Road Trip Around The Ohio Valley

Chris Boothman
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18
Road Trip Around The Ohio Valley

Having previously visited 24 US states, I looked at the map of USA and noticed that there were several states in relative close proximity to Arkansas that we had yet to explore.

Planning a road trip around the Ohio Valley including the states of Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky was challenging but certainly achievable over the span of a weekend.

Ohio Valley

Day 1 – Jonesboro, AR to Indianapolis, IN

Total Distance: 443 miles (6 1/2 hour drive)

When we decide to take a weekend road trip, we first have to establish when we want to leave – Friday evening or Saturday morning! Usually this is based on the distance we are traveling. Anything over 4 or 5 hours we will generally leave on Friday after work to at least get the majority of the distance covered so that we are not spending the whole weekend driving, not giving us any time to explore a destination.

Although we sometimes try to leave work a couple of hours early, this road trip didn’t allow this so it was 5:00PM before we were on the road. One other word of note here was that the direction we were heading saw us move from Central Time Zone to Eastern Time Zone.

Departing Jonesboro, our estimated time of arrival in Indianapolis was 12:30AM (1:30AM Eastern Time).

Road Trip

We don’t usually frequent McDonalds but during a road trip when you haven’t eaten anything all day and you are trying to get to a location as quickly as possible, the term ‘fast-food’ really does help! A quick pitstop in Mount Vernon, Illinois for dinner here saw us back on the road within 15 minutes which is a pretty good turnaround.

We arrived in Indianapolis at 12:35AM (Eastern Time) at the Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Airport hotel, which saw us make up almost a hour on the expected time of arrival.

Day 2 – Indianapolis, IN to Cincinnati, OH

Total Distance: 108 miles (1 1/2 hour drive)

During most of our weekend getaways, Saturday is always the ‘busy’ and ‘hectic’ day as we are trying to cram as many attractions and landmarks as possible, with the knowledge that we will be heading home at some point the following day. Our plan was to spend the morning and early afternoon in Indianapolis and then drive on to Cincinnati where we already booked a hotel to stay Saturday night.

Downtown Indianapolis

Without getting into too much detail on our experiences at specific attractions, our morning comprised of having breakfast at Chick Fil A, followed by heading to Downtown Indianapolis where we parked directly in front of the Indiana War Museum. This area was metered parking but at $1 per hour, we felt this was a really good rate for a downtown location. We paid for a couple of hours and started walking around before returning to explore the Indiana War Memorial Plaza prior to heading over the Canal District.

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The second half of our time in Indianapolis was spent exploring the NCAA Hall of Fame museum and wandering around the beautiful Canal District and Riverfront park which was gorgeous on a perfect Spring day.

Driving to Cincinnati

We left the downtown area of Indianapolis around 1:45PM and headed East towards Cincinnati where we stopped along the route for lunch before arriving in the ‘Cincy’ area around 3:30PM. The rest of Saturday comprised of shopping, visiting IKEA and having dinner at The Cheesecake Factory which admittedly was one of our worst experiences there!

The evening culminated in heading over to Graeter’s which is the “Home of Irresistible Ice Cream and Handmade Candy”.

Day 3 – Cincinnati, OH to Jonesboro, AR

Total Distance: 555 miles (8 hour drive)

By the time Sunday arrives, its usually time to start winding down and preparing to drive home but that wasn’t on our radar for this weekend getaway. Our initial plan was to drive from Cincinnati to Louisville and then home, but we made a few slight adjustments along the way.

Downtown Cincinnati, Ohio

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After enjoying breakfast at the Embassy Suites Cincinnati Northeast location, we ventured downtown to see the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal which was a really impressive landmark despite being closed early on Easter Sunday.

Louisville, Kentucky

The drive from Cincinnati to Louisville, KY was similar in time and distance to the previous days route from Indianapolis to Cincinnati. We arrived in Louisville just before Noon and headed to Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby.

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You can read all about our experiences there but we made the decision to just visit this museum rather than also experience the Louisville Slugger Museum which was our initial plan.

