Scenic America Travel Blog

The Appalachian Spring Festival is the perfect time to visit the Appalachian foothills of southeast Ohio.  The rolling forested hills and cool, clear creeks and lakes make a great location for a week-end escape or outdoor adventure.  The area is rich in history, from the mining towns to civil war sites to ancient Indian mounds. 

The historic Eclipse Company Town hosts the festival which takes place on Saturday, May 10.  Eclipse was once home to many of the 400 men who once worked the #6 coal seam.  Today there remains twelve “bungalow style” houses, one “shotgun house” and a large “company store.”  Take a step back in time when you visit the town and festival, with living history performers, live music, food, plant sale, and art show and sale.  Proceeds, including from the benefit auction, goes to the Little Cities of Black Diamonds Council, which promotes the mining history of southern Perry, northern Athens, and eastern Hocking Counties.  To reach Eclipse, take US 33 from Athens toward Nelsonville, take a left onto Johnson Road, and then take your first left into Eclipse Company Town.

The Tour de Forest Cycling benefit coincides with the Appalachian Festival, with rides through the Wayne National Forest and Little Cities of Black Diamonds.  Choose from three loops, including the paved Hockhocking Adena Bikeway, a 19 mile ‘rails to trails’ path located on the old Columbus and Hocking Valley Railroad bed.  Before tracks were laid in 1870, it was a towpath that transported goods to Carroll, Ohio, where it joined the Ohio-Erie Canal.  The Bikeway follows the Hocking River, originally the Hockhocking River which means “bottleneck” or “twisted”, and is one of the most popular trails in Ohio. 

The Dairy Barn Arts Center’s will also be holding its biennial fundraising gala on May 10, “An Evening in Monet’s Garden” featuring live and silent art auction, a gourmet buffet, and cash bar.  The Dairy Barn is an astounding 6500 sq ft art center which offers numerous local art workshops and exhibitions.   Bead International 2008 and Beyond Basketry will be on exhibit together from May 23 to September 1. These juried art exhibitions feature a total of 135 works by 95 artists.  

Drive or bicycle up to Nelsonville and marvel in this charming town with a town square that is right out of a picture book.  The square offers 20+ shops and galleries and is also home to the historic Stuart’s Opera House.  From Nelsonville, you can also take a ride on the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway, which ravels along the Hocking River to Logan. Choose between the 1920s commuter coaches with open air cars or the newly-restored, air-conditioned B&O coach.

For a quick look at the day’s meal deals, check out Athens Lunch Specials.com  where you’ll learn that O’Betty’s has a Hot Dog Museum and an All Beef Dog in Natural Casing for $3.25, and that Cranky Joe’s BBQ is offering Brisket, 2 sides and a drink for just $5.00. 

For a relaxing end to an adventurous day, stay at the University Inn in Athens, the only full service hotel in the region.  Guests enjoy distinctively decorated guest rooms, free high-speed, 24 hour fitness center, outdoor pool, and much more, from $90.91.

Mother’s Day is right around the corner, May 11 if you haven’t looked at the calendar.  If you’re thinking of ordering another bouquet or box of candy, take a look at these choices and give your mom a memory instead.

The Quail Botanical Chocolate Festival, in Encinitas, combines beautiful garden offerings with delectable chocolate for a perfect Mother’s Day event.   Enjoy chocolate tastings, demonstrations, chocolate fountain, and activities for kids.  Then head over to the San Diego Festival to get your share of 8,000 lbs of crawdads and dance to zydeco, cajun, blues, swing and country.  The Mother’s Day Brunch at the San Diego Zoo offers an amazing day your family will never forget.  Or visit 9 San Diego attractions in a day when you book at the Hilton Mission Valley, from $163

Pittsburgh has a variety of specials for mom, including free admission to the Hartwood Mansion and Pittsburgh Zoo.  The Audubon’s Beechwood Farms hosts Wildflowers for Mom.  Enjoy spring wildflowers, shrubs and plants and tea party with light refreshment and family activity.  End the day by pampering mom with some sparkling wine and in-room breakfast at the Hilton Pittsburgh, from $189

Richmond celebrates with the Mother’s Day Formal Tea in the Enchanted Garden at Edgar Allan Poe Museum.  Unique offerings include classic literature, poetry and tea in the garden, tours, readings and dramatic performances.   Or enjoy the free jazz concert at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and be sure and visit the new Children’s Garden.  Brunch is available in Robin’s Tea House or the Garden Cafe.  The Dominion Amusement Park is always a hit, stay at the Hampton Inn Virginia Center - and get room and two tickets from $259Mothers who visit the Morikami Gardens in Delray Beach will receive a carnation.  The special guests who dine at The Cornell Café will receive free glasses of mimosas with the purchase of an entrée, and a free slice of raspberry cheesecake.  Or give mom a spectacular royal treatment at Florida’s Hilton Bentley - with three nights in a luxurious one bedroom suite, daily breakfast in bed with Mimosas, In Room One Hour Massage and a customized makeover with celeb stylist Rocco Donna, complete with private consultation, hair color, hair style and makeup.  From $950

If you’re ready to get fun and funky in South Carolina, check out the Shout About South Carolina blog.  Whether it’s a trip to Utan The King of Crocs, the largest crocodile exhibited in the country;  basking in the warmth of the Carolina beaches, or picnicking at Sesquicentennial State Park; you’ll find detailed information and hot tips at the shoutabout blog.   Today we’re taken to Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, the birthplace of the Carolinas colony, settled in 1670.  Find out about the seven miles trails, 80 acres of English gardens, the1670-1680 econstructed fortifications, 22 acre zoo and so much more.

Stay at the Holiday Inn Charleston-Riverview , on the banks of the Ashley River and within minutes to the historic attractions, shopping, dining and entertainment.   Well appointed rooms with plush bedding and views of the river available on request.  Advanced Purchase Rates from $180

Of course, the best place for waterfalls is Yosemite, any time of year.  But there are a few that you can really only see in spring, so it’s a good excuse for an extra trip to the park.  Yosemite Falls is a spectacular 2,425 feet of cascades, pools, and even a hidden gorge, with a final plunge over a sheer cliff.  It often dwindles to near nothing in summer, so definitely view this falls early in the year.  Silver Strand is an 1100 ft fall on the south wall of the Valley, seen when you turn and look behind you at the Wawona tunnel.  Horsetail Fall, at 1,000 feet, flows off the eastern cliff of El Capitan.  And Tueeulala Falls, tumbles 1,000 feet into Hetch Hetchy Reservoir on the north side of Hetch Hetchy Valley. The spectacular setting of Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite is the perfect end to the perfect day, with rooms from $202

Devil’s Well is one of the most beautiful waterfall hikes around Napa, 110 ft of bubbling water, tumbling over three tiers into a deep clear pool.  The lower falls is 25 ft. fall, the middle falls is a 30 ft drop, the upper falls plunges through a narrow canyon.   The falls are located on the Archer Taylor Preserve, who should be informed of your hike.  The Best Western Elm House Inn is a charming B&B style hotel, just blocks from downtown Napa, rooms from $139

Of course there are many beautiful falls on the Kancamagus Highway.  Two you will want to be sure and catch in the spring are Champney Falls and Pitcher Falls, which are on the trail to Mt Chocorua.  Champney Falls cascades over 30 ft of stepped granite cliffs, Pitcher Falls is about 200 yards away. 10 miles from Conway NH on the Kancamagus Hwy   Red Jacket Mountain View has just opened a new 40,000 square foot Indoor Water Park. Select Race Fan Rates and save 10%, Rates From $98.10

Bridalveil Falls rushes down the sloping sandstone cliff of Pictured Rocks, descending 140 ft directly into Lake Superior.  The falls are best viewed by water, and the colorful 50 to 200 feet cliffs of Lake Superior’s Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore make it well worth the trip.  About a half-mile northeast of Miners Beach.   Best Western Sault Ste. Marie is convenient to numerous Upper Peninsula attractions with rooms from $67.99

Sinawava Falls in Zion National Park, a sparkling ribbon of water plummets down sheer red rock cliff, near Angel’s Landing.  St. George’s Best Western Zion Park Inn is set against towering red rock cliffs with a rustic atmosphere and full service amenities, rooms from $115.

You probably never thought of Fargo North Dakota as part of your vacation planning, I don’t think most people do.  In fact, I think there are a lot more people who are planning a trip to Mount Rushmore or Yellowstone, and dreading that long drive across North Dakota.   But Fargo is a surprisingly fascinating place for an afternoon break, or even an extended week-end. 

The highlight of Fargo is Bonanzaville, several city blocks of original homes; a school, soda fountain, general store, and more.  You can see Fargo’s first home, a log cabin built in 1869, or a number of 1880’s farmhouses.  Bonanzaville is also home to numerous historic business operations and horse drawn vehicle, car and airplane museums.  With so many exhibits of original furnishings and artifacts, it would be very easy to spend an entire day exploring this historic village.

Another unique location to visit in Fargo is the Hjemkomst Interpretive Center, which houses the Hjemkomst Viking Ship and Hopperstad Stave Church Replica.  The Viking Ship was conceived by Robert Asp, a guidance counselor at Moorhead Junior High School, as he studied the Vikings during his recovery from a fall.  Taking 6 years to complete, this 800 AD replica was sailed to Oslo Norway in 1982, completing Asp’s dream after his death.   The ship is housed at the Interpretive Center, and brought out during the Scandinavian Hjemkomst Festival.  The church is one of the most unusual you will ever see.  It is a full-scale replica of the Hopperstad Church located in the town of Vik, Norway, which was  built just after the close of the Viking Age in Scandinavia in the 1100 and 1200’s. The cedar and redwood vertical post construction gives the building the feeling of a rustic chalet, with wonderful tiered a-frame roofs topped with a small Celtic Cross. 

Fargo is also home of the Roger Maris Museum , the famed New York Yankee who hit 61 homeruns in 1961.  You can see historic film of Roger’s last 12 homers of 1961, along with his uniforms, baseball equipment and other memorabilia.  You can also take the kids to the Red River Zoo, for a ride on the Red River’s pontoon boats, Yunker Farm, Thunder Road Fun Park, well, you get the idea. 

For a real taste of North Dakotan culture, plan to visit Fargo during the Scandinavian Hjemkomst Festival.  This 3 day celebration will be held between June 27 and 29.  All the Nordic Culture Clubs in the Fargo and Moorehead area participate, bringing you an array of music, dancers, storytelling, food and more. 

Stay in the brand new B/W Kelly Inn & Suites, a full-service hotel with an onsite children’s water playland and complimentary continental breakfast.  From $100
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