Snow Trails Mansfield, Ohio

You wouldn’t know it by looking in my back yard or at the snow covered streets and fields that surround my house, but Ohio does not receive adequate amounts of snowfall to accommodate a successful ski resort.  Enter Snow Trails in Mansfield, Ohio.

Snow Trails opened in 1961 (Ohio’s first ski resort) relying on the technology of snow making machines that first came into use in areas of the Catskill Mountains in New York.  The machines create a fine mist that when combined with the cold dry air creates snow.

How much snow?

Snow Making at Snow Trails in Mansfield, OH

Generally, when the air temperature is at 28 degrees the machines at Snow Trails can produce enough snow to cover 5 acres with 1″ of snow in 12 hours.  Triple that amount (15 acres) with just a 4 degree drop in the temperature.

All fine and dandy, you say, but just what does this mean to those of us in the Midwest who want to get out and ski?  Simply put,  Snow Trails in Mansfield offers quality skiing close to home.  It’s not necessary to spend exorbitant sums traveling to far away destinations when there is such good skiing in our own backyard.

Snow Trails offers several slopes for skiing as well as snow boarding from beginners to advanced.  Several lift tickets and rental options are available, each designed to accommodate your specific needs.  For the freestyle junkies there are several terrain parks built from scratch each season that are sure to suit your XTreme cravings.  The Terrainasaurus Park is a beginner park and open to all–no height or age restrictions.  The Salomon is for intermediates and the Sobe, voted in the Top Four terrain parks in the Midwest, for advanced.

Snow Trails Mansfield, Ohio

Also, whether you are an accomplished skier that needs a brush up or a total newbie Snow Trails offers lessons to suit your individual skiing level.  And for the kiddies, several options are available.  The Cricketeer Program (ages 5-9) is an all day lesson, 9:30- 3:30,  that provides instruction in a fun and safe environment.  The $89 fee includes area ticket, equipment, helmet, snacks and lunch.  The Cricketot Program ($69 for ages 3-4) is an abbreviated version of the Cicketeer.  Children must be potty trained and able to follow simple instructions.

Snow Trails also offers a tubing area perfect for the entire family.  There are no age or height restrictions.  The tube chutes follow a gentle slope down the mountain with an extended run out to slow you down.  Repeat often!  Worried about that tiring trek back to the top?

Trekking Back is Not a Chore at Snow Trails

No worries.  The tubing trail has easy access to a conveyor carpet that makes getting back to the top no harder than sitting down.

Snow Trails in Mansfield is the perfect family skiing destination and no doubt a sure cure for that nasty cabin fever that inevitably hits us all this time of year.  Hours of operation are weekdays 10:00 am – 9:30 pm (9:00 am Saturdays and Sundays).  The tubing park is open Monday through Thursday 5:00 pm – 9:30 pm, Fridays until midnight, and Saturdays 10:00 am – midnight (9:30 pm on Sundays.)

Take the Mansfield-Bellville exit (interchange 169) off of I-71 and look for Possum Run Road.  Snow Trails is located at 3100 Possum Run Road Mansfield, OH  44903.  There are several lodging options in the area.  Be sure to check the Snow Trails website for daily deals and discount coupons.

Photo credits:  Snow Trails Website, and Ed Lamaze

One of my favorite things to do when visiting a new city is walk along the streets with my camera pointed at the sky.  My traveling companions will often admonish that I “look like a tourist!”, to which I reply, “I am a tourist!”

Miami Beach‘s South Beach offers a unique and distinct skyline rich with history and pop culture folk lore.

The Carlyle in South Beach

Any self guided walking tour through the Art Deco Historic District should include a look at (and several pictures of) these buildings:

The Carlyle Hotel – this art deco building has been featured in many films, including The Birdcage and Scarface and is still a sought after location for photo and movie shoots.  In fact, it’s not uncommon to see fashion shoots taking place on the sidewalk in front of the building as you walk by.  The Carlyle is now home to private, luxury condos – so you’ll have to take your pictures from the sidewalk.

The National Hotel – located on Collins Avenue, this hotel has hosted glamorous events by MTV and fashion magazines.  The palm tree lined infinity pool at the back of the lobby provides a postcard perfect photo opportunity.

The National Hotel in Miami Beach

The Infinity Pool at The National

The Ritz Carlton – right next door to The National, this unique Ritz property blends in perfectly with the art deco towers on either side of it.

Casa Casuarina – the infamous former mansion of Gianni Versace, this luxurious building was all the site of Versace’s highly publicized murder in 1997.  Despite it’s gruesome past and break from the classic art deco, it still serves as an excellent testament to the rich architectural history and a must see spot in Miami Beach.

Colony Hotel – a shining example of the impact of neon lights on the South Beach skyline, the Colony Hotel is frequently featured in photographs.  The building’s tacky blue glow at night could only appear at home on Ocean Drive.

Room with an Art Deco View

While these are just a few of the highlights and notorious spots to enjoy in South Beach, nearly every building you come across has an architectural story to tell.  I’m using that as my excuse for taking about  200 pictures in roughly 2 hours.

For those visitors looking for more than a pretty picture, The Miami Design Preservation League offers a variety of tours and historical information about the buildings you’re gawking at.

All photos by Britt Reints.

