Places to go and things to see by Gypsy Bev

Franklin Park Conservatory Botanical Gardens

June 17, 2010

Ah!  The beautiful fragrance as you approach the entrance to the Botanical Gardens.  It welcomes you to a day of relaxation and education.

At this time beautiful blown glass pieces by Dale Chihuly are the special exhibit.  So it is no surprise that when you enter the building there is a video of Chihuly showing many of his creations and techniques.  Since there are many gardens to see, after a few minutes we tear ourselves away from this interesting story.  Since my Dad was a glass blower, this was especially interesting to me.

Admission to the gardens is a very reasonable price, especially for seniors at $9 and free parking close to the entrance.  Would be an excellent place to have a membership if you lived in the area as they have interesting events and displays throughout the year.

Exhibits ranged from tropical plants to those of the desert.  For a person who enjoys plants, this is a perfect spot to spend a day or several days.  Waterfalls, rocks, and small pools made you feel that you were actually there. The tropical plants held a special interest to me on this day as they took me away to a different location in our world without leaving Ohio! Strategically placed blown glass bubbles and balls added to the beauty of the exhibits.

Overhead the skylights were filled with glass pieces designed by Chihuly. So you needed to keep on your toes not to miss another beautiful scene either around the bend, at your side, or overhead.

One of the busiest places was the butterfly exhibit in the tropical foliage and flowers of the Blooms & Butterflies Center. After you watched the butterflies emerge from their chrysalises, you could then see them released in the Pacific Island Water Garden.  This was a place of much excitement as the guide took them out one by one at first and let the children hold them.  They all had their fingers stretched out for a butterfly! The child in me got to hold one as well.

Checking out the gift shop finished our day there.  Had to buy a plant to take home as a memory of a day of exploring the Franklin Park Conservatory.  This is a place for a return trip especially during a different season of the year.  Wish I lived closer!

Category:

Gardens, Ohio

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Daniel O’Donnell Concert

June 7, 2010

Everyone aboard to hear the Irish singer, Daniel O’Donnell?  Time for the Buckeye Tours’ coach to leave Cambridge, OH and head north to Cleveland.  There are two coaches filled with Daniel fans from the Southeastern Ohio area.  They are anticipating a fun filled day listening to their favorite singer.

The sky is heavy with clouds but the spirits are not dampened by the dark clouds overhead.  As we head North, the sun peeks through the clouds now and then giving the effect of a spotlight on a farm on the hillside.

First stop was at the Hometown Buffet in Akron for a delicious but quick lunch.  What is more important today, Daniel or lunch?  There is no question with this group!  Lunch was very good and their coconut cream pie brought memories of Aunt Julie’s pies to mind.  Yum!

Seating is very comfortable on the Buckeye Tours Coach.  We have Carol for our guide and she is lively and friendly with lots of trivia about the city of Cleveland and she points out The Jake, Tower City, and Terminal Tower build in the 1920s.  Of course, we see lots of old friends from previous trips and even a neighbor or two in the group.

Arriving in downtown Cleveland at the Allen Theater, the bus pulls right up to the door.  That makes it quick and easy to get into the theater.  We are all sitting right in the middle so our view is perfect!

Daniel and Mary Duff along with their band of many years put on quite a performance.  Daniel and Mary have been singing together for 24 years so their voices blend perfectly on any song they sing.  Their energy level is amazing as after three hours, both are dancing full steam ahead as well as singing.

Daniel has a soft spot in his heart for older ladies as his Mom in Ireland is very special in his life.  After intermission he takes time to sing a special song to a lady who is 103.  Then he dances the polka with a lady celebrating her 91st birthday.  The crowd loves him!

Daniel has made it a tradition to close his shows with “How Great Thou Art”, which makes your heart fill with joy to hear the entire crowd join him in that spiritual song.  Gives you hope that all will be fine in the world.

We are the last bus to leave but we have enjoyed the day.  The sky is clearing now making way for a safe trip back to Southeastern Ohio.  One last stop at Arlington Exit for a sandwich and drink at a great selection of fast food restaurants.  We have worked up an appetite singing and swaying to the music all afternoon.

Back in Cambridge we say our goodbyes and thank Jennifer for her great job driving the bus today.  She made us all feel safe on the journey.  It was a great day for another road trip.

