Category: Travel Adventures

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Preble County Sunshine & Sites Lift Your Spirit

This Saturday was a great day for more adventures in Preble County, Ohio. Nothing but blue skies and time to explore…..

After I dropped off our 3 dogs at ‘GROOMING WITH SUNSHINE’ in Camden for their appointments, I was free to wander!
***Special Note – If you own a dog, please be sure to check out Lindsey’s ‘GROOMING WITH SUNSHINE’ Facebook page for more about her services. She has always groomed our Scotties and we think she is the best!!! We highly recommend her. If you book an appt., please let her know that I (Cathy) referred you.

I had no specific plans or an agenda to follow for the day, other than finding more covered bridges in Preble County! During these crazy days of Covid19, I have been on a sort of historical/cultural mission to visit all 8 of the Covered Bridges in Preble County listed by the Preble County Convention & Visitors Bureau. For a map and more details visit their website at /https://preblecountypassport.com/

Previously on 2 separate other day trips, I viewed 4 of the 8 bridges. My hope was to visit at least 2 more of the Covered Bridges today along with anything else that might catch my interest along the way.

As my day of wandering ensued, my daily activities grew to include the following list of sites visited:

1. LAVENDEL HILLS – the very first Lavender Fields created and grown in Preble County. Check out their Facebook and Instagram pages for more information about their fields, harvests, products, events, and activities. This particlar Saturday night was their last sunset yoga session of the season in their lavender fields – since their growing season has ended. My guess is that this sensorial experience is not only very relaxing but also naturally beautiful and super-fragrant. Definitely a TO-DO LIST action item for my 2021 calendar! For now, I settled with talking to the owner, Kajsa, and buying a bouquet of dried ‘phenomenal’ (the species name) lavender. It smells amazing or should I say phenomenal!

2. THE CONCORD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST – the 180-year Church was founded and based on the revival movement called the “Great Awakening”. Ministers from Paris, KY at Canes Ridge were transformed by an evangelical gospel and were moved to travel to the new frontier (that later became known as Ohio) under the banner of the Christian Church. Unfortunately, the Concord United Church of Christ was closed today, but the outside of the building, the old water pump and Cemetary across the Road were very interesting to view.

3. THE HARSHMAN COVERED BRIDGE – is fully operational and is 4 miles north of Fairhaven. It was built in 1894 by Everett S Sherman, who built a lot of bridges in the area reviving the technology of the once patented ‘Childs truss bridges’. This design allowed for the variation of the size of the wooden beams according to the loads carried by them rather than using uniform-sized beams. I was able to walk and even drive-thru this Covered Bridge. Truly fascinating.

4. STRIKE’S FAMILY ORCHARD – An Amish produce wholesaler with a pop-up, covered stand in downtown Eaton, Ohio. Usually, on Saturdays, it is located at the corner of South Barron Street and East St Clair Street in the parking lot of the Marathon Gas Station. All the fruits and vegetables looked super fresh and great. I couldn’t refrain from buying some fresh green beans and blackberries to take home for the week.

5. DIXON’S BRANCH COVERED BRIDGE – is now located in the Lewisburg Community Park. The original bridge was built in 1887 and located in Dixon Township on Concord Road. However, in 1963 destructive storms took the roof off the bridge. It was then decided, for a variety of reasons, to replace the covered wooden bridge with a new concrete and steel structure. The old bridge was moved to its current location in 1964 and rededicated as part of the Lewisburg Community Park. Obviously it is no longer in operation for transportation, but it is still a unique, beautiful, and historic bridge. You will find it situated in the front, grassy area of the park by the children’s play equipment. It’s in a well-shaded spot, perfectly suited to hold several picnic tables inside for ‘bring your own’ outdoor lunches or dinners. This lovely park also has several baseball fields, a gazebo, and a 2-year old dedicated Footbridge.

Hope you enjoy my photos and information from the day. I encourage you to get out and explore your neighboring counties. It is something fun and inexpensive to do during these days of Covid19. Sunshine and travel always lift my spirits.

MY HAUL OF GOODIES;
DRIED LAVENDER, FRESH BLACKBERRIES & GREEN BEANS
FROM PREBLE COUNTY

Eat Well…Travel Often!

WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED?

