A Hodgepodge of Travel - A Holiday Centric Hotel, A Rye Whiskey Distillery, A Beach in Ohio and A Memorial Garden
Some of the things I encounter when traveling don't warrant a full blog post. Sometimes it's a restaurant, or a hotel or maybe just something I visited on a trip to visit friends or family.Usually it's something I've visited in my travels on the way to something or visiting family with a little side trip. Today I'm going to put together some bits and pieces in a hodgepodge post of travel. Things that I've thought of or seen, and roll them into one post. Here are a few of them -
Fairfield Inn, Elkin, North Carolina - Holiday Central
Mr. UR travels for work and in his travels he came across the Fairfield Inn in Elkin, North Carolina. He told me that he had never encountered a hotel that was so festive - ever. I've now had the chance to see it for myself a few times and he's definitely right. They not only decorate the lobby but also the breakfast room, the hallways and even the pool area. Obviously they go all out for Christmas but they also decorate for Halloween, Valentine's Day, and the Fourth of July. In fact, when I was there recently they had a crew of at least 4 people taking down Halloween decorations - though they left up the Halloween village - and were preparing to put up Christmas. The front desk clerk said it takes them about a month to do this.( If you're interested in staying in this Fairfield Inn, you can access the website here.) And this is just a few photos of some of the decorations, but not all.
Sagamore Distillery Tour in Baltimore
Once upon a time, Maryland was the king of Rye Whiskey.
Sagamore Distillery in Baltimore is bringing the production of Rye Whiskey back to Maryland. The distillery, right off of I-95, leads one hour tours where you can learn about rye whiskey production and taste three of their whiskies. Founded by Under Armour owner and CEO Kevin Plank, Sagamore Rye Whiskey is made from spring fed water from Maryland's Sagamore Farm. The distillery, located right on the water, is open daily for tours and has a gift shop where you can purchase Sagamore Spirits - including their award-winning Straight Rye Whiskey. Then you can hop next door to enjoy a meal at Rye Street Tavern to complete your experience.
Our group enjoyed our tour of this immaculate facility with our knowledgeable tour guide including a taste of the mash used to make the whiskey (spoiler alert: it's not very tasty) After the tour we enjoyed our tasting, including whiskey infused truffles - yum - and dinner at Rye Street Tavern. If you're in the Baltimore area and you'd like a fun and unique experience, check it out.
Headlands Beach State Park, Mentor, Ohio
Most people don't know that you can go to the beach in Ohio. Headlands Beach State Park has the longest, natural sand beach in the state. ( I know, I know - Ohio and beach isn't what you normally think of together) In the summer it's popular for beach goers and those brave enough to swim in Lake Erie, and it can get pretty crowded then. There is a summer only concession stand plus picnic tables to enjoy. But you can also fish here, walk the 1.5 mile Buckeye Trail and if you're so inclined, cross country ski or sled in winter.
The Grand River empties into Lake Erie just east of the beach though a couple hundred years ago it was 4 miles to the west. As the new opening was formed, silt and vegetation filled up the old one and formed Mentor Marsh. You can find sea rocket, beach pea, beach grass and purple sand grass here which is usually unique to the Atlantic Coastal Plain.
Fairport Harbor Lighthouse sits at the mouth of the Grand River along with the small town of Fairport Harbor. If you'd like to visit the Fairport Harbor Marine Museum, it's housed in the lighthouse keepers cottage which is adjacent to the lighthouse. Or if you'd like to try some Walleye or Lake Erie Yellow Perch, then head to Brennan's Fish House.
Other things to do in the Mentor area include: Lawnfield, the home of President James A. Garfield, with it's 1880 campaign office and the 3000 acre Holden Arboretum.
Edisto Memorial Gardens, Orangeburg, South Carolina
In Orangeburg, South Carolina, just south of Columbia, is the Edisto Memorial Gardens. A 175 acre garden that is known for it's roses - there are 187 labeled varieties and over 5000 individual rose plants - Edisto Memorial is free for all to enjoy. The Edisto River runs through the park, with a water wheel on it, and there is a grove of cypress trees next to it. There is a 2200 foot boardwalk which takes you through the cypress wetland. The roses are usually in bloom from early April to Thanksgiving and The Orangeburg Festival of Roses occurs every year on the weekend before Mother's Day at the height of bloom. Along with the 79 bed of roses, there are also azaleas in bloom and Christmas lights to be seen during the holidays. The gardens are open from dawn til dusk and are fully accessible.
How about you? Do you have some favorite places you've found on a road trip or visit with family and friends?
Linking up with: My Corner of the World at Photographing New Zealand and The Weekend Wanderlust Weekend Travel Blog Party!
Fairfield Inn, Elkin, North Carolina - Holiday Central
Mr. UR travels for work and in his travels he came across the Fairfield Inn in Elkin, North Carolina. He told me that he had never encountered a hotel that was so festive - ever. I've now had the chance to see it for myself a few times and he's definitely right. They not only decorate the lobby but also the breakfast room, the hallways and even the pool area. Obviously they go all out for Christmas but they also decorate for Halloween, Valentine's Day, and the Fourth of July. In fact, when I was there recently they had a crew of at least 4 people taking down Halloween decorations - though they left up the Halloween village - and were preparing to put up Christmas. The front desk clerk said it takes them about a month to do this.( If you're interested in staying in this Fairfield Inn, you can access the website here.) And this is just a few photos of some of the decorations, but not all.
Sagamore Distillery Tour in Baltimore
Once upon a time, Maryland was the king of Rye Whiskey.
Sagamore Distillery in Baltimore is bringing the production of Rye Whiskey back to Maryland. The distillery, right off of I-95, leads one hour tours where you can learn about rye whiskey production and taste three of their whiskies. Founded by Under Armour owner and CEO Kevin Plank, Sagamore Rye Whiskey is made from spring fed water from Maryland's Sagamore Farm. The distillery, located right on the water, is open daily for tours and has a gift shop where you can purchase Sagamore Spirits - including their award-winning Straight Rye Whiskey. Then you can hop next door to enjoy a meal at Rye Street Tavern to complete your experience.
Our group enjoyed our tour of this immaculate facility with our knowledgeable tour guide including a taste of the mash used to make the whiskey (spoiler alert: it's not very tasty) After the tour we enjoyed our tasting, including whiskey infused truffles - yum - and dinner at Rye Street Tavern. If you're in the Baltimore area and you'd like a fun and unique experience, check it out.
Headlands Beach State Park, Mentor, Ohio
Most people don't know that you can go to the beach in Ohio. Headlands Beach State Park has the longest, natural sand beach in the state. ( I know, I know - Ohio and beach isn't what you normally think of together) In the summer it's popular for beach goers and those brave enough to swim in Lake Erie, and it can get pretty crowded then. There is a summer only concession stand plus picnic tables to enjoy. But you can also fish here, walk the 1.5 mile Buckeye Trail and if you're so inclined, cross country ski or sled in winter.
The Grand River empties into Lake Erie just east of the beach though a couple hundred years ago it was 4 miles to the west. As the new opening was formed, silt and vegetation filled up the old one and formed Mentor Marsh. You can find sea rocket, beach pea, beach grass and purple sand grass here which is usually unique to the Atlantic Coastal Plain.
Fairport Harbor Lighthouse sits at the mouth of the Grand River along with the small town of Fairport Harbor. If you'd like to visit the Fairport Harbor Marine Museum, it's housed in the lighthouse keepers cottage which is adjacent to the lighthouse. Or if you'd like to try some Walleye or Lake Erie Yellow Perch, then head to Brennan's Fish House.
Other things to do in the Mentor area include: Lawnfield, the home of President James A. Garfield, with it's 1880 campaign office and the 3000 acre Holden Arboretum.
Edisto Memorial Gardens, Orangeburg, South Carolina
In Orangeburg, South Carolina, just south of Columbia, is the Edisto Memorial Gardens. A 175 acre garden that is known for it's roses - there are 187 labeled varieties and over 5000 individual rose plants - Edisto Memorial is free for all to enjoy. The Edisto River runs through the park, with a water wheel on it, and there is a grove of cypress trees next to it. There is a 2200 foot boardwalk which takes you through the cypress wetland. The roses are usually in bloom from early April to Thanksgiving and The Orangeburg Festival of Roses occurs every year on the weekend before Mother's Day at the height of bloom. Along with the 79 bed of roses, there are also azaleas in bloom and Christmas lights to be seen during the holidays. The gardens are open from dawn til dusk and are fully accessible.
How about you? Do you have some favorite places you've found on a road trip or visit with family and friends?
Linking up with: My Corner of the World at Photographing New Zealand and The Weekend Wanderlust Weekend Travel Blog Party!
Such an awesome variety of subjects! I love posts like this that give bits of different places. The lighthouse is really unusual and I like the collection of bottles. Thanks for taking us to these fantastic places.
ReplyDeleteYour post on 'My Corner of the World' is great to see this week!
My Corner of the World
Thanks, Betty! And, as always, thanks for visiting and the link-up!
DeleteLove that hotel. I could spend hours looking at all of the tiny, decorative, details. Good to know about the distillery. Maryland is a nice weekend trip from where I live, so we are always looking for quick things to do.
ReplyDeleteThe distillery is a unique experience that I'd definitely recommend if you're close by. Thanks for visiting The Unpaved Road!
DeleteGardens beach’s lighthouses and diner a fun combination of cool places!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting The Unpaved Road, Cindy!
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