4 Huge Reasons to Take Your Grandsons to Cleveland

10/08/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

I recently visited Cleveland and Canton, Ohio with a group of fellow travel writers. It was my first time in the area, but I am determined that it won’t be my last. For my next visit, I WILL take some grandsons along. They’ll have a ball!!

SPORTS, SPORTS AND MORE SPORTS! — Three major professional teams have their home stadiums in Cleveland, Ohio: Cleveland Browns (football), Cleveland Cavaliers (basketball) and Cleveland Indians (baseball). Those stadiums are in the same general vicinity, so much so that when I visited, I walked a few short blocks to Progressive Field for an Indians game and passed an excited horde of fans heading in the opposite direction to FirstEnergy Stadium for the Browns season opener. The Indians climbed to the top of their division and made it to the playoffs this year. The Browns fans stay loyal, in spite of lackluster records. They believe in their team. The Cavaliers said good-bye to Lebron James after winning the NBA championship but still love the Cavs and their chances to bring home more wins.

Our boys would love going to a game, and the odds are good that we’d be able to schedule our trip to see one of these Cleveland teams for a home game.

2. PURE FUN! — Cleveland has its own zoo, aquarium and science center, but a mere hour away from downtown Cleveland in Sandusky is Cedar Point Amusement Park, calling itself “The Roller Coaster Capital of the World.” That says it all, doesn’t it? Thrills-a-million!

For a bit of quirkiness, A Christmas Story House, site where much of the iconic Christmas movie was filmed, is open for tours. Since the movie first came out in 1983, perhaps a pre-trip viewing of the movie would be in order to whet our appetites. Popcorn, anyone?

A Christmas Story House

3. LEARN ABOUT ROCK AND ROLL AND PRO FOOTBALL LEGENDS! The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is on E. 9th Street in Cleveland and is one of the most popular attractions in the city. The interactive exhibits and memorabilia from famous singers are guaranteed to entertain the younger set, and maybe they will gain an appreciation for the music of their parents’ and grandparents’ days. The Beatles, Elvis, Aretha Franklin — every one you could name. This is a multi-sensory profusion.

Outside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

An hour away in Canton, is the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Once again, the displays and exhibits are interactive and superbly done. My favorite display showcased the Super Bowl rings of various stars. Those bad boys are HUGE!! I can imagine the grandsons picking a favorite team and following the journey of its most famous athletes through the museum.

Pro Football Hall of Fame

Super Bowl Ring

4. EAT GREAT FOOD! The first place that springs to mind is The Happy Dog at Euclid Tavern. Check out this impressive list of FIFTY, yes 50, different toppings you can order for your hamburger or hot dog.

Hot Dog toppings

The Greenhouse Tavern on E. 4th Street has an Ohio Beef Burger that would get 2 thumbs up from some hungry boys.

Ohio Beef Burger at The Greenhouse Tavern

For breakfast, I would want to take them to Grumpy’s Cafe one day and West Side Market Cafe the next. And, somewhere along the way, they would need to taste their first pierogi. THEN, they could feel that they had really walked in the shoes of true Clevelanders.

Grumpy’s breakfast

Pierogies!

Yes, I know. Cleveland is probably NOT the best choice for a grandparents/grandchildren destination in the winter. But, for spring, summer and fall, it is bursting with ways to make amazing memories.

P.S. Never fear. There’s a whole future post about great activities the grandDAUGHTERS will love as well. 🙂

3 More Highlights to Enjoy in Columbia, Tennessee

10/01/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Last Monday I shared a post about Blythewood Inn, a wonderful B & B in Columbia, TN.

I’m writing today’s post in plenty of time for you to make your plans to visit Columbia, TN (a.k.a. “Muletown”) this coming Friday night, October 5th, for its monthly First Friday event. Go early to take advantage of the Polk Home and Rippavilla or plan another day soon when the atmosphere will be more relaxed.

Columbia is “Muletown” and here is its queen.

The James K. Polk Home, at 301 W. 7th Street, is historically significant to our knowledge and understanding of the lives and contributions of Presidents of the United States. James K Polk was a short, workaholic who only served one term, but more than 800,000 square miles were added to our territory during those four years. Several buildings who were owned by his family are located on the block, and visitors are treated to a video, a museum, a gift shop and an escorted, narrated tour.

