Vacations Blog

You don’t get a lot of sleep when there are 5 people on the bus. But you do get a lot of laughs. Sleep you can find anywhere, so it’s a fair enough trade. All of us except Tim, who’s been fighting off something for the past few days, got up early. Robin, Kate and I dropped off Collin to go try and quickly download an iPhone app for his golf (in)ability before playing 18 and we headed over to the Lower 9th Ward, which is – if you don’t know – the hardest hit area of Katrina. Read More »

Fountain at the Arizona Grand Resort

The Arizona Grand Resort, located in Phoenix, Arizona, just completed a 52 million dollar renovation. This AAA Four Diamond Preferred all-suite hotel is offering the “Grand Opening Summer Splash”, from Thursday May 21st through Monday September 7th, with rates starting at $129 per night. Visitors who stay for two or more nights receive a $50 gift card that can be used toward any of the numerous resort services and amenities.

The Arizona Grand Resort has something for everyone in the family. The full service spa and salon can be enjoyed after a round on the resort’s 18-hole golf course. The Lobby features a bar and grill, and a marketplace with everything you might need, and a few things you might just want. Aunt Chiladas Mexican Restaurant is within walking distance, and the Phantom Horse Grill and Sports Bar is on the resort property. For the fitness minded, a 20,000 square foot athletic club is available, complete with 45 fitness classes offered per week. The 17,000 acre South Mountain preserve is right at the back door, with 60 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The Oasis Water Park, rated among the top 10 resort water parks in the nation by The Travel Channel, has water slides, a “river ride”, and an enormous wave pool. During the “Island Nights at the Oasis” visitors can enjoy a “dive-in” movie on the big screen behind the pool.

Click here to Read More »

Looking for a great way to kick off your summer vacation in Ohio?  How about some golf?  Oh, I’m not talking about playing.  Summer is supposed to be relaxing and fun.  Futile endeavors chasing elusive and errant dimpled balls across lushly manicured fields is not relaxing!

Watching a professional do it can be.

Island Green Photo by nsaplayer

The PGA’s Memorial Tournament marks it’s 34th anniversary at Muirfield Village Golf Club this June 2009.  The tournament, a vision of it’s founder, course designer and Columbus’ own Jack Nicklaus kicks off Monday June 1 with the practice rounds.  The official tournament begins Thursday June 4 and runs through Sunday June 7.

Golf Bags Photo by nsaplayer

The Memorial Tournament is a perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy a few rounds of golf without the stress of having to make any of the shots yourself.  You can walk along side some of the biggest names in golf: Vijay Singh, Jim Furyk, Anthony Kim, Padraig Harrington and Defending Champion Kenny Perry.  (That’s just a smattering.  Traditionally, The Memorial is a favorite among many on the PGA tour.  Some of the past winners include Fred Couples, K.J. Choi, Ernie Els and Tiger Woods.)

Word on the street is that the Golden Bear himself, Jack Nicklaus, will be playing in the Double Skins Game scheduled for Wednesday after the morning practice round.

The Golden Bear--Jack Nicklaus

Badges for The Memorial Tournament are available in a variety of price ranges to suit your needs.  Three-day practice round badges start at just $30.  A patron badge for the week is only $155.  *All children under the age of 12 are admitted free with a ticketed adult.  (I kind of feel like I’m making money under this arrangement.)  Check The Memorial Tournament website for further details and to purchase the ticket that best suits your needs.

Muirfield Village Golf Club is located at 5750 Memorial Drive in Dublin, OH.  Parking can be a bit of an issue so plan accordingly.  The Memorial Tournament website has done a very nice job in listing available parking areas and how and where to access them.

Defending Champion Kenny Perry

There are plenty of beverage and snack carts on the course however, sleeping on the course is discouraged.  Lodging and dining options are plentiful in the area.  Get a room!

(Photos courtesy creative commons by nsaplayer and thememorialtournament.com)

Secret Garden at Thanksgiving Point

It’s that time of the year when a family man’s fancy turns to… gardening?

