Summer 2016

The summer was full of first experiences, mixed in with some familiar ones. I traveled near and far. I explored new territory. I partied like I was 21 again and payed for it for a month after. I didn't do a Spring/Summer to do list but I promised myself I would say yes to whatever people asked me to do that was logically and financially reasonable. While I am thinking about the plans for my Fall/Winter season, I thought I would highlight some of my favorite moments from my Spring/Summer 2016 seasons.

Comfest  2016

10. I planted the best garden yet.

I have been gardening for years but this year I worked harder than ever to create my dream garden. Too bad that I get bored with it after a while, but I tried to keep it weeded, well up until August this year. This has been the best yielding garden because I am still harvesting lettuce, tomatoes, green beans and beets. 

1. Beets by Kris 2. Heirloom tomatoes 3. My hand painted garden markers 4.Lettuce variety

9. I Visited Wylie the Walleye.

Sometimes you have to drive a couple hours away to eat a great fish sandwich. This was my second year visiting the Port Clinton Walleye Festival. I literally went for the sandwich and left, but the sandwich is so great that the trip deserved to be mentioned.

Dancing with Wylie the Walleye at the Walleye Festival in Port Clinton.

 

8. I Enjoyed Some Dirty Dancing.

After all of the back and fourth with the Janet Jackson Concert, is she or isn't she, I returned my tickets and used my credit toward two tickets to see Dirty Dancing the Musical on Broadway when they came to Columbus. I took the only other person who I thought would appreciate it, my sister. We were obsessed with the movie as kids. The show was pretty great!

Play Bill from Dirty Dancing

 
7.  I Got Trapped in the Room with a Zombie Again & then Again.

Even though I already did the first Trapped in the Room with a Zombie a few years ago, I did it again as a planned group event for my friend's birthday. Then I treated my sister to Trapped in a Room with a Zombie Part 2 (Still Hungry) a couple months later. Even though you know the zombies aren't real, it's such an adrenaline rush.

Still Hungry with my little sister

 
6. I faced my fear of power tools.

This summer I began making my own beads out of wood scrap from my friend's wood shop. I have used power tools several times but have always been a little anxious about it, fearing I would hurt myself. I am now very comfortable using a drill and hand sanders. I have created some of the best jewelry pieces I have ever made. I am now working on getting comfortable with the saws.

Necklace created with vintage and handmade beads.

5. I checked off another Columbus Food Adventure Tour.

I  have been obsessed with this company's food tours and food tours in general. Earlier this spring I crossed the Grandview Walking Tour off my list. I enjoyed it as I have the other tour itineraries, that Columbus Food Adventure's offers. 

Berries with balsamic and cream from the Oilerie. Columbus Food Adventures Grandview Walking Tour

4. I spent a day in Toledo.

I spent a day during the July 4, weekend in Toledo exploring the city. My trip included a few hours at the Toledo Zoo, a Hungarian hotdog from Tony Packo's original location, a flight of brews from Maumee Bay Brewing Co. and some smores at Maumee Bay State Park. It was one of the best Ohio day trips I have taken.

Toledo Zoo Aviary

3. I introduced my jewelry at Comfest.

We have been trying to get into this festival on and off for a few years. This year we were selected and we met so many cool people and made a few new contacts. Most important, we had a great time and sold some of our labors of love.

Our Global Gal Collection at Comfest

2.  I went on an Ohio Adventure and made new friends.

 I have always wanted to participate in a group event with others who love to explore Ohio. 
My sister and I had the pleasure of joining a meet up planned by My Ohio Adventure, 7Thirty8Apparel and The Campfire Experience. We hiked Slate Run trails, we explored Slate Run Historical Farm, checked out Rockmill Historical Park and ended the day drinking some brews at Rockmill Brewery. 
 

Rockmill Historical Park, Grist mill and bridge

1. I Partied in Brooklyn!

I try to take a trip out of the state at least once a year. This year I went to Brooklyn in celebration of my friend Christina's birthday. I won't get into it because I just recently posted about it here but it was the best event of my summer. I enjoyed spending time away from Ohio with my best friend. It was also great to meet so many creative, business minded people. I love the city almost as much as I love home.

Me in front of our AirBnB in Crown Heights Brooklyn

Until Next Time,

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,

The Castle of Loveland

Imagine having lunch in front of a real castle! Friday this was reality when my sister and I made a stop in Loveland, Ohio to visit Château Laroche. Known to most people as Loveland Castle, it was built by Harry Andrews with the help of a group of young men he taught in Sunday school. The group of young men called themselves Knights of the Golden Trail. While on a tour of duty in the Army stationed in Europe during World War I, Andrews was inspired by the castles of France and decided to build  his own. Andrews spent over fifty years working on the castle. He started the construction in 1929 and he was still working on the castle just before he died in 1981. Though he did not completely finish the castle according to his plans, the Norman style castle contains 15 rooms which includes the bedroom that Andrews slept in, a banquet hall, a great hall and a small dungeon. The grounds outside include a rock garden with a Loch Ness monster, flowers and gorgeous vibrant plants.

For a fee of $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under, you can tour the castle and the grounds. This is a beautiful place with plenty of photo opportunities. I recommend packing a lunch and picnicking on the grounds. When you are asked what you did that day, you can casually reply, "I had lunch at a castle".

 

 

 

For more information check out the Loveland Castle website.

Be blessed! Be free! Be adventurous!
Kris,