2. Historic Courthouse Square — Take time to find the great murals scattered around town. They are a lot of fun, several adding to the town’s nickname of “Muletown.” Parking is free. If you can’t find a spot right on the square, there are a couple of lots a block away.

Independent bookstores are rare finds in today’s world. Duck River Books has rare books, first editions, walls adorned with autographs of important literary figures, and fun gift items. It is certainly worth a visit.

Square Market Cafe is one of the great eating choices on the square. I loved sitting in one of the outdoor tables, eating freshly prepared food and watching the world go by. After a nice stroll, it was fun to find Hattie Jane’s Creamery and devour one of its cool, sweet treats. You can also choose from a Mexican place, Southern Tre Steakhouse and Puckett’s. There is even a pie shop where you can stop and enjoy a slice on the spot or take one home for supper.

A great time to take in the vibe of Columbia is on First Fridays. You’ll find plenty of live musicians and other vendors, plus most of the stores happily extend their opening hours.

3. Rippavilla Plantation in very nearby Spring Hill was significant in Civil War history. I highly recommend a tour to learn what role it played in that horrible conflict between Americans. Special events are held on the grounds throughout the year, so be sure to check their website. While you’re there, save time to peruse the Gift Shop, too. The GPS address is 5700 Main Street in Spring Hill.

For a fuller article about Columbia, TN, check out the story published last week in the Senior Scene Magazine published by the Athens News-Courier. Here’s the link. My story is on pages 24-25.

Blythewood Inn: Luxury Antebellum Lodging in Columbia, Tennessee

09/24/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Do you have a special occasion coming up? An anniversary? A birthday? A much-needed time to get away and spoil yourself a little? Do you have a night or two for an outing but don’t want to drive a long distance? North Alabama and Middle Tennessee folks, I have a beautiful recommendation for you.

Blythewood Inn was constructed as a private home between 1857 and 1859. The French Colonial style residence served several prominent families well before being transformed into a bank for a number of years. Dr. and Mrs. Gordon Vire saw tremendous potential in the structure and bought it in 1994. After massive renovation and preservation work, Blythewood served as the center for Dr. Vire’s medical practice through 2007. The structure was vacant for several years, all while Mrs. Vire kept the idea of a bed and breakfast growing in her mind. Again, the building underwent renovations to get it “up to code,” then finally about a year ago, Mrs. Vire (Dinah) and her business partners finally opened as a B & B. Partner Wayne Swope is the genius behind the selection of furnishings, colors and decor, while Dinah and her daughter Gretchen (a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu, renowned culinary institution) create wonderful breakfasts for the guests. In addition, they offer dinners and other food and catering type services for area clients.

A framed drawing of Blythewood from years ago.

Steve and I spent a wonderful night in the Magnolia Suite upstairs recently. We loved the fact that the soaring ceilings, fireplaces, floors, staircase, and most of the architectural details are still intact WHILE modern conveniences are available such as highspeed internet, air conditioning, steaming hot showers, luxurious bedding, Smart TV and soft, thirsty towels. I especially appreciated the variety of seating in our room, the abundance of electrical outlets (important for recharging devices/cameras, etc.) and the well-placed night lights. After all, you don’t want to stumble in the dark when you’re in an unfamiliar place. While basking in all the creature comforts, it is fun to imagine the stories of people who occupied those very rooms 160 years ago.

Magnolia Suite bedroom.

Magnolia Suite parlor.

View from the staircase.

If you can negotiate the stairs, then the Magnolia is wonderful, but, if not, there are rooms downstairs as well. The Mulberry Suite, in particular, is fully equipped to be wheelchair accessible, complete with a roll-in shower. Some room configurations work well for families or groups of friends traveling together. See the website for more details on the 8 rooms at Blythewood.

Bathroom with roll-in shower.

Blythewood Inn has a large outdoor space that is popular for parties, wedding receptions and gatherings of all kinds and an industrial kitchen equipped to prepare full meals for large groups.

