Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for ohio
End of the Commons
By Linda Tancs
The oldest operating general store in Ohio is End of the Commons in historic Mesopotamia, the heart of Amish Country. The store has been serving customers since 1840 and features over 1,000 bulk food products, hard-to-find houseware and kitchen gadgets and more than 50 varieties of old-fashioned soda and penny candy. A family-run business, its nod to yesteryear is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Be sure to sample some Amish delights in their cafe, like a fry pie.
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A Beacon in Ohio
By Linda Tancs
First lit in 1822, Ohio’s 50-foot limestone tower on the eastern end of Marblehead Peninsula is the oldest, continuously operating lighthouse on the U.S. shores of the Great Lakes. A Lake Erie attraction, it’s one of its best known and most photographed landmarks and the centerpiece of Marblehead Lighthouse State Park. At this time of year (until Labor Day), you can climb 77 steps to the top of the tower for a nominal fee, where you’ll be rewarded with extraordinary views of Lake Erie, Sandusky Bay, Kelleys Island, South Bass Island and Cedar Point. The park grounds are open year round.
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Key West of the North
By Linda Tancs
Dubbed the “Key West of the North,” Put-in-Bay is a quaint Ohio village off the shores of Lake Erie on South Bass Island. Maybe it’s the overall laid-back vibe that prompts the comparison, or the fishing charters, boating and watersports. Unlike its southern sister, however, you won’t find clothing-optional bars. What you will find are loads of golf carts, a preferred mode of transportation. Use one to visit sites like the lighthouse (circa 1897) and The Monument, a tribute to Naval Commander Oliver Hazard Perry’s defeat of the British during the War of 1812. The Miller Ferry or Jet Express will get you there in high season in a jiffy, or grab a flight into the airport, which is open year round.
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To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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Honoring the First Ladies
By Linda Tancs
Canton, Ohio, may seem like an unlikely destination for a site honoring America’s first ladies, but you can thank former Ohio Congressman Ralph Regula’s wife for spearheading an effort to establish a center for research and education on the subject. The First Ladies National Historic Site consists of two properties in downtown Canton: the home of First Lady Ida Saxton-McKinley and an education center, housed in the historic City National Bank building. Hardly shrinking violets, the nation’s first ladies enjoyed impactful careers of their own, ranging from professional dancing (Betty Ford) to newspaper writing and radio broadcasting (Eleanor Roosevelt). The term “first lady” derives from Martha Washington, who was given the name “Lady Washington” by the press. She was also the first presidential wife to be featured on a U.S. postage stamp. Tours of the Saxton-McKinley home are given at the top of every hour, beginning at the education center.
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To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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Air Force History in Ohio
By Linda Tancs
The National Museum of the United States Air Force is a premier location supporting the collection, conservation and presentation of the Air Force’s history, heritage and traditions. The site displays more than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles, many rare and one-of-a-kind. The galleries chronicle the history of aviation, beginning with the Wright brothers’ legacy and continuing with wartime assets and space launch vehicles. Free guided tours of the museum are offered daily and last approximately one hour and 15 minutes. The facility is located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio.
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As coronavirus proceeds, it is likely that the vast majority of us will be limited in our travels. But this, too, shall pass. Our love for travel remains, so Travelrific will continue offering travel inspiration in this medium. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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Celebrating an American Fruit
By Linda Tancs
It may be unfamiliar to many, but the pawpaw is North America’s largest edible native fruit. Its custard-like consistency, often referred to as a cross between a mango and a banana, was favored by George Washington. No doubt he would’ve appreciated a pawpaw festival in his day. One of the largest in our times is the Ohio Pawpaw Festival. Now in its 21st year, the three-day event celebrates our native fruit with events like competitions for the best pawpaw, best pawpaw-related work of art, a cook-off and the pawpaw-eating contest. Taking place at Lake Snowden near Albany, this year’s event is September 13-15.
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Making Magic in Ohio
By Linda Tancs
Magi-Fest is one of the largest magic conventions in the United States. Held annually in Columbus, Ohio, the longtime event starts today and runs through Saturday. Performers and lecturers from around the world include Tim Hannig, Juan Tamariz, Adam Rubin and Alfredo Marchese. One of the biggest draws is the dealers room, featuring Magicallusion, H&R Magic Books, Pattrick’s Magical Surfaces and Trick Supply, to name a few.
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Legendary Lights in Ohio
By Linda Tancs
What do 4 million Christmas lights look like? Like a blanket of color. Just head on over to historic Clifton Mill in Clifton, Ohio, and see for yourself. One of the largest water-powered grist mills still in existence, the original mill at the site was built in 1802 by Owen Davis, a Revolutionary War soldier and frontiersman miller. During the Christmas season, the mill, along with the gorge, riverbanks, trees and bridge, sparkle and glow, together with a synchronized lights and music show that features the old covered bridge. Go during the week to avoid the weekend crowds.
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The House That Rubber Built
By Linda Tancs
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens is Akron’s first and largest National Historic Landmark. The Ohio property is also the nation’s sixth largest historic home open to the public. Spanning 70 acres, the estate includes five buildings and eight gardens. Named Stan Hywet (Old English for “stone quarry”), the manor house was commissioned by F.A. Seiberling, founder of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. The colossal house (at 64,500 square feet) is one of the finest examples of Tudor Revival architecture in America. Its furnishings are nearly all original and tell a story of American innovation and enterprise that flourished among the likes of Seiberling and his contemporaries, including the Rockefellers and the Vanderbilts.
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An Alaskan Hero
By Linda Tancs
On January 20, 1925, an outbreak of diphtheria in remote Nome, Alaska, made heroes out of a team of sled dogs thanks to their familiarity with the Iditarod Trail, a 674-mile route typically used to carry mail from Anchorage. In just six days a team of huskies led by Balto covered the route to deliver life saving serum to the citizens of Nome. After furious fundraising, Balto and six companions were brought to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1927 and given a hero’s welcome in a triumphant parade through Public Square. The dogs were then taken to the Brookside Zoo (now the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo) to live out their lives in dignity. When Balto died on March 14, 1933, the husky’s body was mounted and is now housed in the permanent collection at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
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