Weekender Extended - May 2019

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The Weekender Extended Magazine is Published Monthly by BarnettPRO Publishing 71 Plymouth St., Plymouth, OH 44865.

PHONE/FAX 419-687-0002 Email: info@barnettpro.com Publisher - Michael D. Arnold mike@barnettpro.com Sr. Managing Editor- Kathy Barnett kathy@barnettpro.com Technical Director - Norman Reed Managing Editor : Social Media Norm@weekenderextended.com Places to Go Editor: Sheeree Oney Things to Do Editor: Kandy Derden People to See Editor: Lisa Rhoden editor@weekenderextended.com Visit our Website for event coverage between regular issues at www.WeekenderExtended.com Online Subscriptions are FREE! Submit your name and email address & we’ll also enter it in our monthly drawing for a FREE weekend getaway!

Copyright 2019 by BarnettPRO Publishing All rights reserved. Reproductions of any material from this issue is expressly forbidden without permission of the publisher.

Advertisements in this publication do not necessarily carry the endorsement of the publishing company.

Cover Photo:

Remember Mom on her Special Day! Shown on our cover is Jenny Hassell with daughter Teagan; granddaughter of our People to See editor - Lisa Rhoden. Photo by Lauren Griffis.

Up Close: From the Editor

This month our designated theme is camping. As usual, it was hard to stick to only one topic when there are so many places to go, things to do and people to see. We couldn’t ignore celebrating Mother’s Day or sharing places to enjoy the beautiful spring flower gardens. So with a combination of topics Kathy Barnett / featured, we bring you yet another filled-toSenior Editor the-brim May issue.

As for camping, I must share a quick story. Growing up in the city, my first experience was setting up camp underneath the dining room with sheets draped over the table and chairs. When the temperature rose hot enough for Daddy to turn on the single unit window air conditioner, we were delighted to spend our evening “away” from the normal routine and head for the wilds of the only room air conditioned. Camping means so many different things to different people. For me, it means sharing moments with my family and creating memories to tell the grandchildren.

It can be an RV, a cabin on the lake, a primitive tent or a makeshift sheet over a table. The important thing is to make the most out of your experience and have fun.

Since we expanded in 2009 from featuring only Ohio locations to surrounding states, we are so proud to announce covering all our states every month since our website was redesigned two years ago.

The staff has agreed it is now time to offer an easier way to navigate to the area desired.

This month we have incorporated our United States map into our Table of Contents. Simply click on the state you want to review and it will take you directly to the most recent article. Due to SEO and other new technology as well as the increasing use of smartphones or tablets to view our magazine, we are addressing more and more features directly on the appropriate pages of our website.

We invite you to take a few moments to try out the state table of contents this month and then respond back and give your opinion on whether or not you find it easier to use. This will also help you use our map on our web home page between issues as we are continually updating and adding new events on a daily basis as we receive them. We do hope you will continue to flip through the whole magazine issue so you don’t miss even one idea for your next extended weekend.

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Product Reviews - Memorial Day Proven Insect Repellent

You can’t go camping without it! In fact, it’s better not to even venture outdoors until you have used Proven Insect Repellent on you and your loved ones. An added bonus is the lotion and spray are available with a very pleasing, yet gentle scent or order the odorless. The main ingredient is picaridin which is non-toxic.

Once used, its protection is effective for up to 12 hours - long enough to go on that extended bike ride or relax under a shade tree. Best yet, both come in travel sizes to take with you wherever you spend your next extended weekend. $7.95-12.95 https://provenrepellent.com

My Infinite Agenda Keep yourself organized in style while you travel this Spring and Summer! My Infinite Agenda is an elegant and dynamic planner designed with your busy lifestyle in mind! The planner allows you to keep track of your daily commitments and goals, while also planning ahead. It is an agenda, daily planner, gratitude journal, vision board and goal-setting tool all rolled into one! There are dated, undated and mid-year versions, you choose! Get inspired and keep track of your plans no matter where you go. www.myinfiniteagenda.com/ $34.880 “Sale”

Moso Naural Air Purifying Bags

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Has the tent been stored in the attic or musty basement all winter? Moso is the eco-friendly, air-purifying bamboo charcoal bag that captures and neutralizes odors to maintain freshness. These all-natural, chemical-free air deodorizers are the simple and portable solution to refresh any item or space while on the go. Try them in the sports bag or laundry bag (after a day at the pool). Moso guarantees to keep you fresh wherever summer vacation may take you! Once the Moso Bag is completely used it can be opened and spread throughout the garden to promote plant growth! $ 9.95 http://mosonatural.com/

Column Feature-Places to Go:

Bargain Hunt Continues

By Sheeree Oney Places to Go Editor Thanks to the response we received on the offers found and shared with our readers last month, it as been decided to offer a monthly column on newfound bargains! Discounts, sales, and some findings are even FREE! Sounds good to me...

FLORIDA - PGA National Resort & Spa

PALM BEACH - For families seeking a fun summer getaway, kids 12 and under “Stay, Play and Eat Breakfast Free” at PGA National through Sept. 30. All guestrooms now feature 55” Samsung televisions and a luxe bedding package featuring the Beautyrest Black mattress, the best sleep in Palm Beach County. The resort’s centrally located zero-entry pool is a refreshing, tropical retreat surrounded by lush palm trees and luxury cabanas. More information: www.pgaresort.com, 855.233.1444.

OHIO - Yard House

Attention wine lovers. The modern American gathering place known for its variety of food and drinks are offering HALF OFF bottles of wine* all day Wednesdays at its Cincinnati location and until 9 p.m. at its Westlake location. Guests can also enjoy certain wines. by the glass for just $5.

INDIANA - Travelers will be able to get discounts and/or free admission at more than 300 attractions and properties during Visit Indiana Week! The week features discounts every day from May 5 – 11! State Parks Sunday, Get Moving Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Wayback Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday, Family Fun Friday and Sweet Saturday will see travelers enjoying discounted prices and free admission across the Hoosier State! For more information, click >HERE. LOUISIANA - Find the tour and package that is right for you on your next trip to New Orleans. Choose from a variety of options to customize the ultimate trip and save money

while you are at it. From adventure to history to family packages are available. From swamp tours and haunted buildings to paddle-boating and more, adventure calls around every unique neighborhood, historic avenue and cozy corner of New Orleans. Packages includes at least a one night stay at hotel - many offering FREE Breakfast and Parking - and your choice of tickets >MORE WASHINGTON D.C. - The Canopy by Hilton Washington, DC Bethesda North at Pike & Rose announces a partnership with The Red Door Spa & Salon (The Red Door). The salon, accessible from the Canopy lobby, now offers a 10 percent discount to hotel guests in “Just Right” rooms and a 15 percent discount for guests in suites, on all Red Door Spa & Salon services Sunday thru Thursday. Great for Mother’s Day gift or a graduation gift. >MORE MICHIGAN - Cheers to Savings During TC

Uncorked. Enjoy special wine tastings, discounted lodging packages and winery events in Traverse City. Expiration Date: May 31, 2019 The Traverse City Uncorked Packages offer discounts on lodging plus a $30 certificate good for one transaction at Traverse Wine Coast Wineries for up to $30 of merchandise. Along with this certificate, there will also be a special water bottle and a “Super Ticket” which provides a two-person party with one pour each at participating Traverse Wine Coast wineries. >MORE May 17-19/MINNESOTA - Celebrate Norwegian Independence and Norwegian ancestry during Syttende Mai in Spring Grove. Don’t miss the Blast Off Banquet & Social Hour, Running with My Gnomies, Musikk Fest, grand parade, Nordic dancers, kids’ pedal pull, corn hole tournament, daily garage sales, games in the park, walks on the Norwegian Ridge Birding & Nature Trail and much more. Viking Memorial Park. 507-458-7793

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Column Feature-People to See

Lacy J. Dalton Nelson, she was the

By Lisa Rhoden only female on his “Half Nelson” alPeople to See Editor bum, which also included duets with Grammy Nominated and Ray Charles, Merle Haggard, Carlos Academy of Country Music Santana, Neil Young and more. The award winner Lacy J. Dalalbum went Platinum and Lacy reton shows no sign of slowceived a gold record for her contribuing down as she hits the road tion. this summer, taking her music across the country. “What started off as a couple of Tour Schedule shows, has turned into eightMAY 26 - Piper’s Opera House / een cities in seven states,” Virginia City, Nev. says Lacy J. “I am so excited JUN 01 - T Bar Social Club / June to bring my music to my fans.

Lake, Calif.

I love to meet new people, and JUN 06 - Dangberg Home Ranch with my new project, Scarecrow, there is a lot of excite- Burnett, Steve Earle, Shelby Lynne, Historic Park / Minden, Nev. JUN 08 - Windwalker Vineyard ment happening right now for and Lucinda Williams. and Winery / Fairplay, Calif. me.”

In early 2019, Lacy was pleasantly surprised to receive several awards from Strictly Country Magazine, including the President’s Choice award for best well written music for ‘Boundless Skies’ and the Pete Huttinger Award for Music Excellence for the CD ‘Last Wild Place Anthology.’

First hitting the Country Top-40 in 1979 with “Crazy Blue Eyes,” Dalton was one the most successful female vocalists of the format during the 80s with such hits as “Takin’ It Dalton has surrounded herself Easy,” “Hillbilly Girl With The Blues,” with experienced musicians on Scare- “Everybody Makes Mistakes,” “Black crow, including bassist John Avila, Coffee,” and the CMA-nominated analso a renowned producer, composer, them “16th Avenue,” which was votarranger, and vocalist whose credits ed one of Country’s Top 100 Songs include performing with Neil Young, of all time by Billboard Magazine.

Willie Nelson and Oingo Boingo, and During her career, she has collaboratdrummer David Raven, who has re- ed with such Country Music Hall of corded and toured with the likes of Fame members as Bobby Bare, Glen Keith Richards, Norah Jones, T-bone Campbell, Willie Nelson, and George Jones. She not only toured with Willie With the recently released four song EP titled Scarecrow, fans have been given a taste of the new music and are begging for more. This new blend of deep, edgy music has taken Dalton’s songwriting in a whole new direction, sharing a side she’s never shared before. Scarecrow was produced by Ira Ingber, who’s past experiences have included playing with Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Brian Wilson, and Captain Beefheart.

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JUN 21 - Red Dog Saloon / Virginia City, Nev. JUN 22 - Private Event / Glenbrook, Nev. JUL 05 - Private Event / Glenbrook, Nev. JUL 09 - Manistee High School / Manistee, Mich.

JUL 10 - Cadillac High School / Cadillac, Mich.

JUL 11 - Cheboygan High School / Cheboygan, Mich.

AUG 03 - Lake Alpine Resort / Lake Alpine, Calif.

AUG 04 - Lake Alpine Resort / Lake Alpine, Calif.

AUG 11 - Roundup City Stage / Roundup, Mont.

AUG 14 - Midwest Country / Sandstone, Minn.

AUG 16 - American Legion Post 14 / Wessington Springs, S.D. AUG 18 - Party At The Pound / Greybull, Wyo.

Column Feature-Things to Do:

Food Fun Camping is fun for the whole family . . .

. . . and other urban legends.

Good, bad or otherwise, camping is a great way to make memories with your family. It’s a wonderful opportunity to spend time together, and afterwards you’ll have stories you can tell for years. However, to keep you from landing in a difficult situation for which you are not prepared, here is some information you should know.

Myth #1: Camping is more economical than hotels and restaurants.

Let’s start with the campers. Over the years, improvements have been made to make them more comfortable. In other words, just like home.

But have you checked the price of campers lately? I can enjoy several days and nights at a luxury resort for what they cost.

So let’s move on to tents. There is a wide variety of sizes available, so consider how many people will be using it. For each person there are cots, air mattresses and sleeping bags, clothes and personal effects.

For those with claustrophobia, a medium sized circus tent should suffice. Just beware of unexpected visitors stopping by to find out what time the show starts.

Myth #2: Getting away from it all is good for you.

This may be true unless you insist on taking it all with you. Depending on your location, you may need a camp stove/grill, fuel, porta-

By Kandy Derden, Places to Go Editor

ble sink, cooking pans and utensils.

Be sure to have at least two good ice chests for food and beverages plus a folding table and chairs, lanterns, fishing poles, tackle box, waders and bait, a boat or canoe, flotation devices, swimwear, hiking boots, backpack for hiking, a tarp, survival kit, first aid kit the size of a Volkswagon, rope, weapon of choice, a hand held GPS and a deck of cards for entertainment in case of rain.

I haven’t priced camping gear recently, but I did hear of someone who opted to take his family camping but didn’t have any of the logistical support needed for such an experience. Six thousand plus dollars later, he justified the expense by repeating the sales pitch, “You can always use it all again.”

He forgot the disclaimer, “That is, if you can get it all folded up back to its original size.” At this point, his wife pointed out that the car was so full, there wasn’t room for all the kids. So he ended up trading in his economy car and buying a large SUV with a carrier on top and a trailer towed behind.

Myth #3: Following directions

is easy; you can’t miss it!

When the directions you are given sound like the clues for finding a hidden immunity idol on Survivor, keep in mind one thing: when you are lost, all trees and rocks look the same. Remember what we learned from Hansel and Gretel: leaving a trail of breadcrumbs just helps the wild animals find you faster. Use your GPS to set a waypoint for help in returning to your campsite. Just for the record, that same GPS can

be used to give you directions to the closest mall.