Nashville, Tennessee

Our detour from Louisville took us through Nashville, TN which takes around 2 1/2 hours. We crossed back into Central Time Zone on this drive but I have to say that this is one of the more attractive, scenic routes as we drove through the foothills of the mountains.

We didn’t stop anywhere along the way though signs for the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY (infamous for the recent sinkhole catastrophe) and various caves which are likely cool to explore.

A quick stop in Nashville to visit the Opry Mills Mall and then possibly our favorite store in Nashville, McKay’s Used Books was all we had time for before we headed back home along I-40.

Summary

This was probably one of our more extreme road trips given the distance we covered and the number of attractions that we saw but I am delighted that we did this because it proves to us, and hopefully you that you can achieve an awful lot in just a weekend.

I have covered three days here but the reality is that we did everything inside 48 hours and even after we returned home on Sunday evening we were not completely exhausted.

Method of Transportation: Car

Length of Getaway: 3 Days

Dream Destinations – Zurich

Chris Boothman
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17
Dream Destinations – Zurich

One of the most beautiful countries throughout the world has to be Switzerland with a perfect blend of rural beauty and cities that are full of history and cultural identity. Our latest Dream Destination is the gorgeous city of Zurich which in many ways is an iconic city for the Swiss stereotype. As it is the largest city in Switzerland, it is unsurprising that there are a plethora of attractions worth experiencing and must-see landmarks.

Here are some of the top reasons why you should take the time to visit Zurich, Switzerland.

Lake Zurich

Lake Zurich
Image courtesy of Roland zh (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
When you think about exploring a city like Zurich, you have to realize that even though it is like many other global cities, you are right on the edge of natural beauty as the city lies directly on the shores of Lake Zurich. If you are looking for a picture perfect opportunity, then visiting Lake Zurich will likely provide you with this chance because many of the postcards that you see associated with the city in general have the lake either in the foreground or background.

Lake Zurich also provides a perfect divide between the old town and new, modernized city of Zurich. It is a beautiful place to just sit and watch time pass by as you can see gorgeous scenery all around the lake.

Altstadt

Altstadt Zurich
Image courtesy of Michael D. Schmid (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Altstadt, or old town, is the historical and medieval part of Zurich. This region is full of winding cobblestoned streets, sat around the focal point that is Lindenhoff Square. Many of Zurich’s most acclaimed museums are located in this part of the city and it is a perfect place to just wander and take in some local cuisine or sample a late evening beverage.

Uetliberg

Uetliberg Zurich
Image courtesy of Roland zh (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (httpcreativecommons.orglicensesby-sa3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
If you dream of visiting the Swiss Alps whenever you visit Zurich, why not take a quick 20 minute trip outside of the city center to explore the Uetliberg which is part of the Albis chain but is a beautiful plateau overlooking the city of Zurich. After climbing to the summit of this plateau, you will be left with stunning views of both city and the Swiss Alps so even if you are not fortunate enough to get into the Alps themselves, you can still see their beauty from a distance.

This location just outside of Zurich is also famous for having gorgeous hiking trails which are another great reason to get out of the city lifestyle for a while.

Bahnhofstrasse

Bahnhofstrasse Zurich
Image courtesy of Sebastian Bergmann from Siegburg, Germany (Confiserie Sprüngli Uploaded by Sandstein) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (httpcreativecommons.orglicensesby-sa2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
One of Zurich’s essential locations is the Bahnhofstrasse which is home to many of Switzerland’s leading fashion and other retail stores. Strolling along this street, whether you have any intentions of splurging on Swiss products, will give you the opportunity to both window shop and people watch in an extremely upper class market.

Please note that for many the Bahnhofstrasse may not be for purchasing souvenirs or mementos, as you would be better suited heading to the Neiderdorf or Langstrasse areas of Zurich.

