Holiday In Glass City

Sometime ago, I started a notebook with places I wanted to visit in Ohio. Some places were exciting and new to me and others were places I needed to return to in hopes that the city would redeem itself. Toledo made up part of the negative half of my list because my previous experiences in the city were not pleasant. I remember going that way for Christian Camp as a child, which I did not enjoy. My last experience was with a work friend to check out the night life. I was maced by police in a club where people were fighting. That same night my dress was ruined by a bleach leak inside the designated driver's car. Since then the word Toledo has left a very sour taste in my mouth. Thank goodness I am mature enough not to let experiences like that keep me from EVER revisiting a place. 

 Monday was the Fourth of July holiday, so Sunday my companion and I headed to Toledo with a plan to get a feel for Glass City life. Toledo is nicknamed 'Glass City" because of it's long history and continued innovation in all areas of the glass business. One thing I was curious about was the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium. Being from Columbus,  which is considered the city with the number one zoo ( when Toledo isn't snatching the the title away from us) I had to see what all of the fuss was about. On my to do list was also Tony Packo's and visiting a local brewery. The rest we made up as we went along.

The Toledo Post Card Mural project by Victor Ving & Lisa Beggs  Located on Front & Main

The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium

In Columbus, we like to always think that we have the best zoo. It is one of the largest zoos in the world and we have Jack Hanna. We are always one of three Ohio zoo's in the top ten list in the US, but the Toledo Zoo is the number one zoo on a few lists and has been rated number one for the last few years over Columbus, Cincinnati and other Metropolitan cities such as Chicago, San Diego and  Dallas. Sunday I got a better understanding of why Toledo tops the list though I only have the Columbus Zoo and Disney's Animal Kingdom to compare it to. 

Toledo's Zoo & Aquarium offers a few things that you will not find in Columbus like the Hippo Aquarium, African Elephants (Columbus has Asian elephants) and a Conservatory. The zoo's location, smack in the middle of the city, even makes it a little more interesting. It felt strange looking at cars traveling the street as I navigated over the bridges and paths through the zoo. I really loved the old buildings that house the indoor exhibits, beautiful stone buildings built in the 1930s, most of which are still being used for their original purpose according to the zoo's website. What I loved most about the zoo, other than the African elephants and the hippos, were the grounds. The landscape is very well maintained. The flowers were impressive, especially the ones all around the Conservatory. They had a vegetable garden with a path through it. The Aquarium and the Aviary are also very impressive with enough species in each that they could stand against lone aquariums and aviary sanctuaries. 

Rhinoceros Hornbill located in the Toledo Zoo Aviary

Moon Jellyfish located in the Toledo Zoo Aquarium

Hippos playing at the Toledo Zoo.

African Elephant at the Toledo Zoo

The Toledo Zoo Conservatory.

The Original Tony Packo's 

Made famous by Jamie Farr when his character in Mash mentioned the restaurant in several episodes of the show. After constantly hearing about Tony Packo's food on the show, the people came in droves. So, like those people, I decided that if I was ever going to Toledo for a day or weekend, I had to check out the famous place. I am glad I did. While it isn't the healthiest fare, it was better than I imagined. I had the fried pickle appetizer and the Tony Packo's Feast which included a cup of chili, the homestyle cabbage roll and a famous Tony Packo dog with shredded cheese. I was stuffed before I could finish. The customer service was impeccable, my tea never reached the middle of my glass. Going to Toledo for the first time and not having Tony Packo's would have be like going to Philly and not having the steak sandwich named after the city. Another good reason is the many famous people who have sat in those same booths and signed the hotdog buns that decorate the walls of the cafe. I snapped a few photos of some of the buns signed by comedians, movie and television stars.
 

The Original Tony Packo's located on Front Street Toledo.

The Original Tony Packo's Interior decor.

Famous comedians who have eaten at Tony Packo's.

The Tony Packo's Feast plus fries. My cup of chili was previously devoured.

The famous Tony Packo's dog!

Maumee Bay Brewing Co.

I had two brewing companies on my list, but Maumee Bay was familiar and they had parking. Located in the Warehouse District and far enough away from the Mud Hens baseball game on Sunday, we were pleased to easily find a parking space. The brewery is housed in The Oliver House. The building is the oldest remaining structure in the downtown area. They were out of a few of their beers, so I tried six of the seven they had available. My favorite beer was the very first taste I tried, Willie MacDougal's Wee Heavy Scottish Ale. I am not yet a seasoned beer drinker but I know what like. I liked a solid three out of six. Not bad! We got there half an hour before closing, so I didn't get to hang out as long as I wanted but the place had a lot of cool things to look at. They have a small museum and there are old brewery collectables all over the place, including the bar area where I spent the 45 minutes I was there.