Myth #4: Live off the land; anyone can do it.

Oh yeah? When was the last time you brushed up on your knowledge of safe versus poisonous mushrooms?

Myth #5: Food tastes better when prepared and eaten outdoors.

You have your choice of toasted, seared, singed, scorched, charred, blackened, burned, incinerated, immolated or cremated. There is an art to cooking over an open fire, especially since it doesn’t work well to have multiple items cooking all at the same time. Thus the invention and popularity of one pot meals.

Our regular readers may be wondering what recipe I could possibly come up with for this month which will fit the topic. Not to worry. I found one that is perfect for just this occasion. It is a dish which almost certainly requires being made outdoors.

BUFFALO STEW

Take one elephant and cut into bite-sized pieces. Place in a large, large, large, LARGE, LARGE, LARGE, LARGE, LARGE, LARGE kettle. In other words, a big ol’ pot! This should take about four months.

Check back with us in a future autumn issue for the rest of the ingredients and instructions. Until then, can we get a pizza delivered to our campsite?

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Places to go :

The Top U.S. Gard

Historic Hotels of America have some of the most magnificent and beautiful storybook gardens.

Numerous life-long memories of special occasions celebrated in the gardens of historic hotels include romantic getaways, romantic proposals, honeymoons, anniversaries, family reunions and of course, Mother’s Day! Multigenerational guests select a historic resort to explore, experience, and grow their own ever-blossoming memories in beautiful gardens located at historic hotels.

Here are The Top 2019 Historic Hotels of America with Magnificent Gardens: • The Inn at Montchanin Village (1799) Montchanin, Delaware This property has a full-time horticulturist and its own off-site greenhouses, which provide exquisite colorful landscaping on the grounds. Plantings help define spaces and create private garden nooks for guests to enjoy. The restaurant at the Inn, Krazy Kat’s, offers dishes with herbs and vegetables grown in the gardens of this historic hotel. Guests can access the historic buildings via a maze of ornate gardens featuring beautiful flowers and fragrant herbs.

• Antrim 1844 Taneytown, Maryland Located within feet of the mansion and the glass enclosed pavilion is the formal rose garden, enhanced by matching bronze fountains with over 100 varieties of English Tea Roses. Guest can wander into the secluded secret garden that features the ancient branches

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of a majestic elm tree. The original formal garden was designed and planted in 1844. Traditional plantings include Boxwood, Peonies, Holly Trees, Azalea, Silver Maple Trees, Jonquils, Tulips, and Cannas. There are more than 100 varieties of English tea roses, with many reaching a height of five feet tall. An herb garden is located beside the hotel’s original ice house, which provides the seasonings for the incredible cuisine from Antrim 1844’s Smokehouse Restaurant.

•French Lick Resort (1845) French Lick, Indiana Two historic hotels, French Lick Springs Hotel,and West Baden Springs Hotel, are designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior.

There are over 40 different varieties of flowering perennials and 17 different varieties of summer annuals used each year. Roughly 11,000 summer annuals are planted throughout. Trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals can be seen in bloom from April-November.

Summer annuals are installed by mid-May. A Gardening Guidance class and Fall into Gardening class are small group experiences led by Todd Schrank, Head Gardener.

•Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa (1847) Point Clear, Alabama More than 70 massive live oak trees dripping in Spanish moss are a highlight of the resort’s lush historic landscape. Each historic oak tree is numbered and receives monthly care for future generations to enjoy. Surrounded by brilliant Southern azaleas, roses, ca-

mellias, colorful annuals and lush vegetation, the Grand Oaks are legendary. From a secret garden for customized meals for couples, to the chef’s garden with more than 70 kinds of edible plants, Grand Hotel’s gardens include 550 pristine acres featuring a stunning selection of color. The expanded estate garden offers beautiful flowers and fresh ingredients for use by the Grand Hotel’s chefs. However, the Grand Oaks and fresh mint are the most beloved garden elements by guests and add to the resort’s Southern charm. Annual and perennial seasonal flowers are added the Grand Hotel’s gardens each year. Many of these appeal to the Monarch butterf lies which stop on their way to Mexico each fall.

• Nottoway Plantation and Resort (1859) White Castle, Louisiana There are 16 live Oaks registered with the National Live Oak Society and remain a cherished element of this resort. Many of the trees are as old as 150 years. A working vegetable garden and herb garden is in use by the hotel’s kitchen to complement dishes with fresh ingredients. Abundant varieties of roses are staples used on the grounds at Nottoway, with more than 100 of them planted throughout the grounds.

• Mohonk Mountain House (1869) New Paltz, New York The formal ornamental gardens were designed to fit into the picturesque style of landscape gardening: irregular in form, with variety and boldness of composition, and

dens at Historic Hotels a scenery of a more rugged nature.

An outstanding feature is the combination of sweeping lawns and open vistas with stately trees as focal points, surrounded by rocky cliffs. Various paths invite guests to wander beyond the formal area and into the rose, herb, and cutting gardens. Cedar-made pergolas, arbors, benches, and summerhouses handcrafted by Mohonk’s rustic carpenters over the past 150 years, enhance the natural aspects of the Mohonk landscape. In honor of the 150th anniversary in 2019, 20,000 tulip bulbs were planted and will be blooming until midMay. In honor of the anniversary, the theme is “Garden Jubil ation,” with a study of classic Victorian cake-tiered bedding style with a modern twist. Larger scale plants graduate to shorter bedding flowers in various sections of the garden.

• La Posada de Santa Fe, A Tribute Portfolio Resort & Spa (1882) Santa Fe, New Mexico The gardens trace their history back to one of the original owner’s, Julia Staab, in the late 1800’s.

There are many walkways and a variety of fruit, walnut, hickory, elm, aspen, and cherry blossom trees. Some are over 130 years old.

Guests can view the beauty of natural grasses with a variety of roses, all shades of lilacs, butterfly bushes, and daffodils. The best time to see the most vibrant blooms is from May to September.

• Basin Harbor (1886) Vergennes, Vermont Basin Harbor’s historic 700-acre

property sits on the shores of Lake Champlain and features over 15,000 square feet of gardens on site. More than 12,000 annuals are planted each year. Original gardens date back to 1911, when 2nd generation host, Allen Penfield Beach, completed his senior thesis on “How to Landscape a Resort” and took the thesis literally, laying out the blueprint for the gardens.

Enjoy the gardens from many cottages on property.

• Grand Hotel (1887) Mackinac Island, Michigan The grounds feature more than 25 planted gardens that account for over one and a half acres of maintained garden beds. The tour of Grand Hotel’s extensive gardens should always begin with the world famous Front Porch. Measuring 660 feet in length, the hotel’s Front Porch is the world’s longest and completely lined from one end to the other with more than 1300 signature Americana Red Geraniums. Other gardens seen from the front porch include the Tea Garden, home to the beautiful historic English stone fountain, horse and carriage topiary and a historic meandering stone wall lined with cedars and gardens. The Wedding Garden is adjac ent to the Tea Garden, and the rose walk lines the west path to the pool and wooded areas. The Triangle Gardens are the most photographed. of all the gardens. Walk and view the East and West Garden Beds, The Labyrinth which is hidden adjacent to the pool, and the Pool Gardens.

Margaret’s Garden serves as the

hotel’s flower shop and provides fresh flowers throughout the hotel and for special occasions daily.

The majority of the gardens and surrounding areas have matured over the 132 years Grand Hotel has been established as “America’s Summer Place.”

• Jekyll Island Club Resort (1887) Jekyll Island, Georgia The Sunken Garden maintains a distinct regal presence at the resort. Crane Cottage’s Sunken Garden is one of the most notable stops at this historic hotel with its lush trellises making the garden stand out. The Sunken Garden is a favorite of both locals and visiting guests. The Sunken Garden was a part of the original floor plan.

Historically, the Sunken Garden was anchored with boxed orange tree that the resort later replicated in the late 2000s. Jekyll Island is a state park of Georgia and the entire island is a certified wildlife habitat, as well as located on the Atlantic Migratory Flyway.

• Airlie (1899) Warrenton, Virginia The formal gardens at this historic hotel are nearly 120 years old and have remained untouched since their initial plantings. In addition to the boxwood hedges, original fixtures include an Italian bird basin, bird house, and sundial. Located in a secluded corner of Airlie’s front lawn is the Peterson Butterfly Garden, featuring 46 varieties of butterfly-attracting plants native to the region. The organic garden has been producing vegetables, flowers, and herbs

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U.S. Gardens - Continu in a four acre organic plot for 21 years. The organic garden with its rows of fragrant herbs has provided the best possible ingredients for the hotel’s kitchens long before the phrase “farm-to-table” became popular.

•Castle Hill Resort & Spa (1905) Cavendish, Vermont Upon arrival, guests are first greeted by the beautiful gardens, still designed in the original landscape blueprint. The resort’s landscaping was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., son of legendary landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.

• The Saint Paul Hotel (1910) Saint Paul, Minnesota The Saint Paul Hotel’s English Garden is a 25 year old sustainable oasis of year-round natural beauty.

The hotel and its garden, are landmarks in downtown St. Paul’s cultural corridor. Diners in the St. Paul Grill enjoy panoramic views of the English-inspired garden, complete with vines that drape the walls of the building. The garden is sustainable thanks to the onsite restaurant composting 26 tons of kitchen waste each month. The garden is primarily split into three areas – the “Welcome” garden, a small circular garden near its valet drop-off, the “Perennial” garden and the “Grill” Garden. In addition to these, there is also a Moon Garden, Spring Garden and a Sunken Garden. More than 250 perennials and 60 shrub roses are planted annually. The Saint Paul Hotel offers high tea in warmer months that include a tour of the gardens.

• Claremont Club & Spa (1915) Berkeley, California The historic Claremont Club & Spa has 22 acres of landscaped gardens. Included throughout the grounds are sumptuous rose gardens. Wild bees are welcomed at the Claremont, with a ‘bee hotel’ on the grounds, designed in organization with ‘Pollinator Partnership’ to encourage bees in the area and pollination in the gardens.

• The American Club (1918) Kohler, Wisconsin The Gardens of Kohler were planted in 1913 after Walter J. Kohler, Sr., traveled to Europe to study garden cities. He worked with the Olmsted Brothers, whose landscape firm had designed Central Park in New York City, to plan the green spaces -12- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ MAY, 2019

that beautify the Village of Kohler and Kohler Co. campus – including a comprehensive 50-year landscape master plan. A second 50-year plan of growth, under guidelines established by The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, was completed in 1977.

This plan actively called for continued community development in the Village of Kohler. There are over 7,500 annuals planted on the grounds of the hotel each year. All the annuals are grown on the Kohler Campus by the gardening staff at the Kohler Landscape Greenhouses. These annual displays are changed out twice a year to offer returning guests a new seasonal explosion of color. There are a variety of gardens on site, including The Wisconsin Room Courtyard. This garden’s focal point, a grand cedar arbor, supports a variety of decorative vines and casts its majestic shadow upon the bluestone terrace and its surrounding perennials.

• The Broadmoor (1918) Colorado Springs, Colorado The Broadmoor’s gardens cover 35 acres. The landscaping and flowering gardens encourage guests to experience several different types of landscape, and the original European theme throughout the resort. As guests drive up the entrance to the main hotel, they view a formal garden with the hedged boxwoods and junipers and a water feature with water lilies blooming on top of the water surrounding the 10 acre lake. In the spring time, over 18,000 daffodils and 25,000 pansies are planted. In the summer there are over 35,000 annual and 12,000 plants scattered in pots and hanging baskets around the resort. In addition to the flowers throughout, Broadmoor Farms grows organic vegetables, herbs, edible flowers and fruits for the award winning Penrose Restaurant and other restaurants. Honey is produced on-site by the Broadmoor bees.

• OHEKA CASTLE (1919) Huntington, New York This historic castle features French inspired formal gardens with fountains, 10 reflecting pools, classic statuary, and tree-lined paths of London Planes, designed by the world-renowned Olmsted Brothers. Original gardens back in the 1920s also included English style walking gardens designed

ued by prominent landscape designer, Beatrix Ferrand.

Hollywood has used the backdrop of OHEKA’s gardens in the classic movie, Citizen Kane, as well as being featured in a popular Taylor Swift music video and on the television series, Royal Pains.

• Ojai Valley Inn (1923) Ojai, California Margaret Sears, celebrated landscape architect created the original gardens for Ojai Valley Inn, dating back to the 1930s. Sears also was responsible for the landscaping in the classic movie, Gone with the Wind. In 2008, Leland Walmsley, grandson of Sears followed in her footsteps and created an expansion to the Inn’s original gardens. Six gardens were added, creating a tropical oasis. Included was an organic vegetable garden for the Chef whose restaurant overlooks the restored native creek-side habitat and two outdoor wedding sites. One of the most noted herbs at the Inn is the lavender that is found throughout the resort.

• The Settlers Inn at Bingham Park (1927) Hawley, Pennsylvania The main structure plantings are descendant plants from Muriel’s original gardens in Philadelphia. Muriel’s Garden is an intimate cottage garden dedicated to the senses-site, sound, scent and taste.

There are several tranquil spots throughout: under the background heritage shade tree in the rear of the garden, stone yoga benches by the Lackawaxen River, reflecting benches on the canal towpath trail in the woods.

• Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort (1929) Tucson, Arizona Originally a school for girls, many of the cacti and trees in the historical photos can still be seen today.

