Extended Weekend Getaways - January 2023 Issue

Table of Contents:

People to See - Shin-hee Chin

P.6

Places to Go - Farm to Wellness P.7

Things to Do - It’s Tomorrow Already P.8

Hotel Hospitality - Jekyll Island Club Resort P.10

Going Global - Maldives P.12

Going Global - Thialand P.15

Western States Section P.18

Goat Yoga by Robin O’Neal Smith P.20

P.12 P.27

Stanford Inn by Julie Diebolt Price P. 24 Pampered in Santa Barbara - by Kathy Condon P.28

Midwestern States Section P.36 Hannibal to St. Joe by by Renée Gordon P.48 Salt Therapy by Tim Trudell P. 54 Southern States Section P. 64 Healthy Dining P.69

New England States Section P.76

Mid - Eastern Section P.82 Louisville by Kathy Condon P.84 Virginia P.88

P.76

The Extended Weekend Getaways Magazine is Published Monthly by BarnettPRO Publishing Corp. 1515 W. 3rd, Sedalia, Mo 65301 PHONE; 419-687-0002 Email: info@barnettpro.com

Co PublishersNorman Reed Kathy Barnett

Editor in Chief - Kathy Barnett kathy@barnettpro.com

Managing Editor - Kandy Derden editor@barnettpro.com

Assistant Editors Lisa Garcia Sheeree Oney

Sports Editor: Duane Duchesne Team: David Derden Lisa Duchesne editor@barnettpro.com

Up Close:

From the Editor

So we have already started a new day, a new week, a new month - a new year. I can’t help but wonder if 2023 will speed by as quickly as last year did. It seems the older I get, the faster time flies.

I can remember looking forward to events or special days and time seemed to stand still. I couldn’t wait until it was time to head for the scheduled fun. Oh, I still look forward to special events. It just seems my energy runs out before the event does. As much as I enjoy the holidays, rushing around to complete all the extra tasks wiped me out.

Copyright 2023 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.

I, for one, am extremely glad the chosen topic this month is “For the health of it ...Fresh and New for you in Mind, Body, & Spirit. There are so many new ideas and options in this issue to select for getting away to relax, detoxify, rest, and rejuvenate. Let’s take some personal time off to gear up and get ready to successfully conquer another new year.

If you think you’ve already tried all the options, think again. Check out our cover feature on a unique Goat Yoga experience by Robin O’Neal Smith. If you are in the mood for a more luxurious spa with a massage to work out the sore muscles, check out P. 15 for information on a hydrotherapy spa in Thailand by Heather Raulerson.

Cover Photo:

Eating healthy will also make you feel better, according to Dietician Stacy Winton. Review her advice and recipes on P. 69. This is only a touch of what is included in this issue for a healthy renewal extended weekend getaway.

Go ahead, pamper yourself and get started planning today. I’ll see ya there! And whatever you choose, make sure to have a HAPPY

NEW YEAR!

Kathy ManagingBarnett,Editor

20.

People to See Shin-hee Chin

Shin-hee Chin, McPherson, will be the Artist-in-Residence at the Red Barn Studio Museum through Saturday, January 28. Chin, originally from South Korea, came to the United States in 1988. She has studied in Korea and the United States. Since 2005, she has taught at Tabor College.

Widely known for her fiber art, she was most recently invited to take part in the Women’s Voices Summit and exhibition at the Clinton Presidential Center last December 1-2, 2022.

Shin-hee Chin quotes, “I attempt to reflect the charm of some of my favorite music in a visual format with fiber art pieces and seek to create a dialogue between them.

I believe that art (music, poems, and

“The Future is Female by Shin-hee Chin @shinheechin. This art quilt portrays female leaders of our age who have made significant contributions in furthering social, political, and environmental justice.

By Lisa Garcia People to See Editor

visual art) can serve as a lens through which we see the complexity, integrity, beauty of human nature and the world. As Hans Hofmann once wrote, To sense the invisible and to be able to create it, that is art. His statement illustrates invisibility as an essential component of artistic expression.”

To give a visual outlet to that sense, Chin utilized thread as the primary medium on a reclaimed quilt and unraveled thread over the surface.

Then she stitched it together randomly and repeated this process multiple times. The process of unraveling thread on the quilted top allowed her to execute free and natural movements, a process which echoes the impression of the transient images and fluidity of reality.

The Raymer Society’s Artist-in-Residence program is sponsored in part by the Kansas Creative Arts Industry Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information, contact the Red Barn Studio Museum at 785-227-2217 or email. The museum is open Tuesday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. - 50pm and Saturday, Sunday, 1 - 5 p.m .and by appt.

Places to Go: Farm to Wellness

By Sheeree Oney Places to Go Editor

A Serial Female Entrepreneur’s Journey: Mary Blackmon Launches Farm to Wellness Retreats. It’s Wellness Travel with a Farm Fresh Twist

Mary Blackmon plans to help people have better well-being, self-care and health by launching Farm to Wellness Retreats™, putting the first-ever farmfresh spin on the world of wellness travel. This is her latest entrepreneurial venture that coincides with her sister business Farm Star Living, currently in its tenth year, which has helped people find farms to visit across the USA as well as have healthy farmfresh foods, recipes, farmer profiles and fresh food at their fingertips.

Blackmon believes that farm-fresh food is at the crux of all things healthy - mental, physical and spiritual; and without it, holistic health isn’t possible. Thus her new ‘on the pulse’ venture Farm to Wellness Retreats shines a spotlight on things ‘farmfresh’ by featuring a “very first” international list of spas, resorts and farms that offer mind, body spirit wellness - with each offering their own unique farm-fresh twist. To make the cut, each property must have either a farm, garden, vineyard on premises, offer farm-to-table cuisine sourced locally, or provide

spa services featuring indigenous / organic or farm-sourced spa products.

Properties can be searched by offerings and features including Ayurveda, crystal bowl / drumming classes, farm-to-table cuisine, glamping, horseback riding, meditation, oceanfront, rainforest / jungle, vineyard, wellness classes, yoga, and more.

Recently Blackmon conducted a survey of the Farm Star Living community, with 5,000 people responding:

• 95% said they take health and wellness seriously

This winter, healing can be found on the other side of boosting your blood flow or slowing it down. Whether you follow your natural element or strive to balance it, Farm to Wellness Retreats presents five properties for whatever form of re-energizing you seek—disco inferno or ice, ice, baby!

• 97% practice self-care; spa services, meditation, yoga, healthy eating, walking, mindfulness, • 74% they’d be interested in a health and wellness retreat

This luxury boutique hotel celebrates the authentic Southwestern style and culture of New Mexico. Its very own custom-crafted essential oil aroma therapy blends called “Spirit of Loretto” turns any massage into an indulgent experience!

Blackmon, always the entrepreneur, listened to her community and has just launched Farm to Wellness Retreats to help others achieve their personal goals and dreams of a healthier way of life. Now self-care, holistic health and even inspiration is more accessible than ever. Stay tuned as Blackmon’s next entrepreneurial journey - and personal next chapter - is just beginning.

Visit Farm to Wellness Retreats at www.farmtowellnessretreats.com and follow on Instagram and Facebook for reels, tips, insights and travel inspiration.

Inn and Spa at Loretto-New Mexico

Things to Do: It’s Tomorrow Already

I am a creature of habit. There are things I have been doing for decades and have no intention of changing. As I age, I am beginning to understand some of the traits I saw in my ancestors. They were set in their ways too.

When I got up this morning, I went through my usual routine to prepare for the day. Naturally, the obligatory ‘checking my phone for messages’ was included. There were six!

What’s so odd about that? Nothing when it is an email from another time zone. But these were all in a group chat of coworkers. Noticing the time stamp was what really caught my attention. They all came in from 11: 42 PM to 12:17 AM.

My first thought: Don’t you people realize it’s tomorrow already? Of course, they are equally confused by my schedule. You see, when the sun

goes down, so do I. Because of this, I can get up early and get more work done in those few hours before breakfast than all the combined hours of the rest of the day.

So I reconsidered and read all the comments to make sure there wasn’t something urgent happening. Thankfully, all is well within the realm of our shared atmosphere.

My second thought was a bit more complex. How can I use this for an article or story? Then I realized; this one is easy.

It’s not only tomorrow already, it’s next week already, soon to be followed by it’s next month already. We are right on the edge of a new chunk of time called 2023. Do you realize it’s next year already? Has anyone noticed how it feels like time seems to continually speed up?

By Kandy Derden Things To Do Editor

Sometimes I get busy and tired and think about how nice it would be to have time for doing nothing. Then I think about how my parents and grandparents reached the age when they weren’t able to keep busy. That’s all it takes to keep me going. Life is too short to waste time on nothing. So now when I do that, I call it recharging or rejuvenating. However, we might as well call it what it is: resting.

Do you remember not wanting to go to sleep because you didn’t want to miss out on something? Nowadays I look forward to not being required to participate in every activity which is offered. Life is simpler this way.

Speaking of easy, I also continually look for shortcuts anywhere I can find them when cooking. The following does not save any time, so it can’t really be considered a life hack. But it is just too good to keep it all to myself.

Recently, I discovered two new variations of old favorites. It has been said that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but I’m not so sure. For example, due to dietary allergies, we found it necessary to substitute one ingredient in our green bean casserole for Thanksgiving dinner. The result was quite delicious! In fact, so much so, we repeated it for our Christmas dinner. All you have to do is substitute one can of cream of chicken soup with herbs for the original can of cream

of mushroom soup. Phenomenal! (True confession: I did reduce the amount of black pepper I added due to the already present seasoning in the soup.)

My second discovery came from a coworker who made fresh cranberry salad for a work luncheon. I had eaten this type of salad for years because it was tradition. However, I plan to start making this much more often now that I know about this replacement ingredient. Our family recipe calls for fresh ground cranberries, marshmallows, pecans, whipped topping and crushed pineapple. This variation was made exactly the same way except for using chopped apples instead of pineapple.

Maybe this is not new for you, but I really enjoyed eating this version rather than sampling it simply because it was something we always did every year.

I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions, but I do make plans. And for this new year, I have every intention of exploring some new ingredient choices for some old favorites. With any luck, I just might hit upon that perfect combination of nutrition, convenience, time saving, and flavor.

One of the best ways to stay young is to continually learn new things. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Dog? What dog? Does anyone see a dog? Not me. Especially not an old one.

Hotel Hospitality Jekyll Island Club Resort

Shake off the bustle of the holidays and start the new year off right on Georgia’s famed Golden Isles with a dreamy getaway at the Jekyll Island Club Resort.

This January, save 35 percent at the resort, known for its timeless elegance and a beach lifestyle that is complemented by enchanting grounds, six dining options, two pools, a firepit, beach access, easy proximity to the National Historic Landmark District and the ultimate chance to disconnect.

All rates include daily breakfast for two, so you can rise, dine and shine on Jekyll Island with this limit-

ed-time offer. The club’s recently upgraded guest rooms and suites feature updated furnishings, bathrooms and amenities carefully selected to ensure the essence of Jekyll Island Club’s rich history shines through.

Settle into one of the porch rock-

ing chairs with a cozy drink and slow down for a view that has been simple and restorative for generations. Or keep it moving on two wheels: Jekyll Island is a cyclist’s paradise with 20 miles of paved bike paths, winding through forests, beaches, riverfront and the historic district.

Whatever you do, immerse yourself in the Jekyll Island Club Resort’s distinctive culture this January. For more information or to make reservations, visit www.jekyllclub.com/

Going Global: Maldives Introducing Maamunagau

Between New Year’s resolutions and tying up all ends for 2022, self-care and well-being are of the essence. InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has created a diverse offering of wellness journeys, evolving around their visiting wellness practitioners through April 2023.

Over the last few years, InterContinental Maldives has welcomed guests to the private island, not just to enjoy the tropical climate, excellent food, and guest service, but also to unwind, relax and centre. With an ever-changing offer of visiting practitioners, the resort’s wellness menu is extensive and diverse, answering to different guests’ preferences and needs.

Over this year’s Festive Season at Maamunagau and the beginning months of 2023, seven different Wellness Journeys are on offer, inviting guests on a holistic self-healing journey during their stay. From ‘De-Stress’ and mindful ‘Sleep Well’ journeys, more body focussed ‘Detox’ and ‘Metabolism Booster’ programmes, to a muscle relaxing and recovering ‘Sports Athletes’ programme, guests can choose their pace and individualise their journeys to their needs and focus points.

Starting from December 2022 until early 2023, Joao Santos and Rajeshwari Amol Nerukar will be on the island, to extend their practices to Maamunagau’s guests. Joao focuses on body treatments such as Dry

Wellness Journeys

Massages, which is a rather exquisite performance that surpasses traditional massages. He will also be treating guests who choose to book the ‘Metabolism Booster’ or ‘Sports Athletes’ programme. Together with resident Fitness Trainer Rohit Vijay Tandel, they will take on guests who look for physical optimisation, body recovery, and mindful grounding.

Rajeshwari, focussing on the art of healing, bases her treatments on finding calm and peace within, aiming to heal emotional trauma and distress. She offers wellness journeys that focus on de-stress and better sleep, through a combination of yoga, Ayurveda, sound healing and breathwork.

Sunitha Narayana is the resident Yoga, Reiki Master and Wellness Guru at Maamunagau, and will be one of the driving forces behind the programmes and fusing her yoga flows and breathwork with the visiting practitioners’

ways of wellness. “A wellness journey is perceived differently by each individual and while we, the wellness practitioners, can give suggestions and guidance, every guest needs to have the space to find their way to mindfulness and wellbeing. Here at Maamunagau’s AVI Spa, we love to incorporate crystal and sound bowl healing in our treatments. This is of course not for everyone, but I love to introduce my guests to those alternative wellness techniques and be part of their journey to explore their bodies and mind. I am very excited to bring all our synergies together to curate unforgettable and beneficial wellness journeys for our guests and to accompany them on their path to wellness.”

Picking up on the Crystal theme at AVI Spa, visiting practitioner Kanlayanee Marrthuean ‘Jang’ teams up with Sunitha to offer the ‘Crystal Wellness’ Journey, that includes everything from Gemstone Facials, to Chakra Balancing, Reiki and Crystal Sound healing to Crystal Foot Reflexology. Jang is in residence during March and April 2023, offering additional emotional release treatments for the whole body.

For guests who wish to start into the New Year refreshed and renewed, the AVI Spa team has also put together a thoughtful ‘Anti-Ageing’ programme, that encompasses the whole body, including facial and eye treatments. This programme is available throughout the year and can also be customised as required.

