Nina and Pinta Replicas Sail the Mississippi, Dock for Tours

Connie Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin September 30, 2017April 30, 2019Columbus ships, Nina and Pinta, Nina and Pinta replicas 1 Comment

We first wrote about the Nina and Pinta replicas in 2013, when we stumbled across the ships in Clinton, Iowa. The Nina and Pinta, replicas of two Columbus’ ships, offer tours to the public. A couple of weeks ago we visited Peoria, Illinois. As we walked down to the Illinois River to board the Spirit of Peoria for a moonlight cruise, we noticed the Nina and Pinta replicas docked there. Checking the schedule, we found the ships were in Peoria through September 24, 2017. Their next stop was Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where they’ll be from September 29 through October 8. Read further for our original experience and descriptions of the Nina and Pinta replicas. Read more

Experiencing the Historic Wabash and Erie Canal

Connie Attractions & Events, Indiana September 28, 2017September 28, 2017canal park, carroll county indiana, delphi, delphi in, delphi indiana, indiana central canal, lafayette, lafayette in, lafayette indiana, wabash and erie canal, wabash canal, wabash erie canal, wabash erie canal park 2 Comments

1843 was a big year for Delphi, Indiana. That was the year the Wabash and Erie Canal reached the Lafayette and Delphi settlements. They could now export products they produced—mostly agricultural products— to the east within a couple of weeks. They could also import needed tools, supplies, and cultural products like pianos. Within a few decades, however, the railroads came through. Faster than donkeys could tow a boat and able to run year-round, trains took over the transportation industry. Canal boats became obsolete.

Today the Wabash and Erie Canal is active again in Delphi, albeit for just the distance it takes for visitors to experience a short replica canal boat ride. In addition to the boat ride, an interpretive center filled with hands-on exhibits, a reconstructed 1850s village, and walking trails add to the canal experience. Read more

Antique Military Vehicle Convoy on Route 66

Connie Attractions & Events, Missouri, Road Trips September 25, 2017September 25, 2017Antique Military Vehicles, Fort Leonard Wood, Military Vehicle Preservation Association, MVPA, Pulaski County, Pulaski County MO, Pulaski County USA, Route 66, Route 66 Convoy 0 Comment

We aren’t usually lucky. A day late and a dollar short. Murphy’s Law. However, you want to phrase it, that’s us. But not this time. We happened to be in Pulaski County, Missouri, on the day the Military Vehicle Preservation Association convoyed through on Route 66. Better yet, the convoy stopped for the evening at Fort Leonard Wood, located in Pulaski County. Fort Leonard Wood opened the event to the public, and our itinerary was flexible. So off we went to Fort Leonard Wood to see the 42 vehicles that made up this antique military vehicle convoy. Read more

Rising High: Conner Prairie 1859 Balloon Voyage

Connie Attractions & Events, Indiana September 18, 2017September 11, 20171859 Balloon Voyage, conner prairie, conner prairie balloon, Conner Prairie hot air balloon, conner prairie hot air balloon rides, Hamilton County IN, Hamilton County Indiana, hot air balloon rides indiana, Living history museum, living history museum Indiana 2 Comments

The year is 1859. Experienced balloonist John Wise attempts to deliver airmail for the first time in U.S. history. He plans to fly his balloon from Lafayette, Indiana, to New York City with a bag of 123 letters. Unfortunately, the wind blows in the wrong direction. Instead of flying northeast, the balloon flies southward. He gives up after 30 miles and lands in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Fast forward to 2017 and the Conner Prairie living history museum where one of the attractions, the 1859 Balloon Voyage, represents Wise’s airmail attempt.

I was excited to ride in the Conner Prairie 1859 Balloon Voyage because despite my fear of heights, a ride in a hot-air balloon is on my bucket list. The 1859 Balloon Voyage isn’t quite the same as a hot-air balloon ride, but it’s a step towards it. Read more

Apple Time at Peake Orchards

Connie Agritourism, Food & Drink, Iowa September 14, 2017September 11, 2017apple orchard in waukon IA, apple orchard near Decorah, apple orchards in Iowa, Northeast Iowa, Peake Orchards, things to do in Winneshiek County Iowa, Winneshiek County 2 Comments

As I toured Peake Orchards in Waukon, Iowa, I bit into a Honeycrisp apple. As fruit goes, apples have never been one of my favorites. But that Honeycrisp was true to its name—a crisp crunch followed by sweet flavor. I’d find out later why the apple tasted so good, but at the moment I was learning about all the work that goes into raising apples. Read more

Exploring Friendship Botanic Gardens

Connie Attractions & Events, Indiana September 11, 2017September 8, 2017botanic gardens, Botanic Gardens in Indiana, Botanic Gardens Michigan City, Botanic Gardens Michigan City IN, Friendship Botanic Gardens, Friendship Botanic Gardens Michigan City, gardens, Gardens in Indiana, Gardens in Northwest Indiana, Indiana gardens, International Friendship Gardens, Michigan City IN, Northwest Indiana attractions, Northwest Indiana Gardens, NWI Gardens, things to do in Michigan City, things to do in Michigan City IN, things to do in Northwest Indiana 0 Comment

From the mid-1930s through the 1960s International Friendship Gardens was a popular tourist destination. The gardens in Michigan City, Indiana, represented countries around the world. The venue also hosted musical and theatrical entertainment. The gardens lost popularity from the 1970s to the early 2000s, but have now sprung back. Today people visit the newly named Friendship Botanic Gardens to stroll through rejuvenated gardens, hike forest paths, and even get married. Read more