained during most of our visit, so we didn't get to use these items as much as we would've liked to, but we during a break from raindrops on the last day we had the chance to walk around and take a look at everything. 

Finally, I have to speak about the cleanliness. The entire property was spic and span. I didn't see anything that looked less than spectacular. A huge plus in my book!

Restaurants

Berlin Farmstead -- Delicious Amish Cooking in Berlin, Ohio -- www.berlinfarmstead.com 

Boyd and Wurthmann -- Berlin, Ohio -- www.boydandwurthmann.com

Homemade Amish food in a place where the locals eat. If you're looking for an authentic experience, this is the place for you. The roast beef dinner was particularly good.

Chalet in the Valley -- Across from Guggisburg Cheese in Charm, Ohio -- www.babyswiss.com

Shopping in Berlin, Ohio

Helping Hands Quilt Shop -- www.helpinghandsquilts.com 

Watch Amish women quilt (and speak in German) while you shop in the premier quilt shop of Berlin. 

Hershberger's Farm and Bakery -- http://www.ohiosamishcountry.com/listing/hershberger-farm-and-bakery.html 

Hershberger's was the perfect blend of farm experiences, food shop, and gift store. The petting area for the farm animals is free (great on the budget!), and there are tons of animals to pet. Be sure to see the 3,000 lb horse (oh my!) and the goats on the roof of the barn. You can send ice cream cones up on a pulley for the goats. There were lots of baby animals there on the day we visited, and they were so cute. For a fee you can ride in a horse and buggy around the farm and kids can ride the horses or ponies. There are two stores, one is where they sell gift items. I bought a handmade basket for under $20, and they sell many other handmade items there. Just check labels because not everything is made locally. After that, step over to the food store where you can buy any number of homemade delicacies. We bought fry pies that are to die for! The kettle corn, made right outside in a big kettle, was also delicious. 

Goats on the barn roof at Hershberger's Farm

Off the Beaten Path in Ohio....The Ohio State Reformatory

I love to visit places that are unique and not necessarily on everyone’s “must-see” list. That’s exactly what my girls and I found when we visited the Ohio State Reformatory Historic Site in Mansfield, Ohio. Ever since we visited Alcatraz in California, we’ve had a fascination with old prisons, so this trip was right up our alley.

It's an easy interstate drive to Mansfield from most major cities in Ohio. The Reformatory sits very close to the road, and as soon as we turned from the main drag, we could see it. “Oh wow! Look at that! It’s like a castle,” were just a few of the comments that drifted from the back seat. The Reformatory is one of the most castle-like structures in Ohio, and it is indeed an impressive structure.

Our self-guided tour of the Reformatory began in the front section of the building that used to house the prison offices as well as the warden’s living quarters. The rooms are now empty except for the occasional chair or random fixture that’s been left behind. It’s all peeling paint and dark corners for the most part. Still, it was easy enough for us to imagine what life could’ve been like during the prison’s glory days. The audio wand that we rented helped us understand how these rooms would’ve been used by the warden and his family.

From the living quarters and offices, we made our way into the main prison building, which consists of two cell blocks, east and west. The east cell block, where we spent the most time exploring, stands silent and empty with just its steel cellblock as a reminder of the past. This cellblock is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest freestanding steel cellblock in the world. It is not supported by any of the outside prison walls. It’s 6 tiers high, and at one point in time it held 2,000 prisoners. As we strolled the area, we saw remnants of beds and washbasins, toilets and bookshelves. It was hard to imagine how two grown men would have shared such a small space.

Looking down the walkway on the upper
part of the east cell block.

The west cell block is the older part of the prison, and its cells were constructed from concrete cinder block. These cells are bigger than the ones in the east side of the prison, and prisoners felt lucky if they got transferred to a cell in the west. From this part of the prison we also saw the solitary confinement cells which were windowless and lonely. At that exact moment, we happened to be the lone tourists exploring that part of the prison, and it was creepy enough to send us scurrying back to the main area.

The Reformatory claims paranormal activity is a regular occurrence, and many of the audio wand recordings shared the various supernatural happenings. Visitors interested in that side of the Reformatory can sign up for the regular ghost walks and ghost hunts that are offered.

A small museum at the front of the Reformatory also features artifacts from the prison days past. A museum highlight is “Old Sparky,” the original electric chair on permanent loan from the Columbus Penitentiary. Scratches and the impression of a handprint adorn that chair, and it’s a bit unnerving to see it in person.

Don't miss "Old Sparky" on loan from the
Columbus Penitentiary. 

Surprisingly, the facility is air conditioned, but beyond that, it feels like people walked away from the site once it closed in 1990 and never returned. Visitors are warned that they will encounter stairs, uneven walkways, and lead-based paint. This is an old building, not a modern structure with all the latest conveniences. Note that the Reformatory is not handicapped accessible, nor is it recommended for pregnant women or children under 7.

It takes around two hours to explore the Reformatory. The aforementioned audio wands are available for an extra $5 each, and I recommend them as the informational signage throughout the prison is minimal. Most tours are self-guided except for the guided tours that are available on Sundays. Special events are also scheduled throughout the season which require specific tickets purchased in advance.

Those who’ve seen the movie “The Shawshank Redemption,” will find special significance here since the majority of the movie was filmed at the Reformatory and around the town of Mansfield. In fact, there’s a “Shawshank Trail” that visitors can follow to see many of the movie filming sites, both at the Reformatory and around town.

It’s worth the drive to Mansfield to see this unique prison and little slice of Ohio’s history. Plan your visit today at http://www.mrps.org .

The famous bedroom scene from "The Shawshank Redemption" was actually
filmed here.

This windowless room had a single chair in it. For some reason, this space
was super-creepy. We didn't spend much time in here!

The former Warden's quarters have been
abandoned and sit empty except for a stray
piece of furniture here and there.

The former prison chapel

The west cell block is the older of the two and
was built from concrete block, not steel.

The east cell block is the largest free-standing steel
structure in the world.

These doors opened into the turrets that adorn the outside
walls of the prison. They were dark. We finally ventured
into one using our flashlights, but it was too scary
to stay.

This circular staircase is on the outside of the steel cell block
of the east side of the prison.

This is the "alley." It ran down the middle of the east cell
block. Guards could access the pipes for each cell from
here and could also eavesdrop on the prisoners.

Two men would share these small cells.

Looking at the upper portion of the east cell block