HOW TO BOOK

Guests staying at InterContinental Maldives can between December 2022 and April 2023 can embark on these different Wellness Journeys

during the practitioners’ visit the resort. Prices for the Wellness Journeys start from USD 850 ++. Rates for stays in December start from USD 2585 ++ per night in a Water Pool Villa, including breakfast for two. Compulsory Festive Gala Dinners on 24 and 31 December 2022 will be applicable to all guests. For more information, please visit www.maldives. intercontinental.com or contact us directly at reservations.icmaldives@ihg.com.

All prices are quoted in USD, subject to a 10% Service Charge and 12% GST until 31 December 2022 and GST 16% from 1 January 2023. USD 6 Green Tax per person, per night, applies for stays.

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is an exclusive destination getaway offering a unique opportunity for those looking to unwind and reconnect in an enviable island setting, where exclusive privileges go hand in hand with the personal touch of our signature service at InterContinental Hotels & Resorts’ first and only all-Club InterContinental resort. Located in the Raa Atoll; 35 minutes by seaplane from the Velana International Airport, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is an award-winning island escape offering beach, lagoon and overwater villas and residences with up to three bedrooms. Curated dining and wellness experiences, an extensive kids club as well as the Retreat, an adult-only enclave, along with a myriad of recreational adventures for families and couples alike are also available.

For real-time updates, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/intercontinentalmaldives and Instagram @intercontinental_maldives.

Going Global: Thailand Hydrotherapy Spa

January is the perfect time to unwind after the hustle and bustle of the holidays. However, most people need to remember to treat themselves, especially after giving so much to everyone else during the holiday season. One way to pamper yourself is to schedule a visit to a wellness spa in the new year.

Have you heard of a Hydrotherapy Spa?

I was living in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and was able to visit the RarinJinda Wellness Spa Resort with a friend. The RarinJinda Wellness Spa Resort is an amazing facility that provides a tranquil pampering experience with the latest spa technologies, including a hydrotherapy pool. The spa package we chose had us relaxing in an indoor heated hydrotherapy pool, dipping into an outdoor onsen, and enjoying a steam sauna.

The staff greeted us warmly and offered us a cup of green tea before being led to the changing rooms. After switching to swimsuits, we headed to the hydrotherapy pool. The water was surprisingly warm as I gingerly stepped into the pool. The hydrotherapy pool has eight stations that you rotate through with water jets placed in different locations to perform like a massage therapist, stimulate the lymphatic system, and flush the toxins out of your body. I was looking forward to this experience and hoped it would help my tired body from all the walking I had been doing exploring Chiang Mai.

What to expect in a hydrotherapy pool? Pure relaxation! Each station has jets shooting water at different locations on your body with different intensities, ranging from a gentle, soothing pulse to more intense pressure. The stations are set up to allow you to use them on the parts of your body that need them the most work as you move from one to the next.

By Heather Raulerson Freelance Writer

To prepare for hydrotherapy, you first enter the Bubbling Area, where gentle bubbles surround your body. Then you head to the next section of the pool with foot jets attached underneath the pool, shooting water upward and giving your feet the most wonderful foot massage. I love getting foot massages, and this one easily eased the soreness in my feet. Another station had jets pointing to locations on my back, stomach, and legs. The Aqua Bed is the next station, where you lay down and enjoy water jets massaging your lower legs and feet, designed to increase circulation in that body area. You could almost fall asleep at this point since it is so soothing.

Each station in the hydrotherapy pool has enough jets to support two people going through the stations together. After the Aqua Bed, you stand in an area dedicated to relaxing your back muscles by having the water jets aimed directly at your core. As we keep much tension in our backs, the next station of the pool continues to focus its intentions on the back and leg area. This station has you sitting and has the most powerful of the jets. With the intense pres-

sure, these water jets quickly released the tension in my lower back.

Toward the end is the Swan Neck station. As the previous stations focused on the feet, legs, and back, this one is designed to help decrease musculoskeletal pain and fatigue in your upper shoulder area. Its powerful jets propel water down onto your neck and shoulders. I wasn’t a complete fan of this stage as my shoulder area is quite narrow; I kept getting the water shooting at my head. The last step is to return to the Bubbling Area for the cool-down process of your hydrotherapy pool experience. Having the bubbles gently caress your skin is the perfect way to end your water massage.

The next portion of the hydrotherapy package moved us to the outdoor onsen. There are three separate pools for you to enjoy. The first is the Hot Springs pool, where the water is naturally hot between 40 and 42°C. Then, hop right into the next pool, the Cold Water Pool, at 16 to 20°C. Jumping from the hot water into the cold water was a shock to my system, and I wasn’t brave enough to stay in the cold water pool for very long. The last outdoor pool is the Carbonated

Spa Pool which had a similar temperature to the hydrotherapy pool at 36 to 38°C. After finishing up with the outdoor pools, we returned indoors to partake in a steam sauna. If there were any toxins left in my body, they were gone after the sauna.

Thailand makes a point of catering to the relaxation of the mind and body, and the RarinJinda

first foray into a wellness spa. The water melted away every ache in my body, and I felt incredibly energized when I left. If you get a chance to visit a wellness spa this year or even get to experience a hydrotherapy pool, you won’t regret the luxurious pampering you will receive. It is a new year, so why not be pampered for a new you?

Wellness Spa Resort was the perfect place for my

Out West for an Extended Weekend Getaway

It’s New Year! Rejuvinate

It is a New Year and time to try some new things, make a fresh start and rejuvenate your spirit. Why not try Goat Yoga?

Yes you read that correctly, Goat yoga is a fun way to exercise, enjoy nature and commune with the goats. I had never attended a yoga class, but I couldn’t resist the opportunity to try goat yoga. I knew nothing about yoga and growing up on a farm I never associated farm animals with any type of fun exercise. But I like new adventures and was willing to give it a try for the unique experience, and let’s face it, baby goats are darn cute.

I participated in goat yoga with Arizona Goat Yoga in Gilbert, Arizona, a town located southeast of Phoenix. My goat yoga experience was sponsored by Discover Gilbert. All opinions are my own.

I Didn’t Know What To Expect

I learned that goat yoga involves simple yoga moves practiced while surrounded by live goats who also participate with you. I figured it would be fun. I assumed there would be about 15 people in the class and a half dozen baby goats running around as we exercised. There is something about baby goats frolicking around that just puts a smile on your face.

The Reality

Goat yoga was much more popular than I realized. There were about 70 people of all ages and sizes in a huge circle doing Goat Yoga with two instructors. There were more goats than I imagined, forty goats and two alpacas were on the field for the goat yoga.

Goats were scampering all around us. They were a hoot to

watch.

Many were dressed in tropical t-shirts and other attire. One of the goats had a white shirt and tie on with a blond wig, his name was Trump!

Experiencing Goat Yoga

The 60-minute session began with a brief introduction about the instructors, the goats, and the alpacas.

The instructors explained that

Rejuvinate With Goat Yoga

By Robin O’Neal Smith Freelance Writer https://RobinONealSmith. com

were cared for, their habits, where they live and the history of goat yoga. It was quite educational, interactive and entertaining.

Goat Yoga Began In Arizona

Arizona Goat Yoga was the first goat yoga program in the U.S. It started in 2015 and when I visited in 2019, it was rated the #1 goat yoga experience in the Western United States.The goats are pets, and they crave human attention. They are spoiled with love and affections when not participating in goat yoga. Just like a puppy, they are taught new tricks and played with.

the goats were mostly friendly and they would just do their thing while we did yoga. They discussed how the goats would perhaps hop on top of you or go under you during the various yoga moves. Quite a few of the goats were babies and about the size of small dogs. There were also momma and papa goats. They told us not to stress if the goats went to the bathroom near or even on our mats. Whoa …

I hadn’t thought about dealing with that! They informed us that the tiny poo pellets would easily shake off.

We did a few simple yoga stretches while standing and then the instructor had us do the “downward dog” yoga pose. The laughs were abundant as the goats ran under us.

Throughout the class the instructors told us how the goats

The goats have no retirement age at Arizona Goat Yoga. When they are too big to jump, they are taught to go under you and sometimes the bigger goats get excited and still jump.

I experienced this first-hand when we were to hold a plan position and the biggest goat of the bunch jumped on top of me and flattened me to the ground. It wasn’t pretty!

Please turn to next page.

Goat Yoga...Continued

But for the most part the poses were easy and the baby goats would jump on top of one person and go under the next. The whole field was full of laughter.

We ended our session doing yoga poses that involved two people. Goats love to climb and they do whatever to get to the highest point. It was hilarious.

I think we enjoyed much more laughter than exercise, but it was such a fun experience.

Why Try Goat Yoga?

It is a new year and it is good to try new things and rejuvenate your energy. Goat yoga has been proven to be therapeutic for all ages. It reduces stress and anxiety. Interacting with animals reduces cortisol while simultaneously increasing serotonin and dopamine, which lift your spirit and reduce feelings of sadness and grief. Combined with the laughter induced by goat yoga, tension is released.

The animals jumping on you won’t hurt (unless they slam you to the ground). Their hooves are hard, but feel sort of like a massage on your back. They don’t stay on you for long, either, as they hop on and off at their leisure.

At Arizona Goat Yoga, all the classes are held outside in a beautiful grassy field, so you get to enjoy the outdoors as well as the goats and alpaca. The class is an hour, but many, like me, stay up to an hour longer to take pictures and mingle with goats and alpaca.

It Was A Fun and Unique Experience

I was a lot of fun and I can’t think of a better way to kick off the year. When I left, my smile muscles were hurting from all the laughing. I highly recommend goat yoga to all ages as long as you can get down and up from the ground and like animals. Just be prepared to laugh a lot.

Tips for Goat Yoga Success:

Classes fill fast. Get your ticket online to guarantee a spot.

Wear comfortable clothing for easy movement. Remember goats may jump on your back with grassy hooves. Be sure to wear shoes that you’re not too worried about. You never know what you might step in! For More Information on Arizona, >

Refresh at Stanford Inn

Are you looking to refresh your mind, body, and spirit in 2023? If you are looking for inns in Mendocino, The Stanford Inn by the Sea is a coastal destination in Northern California that will fulfill your quest.

Not your typical health and wellness resort, this fun, award-winning boutique hotel offers outstanding opportunities to connect with nature, your creativity, and reconnect with one another.

Pet-friendly and family-friendly, The Stanford Inn specializes in romantic getaways that are popular for weddings and elopements. My husband and I enjoyed our visit as a retreat from the busyness of our daily lives. I would even pay a visit to this inn

in Mendocino as a solo female traveler–it’s that comfortable and friendly.

The Stanford Inn enjoys acclaim from Oprah to Condè Nast and has the coveted Four-Diamond rating from AAA.

Location

The rugged Northern California coastal town of Mendocino is a few hours north of San Francisco. You can drive Highway 1 north from San Francisco or south from Leggett.

Note: Traffic can be slow along Highway 1. Bring your patience or drive inland for a faster but less scenic route.

Inland from the coast, Highway 101 connects to Highway 128 from Cloverdale in the south or High-

way 253 in Ukiah. Both routes include many curving roads, best traveled during daylight hours.

Owners of Stanford Inn By the Sea

Jeff and Joan Stanford are creative, energetic, and environmentally conscious in many natural ways. Their lifestyle, built over many years as a family, is appealing. “There was an energy here that is still here,” Jeff said. “We knew we were brought here.” The Stanford Inn is a special place that enlivens and inspires, which is their intent and mission.

The Inn manifests Jeff and Joan’s commitment to live mindfully so that all might live well. Guests are nurtured along with the staff and the farm and gardens. Jeff’s easygoing manner and

By Julie Diebolt Price Photographer/ Travel Writer www.Photo TravelWrite. com

expect from a restaurant. Plantbased meals are very filling.

You can order Lunch on the Go, Happy Hour with a full range of cocktails, snacks, and daily dinners from the menu.

Cooking Class

humor made us feel welcomed and treated like family.

While touring the grounds with Jeff, I was delighted to experience his love of the land and the animals he cares for on the property. Jeff shared that the organic gardens are “the most important work we do.”

From the cuisine served in the restaurant to the recycling and composting program, the environmentally-friendly cleaning products and the bio-diesel-fueled trucks make The Stanford Inn and Resort a genuinely sustainable destination.

About Sid

Sid Garza-Hillman is the Wellness Programs Director and Certified Nutritionist at The Stanford Inn. He is a maestro in the kitchen and readily shares his expertise with guests. I enjoyed participating in his cooking class and eating what we prepared.

Plant-Based Meals

More than 90% of The Stanford Inn’s guests are not vegan. That’s

exciting because the meals are a great introduction to the variety of dishes offered in a vegan lifestyle.

Dining at The Ravens

The Ravens Restaurant, named after the big, black birds that collect near the garden, is one of North America’s most acclaimed vegan restaurants. Many of the farm-to-table ingredients come directly from their on-site certified organic gardens. The menus are healthy, anti-inflammatory, ethical, and environmentally sustainable.

Every room, suite, and cottage, paneled in pine and redwood, includes a delicious chef-prepared breakfast. The Stanford Inn breakfasts are cooked to order and are a feast for the eyes and the stomach.

Our meals, taken in the spacious dining room overlooking the farm, forest, and ocean, were beautifully presented. The portions were large and more than we could eat. Sid explained that the portion sizes are large because that’s what diners have grown to

Sid hosted the cooking class, a demonstration, and a handson experience to educate guests about how easy and delicious it is to eat a plant-based diet. We ate the fruits of our labor from the class–vegan cheese, mushroom bacon, and zucchini roll-ups.

Art Class

Creative Playshops, run by Joan, encourage self-expression through drawing, painting, or collage. A long table running the length of the room holds magazines, art supplies, masks, and tools for the creative workshops designed like child’s play.

All accommodations have wood-burning fireplaces ready to start at the stroke of a match, luxurious robes, and an ocean or farm view from a private deck. The owners ordered the most spectacular sunset for us on our second night’s stay. It was remarkable and lasted a full hour.

Creature comforts like refrigerators, microwave ovens, and coffee makers with organic coffee are in every room. Custom bath

products, hand soap, and lotion in the bathroom are sure to please the most discerning guest for skin and hair care.

Stay connected with complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, satellite HDTV, telephones with voicemail, cellular service, and stereo systems with iPhone connectivity.

The bright solarium offers respite with a large indoor swimming pool, a hot tub, and a sauna. Green and flowering plants inside make the building a welcome sanctuary for relaxation. The pool also has a device for disabled guests to access the water.

Nestled between the pool building and the nursery, Massage in the Forest is a small building dedicated to quiet and massages. The crimson-red doors match the doors on the solarium and the tiny house by the nursery, which is open to the public.

Yoga and Pilates classes are offered in the main building, where you will also find a fully outfitted gym boasting the latest fitness equipment.