Speaking of the kitchen, breakfast at Blythewood Inn is an occasion all its own. The morning we were there breakfast started with fresh fruit topped with an edible pansy, coffee and juice. That was followed by Eggs Benedict, roasted potatoes and a croissant with homemade peach jam. For a sweet treat, we had warm strawberry bread, also homemade. We were served in the front parlor with tables for 2 or 4 guests and is also a great space for family dinners.

Front parlor at Blythewood

First course at breakfast.

Eggs Benedict.

The larger dining room is used when the house is brimming with guests. It features a Zuber wall mural that was painted in France on paper, cut into strips, shipped to Columbia and installed in the room in 1900.

Large dining room with Zuber wall mural.

Blythewood Inn at 109 Blythewood Drive is only 45 minutes from downtown Nashville. I strongly suggest that you plan a night or more at Blythewood when you are heading to Nashville for a concert, for shopping or for a sports event. You’ll enjoy being out of the crazy traffic. And, by the way, even if you stay for several nights in a row, each morning the breakfast menu will be different, AND it will be served on a different set of china.

Make a note that the town of Columbia will host an Open House the weekend of December 7 and 8 to benefit the Historic Atheneum, an important structure that housed a girls’ school in the 1830’s. On those days, brunch, lunch and high tea will be served at Blythewood. Tickets for brunch or lunch are $25, and high tea is $15. Brunch will be served at 9:00 a.m., lunch at 11:00 and 1:00, and high tea will be at 3:00. Grab a friend and make your plans. Reservations MUST be made in advance.

Columbia hosts First Fridays in the nearby Historic Downtown, just two blocks from the President James K. Polk Home and Museum. There you will find interesting shops, four restaurants, a pie shop and an ice cream parlor. What could be better? If you have time, a visit to Rippavilla Plantation in Spring Hill is a great place to learn about the Civil War battles that took place in the area. As it happened, Rippavilla was pivotal to the action.

Rippavilla Plantation in Spring Hill, TN

Plan a getaway to Columbia. It’s just right off I-65, but you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped WAY back in time.

Edgefield, South Carolina: Pottery, Great Food and TURKEYS!

09/10/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Allow me to steer you off of Interstates 20, 26 or 85 the next time you cross from Georgia or North Carolina into South Carolina. Edgefield is a jewel of a town with plenty to occupy you for several hours or a couple of days.

The National Wild Turkey Federation has its headquarters in Edgefield, and you will definitely want to designate an hour or two to visit their beautiful facility at 770 Augusta Road. The displays and exhibits are first-class. Even for those of us who have never been turkey hunters, it is fascinating to learn the habits and facts surrounding these interesting, albeit funny-looking, birds.

On display at the National Wild Turkey Federation

When you make the connection to the Turkey Federation, it is easy to understand and enjoy the painted turkeys scattered around the downtown area.

Standing around town.

Make a point of visiting downtown, specifically to see the studio and workshop of Old Edgefield Pottery at 230 Simpkins Street. There are actually three art forms that originated in South Carolina — Sweetgrass Baskets (popular in Charleston), Catawba Indian Pottery (which is on prominent display at the Catawba Cultural Center in Rock Hill, SC) and Edgefield Pottery which dates back to the 1800’s. At the studio, you can see examples of the original clay works and watch potter Justin Guy continue the process to make pieces today. You will be very tempted to purchase one of his beautiful pots for your own home.

Mural depicting Potter Dave from 200 years ago.

Justin Guy talking about Old Edgefield Pottery and its characteristics

Old Edgefield Grill is a restaurant I am happy to recommend right off of the main square at 202 Penn Street. Housed in a vintage Victorian home with a wide wraparound veranda and a yard full of magnolia trees, it exudes an air of Southern hospitality with the menu to back it up. They say that Shrimp and Grits is their signature item, but I’d put their Fried Green Tomatoes at the top of their offerings, as well. Two of the main dining rooms have important local connections. One has turkeys everywhere — in photos and decor, of course, not in live, gobbling form — and the other is a tribute to Senator Strom Thurmond, a highly-recognized and beloved U.S. Senator who was born in Edgefield in 1902, and died there a little over a hundred years later. Delicious upscale comfort food, elegant surroundings and significant art and decor items — what could be better?