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Blog Articles / Photos / Travel Adventures

4 Reasons to Visit Scottsdale, Arizona

The Gainey Ranch Golf Course at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa

Several years ago in April, I had the pleasure of visiting Scottsdale, Arizona for the first time. As the saying goes… “It is a wonderful town to see and in which to be seen“. As part of my continuing blog, I will be sharing many of my unique travel experiences, photos, tips, and recommendations. My initial travel post is about Scottsdale and here are my top 4 reasons why I recommend you visit: 1) abundant sunshine & warm weather 2) it’s natural beauty 3) a trendy & eclectic culinary scene 4) the wide variety of fun tourist activities. WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED?

I was fortunate enough to stay at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch. Prior to 1982, the Gainey Ranch raised Arabian horses and Hereford cattle. But when the family no longer wanted to continue their business, they sold their land to be developed. It is now a Resort and Spa with a beautifully landscaped Golf Club including 3 distinctive, championship nine-hole courses. Located in the Sonoran Desert, it has a majestic view of the McDowell Mountains and breathtaking blue skies; a little slice of heaven.

At the Resort and Spa, I was able to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. I fell in love with the desert air, mountain views, flowering cactus, and stunning palm trees. The Resort also boasts a large 2.5-acre water playground; including an actual sand beach, and 3-story, high-speed waterslide.

A recurring focus and theme, with most of my travel experiences, is some sort of exploration of the local food and culture. So while visiting Scottsdale, I was also able to take a small group, guided, Walking Food Tour in the historic Old Town. The lunch-time tour combined information about many of the local, southwestern historical sites and provided mini culinary tastings at 4 different, popular restaurants. I highly recommend taking a food tour with Arizona Food Tours. It was a lot of fun. Check out their website at www.arizonafoodtours.com

The walking tour began on Main Street in the heart of Old Town, which is full of southwestern charm and character. There are many cute boutique shops, restaurants, bars and adobe buildings in the shadow of the nearby Camelback Mountain.

Camelback Mountain

Our first stop on the Walking Food Tour was at the Old Adobe Mission, established in 1933. It was the first Catholic parish and is the oldest standing church in Scottsdale. It was built by hand by Mexicans who settled in Scottsdale in the late 1910s.

Right next door is the Mission Old Town Restaurant, where their specialty is Modern Latin Cuisine. I highly recommend eating and having cocktails here. Their awesome bar has a beautifully lit, large cross decor piece that can’t be missed. They also have a breathtaking, highlighted, back wall – made of Himalayan Sea Salt in their indoor seating area. If you prefer to eat outdoors, they can easily accommodate your request in their lovely courtyard seating. We really enjoyed this stop and tasted their delicious mini pork shoulder tacos. Estaba muy sabroso!

Awesome Mission Old Town Restaurant Bar

Our second restaurant stop on the Walking Food Tour was Malee’s on Main for Thai Food. There, we tasted a Vegetable Spring Roll and Tom Kai Gai – a hot & sour soup with coconut milk, chicken, mushrooms, and cilantro. I really had not tasted a lot of Thai food before this, but both menu items were absolutely delicious. www.maleesonmain.com

Our third restaurant stop on the Walking Food Tour was Grimaldi’s – the very best transplanted New York Pizzeria in Scottsdale. Their specialty is NY Pizza (obviously) but baked in a coal-fired, brick-oven. All their pizzas feature their special, signature sauce. I highly recommend the Margharita Pizza – delicioso! www.grimaldipizzeria.com

Our last stop on the Walking Food Tour in Old Town was for dessert in the desert at Chocolade van Brugge. This candy shop was owned by a husband/wife team dedicated to sharing their love of Belgium culture with everyone. They imported high-quality chocolates and made authentic liege Belgian waffles. Having previously traveled to Belgium, I can tell you that their shop was truly authentic and impressive. We tasted their Death by Belgium Waffles and Chocolates. Both made me weak at the knees! www.chocoladevanbrugge

Chocolade van Brugge authentic Liege Belgium Waffle

Besides just taking a Walking Food Tour in Old Town, Golfing or visiting a Resort/Spa, there are many other fun activities to do in Scottsdale, Arizona including; Hot Air Balloon Rides, Boutique Shopping, Art Galleries, Specialty Museums, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West (winter retreat & studio), Riding the Party Bike, Hiking Trails, City Jeep Tours, Segway Tours. I would love to hear if you have ever visited Scottsdale. What are your favorite restaurants or activities? Please leave me a comment below.

Lots of Girlfriend weekends in Scottsdale include riding the Party Bike

WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED?