Is everyone enjoying their summer? We have had a lot of rain, but I am doing my best to plan activities around the raindrops. Here are a few of my latest adventures:
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| A friend and I walked on a new trail in Medina County that takes you through woods and fields, under an interstate, and up a steep hill until you see this brewery in the distance. It oddly sits in the middle of a neighborhood on the grounds of a former golf course. We had a delicious dinner of parmesan shrimp bowls with orzo, olives, sundried tomatoes, and feta cheese. Then it was the hike back to the car. We spotted some baby snakes along the path hissing at us. You can thank me for not taking photos of them. |
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| My husband had July 5th off, so we drove an hour away to go blueberry picking with Middle Child. It was husband's first time and he really enjoyed it. It's hard to tell by the photo, but we picked almost 8 pounds between the three of us. I froze the majority but did make some really good blueberry pie bars last week. |
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| During the pandemic, I collected outdoor ideas and this was one of them: Schoepfle Gardens in Lorain County. Again, about an hour away, and it was free! We spent a few hours there last Saturday. |
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| Beautiful gardens and lots of hiking trails in the woods and along the Vermilion River. |
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| Statue of Otto Schoepfle who was a local newspaper publisher and avid gardener. |
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| They had a lovely children's garden and play area with this carousel. The animals were beautifully painted. |
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| The children's area was musically themed. I thought it was clever that they had various 'instruments' decorated with flowers. |
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| Looking for a place to lunch outdoors, we were only a few minutes away from Vermilion Valley Vineyards. It's not summer without a winery stop for me! |
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| We tried a flight, along with a platter of hummus and veggies and a cheese/meat/olive board. One of the cheeses was Dubliner and was absolutely delicious. I'm not sure I've ever tried it before. We chatted with some of the employees and petted Gordie, the winery's Cocker Spaniel, while walking the grounds. They suggested we drive about 10 minutes north to downtown Vermilion. |
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| I can't believe we've never been there! It was a wonderful little beach town with lots of cute shops. Years back, they had a Postcard Project where artists painted nostalgic murals on the sides of old brick buildings like this one. There were 15 different ones. |
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| Lighthouse overlooking Lake Erie |
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| We sat on a bench for a little while, enjoying the view as yachts went in and out of the yacht club. |
That first shot of the field and the brewery in the distance is stunning! To me, it actually looks like some place in Europe, like the French countryside. Your meal sounded delicious!
ReplyDeleteAnd speaking of blueberries, I recently bought some at Trader Joe's and made a fresh blueberry and banana salad.
"The children's area was musically themed. I thought it was clever that they had various 'instruments' decorated with flowers."
OMG, that is so cute!
Love the photo of the wine glasses and the vineyard in the background.
As I shared on your Instagram feed, the collection of photographs you shared of Vermilion are awesome! I love lighthouses.
Over the years of knowing you and seeing the photographs you've shared of various areas where you live, I am so impressed by how beautiful and diverse it is!
My favorite time to visit the beach (as you already know) is during the Fall and Winter months because I like how peaceful and quiet it is. I love to walk alone the sand on a gray and cold day, and then come home and make a nice hot pot of homemade minestrone soup, into which I dip warmed artisan bread, while sipping a glass of dark, red wine!
Thanks so much for sharing your day trip, my friend. Enjoyed! Have a superb weekend! X
Isn’t that brewery amazing from a distance? We actually looked at it a few years ago when planning my son’s wedding reception that never happened due to Covid, but we didn’t like the room and set up.
DeleteBlueberry and banana salad sounds so good!
Yes, I’ve always said we have tons of stuff to do here, but the weather often gets in the way! It’s supposed to pour all day today, so my evening plans will likely be canceled:(
I will skip the cold day at the beach but have the soup, bread and wine with you! Enjoy your weekend!
It's been rainy and humid here, so much so that I haven't wanted to go outside. Your photos of the garden and the carousel and the beach seem like teasers to me. Should I get the opportunity I, too, want to go to a local vineyard and sip wine and feel ever so relaxed. Happy Summer, indeed.
ReplyDeleteUgh, this weather has been rough, but at least we’ve avoided flooding in our area. Our backyard is currently a swamp. I’m taking advantage of every full sun day we manage to get. Local vineyards are the best, aren’t they? So beautiful and relaxing. Sunday is looking good here, weather-wise, so maybe for you, too!
DeleteWell, here in Michigan, you're never more than a 2-hour drive from one of the Great Lakes (alas, where I live is that perfectly-centered place - 2 hours from three different Great Lakes), so there's no shortage of beaches. One of the houses I lived in growing up had Lake Huron for the back yard (or front yard, depending on your perspective). Just loved walking up and down the beach, and getting in the water. As a kid, I loved to body-surf the breaking waves. . .
ReplyDeleteWe used to pick strawberries and raspberries when I was younger. Jenn took me blueberry picking a few years back. It was nice - you don't have to bend over (like strawberries), or wear gloves (like raspberries). . .