The gift shop is also a haven for books written by the owners and other healthy living tomes, snacks, and beverages. I purchased Dining At The Ravens recipe book to make some dish-

es I ate at the resort.

Nine EV charging stations with convenient parking are free for guests to use.

Handicapped Accessible

Two main floor ADA-accessible executive queen rooms with roll-in showers and shower seats serve disabled guests. Convenient accessible parking, entrance, and path of travel are thoughtful considerations on the exterior.

for miles up the river and observed Harbor seals resting on the shore, along with birds and other wildlife. My fear of water evaporated during this experience.

Further Afield

The rugged and beautiful Mendocino Coast offers many outdoor experiences like hiking in state parks or along the beach. Point Cabrillo Light Station is a short drive away, as is the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.

~ January, 2023

Outdoor Experiences

Don’t miss the life-enhancing experiences like pedaling on the complimentary mountain bike rentals or paddling on the Big River Estuary that runs alongside The Stanford Inn from Catch A Canoe & Bicycles, Too!

A super stable redwood outrigger canoe carried us over the still water near the mouth of Mendocino Bay. We paddled

Final Thoughts

The energy and magic of Stanford Inn by the Sea left me with peace, a sense of well-being and accomplishment, and a desire to return. I’m sure you will find this too.

For More Information on California, >CLICK HERE

Loveology Retreat

There is now a real-life, in-person extension of the ever-popular online program Loveology University®. Created by Dr. Ava Cadell, a globally renowned relationship expert and author, she has taken a grand step forward to open The Loveology Retreat located in Maricopa.

For the past two decades, Dr. Ava’s mission has been to promote the benefits of healthy relationships, emotional intimacy and physical, mental, spiritual, emotional and sexual wellness to students worldwide. She has presented seminars both in-person and online – spreading a positive message of spirituality, happiness and love. Now she has a place all her own where she can deliver the seminars to guests, instructing and encouraging them to learn how to best live and love.

Her mission? “To provide emotional and physical wellness to balance you mind, body and spirit.”

Accommodations can be reserved at the Chakra House, Lama House, or one of four different-sized campers right on the property. Retreat rates include your accommodations, meals, pool, funhouse activities and the meditation, yoga,and hiking services. Massages are also available and can be arranged in advance for an additional fee.

Gourmet meals are provided at the Buddha Cafe by Chef Jeffrey Sundy. An elaborate breakfast buffet, romantic picnic lunch, high tea and delectable sunset dinner are featured.

Dr. Cadell and the Loveology Retreat will offer clients One Special Program on-site each month. In addition to Dr. Ava, Guest Speakers will include: Dr. Shannon Chavez, who will teach how to attain emotional intimacy with your partner and how to build awareness surrounding romance and passion; Dr. Hernando Chaves, who will offer new ways to explore and enhance sensual pleasure; Sabrina Jackson, who will demonstrate how to use sensual movement as a path to erotic empowerment and a method to heal trauma; and Ram Kirin, who will teach Kundalini Yoga, meditation and breathwork and will present a “sound bath” by the massive, on-site Stupa. Weekend retreats are scheduled for each weekend, Friday - Sunday throughout January and February. For details and to make reservations, visit https://www. loveologyretreat.com/

“I knew that this magnificent desert land, with its mountains and an abundance of trees, flowers and Buddha statues, would make an ideal location for my Loveology Retreat,” said Dr. Ava.

Pampered in Santa Barbara

To say I was looking forward to a pampered weekend in Santa Barbara after an intense trip to Louisville, Kentucky, is an understatement. The thought of the 205mile drive from Palm Springs to the California Central Coast was appealing, for I would have time to myself and my thoughts. While this trip was hosted, I made my own left turns and discovered places not previously recommended.

I am always grateful for Google Maps, for I often travel alone. It takes so much uncertainty out of a trip. Trusting the app as I usually do, led me directly to my home for the next two nights, The Hideaway Santa Barbara, a luxury boutique hotel in the Kirkwood Collection.

I parked on the street and walked up the steps of a building that looked like any residential home. I opened the door and walked into a room reminiscent of a living room with soothing ocean-like colors and décor. On a sidebar was water in a decanter with lemon water, a welcome touch after my drive.

Check-in was smooth, and I was informed that breakfast with a different entrée would be served each morning in the atrium. Covered parking was in the back. A premium amenity that is always welcomed in a beach community.

My Room Well Appointed and Comfortable

You know the feeling when

you walk in the door, and your response is, “Wow, I like this place.” The king-size bed, which I discovered had luxurious linens, is set off to one side, with a comfy lounge bench opposite the door. A fireplace on the right side would prove to be the heat for the room, which I can attest worked perfectly. The roomy bathroom would definitely serve me, and the refrig-erator was sure to come in handy.

Time for Happy Hour

The evening was rapidly approaching. I knew I was a very

short distance from the ocean. I searched for a place where I could see the sunset while enjoying seafood.

With a search of Happy Hours, it became apparent that Boathouse at Hendry’s, was where I needed to be to watch the sunset. It was fun driving along the winding road, for had I not sought out this place, I would not have understood the cliff upon which part of Santa Barbara has been built.

It immediately became apparent that the parking lot also served as

the space for people parking cars to head to Arroyo Burro Beach County Park. Since I was alone, I walked by the firepits and headed to the bar, where I learned locals love to regale stories about their beloved community. I was informed that there are only two months out of the year when you can be here when the sun sets over the water. Otherwise, it sets over the land, projecting into the Pacific Ocean. On this evening, the perfect ending to a beautiful day, the sun set over the ocean.

Pedicure Soothed Weary

By Kathy Condon www.PalmSprings InsiderGuide.com

Feet

The room was the perfect place for a quiet and restful sleep. The following day my feet were still screaming, “We need help,” for I had been walking miles during the last week. So, upon the recommendation of the young woman at the front desk, I headed off to Nu Image for a pedicure.

Soon I found myself in downtown Santa Barbara on State Street, which is open to pedestrians only. It was fun to walk down the tree-lined street. Walking into the day spa, one got the sense this beautifully appointed space was the perfect place to have my feet attended to by a professional. Sitting back and putting my feet into the warm water was soothing and made me sit back and relax and let my stress float away. The silver polish fit my mood perfectly.

The Himalayan Salt Cave

I am one who follows wellness processes, so the idea of a salt cave was not new to me. Yet, now here I was, standing on the street and looking up at the unpretentious sign at the location for the salt cave downtown Santa Barbara. I descended approximately 20 steps that led to the basement of one of the downtown buildings. I was excited to at last be able to experience this process touted as one especially helpful to your well-being.

The small room at the bottom of the stairs was dimly lit, and a gift shop where you checked in for the 45-minute session. Once I checked in, I was escorted toward a door where I was asked to take off my shoes. As I entered the salt room, a sense of wonder flooded over me; everywhere I looked, there was pink Himalayan salt. The fine grain salt squished between my toes as I made my way to one of the lounge chairs.

I lay there observing the space as they awaited other clients. The ceiling was designed with wooden supports, wire mesh, and fistsized pieces of salt. All the walls were covered with blocks of salt approximately 20 inches square, with occasionally one lit from behind to provide subtle lighting creating the perfect ambiance.

At the appointed time., the door was closed, and soft, unintrusive music began to play. Additional air infused with salt was pumped into the room at various intervals, providing even more, salt air. As I lay there, I could feel my sinuses opening up while I worked diligently to turn off my mind, which had been going full speed ahead for days.

Alas, the 45 minutes was up way too quickly. If I had a regret, it is that I didn’t stay for another 45 minutes. The salt cave was like

Santa Barbara... Continued

a warm cocoon for the body, which relished in the purity of the salt air.

Headed to Stearns Wharf for the Yacht to Pick Me Up

This dock, one of the oldest in continuous operation on the West Coast, is the home to Celebration Cruises. Up until now, I had never been on an actual yacht. This evening, continuing with my pampered weekend, I was to be a guest on a cruise for me to see another sunset over the Pacific Ocean. I was ushered to the upper deck with padded, oh-so-comfortable chairs and offered a glass of champagne. I asked myself, “Does it get any better than this?”

Cruising on the yacht along the coast, the beauty of the Santa Barbara’s rugged shoreline, was highlighted with beams of light from the setting sun. Soft music played, and the other three couples’ muffled conversations provided the perfect backdrop for a unique way to end my pampered weekend in Santa Barbara.

Bear’s Den Dinner

Brundage Mountain Resort’s culinary team announces the return of its signature dining experience, the Bear’s Den Dinner After Dark. Treat yourself to an unforgettable evening full of cozy conversation and delicious food in a one-ofa-kind alpine setting. The popular ‘Bears Den Dinner After Dark’ pairs a spectacular four-course meal with an alpine adventure to a mid-mountain outpost.

This after-hours culinary adventure begins when diners climb aboard a heated snowcat for a memorable ride to the mid-mountain log cabin known as the Bear’s Den. After settling into the cozy outpost with a warm drink, diners are treated to a spectacular four-course meal featuring a rotating menu of seasonal fresh dishes accompanied by craft beer and

wine selections.

The meal is elegant, but the rustic setting naturally encourages relaxation and connection with your fellow adventurers. Guests arrive at the Brundage Lodge at

5:30 with the first SnowCat departing at 6 p.m.. Dinner service begins at approximately 7 p.m. You can expect to arrive back in the base area between 9 – 10 p.m.The price is $179 per person, includes tax and gratuity.

Family Time In Tahoe’s

The arrival of a new year often fills us with complicated emotions and a search for perspective. This year as we stand on the precipice of an unknown 2023, why not resolve to just … be?

Instead of distracting ourselves with ruminations on the past or worries about the future, why not become centered in the here and now with your entire family around you.

Is there really a better place to do this than Lake Tahoe? Our winter playground sits at more than a mile above sea level, a snowy landscape bathed in frequent sunshine. Every breath of clean, crisp air takes you closer to any resolution you may make for yourself.

South Tahoe’s outdoor adventure wonderland is perfect for families who have more on their wish list than skiing and snowboarding. RnR Vacation Rentals offers the following suggestions:

● Time to lace up: Lake Tahoe may not freeze over, but there is plenty of frozen action for ice skaters of all skill levels. Take in the sights while gliding along the ice from the picturesque rink at Heavenly Village or Edgewood on Ice. The views aren’t as good, but South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena offers public skating on a well-groomed surface.

● Old-fashioned gravity sport: Does flying down a snowy hill on a sled ever get old? Bring your own sled, or just pick one for cheap at most grocery stores or sporting goods stores. Find a snow-play area just behind Heavenly Village, or discover more sledding areas around the city and lake. On the Nevada side of the lake, there is free sledding and snow play at the large park at Spooner Summit. , Adventure Mountain (Highway 50 at Echo Summit) On the California side look for SNO-PARK are-

as that are usually well marked. Taylor Creek SNO-Park in South Tahoe is the gentlest and least-crowded location for small children and beginners. Remember, a SNO-PARK permit is required for each vehicle from Nov. 1 through May 30. Day permits are $5 and season permits ($25) are valid all season. To find out where to buy a permit, call the SNO-PARK Hotline at 916-324-1222 or purchase online.

● Take a heavenly gondola ride: Heavenly Ski resort offers so many wintery things to do for non-skiers. Purchase the non-skier gondola pass and head up to the top for the 2.4 mile trip! About two-thirds of the way up is a viewing platform with panoramic vistas that will take your breath away. There is also a small cafe that sells warm drinks (and adult add-ons). The gondola runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday and

Tahoe’s Winter Wonderland

Brewing (an adorable little spot near Heavenly Village that’s perfect for an apres ski beer (complete with an outdoor playspace with chairs, fire pits and bocce ball).

● See the eagles: No, we aren’t talking about the rock band, but Tahoe’s eagles are still a sight to see. Find your way to Carson Valley and experience the stunning sights during the winter calving season. The annual Eagles & Agriculture event takes place Jan. 26-29 and includes tours with expert birders and historians, the popular Owl Prowl, a wildlife photography class, and opportunities to get close to a variety of raptors. Complete details and reservations are at www.carsonvalleynv.org or call the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce at (775) 782-8144.

tickets are: adults ages 19-64 ($63); children ages 5-12 ($32); teens ages 13-18 and seniors 65-over ($49). Once at the top the resort offers a banquet of activities for families.

● Enjoy apres-ski without the skis: With so many restaurants in South Lake Tahoe, from family-style to fine dining, it’s pretty easy to find something to match everyone’s tastes and budgets. And many offer up views of the lake. If the adults in the group love craft beer, Tahoe boasts many breweries, along with a dozen or so taverns and tap houses. There are larger venues, such as Stateline Brewery & Restaurant (at the bottom of the Heavenly Gondola), and others with a more neighborhood feel. Try the dog-friendly and family-friendly pub Sidellis Brewery, South Lake Brewing (a community-focused taproom), or South of North

● Enjoy a drive around the lake: No one will ask, “are we there yet?” on this beautiful ride. It takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes (without stops, lunch or snowy conditions). Don’t be in a hurry. Take the time to stop at various viewpoints, such as the Memorial Point (east side) and Emerald Bay Viewpoint (west side). Check out the beaches on Zephyr Cove, Lakeside and Incline Village (east side) or Patton Beach, Tahoe City or Meeks Bay (west side).

As you can see, there is much to do in wintry January. Why not make just one resolution — BEFORE the holidays arrive. Book your own vacation rental at one of RnR’s spacious and comfy vacation homes, right at the doorstep to the unifying power of Lake Tahoe!

Fire & Ice Winter Festival

Head to the coolest AND hottest winter fest in Nevada, January 13-15, hosted by one of the best mountain towns located in the eastern part of the state.

A signature annual event that’s been part of the Ely story for years, the festivities are normally headquartered at Cave Lake State Park and also include the Nevada Northern Railway, Ward Mountain Recreation Area, and countless Downtown Ely businesses. From ice bowling to art sculpture bonfires, and billiards tournaments to live music, historic train rides and beyond, load up the whole fam for an outdoor weekend of winter wonderland activities you won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

Ice sculpting, snow bowling and ice fishing derbies on frozen Cave Lake—plus the only fireworks show we know of that launches explosives from a moving steam train—and plenty more winter-defying activities make Ely’s Fire & Ice Winter Festival the hottest (and coolest) place to be.

