It feels like our grape escape to Indiana and Missouri was just last week when in all reality is was a couple months ago! Life has been so busy! Between going to a couple weddings, a baby shower, moving my sister, having her come visit... oh and not to mention starting my own business, there hasn't been much time for exploring. Hopefully, we will get a moment to get out and try some new places and meet some new faces SOON!
While on our way to MO for a wedding I was in, Chad and I did have the opportunity to stop at one winery here in IL. It was pleasant stop, but very short. I want to say it was Clover Family Winery but I may be wrong. I can't find anything online nor can I find my information about the winery. I will have to update when I find more.
For those people near Springfield, IL, an event called Uncorked will be happening tonight from 6-10 pm. 6 wineries as well as 1 brewery and 2 caterers will be featured. Admission is $10. For more information please visit:
http://www.wymg.com/pages/13593402.php
If our schedule is clear for tonight, picture from the event will be up tomorrow.
Have fun and wine well!
Showing posts with label explore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label explore. Show all posts
Friday, July 13, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Madison, Indiana
Madison, Indiana
After drifting for several days, Chad and I were ready to
stay in one place for a couple days.
Madison seemed to meet all of our needs.
This cozy little town on the Ohio river was just waiting to welcome us
with open arms. While we were at the
Thomas Family Winery, we met several wonderful people who all made
recommendations of where to stay, what to eat, and things to see and do. Several people recommended we stay at the
Hillside Inn, a historic hotel overlooking the Ohio river. You can find a separate entry about that
(Here).
One of the people we met in our first evening was the owner
of Mumbles Restaurant. He was so
generous as to treat us to dinner at his restaurant on the riverfront. They are best known for their BBQ and after
tasting his new BBQ sauce I know why.
The food was great and the service was friendly. Mumbles may look a little neglected on the
outside, but don’t let that keep you from stopping.
Madison, “the prettiest small town in the Midwest”, has a
lot to offer. Not only are there many
historic sites to see, there is also a beautiful state park (Clifty Falls State
Park)
with several
waterfalls, many different shops and art galleries, and many music and art
festivals/events throughout the year.
The people are what make the town truly special. Everyone we met went out of their way to make
us feel welcome, inviting us in, telling us about parts of the town, and just
spending time getting to know us. The
scenery was only enhanced by all of the smiling faces.
If you are going to Madison, we would recommend going
between Wednesday and Saturday. Many
shops and tourist sites are closed Sunday and Monday and some remain closed on
Tuesday. The parks are still open early in the week and
many shops are open but to make the most of a few days, making it a long
weekend trip may be your best bet.
Some of the festivals and events coming up in the near
future include:
Old Court Days - May (fourth weekend) & September (last
full weekend)
Madison Regatta – July (first full weekend)
Many other events are also occurring in late summer and
early fall.
For more information please visit the Madison, Indiana
Website:
Friday, May 18, 2012
Canoe Kentucky - Frankfort, KY
Upon waking up, both Chad and I were yearning for an outdoor adventure, specifically water related. We have been kayaking together a couple times now and love it! It is a blast to get out on the water and just relax! So Chad found us a place to rent kayaks and do a 6 mile river trail, Canoe Kentucky in Frankfort, KY.
The rates were fair, the water quick enough that you could minimally paddle and finish in a couple hours, and the small rapids were easy enough for beginners to combat. We called ahead to make sure we could get on the water. If you plan to kayak through a company such as this, there are usually scheduled times for people to be there so they can depart as groups. It took about an hour after we got there for everyone to fill out paperwork, get processed, watch a safety video, and hop in a van. Canoe KY was not expecting that many people to show up late in the afternoon on the first Sunday of May, so it took a little longer than normal.
It was a great adventure. All of the gear was provided. The staff was wonderfully friendly!
A couple suggestions:
Plan ahead!