You really are in the center of Michigan. You can’t beat the beauty of Lake Michigan, though. Love the dunes and the cliffs on that side. And yes, blueberry picking is by the far the easiest.
DeleteI could have eaten all 8 pounds of the blueberries. My go to snack in the Summer is the Costco containers of blueberries. Working and munching :) Looks like you've seen some pretty cool places! Although, I'm a little disappointed that we didn't get to see the baby snakes. They were probably cute!
ReplyDeleteThey are so good! But they get moldy after a week, so freezing them is the only alternative when you pick so many. Those snakes were hissing at us. Not a fan!
DeleteI'm so glad you've been able to get out and do a few things again! That first shot of the brewery in the distance is fantastic! Fresh blueberries sound heavenly to me, I can only get store bought here. Schoepfle Gardens look like a great place to spend and afternoon and what a nice bonus that it's free! I love all the meals you enjoyed, all things I would love too. I'm glad you checked out the little beach town, it looks like such a beautiful place. You already know when I'm at the beach my favorite thing is to just walk for miles, and treasure hunting along the way is fun too. Do you have anything fun planned for the weekend? Whatever you decided to do enjoy - cheers!
ReplyDeleteWe are fortunate to have a few blueberry farms in the area. Sadly, the few strawberry farms closed this year because the families retired and their offspring didn’t want to take over. It’s so fun to walk on a beach that goes on forever. We only get the tiny zebra mussel shells and the like around Lake Erie. The best seashells I’ve ever found were on Palm Beach. I have a bowl of them in my bathroom to enjoy every day. No plans for this weekend, but rain is supposed to stop Sunday so hopeful!
DeleteWhat wonderful adventures and delicious food. I would love to visit Vermilion! We will be in Northwest Ohio in mid September but that's so far that I doubt we can venture east ... but wow I'd love to spend a day there, on Lake Erie! When I go to the beach I like to sit and read, or watch the waves and birds. Sometimes I walk a little. And I take lots of pictures. Completely therapeutic! xoxo
ReplyDeleteIt was surprisingly quaint. I’ve never been to the Cape Cod area, but it seemed similar as far as the shops and all the flowers they had everywhere. Just beautiful. Have you ever been to Maumee Bay when in NW Ohio? We did a few family reunions there back in the early 2000’s. It’s a nice state park and resort, or at least it was back then. I like to relax and watch the birds, too. I have some great bird photos from vacations!
DeleteLove these beautiful photos, Bijoux, and I like how you get out there and enjoy life!
ReplyDeleteI like that lighthouse on the lake--so cool! I don't believe I've had Dubliner cheese, so now I'll have to try some.
When I go to the beach I like to sit in the sun, read, and, every now and then, peek at their girls in their bikinis. And then it's right back to reading--honest!
Take care!
I’m on a mission to enjoy life while I still can! That cheese was delicious. It’s weird that I had not heard of it before, but I’ve always wanted to go to a cheese class to learn about the different kinds. Have just never seen such a thing! Beach peeping is a good pastime but probably better in California or Hawaii!
DeleteIsn’t it nice to go on day trips again? You certainly got in some good ones and that winery would have been a stop for me as well, Bijoux. That sure was a blueberry haul.
ReplyDeleteIt’s been wonderful! We love to try out new (to us) wineries. Fresh blueberries are the best.
DeleteSo many fun things to do to enjoy summer! I love that picture of the brewery in the distance. It might have been worth the hike but I'm not sure about the snakes :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting at the gardens with the instruments decorated with flowers. Unusual but I bet enjoyable to see!
That town of Vermilion looks so charming too!!
My favorite thing to do at the beach is walk at water's edge though its been awhile since I've done that :)
betty
I just adore summer. These snakes were tiny, but I’ve seen a few big ones on hikes and was not happy about it. The children’s garden area was so cute. They even had a tunnel in the playground shaped like a flute.
DeleteSuntan and read.
ReplyDeleteI like to people watch over reading, but the sun is what it’s all about.
DeleteBeautiful wanderings and yummy blueberries. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rita!
DeleteDubliner? Is that an Irish cheese? I've never heard of it, but then I don't live in Dublin! It's always fun trying out new trails you haven't been on before. Vermilion looks pretty.
ReplyDeleteWhat do I like to do on the beach? We don't go to the beach very often and we certainly don't sunbathe, but we like walking along beaches, especially ones with spectacular cliffs.
It says online that Dubliner is made in County Cork by Carbery. Very yummy! I prefer the Pacific Ocean beaches here over the Atlantic because of the spectacular cliffs as well.
DeleteOoh! I bet that hummus and veggie platter was good. Glad you enjoyed the winery. I'm jealous of all the blueberries! Blueberry pie bars sound delish!
ReplyDeleteI’m thinking about making blueberry scones next!
DeleteI love all the views and walking that you've been getting in; bravo to you! My husband loves a good brewery and this one looks like a castle.
ReplyDeleteALL THOSE BLUEBERRIES. Wowza; that's a nice stockpile.