During the daytime, it’s all about getting to know Ely’s high desert wintry conditions. Cast a line into some of the best ice fishing in Nevada, then get your name on the roster for ice fishing, ice golf, ice sledding, cross country skiing, ice bowling and even snow sculpting competitions. Be sure to bring your own sleds, skates, and fishing tackle, then head for Ward Mountain Recreation Area—a quick and easy 10 mins from downtown Ely. Once the daytime

events come to a close, head back into downtown Ely to board the Fireworks Express at the historic Nevada Northern Railway and East Ely Depot Railroad Museum for an event closer you and the whole fam are sure to remember forever. After all, when else in your lifetime will you be able to experience fireworks blasting off a historic, early 1900s era locomotive? Be sure to grab your tickets early if you want to ride, otherwise you count on spectating alongside other event goers all over town. Ready to ride? Be sure to get your hands on tickets in advance—this one always sells out!

No matter how you decide to experience this top annual Nevada event, it’s safe to say Ely has something going in the surrounding mountains and all over town, all day long, including everything from bowling, to dart and pool tournaments, bounce houses and face painting, karaoke, and live music. For more info on Ely’s Fire and Ice Festival and a complete schedule of events, visit https://elynevada. net/

Unplug, Awaken & Renew

The Wasatch Mountain Range is one of the most amazing wonders of Utah. The towering mountains are just minutes from the Unite Fitness Retreat in Salt Lake City. On the opposite side of this range, lies the Oquirrh Mountains. From every angle of your private room at the Courtyard Marriott, you’ll get to experience beautiful views. A private king room is reserved for all guests with the option to upgrade to a suite.

Unite is the ONLY fitness camp that isn’t a “Choose your own Adventure” experience. Structure is the difference. Each workout, activity, educational class and meal is pre-planned for your success. You do not get a list of optional fitness classes that you can choose to participate in or not. Instead, we have a very structured, organized schedule created for youShow up ready to go, and we’ll do the rest.

Why do we feel like experiencing a fitness retreat is better in a “real life” setting? Because we TEACH you how to succeed in the real world. You will know exactly how to navigate the grocery store, build a terrific healthy salad bar, order at a restaurant, and prepare healthy meals for yourself. You will also know what to do when you see

your triggers (like fast food), you will have the skills for long term success.

There are no starvation juice or cabbage soup diets allowed and no supplements or magic pills to take, just delicious and nutritious meals prepared with love by our private culinary team.

The Unite Hiking Program will get your heart rate up in breathtaking recreational areas. From Park City to Millcreek, Snowbird to Antelope Island, each afternoon is an adventure.

Private life-coaching and behavioral change education is offered so you can make this commitment stick when you return home, after all, that’s what it’s all about.

At Unite, it’s all about important details that make for a remarkable experience. We are not your typical weight loss resort, we include ALL that you’ll need so you can focus solely on your goals.

For more information, visit https://www.unitefitnessretreat.com/fitnessretreatrates/

Midwestern are Winter

Midwestern States are ready for Winter Fun...

Soul Farm: A Retreat for the Soul

A magical place just west of Chicago bringing nature, yoga, horses and the great Midwet together for a one-of-a-kind retreat experience.

Soul Farm is 80 acres located on a quiet backroad. There are plenty of paths to explore, and quiet places to sit a spell. It’s a place for exploration, reflection and adventure. Our bathhouse is roomy, with plenty of hot water for an invigorating outdoor shower. Our “glamping” bunkhouse and tents are filled with comfy beds and furniture so you can experience the sounds of nature with a comfortable nights sleep. The cottage is quaint and the offsite farmhouse is roomy.

Women’s Yoga and Journaling Retreat

Feb. 24-26/This special retreat is presented by Judi Harvin and Shanna Hull, and takes place in a beautiful, spacious cabin well off the beaten path in Oregon, Illinois. The focus will be on journaling, yoga, good food, with time for internal reflection and nourishing group conversation.

This retreat will begin Friday evening. Judi will lead a grounding yoga session. After dinner, we will gather with our warm mugs of tea and have our first journaling chat, led by Shanna.

Saturday will include two yoga/meditation sessions, group discussions and journaling explorations, and time in-between for hikes, visiting with your new friends, or just private time to write, reflect and feed the soul.

Sunday will offer our final time for yoga and group work, a light breakfast, fond farewells.

Meals will be vegetarian, and will include dinners Friday and Saturday, breakfasts Saturday and Sunday, a light midday meal Saturday, and snacks, coffee and tea.

Sleeping arrangements are varied: there are five private bedrooms, one with a Queen and two with King beds, one with two doubles and one with two twins. There is also a loft with a King bed. We will also offer comfy air mattresses. Price is per bed, so if you and a good friend would like to share to save $$, you can split the cost.

Because of the myriad of sleeping accommodations, you will need to put two items in your cart: your bed choice (unless you and a friend are sharing, then just one of you will purchase) and the fee for activities and food for each person. Join us for this opportunity for quiet companionship and introspection. Book reservations at https://www. soulfarmretreats.com/

For more on Illinois

Enjoy a variety of activities in celebration of wintering American Bald Eagles returning to southwest Illinois during Eagle Fest! The celebration will take place at FLOCK Food Truck Park, National Great Rivers Museum, and the Audubon Center at Riverlands.

Get a bite to eat, see a live eagle from the World Bird Sanctuary, take an eagle-watching tour, and enjoy fun winter activities for all ages! All events are taking place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Here are highlights of activities available:

Ever had the opportunity to view a majestic American Bald Eagle up close? Head to FLOCK Food Truck Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a free Eagle Meet & Greet and a chance to get your picture taken with America’s national animal! The Eagle Ice Festival at FLOCK will also include food

trucks, drinks available from the FLOCK bar, DJ tunes, live ice carvers from Ice Visions, eagle-watching shuttle tours (departing from the Alton Visitor’s Center), Eagle Fest Beer from Old Bakery Beer Company, fire pits with s’mores kits for sale, face painting for kids, and more!

The National Great Rivers Museum will also be offering a number of free family-friendly activities - stop by the theater for talks by eagle experts and to watch eagle film showings. Look through spotting scopes for a chance to view an eagle nest. Make and take your own eagle craft -- an eagle head wrap!

Those seeking to see more beautiful birds of prey can stop by the Audubon Center at Riverlands across the Mississippi from Alton to view birds like eagles and owls on live display from the TreeHouse Wildlife Center. Enjoy

guided bird hikes, eagle crafts, and firepits with s’mores kits available.

The Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower will be open all day for tours to see American Bald Eagles from 50, 100, and 150 feet high. A Birds of Winter educational session will feature local raptors from TreeHouse Wildlife Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is required for Tower tours but the Birds of Winter exhibit is free.

The Eagle Ice Festival is a free-to-attend public event held annually in Alton and is presented by Phillips 66 Wood River.

https://www.riversandroutes.com/events/alton-eagle-ice-festival-2023/ For more on Illinois

NAPPANEE - Ryan Stevenson co-wrote the No. 1 and GRAMMY® nominated single “Speak Life.” His “Eye of the Storm” inspirational hit was #1 for 16 weeks in 2016.

Ernie Haase & Signature Sound bring their new album to the stage called Decades of Love and features some all time favorites.

Rhett has had hit songs with Gospel Song, All Joy, No Stress, Let’s Go Down & Good To Me. He has also teamed up with Country singer Jimmie Allen on Alright.

People to See: At the

Meal and show tickets include a reservation at the FarmTable Restaurant. Price includes FarmTable buffet, dessert, drink, tax, and tip.

Overnight getaway packages are also available which includes lodging, a continental breakfast, dinner, theatre show, house and farm tour, and a wagon or buggy ride. Plan your weekend now to take advantage of a peaceful and restful trip to the Home of the Amish Acres.

The price range is dependent on seating location. Meal and

show tickets are Adult: $63.95$67.95 | Student: $53.95 - $57.95 | Child: $28.95 - $32.95. The overnight getaway package is $139 per person + tax.

Call 574-773-4188 or email the Box Office to make your meal reservation! For more information, visit https://thebarnsatnappanee. com/

Above, Michael, Buddy, and Jim love Southern Gospel music. They believe it touches the soul and offers encouragement and hope.

At right, a dynamic journey through the timeless music with authentic vocals, commanding performances and that unmistakable Segersound. A tribute experience.

At left, Captured is the Ultimate Journey Tribute that will transport you back to a time where power ballads, searing guitar solos and Steve Perry’s unmistakable voice ruled the radio airwaves!

For a complete schedule, to make reservations, or get more information, vist https://www.thebluegate.com/

Deepening Faith

Labyrinth

DUBUQUE - Rooted in Franciscan values, Shalom Spirituality Center offers a sacred space and a peaceful environment for all who seek to deepen their relationship with God, self, others, and creation. Shalom is the only retreat center in Dubuque. Catholic in sponsorship, it is interfaith in its ministry — serving people of all faith traditions, as well as nonprofit, business, and civic groups.

All ages have annually been helped through various retreats, prayer opportunities, educational programs, marriage enrichment, and support for professionals in business, education, health care, spiritual work, and ministry.

The Shalom Spirituality Center is a choice beginning to a getaway weekend and has the following two special events scheduled:

Meditation and Music: Sound Healing Jan. 16 /6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Experience a deep meditative state as you surrender to the healing sound frequencies of Crystal Singing Bowls. This practice helps to cultivate a calming and relaxing experience

for participants. This month will include a holiday intention! No prior experience is needed. Please wear comfortable clothing, and feel free to bring a pillow, blanket, or anything else that will make you more comfortable.

Facilitator Morgan Noel is a practitioner of Singing Bowls and is Usui Reiki 1 & 2 Certified. The cost is $10; please register by Friday, January 13.

Walking and Praying in the LABYRINTH Jan. 10 /5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Hosted by Ginny Heldorfer, OSF

Is life too busy to sit and pray? Maybe walking and moving are your style of praying. We invite you to come and walk the labyrinth, a sacred journey of prayer. Walking the labyrinth can help bring about clarity, peace, and healing. This is a silent, prayerful practice suitable for older teens and adults. Socks are required. Limited to 10 participants. Freewill offering; RSVP on or by Monday, Jan. 9,

more on Iowa

Crystal Singing Bowl

From: 07:30 PM to 10:30 PM, January 20, 2023 | Hartman Arena

WICHITA - It’s wild! It’s unpredictable! It’s back! Park City Presents PRCA Championship Rodeo Friday, January 20 and Saturday, January 21 at Hartman Arena! This is the original extreme sport where top professional contestants from across the nation go head to head with award winning stock in seven head slammin’, bone jammin’, events as they make their run for the Wrangler National Finals in Las Vegas.

Friday, January 20 is Kid’s Night, sponsored by 102.1 The Bull. Cowboys and cowgirls between 2-12 years get in free with a paid adult (one child per one adult ticket).

Doors: 6:30 pm Show: 7:30 pm

Tickets are anow through TicketMaster.com or at the Hartman Arena Box Office, open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $45 until the day of

the show, which will increase then by $5.

Hartman Arena is located North of Park City, KS, just 8 miles from down town Wichita. Located on I-135, Hartman Arena is conveniently accessed via the 77th St or 85th St exits. For more information, visit https://www. hartmanarena.com/events/2023/ prcarodeo2023

For more on Kansas > Click Here

Grand Rapids a Place

Winter is the perfect time to spoil yourself. Cook a healthy meal, sip a glass of wine or a trendy seasonal craft beer. For exercise, snowshoe, cross country ski or take a nature walk for a glimpse of a towering snow-topped lighthouse.

Shop for fresh produce to boost your immune system, visit a spa, pamper your body and soul with a relaxing massage. Indulge in these simple wellness tips while on your next extended weekend getaway in Grand Rapids.

Get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air.

Experience winter in a whole new way during the World of Winter Festival from Jan. 6 through March 5. Downtown Grand Rapids transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland, giving you plenty of reasons to get outside and enjoy the season. There’s plenty to see and do for all ages including outdoor art, entertainment and dining. See 20+ large-scale outdoor art installations and 50+ amazing ice sculptures, enjoy musical performances, play games, stroll the city and more – all FREE!

While in town, take time to visit the Grand Rapids Public Museum and see the display of A Rainbow of Isotopes. It is a freestanding neon sculpture that simulates the moment of impact between particles in an accelerator – referred to as a “rainbow of isotopes.”

Artist Kacie Lees is an interdisciplinary artist and educator working in neon, video and print. The Artist worked on this art piece with support from Inquiry Arts.

If you are visiting during Jan. 19, you are in store for a great concert. Winter Jam returns to Van Andel Arena at 7 p.m., presented by World Vision. Tickets are not needed. A $15 donation is accepted at the door.

Line up features Jeremy Camp, We The Kingdom, Andy Mineo, Anne Wilson, Austin French, Disciple, & more. Hosted by Newsong. We The Kingdom will join Winter Jam following their Fall tour and the release of their new namesake album We The Kingdom. Don’t miss it!

For more on Michigan >Click Here

Place for Winter Wellness

Head for the Spas,

Let’s make a plan for wellness travel in Minnesota this year. The first step is to enroll in the Mayo Clinic’s Healthy Living Program to get help from the experts in creating a personalized plan to fit your individual wellness journey. You can choose from a variety of immersive sessions related to physical activity, nutrition, and resiliency.

Spa

MINNEAPOLIS - Relax and unwind by taking part in a communal (and social) bathing ritual at Watershed in Minneapolis. Be sure to take your swimsui. Watershed Spa features a soaking tub, sauna and steam areas, and a cold plunge pool for a complete detoxifying and rejuvenating experience.

Located in the Dinkytown neighborhood, near the University of Minnesota campus, the Refinery has long been a favorite among Twin Citians looking for a moment of Zen. This spa offers both Swedish and hot stone massages, as well as skin care treatments and airbrush tanning.

NISSWA - Glacial Waters is the place to go after a long day on the lake or the links. Ranked as one of the country’s best, Glacial Waters Spa boasts a full menu of services, including massage, body treatments, and couples services. Embracing the

water which defines Minnesota’s landscapes—and attracts visitors to Grand View Lodge—Glacial Waters also offers several hydrotherapy services.

Salt Caves

Stillwater’s Just for Me Spa offers a Himalayan Salt Cave for rest, relaxation, and meditation. Curl up in a Sherpa blanket, sit back in a zero-gravity chair, and breathe in tiny salt particles said to alleviate symptoms of common ailments. Salt Cave Minnesota in Minneapolis offers individual sessions in a therapeutic salt cave as well as group classes for Reiki, meditation, QiGong and yoga. You can also visit a salt cave at Bella Vita in St. Cloud.

Eating Healthy

Whether you’re trying to lose weight, stick to a plantbased diet, or just eat healthier this year, Minnesota restaurants will help you reach your goals without compromising taste. Trio Plant-Based in Minneapolis will satisfy whether you’re vegan or not with its 100% plant-based menu. Try the soul food platter to sample up to six satisfying vegan dishes, including barbecued ribs made from jackfruit. Other health-conscious restaurants include Agra Culture Kitchen in Minneapolis and Mill Valley Kitchen in St. Louis Park. For fast-casual foods, try the soups and salads at The Local Blend in St. Joseph. Crisp & Green’s salads, grainbowls, and smoothies are also a treat. Their flagship store opened in downtown Wayzata in 2016 and today there are more than 14 locations across the state.

