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

Let's Go to Machu Picchu!

Machu Picchu is the gem of Peru. Actually, it’s the gem of all South America. It stands as the #1 tourist destination for the entire continent. What makes this place so special? It’s just a bunch of ruins, right? Wrong. A former Inca city and stronghold, it sits perfectly positioned on top of Machu Picchu mountain (the real name of the city is still unknown to this day). Unable to be seen from the mountain’s base and hidden from invading Spanish forces in the 1500s, it was never plundered or destroyed as many other Inca cities were. It sat hidden from the outside world until American Hiram Bingham from Yale University discovered it in 1911. Since then, visitors from around the world have flocked to this site, over 1 million in 2013 alone. It is officially a UNESCO World Heritage site and is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

As my husband, Dan, and I laid the groundwork for a 16-person mission trip to Peru, we considered whether or not to take the group to Machu Picchu. We didn’t go there on our 2012 mission trip. Could we make it happen this time around?

Our first view of Machu Picchu...postcard perfect!

The only right choice in the matter seemed to be the addition of an excursion to Machu Picchu. We were already going to be in the country, and of our 16-person group, I was the only one who’d ever been to Machu Picchu. Plus, the journey to Machu Picchu starts in the city of Cusco which sits at 10,000 feet elevation. Since our team would be hiking at elevations equal to that or higher once we started the trekking portion of our ministry, we needed to give our bodies time to acclimate to the altitude. Machu Picchu sits at about 8,000 feet, so we could use the time to acclimate to altitude, plus see an amazing historical site. On paper, this all made sense, and it sounded great.

Our team on the mean streets of Aguas Calientes. There's nothing
quite like an international trip to bring people together.

Even though the journey from the United States to Peru is a long one, we knew that once in Peru, getting to Machu Picchu would still be quite an endeavor. International visitors must enter the country through the capital city of Lima. Machu Picchu isn’t close to Lima, and many mountains stand in between. Getting to Machu Picchu then includes a plane ride to Cusco, a bus ride through the Sacred Valley, and a train trip to the small town of Aguas Calientes. From Aguas Calientes intrepid tourists can hike up the side of the mountain, but most people take the bus up a narrow switchback road.

As our team embarked upon this journey to Machu Picchu, something wonderful began to happen. A tight team bond started to form. Even though we all knew each other before we left the USA, there’s something about traveling that brings people together. We started to know the “real” people, the ones that sometimes live behind facades. This process cannot be forced...it has to unfold naturally through a series of experiences.

Another unique component to this process was that even though we had tour guides and taxi drivers who could get us to all the right places, Dan and I were the true leaders of the group. We had the ultimate responsibility of making decisions that impacted everyone. We don’t speak Spanish, and we didn’t have any special insights, except for my previous trip to Machu Picchu. This “feet on the ground leadership” honed our skills and further brought the team into a tight-knit group.

The team begins to form a bond...one that would serve us well
on the entire trip.

So, our journey to Machu Picchu was more than just seeing ruins. It was about forming a team, a “family,” which would benefit us later when we trekked into the mountains to deliver Bibles to the Quechua people. 

Preparing for Peru

My third time to Peru...love that
place!

When I first went to Peru in 2010, I assumed it would be my one and only trip to this beautiful South American country. Now here I am in 2014 after completing my third trip to this gem of the southern hemisphere. What a privilege it was for my husband, Dan, and I to serve as leaders of a 16-person mission team from our church.

Leaders...we learned a lot!

Dan and I participated in a 2012 trip to Peru to do this same type of work...distribute translated Bibles to the Quechua-speaking people of the Andes. A 40-year translation project resulted in the New Testament finally being available in the Quechua language, but many of the Quechua-speaking people living in the mountains had yet to receive a copy. Working with a team of Peruvian missionaries, we trekked into the mountains to deliver those Bibles. What a thrill it was to hand the Quechua people a copy of God’s word for the first time in their own heart language.

Two years later we volunteered to lead this same endeavor. And when I say, “lead,” I mean plan, organize, and direct our American team. We quickly learned that taking ourselves to South America is QUITE different from leading other people there. A strong belief in our task strengthened our resolve, as well as the knowledge that serving in the name of the Lord means walking within His protection.