Rhine Falls

Rhine Falls
Image courtesy of Roland zh (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
You may have noticed a slight trend in many of our Dream Destinations that whenever a location is within close proximity to a waterfall, I am all for recommending folks to visit here. Zurich is no different as it plays host to Rhine Falls which is a short distance outside of the city limits. The beautiful falls are worth a trip to the Shaffhausen area of Switzerland as it is a perfect day trip to go hiking and exploring this part of Switzerland’s outdoors.

***This post is part of the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge (#DreamDestinations #AtoZChallenge)***

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Dream Destinations – Yellowstone

Chris Boothman
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22
Dream Destinations – Yellowstone

The end of the alphabet really throws out some weird and difficult letters but fortunately one of our Dream Destinations that we are really looking forward to visiting is Yellowstone National Park. Located primarily in the state of Wyoming, and stretching into the nearby states of Idaho and Montana, Yellowstone has been a cherished national park through USA since the late 19th Century.

Acclaimed as the most popular national park throughout USA and possibly throughout the world, Yellowstone captures visitors imagination with gorgeous scenery, amazing natural landmarks and a variety of attractions to experience and explore.

Here are some of the key reasons why we are excited about knocking the state of Wyoming off our list and experiencing Yellowstone National Park.

Old Faithful

Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
Image courtesy of Marco Soave (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
The most famous of all landmarks in Yellowstone National Park is Old Faithful geyser and for that very reason it is the most popular attraction for visitors to the park. If like us, you have never set foot inside this national park, Old Faithful is a must-see attraction just to see the geyser erupting. Despite not being the biggest or most frequent of the Yellowstone geyser family, it is still an extremely spectacular sight when you see this and for your reference it erupts on average every 91 minutes though this can vary either way.

Whilst experiencing Old Faithful, it is highly recommended to take some time to wander around some of the other boardwalks and trails within the Upper Basin to see other spectacular geysers and the beautiful natural landscape that surrounds these attractions.

Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Image courtesy of Brocken Inaglory (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
If someone tells you that the Grand Canyon is located in Yellowstone National Park, don’t be confused with the spectacular Canyon located in Arizona but be aware that the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is equally as impressive on a much smaller scale. The Lower Falls of the Grand Canyon are one of the most photographed attractions throughout this national park and the views throughout the canyon are truly breathtaking and worthy of a visit.

Although there are numerous vantage points on either sides of the Canyon, it is highly recommended to take the time to experience both sides as you are given very different, unique perspectives on the geology of the area, plus you will get some awesome pictures for your efforts!

Yellowstone Lake

Yellowstone Lake
Image courtesy of Corrie2723 at the English language Wikipedia [GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], from Wikimedia Commons
If you love relaxing by a lake and seeing snow capped mountains in the background, then Yellowstone Lake is the place just for you! Located at the highest altitude of any natural lake in the lower 48 states, Yellowstone Lake is a gorgeous hub for folks to take some time to recharge their batteries before exploring more of this expansive national park.

Not only can you spend time relaxing by the lake, but you can also explore some historic buildings in the close vicinity such as the Lake Yellowstone Hotel which is now on the National Register of Historic Places or the Lake Ranger Station which is now famous for having folks gather around a campfire in the evening.

Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth Hot Springs
Image courtesy of Ildar Sagdejev (Specious) (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The headquarters of Yellowstone National Park is Mammoth Hot Springs for many reasons including the fact it radiates such a gorgeous, spectacular display to visitors. It is stereotypical of Yellowstone in general and also features some of the oldest buildings in the park. The main attraction here are the thermal springs that are actually very different to any of the other springs or geysers throughout Yellowstone. There is a rapidly changing activity here that takes place, leaving many visitors confused over what they are actually seeing. Catch these springs on an off day and you may be left disappointed, but catch them at the right time and you will be left astounded at the impressive display.

Tower Fall

Image courtesy of Frank Kovalchek from Anchorage, Alaska, USA [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Image courtesy of Frank Kovalchek from Anchorage, Alaska, USA [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Aside from the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone Grand Canyon, the most impressive waterfall throughout the park is Tower Fall. Towering at over 130 feet in height, it is a must see for anyone who loves waterfalls. It is also interesting to explore this fall in winter as it frequently freezes over leaving a unique resemblance of the ice age.