Bring water shoes, a swim suit, a couple bottles of water (nothing in glass containers), a snack, and a waterproof bag for keys and such! A water-proof camera for on the river is also a great addition to any trip!
Schedule enough time so you can really enjoy your trip!
Wear sunscreen... no matter what!!!!
The rates were fair, the water quick enough that you could minimally paddle and finish in a couple hours, and the small rapids were easy enough for beginners to combat. We called ahead to make sure we could get on the water. If you plan to kayak through a company such as this, there are usually scheduled times for people to be there so they can depart as groups. It took about an hour after we got there for everyone to fill out paperwork, get processed, watch a safety video, and hop in a van. Canoe KY was not expecting that many people to show up late in the afternoon on the first Sunday of May, so it took a little longer than normal.
It was a great adventure. All of the gear was provided. The staff was wonderfully friendly!
A couple suggestions:
Plan ahead!
Bring water shoes, a swim suit, a couple bottles of water (nothing in glass containers), a snack, and a waterproof bag for keys and such! A water-proof camera for on the river is also a great addition to any trip!
,
Water shoes are also available seasonally at Walmart for under $9.
Wear sunscreen... no matter what!!!!
To learn more about Canoe Kentucky please visit their website!
If you have time to explore Frankfort, there are a ton of historical sites and a cute downtown area to explore! Lots of cute shops! Many places featuring local artists and musicians including:
Many of the shops next to this are connected, including coffee and book shops!
Unique downtown with a lot to explore!
We explored the town at night and took some wonderful night pictures using longer exposures. Sadly, I don't have most of those pictures ready yet because they are with Chad, but here are a couple I took!
Celtic Cross - Cannelton, IN
On your way to our from Blue Heron Vineyard and Winery, you will see a sign for the Celtic Cross. It is right along your driving path, and a short walk from where you are asked to park the car.
This sandstone cross was commissioned by owner Gary and Lynn Dauby and carved by Greg Harris. Harris a local individual who has created many works for the Blue Heron Winery and is a self-taught sculptor. This piece is was created from a single 22 foot tall stone that is a natural part of the hillside.
This sculpture has been featured in several documentaries and films and is believed to be the largest "In situ" Celtic Cross in the world. Certainly worth the stop if you are in the area.
Harris spent 6 days a week for 23 months carving this piece.
Closer view of carving on the back
For more information about Greg Harris and the Celtic Cross visit:
Monday, May 14, 2012
Spring Mill State Park - Mitchell IN
While at Carousel Winery, Sue recommended that we stay at the Inn at Stone Mill State Park. Sue even went out of her way to let us use her phone to call the Inn and see if they had any openings.
Spring Mill is a beautiful park with plenty of walking trails, a pioneer village, a pool, a restaurant at the Inn, and cave bout tours. The Inn has a variety of different room options, all at reasonable prices. While they are not extravagant rooms, they are clean, well-maintained, and comfortable. The staff at the Inn was wonderful to deal with and very helpful. The elevator happened to be out during our visit, but a staff member quickly helped us grab our bags and get settled in. The Inn was well equipped with a pool, game room, and restaurant. We enjoyed out stay and our visit in the park the following day.
Chad and I had hoped to explore some of the caves but sadly they were closed due to White-Nose Syndrome, a fungus that has caused the death of between 5 and 6 million North American bats. Instead we explored the pioneer village. We had the opportunity to see the largest working mill in America up and running. We also had a lovely chat with a few of the "pioneers" who worked at the village. It is marvel historical adventure that is fun for the whole family. You could spend several days enjoying what this park has to offer.
Spring Mill is a beautiful park with plenty of walking trails, a pioneer village, a pool, a restaurant at the Inn, and cave bout tours. The Inn has a variety of different room options, all at reasonable prices. While they are not extravagant rooms, they are clean, well-maintained, and comfortable. The staff at the Inn was wonderful to deal with and very helpful. The elevator happened to be out during our visit, but a staff member quickly helped us grab our bags and get settled in. The Inn was well equipped with a pool, game room, and restaurant. We enjoyed out stay and our visit in the park the following day.