Interior of Old Edgefield Grill in the turkey-themed room.

Statue of Senator Strom Thurmond

Edgefield is just one of the towns in the 5 counties which make up South Carolina’s Old 96 District. Check out the website. I’m positive you will find something that everyone in your family can see, experience and enjoy.

Gervasi Vineyard: 55 Stunning Acres in Canton, Ohio

09/03/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

I expected to enjoy the NFL Hall of Fame and the Canton Food Tour on a recent visit, but I was amazed and enchanted by the beauty and excellence I observed at the Gervasi Vineyard (1700 55th Street N.E. in Canton, Ohio). The work of a winery, especially one that offers exceptional food, luxury accommodations, much-sought-after event spaces and immaculate landscaping, is worth appreciating. When you are curious about pretty much EVERYTHING — as I tend to be — the process involved in turning grapes into wine is a fascinating one.

Driving through the archway entrance into Gervasi, you immediately sense that you are in for a special treat.

My fellow travel writers and I began our visit in the Tower Room of The Crush House, one of Gervasi’s fabulous restaurants. Andrew Codispoti, the Director of Winemaking, gave us an enlightening presentation about the various wines produced on the property as well as others that are brought in from around the world. I learned a lot about “the persona of wine” as Andrew explained that every wine has a longitude, a latitude, an altitude, and he smiled and added “an attitude.” A wine’s persona is the sum total of all the affecting factors: soil, slope, exposure, rain, fog, breeze, wind and, of course, temperature. Andrew also talked to us about “ice wine” (as opposed to “iceD wine”). In the case of ice wine, grapes must freeze on the vine when the temperatures have been in the teens for a number of days in a row. Then the grapes are pressed while they are still frozen, so the juice is highly concentrated. See? I told you it was fascinating.

Ted Swaldo is the owner of Gervasi, and the name of the vineyard was chosen because it is his mother’s maiden name. His son Scott is the General Manager. Scott is pictured here in the blue checked shirt beside Andrew.

Andrew Codispoti and Scott Swaldo

Lunch at The Crush House was fabulous. Here are some photos of appetizers, salads and main dishes. Oh my!

Crispy Fig Crostatas

Italian Loaded Potato Chips

Chickpea-crusted Chicken Breast

Greek Chicken Orzo

Rosemary Roasted Beef Sandwich with Crush House slaw

We walked the lush grounds and saw the variety of event spaces available for special occasions of all kinds — the Pavilion, the Villa Grande, the Gazebo, etc.

We toured a couple of the villas, which are Italian-inspired guest suites, each with a fireplace, heated tile floors and walk-in showers. Gorgeous! I MUST find an opportunity to return.

lLiving room in a villa.

Bedroom in a villa with a fireplace and heated floor.

Tile and marble bathroom with walk-in shower.

In The Bistro, Gervasi’s most upscale dining option, we met Jerry Risner, the Executive Chef, who is putting Gervasi on the map with his creativity and skill. He has a highly-trained staff, meeting the desires of all the guests who dine on the property.

One of the dining areas in The Bistro.

Jerry Risner, Executive Chef

Culinary classes are held on the grounds. The main instructor and the coordinator is Julianna Wilmoth. Her mantra is to use whole, fresh, local food when you’re cooking and to have fun doing it. Check out the schedule of classes here. Who wants to go with me?

Julianna Wilmoth, director of Culinary Classes

Of course, you wouldn’t want to leave Gervasi without a stop at the Marketplace to have a look at the vineyard-themed merchandise available for purchase.

Marketplace — gift shop on the grounds.

Some of the merchandise for sale in the Marketplace.

I understand there is even an event during harvest time every year where visitors can actually “stomp the grapes,” Lucy Ricardo-style. Wouldn’t that be a blast?

Have I sparked your interest in visiting Canton and Gervasi Vineyard? I believe you’ll love it.

A Canton Food Tour for an Alabama Food Lover

08/27/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Last week I was in Cleveland, Ohio with a group of fellow travel writers, all members of SATW (Society of American Travel Writers), and decided to go up a day early to take in some of the attractions and restaurants in nearby Canton. The first thing that likely comes to mind when you say “Canton, Ohio,” at least to the male members of the human race, would be the NFL Hall of Fame, and admittedly, that is a HUGE deal in Canton. Who knew, then, that there was such a great foodie culture in this town of 71,000, give or take a few hundred or so?