From the first moment guests enter the 34-acre Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort beautiful flora and fauna surrounds. The walkway up to the historic archway features stunning, desert flowers frequented by hummingbirds, butterflies and lizards. The botanical gardens feature varieties of Agave, Yucca, cactus and multitudes of annuals that bloom seasonally. The resort also features a chef’s garden and a bartender’s garden, filled with herbs, spices and citrus fruits to be used at both of the award-winning restaurants on site. Because of Tucson’s mild climate and hearty desert plants, there are beautiful blooms

in season year-round.

The Wigwam (1929) Litchfield Park, Arizona This luxury resort is surrounded by gardens and citrus trees, two blocks from Litchfield Park. All of the 331 guestrooms and suites feature outdoor patios, balconies or terraces with views of lushly landscaped gardens, vibrant flowers and mature shade trees. The trellis garden is a popular spot for events and weddings, in a manicured and vibrant outdoor setting.

• The Hotel Hershey (1933) Hershey, Pennsylvania What is now called the Formal Gardens was originally known as Highland Park and were put in place 18 years prior to 1915. The beds that hold the Hotel Hershey’s Formal Gardens were laid out following construction of the Highland Park Reservoirs. The grounds were extensively landscaped with flower beds and hundreds of rose bushes cascading down the slopes of Highland Park. The Hershey Gardens are located across the street from the hotel in one of Milton S. Hershey’s legacy properties and overlook the town of Hershey. Hershey Gardens is a 23- acre botanical display garden that features 11 themed gardens, including a historic rose garden with 3,500 rose bushes representing 175 cultivars. In addition to the themed gardens, there is also a seasonal display garden with over 20,000 tulips in the spring, colorful annuals in mid-summer and mums in the fall.

• Royal Palms Resort (1948) Phoenix, Arizona The grounds feature whimsical stone walkways, manicured courtyards, hidden gardens and fountains. There are many lush gardens that can be found, including the Alegria Garden. This private outdoor garden is enclosed by four stone walls and surrounded by vibrant flowers and fragrant citrus trees, making it a great location for celebrating significant milestones. The Jardin D’Amore (Garden of Love) is in a quiet, intimate area of the resort with gorgeous views of Camelback Mountain.

Historic Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing and celebrating the finest Historic Hotels. Historic Hotels of America has more than 300 historic hotels that have all faithfully maintained their authenticity, sense of place, and architectural integrity in the United States of America.

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Things to Do:

Smell the Roses

BIRMINGHAM - Good things can happen when people and roses come together, according to The Birmingham Rose Society. The organization invites you to come see, smell, photograph and enjoy roses on Mother’s day weekend at the beautiful Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

It’s one of the largest exhibitions of roses in the southeast with hundreds of roses on display. All roses at the show have been grown in exhibitors’ gardens and serve as a showcase of what can be grown in this area.

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sorts of categories ranging from “novice” to “experienced exhibitor” and also “artistic arrangements” and, a photography division.

While you’re in the area, be sure to stroll through the stunning Dunn Formal Rose Garden and see hundreds of magnificent roses in bloom.

Exhibitor and Show Schedule Saturday: 6 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Entries Received 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Judging of the entries 3 p.m. – Growing Roses in Alabama- FREE educational seminar 1 – 5 p.m. Rose Show open to

the public Sunday: 1 – 4 p.m. Rose Show open to the public Interested in exhibiting your roses, arrangements or photographs at the show? Check out http://www.BirminghamRose. org/ for full details. See you at the show!

The society exists “to increase the general interest in cultivation and improve the standard of excellence of the rose for all people.

For more articles about Alabama,

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People to See:

In Alaska Top Chef alum and a Denali National Park executive chef/restaurant owner Laura Cole to take over management of Muse Restaurant at Anchorage Museum ANCHORAGE – James Beard Award-nominee Laura Cole brings her flair for local, fresh, sustainable Alaska cuisine to the Anchorage Museum’s full-service restaurant and atrium café this April as the museum leans into its summer visitor season.

Executive chef and owner of 229 Parks Restaurant and Tavern at the entrance to Denali National Park and Preserve, Cole is known for defining Alaska cuisine, bringing the state’s bounty to the table with creativity born of her experience in kitchens around the world and inspired by the distinct character of Alaska’s food culture.

“It’s my goal to nourish and nurture all those who come to our table, focusing on developing and defining Alaska’s cuisine with the help of ranchers, fisherpersons, farmers and foragers across Alaska,” says Cole.

Among her signature dishes are wholesome, cooked-from-scratch snacks, entrees and desserts like crispy parsnip chips with house ranch dressing, Alaska ranched pork ribs with beet root glaze, charred local carrots with crispy chickpeas, Alaska bouillabaisse with saffron aioli, reindeer ragu with mint and house goat ricotta, beet and carrot macaroon ice cream sandwiches, handcrafted sodas and rhubarb lemonade.

Sustainable Food, Alaska-style Cole’s commitment to clean, pure, healthy and hearty food using local, sustainable and

ethically sourced ingredients is a key reason why the museum selected her to run its signature restaurant.

“Laura’s approach to food is about elevating and defining place in a way that respects and reveres its distinct characteristics and people. This approach mirrors the museum’s approach to exhibitions, programs and collections. So, it’s exciting to add food to the ways in which the museum strives to provide a powerful and compelling narrative for the North,” says Anchorage Museum Director and CEO Julie Decker.

More about Laura Cole Laura Cole attended New England Culinary Institute and the Escoffier Institute in Paris before traveling the world working in kitchens all over the globe, including Antarctica.

She opened 229 Parks Restaurant and Tavern in 2005, giving full rein to her passion for pure food and earning herself a reputation for working with Alaska, small-scale farmers, ranchers and fisherman to provide restaurant guests with a true farm-to-table/ranch-to-table/ocean-to-table dining experience. She was the first contestant from Alaska selected for Bravo TV’s America’s Top Chef competition during its 15th season. She also has been a semifinalist for James Beard Foundation, Best Chef Northwest 2016, 2017 and 2018.

For more information visit www.anchoragemuseum.org

For More places to go, things to do, nd people to see while in Alaska, > CLICK HERE.

MAY, 2019 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -17-

Places to Go:

Glamping

Each Spring, wildflowers pave Mesa’s nearby hiking trails and the desert overflows with hues of red, purple, orange, yellow and blue -all accompanied by the vibrant green shades of Arizona’s indigenous desert flora. The setting for this adventure is Schnepf Farms, a 300-acre organic peach farm that now offers pampered glamping in their 1950s era auto trailers at The Cozy Peach Trailer Park. Overnight trailer stays

can be paired with farm activities such as seasonal you-pick flowers and produce, bike rentals, and dinner with the farmers. The U-PICK gardens on the premesis are always in-season and open to the public, so you can pick your own items you like best. Now, can a person get any fresher than this?

For more information or to make reservations, visit https://www. schnepffarms.com

See More Places to go, things to do and people to see in Arizona by > Clicking Here!

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Places to Go and Things to Do

For Mother’s Day Looking for something for your mom for Mother’s Day in Arkansas?

Here are a few ideas for that special mom. Whatever you do, be sure to pick something that matches your mom’s personality and make her feel special.

her mom picked up all her amazing skills, like fixing a bike tire and baking cupcakes. Make a card for your mom or special caregiver after story time.

can enjoy seeing many types of flowers.

The Show

Day at the Spa

Sunday Brunch

The Wyndham Riverfront and Forty Two in the Clinton Library are a few of the places have special brunches for Mother’s Day. They always have a great brunch.

Other good places are Ya Ya’s and Loca Luna also serve a great Sunday brunch. The usually do something a bit special for Mother’s Day. If you want to go out of town, The Arlington in Hot Springs has a great brunch just for moms.

Story Time/Barnes & Noble

In celebration of Mother’s Day, read about becoming an expert grandma sitter in “How to Babysit a Grandma” followed by “Mom School.” In “Mom School” a little girl imagines where

If you really want to pamper her, get her a weekend at a destination spa.

Turtle Cove and New Moon Spa get good reviews. Day Spas will be appreciated by mom too. Getting mom a gift certificate for a manicure at her salon or a spa visit is the perfect way to give her some me time. If you know the salon she goes to, they might have gift certificates for manicures or pedicures or you can send her to a local spa for a whole day of pampering.

Caracalla and ​Quys get good reviews.

Flowers

If your mom likes flowers, consider buying her something from a garden center that will live for much longer than cut flowers or take her on a trip to a local botanical garden where she

Taking mom to a show is a great way to spend the day with her. You can take her to a movie if she likes movies. For a really special evening, consider seeing what it is playing at The Rep, Murry’s Dinner Theater or The Robinson Auditorium.

The Quapaw Quarter Association (QQA) will host its 55th Annual Spring Tour of Homes on Mother’s Day Weekend in the MacArthur Park Historic District. Six homes will be shown for the afternoon tours (12-4 p.m. Sat./1-5 p.m. Sunday) and an additional home during the candlelight tour Saturday evening, 5-7 p.m.

For More About Arkansas... >CLICK HERE MAY, 2019 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -19-

From the peaceful canopy of ancient Redwoods to the emerald meadows dotted with frolicking lambs and the blazing show of colorful flowers, spring is a stunning time to be in Mendocino on the coast of Northern California.

Tender shoots and young vegetables are gathered to incorporate into fabulously fresh dishes while wines bottled in 2017 make their much-anticipated debut.

The babbling creeks that run through Maple Creek Winery in Mendocino’s Yorkville Highlands are bursting their banks thanks to a wonderfully wet winter, promising juicy vintages to come, while their handcrafted premium Artevino wines from previous years have been collecting prizes. The 2017 Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs won Gold Medals at the San Francisco International Wine Competition and the American Fine Wine Competition. In addition, Maple Creek’s 2016 Maple Creek Estate Chardonnay was chosen to represent Mendocino at 46 Whole -20- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ MAY, 2019

Foods stores from Sacramento to Santa Cruz. But the best way to experience the boutique wines, crafted by winemaker Tom Rodrigues, is to stop by their friendly tasting room on Mendocino’s famed wine highway, Route 128.

Visitors can expect to be greeted

by Buster and Posey, the resident Australian shepherds, and to discover why so many of Maple Creek’s wines have garnered the highest awards in competitions, all while chatting with locals in a relaxed setting. After all, the winery’s motto is “Enter as strangers, leave as friends.” Maple Creek Winery, (707) 895-3001, www. maplecreekwine.com.

The Japanese practice of “Shinrin-yoku,”or “forest bathing,” involves immersing oneself in the forest’s atmosphere, a proven technique for care and healing of the body. Since there’s no better place to take in the forest than surrounded by Mendocino’s ancient Redwoods, the Brewery Gulch Inn—which always tops

lists of the best inns and resorts in California—has two new packages incorporating “Shinrin-yoku.”

Constructed in 2001 from 150-year old redwood reclaimed from the nearby Big River, the Inn is an architectural masterpiece and itself a relaxing haven for mind and body, renowned for locally-focused haute cuisine, indulgently comfortable rooms and impeccable, personalized service. The team at Brewery Gulch brings this revitalizing experience to the next level with the help of Delphine Davidson, a certified yoga instructor, Clinical Traditional Family Herbalist and Health Coach, who has studied with such luminaries as Andrew Weil and Deepak Chopra. Delphine leads guests on two different Shinrin-yoku journeys.

At $ 150 per person, the first package (Dipping Your Toes) focuses on a guided forest meditation that incorporates all five senses. “The Full Body Immersion” ($ 450 per person) takes place over an entire day and features, among other

treats, yoga, a lesson in formulating the optimal herbal tea for an individual’s needs, and an hourlong soak in a hot tub. Accommodations are in addition to the packages price. Brewery Gulch Inn, (707) 937-4752, www.brewerygulchinn.com.

Those life-giving forests, fertile soil and clean waters of the Mendocino coast furnish plentiful delicacies if you know where to find them. The area boasts more than 3,000 kinds of mushrooms—some of which can only be found on this stretch of coast—salmon, crab and sea urchin, several varieties of seaweed, hard-to-find huckleberries and olallieberries, edible seeds, roots and more. The historic family-owned and operated Little River Inn has a package that teaches how to find this bounty and prepare and preserve it. This is the second year for their popular FORAGE AND FERMENT package which pairs guests with local foraging experts to gather fodder for a feast that they will learn how to cook. This 3-day/2night experience is from Friday, May 10 to Sunday, May 12, 2019, and has a limited number of spots. The Inn itself is a charming ocean view Inn, where you will find an award-winning restaurant, an Audubon-certified golf course, regulation tennis courts, and a day spa and full-service salon. Designed in tandem by Cally Dym, 5th generation owner and innkeeper, and her husband Marc Dym, Executive Chef at the property, this adventure in foraging and fermenting with local experts will help attendees uncover

everything from mushrooms and herbs to seaweed and sea urchin.

The hands-on odyssey starts on Friday night at a welcome reception and cooking demonstration with Greg Fonts of Freedive Shop/Triton X, who will dive in the morning with his team for the evening’s appetizers. In previous years, Greg has come back with scallops, rock fish, box crabs and urchins. He explains where he found each sea creature, and how to prep and cook it. Delectable cocktails, wine, and appetizers emphasizing locally gathered comestibles will be served. The next day, Saturday’s activities will feature mining the forest for treasures such as mushrooms, roots and berries with Kevin Smith, Countryman Forager, and later, guests head to the beach to collect savory seaweed and explore tide pools with Larry Knowles and Erica Fielder of Rising Tide Sea Vegetables. That night a communal feast will feature the day’s harvest with tips for preserving the hard-won delicacies.