Mocktails

Thai Pop in Rochester stirs up juicy mocktails using fresh ingredients like Thai basil, palm sugar syrup, and kaffir lime. Demi, in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis, even offers a Temperance Pairing with spirit-free selections. Other must-try mocktails include the Gazos at Cardamom in Minneapolis and any of the “fauxtails” at Blackwater Lounge in Duluth. You can also shop for alcohol-free packaged beverages at Marigold, Minnesota’s first non-alcoholic bottle shop.

By the “Way of American

The Adventures

cluding the J. M. Clemens Justice of the Peace Office, Becky Thatcher House, the reconstructed Huckleberry Finn House, Grant’s Drugstore and the Interpretive Center. The home was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966 more than forty years after it opened as a tourist site. The single story home, on Hill Street was built in 1844 and was originally only three rooms. Later three rooms were added as a second story. Self-guided tours reveal a typical home of the era furnished appropriately. The restored white fence is adjacent to the house.

Missouri’s “Way of American Genius”, a 200-mile stretch of road that winds from Hannibal to St. Joseph, is also known as Highway 36. Following this route allows travelers to see where notable personalities were shaped, become immersed in time and delve into both the fact and fiction of legendary lives and accomplishments.

A great place to begin your adventure is in Hannibal, the early home of Mark Twain, whose incisive wit took aim at the America of his time. Born in 1835, Twain, whose real name was Samuel Clemens, was born in Florida, Missouri. His family relocated 30-miles to the port city of Hannibal in 1839 and Clemens lived there until the age of seventeen. In 1844 they moved to what is now the Boyhood Home where the family lived in a constant state of financial instability and were forced to sell their only slave, Jennie, as a result. His father died and he was forced to leave school in 5th grade to help support the family. His years growing up in Hannibal strongly influenced his writing and autobiographical glimpses can be seen throughout his works.

#VisitHannibal

The Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum complex is made up of several original sites in-

The Mark Twain Museum and Interpretive Center offers a self-guided tour of its outstanding gallery and collection. The collection includes his writing desk and chair, a bronze casting of his right hand, and a signature white jacket. The two-story structure displays, within a series of rooms, memorabilia, photographs, personal items and fifteen Norman Rockwell original paintings. Other items of note include original manuscripts, several first editions and more than fifty-five of his personal letters. www.marktwainmuseum.org

Laura Hawkins was the inspiration for Becky Thatcher and her home was across the street from the Clemens’ home. She was younger than Sam but they were playmates in childhood, remained in contact as adults and on his final visit to Hannibal in 1902 they met again. Laura married and moved away but upon the death of her husband she returned to Hannibal. It is possible to tour the house and experience the exhibits.

People are familiar with the line, “I’m your Huckleberry,” from the movies and Twain found the original Huckleberry in his childhood friendship with Tom Blankenship. Tom was, as described by Twain, as a boy whose “liberties were totally un-

“Jim, this is nice…I wouldn’t be nowhere else but here.”

American Genius”

By Renée S. Gordon Freelance & History Writer

wouldn’t want to

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

restricted”. He became the model for Huckleberry Finn, one of literature’s most recognized characters. Blankenship’s home was razed in 1911 and reconstructed in 2006.

Exhibits inside the Huckleberry Finn House relate the history of the Blankenship family and slavery in Missouri.

Twain’s father, John Clemens, was a lawyer prior to moving to Hannibal and once there he became Justice of the Peace. His office was relocated from its original location and situated near the boyhood home in the 1950s. The office features a courtroom.

Grant’s Drugstore dates from 1836 and was partially assembled in Ohio prior to being shipped to Hannibal. The home, also known as the Pilaster House because of the exterior columns, became the home of the Clemens’ family in 1846 when they moved in with Dr. Grant and his family. John Clemens died here in 1847. It is outfitted as an early drugstore and interprets the time Sam lived there.

Jim’s Journey: The Huck Finn Freedom Center is Hannibal’s newest museum. The one-room, native stone, structure was built by enslaved people in the 1830s and is the oldest functioning building in the city. The museum interprets the African American history of Northeast Missouri and honors the life

and legacy of Daniel Quarles, the model for Jim in Huckleberry Finn. Sam spent summers on his uncle’s farm where he met the enslaved Daniel and listened as he told stories. Probably as a result of his encounters with Daniel, and the fact that he later wed a dedicated abolitionist, he is considered to have been one of the first authors to create a multi-dimensional African American character. www. jimsjourney.org

There are more than 6,000 caves in Missouri and one of most visited is The Mark Twain Cave Complex. A 60-minute guided tour is offered. It is an easy walk and visitors can see signatures of Mark Twain and Jesse James. The James Gang hid there after a bank robbery in 1879.

Joseph N. McDowell was a doctor who routinely dissected bodies stolen by grave robbers in his anatomy classes. The practice was not socially acceptable, he needed to work in seclusion and so in 1840 he purchased a Hannibal cave to establish a lab. In 1849 his beloved daughter Amanda died and he stored her in a vat of alcohol and suspended her from the cave ceiling so he could communicate with her. Local children were said to have seen the body. Residents eventually forced him to bury her. He later became Surgeon General of the Confederate Army of the West. He died in 1868.

here.”

Hannibal: Continued...

In a theater adjacent to the cave Mark Twain “Live” is presented. The one-hour production introduces audiences to the life, wit and wisdom of the author. www.marktwaincave.com

One-hour narrated cruises are available aboard the 400-passenger Mark Twain Riverboat. You can take to the river as Tom and Huck did and view Lover’s Leap as you learn the story. Refreshments are sold on board.

In 1935 the Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse was erected in Cardiff Hill Park. After climbing 244 steps to an overlook visitors attain an outstanding view of Hannibal and the Mississippi River. At the bottom of Cardiff Hill stands a bronze statue of Tom and Huck. It was constructed in 1926 and is situated near the lighthouse and Main Street. Laura Hawkins was present at the dedication as was a visiting Molly Brown of Titanic fame.

“Unsinkable” Molly was born in Hannibal and was, in fact, returning home aboard the Titanic. The Molly Brown Birthplace and Museum is located in Hannibal and is open for tours.

Hannibal has been named “One of 10 Best Places in the USA to Sleep with a Ghost” and the city has been featured on major networks. Haunted Hannibal Ghost Tours, a guided bus tour, features a history-based ghost tour with several stops and an opportunity to participate in a ghost investigation in a cemetery. Every story showcased on the tour is unique. The tour ends at the notoriously haunted Old Baptist Cemetery. Members of the 54th Colored Troops are interred here. The most unique gravesite is that of a female with a large headstone that reads “enslaved” and the name of her owner. This tour is a must!

Mark Twain was born in 1835 just as Halley’s Comet appeared in the sky. The comet appeared again in 1910 as Twain died of a heart attack.

Road Reads:

Twain’s The Tragedy of Pudd’nhead Wilson and the Comedy of Those Extraordinary Twins is a southern tale of the exchange of a black enslaved baby with a white privileged one and the ensuing events. It reflects the dilemma slavery presente

By Renée S. Gordon Freelance & History Writer

Experience the Vibe of St. Joe

Missouri is nicknamed the “Show Me State” and true to the state’s name St. Joseph is showing us the history of westward expansion through the preservation of authentic sites, cultural attractions and oral histories. French explorers and traders are documented as being in the region in the 1700s. Joseph Robidoux III was born 1783 and lived in St. Louis until the mid-1790s when he joined a group of fur traders sailing up the Missouri River to the area now St. Joseph’s. He established several trading posts until 1826 when the American Fur Company issued a non-compete clause and bought him out.

In 1826 he was hired to erect a post in the Blacksnake Hills, now St. Joseph. His business thrived, employing a group of Frenchmen

and trading with Indians settled in the vicinity on ground considered sacred and conflict free. Robidoux platted the town in 1843 and began selling plots of land. It quickly became a hub for settlers rest and restock.

Constructed in the 1840s-50s the city’s oldest building and historic apartment building west of the Mississippi was built by Joseph Robidoux. The 1½ story, seven brick apartment building, was originally home to families who were waiting construction of their homes on purchased lots. Later the apartments were rented to individuals waiting to cross the river who were beset by bad weather or other conditions. There were several communal outdoor privies and individual stoves for heating. In 1868 Robidoux passed away in his private apartment.

When gold was discovered in California in 1848 travelers came from everywhere to the port town to cross the river and continue their journey.

The restored building functions as a museum and the Saint Joseph Historical Society. Exhibits in the museum depict how the rooms would have been furnished originally. Other galleries display artifacts and memora-

bilia from Joseph Robidoux, the early history of St. Joseph, the fur trade and westward expansion. Tours are self-guided.

In 1859 Robidoux drove the final spike into the western rail terminus in the city. This combination of rail and river appealed to the founders of the legendary Pony Express and on April 3, 1860 twice weekly service began from St. Joseph to Sacramento, California. The company had 400 horses and 200 riders, the youngest being 11years old. Riders carried 20-pounds of mail and were equipped with lightweight saddles and a mochilla in which to carry the mail over the 10-day route. Relay stations, to exchange horses, were placed every 10-15 miles and home stations every 100-miles. The Pony Express functioned only from April 1860 until October 1861.

The Pony Express Museum is a phenomenal immersion into the world of express riding. Moment in Time is a life-sized diorama that depicts

the inaugural ride of the Pony Express on April 4, 1860 at 7:15 pm from the stable that now houses the museum. Exhibits interpret the history of the institution, the riders and the topography over which they rode. Two other featured exhibits are a fully outfitted settlers wagon and a photo gallery of the riders. Tours are self-guided or docent led. Stop in the gift shop for great souvenirs. Annually the National Pony Express Association hosts a commemorative ride on the historic route. More than 750 riders participate.

Patee House opened in 1858 as a 4-story, 140-room luxury hotel. From 1860-61 it was the Pony Express headquarters. In 1865 John Patee was forced to sell by lottery. He purchased 100 tickets and won it back. In 1888 it was renamed the World Hotel and Jesse James’ wife stayed there for 2 days after his murder and the investigation of his death was held there. It is a National Historic Landmark and huge museum. Each thematic gallery is like a time capsule filled

with portraits, documents and artifacts. Highlights of a visit are Portraits of the Old West, a vintage carousel, an Overland Stage, a replica street and a piece of rope from a lynching. Dedicate several hours to visit this museum listed as one of the Top Ten Western Museums in the country. ponyexpressjessejames.com

Attached by a short walkway is the Jesse James Home Museum, the site of his death on April 3, 1882. While straightening a picture on the wall he was shot from the rear in the head by Robert Ford. The restored single-story home was relocated here, two blocks from its original site, for greater access. It is decorated with original and period furnishings. The home is 24-ft by 30ft. and consists of four rooms. On display are photographs, personal items and objects obtained during his exhumation in the 1990s. The showpiece of the museum is the bullet hole in the sitting room wall. An orientation is given as you enter for a self-guided tour.

St. Joseph Museum complex containing Glore Psychiatric Museum, Black Archives Museum, Doll Museum and Native American and History Galleries, is situated inside the 1879 Victorian Wyeth-Toole Mansion. stjosephmuseum.org

In 1968 the estate of Orrel Andrews purchased five dolls and in 2011 the 1,600- piece collection of dolls, dollhouses and toys became part of St. Joseph Museums, Inc. The collection relates cultural, historic, ethnic, gender and leisure time history.

State Lunatic Asylum No. 2 began in 1874 with 250 patients. One hundred-four years after employee George Glore created exhibits about treatment of the mentally ill beginning in the 17th-century the Glore Psychiatric Museum was founded. Currently the museum is recognized as “one of the 50 most unusual museums in the country” and has been featured on several channels including PBS and Discovery. Displays include surgical treatments, patient artwork and unique cases.

Henry George gathered one of the largest and most impressive collections of American Indian objects in the region. It consists of 4,000 items dating from pre-European contact and is heavily focused on basketry.

Established as the KneaVon Black Archives Jewell Robinson founded the Black Archives Museum in 1991. In 2002 it became a member of the St. Joseph Museums, inc. The museum presents the history

of St. Joseph’s African American’s beginning with Joseph Robidoux and the French pioneers. An authenticated letter has been located of correspondence between Robidoux and pirate and slave trader John Lafitte in which Robidoux asks to purchase 5 nursing babies and 20 French-speaking mulatto slaves. Exhibits progress through the Civil War, Civil Rights, Desegregation and Music. A signature exhibit is on the 40-year career of Coleman Hawkins, the Father of the Tenor Sax. An 8-ft. statue of Hawkins stands on a 3-ft. pedestal in Coleman Hawkins Park. Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival is held annually in June in the park.

Newsman Walter Cronkite was born in 1906 in St. Joseph. Cronkite was America’s premiere journalist and CBS Evening News anchor for 19 years. The Walter Cronkite Memorial is located on the campus of Missouri Western State University in Spratt Hall Atrium. Highlights of the memori-

al are a timeline of Cronkite’s life, photographs, caricatures and a video monitor with clips of historic broadcasts. Visitors can experience the excitement of being in a CBS newsroom in a replicated studio.

The best surviving extant set of late-nineteenth-century warehouse and commercial structures in the state are a designated historic district known as Wholesale Row. The area once housed 170 factories because of its access to rivers, rails and roads. Located inside one of these rehabilitated red brick High Victorian Italianate structures is Boudreaux’s Louisiana Seafood & Steaks. The 2-ton bar is a showpiece built in Philadelphia circa 1870, disassembled and brought west in 1871. The menu is sizeable and filled with culinary, Cajun, delights. When in St. Joseph this a superior dining option.

On the 80th anniversary of the Pony Express the Pony Express Monument was unveiled. The statue captures the exuberance and hopefulness of the era. Take a photo and experience the vibe. stjomo.com

Salt Therapy offers

Forget reducing your salt intake when it comes to salt therapy. When choosing massage therapy, Omaha’s Salt and Spa suggests you consider a one-of-a-kind salt therapy, where you’ll feel relaxed and fresh after a 45-minute session. Open since 2016, Salt and Spa was the brainchild of Yesenia Osorio, who sought a new style of massage therapy for customers.

Salt treatments – halotherapy - consists of breathing in small particles of salt, which clean the body by scrubbing organs, such as lungs, and are then exhaled, Osorio said. During salt therapy, people breathe in through their nose and exhale through the mouth. Participants report feeling so relaxed during their session that they sometimes fall asleep in the comfortable reclining chairs.

