Travel

Alluring art & beauty at Schnormeier Gardens

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Visiting Schnormeier Gardens in the hills near Gambier, Ohio is like finding a secret treasure. Why? This private, home garden is a diamond of a destination, yet it’s only open in June of each year. Schnormeier Gardens is named after Ted and (the late) Ann Schnormeier, who built their private residence here in 1994, before beginning the gardens in 1996. On our family’s second visit to Schnormeier Gardens, we enjoyed many of the same things as the first: Dreaming of trips to Eastern cultures. …

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Hiking Blackhand Gorge with little ones

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Central Ohio has a gem of an outdoor recreation spot and that is Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve. Well-known for its 4.3-mile bike path, the area also contains other hiking trails as well as a portion of the Ohio-Erie Canal.  Blackhand Gorge is approximately 50 miles from downtown Columbus, OH by taking Interstate 161 to SR 16. It is 35 miles southwest of Coshocton, OH, also via 16. We were lucky enough to live very close to Blackhand Gorge for …

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How much money did we spend to go to Disney World?

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The cost of a Disney World vacation for a family of 6 You know we try to do things as inexpensively as possible. Part of wanting to see the world with a family of 6 means that we can’t spend the farm on each trip. However, Disney isn’t cheap. We quickly learned that no matter how much we tried to cut expenses, the tickets for Disney World weren’t going to change. Here’s how much we spent on our trip to …

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Finding Hemlock Falls – A hidden waterfall of Ohio

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Unfortunately, vandals have damaged the property at Hemlock Falls. This has ruined it for all visitors! Ughhh. Per Jason from the Richland Co Park District- as of 5/20/20 – The Hemlock Falls property and the main falls are still open to the public via the Clear Fork Valley spur trail, but only via that trail spur and only to the end of the bridge below the falls. Due to current situations there is absolutely no off-trail access or access to other …

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All ages can learn and explore at Malabar Farm State Park

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The former home of author Louis Bromfield is Ohio’s most versatile State Park Malabar Farm State Park offers a full day of outdoor fun for the entire family. Hiking, educational opportunities, literature studies or history – there’s a lot to enjoy at Malabar Farm. Here are some things you may enjoy during your visit to this multi-faceted attraction. Visitor Center Begin your visit to Malabar Farm at the Visitor Center. The interactive displays help kids and adults learn about farming …

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Satisfy your wanderlust with these six waterfalls of Ohio

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There is just something about a waterfall. Maybe it was growing up in the era when TLC’s “Waterfalls” was a #1 hit. Ha! Maybe it is the soothing sound of falling water that evokes relaxation and peace. Whatever it is, visitors to Ohio have the joy of finding multiple waterfalls throughout the state. Here are six waterfalls of Ohio that we’ve visited and recommend. Cedar Falls within Hocking Hills, Ohio Cedar Falls is one of the most breathtaking places within …

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Kampai! A morning of fun at the Despicable Me Character Breakfast

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Universal Character Dining for fans of the Minions Character Dining at Disney World and Universal Orlando is a BIG DEAL. It’s also BIG MONEY. When considering what character dining experience would be the best fit for our kids, I had trouble finding one that would suit all of their ages and interests!  Most of the Disney meals cater to princesses or older characters, which the boys would not enjoy. Universal’s character dining options are limited – they offer a dinner …

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St. Augustine’s historic fort: Castillo de San Marcos

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Tips for visiting St. Augustine’s Historic Fort with kids St. Augustine, Florida is a city made for lovers of history, and Castillo de San Marcos is the pinnacle attraction related to the city’s robust past. We visited recently with our young children and found the historic fort to have something for all ages. Here are my tips for exploring America’s largest and oldest fort. The history of Castillo de San Marcos Castillo de San Marcos was constructed by the Spaniards …

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