The Mendocino FORAGE AND FERMENT EXPERIENCE will be offered exclusively May 10-12, 2019. The cost is $500 per person and does not include accommodations. Two nights lodging for two starts at $490, exclusive of tax and gratuity. A limited number of spots are available and reservations require 7-days notice. Call 707.937.5942 or 888.INN.LOVE to book. For more information, please visit https://www.littleriverinn.com/forage-and-ferment/. www.littleriverinn.com.

For the most complete access to

the deepest Redwood forests you have to ride the historic Skunk Train, one of California’s most cherished family attractions, or power yourself along the train tracks on one of their new railbikes. The railroad was built in the 1880s to move logs from the coastal town of Fort Bragg to the inland cowboy country of Willits.

Steam and diesel-powered trains still chug through dense woods and zigzag along the lively Noyo River, providing unparalleled access to the Pacific Coast Temperate Rainforest. Young and old delight as the trains travel through tunnels and cross over trestles, all while sending clouds of steam skyward. There are two scenic rides, the Pudding Creek Express and the Northspur Flyer, in addition to annual themed trains for holidays. Now there’s a new way to experience the Redwood Route, on a custom-built railbike.

These two-person railbikes sit securely on the track, allowing passengers to make their journey in a peaceful and quiet atmosphere unlike anything else found on a railway. Travelers depart from a special railbikes launch area, with a trained guide overseeing everything and leading the way along the track. Since the track is owned and operated exclusively by the Skunk Train, they are able to guarantee no trains or other traffic along the route. The bikes are incredibly easy to ride – perfect for all ages and skill levels.

They even come with an electric assist—ideal for taking a relaxing breather while still moving along the track, or for a little bit of extra MAY, 2019 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -21-

Continued:

Mendocino County oomph while you make your way up the gentle grade on the return trip. These quiet conveyances provide a unique peak at rare spring wildflowers and shy forest critters.

707-964-6371, www.skunktrain. com.

Coastal Mendocino is a riot of color, with flowers basking in the sun after a generous rainy season. The area is particularly famous for their rhododendrons.

Over 124 species thrive there, some of which even have heavenly scents to match their vibrant beauty, unusual for these intense yet stately flowers. The Inn at Newport Ranch invites visitors to revel in these spectacular blooms with their Spring Bloom Special.

Through June 15, guests who book a two-night stay at the Inn will be welcomed on arrival by a small springtime bouquet and two tickets to visit the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens to witness the rhodies in full-bloom splendor.

The Inn at Newport Ranch offers a breathtaking oceanfront experience, situated on 2,000 pristine private acres with 50-mile views across the Pacific. Guests have ex-22- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ MAY, 2019

clusive access to the vast property that encompasses virgin redwood forests, grasslands and beach.

Some guests opt to tour the acreage on horseback or have a private ATV tour guided by a local with intimate knowledge of the terrain.

They have all the amenities of a high-end hotel, from Ranch cuisine cooked from locally sourced ingredients (much of which is from their own organic gardens), to sumptuously appointed guest rooms, to the onsite Fireside Spa and a hot tub perched atop an old water tower. The Inn’s interior spaces are designed to enhance the natural beauty of the location and each room is filled with handcrafted objects and fascinating items from the owner’s world travels. Recycled redwood trunks soar to cathedral ceilings, local wines are poured in front of a 20foot fireplace, and stunning views are at your disposal.

The Main Inn Building includes the capacious Captain’s Quarters, with views of the crashing ocean; the Redwood House is held up by 24 recycled tree trunks, and each of the three elegant suites has a

living room, dining area, kitchen, fireplace, and private deck; and the Sea Drum House is perched on an ocean bluff and has panoramic views, a chef’s kitchen and its own garden. When guests mention the Spring Bloom Special while booking, they receive the Spring Bloom add-ons at no cost. Not combinable with any other offer. The Inn at Newport Ranch, 707-962-4818, www.theinnatnewportranch.com.

Small shops and enticing paths encourage you to wander in search of surprises. Whales frolic offshore while gracious inns and wineries welcome you to bask in the gentle spring sunshine and experience the flowers, fruit, wine, cuisine and fantastic finds of Mendocino County. Special packages and exciting lodging options make Mendocino a vacation within reach. At the end of the one of the most breathtaking drives on earth—lies the secret spring destination that promises all of the best of Northern California.

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Places to Go:

In Colorado The Broadmoor (1918) Colorado Springs, Colorado is Featured in Historic Hotel Gardens on page 15

For more on Colorado > Click Here MAY, 2019 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -23-

Places to Go:

Thousands of Daffodils, Six Acres of Peonies, and Dogwoods Galore bloom in Western Connecticut in the Spring. Each of these showplaces has an interesting history ACRES OF DAFFODILS NEAR LITCHFIELD

A walk among the daffodils at Laurel Ridge Foundation is a rare spring treat. This unspoiled oasis is a natural landscape of gently sloping woodland fields and aged

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Stop and sm

stonewalls overlooking a small lake with two tiny islands. Back in 1941, when owners Remy and Virginia Morosani found that their pasture was too rocky for planting, they decided to fill the land with 10,000 daffodil bulbs. Daffodil bulbs multiply and as the numbers continued to grow, the fields became a local attraction. In the mid-1960s, the Morosanis started the Laurel Ridge Foundation to maintain the property. Today the Foundation is managed and supported by their descendants, who welcome the public free of charge during blooming season, usually through the middle of May. See details at www.litchfielddaffodils.com

A CANOPY OF DOGWOODS

The hundreds of trees that form a cloud-like canopy of

blossoms each spring in Fairfield began back in 1705. That is when Isaac Bronson, a retired Revolutionary War surgeon-turned-farmer, decided his Greenfield Hills property would be enhanced if he transplanted some of the native wild dogwood trees blooming in the nearby woods. Bronson propagated and so did his trees. By 1895, the blooms were so outstanding that the Greenfield Hill Village Improvement Society took on their care, adding scores of new plantings that continue to grow.

In 1935 the Greenfield Hills Congregational Church held the first Dogwood Festival, and like the trees, the event has grown prodigiously with time. Besides the beauty of the dogwoods, the festival offers New England artisans and crafters, an art show, a tag sale, a plant boutique, live music, and children’s activities.

mell the Spring Flowers http://www.greenfieldhillchurch. com/about-us-2/dogwood-festival.

PEONIES AT CRICKET HILL GARDEN

When Kasha and David Furman founded Cricket Hill Garden in 1989, it was one of the first nurseries in the United States to focus on rare Chinese tree peonies. These special plants have blossoms that are among the largest, most colorful and most fragrant of all flowers. They cultivated over 500 different hybrid peonies, choosing the hardiest, most vigorous and fragrant to propagate and sell. Over the years a rocky, wooded hillside has been transformed into a sixacre peony display garden they call Peony Heaven. The family, now including son Dan Furman, enjoys sharing the beauty of the

garden in peak bloom in May and June at their annual spring festival. www.treepeony.com

WHITE FLOWER FARM: A PERENNIAL SHOWPLACE

The display gardens at White Flower Farm, one of America’s leading sources for perennial flowers and plants, are a riot of color and changing landscapes and blooms beginning in April.

William Harris, a writer for Fortune Magazine, and his wife Jane Grant, a writer for the New York Times, were thinking only of a quiet country place to write when they bought an acres and a half and a barn in Litchfield in the 1930s. But the beauty of the area caused them to become interested in horticulture and as that interest grew serious, the acreage

grew and a showplace gradually emerged. In 1950 they founded a small mail order business with the emphasis on quality rather than profit. The founders passed away in the 1970s, but present owners have maintained their high standards as a family business. www.whiteflowerfarm.com For more information about spring gardens and a free copy of Unwind, a full-color, 152-page booklet detailing what to do and see, and where to stay, shop and dine in the Litchfield Hills and Fairfield County in Western Connecticut, contact the Western Connecticut Visitors Bureau, PO Box 968, Litchfield, CT 06759, (860) 567-4506, or visit their web site at www.visitwesternct.com

For More articles on Connecticut,

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MAY, 2019 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -25-

Places to Go/Things to Do

By Kathleen Walls Editor: American Roads and Global Highways When it comes to road trips, it’s hard to beat a camping trip through Florida. Try combining some RVing with a touch of glamping up and down the Florida peninsula and you have the ultimate road trip.

We started out Florida road trip before we picked up our RV. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens was the perfect place to start our wild adventure. There are so many wonderful animals there but especially the Florida section prepared us for what we hoped to see on our trip.

We planned to combine visiting fabulous restaurants with some outdoor cooking. No better place to find fabulous than MLG where Chef Sweet Pete cooks up some fantastical shrimp. I couldn’t decide between his Hot Shrimp or his Shrimp and Grits so I tried

Road Trippin Grilling at our Burns Lake Site with Minnie Winnie in background both.

Since Florida has so much water to explore, our next venture as the St. Johns River Taxi Sunset Cruise Even though it rained hard, we had a great time. The music of Darren Ronan kept us singing in the rain as we cruised along the St. Johns River with Jacksonville skyline in view. The tour was sponsored by one of

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Jacksonville’s breweries, Intuition Ale Works, so we were supplied with interesting refreshment.

Next we explored St. Augustine area. We only had two day there but we visited some of the hotspots by taking the trolley tour.

We toured ancient Castillo de San Marcos originally built to protect the city from pirate attacks and the Pirate and Treasure Museum to see the pirates’ side of the story. We visited Fort Matanzas National Monument where the Spanish defeated the French and changed the course of Florida’s history.

The Colonial Quarter gave a glimpse of the oldest city from the 16th to the 18th century. The Fountain of Youth today would delight Ponce de Leon even if the water didn’t rejuvenate him.

Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum has a fascinating history as well as being a fun museum.

The Lighthouse tells of history

o:

ng in Florida and haunting. We visited in the daytime for the history and returned at night for the ghost tour.

St. Augustine Alligator Farm foretold that we would see many alligators and wild birds as we proceeded south Marineland is a combination of aquarium, educational facility, and historic treasure.

We picked up our RV, a Minnie Winnie courtesy of GoRving at General RV in Orange Park, Florida. It was a beauty containing everything we would need; a queen bedroom, a huge bed over the cab, sofa bed and dinette set in a slideout offering lots of room.

There was a two-door fridge, two televisions and all other necessities and then some. Our awning also rolled out with the touch of a button and was fitted with a row of led lights.

We loaded up and headed out for Elite Resorts in Ocala National Forest at Salt Springs. It was a luxury resort with more amenities than we needed, including a lodge with WiFI. We pulled in, set up, and then went in search of bear or any other wildlife. We brought my little Chevy Spark along as we couldn’t possibly take the 32 Foot Minnie Winnie down the loose, sandy, forest roads. The bears avoided us but we saw a gopher turtle, a few wild turkeys, some squirrels, some birds and lots of saw palmetto. We visited Juniper Springs and took our inflatable kayaks down the run to Alexander Springs Creek. The water flowing

Anhinga drying its wings

out of the springs causes a slight current paddling in. We saw a lot of anhingas , limpets, and many other wading birds. The squirrels were abundant at the spring’s campground beach.

Back at the RV we tested out the well equipped kitchen by fixing a grilled steak, baked potatoes and carrots.

First thing next morning we took a tour of the Ma Barker’s house. The tour is one of Ocala’s newest attractions although the house is original, dating back to the days of the FBI/Barker shootout. The bullet holes remain in the house and most of the furniture is original. Marion County moved it across Lake Weir from its original site to this side of the lake on a floating barge. Our guide, Greg, provide us with its fascinating history.

We stopped for lunch at Eaton’s Beach, a picturesque spot on the beach at Lake Weir. Food is delicious and unusual. It’s a blend of Florida and Louisiana cusine called Florisiana.

Anyone who visits this area has to visit iconic Silver Springs, now a state park but originally the oldest commercial tourist attraction in Florida dating back to 1878. In 1971 it was designated as a National Natural Landmark.

The glass bottom boat still transports you to a watery wonderland beneath the crystal clear spring as it has form all these years.

Our next stop is so unusual it was hard to believe we were still in Florida. The Canyons is a beautiful wild land filled with ziplines, springs, trails, horses, caves, and most unique, limestone canyons formed from the limestone mining MAY, 2019 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -27-

Florida, Continued... done here at the turn of the 19th century. You have lots of choices but we did the history tram. Ben and Clay, our driver and guide, were terrific. Tracy, the owner, has some priceless relics some going back to 2nd Seminole War. For lunch we ate at Sayulita Taqueria, a new foodie hotspot in Ocala. I loved my quesadilla. Deb enjoyed their special, tacos.

Next stop a reminder that we didn’t always treat the Native American fairly. Fort King is a recreation of the fort built to protect early settlers from Seminoles.

After being lied to and forced out of their land, the Seminoles burned the original fort.

We moved on to Citrus County in search of more Florida wildlife.

They are where the snowbirds of the manatees vacation in winter months. Once again we camped in a resort style campground, Nature’s Resort in Homosassa.

Homossasa State Park one of our wild must sees. It is unusual

for a state park as it is almost a zoo. The big treat there are the manatees but there is a lot more.

Most of the wild life there is native to Florida but there is one exception. Lu, short of Lucifer, at age 59 is the oldest living hippo in the country, possibly the world.