Up here in the north country, we wait patiently all winter for spring to come so we can get back into our yards to push dirt around in our neverending quest for the perfect landscape.

We took a family vacation last year to Utah, where I found inspiration for my backyard projects in an amazing place called Thanksgiving Point.

Located in Lehi, Utah, about 30 minutes south of Salt Lake City, Thanksgiving Point is a sprawling complex that features a wide variety of activities for the whole family.  But the highlight of the place is the 55 acres of gardens, with 15 themed areas, such as the Monet Garden, the Butterfly Garden, and, my favorite, the Secret Garden.

Largest man-made waterfalls

Oh yes, and don’t forget the largest manmade waterfall in North America.  My kids wondered why I can’t build something like that in our backyard.

The gardens are stunning, and immense, and you could probably stroll along the 4 miles of paths all day, exploring and reveling in nature’s splendor.  But that’s not going to happen when you have kids, and it’s certainly not going to happen when you have so many other things to do at Thanksgiving Point.

Like gawking at dinosaur bones inside the Museum of Ancient Life.  You’ll find plenty to gawk at, as this museum offers up the largest display of mounted dinosaurs in the world.  If it’s not enough to look, there are hands-on displays for your kids, including real fossils and bones.  It’s rather humbling to touch something that was walking the earth 50 million years ago.  Does that make me a science geek?

Dinosaurs rule at Thanksgiving Point

The collection impressed us so much, we walked through the museum twice just to soak it all in.  After that, we sat down in the XanGo Mammoth Screen 3D Theatre (it’s like IMAX) for a fun movie about ancient sea creatures.

When you’re done with the extinct animals, walk the kids over to another part of Thanksgiving Point called Farm Country.  Yes, the place has more themed areas than Disneyland.  At Farm Country, your kids are going to get hands-on experience with farm critters.  They’ll get to milk a cow, gather eggs, groom a goat, go for a hayride, and call the pigs to dinner.  If you live in a city and your kids have never seen a farm before, this will be a chance to teach them just exactly where their food comes from.

Next, you’ll want to run your kids through the hedgerow maze in the Children’s Discovery Garden, just in case they’re not completely worn out yet.  And make sure they pay a visit to the bear cave for a little scare.

After the gardens, dinosaurs, mazes, and agriculture lessons, there’s still much to do.  There’s a complex of shops, restaurants, and movie theaters.  There’s also a beautiful golf course that was named best public course in Utah by Golf Digest Magazine.   If you’ve run out of steam, perched right on the edge of Thanksgiving Point is a Marriott Springhill Suites that has the most comfortable hotel beds I’ve ever slept on.  Seriously, I can’t remember the last time I had a more refreshing night’s sleep.

Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point

Although our ultimate destination last spring was not Thanksgiving Point, it certainly was a welcome diversion on our road trip through the state.  In the future, we’ll include a one or two-day stop there in our vacation plans.  Utah has an incredible number of National Parks.  Five in all:  Bryce Canyon, Zion, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef.  Not to mention its close proximity to Grand Canyon and Mesa Verde National Parks.  At some point, no matter where you live, there’s a high probability you’ll find yourself in Utah, driving down I-15 from Salt Lake City, thinking about how far it is to Arches or Zion.  And then you’ll remember that Phil told you to make a stop at Thanksgiving Point with your kids.  You’re welcome.

The best time to visit is when the gardens are open, which is from the end of March through the end of October.  Spring is, of course, one of the more colorful seasons at Thanksgiving Point.  Their Tulip Festival runs from April 17th to May 2, when over a quarter million bulbs are in bloom.

Thanksgiving Point Gardens

Italian Gardens

Children's Discovery Garden

Museum of Ancient Life

All photos by Phil Corless, except the tulips (courtesy of Thanksgiving Point)

Dove Mountain Course in Marana, AZ (Photo: WSTickets)

Tucson, Arizona (and the surrounding towns of Marana, Oro Valley, Green Valley and Sauharita) is an area of over a million people and even more cacti.  It is an oasis in the desert where saguaros grow on golf courses and margaritas are served with lunch.

Although the winter nights can be quite chilly the days are relatively warm and almost always sunny.  The same can be said for the spring and fall.

During the summer it tends to get a tad bit warmer (think hell-like), however, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more comfortable night than a summer evening in Tucson- especially if a monsoon has been by (they usually clear out fairly early).

There are plenty of things to do in and around the city.  Some may require a drive of an hour or two, but all are worth it.  Here are some favorites:

Sabino Canyon in Tucson, AZ (Photo: NSF)

Sabino Canyon- You can’t beat the beauty of this hiking area, but you can see it without the walk- tram service is available.  Bring a swimsuit (and a camera)!

Old Tucson Studios – It’s twelve miles and 100 years from town.  It’s an interactive and working studio specializing in your favorite westerns,  Shoot out to Old Tucson!

Tombstone, AZ – If the real thing is more your style take a day trip to the home of the OK Corral.  From Boot Hill to Big Nose Kate’s you can’t go wrong.  While you’re in the area visit nearby Bisbee and tour the mine and/or check out the local art scene.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum – It’s a zoo.  It’s a museum.  It’s a botanical garden.  It’s world-famous.  It’s also very close to Old Tucson Studios.

Mount Lemon – You can drive it, hike it or ski it.  Or all of the above.

Kitt Peak Observatory – Kitt Peak is to astronomers what Graceland is to Elvis fans.  The views are fantastic.

Kitt Peak and Lightning (Photo: Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF)

San Xavier Mission – “The White Dove of the Desert” is a must-see for Catholics and non-Catholics alike.  In a nutshell, it’s beautiful.

Tubac – If you like golf and galleries then you’ll enjoy a trip to Tubac.  Also, if you like hiking the beautiful Madera Canyon is just a short drive away.

Nogales, Sonora (Mexico) – About two hours south of Tucson is this gateway to Mexico.  It’s a great day trip for shopping, dining and culture.  It can get a little rough in the evening as it fills up with drunken teens from the United States (drinking age is only 18 and rarely enforced), so you may want to get an early start on the drive back to Tucson.  Depending on when you read this post a passport may be required to cross the border.

Bear Down, Arizona!

The University of Arizona – Home of the Wildcats, the University of Arizona is part of the Pac-10 confrence and a leader in all kinds of stuff.  The campus is filled with museums, activities, and bikini-clad coeds (if you’re into that sort of thing, which I am).  Notable alumni and staff include: Bob Dole, Barry Goldwater, Joan Ganz Cooney (creator of Sesame Street), Jerry Bruckheimer, Ted DeGrazia, Barbara Kingsolver, Greg Kinnear, Linda McCartney, Linda Ronstadt, Ruchard Russo, David Foster Wallace, Kristen Wiig, Gilbert Arenas, Lance Briggs, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Bibby, Terry Francona, Amanda Beard, Kurt Busch, Jennie Finch, Trevor Hoffman, Steve Kerr, Kenny Lofton, Annika Sorenstam, Jason Terry, Luke Walton, Mike Candrea, Lute Olson, Andrew Weil, and me.

However, the best thing to do in Tucson might be the easiest (and cheapest).  Just find a place to sit and look at this:

Tucson Sunset (Photo: Photobucket)

Related:

Dillinger Days in Tucson, AZ

Winterhaven – Tucson’s Holiday Treat

Tucson Revealed- A Local’s Perspective

Deer In Wintertime at Highbanks

The chill of winter is settling upon us in America’s Heartland and already we are enjoying the sequela induced by cabin fever. That’s sarcasm, people. Anyone with children surely knows that whenever you sequester five energetic and bored children to the indoors for any extended period, come springtime you’ll be needing a handyman, or a general contractor. Thank the heavens for the Central Ohio Metro Park System.

Metro Parks operates 15 parks year round in seven Central Ohio counties. Educational and recreational opportunities abound for patrons of all ages and best of all, facilities and the programs are available free of charge. Thanks, voters. Don’t get the wrong idea about that statement. According to the park executive director, the Columbus (Franklin County) Metro Parks system has the largest land area, 23,500 acres, of any of the parks in Ohio but by far the lowest per resident expenditure (less than $20 a year per resident) and lowest tax millage. The Metro Parks system enables anyone to enjoy Ohio wildlife and nature year round.

Grace and Mary Innis Inniswood Gardens

Shag Bark Hickory at Inniswood Metro Gardens

What’s more enticing, is that the Metro Parks are conveniently located in you own backyard, there’s no need to travel far for a perfect wintertime getaway. And with literally hundreds of programs and activities scheduled this winter, you’re sure to find something to your liking.

Winter Hiking Series at Metro Parks

Nature programs will teach young and old how the animals survive the cold Ohio winters. Twelve of the fifteen parks have designated pet trails. It’s not just Susie and Billie with cabin fever. Fido and Fluffy need to get out, too. There are over 140 miles of trails to explore. The annual Winter Hikes Series will be kicking off Saturdays in January and February. Guided or self-guided hikes are available with refreshments and for the hearty–a decorative patch if you complete at least seven of the thirteen scheduled hikes.

When conditions are favorable most of the parks have cross country skiing trails. Several others have excellent hills for sledding: Batelle Darby Creek, Blacklick Woods Golf Courses, Highbanks, Sharon Woods or Blendon Woods (kids only). Call the park office, 614-891-0700 to verify conditions are right. Batelle Darby Creek and Blendon Woods also offer skating ponds.

Diehard golfers will be happy to know that Blacklick Woods Golf Course is open year round. From November through March it’s not necessary to call for a tee time though you may want to call the pro shop and verify that the course is actually playable. 614-861-3193.

Don’t let the chill of winter keep you locked indoors. Now is the perfect time to get out and enjoy the wonder of nature. The cool air and serenity of a secluded trail can be invigorating.  Columbus’ Metro Parks offer the perfect wintertime escape and just what the doctor ordered for that nasty case of cabin fever.

Hiking the Snow Covered Trails

Park hours are generally 6:30 am until dark. Click here for specifics. Photos: Ed Lamaze, and courtesy of Charmaine Gray, Diana Morse and Kim Leach via ParkScope Metro Parks Guide.

Located just 17 miles from the Las Vegas Strip and nestled along a majestic mountainside, the Mediterranean-themed Lake Las Vegas Resort offers vacationers a special brand of tranquility that can’t be found anywhere else in Southern Nevada. Along its 10 miles of shoreline, you’ll find three championship golf courses, world-class hotel accommodations, shopping and fine dining as well as abundant recreation, in and out of the water.

Lake Las Vegas offers world-class hotels, fine dining, shopping and recreation.

The centerpiece of the resort is the Monte Lago Village, a charming, Tuscan-inspired enclave that’s home to the MonteLago Resort  and Casino, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas, the Lake Las Vegas Vacation Villas as well as dozens of smalls shops, galleries, cafés and restaurants. Favorites for our family include breakfast at Café Positano, delicious gelato from Tutti Gelati and dinner and wine at Sunset & Vines or the Medici Café and Terrace at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas.

MonteLago Village at the Lake Las Vegas Resort.

Each weekend, the MonteLago Village features live, outdoor entertainment from music performances to movies “al fresco.” You can visit the village’s calendar for a listing of events available all year long. 

The village’s full-service marina offers watercraft rentals for sailing and fishing, and yacht cruises on the 320-acre lake. You can also take a ride of an Italian Gondola, enjoying the picturesque view while enjoying a gourmet meal and sipping champagne. During the winter months, the village unveils its floating ice skating rink at the marina, providing fun for the whole family. Skate rentals are available on site.

Take a ride on an Italian Gondola at the marina at Monte Lago Village.

For those looking for a more relaxing vacation, take a stroll through MonteLago Village’s quaint and narrow, Italian-style streets, or take a walk along miles of walking trails that encircle the lake’s 10 miles of shoreline. 

For the golf enthusiast, tee up at one of the lake’s magnificent golf courses, including The Falls, Reflection Bay or Southshore. The views from the fairways are breathtaking.

Located on the northwest end of the lake and encompassing 21 acres of lakefront property, the Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort is a great option for families and for vacationers traveling with pets. The resort features four restaurants, a 9,000 square-foot spa and a children’s camp. An onsite concierge also offers a range of adrenaline-inducing excursions, including treks to the Grand Canyon, kayaking on the nearby Colorado River and Hummer tours of Nevada’s Valley of Fire.

To get to Lake Las Vegas Resort, take US 95 South or I-215 East to Lake Mead Boulevard and travel east until you reach the entrance. Travel time is about 25 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip.

The resort’s hotels offer great seasonal packages making a trip to Lake Las Vegas an affordable one for the entire family.

All photos by Jason Roth.

The Manor at Glen Laurel Inn

There are times when a weekend getaway is in order. You just need a bit of pampering, a respite from the hectic daily grind, an escape from reality. An escape from the kids! The Glen Laurel Inn in Rockbridge, Ohio offers the penultimate romantic weekend getaway. Nestled well off the beaten path in the woods of Hocking Hills in Licking County The Glen Laurel Inn sits on a 140 acre estate among wooded trails, gorges and scenic waterfalls which only enhance the allure of this peaceful Scottish Country Inn.

The Inn offers a variety of accommodations from the well apportioned rooms and suites at the Manor or Carriage House to the private crofts (Scottish for small house) or cottages. And while each might be appealing in it’s own particular way, I highly recommend the cottages. Highly.

MacLeod Cottage

The cottages have a nice living area where you can wile away the hours nestled on the couch staring into the huge stone fireplace or out of the large window and into the woods and gorge below. Don’t worry, if you’re not good at staring at fires or trees there’s an entertainment center where you can play movies or listen to your favorite music.

There are huge sleigh beds in the bedrooms and and enormous bathroom with a shower for two. The real draw here, though, is that through the double French doors in the bedroom leading to the back deck is your very own private hot tub. From there you can enjoy the soothing warmth of the water as you relax taking in the constantly changing nature with which you are surrounded. Nothing quite compares.

The Camusfearna Gorge at Glen Laurel

The Glen Laurel Inn lists numerous on-site and local activities:

• Hiking in the Camusfearna Gorge. Over two miles of the most beautiful and breathtaking nature trails imaginable.
• Over 50 species of birds have been identified at Glen Laurel including a pair of Bald Eagles
• The seclusion of Glen Laurel makes perfect opportunity for star gazing. Clear skies abound.
• There is a fire pit available to guests for evening bonfires.
• Golf is available at the nearby Brass Ring Golf Club
• Horseback riding at the local Spotted Horse Ranch
• Antique shopping in nearby Logan
• Canoeing at Lake Logan
• Local workshops (photography, kayaking, riding)

Please visit the website at the Inn for more detailed information on these activities. Since our last visit, they have added a day spa.

For the record, I have participated in none of the extra activities listed above. That’s ZERO. Glen Laurel is so absolutely comfortable and inviting that there is, in my humble opinion, no reason to leave the cottage. Except….(There’s always an except!)

Nothing Says Dinnertime Like Bagpipes!

Dinner. While the cottages are equipped with a small kitchenette and you could easily survive your romantic getaway on wine, cheese, frosted flakes, finger sandwiches and vitamin B (all readily available at the local grocery) you will definitely want to partake in the Inn’s famous five or seven course dinner.

The Edinburgh Dining Room at Glen Laurel

Guests are called to dinner by the distinctive sounds of bagpipes wafting through the early evening air. That waft is soon followed by the aroma of what can only be described as gourmet goodness. It’s a dinner that will not be soon forgotten, served intimately in the manor dining hall. There’s candlelight, music, poetry and visits with the chef. (Jackets are required on Saturday evenings.)

The Glen Laurel Inn has been labeled “the premier romantic getaway in the Midwest.” It’s a moniker well deserved. I suppose the only drawback is that at some point, you have to return to reality and back to your own home.

The Glen Laurel Inn has very specific policies regarding pets and children, please be sure to contact them prior to arriving with either. All photos courtesy of the Glen Laurel Inn.