The Evening Hall of Fame City Food Tour costs $63 per person and includes a walking tour of downtown blocks showcasing important buildings, lively public art, lots of Canton fun facts and trivia and the culinary offerings of at least 4 participating restaurants. With a minimum of two courses at each eatery, the amount adds up to an abundance of food. For that reason, the walking involved is actually a very good thing. Plus, it’s the best way to get the vibe of the neighborhood. And, don’t worry if you’re not in top physical condition. The area is only about 4 blocks running north and south and 2 blocks running east and west. Very doable. I promise.

Cathy Wyatt was our tour guide. I found her to be extremely knowledgeable, attractive and enthusiastic. She also generously allowed us to visit her apartment at Onesto Lofts for a birds’eye view of downtown. Cathy is heavily involved in the civic happenings of Canton and owns Carpe Diem Coffee Shop right in the heart of the action.

Cathy Wyatt, Canton Food Tour guide and owner of Carpe Diem Coffee Shop.

Cathy Wyatt and her coffee shop.

Entrance to Onesto Lofts, repurposed downtown building.

Ornate lobby of Onesto Lofts.

View of the angels atop the Stark County Courthouse from near the top of Onesto Lofts.

Cathy educated us about the connections between President William McKinley and Canton, primarily through his wife Ida Saxton McKinley who was born and died in Canton. She pointed out the murals in progress depicting the 11 most important events in the history of the National Football League. We saw the Stark County Courthouse with its 11-foot high angels adorning the top and several examples of sculptures. Even the trash receptacles are painted with an array of themes.

NFL Monday Night Football mural

But, most of the time, we ate . . . and ate . . . and ate.

Our first stop was to Benders Tavern (circa 1902). There we had a sampling of Turtle Soup, which was a flavorful mix of snapping turtle morsels, celery, carrots, red pepper, sherry and herbs in a tomato base. Great start! That was followed by Sauteed Perch, straight from nearby Lake Erie, with homemade hummus and green beans with charmoula sauce.

Bender’s Tavern

Lake Erie perch at Bender’s.

Street Side Mexican Cantina is a new place which just opened in January of 2018. In addition to a collection of vintage signs on the walls, there was a deer head over the bar decorated for football. Street Side features fresh Mexican cuisine. We were served homemade tortilla chips with four sauces: queso, guacamole, salsa and fresco. All were good, but the queso was the crowd favorite. Next came small servings of BBQ beef tacos and Pork Belly Tacos with housemade quick pickles. New twists on old favorites.

Wall in Street Side Mexican Cantina.

Pork Belly Taco and BBQ Beef Taco.

George’s Lounge (1959) came next. Very much sporting the atmosphere of the iconic Cheers television show, George’s is known for its crazy-good burgers and live music. They feature a Burger of the Month and a Shake of the Month. We had samples of each. First, the burger topped with a fried green tomato, pimento cheese and jalapeno/pear jam, then a small portion of a brown butter peach cobbler shake. It’s a good thing the portions were small. Wow. Yummy!

George’s Lounge in the Music Block of downtown Canton.

Burger of the Month at George’s.

Our last stop was at Basil Asian Bistro. We were served a Sushi Platter and a cooked sushi creation designed to look like its name “Shaggy Dog.” Fun AND delicious. The two entrees were served family style, so we all got to taste Pad Thai and Green Mango Grouper. Basil is a family business. The parents are Chinese who grew up in Vietnam. The present owner is a first generation American. The menu is a mix of Korean, Thai, Japanese, Vietnamese and Burmese. Very interesting.

Basil Asian Bistro.

Beautifully-presented sushi platter at Basil.

Sushi aptly called “Shaggy Dog” at Basil.

All four restaurants are popular, and our service was outstanding. I’m glad Food Tours are popping up in more cities. They are great ways to sample regional specialties while learning fun facts about the area. The Canton Food Tour is very well-done, and I highly recommend it. If you’re lucky enough to have Cathy for your guide, you’ll be in for an extra-special treat.