Ocean Drive in South Beach

Sometimes the best thing about writing about travel is getting ripped off – and knowing you’ll get to tell people about it later. I had to remind myself of this on a recent trip to South Beach.

It was my first exposure to the Miami restaurant experience, and while I will definitely be back to South Beach and eat out on Ocean Drive again, I will keep these tips and lessons learned in mind and hopefully save myself several hundred dollars.

I’ll also never eat at the Beacon Hotel’s Rendezvous Restaurant again.

Ocean Drive is the place to eat in South Beach.  The sidewalks are lined with rows and rows of umbrellas and tables offering dining al fresco and world class people watching.  Navigating Ocean Drive means walking directly in the middle of the open air restaurants – and coming face to face with an aggressive sales pitch.

Hostesses, waiters, bartenders and restaurant managers will shout specials and bargains at you as you walk from one cafe to another.  Hostesses will hand you business cards and promise you free drinks and special seating if you come back.

It seems like a dream for a diner looking for a great deal!

Until you get an $800 bill with prices you’ve never seen and items you’ve never heard of.

How can you really save money eating out in South Beach?

1. Read the signs, ignore the waitress.

This is common sense, right?  But when you’re being led to a table and a waiter is using words like “half off everything” and you confirm “half off everything?” you assume that means “half off everything”.  In reality, “half off everything” usually means “sit down, eat, we’ll worry about the bill later”.

The actual sale, along with the terms and conditions, are printed on large signs on the sidewalk.  Usually what you’ll find is that only drinks and select menu items are on sale.  Every restaurant is offering something different, so be sure to read the sign at the cafe you finally sit down at.

Yes.  I know.  This should be common sense.

2. Ask for comps and freebies.

Competition is fierce among Ocean Drive restaurants, especially with a struggling economy and slow tourist seasons.  Don’t be afraid to use this to your advantage.

Remind one hostess that their neighbor has offered you a complimentary bottle of wine or round of drinks.  But be realistic and remember that their goal is to make money.  A free round of drinks or appetizers is a reasonable request – a free steak and lobster dinner is not.

Confirm whatever freebies you’re promised with another staff member to avoid another surprise on your bill later!

3. Avoid off menu items.

Whether it’s an appetizer or a chef’s special, this is where South Beach restaurants capitalize on the tourist’s “sure! whatever! I’m on vacation!” attitude.  On my recent visit, the final cost of the “special”, unlisted appetizers was three times the price of similar menu items.

Ask the price of everything.  Do not assume that the prices on the menu are a fair indication of the prices of everything being pitched to you.

I paid over $100 for a special entree that normally sold for $42 on the menu.  Needless to say, it was not included in the “half off everything” sale.

For all of my complaining about shady marketing and outrageous billing practices, the food on South Beach is phenomenal. The seafood is fresh and everything is perfectly prepared.  The service is slow – I suspect because the waiters are doubling as salespeople – but most staff you’ll run into are friendly.  The experience would have been just about perfect if I had known what I was getting into ahead of time and been a little less naive.

I guess even in Miami the old adage holds true.  If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Photo by Britt Reints, naive diner and tourist.

Point Loma Seafood Chowder Bowl

When vacationing, particularly with children, it can be difficult to keep the cost of dining out from equaling the government’s bailout of Wall Street.   San Diego is no exception.  There are definitely restaurants, particularly in the famed Gaslamp Quarter, that can certainly provide an upscale meal at an upscale price.

But that isn’t what this post is about.  This post is about good eats on a budget.  This post is about food that the locals go to on a regular basis because it’s too good to ignore.  This post is about authentic San Diego cuisine that doesn’t cause you to eat saltine crackers for the rest of your vacation.

Being that San Diego is a coastal town, you are in the perfect place for fresh, excellent seafood.  And there is no better place to get that fresh, excellent seafood than Point Loma Seafoods.  Located just north of downtown in Point Loma, this is a short drive to some great food.  First, you don’t come to Point Loma Seafoods for the ambience.  It’s a lot like the deli counter at your local supermarket.  Only not as nice.  You get a number (lunch crowds are big) and place your order with the guys behind the counter.  Once you get your food, served on paper plates, you take the food outside and eat it while overlooking the San Diego Harbor.  Not a bad view – just look out for the seagulls.  The fried platters, the sandwiches and the chowders served in a sourdough bowl are all delicious and fresh.  Most items cost between $6 and $11 and will leave you feeling full and contented.

El Indio Mexican Restaurant

If seafood isn’t your thing, then the other staple of San Diego cuisine is Mexican food.  And there aren’t many Mexican restaurants that are better than El Indio Mexican Restaurant.  Located in its current location, just a short drive from downtown, since 1947, El Indio is a San Diego icon with food so good and authentic that you can’t wait to come back.  From the fresh tortillas to the taquitos (which actually coined and popularized the term in the 1940′s) everything is delicious.  The price is very right as most combination plates run between $6 and $8.  You can’t beat that with a stick.  Once again, if you’re looking for ambience, this this isn’t your place.  But if you want good food… this is the place for you.

Both of these restaurants are centrally located to most of the hotels and main attractions.  In fact, after spending a day at the World Famous San Diego Zoo, an early dinner at El Indio is a pretty darn good way to end the day.  Enjoy!

Photo Credits: Intrepidation and Steve Longus (via Flickr)