When the state took over the park, it was planned to have only native Florida wildlife. They sold off all the original zoo animal in the former attraction but Lu was the one animal they could not find a new home for at any other zoo. He was brought there for the filming of a movie and was popular with visitors. Locals partitioned the state to keep him here. The governor at the time, Lawton Chiles, solved the problem by declaring Lucifer an honorary citizen of Florida.

Some of our dining choices there were Margaritaville Grill with good food, great music and an unusual show of patriotism.

Seagrass Waterfront was another good choice. It has a Tiki hut, mu-

Boat Tour Musician

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Alligator in the Everglades sician, waterfront, and great food.

The Swim with Manatees Tour at River Ventures is an adventure not to be missed. I couldn’t get into the water as much as I would have liked as my mask seemed to want to drown me but I saw enough to be thrilled. Although it was off season for the manatees, most of which return to the gulf in warm weather, there were still many more than we expected.

Captain Laura and our guide, Jon P, were excellent.

We took an airboat ride with Captain Greg on Ozello Boat Tours to see the waterways in a different way Our next stop took us into the Everglades and Big Cypress Swamp where we camped at Burns Lake Campground. This one was a primitive campground with only eight visitor sites and a host spot: nothing but Burns Lake and wilderness all around us. In fact the last night, we were the only camper there. It was perfect for a campfire-grilled chicken, potatoes, carrots, and apples dinner and some tasty some-mores for desert.

We headed down Loop Road stopping all along the primitive

s roadway with water all around us where we found countless alligators and many wading birds.

Next day, we drove farther down the peninsula to the Ten Thousand Island area at Chokoloskee where we boarded Captain Don’s pontoon for an Everglades Area Tour. First a pontoon boat ride to Pavilion Point then we landed and got into individual kayaks for a trip along the island’s coast where we found some beautiful wild birds, spoonbills, herons, egrets , brown and white pelicans, and more, and learned about the importance of the mangroves in protecting Florida from hurricanes.

We had to check out the Skunk Ape Headquarters on Tamiami Trail to see if anyone had gotten an actual photo of the mythical bigfoot-like creature said to reside in the Everglades. Unfortunate no one had managed a photo yet.

We drove down isolated Turner Road in hopes of spotting one of the approximately 200 remaining wild Florida panthers. We saw lots of birds and alligators but no big cat.

Next stop, we switched to a different style of camping, glamp-

ing at Headwaters Jupiter, an Eco Retreat on the Loxahatchee River. Here we stayed in three recycled shipping containers.

It’s amazing how comfortable they were. With the river at our back door and beautiful Florida plants surrounding us, it was Eden.

We explored nearby Martin County where, unlike most beachfront Florida communities, there are no high-rises on the beach.

Switching from the wild to the weird, we took the Port Salerno Ghost Tours with Patricia and Patrick Mesmer who told about the area’s bloody history and acquainted us with the spirits that still reside there.

Jonathan Dickerson State Park’s observation tower lets you see from Indian River to the ocean.

We had a fascinating encounter with two momma sandhill cranes and their babies who seemed to have no fear of humans. Had we been still been RVing, this would have been our choice of campgrounds.

Florida Oceanographic Socie-

ty is a wonderful mix of education and entertainment about all creatures inhabiting the Atlantic.

The wildlife residents range from stingrays to sharks.

Elliott Museum showcases the inventions of Sterling Elliott from bicycles to autos with lots of Americana included and tributes to Frances Langford, the mid-20th century radio and movie star who resided in Martin County much of her life.

Our last stop took us to a little known but very interesting place.

We visited Cassadage Spiritualist Camp. So many people view mediums with suspicion. Here you see a completely different version. It is an authentic religious community having less dogma and more real proof than most other religions. Their Fairy Trail is delightful. I finished up this trip knowing there could be no more wonderful place for a road trip than this.

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Things to Do:

Give Mom Sunshine TALLAHASSEE, – This Mother’s Day, forgo the usual flowers and indulge Mom with a true Florida experience that she won’t soon forget. From the warm blue waters of Clearwater Beach and lush vineyard escapes in Fort Pierce to the incredible spa treatments in Palm Beach Garden, a myriad of destinations across the Sunshine State offer special activities and unforgettable experiences curated just for Mom. Whether a self-proclaimed foodie, fitness fanatic or a cocktail connoisseur, below are packages and offerings guaranteed to please every amazing woman in your life.

Mother’s Day Hotel Packages: Ponte Vedra Inn & Club’s “Mother’s Day Beach Escape” Package, near Jacksonville, is available for booking now for stays between May 9- 13, 2019, with nightly rates starting at $327.

Packages include ocean-view accommodations, a breakfast buffet for two at the historic Inn dining room, two beach chairs and an umbrella for a relaxing day under the sun.

Hilton Orlando is celebrating Mom all month long. Every weekend in May, enjoy daily breakfast for two ($25 savings), plus a 10% discount on eforea spa services, 25% poolside cabana rentals, two -30- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ MAY, 2019

daily I-ride Trolley passes and more.

Bayfront Marin House’s “Mother of All Weekend Package” in St. Augustine is good for stays from May 1 - 24, 2019. Stay two nights at a special rate of $75 a night in May and spoil Mom with a bottle of champagne upon check in.

The luxurious guest room at the historic inn will greet mom with housemade truffles, a hot southern breakfast served in-room with a complimentary mimosa and late check-out. Guests must mention “I’m Mom’s Favorite” when booking the reservation!

Unforgettable Experiences: Spend Mother’s Day at the Summer Crush Vineyard & Winery in Fort Pierce. This picturesque vineyard and tasting room is just one of a dozen wineries in Florida. Enjoy the beautiful, serene outdoors while sipping wine or one of the local craft beers on tap.

On Sunday, May 12, Mother’s Day Brunch will feature wine-based Bloody Marys, mimosas and will be accompanied by live tunes PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Garden is offering a memorable “Bouquet of Spa Treatments.” Moms connect with nature through flora-inspired treatments created to awaken the senses and de-stress the mind and body. Choose from a Passion Flower Melt Away Massage, Rose Jasmine Escape Full Body Scrub, Gardenia Glory Facial, Hibiscus Blowout, or a Mother & Daughter Hibiscus Express Manicure/Pedicure. On Mother’s Day, all spa visitors will enjoy a complimentary selection of tea and sweets from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Wyndham Grand’s signature Ocean Hai restaurant, located in Clearwater Beach, is offering a decadent breakfast buffet from 10 a.m - 3 p.m. this Mother’s Day. Mom eats for free with one additional adult purchase($65 per person) -- unlimited mimosas included!

Spend Mother’s Day at cruising altitude with Tampa Bay Aviation.

Moms fly free with two paying passengers on all aerial tours.

With four locations, Tampa Bay Aviation is a cutting-edge flight school with a leading charter fleet.

For more on Florida > Click Here

Camping at the Georgia State Parks Things to Do:

Whether you are a first-time camper or an experienced backpacker, Georgia’s state parks have a campsite for you.

Forty-one parks offer more than 2,700 campsites, including tent-only areas, RV pull-thru sites, primitive camping and group camping areas. Rates average around $30–$35 per night. Most state parks have laundry facilities and sell camping supplies. If you’ve never camped before, don’t let that stop you. Several parks offer “glamping” yurts (a cross between a tent and a cabin).

After a day filled with adventure, you want a truly unique place to grab some zzzz’s. You want a place that’s fun to tell your friends about. Check out these seven suggestions for accommodations with a twist. After a good night’s sleep, you’ll wake up right in the heart state park scenery.

• Historic Burnham House - This elegantly decorated 19th-century home is a romantic country retreat inside General Coffee State Park. Sip coffee on your rocking-chair porch, say hello to the park’s farm animals and stroll scenic nature trails. In the evening, take a soak in the clawfoot tub or cozy up to a warm fire.

• Glamping Yurts - Take camping to a whole new level with “glamping” yurts. These canvas and wood tent-cabins have beds inside, a picnic table and grill outside, and even a relaxing porch. Hot showers are just a short walk away. You’ll find yurt villages at Cloudland Canyon, Red Top Mountain, High Falls, Fort Yargo, Tugaloo and Sweetwater Creek state parks.

• Paddle-in Camping- For the ultimate seclusion, set up camp on your own private island when you stay at High Falls or Reed Bingham state parks. Their small islands can hold 25 to 30 people, making them perfect for Scouts, clubs or just a group of fun-loving friends. Campers arrive by canoe, kayak or boat, and rentals are available at the parks.

• Suwannee River Eco-Lodge - Sleep cozy just outside the famous Okefenokee Swamp when you stay at this nature retreat in Fargo. Surrounded by pine-scented forest, it offers exceptional privacy and comfortable cottages for individuals as well as groups. Just 18 miles away is Stephen C. Foster State Park where you can take ranger-led boat tours to look for alligators, bobcats, raccoons, deer, owls and additional swamp wildlife.

• Smithgall Woods - Treat yourself with a mountain getaway to this elegant retreat near Helen. Smithgall Woods features six private cabins, some with hot tubs and others sitting right above babbling Dukes Creek. Enjoy hiking and fly fishing right outside your cabin door.

• Platform Camping - Set up camp high above the river at Chattahoochee Bend State Park near Newnan. These wooden platforms conveniently keep your tent off the ground and your lantern overhead. After a day of paddling or fishing on the “Hooch,” you can toast the perfect s’more over your campfire.

• Georgia’s Only Backcountry Lodge -The Len Foote Hike Inn at Amicalola Falls State Park is reached only by hiking a five-mile trail through the forest. Make new friends while swapping hiking stories over dinner, and don’t miss sunrise before breakfast and heading back down the trail.

Learn more about these unusual cabins, campsites and yurts at GaStateParks.org.

For More information on GEORGIA,

>CLICK HERE!

MAY, 2019 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -31-

Places to Go:

Botanical Gardens

The arrival of spring brings a splash of color to botanical gardens all over Illinois.

• Anderson Japanese Gardens has been named one of the best Japanese gardens in North America. Koi ponds, winding paths, gentle streams, cascading waterfalls and raked gravel gardens all come together to form a colorful oasis in the City of Rockford.

• Chicago Botanic Garden is the perfect place to escape the bustle of the city and marvel at the kaleidoscope of color blooming among 27 different gardens on 385 acres. You can explore the wonders of the Garden by walking or by taking a tram. Tram tours include a panoramic overview or the intimate view of the gardens of the main island • In Springfield, Washington Park Botanic Garden boasts over -32- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ MAY, 2019

1,200 species of plants. Enjoy the fragrance of the Rose Garden and refreshing shade of the many evergreen and deciduous trees.

• The Genevieve Green Gardens in Bloomington offer a relaxing setting for contemplation and the appreciation of nature’s beauty. Small gardens are tucked in at various locations; there is also a formal compass garden with a beautiful arbor, a Japanese garden, and a main plaza that is highlighted by a water feature. Walkways, accompanied by tasteful signage, conveniently guide visitors around the property and are in harmony with the landscape’s topography. Carefully designed lighting makes it possible to enjoy the gardens during evening hours.

• Chicago’s Garfield Park Conservatory is one of the largest and most stunning botanical conservatories in the nation. Often referred

to as “landscape art under glass,” the Conservatory showcases thousands of plant species from around the world throughout eight indoor display gardens. Year-round, visitors can enjoy the lush flora and tropical temperatures indoors, or more than 10 acres of outdoor gardens, nature play spaces for children, water lily pond, and much more. Whether you’re visiting to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, or joining us for an upcoming program or event, we hope you enjoy your visit to Garfield Park Conservatory!

For more Places to go, Things to do and People to See in Illinois, > Click Here

People to See:

260.768.4725 | 888.447.4725

MAY, 2019 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -33-

Places to Go:

DANVILLE – Fairies, unicorns, mermaids and many other legendary creatures will unite May 18 for a first-time event to commemorate and celebrate the first year of a Central Indiana fairy trail.

The Central Indiana Enchanted Fairy Festival will provide a oneday fairy immersion experience for families from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds & Conference Complex in Danville. The celebration culminates the first year of the Central Indiana Enchanted Fairy Trail, which included fairy stops at 20 locations throughout Hendricks County in 2018 including at parks, libraries and businesses. The trail continues to grow in 2019 with new stops added regularly in Hen-34- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ MAY, 2019

dricks and neighboring counties.

The fairy festival will expand on the magic that makes the trail so unique and popular. A sampling of the day’s festivities includes a fairy tea party, fairy crafts and games, photo opportunities with fairies, live unicorns and mermaids and amazing performances. Some of the performers include goblin tales from Ebenezer Grumpypants, a sword swallower, a magic show, a pirate folk band, archery demonstrations, a hoop dancer and much more.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase throughout the event and craft vendors also will be on hand. The entire event is pet-friendly with a percentage of the proceeds benefiting the Hen-

dricks County Humane Society.

Following the day-long, family-friendly festival, a 21+ Ethereal Ball will take over that evening. The adult-only ball from 7:30 to 10 p.m. will include more performances, a costume contest, dancing, food and drinks from Chateau Thomas Winery and Wabash Brewing LLC. For more information or to purchase discounted tickets in advance for the Central Indiana Enchanted Fairy Festival or 21+ Ethereal Ball, go to www.centralinfairyfest.org. To learn more about the year-round fairy trail, go to www.centralinfairy.org.

For more information, visit Visit HendricksCounty. com or call (317) 718-8750.