Bama Bed and Breakfast: Tuscaloosa, AL (Revisited)

07/27/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

(I am declaring a one-month sabbatical from blogging for July. The two reasons? 1) We’re FINALLY moving into our new house, and I desperately need to “make it into a home,” with all of the organizing, picture-hanging, accessorizing that entails. 2) The 11th Annual Pearson Cousins Camp will be held July 22-28. That week requires complete focus, attention and meticulous planning. So, for this month, we will revisit some of my favorite posts from the past three years that I have been blogging here at ThereGoesConnie.com).

Those who know me well will likely be surprised to see this post from Tuscaloosa, AL. War Eagle! But, when I first started as a travel writer, I spent a couple of truly delightful days in T-Town and spent a wonderful night at the Bama Bed and Breakfast. I highly recommend that you experience the great hospitality of the innkeepers.

A Few Days in Rival Territory — Bama Bed and Breakfast

02/01/2016 BY: CCPEARSON2 COMMENTS

Imagine staying in a bedroom that was once occupied by Union troops who commandeered the house during the Civil War. Imagine hearing whispers in the hall between the Union captain and the homeowner’s daughter as they fell in love and made promises for the future. Imagine the careful actions of the homeowner and his family as they hoped against hope their home wouldn’t be burned to the ground when the soldiers left Tuscaloosa and headed to another battleground.

Bama Bed and Breakfast, campus location, was built in 1823 as a result of a 125-acre land grant signed by President James Monroe, 5th President of the United States. The home has been continually occupied since that date but didn’t officially open its doors as a Bed and Breakfast until August 2015, just in time for football season. Bama B & B also has a lakeside location hosted by Marc and Kim Roberts. Kim’s parents, Bob and Yvonne Schwartz, are the gracious hosts at the campus location.

It is a very striking structure. The front columns were originally ordered for a building on the University of Alabama campus. But, when the columns arrived, they didn’t fit, so this home at 46 Sherwood Drive was the lucky recipient.

Exterior of the Bama B & B campus location with columns originally intended for a university building.

I drove in at 10:00 a.m. on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day just hoping to be able to park my car in their lot while I toured Tuscaloosa. But, Marc, Bob and Yvonne greeted me enthusiastically and insisted that I go ahead and bring in my bags. I was led to the Capstone Suite where a beautifully-decorated room awaited. My friend, Dr. Beth Long, and I were then given a quick tour of the gorgeous home filled with antiques and period furnishings and accessories.

Marc, Bob and Yvonne giving a warm welcome.

I noticed that the dining room table was adorned with houndstooth placemats and elephant napkin rings and casually (well, maybe not TOO casually) mentioned that I was a big Auburn fan. In an extremely thoughtful gesture, when I came down for breakfast the next morning, those had been removed and some blue floral ones were in their place. Now THAT my friends is personal, caring service.

Dining room complete with houndstooth placemats.

Speaking of breakfast, it was prepared primarily by Bob because Yvonne had had foot surgery a few weeks earlier. He did a great job. Delicious food. Yvonne’s specialty — cocoa syrup (aka chocolate gravy) — was a happily-anticipated treat. Yvonne also had homemade cookies waiting in the foyer.

Foyer table with tempting treats

While I was in my room, I noticed that every possible need of an overnight guest had been provided — including a make-up towel, Q-tips, current magazines, and free wi-fi, just to name a FEW. Inside the spacious closet was a safe, a microwave, a fridge, a Keurig machine, and a small icemaker. Wow. The bed linens were luxurious and so, so comfortable.

Spacious bathroom featuring a clawfoot tub.

Yellow and blue Capstone Suite.

Marc and Kim, Bob and Yvonne genuinely enjoy having guests. If you are planning to visit Tuscaloosa in the future, I heartily recommend that you give either of their locations a try.

Bama Bed and Breakfast Explore their website for all the necessary details.

