Site Map

What a Wonderful Whirled

Vermont is a small but wonderful state.  They have the only state capital that doesn’t have a McDonalds and you won’t find a single billboard as you cruise their farm-lined roads. The people we met while we visited this mountain spotted state were all very proud of how small-business-friendly they are and the pride they […]

Ithaca, The Local Scene

Our excitement grew as we took the exit to Ithaca’s visitor center; we had wanted to see this town for a long time.  There were gray clouds hanging overhead as we entered the city of Ithaca.  An attendee from the visitor center helped us to plan out our day–she gave us all the inside tips […]

Down and Dirty at Dinosaur

We walked into the original Dinosaur BBQ on the “dirty side” of downtown Syracuse–past the row of Harley motorcycles, through the blues pulsing over the speakers, and into the hardwood-smoke air.  The kitchen bustled as the ragged team of cooks scooped pans of beans from the steam table, sliced cornbread fresh from the oven, and […]

Falling Into Ohiopyle

One seemingly small town turned out to be a lot more. With a magnificent state park, white water rapids, a river to swim in, and two of Frank Lloyd Wright’s houses(Falling Water and Kentuck Knob), woo! Ohiopyle Pennsylvania turned out to be a lot more then I could have expected. I came across it while […]

Cast Away, On Put in Bay

What could be better than driving a golf cart around a beautiful island in the middle of summer?  Driving a golf cart around a beautiful island in the middle of summer drinking wine, that’s what! Ok, we were not actually drinking wine while driving the cart–we didn’t have to!  On South Bass Island, Ohio on […]

Lasagna, Hold the Meat

My sister Megan in Indianapolis, Indiana has been a vegetarian since we were young.  As children, my mother and father were very supportive of this decision and cooked a veggie version of whatever we were having for dinner that evening.  When staying with Megan and her husband Ben, Amanda and I decided to make vegetarian […]

Belgium via Broad Ripple

Mussels, beer, fries, and crepes are abound at Brugge Brassiere in Indianpolis, Indiana.  It’s Belgium via Broad Ripple, the culturally diverse neighborhood that is home to many Colts football-friendly sports bars as well as many of the city’s best locally-owned restaurants.  We made a special trip to Broad Ripple to eat at Brugge with Megan […]

Indy’s Frying Butter

Every State fair has a niche. From cows carved out of butter or prize winning animals, there is always something to try and bring more people in. The Indiana  state fair not only has the worlds largest and second largest pigs at this year’s fair but they also have Deep Fried Butter!  Whether you go […]

Thai Spice Brings the Heat

Often the best restaurants have originated–or remain hidden–within a humble strip mall.  The “hidden gem” gains a loyal local following despite an obscure location.  Restaurant Thai Spice in Indianapolis, Indiana is such a restaurant. Upgraded from its “strip mall roots,” Thai Spice has recently moved to a larger freestanding building to accommodate the hungry demand […]

Preserving Summer

Farmer’s markets have gained a lot of popularity and have been popping up everywhere, it seems, over the past ten years or so. People can now get farm fresh fruits, meats, and vegetables in big cities or in the suburbs. While in New York City we tried to take advantage of the markets when ever […]