Things to Do:

Plan Your Garden

Garden Fair at Minnetrista May 4 @ 8:00 am - 4:00 pm 1200 N. Minnetrista Pkwy.

Minnetrista, IN 47303 Prepare for your summer gardening projects with Garden Fair at Minnetrista!

Are you looking for ways to strengthen your summer gardening projects?

Well, search no further, because Garden Fair at Minnetrista has plenty of tools to start the growing season off right!

On May 4th from 8 a.m.–4 p.m., come and explore an assortment of beautiful plants, landscaping tools, and crafts.

Meet vendors, get tips from horticulture experts, and spend time with friends and family at this one-day experience.

The first Farmers Market of outdoor season will also be taking place during the event! The Market will be open for business throughout the entire event.

“From plants, flowers, herbs, and compost, to garden art, bird feeders, and more, vendors will have everything you’ll need for your yard and garden,” said Sales & Events Manager Brett Ellison. “Expect to see enthusiastic, creative, and hardworking vendors who are prepared to provide their very best plants and garden crafts to our guests.”

Also, be sure to stop by the Master Gardeners of Delaware County’s Annual Plant Sale! May 4; 8 a.m. – Noon at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.

For more articles on Indiana,

> Click Here

MAY, 2019 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -35-

Places to Go:

Wednesday, May 15th to Sunday, May 19th

Everything is coming up “Tulips” in Orange City. What began in 1936 as a small celebration of Orange City’s Dutch heritage has led to over 75 years of what is now known as the Tulip Festival.

The internationally recognized festival features music and dancing by children and adults in authentic Dutch costumes, two daily parades, nightly musical theater, a carnival midway, Dutch delicacies, delicious food, plus thousands of tulips and a dozen replica windmills throughout this charming village. Find yourself immersed in this community’s thriving Dutch heritage, making for an unforgettable experience.

Picture Holland in your mind’s eye, and images of whirling windmills, hand-crafted wooden shoes and tulip fields blooming with vibrant color appear. The tulip, a symbol of prosperity in the Netherlands, was imported by the townspeople of Orange City as a beloved reminder of their homeland.

Orange City Tulip Festival

The majority of the tulips usually bloom in mid-May, but weather plays a major role in the timing of the blooming tulips.

Brett & Nora Mulder purchased Tulip Test Gardens in 2006. They changed the location, and renamed the business “Tulip Town Bulb Company.” All the bulbs are imported from the Netherlands and thousands are planted each fall in their gardens.

Don’t misss the flower show in

the Dutch Heritage Museum which features 1,000 tulips in one-of-a-kind arrangements. View tulips through the city centrum along Central and Albany Avenues . Many varieties and colors of tulips can be found in various groups of tulip beds around Orange City. For more information and details of activities during this festival, visit online at www.octulipfestival.com.

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-36- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ MAY, 2019

Places to Go

S

pend Mother’s Day weekend in Marysville at the 44th Annual Mother’s Day Market featuring nearly 120 vendors selling antiques and novelties, homemade and craft items, homegrown items and a wide variety of food vendors.

The event runs from noon to 6 p.m. on Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. While visitors shop for unique antiques and homemade gifts, they can enjoy delicious food, including barbeque, burgers and hot dogs, funnel cakes, homemade ice cream, cotton candy, smoothies, and many other food items.

Kids Day Out at the Market will be from noon to 3 p.m.

May 11 and will include crafts and activities. The band Trout Fishing in America will per-

form at 11:30 a.m. Pony rides and face painting will be offered.

A new event is The Grove, “pop-up” shopping that will feature handmade or boutique-quality goods, all under one canopy tent, May 11 only and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the former Simmons Auditorium area. Items include home décor, signs, bold handmade leather earrings, beaded jewelry, hand-sewn hair bows, fresh homemade baked goods, boutique apparel, and handcrafted and organic bath products.

On May 12, another new event will be in the tent area.

Marcy Holthaus of MADE: Décor and Classes, Kansas City, will conduct make-and-take sign painting classes at 1 p.m.

Holthaus is a native of Marysville.

The Mother’s Day Marysville Junior-Senior High School Art

show is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 11- 12 in the junior high gym.

The Mother’s Day Dash Family Fun Run and 5K will be at 9 a.m. May 11 at the Blue River Rail Trail.

A chicken barbecue meal will be served Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the northwest corner of the park. Cost is $10 and includes a half chicken barbecued by Van Laningham’s Barbecue Aces of Beatrice, Neb., with baked potato, coleslaw and a roll. Dine-in or carryout is available. All proceeds from the event benefit the Koester House Museum & Gardens.

Pre-orders can be placed with Marysville Main Street at (785) 619-6050.

For more articles about Kansas >

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MAY, 2019 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -37-

Places to Go:

Three Trails

Kentucky is the perfect road trip destination with unforgettable stories, undeniable beauty and unusual culinary delights. The African American Heritage Trail, the Kentucky State Parks Culinary Trail and the Bourbon Trail offer something for everyone as they road trip in the Bluegrass State.

African American Heritage Trail

Discover the untold and unforgettable stories of African Americans during slavery, the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement.

The itineraries are divided by Louisville & Surrounding Areas, Lexington and Surrounding Areas and a Statewide Itinerary.

Perfect for three- or five-day trips, the family friendly tours promise to enrich any vacation with sites -38- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ MAY, 2019

such as the West Kentucky African American Heritage Center and Rosewald’s May’s Lick Negro School. For more information on the African American Heritage Trails, click here: https://www. unforgettableky.com

Kentucky State Parks Culinary Trail

Explore the natural wonders and culinary delights on the State Park Culinary Trail. The state has been divided into nine diverse regions, each highlighting a specialty that is rooted deep in Kentucky’s history. If in the Bluegrass, Blues and Barbecue region, Pennyrile Forest State Park serves up some of the best burgoo and BBQ mutton in the state, or try the pork shoulder and local cheeses at Barren River Lake State Re-

sort Park in the Caves, Lakes and Corvettes region. For more information on the State Pars Culinary Trail, click here: https://parks. ky.gov/dining/

The Bourbon Trail

The legendary Kentucky Bourbon Trail road trip takes visitors to 16 signature distilleries at the helm of Kentucky’s world-famous Bourbon culture and to the 13 craft distilleries using innovative approaches to reimagine a timeless tradition. Travelers can learn the stories of America’s official spirit and experience the care and craftsmanship that go into each bottle. For more information on the Bourbon Trail, click here: https://kybourbontrail.com/ For more information on Kentucky >CLICK HERE!

Mothers and Mimosas

By Shawny’s Healthy Essential Sunday Noon - 5 p.m.

Sun, May 5, 2019 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM 3527 St Claude Ave, new orleans, la 70117 Undoubtedly, moms deserve to be celebrated because they’re always putting others ahead of themselves. Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to stop and reflect on all of her hard work. Of course, Mother’s Day isn’t just a day for celebrating your own mother. It’s

a day for honoring all the women in your life who support and nurture you, from your sister to your grandmother. It’s also a chance to wish a happy Mother’s Day to your mother-in-law, whose loving care helped shape the person you chose to marry.

For more on Louisiana, >CLICK HERE! MAY, 2019 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -39-

Things to Do:

Summertime Glamping

Sandy Pines Campground is a seaside glamping destination in Kennebunkport that’s kicking off its third season on May 10th. This year, they’re unveiling a collection of six unique retreats where guests can spend the night.

The accommodations include a decked-out Airstream (Zephyr), Shepherd’s Hut (Astral), Glass House (Starry Nights), Oasis Dome (Stargazer), and Conestoga Wagon (Wild Blue Yonder).

They’ve also introduced Family Camp Cottages, which are bigger versions of the stylish cottages on wheels that were unveiled last year.

In addition to an expanding portfolio of glamping accommodations, Sandy Pines offers a rustic general store, old-fashioned ice cream offerings and family-centric outdoor activities. Located only a few minutes from Goose Rocks Beach and Dock Square, this Maine campground is the ideal summer vacation destination for those who want to get back to nature To make reservations or to get more -40- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ MAY, 2019

informaiton, visit https://sandypinescamping.com/ Just six miles from Bar Harbor, the Woods of Eden Glampground offers four tents, each one with a full bathroom, living area/dining area, kitchenette and deck. One of the tents is ADA compliant.

This campground provides all sheets, pillows, and towels, as well as basic paper products, cleaning supplies, and shampoo, conditioner and soap.

A small refrigerator, kitchen sink, coffee maker, toaster, induction hot plate and gas grill are also provided.

Set on 24 acres of woods and just four miles from Acadia National Park’s main entrance, it’s an ideal wooded setting for a true “glamping” experience. for more information, visit https://www.woodsofeden.com/

For more information on Maine

>Click here

Things to Do: Celebrate

With a fun-filled May

Seven Ways to Celebrate a Fun-filled May in Annapolis ANNAPOLIS - What’s happening in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County in May? Plenty!

With finals out of the way, thousands of midshipmen donned in their dress whites are out and about in downtown Annapolis – on the streets, in restaurants and shops, along City Dock. There’s an excitement in the air as the community celebrates our nation’s newly minted Navy and Marine Corps officers. To make it easier to enjoy the sights and sounds of May in Maryland’s capital city, Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County is highlighting seven events you won’t want to miss!

Some say it’s the most beautiful day in Annapolis! Come, camera in hand, and capture door

after door of baskets filled with colorful spring flowers during the 63rd Annual May Day Basket Competition. May 1.

Shop among the creations of 130 local and regional artisans; dine at outdoor cafes; and enjoy several live bands during the 17th Annual First Sunday Arts Festival. May 5 and every first Sunday through November 3.

Runner’s World Magazine calls the Maritime Republic of Eastport .05K Bridge Run “the least challenging athletic event ever conceived.” May 11.

After four years of 24/7 work and commitment, graduating midshipmen are commissioned as officers in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps during Commissioning Week festivities. The celebration includes concerts, a formal parade, the Herndon Monument

climb, and a Blue Angels flight demonstration. May 17-May 24.

Celebrate the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country at the Annapolis Memorial Day Parade. May 27.

Spend Wednesday evenings dining, dancing and enjoying live music beneath a canopy of lights at Dinner Under the Stars. Restaurants offer international and hometown flavors. May 29 and Wednesdays through Sept. 18.

Capture a taste of Athens at the Annapolis Greek Festival. May 30-June 2.

For more, visit www.visitannapolis.org/events

For more information on Maryland,

> CLICK HERE

MAY, 2019 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -41-

Places to Go: Boston

With Mother

Almost every flower in Boston seems to burst into bloom on Mother’s Day, making this a perfect time to do something special with your Mom. There’s something here for everyone . . . and best of all, they’re sure to please your mom - and you.

So dress your cutie in yellow (Amazon offers a big selection) and join the Duckling Day Parade from Boston Common to the Public Garden - the perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day! • Picnic Among the Lilacs in the Park When your mother loves the simple things in life, and lavendar just hap• If your mother can be described pens to be her favorite color, pack a as “sophisticated, loves a good time, picnic lunch and blanket, and head and deserves the best,” treat her to a over to Arnold Arboretum for Lilac Mother’s Day brunch, lunch, or dinner Sunday, which always falls on Mother’s cruise around the harbor aboard the Day. Your mom will love the intoxiOdyssey or Spirit of Boston, Boston’s cating scent of the many lilacs in full premier luxury Harbor Cruise liners. bloom.

Sample the gourmet cuisine, enjoy The Arnold Arboretum’s large lilac the music, and best of all, relax on the collection bursts into glorious bloom deck and enjoy the great views. in May, putting on an exuberant show • You are the Mom . . . The proud of color and intoxicating fragrance.

Mom of the cutest toddler on the Enjoy family-oriented activities in planet. honor of Mother’s Day - or come any -42- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ MAY, 2019

time during early-to-mid-May to experience the unforgettable scent of these gorgeous lilacs. Lilac Sunday is the only day of the year when the Arboretum allows picnics - so take advantage by bringing a tasty brunch or lunch and perhaps a blanket for sitting.

• Pamper your Mom with a Spa Weekend - Consider a luxurious Boston hotel with acclaimed on-site spas (tip - look for spa packages when you book your room.)

For more ideas, visit www.boston-discovery-guide.com.

For More Articles on Massachusetts > CLICK HERE

Places to Go: The Mom & Me

Arts & Gardens Tour

Treat mom to an art and garden tour this Mother’s Day weekend!

Stay the night at The Hotel Saugatuck, enjoy a complimentary in-room breakfast, then head our bright and early to meet local artists, peruse their works, catch demonstrations (like a live aluminum pour) and visit the beautiful Saugatuck/Douglas, Hamilton and Fennville countryside – including a breathtaking sculpture meadow and a lavender farm.

There are seven stops within a short drive from one another – see them all in one day or divvy them in two.

Afterall, there’s a total of 19 artists this year; their offering include: fiber, painting, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, glass, metal and wood. For more details visit www.artzandgardenz.com.

Admission to the tour is free from 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday, May 11-12, 2019.

This package includes: • Overnight stay at The Hotel Saugatuck • Printed map of all participating arts and gardens • 2 bottles of water to hydrate you along your way • Complimentary in-room breakfast • Complimentary parking at The Hotel Saugatuck • Complimentary wireless internet Package costs start at $269 plus tax and vary by room selection and length of stay.

The Hotel Saugatuck is an 18room luxury bed and breakfast with stunning views of Lake Kalamazoo, offering modern amenities, mere blocks from the vintage reminiscent small-town of Saugatuck and minutes from Douglas.