The image of salt therapy may be a foreign concept as clients pull into a parking spot in the Wakeley Plaza. But, Salt and Spa’s atmosphere is immediately relaxing, with sofas and chairs reminiscent of a living room, and soft music playing. Salt and Spa’s gift shop includes salt lamps of all sizes, air fresheners, and other therapy-related items.

Customers wear protective booties, so they don’t contaminate the salt covered floor. If you wear glasses, you’ll want to place them on a shelf. Cell phones need to be secured, as well, so salt doesn’t get in them.

Once in the room, you’ll sit in a recliner, lean back and just enjoy the sounds of soothing music, played at a low volume. The floor is covered in salt, because it settles from the air. A small generator in the wall shoots out salt – sodium chloride – which is considered safe for inhaling. The salt room, which is about 300 square feet, is spacious enough to seat 8-10 people – excellent for family or business group outings – and allows space to stretch out and soak in the calming effects of salt therapy. The room’s lighting changes colors every few minutes, so people don’t get bored with one color, Osorio said.

As a graduate of the Omaha School of Massage Therapy, Osorio doesn’t claim salt therapy has medicinal purposes, but some people with breathing issues, such as asthma, have told her they’ve noticed improvement.

When her husband first tried it, he was skeptical, but quickly came around, Osorio said.

“We went to Arizona and visited a therapy site,” she said. “My husband had a really bad respiratory infection at the time. ‘Oh my God, I can

offers Relaxation

By Tim Trudell Freelance Travel Writer

breathe through my nose. My nose is totally open,’ he said.”

While some people may not be open to holistic measures, others have found reasons to use salt therapy to support their medical treatment, Osorio said.

But, most of the people using salt therapy enjoy the massage benefits without actually having a massage, she said. Some even ask for a robe, so they can dress more comfortably during their visit.

Salt therapy leaves very little residue on a person’s skin, Osorio said. Most of it is inhaled and exhaled. Excess salt from the generator falls to the floor or settles on the wall. Salt and Spa employees clean the salt therapy room throughout the day, she said. People also enjoy having massages in the salt room, so they can experience a variety of massages – Swedish, deep tissue, reflexology, and hot stones – while also receiving salt therapy, Osorio said. It’s popular for couples massages, but, Salt and Spa’s salt room is large enough for up to four tables, she said.

“It’s perfect for a girl’s day out, bachelorette parties, or even a family of four,” Osorio said.

Besides the salt therapy, Salt and Spa also has separate rooms for massages, including an exclusive couples room. The spa also offers prenatal and oncology massages. Ear candling is another service available at the spa.

Salt and Spa also offers children’s massage therapy services in a colorful room with toys and other attractions. At about 100 square feet, the children’s room uses Himalayan salt, which is considered healthy for children, Osorio said. The salt on the floor resembles a sandbox, and children play while breathing in the salt.

Parents often bring in children with asthma and other breathing conditions and see success in opening their lungs and nasal passages, she said.

So, when considering kicking off the New Year with a fresh outlook on life, some people seek the benefits of massage therapy. And in Omaha, salt therapy may be a fun alternative to the traditional styles. But, if you prefer traditional over holistic options, Salt and Spa can help you there, as well.

Outdoor Winter Fun

Sledding

You’re never too old to hop on a snow tube or a good old-fashioned toboggan and head to the nearest snow-covered hill. Lincoln’s Pioneers Park has been recognized by USA Today as one of the top 10 sledding spots in the country; the two wooden sled runs launch sledders down the lengthy decline, some sliding as far as 300 feet!

Nebraska also has plenty of other hills that are perfect for slippers, sliders and sledders: Visit Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area – Gering, Mahoney State Park - Ashland, or Chadron State Park - Chadron

Ice Skating

Ice skating is a long-time favorite activity for family outings, first dates and fun times with friends. Mahoney State Park, located in Ashland, features a large openair ice-skating pavilion perfect for seasoned-skaters or first-timers looking to earn their “sea legs” (ice legs?).

Cross-Country Skiing

Nebraska’s Ponca State Park provides more than 20 miles of groomed cross-country skiing trails for skiers of all skill levels looking to get out and experience the beautiful scenery.

Nebraska’s unique geography makes for an extensive list of cross-country skiing opportunities across the state. Visit Indian Cave State Park – Shubert, Rock Creek Station Historical Park- Fairbury, or The Kearney Trail - Kearney

A New Gervasi Vineyard Spa

CANTON - Special spa services are available to Gervasi overnight guests. Spa services include massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, and foot reflexology.

Plan your next extended weekend getaway at the 55-acre Gervasi Vineyard Resort, home to three restaurants, exclusive winery distillary, and Marketplace Gift Shop. Then during your stay, make a reservation, take a deep breath and immerse yourself in a rejuvenating in-suite massage.

A 60 or 90 minute Therapeutic massage is a deep, rhythmic, body therapy which alleviates stress, sooths aching muscles, and reguvenates the senses. A Gervasi Deep Tissue massage focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue. It is especially helpful for chronic aches and pains and contracted

areas such as still neck and upper back, low back pain, leg muscle tightness, and sore shoulders. Only available when you schedule another massage service is a 30-minute foot reflexology massage. This is an avenue of stemulating the entire body by working on the feet using aromatherapy oils and creams.

In April, 2023, a brand new spa facility will open to expand these services. The Spa will feature a state-of-the-art design and equipment to provide Gervasi guests and local spa seekers a beautiful and tranquil experience along with exceptional spa services. The 5,000 sq. ft. facility will transcend guests to a high-end luxurious spa. Services will include a variety of massages, facials, body treatments, and manicure/pedicure services.

Gervasi Vineyard is proud to announce Brooke Zarconi has joined the team as The Spa’s Operations Manager. As such, her goals are to create a luxury experience not only for the local community to enjoy, but for traveling guests to add to their itinerary when they join Gervasi as hotel guests from all over the country. She feels everyone needs to find the importance of self-care and is eager to introduce guests to the exquisite experience The Spa will soon offer.

To learn more, visit www.gervasivineyard.com/spa

A Day At A Spa

Put yourself first with a spa day Work out the kinks from skiing, quiet the ever-racing mind, hydrate winter-weary skin, all good reasons for a spa day this winter. Along with Sundara Inn & Spa and Spa del Sol, there’s also Spa Serenity, Sun Mountain Spa, and Spa Kalahari. Disconnect from the real world and emerge a new person with a visit to any of these lovely spas.

Spa Serenity is a full service day spa located in the heart of Downtown Baraboo, located 12 miles south of Wisconsin Dells. Spa Serenity provides a full menu of relaxing and invigorating spa services. The menu of services includes Massage, Facials, Manicures, Pedicures and Waxing. https://spaserenitydayspa.com/

At Sundara Inn & Spa, energize your soul

with a seasonal treatment uplifting, yet spice filled aromatic fusion to awaken your senses and evoke a sense of warmth and coziness. CBD-infused ingredients ease pain and reduce stress. Chromatherapy lights are used to improve circulation, enhance your mood, calm, relax and purify your body while infrared lights will help reduce muscle tension and boost the immune system. https://www.sundaraspa.com/

Spa del Sol is located at Chula Vista Resort. Their services include massages, facials, body treatments, waxing, couples treatments and a Pink Nail Bar. For more, visit https:// www.dellsspa.com/

For more on Wisconsin

Southern States Enjoying Winter

ORANGE BEACH - This expo event on Jan. 7 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. is for people who are into alternative health, wellness tools, products, holistic and metaphysical practitioners, and more. It is considered a Psychic, Metaphysical & Healing Arts Fair

We will have life-changing guests, intuitives, psychics, readers, healers, practitioners, crystals, lightworkers, massage, books, shamans, alternative healing therapies, services, speakers, tarot readers, mediums, healers, metaphysical gifts, and more.

The event will have over 100 booths, seminars, and services to enlighten and entertain your senses.

An event for people who are into alternative health, wellness tools, products, holistic and metaphysical practitioners, and more.

We will have life-changing guests, services, speakers, intuitives, psychics, readers, healers, practitioners, crystals, lightworkers, massage, books, shamans, alternative healing therapies, tarot readers, mediums, healers, metaphysical gifts, and more.

Admission to this event is Free.

Need Another Holiday?

Do you need another holiday to recoup from the holidays? Overscheduled? Overworked? Just plain tired from all the hustle and bustle of shopping, gift giving, party preparations and company?

With all the overloaded activities required in December, now is a wonderful time of year to explore an Arkansas state park near you, relax and connect with nature. Book your getaway through January 12, 2023, and receive 25% off your stay at one of the beautiful Arkansas full-service lodges, cabins or the Jailhouse B&B at Historic Washington State Park.

Whether you prefer modern lodging accommodations or a private cabin hidden in the woods, Arkansas State Parks has an abundance of choices to may your next extended weekend getaway perfect for you. Rest, relax, and simply enjoy the peace and quiet of winter nature and watchable wildlife while you recouperate.

Otherwise known as “The Natural State,” Arkansas is popular for natural beauty and a great scenic background for all things outdoors.

Check out the available accommodations at https://www. arkansasstateparks.com/deals. Then elect your dates and enter promo code HLDY22 in the promo box before you click the Check Now button. This will ave you the 25% discount.

Making a visit to a state park part of your routine, specifically this year, is a big deal. because 2023 marks the centennial for the Arkansas State Parks system. 100 years, which calls for extra celebrations. There are 52 state parks ready to explore throughout Arkansas borders. Several projects are in final planning stages for celebrating the centennial.

“State parks [are] an opportunity for you to get out and be healthy, to make memories with your family,” Kelly Farrell, Chief of Interpretation for Arkansas State Parks said.

Are you looking for fun activities during your visit to an Arkansas State Park? Routinely scheduled fun, family-friendly programs are available and designed to help you have a more meaningful park experience and make memories of a lifetime. More than 50,000 activities are scheduled each year, including guided hikes, lake tours on park boats, birding adventures, kayak tours, living history demonstrations, nature games, historic site tours, bald eagle watches, spring wildflower walks, campfires, outdoor skills workshops, A.D.E.-accredited teacher professional development, and much more — there’s something going on all the time.

For more on Arkansas

Begin Healthy Dining

By Kathy Barnett Managing Editor

So many who make new year’s resolutions include a goal of losing weight or eating healthier only to give up on day 3 or 4. Some (like me) don’t even make it that far.

However, Stacy Winton, a registered dietition and health and wellness expert, has inspired me to try yet once again and stick to it. Her advice is to make better choices. If I slip up and surrender to eating something unhealthy, remember to immediately get back on track. Don’t give up.

Stacy feels functional and integrative nutrition can be simple or elegant as well as delicious, energizing, and fun. She can often be found in her favorite spot, the kitchen, creating new healthy recipes to share with her patients and clients. Besides her current career at Broward Health Mediacal Center as a Dietitian, she also holds group cooking classes and demos. You can learn how to prepare good food that’s also good for you right in your own home. She also offers individual nutrition assessments, coaching, guided supermarket tours and counsels on weight loss, menu planning and Neuro-Nutrition.

Neuro-Nutrition, a unique approach to neurological conditions that include traumatic brain injury, seizures, Alzheimer’s dementia, and more uses

functional medicine/ nutrition and specific diets to alleviate and even eliminate symptoms of these debilitating conditions.

“Why Green?”

Stacy asks. “Ketogenic diet” generally conjures up images of platters heaped high with steaks, ribs, and bacon. Well, as a practicing vegetarian AND an advocate of a ketogenic diet I was often stuck eating the same foods over and over until I decided to do some serious web searching and work some kitchen wizardry to widen my food repertoire.

“Yes, I’ve been baking, sautéing, roasting, and blending so I can share these delicious discoveries with my private clients and co-workers including other dietitians, nurses, physicians, our chef, and anyone else in reach of my sampling spoons.”

For more information or to book a particular class, visit https://www.stacywinton.com/contact Accept Stacy’s challenge to start the new year out right! For more on Florida

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”

_Stacy Winton

Woodstock Is A Good

It’s a question fitness-minded business and leisure travelers often ask: where to find walking, biking and paddling trails near Atlanta? Woodstock, Georgia, just 35 minutes north of the Atlanta perimeter on I-75/575, is the unexpected answer. From trails for walking, running and mountain biking to golf, Woodstock offers the satisfaction of scenery while getting a workout with outdoor activities you’d expect to find much farther afield.

Basecamp for city, North Georgia trips

Some prefer to set up their basecamp in Woodstock for exploring more of the North Georgia mountains. Others like its proximity to the city for meetings, special events and shopping. Both love the surprising array of sophisticated and entertaining amenities and welcoming, small-town feel.

Enjoy the outdoors

Ten minutes from Woodstock are the southeast shores of Lake Allatoona, a 12,000-acre water-sports and fishing paradise encompassing 270 miles of shoreline. While Allatoona Lake is one of the country’s most frequently visited Army Corps of Engineers lakes (nearly seven million yearly visitors), after the summer peak boating and camping season it’s more peaceful and serene. Hike to a hidden battlefield or climb a ridge to an 1860s ironworks with a fascinating history. With its setting on Allatoona, Red Top Mountain State Park is a biking and hiker’s haven with its own unique recreation and programming. More than 15 miles of trails wind through the forested park, providing opportunities for exercise and nature photography. The gravel-topped, fourmile Iron Hill Trail is open to both hikers and bikers, offering pretty views of the lake’s shore-

line.

Trails on land and water

Walk or rent bicycles and ride the 20 miles of the Greenprints Trail System, a series of multi-use trails along shaded creeks in and around Woodstock. Click through to the website to learn more or find a trail. For aficionados, AllTrails. com notes 14 scenic trails in the Woodstock area, including kid-friendly; easy; scenic river and forest hikes and more.

At Olde Rope Mill Park on the Little River, take the paved and dirt trails around the cotton mill ruins, over a bridge across the river and read the historical markers highlighting the area’s history. A large wooden platform and multiple trails offer great river views. The serious mountain bike trails at Olde Rope Mill Park are consistently rated in the top 10 trails in Georgia by Singletracks.com.

Murph’s Surf, a bike sales and kayak/paddleboard outfitter offers more than nine locations where you can reserve your kayak or paddleboard. A popular offering is a three-hour trip to the Little River Marina and back. Call ahead, then pay online and Murph’s Surf brings your paddle gear to you and arranges a pick-up time. 678-6729917

One of the most popular mountain bike trails in the U.S. is the Blankets Creek Mountain Bike Trail System in nearby Canton. For serious offroad bikers, SORBA and Trailforks offer this link for trail details: https://www.trailforks.com/region/woodstock-961 Need a bike rental? In addition to Murph’s Surf, Sixes Pit Bicycle Shop offers rentals, repairs and adjustments and is located five minutes from Blankets Creek and 15 minutes away from Rope Mill mountain bike trails.