I love little day trips where you can explore new places.
Can you believe we live 20 minutes from the Gulf of Mexico and I hardly ever go. I'm not a fan of being hot and sandy. :)
Yes, the brewery does resemble a castle. They had a lovely garden and pond where you can get married. Wow, I’d be at the Gulf all the time! I bet the water looks better than Lake Erie!
DeleteWow, that sure sounds like a nice outing. You came across some great finds. I wouldn't have minded some baby snake pictures. lol
ReplyDeleteThe snakes were not photo worthy! Lol!
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DeleteNice to see you getting out there and having fun (not to mention delicious food and drinks). Gotta admit, I'm jealous of your rain! And also those blueberry pie bars. They sound amazing.
ReplyDeleteThe rain was horrible the last few days. Flooding everywhere and roads closed. The cities keep using the misnomer, ‘One hundred year flood’ that now happens every year. Our backyard is a swamp and unusable.
DeleteRain sounds nice when you're suffering through a drought, but I guess there's a negative to it, too. Sorry about your yard!
DeleteI don't know if I'd be fascinated or scared out of my mind at stumbling upon baby snakes. I did find one in my garden when I was a child and nearly lost my mind over it. I plan on taking my daughter blueberry picking this week or next. Our nearby farm only runs til the second week of August, so I need to get on it. Blueberry pie bars sound awesome. Do you have a link to the recipe or is it one of your own?
ReplyDeleteThe older I get, the less I like the beach. We did go today since I needed a mental break, but I ended up feeling irritated by the sand all over my skin. I think I'm more for lakes these days. Less crowding and no sand to stick to my skin and bring home.
The snakes were tiny, so didn’t bother me. Just don’t want to step on one by accident! I just sent you the blueberry bar recipe via Pinterest. They were really good! I understand about the sand. We just sat on a bench, so no contact with the sand.
DeleteThanks for the link! I am going to make a batch as soon as I get my butt down to the blueberry fields. I'll lyk how they turn out!
DeleteGreat!!!
DeleteThat looks like a great hike for lunch! Your day trip to Vermilion sounds wonderful! I have to look it up as a possible weekend trip for us!
ReplyDeleteYes! It’s probably not too far from you. You could also check out Put In Bay and Twin Oast Brewery along the way.
DeleteWe are sweating with very hot weather again here in the UK, it’s just a bit too hot for my liking though. You’ve had some wonderful trips, your photos are lovely. I eat blueberries regularly but have never baked them. I think I would like Vermilion.
ReplyDeleteWe go from hot to rainy to chilly all in a week. Crazy! You never bake with blueberries? I made a blueberry bread yesterday. It’s a similar texture to scones.
DeleteThat looks like such a lovely, peaceful trip! When I'm at the beach, I like to bring a book and just glance up occasionally at the kids playing to make sure they're still there. :)
ReplyDeleteThat’s the way to enjoy the beach, Betsy.
DeleteLove the photos, Bijoux. My son would be so jealous of that many blueberries. He loves them along with most other berries. I just love watching the ocean and seeing how happy my wife and kids are when we are there. Take care.
ReplyDeleteWe are fortunate to have a few blueberry farms within an hour’s drive.
DeleteOoooohhh, fresh blueberries! Actually, it looks like you had quite a time all around. I love being outdoors, and my wife and I hike every chance we get. Winery stops, as well as brewery stops are a favorite for us, especially after a long, exhausting hike.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you both would get along great with us!
DeleteLiving vicariously through others pictures and adventures ........ for now. Thanks, I really needed that!!
ReplyDeleteThumbs up!
DeleteI'm not really into beaches, but any place that has a winery or brewery is good to me! :D
ReplyDeleteGlad you are getting out and about. Things are still quite bad here in the UK so the most I'm doing is meeting a friend outside for lunch.
That sucks, Joe. I’m worried we are going to be having a reversal here come Fall.
DeleteI love wineries. And you have been walking some gorgeous places. That's a lot of blueberries! We are growing them but the bushes are still pretty small at the moment.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back!
Deleteat the beach: swim, walk, nap, read a book, listen to the waves... Those blueberries look good!
ReplyDeleteThey are delicious! I made a lemon blueberry tea bread today.
DeleteIt took me a minute to figure out what beach you were talking about because I didn't think you were close enough to drive to the coast that quickly. I never think of lakes as having a beach. Your garden trip sounds fun. I love carousels. Do they let people ride it?
ReplyDeleteMy favorite beach activities are looking for shells, looking for sea glass (I finally found some on our last trip in 2019!) looking for shark's teeth (I've never found any), and setting up a chair so the waves wash over my lap, but don't come up high enough to get a book wet. It's pure bliss to read a great book while the waves wash over you.
Lake Erie has lots of beaches, but the water is not pretty! I’ve never found sea glass anywhere, but have found lots of shells in Florida and sand dollars in California. Yes, the carousel gives free rides, but only on certain days and hours and not while we were there.
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