Dan and I also served as the managers of the team once our feet were on the ground in Peru. The job was much easier once we met up with the Peruvian missionaries. We followed their directions for the distribution of the materials and for interacting with the people. Interacting with local people was complicated by the fact that none of us spoke Quechua, a language that’s very different from English, Spanish, or any other language the typical American has exposure to.

What a privilege to hand a Bible to someone translated into their
own "heart language!"

But, the foreign-ness of Quechua helped drive home an important fact. If Quechua felt like an alien language to us, then how must Spanish (the other official language of Peru) or English feel to them? It doesn’t make any sense at all, just as we can’t begin to understand a word of Quechua. For example, the simple phrase, “Hello. How are you?” is written like this in Quechua: Llamellacu quecanqui. If I hadn’t just given you the translation, this phrase would’ve made no sense. And so, as our team prepared to go to Peru, to the Quechua people, we felt strengthened by the belief that God’s Word is for everyone, and everyone needs access to it in their heart language.

Airport adventures...don't fall asleep! lol

On an early July morning, packed and ready to go, boots ready to walk, sixteen of us trundled off to the airport for an early morning flight to South America. Dan and I were the intrepid leaders, ready to face what lay ahead on this grand adventure, sustained by the grace of God.

Family Fun in Cincinnati

In Ohio for some family fun this summer? Head to the Queen City...Cincinnati. Packed with family-friendly destinations, you’ll think you’ve traveled to an entertainment hot spot. Try a few of these attractions to make the most of your visit.

The new Banshee coaster is the world's longest
inverted coaster.

King’s Island. Record-breaking rollercoasters, a world-class water park, and star-studded entertainment make King’s Island one of Ohio’s best attractions. Don’t miss the newest coaster, Banshee, which set a record as the world’s longest inverted coaster. The Beast, which celebrates its 35^th birthday this season, still holds the record as the world’s longest wooden coaster. It sits adjacent to the Diamondback, the Vortex, and a host of other rides that will surely deliver the thrills, chills, and spills that your family craves. Milder rides also abound in every section of the park along with an award-winning kids’ section, and the recently remodeled water park, Soak City. Daily admission starts at $59.99, but many discount offers are available online. Plan your visit at www.visitkingsisland.com .

The Asian elephants are always a favorite at the
Cincinnati zoo. See over 500 species of animals!

Cincinnati Zoo. If rollercoasters aren’t your speed, then head on over to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Consistently rated as one of the top zoos in the country, over 500 animal and 3,000 plant species are featured. Don’t miss the newest exhibit, Africa, which opens on June 28^th. Designed like an African savannah, visitors will have unrestricted views and close encounters with the animals. Other exciting exhibits include polar bears in the “Lords of the Arctic,” orangutans in “Jungle Trails,” and Asian elephants in the “Elephant Reserve.” There’s also  giraffes, rhinos, reptiles, and more. It’s a full day at the zoo! General admission is $15 for adults and $11 for kids, but there are many package deals available. Plan your visit online at http://cincinnatizoo.org.  

Kids of all ages love the Duke Energy
Children's Museum!

Cincinnati Museum Center. If you’d rather spend the day indoors, then try the Cincinnati Museum Center. Housed in the former Union Terminal train station, this museum houses three different museums, an Omnimax theatre, and a variety of traveling exhibits. The “Diana: A Celebration” exhibit is currently featured and showcases the life and work of Diana, Princess of Wales. This award-winning exhibit will be at the museum through August 17^th. While you’re there, visit the Cincinnati History Museum which takes visitors on a walk through the past of this great city. The Museum of Natural History and Science provides a wealth of hands-on experiences about prehistoric history and the scientific world. Finally, the Duke Energy Children’s Museum offers hours of hands-on play and exploration for kids of all ages. Wrap it up with a movie on the Omnimax’s five-story screen, and you’ve got a day full of excitement. Ticket prices vary depending on the number of museums visited. The website at www.cincymuseum.org explains the various options available.