Good Basecamp For Fitness

Hit some balls or get in a stellar round of golf at three Woodstock golf courses. Eagle Watch Golf Club is an Arnold Palmer-designed course ranked among the top places to play in Atlanta, The Golf Club at Bradshaw Farm, with views of the North Georgia mountains, and Towne Lake Hills Golf Club, designed by Arthur Hills and set among rolling green hills and lovely wooded countryside.

The historic downtown Woodstock shopping and dining district is a walkable, open container district whose magnet destinations bring energy and a lively beat. Check out Woodstock Arts visual arts center, café and theater and event green; and the indoor and outdoor live music and performance stages at MadLife Stage & Studios for daily entertainment. Adding to the ambiance is

the Park at City Center featuring a gazebo, greenspace and an amphitheater that hosts national and regional bands.

Have an inventive craft beer at Reformation Brewery or a cocktail on the rooftop of Rootstock with a 360 degree view of downtown. Relax while perusing 20 chef-driven dining options, from a James Beard award-winner to seafood to barbecue.

Between adventures, rest and recharge at one of seven name brand hotels. For more on what to do and where to eat, go to VisitWoodstockGA.com.

For more on Gerogia

Lafayette Top Destination

Lafayett has been named the best place to travel in 2023.

The annual list of 50 best places to travel highlights emerging destinations and hidden gems worldwide.

Ben Berthelot, President & CEO of Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission, commented, “It is an honor to be recognized by Travel Lemming as the number one destination to visit in 2023. We invite their 6 million plus readers to experience the heart of Cajun and Creole Country and become immersed in our world-renowned food, music, and culture.”

The article invites travelers to “take in the aromas of Creole cuisine and the rhythm of Cajun music while wandering this Southern city’s historic streets.”

Travel Lemming writer Lana Sampa commented, “As a native Louisianan, I only grew to appreciate Lafayette as an older adult living in Texas. Lafayette is the quintessential weekend getaway that offers eclectic treasure troves. Dare I say it? I may prefer Lafayette over New Orleans!”

The annual list is a collaborative project of the publication’s team of more than 25 travel writers and editors.

The top 10 destinations on the list are:

#1 - Lafayette, Louisiana

#2 - Bhutan

#3 - Utila, Honduras

#4 - Ile Sainte Marie, Madagascar

#5 - Kosovo

#6 - Salento, Colombia

#7 - Vanuatu

#8 - Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia

#9 - Uzbekistan

#10 - Detroit, Michigan

By region, the complete list of 50 destinations includes seven destinations in Europe, 5 in Asia, 4 in South America, 4 in Oceania, 4 in Africa, 6 in

North America (besides the US), and 20 in the United States.

Nate Hake, CEO of Travel Lemming, commented: “2023 is shaping up to be the year of ‘revenge travel,’ as travelers venture farther and go bigger with their trips. Our impressive list of 50 hidden gems is the perfect inspiration for that once-in-alifetime trip to somewhere unique.”

Travel Lemming is an online travel guide with more than 6 million annual readers.

For more on Louisiana

Wellness in the Hills

AUSTIN - Miraval Resorts are luxurious wellness destinations designed to help you create a life in balance through mindfulness.

There are three full-scale resorts and spas and one is located in Auston in the rolling hills of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. Each of the resorts has its own distinct vibe—and its own way of bringing the Miraval philosophy to life.

Tucked away in this nature preserve, Miraval Austin feels like it’s a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life—yet the buoyant energy of Texas’ hippest city can still be felt here. Miraval Resorts’ signature approach to wellness is immersive and experiential, with endless possibilities to explore.

With pioneering programs, exclusive spa treatments, nourishing cuisine, and world-class wellness specialists, Miraval Resorts wants you to live your best life—whatever that means to you. All meals, snacks, coffee, smoothies, and non-alcoholic beverages are included in each package. Luxurious accommodations are part of the package as well as full access to all resort and the Life In Balance Spa amenities.

In 2003, The Crossings opened as a spiritual oasis for curious, health-conscious people and businesses. This little corner of the Hill Country quickly evolved into a retreat where bright minds and deep souls could convene, share ideas, and learn about and from each other. In 2019, the Crossings was reborn as Miraval’s second wellness resort. Miraval is a digital device-free environment. The intention is to support you in unplugging and enjoying the moment

tyou’re in—so you can have the most rewarding and inspiring Miraval experience possible.

Management wants your time spent here to be inspiring, enriching and transformative—whatever that means to you. Journeys with Intention are your starting point.What’s your intention? This question is at the core of Miraval’s philosophy and approach.

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

For more on Texas

New England States

Fire and Ice Festival

BETHANY BEACH - Experience the Quiet Resorts, Delaware as you never have before at the Fire & Ice Festival with this year’s theme – Lights, Camera, Action! The dates set for this annual event are Jan. 27-29.

Enjoy a weekend of winter festivities at the beach, including ice sculpture tours, live sculpture demonstrations, bonfires, fireworks, ice slides, tastings, music, and – of course – Movie Magic.

Sculptures will be unveiled when the sun sets, illuminated with colored lights for the sculpture tour each evening! Starting at 5 p.m. check out all the sculptures in town by taking a “Walk of Fame” on the Ice Tour! Pick up a festival map at the information

tent to make sure you see them all! There is over 50,000 pounds of ice coming to The Quiet Resorts, all masterfully crafted by the artists from The Ice God! Watch as the ice

sculptures are unveiled and illuminated with lights as the sun sets each evening.

Visit all participating restaurants with your Tasting Tour Card to taste their signature Fire & Ice “Lights, Camera, Action!” themed cocktails. Celebrate Fire & Ice weekend with the action-packed Chili Cookoff and a little friendly competition benefiting the Millville Volunteer Fire Company.

For more information, visit https://fireandicede.com/info/

For

This Ice Fest Is 10 Years Old

HOOKSETT - The three-day-long winter-carnival-themed event features a curling rink, interactive ice displays and a whole fleet of food trucks at Oscar Barn Wedding Venue in Hooksett.

As Dan Lagueux remembers, it all started out as a dream. One night Lagueux’s daughter woke up crying, saying she wanted to become a famous soccer player and that her friends mocked her for it. After Lagueux gave his daughter a pep talk, she turned the table on him: “‘Well, what’s your dream daddy?’ she asked me,” Lagueux says. “And I said, ‘My dream is to own a restaurant one day.’ So she proceeded to say, ‘Why don’t you have a restaurant?’ I broke down, cried and decided and it was time to put my money where my mouth is. I went downstairs that night and started to write a business plan. The rest is history.”

Today, Lagueux and his wife Valerie Vanasse own New England’s Tap House Grille in Hooksett and are ringing in 10 years of business with Ice Fest, an outdoor celebration at their sister location Oscar Barn Wedding Venue. Ice Fest takes place 6 to 10 p.m. on January 12 through 14 and includes a range of outdoor win-

ter-themed activities.

Ice Fest will offer a curling rink, ice cocktail luge, interactive ice displays, wood-fire pizza, food trucks, five different bars, several photo booths and more. The event also features a variety of live music, including DJ Chad and the Bob Pratte Band playing Thursday, January 12, DJ Shamblez, Brad Myrick & Paul Costley and Pop RoKs playing Friday, January 13 and DJ Chad, Dave Glannon and the Rebel Collective playing Saturday, January 14.

Tickets for Ice Fest 2023 can be purchased at oscarbarnweddingvenue.com and are $25 per day. “Tokens” are $4 each, can be purchased online or on the day of the event and will be used to buy food and drinks at the event; leftover tokens can be used at New England’s Tap House Grille for up to a month following Ice Fest. For more information on New Hampshire

A Winter Playground for a Weekend

WOODSTOCK- Among Vermont’s snow-covered Green Mountains, the town of Woodstock offers countless ways for visitors to enjoy a winter getaway. From downhill skiing at the resort’s newly renamed ski mountain Saskadena Six, to snowshoeing by moonlight, or tasting maple syrup direct from the source, Woodstock is a winter playground ready to be explored.

In the center of town, the Woodstock Inn & Resort welcomes you to warm up next to the fire after enjoying their numerous snowbased pastimes. And down the road at Billings Farm & Museum, guests can meet the farm’s animals and learn about the historic Jersey dairy farm through Farm Life Exhibits, the 1890 Farm Manager’s House, and daily programming.

Snow Sports

The resort’s ski area, Saskadena Six, welcomes skiers and riders of all skill levels to hit its 24 trails. Those new to skiing can learn from the resort’s world-class Snow Sports School with private and semi-private lessons. Saskadena Six is known for shorter than average lift times to ensure more time to enjoy the slopes.

For cross country skiing and snowshoeing, the resort offers 45 kilometers of groomed trails at the Woodstock Nordic Center. The

extensive network takes adventurers throughout Mt. Peg and nearby Mt. Tom in the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. Rentals, clothing, winter sports accessories, trail maps and passes are available at the center. Local experts are also available for lessons, tours, and clinics.

Torchlight Snowshoe

On January 13 and February 24, 2023, Billings Farm & Museum invites guests for an after-hours walk, ski, or snowshoe on the Billings Farm Trail along the Ottauquechee River. The one-mile loop will be illuminated by torchlights. Billings Farm interpreters and National Park Rangers will educate guests about local wildlife, the history of the land, and the people who lived there. Afterwards, guests can warm up by the fire pit

with complimentary s’mores and hot drinks. This family friendly event is $10 for adults, $5 for children 16 years and under, and free for children under 3 years old. A limited number of adult snowshoes are available to borrow, or rentals can be found at the Woodstock Inn & Resort’s Nordic Center.

Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides

Visitors of all ages can experience the beauty of Billings Farm & Museum in a sleigh pulled by the farm’s team of draft horses. Sleigh rides can be arranged by reservation from December through March (conditions permitting). Reservations can be made for up to 16 people for a 30-minute ride. Public sleigh rides are also available on select dates in December, January, and February.

Weekend Getaway

Magic of Maple

Travelers can celebrate Vermont’s maple history at Billings Farm & Museum’s Magic of Maple. Learn all about maple sugaring at the farm daily from February 18-26, 2023. The area’s rich maple history will be on display through archival photographs and a showcase of tools traditionally used for tapping, sugaring, and processing. Guests can sample Sugar on Snow, a New England treat using pure maple syrup. During the Magic of Maple event, guests can also take sleigh rides, create wintery crafts, and meet the farm’s animals including Jersey cows and calves, sheep, chicken, and goats.

Woodstock Vermont Film Series

Billings Farm & Museum is the host for the Woodstock Vermont Film Series every weekend in January and February. The series will transport viewers across the country and the world with films such as Marcel the Shell With Shoes On (showing Dec 31 and Jan 1); Ruth Stone’s Vast Library of the Female Mind (showing Jan 7 and 8); and Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song (showing Feb 11 and 12). The series will conclude with Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story, showing Feb 18 and 19. A Mardi gras-inspired film and food soiree to benefit the Film Series will follow Saturday’s film. Showings are at 3 pm on both Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets for regular screenings are $15 a

The Spa at the Woodstock Inn & Resort

The resort’s 10,000-square-foot spa is the ideal place for guests to relax after a day of cold weather activities. The LEED-certified facility features 10 treatment rooms, a spa boutique and locally sourced products. Spa goers can embrace comfort with the spa’s natural light and fresh native flora and Vermont-inspired treatments that reflect the changing seasons. This winter, guests can opt for the seasonal Winter Rose treatment which restores the skin’s glow with a spiced

cranberry orange body scrub followed by a rose-colored clay mask wrap. Spa amenities include a eucalyptus steam room, a private courtyard with a year-round outdoor whirlpool, and a dry-cedar sauna. Reservations can be scheduled online or with the Spa Concierge staff and are recommended to ensure that guests’ preferred time and services are available.

person or $12 for Billings Farm members and are available online.

Mid - Eastern States

Louisville Is A Fun Place

Louisville was not on my list as someplace I wanted to visit. However, when asked if I wanted to cover a conference, I quickly said yes.

It didn’t take me long to discover downtown, and the suburbs had fascinating distinctive personalities. After spending a week, I still feel there is much more to explore there, for history abounds, and people are welcoming and proud to share.

Located on the Ohio River, Louisville is the last large City before the river joins the mighty Mississippi. In 1780 the town was chartered and named Louisville to honor King Louis XVI of France, and from then on, settlers flocked to the area. The state borders seven states: Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Mis-

souri, and Illinois.

Two organizations hosted my trip: Chilled 100 Elevate and Visit Louisville; thus, I had two different experiences following my obligations and their suggestions.

Explore the Countryside on the Bourbon Trail

If you like bourbon, you have come to the state where huge bourbon signs welcome you at the airport. It is not unusual to see empty bourbon bottles holding flowers or strategically filled with colorful rocks on café tables or displayed on bookshelves.

I was surprised to learn that there are 42 stops on the Bourbon Trail and covers 250 miles in six Kentucky cities. If you want to go to all of them, plan for a minimum of a week.

Place To Explore

Oh, and I learned how you are supposed to drink bourbon. Take a tiny taste to wake up your tastebuds. Then take another small sip and swish it around in your mouth (No, not like you do with mouthwash), and finally, take a larger sip and sit back and let your tastebuds dance, picking up the essence of that particular bourbon.

Maps are available at various locations, but I suggest you head down to Frazier History Museum on Main Street to get your copy. It is one of the finest museums I have seen displaying a state’s history. Seeing the room with bourbon bottle brands lit from behind is worth the trek there. I had no idea there were so many different brands of bourbon.

Downtown Louisville Hotels Abundant History

You cannot often find two hotels within walking distance of each other that have been operating for over 100 years. However, when I needed to change hotels, all I did was walk about four blocks and find myself steeped in still more history of Louisville.

The iconic Seelbach Hilton Hotel location on 4 th street is the perfect place to experience the atmosphere of old Louisville. Its halls have seen the likes of US Presidents and even the infamous Al Capone. F Scott Fitzgerald stayed here often and worked on the Great Gatsby when staying here. Thus, the grand ballroom has found its way into the book.

Kathy Condon Journalist and Travel Writer www.PalmSpringsInsiderGuide.com

Be sure to head down to the Rathskellar. The arches immediately catch your attention then you start to notice the pottery murals covering the walls. This room is believed to display the world’s most extensive collection of Rookwood Pottery. The winding dark wood staircase leading up to the meeting rooms is the perfect Instagram photo backdrop.

