Experiences
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The Butler Institute of Art- Youngstown, OH
One of life's greatest pleasures is a pleasant surprise. Finding a fabulous collection of American Art, housed in a stunning McKim, Mead and White Beaux Arts beauty, in Youngstown, Ohio certainly falls into that category.
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Ventana Canyon Maiden Pools Hike- Tucson, AZ
Desert mountain hikes can be brutal: desolate, dry and devoid of shade. But they also reward the intrepid with solitude and outstanding valley views. Tucson's 6.4 mile Maiden Pool hike is a perfect example- challenging, but satisfying. Crossing over several streams on the valley floor, you slowly scramble your way up the mountain, past silent saguaros, until the valley suddenly appears below.
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The Boat House- Lambertville, NJ
The Boat House in Lambertville may just be the coziest cocktail lounge ever. At just over 400 square feet, it’s a compact two story space, filled with character. and charm. A civilized socializing spot, cocktails are king here, with some serious mixologists behind the bar. With the feel of a comfortable clubhouse, it’s authentic vintage vibe transcends its 1980 origin.
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Fort Worth Stockyards- FW, TX
Located just a few miles north of downtown Fort Worth, the Stockyards National Historic District is a living reminder of the American West. Granted, a sanitized, tourist friendly version, but one with enough authenticity to be interesting. Although Fort Worth was long a stop along the fabled Chisolm Trail, which moved Texas cattle up to Kansas for distribution, the Stockyards District was a product of the westward expansion of railroads in the late 1800s. With the arrival of service to Fort Worth in 1876, the city became a major shipping point for livestock. By the end of the century, several meat packing plants, including Armour and Swift, were established near…
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The Shawshank Trail- Mansfield, OH
I would be remiss if I didn’t follow up my post about The Ohio State Reformatory with an entry regarding The Shawshank Trail. Even as someone who has seen The Shawshank Redemption an obscene number of times, I never knew it was filmed in Ohio. I suppose if I thought about it at all, I would have placed it in Maine. It was written by Stephen King after all. But no, it was filmed for the most part on location in Central Ohio, and you can still visit many of the filming locations. Although a few are far flung, most are an easy drive from the reformatory. After the prison…