Built in 1865, The Hotel Saugatuck, formerly the Twin Gables Inn, is the only original mill in the area still standing from the busy lumbering era. It is now comprised of a dozen rooms in the historic hotel and three duplex cottages, each with two guestrooms. All rooms feature king sized beds, private bathrooms, Jason Hydrotherapy Tubs with Micro-silk Technology, in-room breakfast, inroom dessert, fireplaces, and individual climate control.

For more information visit www. thehotelsaugatuck.com.

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MAY, 2019 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -43-

Things to Do:

Luxury Glam SOUTH HAVEN – The Fields will be unveiled as the Midwest’s first luxury glamping experience.

Nestled within a lush, working blueberry farm in the getaway destination of South Haven, The Fields is slated to open on Saturday, June 15th. The stunning 30acre site will offer guests a deluxe outdoor experience of luxurious tents, chef-prepared meals, and access to a variety of exciting onsite and local activities, situated among a backdrop of the state’s most breathtaking scenery and hiking trails.

“I grew up in South Haven and lived between town and my family’s working farm,” says creator and owner of The Fields, Irene Wood. “As a child I appreciated the luxuries that the town offered, along with being able to connect with nature on the farm. It was the best of both worlds – that seamless duality is what we will deliver to each person that visits The Fields. We want to transport our guests back to their own moments of childlike wonder, connect them with South Haven’s beautiful surroundings, and allow them to reconnect with themselves, their friends, and their family.”

The Fields property, located only 3.5 miles from the glistening beaches of Lake Michigan, will feature 10 rooms that can each accommodate 2 adults. Complete with wood-burning stove, kingsize bed, luxury linens, en-suite bathrooms, luxury bathroom amenities and towels, along with -44- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ MAY, 2019

stylized fixtures and seating, each room will provide guests with five-star resort conveniences combined with effortless comfort as they enjoy their time outdoors and under the stars of South Haven. Two common areas will be available for guests to utilize at their leisure, and to socialize with fellow glampers. The Willow, a lively indoor space, will host guest meals, snacks, and other daily activities. Pine Point will offer a shareable fire pit and Adirondack chair seating outdoors, perfect for taking in the woodsy backdrop of trees illuminated with soft glowing lights.

Countless activities and adventures accompany the luxury accommodations offered at The Fields. On-site, guests can explore alluring hiking trails or the property’s abundant garden, pick blueberries, partake in group yoga, fish the pond, grab a hoe and tend to the garden, and more. Additionally, The Fields’ concierge team can help guests select from an endless list of engaging local activities including cheese-making, sailing, paddle boarding, wine tasting, fishing, horseback riding, and access to some of the area’s most popular seasonal events.

Offering so much more than campfire hotdogs and s’mores, the culinary team at The Fields will provide visitors with distinctive restaurant-quality meals. At the helm of the culinary team is seasoned Chef Sean Hale. A South Haven native, Hale graduated from The French Culinary Institute, and recently returned home after spending a decade serving as part of The Ritz Carlton’s Culinary Task Force in the Caribbean.

“We are committed to taking full advantage of the local, farm-fresh products that we are privileged to have at our fingertips here in Michigan,” says Hale. “We want the bounty of the land around

mping in the Fields Delicious options, which change based on seasonality and local production of fresh ingredients, offer something for every taste.

From Hummus Veggie Wraps and Tarragon Chicken Salad Sandwiches, to Grilled Salmon with Cowboy Butter and New York Strip Steak with Marinated Veggie Kabobs, The Fields will offer a dynamic variety of artfully crafted dishes for guests to indulge in, hassle-free.

us to feed our guests, connecting them to nature from a culinary point of view.”

Complimentary breakfast will be served fireside at The Willow each morning and will highlight local and fresh options including free-range eggs, yogurt and granola, seasonal berries, blueberry pancakes, fresh juice, coffee, and more. Lunch and dinner will be offered for order-ahead purchase, making it convenient for guests to create their own schedule throughout their stay.

Gourmet meals, starting at $20 per person, are prepared and delivered to The Willow daily to be eaten at the guests’ leisure.

Grilling and glamping go hand-in-hand at The Fields as well. For those who don’t want to skip out on cooking over an open fire during their outdoor adventure, Chef Hale will also offer grill kits that have ready-to-cook ingredients and components portioned out for guests to prepare and enjoy on their own at the property’s BBQ site. Starting at $25 per person, kits will showcase seasonally-driven delights including Lemon and Herb Marinated Portobello Mushrooms, Smoked Ribs with Garlicky Green Beans, and a variety of other grilling favorites. An onsite Mini Mart will also be available to guests, offering everything from local produce, syrups and jams, to local art, candles, soaps, and a variety of other luxury items.

Adding to the undeniable appeal and versatility of The Fields

and the stunning farm surrounding is The Barn, located a couple of miles from the main guest areas. A charming, 1,500 square foot space, The Barn is situated amongst an idyllic country backdrop, making it the perfect venue for whimsical private events. With a capacity to host up to 100 seated guests for weddings, events, or dinners, the stately yet simple barn at the farm combines a sharp-looking exterior with natural surroundings, nearby rock patios, and quaint walkways that lead guests through the dazzling farm grounds. Expected to start taking reservations by June 15th of this year, The Barn will be available for events daily from June 1st - November 1st throughout each open season.

Annually, The Fields open season will run through the last weekend in October and will accept reservations seven days a week.

Breakfast Time: 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Room rates at The Fields start at $329 and include all room amenities along with complimentary breakfast and access to all the property has to offer. Individual and group rates are available.

To book a luxury glamping adventure at The Fields, visit www. thefieldsofmichigan.com.

For more information on Michigan destinations,

>CLICK HERE

MAY, 2019 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -45-

Things to Do:

Go Fishin’ You are invited to the 2019 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener on Thursday, May 9, to Sunday, May 12, 2019, hosted in beautiful Albert Lea for the first time. We hope you consider attending or covering this time-honored, 72nd annual event.

Located 75 minutes south of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, Albert Lea, known as “The Land Between the Lakes,” is nestled between Fountain and Albert Lea lakes. The area has 13 lakes in all, many offering fishing, boating, paddling and more.

Nearby, the Blazing Star Bike Trail, Myre-Big Island State Park, Shell Rock River State Water Trail and historic downtown Albert Lea offer additional recreation.

Fishing is a key part of tourism, and more than half a million anglers celebrate the Minnesota season opener. It’s a way of life in the True North, and the Governor’s Fishing Opener has been a treasured tradition since 1948 that celebrates our state’s great outdoors and recreation opportunities, and helps kick off the summer travel season in a different host community each year. The 2019 event is coordinated by Explore Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Albert Lea Convention & Visitors Bureau.

This year’s event not only marks Gov. Walz’s inaugural Opener, but the first time in history that a Governor’s Fishing -46- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ MAY, 2019

Opener will be held in the Albert Lea area. Please consider joining Gov. Walz, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, local residents, dignitaries, media and others for a unique fishing and travel experience.

Various 2019 Governor’s Fishing Opener media tours and activities will highlight the Albert Lea area, including: Fountain Lake biking and paddling tours, Myre-Big Island State Park, Three Oak Winery, the SPAM Museum in Austin, and more. In honor of the city and local residents, a celebratory community picnic and walk/run event will be held in downtown Albert Lea. The picnic and walk/ run event are free to attend and open to the public. The picnic will feature activities, exhibitors, live entertainment, a free meal

for all attendees, and scheduled remarks by Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan.

Event Registration and Information Tours and additional activities will be available to registered Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener event attendees throughout the weekend. Event registration is due by Friday, April 26. For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit mngovernorsopener.com.

See enclosed registration information here. If you’re already registered, we look forward to seeing you in Albert Lea!

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Places to Go:

Davis Bayou Camping

Davis Bayou Campground is located east of downtown Ocean Springs and is a part of Gulf Islands National Seashore. Visitors enjoy the campground for its easy access to boating, fishing, biking and hiking trails.

This small, yet quaint, campground is open for reservations year-round. It contains 52 sites with electric and water hookups. Sites can accommodate tents and RVs, big or small. The majority of the sites are 40+ feet in length.

The campground has live oaks and pine trees and is adjacent to a saltwater marsh. Most campsites offer some shade throughout the day and all offer a tranquil setting for migratory bird watching and picnicking.

Davis Bayou offers many recreational opportunities for visitors year-round such as fishing, boating, biking, bird watching, picnicking and attending ranger-led programs.

Visitors may also enjoy hiking along the Davis Bayou Trail, which takes visitors through a coastal forest and over two local bayous, with an opportunity to see alligators and other reptiles. The campground offers easy access, a 1/2 mile, to the park’s boat launch, as well as the scenic Davis Bayou Trail. The fishing pier, located near the Visitor Center, may be used by visitors who possess a Mississippi State Saltwater Fishing License.

Come for the bayous, stay for the beach. Visitors spot

armadillos and alligators as they explore a pair of bayous via nature trail or paddle trip, then hop a boat ride to uninhabited barrier islands where there’s sun, sand and little else. When you crave more civilization, Ocean Springs has numerous art galleries as well as killer pulled pork at the Shed.

Davis Bayou is home to many of the park’s highly visited barrier islands, such as Horn, Petit Bois, East Ship and West Ship islands. Private boaters may enjoy fishing and swimming, as well as beach combing and bird watching. Private boaters may also enjoy island camping on all islands except West Ship Island, which is only open to visitors from sunrise to sunset. The barrier islands are accessible by boat only, therefore you may visit with your own boat or by private charter. Visitors may call 228-8759057, ext. 114, for a list of park-approved licensed boat operators. Ferries run to West Ship Island from Gulfport, MS during the months March through October. For more information about the ferry service, please call Ship Island Excursions at 228-864-1014.

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Places to Go: SPRINGFIELD - Head to Mother’s backyard for Mother’s Brewing Company’s 9th Ever Mother’s Day Festival on Saturday, May 18 from 1-9 p.m.

“We brew Love,” says the brewing company’s website.

“Call it our mission. Call it our raison d’être. Call it a near-fanatical belief that great beer can be the basis for new friendships, lasting memories, torrid love affairs, and vibrant communities.

Call it what you want, but it’s what we do.”

Admission is $10 if purchased in advance. It will be $12 at the gate. Children 15 and under are free. Rain or shine, it will be fine.

Make sure to throw the chairs and blankets into the car. The Backyard has plenty of space for everyone to spread out.

There will be all kinds of beers on tap - from your favorites to brand new specialty releases.

Enjoy live music starting at 2:30 p.m. with The Wildflower Revue.

The Bel Airs and Dawson Hollow will follow. The side state will feature Mark Bilyeu.

Save room for good food as food vendors from the Horrmann Meat Co., FireLight Pizza Co., and Black Sheep Burger will be available, selling there delicious treats.

Cash or card will not be accepted in exchange for beer. Tokens must be bought at the token station so you don’t have to stand in line twice. ATMs will be available on site.

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Pub will once again host this year’s AFTER PARTY starting at 8 pm! You know a Mother’s shindig isn’t complete without plenty of the good stuff.

“We are so excited for this year’s celebration, we can hardly contain ourselves.,” says organization members. “Your Mother’s hopes to see each and every one of your little angelic faces there!”

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Places to Go:

Things To Do:

Parks in Montana

take the scenic route HELENA - Home to two national parks and some of the country’s most untouched places, it’s no wonder that Montana is a must for families. Anchored by Yellowstone National Park in the south and Glacier National Park in the north, Montana is best explored on a park-to-park road trip itinerary that takes travelers to and through the state’s most special places.

While there are endless options to take you from Glacier to Yellowstone (or Yellowstone to Glacier), there are a few routes that will put you front and center with family-friendly activities, accommodations and offerings that are sure to keep everyone happy. such One drive—appropriately named the Rocky Mountain Front Route—starts in Glacier National Park and travels south along some of Montana’s most impressive landscapes.

Departing from the east side of the park, this 365-milelong route follows U.S. Highway 89 along the Rocky Mountain Front. Before traveling too far south, plan to visit Glacier Park Lodge and the Museum of the Plains Indian.

From Browning, continue on U.S. Highway 89 into the heart of dinosaur country and to the small Montana towns of Bynum and Choteau. A town of about 31 residents, Bynum is home to the Two Medicine Dinosaur Center, an interactive museum that welcomes visitors to participate in their public dig programs. While they have a few options to choose from, their short digs are ideal for families, with choices that include half-day to three-day offerings, making it easy to dig into Montana’s rich history of pale-50- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ MAY, 2019

ontology.

Additional stops along the Rocky Mountain Front include the Old Trail Museum and ice cream parlor in Choteau, as well as its neighboring community of Augusta. In Augusta, locally recommended stops include the town’s 117-year-old general store—Allen’s Manix Trading Post— and Latigo & Lace, a charming gift shop and art gallery that features many Montana artists.

Continue toward Yellowstone National Park with a stop in the capital city of Helena. On your way, take a guided boat tour of the Gates of the Mountains, then stop in Downtown Helena to visit the carousel and peruse local shops on the walkcream at Big Dipice with day your ing mall before ending per.

Round out the second half of your route with a visit to Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park. A favorite among families, Lewis & Clark Caverns offers 10 miles of hiking trails, campsites and guided tours into the heart of the caverns all summer long. End the day camping at the caverns, taking a soak in nearby Norris Hot Springs or continuing to West Yellowstone to visit the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center before venturing into Yellowstone National Park.