Chad and I had hoped to explore some of the caves but sadly they were closed due to White-Nose Syndrome, a fungus that has caused the death of between 5 and 6 million North American bats. Instead we explored the pioneer village. We had the opportunity to see the largest working mill in America up and running. We also had a lovely chat with a few of the "pioneers" who worked at the village. It is marvel historical adventure that is fun for the whole family. You could spend several days enjoying what this park has to offer.
The workings of this mill are fascinating. Because of the way the water flows, it can be stored and released with little effort to run the mill. The water is carried from uphill via the large structure in the picture below. It is then spilled over the of the wheel and captured in the many containers on the outside of the wheel. The weight of the water is what makes it turn, not the flow of the water itself.
All of the people in the pioneer village are very friendly and knowledgeable. They are willing to share what they know with anyone who asks.
There is a small fee to enter the park, but it is totally worth it for the experience you will have!
For more information visit their website:
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Bluespring Caverns and Boat Tours
Our Next Stop was...Bluespring Caverns and Boat Tours!
I LOVED THIS PLACE!! Neither of us had ever been on an underground river or in a large cavern before so getting basically a private tour on a short bit of America's longest underground river (21 miles longs) was awesome!
Because it was the middle of the day on a weekday, we were the only people on our tour. Shawna Morris was a fabulous tour guide, giving us all sorts of fun facts and incredible information about the cave, it's history, and it's inhabitants. Have you ever seen blind fish? There are at least two unique species of blind fish living in this cave, both which I got to see. We also had the pleasure of seeing bats sleeping in the cave.
We would recommend this tour time and time again. It was a reasonable price, a unique experience, and we had an incredible tour guide!
These are just a few pictures of what we saw on our journey. These do not nearly capture the magnificent views you will see on your visit. There are large formations, high ceilings in some places, and deep water in other spots. A fun place to visit for all ages. (There is a steep incline to walk when entering and exiting the cave, so call ahead if you have mobility concerns).
I LOVED THIS PLACE!! Neither of us had ever been on an underground river or in a large cavern before so getting basically a private tour on a short bit of America's longest underground river (21 miles longs) was awesome!
Because it was the middle of the day on a weekday, we were the only people on our tour. Shawna Morris was a fabulous tour guide, giving us all sorts of fun facts and incredible information about the cave, it's history, and it's inhabitants. Have you ever seen blind fish? There are at least two unique species of blind fish living in this cave, both which I got to see. We also had the pleasure of seeing bats sleeping in the cave.
We would recommend this tour time and time again. It was a reasonable price, a unique experience, and we had an incredible tour guide!
These are just a few pictures of what we saw on our journey. These do not nearly capture the magnificent views you will see on your visit. There are large formations, high ceilings in some places, and deep water in other spots. A fun place to visit for all ages. (There is a steep incline to walk when entering and exiting the cave, so call ahead if you have mobility concerns).
For more information please visit
Friday, May 4, 2012
Out and About
Out and About – Near Sleepy Creek Vineyards.
Two locations near the vineyard that you might be interested in checking out include Ludwig Farmstead Creamery & Sugar Shack Antiques.
Ludwig Farmstead Creamery came highly recommended by Joe at Sleepy Creek. We even got the chance to briefly meet their Dutch cheese maker, Fons. Stop by the farm to taste some cheese and enjoy some delicious ice-cream.
17591 N. 600 East Rd.
Fithian, IL 61844
Sugar Shack Antiques is an antique shop located on a bison and cattle ranch featuring quilts, hunting and fishing antiques, and Old Western items, as well as packaged meats from the KD ranch.
9912 E. 1980 N. Rd.
Oakwood, IL 61858
Also Nearby is the Kickapoo State Park if you are up for some hiking or an outdoor adventure!
ENJOY!
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