The Historic Oliver House. Home to Maumee Bay brewing Co.

Taking a few moments at the entrance of the Maumee Bay Brewery.

A Maumee Bay Brewing Co. flight

Maumee Bay State Park 

I do not know much about the park since I arrived just in time to see the sun set. Let's just say this is a beautiful place to watch that happen. There are deer all over the place, hanging out and people watching. There is a beach. There are cabins, cottages and a lodge. We hung out with a couple families roasting marshmallows for s'mores at a fire pit by the water. I enjoyed my free dessert with a side of natural beauty. It was the perfect end for my day trip to Glass City. It was everything I needed to see to want to return. I am not finished with you Toledo.  

 

Sunday's sunset at Maumee Bay State Park.

Be blessed! Be free! Be adventurous! 

Kris,

101 Cool Places And Things In Ohio (Part IV 31-40)

Thank you to those who have returned to check out the fourth part of my very long list of Ohio attractions, you can skip the next paragraph! For those who missed the first few parts of my list,you should read the next paragraph. It explains what this list is all about. Thank you, to you as well!

If you have been following me on instagram @krisofohio, you have seen my posts from the first day of spring last year. I posted over a month's worth of cool places and things in Ohio using #101CoolPlacesAndThingsInOhio. These posts have included Ohio attractions that have made World and National best lists, places off the beaten path and exceptional Ohio brands. I have two months of posts left to go. I have posted a good portion of my favorite places and things in Ohio and I will continue my list as I explore throughout the next few seasons. On this post you will find the fourth group of ten attractions from my list. Feel free to help me with suggestions to complete the list. Leave your favorite Ohio attractions in my comments and they may just make my list. To the Ohio tourist, whether you are visiting from out of state or a resident exploring your home state, there is so much to do in Ohio. Use my list to start your Ohio adventure. I have posted only places I have experienced and all photos are mine unless otherwise specified.

Happy Exploring!

Kris, 

31. The Crystal Cave at Heineman Winery

Below Heineman Winery,you will find a cave that houses the worlds largest geode. The Heineman family used the under ground discovery to stay a float when they could not sell wine during Prohibition. For a very reasonable fee, you can get a tour of both the cave and the winery. The fee also includes a cup of either wine or grape juice after the tours.

32. Tecumseh! Outdoor Drama

On June 10, the outdoor drama about the life of Tecumseh begins and shows continue until September 3. The drama is performed outside using the natural surrounding with real elements including a stream and live horses. Since the show is outside expect to see squirrels and birds in the scenes as well. You may also need to plan for some very real mosquitoes, unfortunately. Tours are given before the show and after the show you can meet the cast. If you get hungry, you can dine at the Terrace Buffet before the show or have snacks at the Snack Shack before the show and during intermission.

33. Marblehead Lighthouse

The oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the Great Lakes is found in Marblehead, Ohio. It's been lighting the way since 1821. The light house is the most photographed landmark on Lake Erie. You can tour the lighthouse from the day after Memorial Day until the September 2. You can view South Bass island, Kelley's Island and Cedar Point from from the tower and the viewing scopes around the park. Take part in activities like fishing, picnicking or just walking the park. You can also explore the Marblehead Historical Society Museum on site.

  

34. Mad River & NKP Railroad Museum

The largest railroad museum in Ohio is found in Bellevue, Ohio.It opened in 1976 as a community bicentennial project in honor of Bellevue's  history in the railroad industry. Climb aboard and walk through the railcars and engines starting from from the 1800s. Displays include a former troop sleeper car from WWII, a dining car and a refrigeration storage car. The museum is open daily from Memorial Day until Labor Day.

 35. Krema Nut Company

Did you know that the oldest peanut butter company in the world is in Ohio? They have been whipping up nut butter since 1898. You can stop in for lunch any day of the week but Sunday, for a gourmet peanut butter and jelly sandwich off their menu or create your own. They also serve milkshakes and sundaes. You can choose from several kinds of nut butters including cashew and almond. The butters are all natural with no additives or preservatives. Tours are offered to adult groups with a reservation.

36. Vectren Dayton Air Show

We call Dayton, Ohio the Birthplace of Aviation, so it makes sense that it would be the host of one of the best air shows in the world. You can walk through aircraft, take helicopter rides and enjoy scheduled air performances like the Blue Angels. The show will take place in 2016 on June 18th through 19th.