Find more information, visit www.visitmt.com.

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Nevada Blooms with Adventure Places to Go:

CARSON CITY— Rockhounds, nature-lovers and adventure-seekers have their fun cut out for them this spring in the Silver State. Rounding out the recreation: a tasty food and beverage scene and a calendar full of festivals. All you need for spring in Nevada is a map, a buddy and a knockout playlist for your road trip. Here, TravelNevada offers suggestions for an epic experience.

Hunt for gold and garnets –– Nevada is known as the Silver State because of its prolific silver mines of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These days, the state is a major gold producer — Nevada mines generated 5.6 million ounces of gold in 2017, according to the Nevada Division of Minerals — with much of the mining activity in the For More on Nevada, Elko/northern > Click Here...

Nevada area.

For information on mine tours, visit the Elko Convention and Visitors Authority web page here. For more hidden gems, head to Garnet Hill outside of Ely. At this federally managed rockhounding site, hunt for garnets in the area’s volcanic outcroppings. For more information, visit the Bureau of Land Management’s Garnet Hill page here.

Spot a baby animal –– Nevada has vast swaths of public land: beautiful landscapes supporting various mammal and bird species. Spot gangly spring ponies in the Carson Valley, Bighorn lambs roaming Valley of Fire, or find baby burros throughout the Black Rock Desert. Birders may want to visit the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge near Fallon, where over 300 species of birds can be found across 79,000 acres of marshes and desert landscapes.

Hike the Nevada Big Five –– With 320 named mountain ranges, more than 172 summits and eight

ultra-prominent peaks, Nevada is the most mountainous state in the lower 48. With sunny days and mild temperatures, the state’s five tallest peaks are well worth the climb. Hit the road this spring to discover them all.

Mount Charleston, 11,916’ / Wheeler Peak, 13,064’ Mount Jefferson, 11949’ / Mount Moriah, 12,073’ Boundary Peak, 13,147’ In northern Nevada, the newly opened Bently Heritage Estate Distillery in Minden embraces a farm-toflask culture, with liquor made from grains grown on the nearby Bently Ranch. The distillery is one of four estate distilleries in the country and occupies the 100-year-old Minden flour mill.

The Lake Tahoe Loop Drive the Lake Tahoe Loop this spring, starting in Reno. Enjoy the burgeoning Midtown and Riverwalk districts, with boutique shopping, craft beer, farm-to-table restaurants and a Burning Man-inspired art scene. Then head to North Lake Tahoe for some alpine adventure. Rediscover the glamour of the 1950s at the Tahoe Biltmore or Crystal Bay Casino –– two historical lakefront properties. In Stateline, enjoy a round of golf at Edgewood Tahoe.

The golf resort’s newly opened Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe was named No. 1 Resort Hotel in the U.S. Explore the past at the Genoa Bar in Genoa; which dates back to 1853 and claims to be “Nevada’s oldest thirst parlor,” or check out the Transcontinental Railroad Exhibit commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City.

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Things to Do

Escape Together (from left to right): Lutz Arnhold, Managing Director; Regina Ortiz, Director of Sales and Marketing; Brian Friedman, Owner; Peter O’Brien, Executive Chef

SANTA FE - . Hospitality veteran and investor Brian Friedman has acquired Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi Long considered the shining gem of Santa Fe, located steps from the historic Santa Fe Plaza, the ultra-luxury property is an intimate world-class retreat that has set the standard for luxury and service among small city hotels.

Brimming with rich culture and allure, Santa Fe is the ideal location to plan your next family getaway or trip with friends. Centrally located just steps from the historic Santa Fe Plaza, Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi is surrounded by opportunities for exploration, including shopping, dining and art.

With the Escape Together package, book more than one room and enjoy a 15% savings on each additional room of equal or greater value.

The guest rooms reflect a modern, sophisticated aesthetic while still celebrating the hotel’s Southwestern spirit and adobe architecture.

Accommodations of choice include gas burning kiva fireplace, nightly turn down service and welcome amenity.

Receive a 15% discount off each additional accommodation when you book multiple guest rooms over the same dates (of equal or greater value). This offer is valid -52- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ MAY, 2019

through July 31.

Friedman, a seasoned hospitality leader and decades-long admirer of the property, confirmed that plans for the award-winning hotel are to keep it “authentic,” he said, with new inclusions that only elevate the dining, art and service experiences “that will carry it into the future, assuring its longevity and legacy.”

In addition to Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi’s already impressive interiors and accommodations, intuitive service, and more, the hotel has brought James Beard Award winning chef and restaurateur Michael Schlow aboard to oversee the creation of a new, internationally inspired culinary experience. Schlow will work in collaboration with the Inn’s Executive Chef, Peter O’Brien.

Additionally, an exciting new wine program will feature a state-of-the-art cellar filled with rare and flavorful vintages sourced from all over the world, as well as selections from local rising star purveyors. Plans also call for premium scotch and caviar tasting programs, and afternoon tea service.

Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi will also continue to pay homage to the vibrant and lively art scene that flourishes throughout the area. For more information, visit www. rosewoodhotels.com.

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Places to Go:

Tulip Festival ALBANY - Have weekend fun in full bloom. Enjoy the beauty of Spring at Albany’s signature celebration, the 71st Annual Albany Tulip Festival on Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12. Kick off the festival with Tulip Tours, “A Dutch Stroll” walking tour, and the Scrubbing of the Streets. The festival this weekend includes the crowning of the Tulip Queen and bestowing of the 21st Annual Mother of the Year Award.

The two-day festival features live music from local and national musicians, over 100 artisans selling crafts, a fine arts show, the KidZone family fun destination and delicious food vendors.

Don’t miss Park Playhouse offering exciting sneak previews of

their 2018 musical productions on both Saturday and Sunday.

Enjoy a free tulip tour before the festival starts. The tours are offered during the week leading up to Tulip Festival, so it’s a great opportunity to explore the vivid tulip beds prior to the weekend crowds. They are scheduled May 6th or 8th at 2 and 5 p.m.; May 9th at 1, 3, or 5 p.m.; or May 10th at 10 a.m., 1 or 5:30 p.m.

Tip-toe through the tulips with Albany City Gardner Jessica Morgan and learn about the vast varieties of blooms planted in Washington Park. You’ll learn some unique facts about Albany’s favorite flower that you can dazzle your friends and family with during the weekend’s events.

Learn how the tenacious Dutch adapted to the New World, formed relationships with the Native Americans and adjusted to English rule before the Revolution. This special Tulip Festival edition will highlight the origins of the Albany Tulip Festival and the enduring friendship with our Dutch Sister City, Nijmegen. This guided tour departs from the Discover Albany Visitors Center and ends at the official kick-off of the Albany Tulip Festival.

For a completel schedule, visit http://www.albanyevents.org

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Reservations are required so call 518-434-2032 to reserve your spot. Another opportunity is a Dutch Stroll beginning May 10 at 10:30 a.m.

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Things to Do:

Bike Riding

White Oak Creek and Black Creek Greenways A newly-completed section of greenway, recently opened this Spring, marked a big occasion for outdoor enthusiasts and visitors of Cary and Apex.

A pivotal section of the White Oak Creek Greenway—made up of nearly 1.5 miles of winding boardwalk and a half-mile of pavement—has finished construction. The trail now stretches approximately 7.5 miles in total from east to west, beginning at Fred G. Bond Metro Park and ultimately connecting to the American Tobacco Trail. There is a perfect field for picnics and plenty of boat rentals await at the Fred G. Bond Metro Park.

Combined with the Black Creek Greenway (begins near Lake Crabtree County Park/William B. Umstead State Park and ends at Bond Park), the two greenways make up 15 miles of continuous path to be used by runners, joggers, cyclists and more.

Mostly flat with a few short and steep hills, the Black Creek Greenway—officially beginning at the Old Reedy Creek Rd. trailhead where bathrooms -54- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ MAY, 2019

and more than 80 parking spaces are available— travels north to south, quietly passing by neighborhoods, schools and shopping areas. The White Oak Creek Greenway, also mostly flat, passes through more rural areas of Cary and Apex, using lots of boardwalks to cross over marshes and wetlands, before connecting to a gorgeous, unpaved portion of the heavily-trafficked American Tobacco Trail.

Together, these two greenways now make up a portion of the longest complete metro stretch of the East Coast Greenway (an in-development route of trails and greenways that will ultimately stretch 3,000 miles up and down the East Coast), plus provide connections to travel from one side of Wake County to the other (and beyond!).

Total mileage: 15 miles total, from William B. Umstead State Park to the American Tobacco Trail (more if you continue in either direction) Best for: Families, children, pets on leashes, runners, slow bike rides

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Things to Do:

Camping/Badlands National Park Some of the most formidable landscapes in the United States also make for some of the greatest adventures. Characterized as a “bad land” by settlers for it’s barren agricultural land, Badlands National Park encompasses stark, pink-hued buttes rising mystically from the surrounding grassland.

There is a diverse wildlife ecosystem, archeological wonders, and incredible hiking trails.

Want to visit the past and see saber-toothed cats? (Okay, fossils of them.) Or stay in the present and check out cute prairie dogs, impressive bison, wild horses and

amazing bighorn sheep? How about both, when you visit the legendary South Dakota Badlands?

Hike the Castle Trail or Medicine Root Trail to explore this dramatic scenery up close and personal. Or take in as much as possible in a few hours when you drive the Badlands Loop Road.

You’ll feel as if you’re on another planet, surrounded by the startling rock formations. The fossil beds in this national park contain the largest group of mammal fossils yet discovered (don’t touch them!).

Stay cozy at the Cedar Pass Lodge, which offers cute cabins for stays of up to 2 weeks. From now to October, pitch your tent or hook up your RV (electric hookups only) near the lodge.

You can also hike into the primitive Sage Creek Campground.

Cedar Pass Campground is located near the visitor center, with easy access to trails and the loop road. The sunset over the bluffs is awesome here, but you’ll need to show up early (before noon) to claim a good spot.

For more information, visit https://www.cedarpasslodge.com

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Places to Go:

C C

heck into your accommodation Friday, February 15, 2018 with your special someone and find a delectable Cheese and Fruit plate with a bottle of Wine. Rose petals scattered about create a romantic atmosphere to start your weekend stay.

Enjoy your complimentary, hearty breakfast on Saturday complete with a Valentine’s Day Pink Mimosa for each of yo Yurt for $749 plus tax and in an 1840’s Log Cabin for $849 plus tax. Ask your reserva.

Then on Feb. 18, from 5-9 p.m. join everyone in the tavern for National Drink Wine Day.

For more articles on Ohio > CLICK HERE -56- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ MAY, 2019

Things to Do: Camping at

Loramie State Park SIDNEY – Just a 15 minute drive west of Interstate 75 is a 1,600 acre lake and 30 miles of shoreline. One of the original feeder lakes for the Miami-Erie Canal, it offers visitors a quiet retreat.

Swim from a sandy beach or hike along the old canal towpath. Wet a line from the lakeshore or a rented boat and spend the night in a shaded campsite or cabin. However you like to unwind, Lake Loramie State Park is the perfect destination to recharge your battery in the great outdoors.

Airstream fans should visit May 28 through June 2 for Alumapalooza, a family-friendly festival for people who love Airstream travel trailers. Participants may camp in a field right next to the Airstream manufacturing facility. A wide variety of seminars and fun presentations are offered throughout the week. Other activities include live music, yoga, area bike tours, cooking demonstrations, a barbeque, and the popular factory tour.

While visiting Alumapalooza, be sure to take in the Community Days festival in nearby Jackson Center, home to Airstream. This local festival features live music, great food, and amusements for the kids May 30 to June 2nd.

Additional community festivals in the area during the month of May and June include the Anna Homecoming, Botkins Carousel, Holy Angels Parrish Picnic, and the Great Downtown Sidney BBQfest.

All area festivals are unique in their own way offering a nice

Out Bracket Pull with a $1,000 first place prize.

The Wright Patterson Air Force Band of Flight will perform on the lawn of the Shelby County Courthouse as one of the marque events planned this year to celebrate the Shelby County Ohio Bicentennial.

Gather the family and bring your lawn chairs to the beautiful and historic Shelby County court square in downtown Sidney for this evening performance.

Other Concerts on the Square are planned for consecutive Friday evenings through July 19.

After the show, be sure to stop into Murphy’s Craft Bar + Kitchen or variety of family friendly enter- The Bridge Restaurant for a bite tainment, live music, delicious to eat and a cold drink. food, and lots of fun.

Country Concert headliners The Buckeye Farm Antiques include Kid Rock, Chris StaShow returns to Sidney May pleton, Thomas Rhett, Dustin 24 - 26. Allis Chalmers Tractors Lynch, Kipp Moore, Aaron and Equipment will be featured Lewis, Gary Allen, and many along with Indiana Made Enmore. Over 30 performers on gines and many other brands. two big stages will surely place Special activities are a Craft Country Concert at the top of and Flea Market, Shingle Mill, your to-do list this summer.

Threshing & Corn Shredding, More information, visit Antique Parts Area, Blackwww.VisitSidneyShelby.com. smith, Sawmill, and an Antique Tractor Pull. Live entertainment will be presented each For more information night. Kids will enjoy the Kidon Ohio, die Tractor Pull and variety of fun activities. New to the Show this year is the Buckeye Shoot

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BarnettPRO DBA: Weekender Extended 71 Plymouth Street Plymouth, Ohio 44865

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