No matter your age, it’s always fun to step back to the 1950s, the era of diners with soda fountains and juke boxes that played your favorite rock-and-roll songs. Bristol 45 Diner in Bristol, Wisconsin, lets you do exactly that. We stopped in for breakfast during our July trip to the Kenosha area and were impressed with both the fun ‘50s atmosphere and the delicious food we were served. Read more
By October most farmers markets are fizzling out for the season. Once the pumpkins and squash are gone, the fall breeze turns to winter wind, and the vendors leave for the winter. Not so in South Bend, where the market is open year-round. Read more
Swiss immigrants brought eighteen heifers and three calves to New Glarus, Wisconsin, in 1846. That was the beginning of what eventually grew into a rich cheese making heritage in Green County. Once home to 300 cheese factories, the number has dwindled to 12 today. However, Green County is still one of the nation’s leading cheese manufacturers. The National Historic Cheesemaking Center in Monroe, Wisconsin, shares Green County’s cheese making history with visitors. Read more
Bowers Harbor Inn, built in the 1880s on Traverse City, Michigan’s, Old Mission Peninsula, was the summer home of Chicago lumber baron J.W. Stickney and his wife Genevive. Today the building houses the Jolly Pumpkin, a casual restaurant and brewery, and Mission Table, an upscale restaurant. However, even though the property has passed through several hands since the Stickney’s owned it, some say Genevive hasn’t left.
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Tucked away at the end of a drive through a residential neighborhood, the Chapel in the Hills, like the ponderosa pine that surround it on three sides, rises to the sky, growing narrower as it grows taller. Built completely of Douglas fir, the chapel blends with the natural beauty of South Dakota’s hills and is worth a visit on your Rapid City trip, if not for the spiritual aspect, then for the serenity of the grounds and architecture of the chapel. Read more
When at an amusement park, I’m usually not thinking about taking artistic photographs. I don’t carry my DSLR camera, since I’m there to enjoy the park. I recently attended a conference at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, the country’s second oldest amusement park. I didn’t have much time in the park itself, but on the evening I spent there I snapped a few quick photographs using my smart phone just to document the trip. However, as part of the conference, I also went on the optional sunrise photo walk. What a difference it made.
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My camera phone photos are so-so, good enough for trip keepsakes. I took a shot of Johnny Rockets, a full diner inside the park, where they provided service with a smile.
I photographed Lake Erie at dusk from the Sky Ride.
Since Cedar Point is known as the roller coaster capital of America, I snapped a shot of the Magnum XL-200, the first coaster ever to top 200 feet.
Cedar Point was celebrating the first weekend of HalloWeekends, so Halloween decorations were everywhere.
Zombies lurked in the gardens and in the Dead Ride Cemetery.
The sunrise photo walk the next morning, led by Fashion by Mayhem blogger Angie Keiser and Cedar Point Public Relations Manager, Bryan Edwards, was a completely different photography experience. The walk highlighted popular photo subjects, starting with sunrise on Lake Erie.
At 136 feet, the Ferris wheel is one of the largest in North America.
I can’t stop myself from taking photos of pretty flower beds …
… and birds, especially with wings widespread.
I liked the effect of the color against clouds on this one.
It’s amazing how pieces of roller coasters can look like art.
I’m not a professional photographer by a longshot, but the right light, a decent camera, interesting subjects and helpful hints from others make learning fun, and definitely improve my photos.
Cedar Point, located on the shore of Lake Erie in Sandusky, Ohio, is open late spring through summer and weekends through Halloween. Check the web site for exact schedule and directions.
Disclosure: My ticket to Bloggy Con included a free pass to Cedar Point , but any opinions expressed in this post are my own.