37. Short North Columbus 

Columbus has a huge art scene and in the past was voted in the 25 big cities for art by American Style Magazine. The Short North is the best places to experience Columbus art culture. The area is lined with galleries and on the first Saturday of each month, you will find performance artists on the streets performing. Visual and performing arts aren't all the area is known for though. Culinary is also a big deal in the Short North. The area is blessed with an abundance of restaurants with different cuisine and price points. They share one commonality, delicious beautiful food.

38. The Motts Military Museum 

 You can find Warren Mott's collection of American War History in Groveport, Ohio. The museum covers all of the wars of America's past with artifacts and antiques from the time periods. They have one of the largest collections of Holocaust history and incredible items from 9/11 including a fire engine that was crushed by the second World Trade Center twin tower that belonged to Ladder 18 of the New York Fire Department. You can also walk through a replica of Eddie Rickenbacker's childhood home.

 39. Dublin Irish Festival

Dublin, Ohio hosts the largest Irish Festival in the United States. It brings people from all over the U.S and other parts of the world. Musicians come from Dublin, Ireland to perform at the festival. The festival includes Irish fare and vendors selling Celtic art, leather goods and clothing. There is plenty of beer drinking happening as well. This year's festival takes place August 5-7th.

 

40. Loveland Castle 

The Loveland Castle aka Castle Laroche, was the home of Harry Andrews, who built the castle with his own hands stone by stone. He worked on the castle with a group of young men called the Knights Of The Golden Trail. They are the same men who Andrews left the castle to after he died. The castle is located in Loveland, Ohio, not far from the Cincinnati.

Look for my next ten cool Ohio features, coming soon. Thank you again for checking out my list! Follow me on instagram to get daily Ohio posts about restaurants, wineries and breweries. You can also get the next features from my list before I post them to the blog. Look for me @krisofohio  or search the hashtag #101CoolPlacesAndThingsInOhio.

Be blessed! Be free! Be adventurous! 

Kris,

Frostine The Snow Woman 2016

Last winter I made my first snowman, well snow woman. After living in Ohio for most of my life, I realized I'd never really played in the snow. I  remember seeing snow for the first time after moving to Columbus from Fort Lauderdale. It was so beautiful. Then as I became an adult, snow somehow turned into a nuisance. It was something that got in the way of me enjoying a day, my life even. I remember when I was in school and a snow day was celebrated. I was so happy to have a day off from school. As an adult it caused me to feel depressed and trapped.

My attitude about snow has changed. I see the beauty in it again. Even though I prefer warmer weather, I celebrate the snow. This week we finally got enough snow to build my snow woman. So here she is, Frostine 2016.

Just because we are adults, it doesn't mean we are too old to have play time. Enjoy the simple things in life and create beauty and fun when ever you can. It improves our lives, our moods and in this case burns calories. Really, building a snowman burns close to 300 calories. The next time it snows again, think about it.

This year's Frostine supplies:wax lips, broken Betsey Johnson Glasses, JLo hat, Target Scarf, Carnations and of course lots of snow

If you missed my first Frostine from last year , you can click on the Frostine 2015 below.

Frostine 2015

Be blessed! Be free! Be adventurous!

Kris,

Tasty Travels

Living in Ohio is really a treat because we have so much great food! The Buckeye State knows good food. We have birthed celebrity chefs like Michael Symon, Guy Fieri and Susan Feniger.  We are the birthplace of some of the best ice cream in the world with Jeni's and Graeters. Ohio is a state that offers so much variety in culinary experiences. I have experienced fine dining at white tablecloth establishments in both the big cities and in the smaller towns. I have had some of the best meals at greasy spoon eateries, like diners and country style restaurants. Don't let me get started on our Amish Country buffets! Ohio has established an impressive food truck culture, so much so that a festival was started in Columbus a few years ago, to celebrate the diverse food truck offerings in the city. My favorite thing though, is the growing number of Food Tours being offered in Ohio. You can visit several cities in Ohio, big or small and taste your way through their best restaurants and local delicacies with tour companies like Columbus Food Adventures, Cincinnati Food Tours, Canton Food Tours and Wooster Food Tours. I have been taking tours with Columbus Food Adventures for years now and I got to check out Findlay Market (one of the first markets in the US)  with Cincinnati Food Tours last year. The food scene in Ohio is so strong, I believe that is why I have never had a bad experience on a food tour. Ohio is also one of the states that hosts the most festivals. More than half of the festivals are food festivals using a particular subject matter in interesting ways like: The Pawpaw Festival, Dandelion May Fest, and the many festivals whose subject matter are the produce we grow locally like corn, berries and grapes.