Fountain Square.  Whether you choose to spend an entire evening here, or you stop by on your way to another location, Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati has food, fun, and entertainment all summer long. An daily schedule of events means that there’s always something happening, in addition to the permanent dining and shopping storefronts that surround the square. Music, dancing, sports events on the big screen...you’ll find it in the square. Check out their website at http://myfountainsquare.com for the full schedule of summertime events. Also, keep in mind that there’s ice skating here in the winter.

Reds Baseball. It’s the great American pastime, and a chance to see live Major League baseball in action. Tickets can be had for as little as $9, depending on the game. Visit http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com for ticket information and details on special events.

You can have a fun, family-filled adventure in southwest Ohio. Try Cincinnati and see what a great time you can have!

Other places to explore in the Cincinnati area...
The Beach Waterpark: http://www.thebeachwaterpark.com/
Newport Aquarium:  http://www.newportaquarium.com/
The Creation Museum: http://creationmuseum.org/
Newport on the Levee: http://www.newportonthelevee.com/
Cincinnati Art Museum: http://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center: http://freedomcenter.org/

Failure IS an Option

Allow kids to experience failure.
(Photo courtesy of realworldracingphotog, Creative
Commons license)

I’ve known a lot of kids in my 18 years of teaching, and I’ve witnessed those kids experience many ups and downs. A frequently experienced “down” is failure...how to accept it and how to deal with it. Unfortunately, too many of today’s kids have no idea how to manage failure in their lives. As parents, how can you help your kids navigate these treacherous waters? It’s not easy, but here are a few steps to try.

1.  Don’t be a helicopter. The term, “helicopter parent” has become more common in the last decade. It describes a parent who constantly hovers over their children to prevent any misfortune from befalling them. While the aim of this behavior is noteworthy, the end result is not. Kids with helicopter parents never experience failure and therefore, they don’t learn how to pick themselves up and start walking again. As difficult as it may be, do not become a helicopter parent. Let your kids stumble and fall so they can learn from the experience. Closely related to helicopter parents are the...

2.  Superhero parents. These parents rush in to save the day every time there is failure or trouble. This is also a recipe for disaster. Kids have to learn how to deal with disappointment, conflict, and failure. Give your child the opportunity to be a problem solver. Parental intervention should be the last resort, not the first. Your child will learn far more when they deal with issues on their own.

Bad grade? Teach kids to manage the feelings
of failure and disappointment.
(Photo courtesy of Ektor, Creative Commons
license)

3.  Teach kids how to accept failure. Let’s face it, the world is tough. Failure lurks around every corner, and we have to know how to accept it. Help kids to approach failure with courage and a plan for improvement. Bad test grade? Work on study strategies to be more prepared the next time. Didn’t make the sports team? Improve some skills to be ready for next year. The team didn’t win its game or competition? Congratulate the winners with a smile, and know that maybe the next game will be better. Whining, crying, and complaining don’t change anything. Action steps help kids strive to do better in the future.

An ideal scenario to help teach acceptance of failure is the family board game night. Typically, there’s only one winner in the game, and everyone else loses. Losing is a painful, but important, lesson that we all must master. Parents can model what it looks like to be a graceful loser and how to handle to the disappointment of failure.

A family game night helps kids learn to manage
failure as there can only be one winner.
(Photo Courtesy of Michael Beck, Creative Commons license)

4.  It’s okay to be disappointed. Failure often brings disappointment, and it’s acceptable to feel that way. Instead of dwelling on the feelings that accompany disappointment, help kids to work through them by finding an outlet.  Talking, writing, exercising, or even crying are coping strategies. Sometimes a good cry clears the senses, and it’s easier to move forward from there.

Failure WILL happen, and we all must be ready for it. If we, as parents, always shelter our kids from failure, then we’re doing them a great disservice. They will experience the fiascos of life, and they need to know how to manage it. Whether it’s coping strategies, forcing them to face their own problems head-on, or simply being a shoulder to cry on, the best things we can do as parents is to prepare them for life’s inevitable. It hurts to watch kids struggle through tough times, but as the old saying goes, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. This is true for adults and kids alike.