Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach, Oxnard Calif.

After a long afternoon tied up in Southern California freeway traffic, we arrived at the Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach in Oxnard, with little time to spare before we had to rush out for dinner. There would be no time right now to enjoy the beach at the only all-suite beachfront resort in Southern California. However, I was thrilled to find two bathrooms in our suite. We could both freshen up at the same time without tripping over each other.

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in U.S. Long Cuts. We are merging U.S. Long Cuts with Midwest Wanderer, adding a “Beyond the Midwest” menu option. Read more

Channel Islands National Park Adventure

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Off the coast of Southern California sit five islands that make up the Channel Islands National Park. The only way to get there is by private boat or by the park’s concessionaire boat service, Island Packers. We took a day trip to Santa Cruz Island, a little more than an hour away by boat. What we found once we reached the island was a whole different world from the busy California coast.

Chicagoland Popcorn: Over 250 Popcorn Flavors

Connie Attractions & Events, Food & Drink, Indiana December 12, 2015August 23, 2016best gourmet popcorn, cheddar cheese popcorn, cheddar popcorn, cheese popcorn, chicago popcorn, chicagoland popcorn, flavored popcorn, gourmet popcorn, gourmet popcorn tins, indiana popcorn, indiana popcorn company, mail order popcorn, order popcorn, order popcorn online, popcorn, popcorn business, popcorn companies, popcorn delivery, popcorn flavors, popcorn gift, popcorn gift baskets, popcorn gift ideas, popcorn gift tins, popcorn gifts, popcorn gourmet, popcorn indiana, popcorn shop, popcorn store, popcorn stores, popcorn tin, popcorn tin gift, specialty popcorn, the popcorn store 0 Comment

If I was allowed only one snack food for the rest of my life, I would choose cheese popcorn, gourmet style. I can’t pass up a specialty popcorn store without going in for at least a small bag, so I was thrilled to find Chicagoland Popcorn in Merrillville, Indiana. Read more

Albanese Candy: Gummi and Chocolate Factory Outlet

Connie Attractions & Events, Food & Drink, Indiana December 11, 2015May 27, 2018Albanese Candy, albanese candy factory, albanese candy factory outlet, albanese candy outlet, albanese candy outlet store, albanese candy outlet store merrillville in, albanese candy store, albanese confectionery, albanese factory, albanese gummi bears, albanese gummies, albanese gummy bears, best candy stores, best gummy bears, best gummy candy, buy candy online, candy factory, candy factory in indiana, candy factory indiana, candy manufacturers, candy outlet, candy shops, candy store in indiana, candy store in merrillville indiana, candy store indiana, candy stores in indiana, chocolate companies, chocolate manufacturers, gummies, gummy candy, gummy candy store, gummy worms, indiana candy, indiana candy factory, indiana candy store, merrillville candy store, novelty candy, sugar free gummy worms, sweets candy 4 Comments

Being the candy lover that I am, you would think I’d know about a huge candy company only an hour away from where I live, in an area I frequent often. However, even though Albanese has been making candy since 1983, I only discovered the company this year. Albanese Candy produces high-quality chocolates in their Merrillville, Indiana, factory, as well as award-winning gummi candies. You can buy all of their candies in the outlet store adjacent to the factory.

Dining Waterside in Oxnard, California

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It was a little chilly on the evening we dined at the Waterside Restaurant. However, we had been in California for several days and had yet to dine alfresco, so we requested patio seating. We wanted to experience the full ambiance of dining seaside before we started traveling inland, and the Waterside Restaurant & Wine Bar was the place to do it. The view of the fishing boats docked in the Channel Islands Harbor, the sound of lapping waves and the aroma of salty sea air was the perfect setting. Our host seated us adjacent to the fire pit and set an overhead heater next to our table to ensure we’d stay warm enough while we dined. That thoughtful gesture was the beginning of a lovely dining experience.

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in U.S. Long Cuts. We are merging U.S. Long Cuts with Midwest Wanderer, adding a “Beyond the Midwest” menu option. Read more

Ag Venture Tours: See America’s Salad Bowl

Connie Attractions & Events, California December 8, 2015September 1, 2016ag venture tours, salinas valley 0 Comment

After you’ve toured the California coast along Monterey Bay, visited the world-class Monterey Bay Aquarium, shopped along Cannery Row and dined on Fisherman’s Wharf, take a drive inland a few miles to the Salinas Valley. Salinas Valley stretches a hundred miles north to south, sandwiched between the Santa Lucia and Gabilan mountain ranges. Fields of lettuce lay before you—neat rows of romaine, red leaf, green leaf and iceberg. Bright red, luscious strawberries dot other fields, or you may see celery, spinach or asparagus. You’re also bound to come across farm workers hand picking the produce and packing it right in the field. You’ve entered America’s “salad bowl,” where farmers grow over 40 vegetables and fruits, including over 80 percent of America’s lettuce. The best way to see the valley and to learn about how America’s produce is grown is on an agricultural tour with Ag Venture Tours.

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in U.S. Long Cuts. We are merging U.S. Long Cuts with Midwest Wanderer, adding a “Beyond the Midwest” menu option.

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

Author: Connie