Category:

Ohio, Uncategorized

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Desolate New Mexico Highway

May 26, 2010

Appearances can be deceptive as Route 9 across the bottom of New Mexico seems to be a desolate stretch of nearly one hundred miles.  But upon closer observation, the beautiful desert scenery holds many interesting experiences especially since it is just three miles to the Mexican border.  This road is not as lonely as it first appears.

As we leave Columbus, NM and Pancho Villa State Park, the desert is filled with low growing plants and the roadway is lined with the burnt orange blossoms of the Indian Paint Brush. You might even notice a Mexican here or there hiding behind one of the mesquite bushes.

One industrious rancher added an artistic touch to this desert road. They have piled up rocks in various formations and painted them in brilliant colors to add a little interest to the lonely road. A bright yellow cross catches your eye.

Listen! Overhead you hear a Border Patrol helicopter watching for illegals crossing the border. It sounds like it is getting closer. Hope they aren’t after us! This is a new and interesting landing as they are right behind us and landing in the road. Let’s keep on going but watch behind as the Border Patrol gets out and heads to the desert on foot. Something or someone close must have been spotted from above.

Cows roam across the road as we travel on since this is Open Range territory. You will notice the absence of fences replaced by cattle guards.

Ahead a man is standing in the road beside his truck and trailer and waving his arms. Let’s slow down and see what he needs. We can see that he is dressed casually with sandals, shorts and tee shirt and he has a long white beard and ponytail. A flat tire seems to be his problem. Since there is no cell phone service in this area, he asks if we will call 911 in the next town about forty miles away and have asssistance sent.

“How about a ride?” we ask.

“No way,” he replies. “My motorcycle is in the trailer behind and I can’t leave it here unguarded.”

Just then the Border Patrol appears in their SUV and as usual give needed assistance. While the illegals try to hide from them, the Border Patrol is a real safety net for those traveling the area. As we pull away, notice the lettering on the back of his trailer: All Who Wander Are Not Lost. That has always been one of my favorite sayings!

Up ahead you see a small town called Hachita located between the Big Hatchet and Little Hatchet Mountain ranges. There is a gas pump here and a small store for essentials. If you want to get away from it all or hide away, this would be the perfect place!

Many think this is a lonely road, but as you can see it is never boring.

Category:

Desert Highway, New Mexico

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Springtime at Salt Fork Lake

April 25, 2010

Gentle breeze blows across  Salt Fork Lake causing rippling waves to lap the shore.  The deep blue of the lake reflects the clouds and trees as their leaves appear in the most gorgeous shade of spring green.

This is the perfect place for meditation. Peace seems to reign as the world comes alive with Spring in all its glory.  Time to think about the future, relive pleasant memories of the past, and enjoy the moment. There is a feeling of freedom as the worries of everyday life seem to lift away and are replaced by calm within.

Others have the same idea as a picnic table at the edge provides a good photo setting for a young family as they too enjoy the beauties of Mother Nature.

Along the bank, a father and his young son are enjoying some quality time fishing together quietly.  The bond they build will last for a lifetime.

Water calms the spirit so this is a great place to relax all through the year.  When you need a place to get away from it all, take a drive to the dam at Salt Fork Lake and find some peace.

Category:

Ohio, Uncategorized

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Spring Time in Ohio

April 8, 2010

Hop in the car with me and let’s take a ride through the back roads of Southeastern Ohio in Guernsey County. Springtime is looking pretty great here.

Today for the first time, notice those beautiful but pesky dandelions blooming in full force.  They look like an army of yellow flowers over the hillside.  Isn’t it nice to see some bright yellow on the banks instead of that snow we had all winter long?

Hard to believe that the lilac bushes are blooming so early this year! Overnight they went from green to purple with only the beginning of blossoms so far.  What a beautiful fragrance!  Let’s stop and cut a few branches to take home with us.

Forsythia bushes cast a golden glow to the roadsides as well.  There is a barn with a row of the bright yellow forsythia along one side of it.  Must be a lady farmer living there.

Travel with me as we visit many new and beautiful places on the back roads.

Category:

Ohio

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Welcome to the Gypsy Road Trip

March 24, 2010

This blog will take you on some back road trips to see enjoyable and often unusual places throughout the countryside. Hope you will enjoy traveling along with me!

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Uncategorized

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