 Because of all of the reasons I offered above I wanted to start a new series. This series will feature places in Ohio, in Columbus and away, that are worth the drive. I will travel for good food or an interesting dining experience. If you call yourself a foodie or love a road trip with a side of food, these posts are for you! I hope you enjoy reading Tasty Travels as much as I enjoy doing the delicious research for it.

 Five of My Favorite Ohio Restaurants

For my series premier I thought it would be cool to start with a handful of my favorite places to eat in Ohio. Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Maybe instead of taking your love to the dimly lit romantic cliche places you frequent every February, you may want to spice things up with a road trip to a place you have never been. You can take a day trip and drive up to these places in a few hours or less or make a weekend of it by staying at a local Bed & Breakfast. These places have good food and or offer great Ohio history. Some of them even have gorgeous scenery.

1. Malabar Farm Restaurant

 3645 Pleasant Valley Rd

Lucas, Ohio 44843

Malabar Farm Restaurant is a white tablecloth establishment with lots of history. It is even connected to the romantic Hollywood story of Lauren Becall and Humphrey Bogart who were married at Malabar Farm, the historic landmark and state park where some of the restaurant's produce is grown. If you are looking for fine dining, this is your place. The restaurant celebrates farm to table culture. Everything they serve is produced locally. Even the exceptional cuts of meat are delivered from a butcher in the area.  They are my number one pick because there I had one of the best meals I have ever had, but also because they have impeccable service. I showed up without a reservation on a busy weekend one warm fall day and requested to sit on the patio like so many other people who had indeed made reservations and they made it possible. They also treated me like Hollywood royalty.

A lamb steak with carrots and red skin potatoes from my meal.

2. The Golden Lamb Inn & Restaurant 
27  S. Broadway
Lebanon, Ohio 45036

I have mentioned the Golden Lamb before. It made my list of #101CoolPlacesAndThingsInOhio on the blog and under @krisofohio on instagram. The hotel is the longest running business in Ohio, so the history is extensive. The establishment has hosted 12 presidents and literary greats such as Charles Dickens and Mark Twain. The hotel restaurant also happens to be a place I have had one of my better dining experiences. I enjoyed brunch one Saturday some time ago then explored the hotel to check out the rooms that former presidents slept in. The hotel is set up like a museum, so if the rooms are vacant they are open for viewers. This place would make a great weekend getaway next month. The place is cozy and charming. The restaurant has planned a prix fixe three course menu for Valentine's Day weekend with wine pairings or you can just order off the regular dinner menu which includes: prime rib, a lamb shank and fried chicken among other offerings.

Part of my brunch included smoked salmon with capers, fresh greens and potato salad.

3. Rhapsody Music & Dining
18 Public Square
Nelsonville, Ohio

Rhapsody is a farm to table restaurant that is run by Certified Master Chef  and Executive Director of Culinary Operations of Hocking College,  Alfonso Contrisciani. With the help of the culinary students of Hocking College they prepare what they describe as "cutting edge comfort food". Don't be alarmed, these students  are well trained and create dishes that taste like they certainly know what they are doing. My meal looked and tasted "cutting edge" and I was ever so "comfortable" eating it. Lol!  I went before the fire that temporarily shut the place down and I had the Chicken Coq au Vin.  I still see the meal sometimes in my dreams. They only just reopened fall of last year and the menu concept has changed since I ate there last. This is probably the most romantic place on my list.  It's fine dining, the ambiance is perfect for a date and on weekends they have live music.

Fresh golden beets and greens grown in Athens County.

4. Red Brick Tavern 

1700 Cumberland Rd (Route 40)

Lafayette, Ohio

The building is deceiving because it's been standing for well over a hundred years. It has quite the history as Ohio's second oldest stagecoach stop. The place has also hosted six presidents. The food speaks for itself though. It is in my top five places for prime rib and they offer some delicious country fare like chicken livers. The menu is the most diverse in food offerings and price. You can order hot sandwiches and salads as low as $4.99 to beef selections like New York Strip and Prime Rib at $18.99 to $22.99. Other menu items include pasta, fish and chicken dishes. The dining room ambiance is country charm.

A appetizer of chicken livers with onions from my last visit.

5. Hussey's 

8760 West Broad St.

Port Jefferson, Ohio 

My final feature is more of a greasy spoon but they have a variety of  items on the menu. I haven't been to Hussey's in quite some time but it is on my to do list for the near future. Even though it's been a while, I am still hearing great things about the restaurant. I don't have any food photos from Hussey's since it has been a few years but they make my list because they prepared the best prime rib I have ever eaten in my lifetime. I did not even know I liked prime rib until I ate Hussey's. Even though this may not be the best date food, I must also mention they have a delicious blooming onion. In addition to the food, the restaurant rests along some old locks of the Little Miami River. The scenery includes a pond that is beautifully equipped with koi fish, ducks and geese all year long.  The restaurant has recently been remodeled but the atmosphere is still country casual.  The photo above is the place today. My second photo is the back of the property before it changed hands, was painted and remodeled. 