As with many of the other natural landmarks in Yellowstone, you can capture various views of Tower Fall including an overlook that is particularly impressive.

***This post is part of the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge (#DreamDestinations #AtoZChallenge)***

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Dream Destinations – Xanthi Greece

Chris Boothman
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19
Dream Destinations – Xanthi Greece

If you ever try to think of locations around the world that begin with the letter X, you will be hard pressed to think of many unless you are a real geography whiz or full-time seasoned traveler. Aside from several Chinese locations that I personally don’t classify as a Dream Destination, I recalled hearing about Xanthi, Greece which is located in the northeast region of the country.

Ok, so a little research on this place does not necessarily lead us to believe that Xanthi could be classified as a Dream Destination either but what it can do is open our opportunities to explore Greece in more detail which is of course falls into the category we are identifying here.

Here are a few reasons why Xanthi and Greece in general are such an attractive Dream Destination for travelers around the world.

Explore Xanthi

Image courtesy of Yiannis Papachatzakis (Author) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Image courtesy of Yiannis Papachatzakis (Author) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Ok so you decide that you want to at least check out the town of Xanthi before heading elsewhere. So what is there to see? Well, a few things that may spark your interest.

Whether you are interested in exploring old Greek style architecture or one of the various museums that are available, Xanthi certainly offers visitors enough to keep them occupied for a while.

Xanthi Natural Beauty

Image courtesy of Adamantios (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Image courtesy of Adamantios (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The first attraction that is about a hour away from Xanthi is Livaditis Waterfall which is a pretty spectacular natural landmark that is worth seeing. Why not take a safari trip up Mount Ipsario and then take in the beautiful waterfall which is the highest fall in the Balkans. You can also see a beautiful stone bridge among other landmarks in this region.

One point worth noting is that even though you can drive from Xanthi to relative close proximity to the waterfall, you better be prepared to put on your hiking boots and walk almost a hour deep into the forest. But of course this is all part of the exploration and just adds to the beauty as you wander through the unknown until you reach the magnificent sight!

Thessaloniki

Image courtesy of en:User:Salonica84 [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Image courtesy of en:User:Salonica84 [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
If you are willing to head further afield, located just around the Greek coast is the second largest city in Greece – Thessaloniki. There are plenty of historic landmarks here to keep you busy for a few days though the most famous is probably the White Tower of Thessaloniki.

The Thessaloniki seaside walk is a definite must-do for visitors especially if you are visiting in summer when you can grab an ice-cream from a local cafe and wander along taking in the beautiful seaside views.

Exploring the Greek Islands

Image courtesy of Takeaway at en.wikipedia [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], from Wikimedia Commons
Image courtesy of Takeaway at en.wikipedia [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], from Wikimedia Commons
One of the best attractions throughout Greece has to be exploring the Greek Islands. There are far too many to name but many of them are more famous than others such as Crete, Corfu, Rhodes and Santorini. Of course each and every one is very unique and offers gorgeous scenery, beautiful pristine beaches and plenty of landmarks worth experiencing.

If you plan on staying in the vicinity of Xanthi, your best island would be a beautiful gem called Thasos which is the northernmost of all the Greek islands and rarely covered by tourist guides. There are beautiful beaches all around Thasos which is one of the primary reasons for tourists to visit here but there are also many monasteries throughout the hills that are worth exploring.

Athens

Image courtesy of Francisco Anzola (Parthenon) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Image courtesy of Francisco Anzola (Parthenon) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
A trip to Greece would not be the same without experiencing the capital city, Athens. All of the leading historical Greek landmarks are here including the Acropolis and Parthenon. A visit to one of the world’s oldest cities is crucial if you are able to fit this into your Greek schedule.

Athens also gives a good point of entry to many of the Greek islands, unlike Thessaloniki which is a little too far north to capture the majority of the islands.

***This post is part of the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge (#DreamDestinations #AtoZChallenge)***

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