An easy walk brings you to the grand Brown Hotel. The doorman welcomes you and directs you to the elevator that takes you to the second-floor registration area. As you get off the elevator, you see the linen-draped tables and comfy lounge chairs in the salon, which is an excellent restful respite for a midafternoon snack.

The curved dark mahogany bar on the second floor was the perfect place to order a late-night Old Fashion. Of course, the bartender claimed he made the best one in Louisville. I can’t attest to that, but it was excellent. The conversation with a flight attendant and surgent was more than fascinating because it brought three people with such diverse occupations together in an atmosphere of elegance without any stuffiness.

The décor in the entire hotel makes one feel like you have walked into an elegant European hotel. The heavy gold drapes and dark furniture in the spacious rooms with all the amenities you can require resulted in me regretting I had to leave after a two-day stay in this magnificent hotel.

Food in Louisville Offers Some Special Treats First, if you love bacon, you will be in hog heaven. Sorry, I couldn’t resist that old cliché. But seriously, I am in bourbon country, so I would expect to find food enhanced with bourbon, but I wasn’t expecting to find bacon in so many appetizers and entrees.

Immediately upon my arrival, I started hearing about the Hot Brown. People would say, “Oh, make sure you have a Hot Brown.” Finally, after about four times, I realized I had to have one and started asking where I would find the best one. Well, it originated in the Brown Hotel, where I was staying.

Sure enough, prominently featured on the menu at the Lobby Bar & Grill was the Hot Brown. The story goes that in the 1920s, after dancing in the grand ballroom, people were hungry and tired of the late-night eggs and bacon fare. The chef made a new dish with an open-face sandwich, turkey, and bacon covered with Mornay sauce. It was a hit, and it is now a staple on the menu of the

Brown Hotel. Other versions, including a vegetarian one made out of macaroni, can be found throughout Louisville.

A district of independently owned retail stores is the Nulu District. Located on Market Street are galleries, restaurants, and a delightful find was a 100-year-owned family shop called Muth’s Candies. No pretenses going on here—just glass display counters filled with an array of chocolates. Walking into Muth’s makes one feel like you have stepped back in time.

Upon asking questions, I discovered the young woman I was talking to was the granddaughter of the founder of the candy shop. She said, “My mother brought me here when I was three days old. Thus, I know of no other career but making candy which we handmake in the backroom on the premises.”

Oh my, the bourbon chocolate was so good. I

forgot to ask if they had one with bacon. I bet they did. A candy-covered apple was the perfect treat in my hotel later that night.

Belle of Louisville

The Ohio River Waterfront, the home of the Belle of Louisville, is still making history. In operation since 1914, this boat has traveled down more river routes than any other steamboat in the history of the United States. This magnificent vessel’s is now owned by the City of Louisville, which saw the wisdom of restoring and maintaining this part of the river’s and Louisville’s history.

Imagine taking a ride down the Ohio River at sunset, having a corporate retreat or a wedding on this beautiful double-decker paddle boat. Steam provides its energy as it travels along the edges of the shore, just like Mark Twain did in the early 1900s.

Thanks to the captain, for he is training the younger people to repair the steam valves, exterior, and paddles so future generations can experience this once vibrant way of life on the Ohio and the Mississippi Rivers.

Stoneware & Company

What a wonderful experience going on a tour through Stoneware & Company, a 100-plus-yearold pottery factory! The factory was established to make vessels to carry cargo down the Mississippi in the late 1800s. Even more impressive is that the clay they use from the beginning makes the original pots microwavable.

Modern machinery has been brought in to help with some of the steps. However, processes such as attaching the handles to cups, painting vessels, and glazing are done by hand by highly trained craftspeople.

You will want to be sure to save time on your schedule to browse the extensive gift shop with a large variety of pottery items. Don’t miss the chocolate company that makes delicious Derby Balls in various flavors.

Speaking of the Derby, Churchill Downs is magnificent, and I highly suggest you take a historical tour.

It will bring the 100-year-plus history of this internationally recognized grand space history alive as you walk the grounds with an historian.

As you can tell, this is one grateful travel writer who was allowed to explore Louisville, Kentucky. Let’s say Louisville may not have been on my list to visit but given the chance I would go back there in a minute, because there is still so much to explore. I didn’t even have time to tell you about the bourbon distilleries I visited or some of the other great restaurants I enjoyed. On the other hand, I trust I have piqued your curiosity, and now, perhaps, Louisville, Kentucky is now on your list for future visits.

Enjoy a Gastronomic

Once you’ve exited I-66, you have officially entered the cozy village of Marshall, any small town lover’s dream getaway where peace is paired with quiet, and invigoratingly fresh air comes right along with the big mountain views.

And you can take big bites too! Gastronomy is the art of making food, enjoying food, and celebrating how each person’s culture brings something special to our shared table. The American Heritage Dictionary defines gastronomy as the pleasures of the table, and gastronomic restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, and wineries dot the pretty hills of Marshall. To make your visit delicious and nutritious as well as easy-peasy, see our insider’s guide below.

But First, Coffee

For truly authentic hospitality, visit Hunt Country Coffee. They craft “designer espresso drinks and fine teas” (including organic), and guests are always raving about the almond milk latte, the shop’s comfy and cheerful ambiance, and the nice, bright daylight filtering through the windows.

For some beautiful outdoor seating with your morning buzz, go to Half Past Moon Coffee Buzz. Order the honey-cinnamon latte with a pastry, quiche, or some soup, and if your coffee gives you so much energy you just can’t stand sitting anymore, take an energizing walk to nearby one-of-akind local shops to experience some of the best that Marshall has to offer.

Lunch Spots

Whether you’re wanting to dine in or grab what you need on the go, The Whole Ox is a place you really have to visit. This old-fashioned butcher shop specializes in “whole local animals from your

neighbors’ farms” with NO added hormones OR antibiotics (yes, please!). They offer fresh meats, eggs, produce and bread, and a various assortment of cheeses—all the right fixings for your cute wicker picnic basket—as well as a wonderful collection of seasonal prepared foods (from Italian meatballs and red pepper tomato soup to cranberry walnut bread pudding). The Whole Ox also serves up some pretty tasty entrees (the most highly esteemed of which is the house burger, but ask about their in-house smoked bacon too!). This cool local spot offers beer and wine, so whether you go for lunch or dinner, you can take a deep, long breath and really sit back in your chair.

We’ve got a hidden gem alert for you: The La Palmita Market at the Citgo station has the most authentic Mexican food. Just ask a local pumping gas and they will nod their head vigorously at you! Tacos, burritos, and the best spicy sauces to top things off, The La Palmita Market is a Marshall must.

Sometimes nothing can quite hit the spot like a classic diner meal, so if that’s what you’re in the mood for, go to The Marshall Diner. They literally have everything: breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, sides (from English muffins to mozzarella sticks), and they also have Wifi for guests. Cozy up to down-home classics, and revel in the golden-fried perfection served up with a serious side of Southern hospitality.

Where To Do Dinner

Field and Main is the perfect spot for dinner because the food is amazing AND it comes with a show! Take a seat near the kitchen and then watch in wonder as your chef prepares the meal: shrimp and grits, Bison steak, hearth-roasted sunchokes, seared scallops… the menu is diverse and delec-

The Whole Ox

Gastronomic Getaway in Marshall

of beers). For veggie fiends, try the Veetball Sub, Piedmont Harvest Lasagna, or Piedmont Tomato Pie. It’s an unforgettable dining experience with exceptional fare!

If you’re down to try something new, consider Tapatios; the area’s brand new taqueria that’s already getting stellar reviews, and their outdoor seating is so fun and festive complete with colorful flags, planters, and lights that we’d recommend going right around sunset and staying a while. As for what to order, you can’t go wrong with Birria (a special, savory stewed beef) tacos or a grilled-to-perfection chicken quesadilla.

For a no-regrets, make-everyone-happy kind of meal, order a cheesy hometown pie or other Italian favorite at Joe’s Pizza. Our vote: a large Bianca with a side of calamari. Now, that’s amore!

Wine and Pie

table, and because their desserts are ridiculously good (check out their flower-garnished ice cream, chocolate-chip-marshmallow cookies, classic carrot cake, and pumpkin creme brulee), be sure to save room for your sweet tooth. For fans of al fresco dining, be sure check out the lovely outdoor cabana to up the ante on the entire experience. Air conditioned in summer and heated in the winter, the outdoor portion of Field and Main is ready for you year-round (just be sure to book a reservation in advance!).

Johnny Monarchs is the ORIGINAL American bustaurant that serves fresh and delicious food from farm to table, so you can’t visit Fauquier County and not go here. The bus, where you’ll place your everything’s-so-good-it’s-hard-tochoose order, is surrounded by a field of green with pretty plants, a stage for live music, and cozy picnic tables (and when it’s cold out, they’ll even let you eat inside the bus!). The portions are larger than life, and when it comes to fan favorites, Steak Me Away and the Classic Adult Fried Bologna both get cheers (and deserve a second round

As a lover of all things epicurean, Fauquier has more than great coffee and food; the county boasts more vineyards and wineries than we could possibly list here! And be sure to check out our event calendar to stay in-the-know before you experience this relaxation destination for yourself!

For dessert, order apple pie at Red Truck Bakery, so delicious that former Pres. Obama posted about it on the White House website! When you come into town for your own sweet slice, also ask about their seasonal cake.The menu includes gluten-free sweets too, though it isn’t all desserts—you can come here for the great coffee and sandwiches alone.

RICHMOND - Today’s traveller demands more than the latest hotel and a checklist of must-see attractions. Following years of forced alienation and disconnect, people are seeking holidays that boost their mental and physical wellness. A recent American Express sur-vey, showed 76 percent of respondents want to spend more on travel that improves their well-being. Rapidly emerging as a top destination for wellness retreats, Virginia is ready to deliver on that demand.

Eupepsia Wellness Resort, located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, was recently voted #1 Best Health & Wellness Resort in the U.S. for 2022 in USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards. This is the second year in a row the Virginia-based resort has earned the top spot. Re-cently, Eupepsia has even further elevated its wellness experience, with new cutting-edge treat-ments and premium additions to its already-stellar facilities.

Sleep wellness is one of the foundational pillars at Eupepsia. To further enhance guest’s sleep, rooms are now furnished with a top-of-the-line bed exclusively designed for the resort by special-ist sleep wellness company Bear, for the ultimate ‘zero-gravity’ cloud-nine experience.

Taking full advantage of its location, Eupepsia encourages

Let Virginia Make

guests to forest bath, with daily hikes and newly added mountain biking on one of seven trails connecting to the Appalachian Trail and nearby Jefferson National Forest. A lush new labyrinth garden allows guests to experience walk-ing meditation, to quiet the mind, calm anxieties, enhance creativity and encourage insight, self-reflection and stress reduction.

Grounded in Ayurveda, Eupepsia’s programs are curated in real time to deliver optimal wellness aligned with each guest’s specific health condition and goals. The latest in the resort’s pioneering offerings is the Hocatt™ Infrared Ozone Sauna, offering exceptional preventative and manage-ment benefits for a wide variety of health conditions, including immunity boosting.

Yoga provides the perfect foundation for a spiritual journey and when practiced mindfully in the beautiful surroundings of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, the benefits to the soul are even more enhanced. Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville offers sadhana intensive retreats under the guidance of skilled Integral Yoga practitioners. From programs focused on the benefits of gratitude and giving back, to those highlighting self-discovery through silence, the teachings at Yogaville synthesize the various branches of Yoga into a comprehensive lifestyle

system, benefitting guests long after they depart Virginia.

Heading from the mountains to Virginia’s shore, Edgar Cayce’s A.R.E. Health Center & Spa in Virginia Beach has been helping individuals transform their lives with holistic healing, including massage therapy, bodywork, hydrotherapies, acupuncture and chiropractic care since 1967.

Treatments such as Manual Lymph Drainage, Craniosacral Therapy and Conscious Breathing are just a few of the cutting-edge offerings provided. Programs such as the Women’s Integrative Wellness Retreat, coming up in February of 2023, offer tailored treatments along with daily medi-tation, alkaline meals and dream work to enhance personal rejuvenation, while helping solo travel-ler’s connect with others for a shared wellness experience.

Make You Well

Located in beautiful Virginia horse and wine country, Salamander Resort & Spa recently re-ceived a AAA Five Diamond rating. Already, the only Forbes Five-Star hotel and spa in the Capi-tal Region, Salamander is also only one of 24 U.S. properties with individual Forbes Five-Star rat-ings for both the hotel and spa, AND a AAA Five-Diamond rating for the hotel. The resort’s Sala-mander Spa offers a unique health and wellness journey tailored to guests’ specific well-being needs featuring integrative and regionalized treatments as well as holistic and result-driven therapies, while the luxurious, nature-inspired location seamlessly balances both mind and body.

Salamander Resort & Spa also recently held its groundbreaking for the planned Residences at Salamander, with a target completion date of spring/summer 2023.

Owners at Residences at Salamander will enjoy a variety of benefits and services at Salamander Resort & Spa including 24-hour concierge service, room service, overnight accommodation preferred rates, and member discounts on Salamander’s dining, spa and other resort activities. Owners may also add their home to Salamander Resort’s luxury rental program, the addition of which will further expand the luxury accommodations available for guests – especially beneficial to those looking for longer lux-ury stays without having to give up the many amenities of a wellness retreat.

Mere minutes from Washington Dulles International, in DC’s Wine Country, Lansdowne Resort, offers carefully curated wellness packages designed to bring guests closer to harmony in their daily life. In addition to therapeutic massage and wellness bodywork, the resort’s culinary team uses local, sustainably grown produce guided by the Five Elements –wood, fire, earth, metal, wa-ter. Channeling the principle that food is medicine, the menus deliver cuisine that enhances health and strengthens the body.

Extend a stay at Lansdowne and visit nearby Om Float for a rejuvenating REST treatmentRe-stricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy – then explore

Cannabreeze CBD Hemp Farm & Co to discover the healing powers of CBD. Don’t forget a stop at Farmer John’s Market for some lo-cally grown Misty Meadow Mushrooms to enhance the immune system.

Coming to Virginia in late 2024, Simply Shenandoah will be a truly distinctive wellness and na-ture resort. Beyond helping guests to disconnect from their day-today and reconnect with nature, the vision of the planners is to extend beyond the individual to impact family, community, social, agricultural, and environmental causes. Follow the project on Facebook to learn their progress and get updates on their opening. Check here for more Virginia wellness retreats and spas throughout the state, each providing trailblazing treatments and unique offerings that go far beyond massages and diet advice, instead offering a true respite from physical and mental stress.

A vacation to Virginia is all about discovering what you love. Learn more about the topics above or plan your travels at www.Virginia.org.