Exploring Christmas Tree Pass and Grapevine Canyon

Two years ago Skip and I spent several weeks in Laughlin, Nevada, on a winter getaway. Why Laughlin? Laughlin’s casino hotels are inexpensive but decent, and we found lots of ways to eat cheaply, too. We’re not huge gamblers, so we looked around for other things to do in the area. We founds lots of places to visit, but one thing we couldn’t do was explore Christmas Tree Pass, one of Laughlin’s top rated activities. We had a brand new car with us, and we had read that the twelve-mile drive was rugged.

So this year, when snow clouds filled the Midwest skies and the temperature dropped to single digits, we hightailed it back to Laughlin. This time we went prepared with our fourteen-year-old SUV with 275,000 miles on it. We were ready to explore Christmas Tree Pass and Grapevine Canyon, which is located along the pass. Read more

Dining Family Style at the Wittmond Hotel

Connie Food & Drink, Illinois March 21, 2018Brussels Illinois, Family-style meal at Wittmond Hotel, Where to eat in Brussels Illinois, Where to eat in Calhoun County IL, Wittmond Hotel, Wittmond Hotel family-style meal, Wittmond Hotel Restauarnt 7 Comments

We were warned: Eat lunch at the Wittmond Hotel in Brussels, Illinois, and you won’t need to eat for the rest of the day. Little did we know the extensive relish tray alone at this restaurant would fill us up…and then came the entrees. Read more

Road Trip Severe Weather: Tips to Avoid a Disaster!

Connie Road Trips, Travel Tips March 13, 2018road trip tips, severe weather, severe weather tips 0 Comment

Two years ago we were on a road trip headed home to the Midwest from Arizona. As we drove through Texas at dusk, ominous clouds darkened the sky, threatening severe weather. We got off the interstate and drove Route 66 instead to avoid heavy traffic. It wasn’t long before large rain drops pelted the windshield, followed by a downpour. At times we could barely see in front of us. Fortunately, there was no hail. We slowly made our way Elk City, Oklahoma, where we had reservations that night. We did have a NOAA weather radio with us, something we always road trip with, so we knew there were no tornadoes spotted. But it wasn’t a fun drive, having to take care that we didn’t drive into floods on unfamiliar dark roads. Read more

Indiana Foodways Alliance Culinary Trails: Guide to Hoosier Dining

Connie Food & Drink, Indiana March 6, 2018Indiana Foodways Alliance, Indiana Foodways culinary trails, Indiana Foodways trails, Indiana Restaurants, where to eat in Indiana 6 Comments

Bucket lists have become a big thing. Or maybe it’s just the term du jour. People have always checked to-do’s off travel lists. Visit all 50 states. Take in a ballgame at every Major League Baseball stadium. I do the same even with smaller lists. Photograph every Seward Johnson sculpture in a city. Stop at every shop on the Wayne County Chocolate Trail. So when I learned about the Indiana Foodways Alliance culinary trails, I was on board. Right away I decided I wanted to eat pie at every restaurant on the Indiana Foodways Alliance Hoosier Pie Trail. My attempt was a miserable failure. Read more

Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site: Underground Railroad Station

Connie Attractions & Events, Indiana February 28, 2018February 28, 2018Coffin House Fountain City Indiana, Coffin House Indiana, Levi and Catharine Coffin, Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site, Levi Coffin House, underground railroad, Wayne County Indiana attractions, What to do in Richmond Indiana 4 Comments

Indiana’s fourth grade students study the state’s history, as we found out first-hand when we visited the Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site in Fountain City. Over a hundred students were visiting on a field trip that day. Apparently that’s common during spring field trip season. I can understand why, since Levi and Catherine Coffin were instrumental in helping over 2,000 runaway slaves, or freedom seekers as they were called, escape to Canada over a twenty-year period. Between student groups, site director Joanna Hahn gave us a tour as she told the fascinating story of this couple whose lives were devoted to helping freedom seekers along the path to a free life. Read more

Where to Eat in Morgan County, Indiana

Connie Food & Drink, Indiana February 13, 2018February 11, 2018Cedar Creek Winery, Come n Get It Mooresville, Gray Bros Cafeteria, Gray Brothers Cafeteria, Martinsville Candy Kitchen, Morgan County Restaurants, Squealers Barbecue, Squealers Barbecue Grill, Squealers BBQ, Tomato Pizza Pie Joint, Where to eat in Morgan County, Zydeco's Mooresville 2 Comments

During a Midwest Travel Bloggers Twitter chat I won several gift certificates to Morgan County, Indiana, restaurants. Skip and I had already eaten at a few Morgan County restaurants that we loved and were excited to taste more of the area’s cuisine. So last summer we scheduled a trip to Morgan County mainly for the culinary experiences. While the atmosphere at all of the restaurants we tried is casual, each has its own unique cuisine. Read more

Midwest Wanderer explores history, nature, and culture through road trips along scenic and historic U.S. highways, byways and trails

Author: Connie