Houmas House: Luxury along Plantation Road in Louisiana (Revisited)

07/13/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Houmas House Plantation: Extraordinary Luxury and Natural Beauty

05/30/2016 BY: CCPEARSONCOMMENT

I just turned 66. Gasp! And, I’ve stayed in a lot of different hotel rooms. Notably, one was during a mission trip to Guatemala and cost $2.50 per night, which Steve deemed “highway robbery.” There was a bare light bulb hanging in the middle of the room, we slept on TOP of the sheets on the bed, and the shower had a crate on the floor to stand on rather than have cockroaches run across your feet. Seriously. I’ve slept under mosquito nets in Kenya where the outside grounds were being guarded by a man with a bow and arrow. On the other side of the spectrum, I’ve stayed in rooms overlooking Times Square, the crashing waves on the north shore of Oahu, the rolling surf of the Gulf of Mexico, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and one with the Capitol dome out the window. Most have been comfortable, convenient and served their purpose admirably.

A recent night in Louisiana stands out at the top, or certainly among the top 3 or 4 in my mind, in terms of purely luxurious furnishings in the room of an overnight cottage with astounding attention to details. Even the shower had a 12-foot ceiling and heavy crown molding!!! This was at the Houmas House Plantation and Gardens in Darrow, Louisiana. Oh my. Do you have a splurge occasion coming up? Maybe a 25th or 50th wedding anniversary? Give this serious consideration. Not only will you be amazed at the quality of your room, but your tastebuds will be wildly satisfied by any of the three restaurants on the grounds.

Kevin Kelly, the present owner of Houmas House, actually lives in the mansion and is present often to make sure that the quality of accommodations, meals, gardens and tours of his home remains high.

Scenes from the gardens on the plantation grounds:

Scenes from inside and outside of the guest cottages.

Guest cottages added to the property 2 years ago.

Susan was our costumed guide when we toured the big house. She did a fabulous job of pointing out the phenomenal collection of art and antiques that Mr. Kelly has brought to this property. She told a fascinating story of the history of the home and the people who have lived there. Betty Davis stayed in one of the bedrooms while “Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte” was being filmed. As a special treat, I got to play that theme song on a very rare 1901 Steinway piano while Susan sang.

“Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte”

Steinway piano made in Germany in 1901

Scenes from the Big House:

100% free-standing, floating staircase

Houmas House Plantation is referred to as both “The Sugar Palace” and “Crown Jewel of Louisiana’s River Road.”

Read my article in Epicurean-Traveler.com hereabout the Carriage House Restaurant, and take a look at my article in Trip101.com about the accommodations at Houmas House.

7 Reasons to Visit St. Simons Island, Georgia – (Revisited)

07/09/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

7 Outstanding Reasons to Visit St. Simons Island, GA

01/30/2017 BY: CCPEARSON2 COMMENTS

Last April, Steve and I were invited to participate in a press trip to St. Simons Island, a place that was completely new to us. The purpose of the trip was to introduce travel writers and bloggers to a part of the Atlantic Coast which is unknown to many. We absolutely loved it! The setting, the resort, the historical connections, the quirks, the special people and the FOOD were all amazing. If you go — and I hope you will — let me mention 7 things you should not miss.

King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort. I have written about it extensively here. But, I want to mention it again, specially because of the over-the-top cuisine of Chef James Flack. It helps, of course, that he has abundant seafood literally in his back yard (the Resort IS oceanfront), but his culinary skills and imagination take dishes to new heights. I don’t think I had ever seen such beautiful food, without even considering the incredible taste.

One section of historic King and Prince Resort.

Bounty from the Atlantic.

2. Cap Fendig. Whether you want a relaxed trolley tour on land or a boat tour to spot dolphins on your way to Sidney Lanier Bridge, Cap Fendig should be your go-to source. He is a native of St. Simons and knows the place through and through. We got to experience his knowledge in both settings and enjoyed him thoroughly. Such a great personality.

Cap Fendig’s trolley

Sidney Lanier Bridge

Boat in the port on St. Simons Island

Sidney Lanier Bridge

Cap Fendig’s boat

Cap Fendig teaching his guests about his island

3. Visit Christ Church on Frederica Road. Read about its storied history here. Such names as James Oglethorpe and John Wesley immediately get your attention. You’ll find descriptions of stained glass windows, one of which is an authentic, unsigned Tiffany creation, and of the gorgeous needlework wall hangings. And when you sit in the pews, you will enjoy knowing that former U.S. Presidents Coolidge, Carter and Bush may have sat in the same spot. The adjoining cemetery is also a fascinating place to spend some time. Be sure to find the burial spot of Southern novelist,Euginia Price. The words on her tombstone are: “After her conversion to Jesus Christ, October 2, 1949, she wrote ‘Light … and eternity and love and all are mine at last.” Indeed.