Watching the ducks and geese swim around the pond.

If you are interested in any of these establishments, the live links to their menus and contact information for reservations are attached to their names above. These places would make great locations for your Valentine's Day weekend. Unintentionally, I also managed to get a couple cool Presidents Day sites in as well.  I hope you enjoyed this 'Tasty Travels' introduction. I promise future posts will not be as long. Have a great week!

Kris,

photos courtesy of: Hussey's facebook Page, Malabar Farm Website & Flicker

Hello 2016

 
It is still January, so I hope it doesn't sound too funny telling you, Happy New Year! Last month and part of this month, I struggled a little with illness but I am much better now. My energy has finally returned and I feel so blessed to feel normal again. I appreciate every day that I wake up feeling well and comfortable. 

Since it is a new year, I am making new plans for the blog. A friend of mine suggested that I make my blog strictly about food since I love food so much. I don't have any plans to do that since I started  this blog to talk about all the things I love like: Ohio travel, art and exploring unique experiences. However, I do want to start highlighting more of my food adventures. This year I am introducing a new series called Tasty Travels. It will feature restaurants and other types of food establishments all over Ohio that are worth a road trip. At the end of the year I introduced a series called Made In Ohio. It is a series that features things that are produced in the Buckeye State. I plan to incorporate more of that series this year as well. I will continue my list of 101 Cool Places And Things In Ohio. I will continue to share the castles, wineries and natural wonders in my home state. Ohio will not be the only place I discuss this year, I am currently working on some travel plans. I will share as my plans progress.

If you have any suggestions, I will happily address what ever topics you have in mind.  I get messages on social media all the time asking me about events, where to eat or places to visit. I want to continue to be that person that has at least some of those answers for you. I will try my best to give you something cool, new or exciting weekly. I will try not to let you down. Again, Happy New Year! I hope the first month of this year has already brought you joy!

Kris,

2015 In the Rear View

I feel like this year has flown by so rapidly! As I get older, it seems like New Years Eve and birthdays come back to back, hardly giving me time to rest in between. The saying is that " time flies when you are having fun." So, I guess I must be enjoying my life. Well, I can certainly say I have had a good year but it has also had it's not so great moments. For quite some time now, I have tried to keep a positive attitude and go with the flow when ever possible. This year I didn't get to do everything I wanted to do but I did a lot. I am ever so grateful for the great things I got to experience but also for the chaos because it turned into opportunities to bond with my family and friends.

In 2015 I made my first snowman who was actually a snow-woman. She was fabulous! I treated my guy to a Tesla concert in Troy, Ohio. It was my first Tesla concert and our first time in Troy. The city of Troy is beautiful, by the way. I saw Chris Brown, Trey Songz and Tyga in concert with my sister. I started a list of 101 Cool Places & Things in Ohio. I saw the legend,Stevie Wonder,in concert and was surprised by his special guest India Arie. I saw White Snake & Scorpions in concert. I got to hang out with my nephew all summer for the second year.  I took my nephew to his first concert to see Fall Out Boy and Wiz Khalifa where I blushed and cringed at the sight of large blow up joints being thrown around. I grew great tasting vegetables and fruits in my garden and my parents garden. My family took a trip to Orlando and introduced my nephew to Disney World. I saw my grandpa Robinson who I hadn't seen in ten years also while I was in Florida. My sister and I started a sister trip tradition. We spent a weekend in the Cincinnati area where we checked off four places on my to do list: Loveland Castle, Newport Aquarium, Jungle Jim's International Market & Findlay Market on a tour with Cincinnati Food Tours.  I took a meditation class to introduce the art of meditation into my daily life. To end the year I did my second list of residential holiday light displays and it became the most viewed blog post of any of the ChristinaKristin blogs in three days. Yay!

left to right: Frostine the Snow-woman, Tesla concert, Wiz Khalifa, My veggies, Epcot, Disney, Newport on the Levee with my sister, Findlay Market in Over the Rhine & Columbus KTC Buddhist Center

It has been an amazing year, full of love and color and hope. I can't wait to see what 2016 has in store for me, other than a trip to the dentist next week. Lol. I look forward to spending more time with my friends home and away. I look forward to more travel and more learning. I look forward to really living my life and learning to be more independent.

What were your 2015 highlights?