Pew in Christ Church

4. Visit Fort Frederica National Monument. Yes, this is the place where the British defeated the Spanish in 1742, which meant that Georgia remained a British colony. But, the National Park Service has expanded the guest experience to include much more. It is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day from 9:00 to 5:00. Plan to spend a couple of hours, and I guarantee you’ll come out feeling smarter than when you went in.

Fort Frederica

5. Go to the beautiful Visitors Center and see the mermaid tree spirit carved by Keith Jennings beside the building. There are other tree spirits scattered throughout the island. Ask questions in the Visitors Center or read more here. Don’t worry. We were told that these carvings do NOT harm the trees. Seems implausible, but that’s the information we got.

Interior of the Visitors Center

6. Visit the St. Simons Island Lighthouse, take the colorful, informative tour, and climb to the top if you’re feeling energetic. Lighthouses are not a part of our Alabama culture. Maybe that’s what makes them doubly intriguing to me. This one is really beautiful. And, of course, my Silver Fox made the climb.

7. Enjoy dinner at Georgia Sea Grill. This is another place to find delectable seafood prepared by an accomplished chef. Check out a few of the dishes we sampled with our tablemates. So, so good.

Look at the size of those scallops!

Georgia Sea Grill

Look at your calendar. Pick out some dates. Start planning a visit to St. Simons Island. You’ll be glad.

Whitney Plantation – Focus on the Plight of the Slaves (Revisited)

07/05/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

On this day after we celebrated our nation’s independence, it seems fitting to look back at a post I wrote about the Whitney Plantation in Louisiana. The emphasis on the displays at the Whitney is clearly on those who were NOT allowed to be free or independent. I strongly recommend that you plan a visit. It will change you.

Whitney Plantation — A Focus on the Slaves

06/01/2016 BY: CCPEARSONCOMMENT

I can’t leave Louisiana’s Plantation Country without telling you about Whitney Plantation, probably the “most different” of them all. Begun as a sugar cane operation in 1752, it was finally opened to the public for the very first time in 2014, and has the distinction of being the ONLY plantation in Louisiana that is dedicated solely to educating the public about the slaves and the conditions under which they lived and worked.

Located on Highway 18 in Wallace, LA, you will not leave from a visit to Whitney the same way you arrived. The tour, the exhibits, and the surroundings will make a lasting impression. It’s very sobering to be confronted so graphically with the cruelty these innocent human beings endured. There are many museums dedicated to telling the story of the Holocaust, but this is the only place in the United States where the issue of slavery is dealt with so passionately and vividly. Interviews in the 1930’s with more than 2300 former slaves were conducted as part of the Federal Writers’ Project. The information and quotes scattered throughout the Whitney grounds and in the narrated tour are derived from those interviews.

John Cummings, a New Orleans lawyer and multi-millionaire who has become one of the largest landowners in the area, owns Whitney Plantation and is vehement about the need to educate people, not about the rich white people who inhabited “the big houses” with their art and fine antiques, but about the people who actually sweated, toiled and were beaten in the process of making those big-house-dwellers wealthy. He believes that “racism needs to become an antique through education.”

Mr. Cummings continues to put money where his convictions are through the Good Shepherd School in New Orleans. They started with 12 black students and are now up to 88. Students attend classes 6 days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. 11 months a year. Expectations are high, and black students are rising to the challenge. “What a change we can make (in this country) when we send more black men and women to college than to the penitentiary,” Cummings preaches.

Statues of slave children that are on the grounds are the work of Woodrow Nash.

Statue inside Antioch Church on the grounds of Whitney Plantation.

Statues of slave children by Woodrow Nash.

I strongly urge you to include Whitney Plantation in your itinerary whenever you are in this part of the country. An article in National Geographic calls it “The Plantation Every American Should Visit.” I agree.

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