(HANNA CITY, ILLINOIS) — Imagine a place you can wake up in the morning to bison in your backyard.
Wildlife Prairie Park, a 1,800-acre zoological park in Hanna City, Illinois — offers just that, plus a lot more.
Here’s your “What-To-Do” list, Wildlife Prairie Park edition.
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Where to stay:
There are 7 ways to stay and reconnect with nature at Wildlife Prairie Park.
Legacy Cabins (where the bison can be easily seen)
Train cabooses
Megan’s Lodge
Grain bin cottages
Prairie Stables
Cabin on the Hill
Tent camping
Rachel, Bennett and I stayed in the Prairie Stables, so that’s what I know the most about.
Sitting aside Caboose Lake, the Prairie Stables are a rustic, cabin feel with two bedrooms and one bathroom, and a porch.
It’s very simplistic and nature-themed, with the pillows and decorations giving a Colorado vibe.
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The vibrant, red train cabooses looked incredible. They sit across Caboose Lake from the Prairie Stables. We’d love to stay there one day.
The Grain Bin Cottages are just steps away from the Prairie Stables, as well.
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What to do:
There’s so much to do at Wildlife Prairie Park. I say this as someone who has come on a weekend just to walk around and explore, and also as someone who has stayed here overnight. Hiking trails, animal exhibits, train rides, kayaking and much more just to name a few. Head to WPP’s website to learn more.
During our stay, we rode the final Prairie Zephyr train ride of the season. The train takes you through two different loops around the park, seeing plenty of nature along the way. This is a really fun option for kids, and WPP offered free park admission + Prairie Zephyr train rides for veterans on Veteran’s Day. The park is also gearing up for Santa’s Wildlife Express, which is a holiday-themed take on the train ride experience. Tickets are on sale now for the event, which runs December 13-15.
Probably the highlight of our trip was getting a private experience feeding wolves! Bennett, my 2-year-old, must have no fear – because he fed Tala and Aurora (behind a secure fence) with no hesitation. You can sign up for different animal feedings by emailing programming@wildlifeprairie.org
Some of my personal favorite things about Wildlife Prairie Park are the trails to see all the animals. Wolves, bears, bison, cougars and elk lead the charge with plenty more to see along the way. A really fun part, especially for kids, is the education center where you can see owls, turtles, snakes and more inside. This is also a great place to get indoors when the months get a little chillier, which is coming up soon for us Midwesterners.
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You can also get married at Wildlife Prairie Park! Say “I do” with some bison in the field behind you, then celebrate in one of the event spaces the park offers. You can find the different options here.
The WPP website says the park is known as a jewel of the North American Midwest. I’d have to agree. It’s well-located, just outside of Peoria – while feeling like you’re escaping to nature.
Many thanks to the WPP team for their hospitality during our stay. Until next time!
(MAKANDA, ILLINOIS) — If it’s one thing I love, it’s log cabins.
My family and I have stayed in log cabins ever since I can remember. Always in Colorado, though. Their rustic vibe joined with the rustic outdoors, it’s a spiritual experience. I’ve seen the Milky Way sitting outside of a log cabin before. I’ve sat by a running stream, seen elk walk by, and just listen to the wind whistle by.
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Illinois probably isn’t the first place you think of when you think of staying in a cabin. But for those of us who live in the Land of Lincoln, that time has come, and I’ve got a great choice for your next log cabin visit.
If you read my article about 8 things to do in Southern Illinois, you’d know Hartline Hill was at the beginning of the list. Located in Shawnee National Forest, Hartline Hill is in Makanda (pronounced muh-CAN-duh) – just 10-15 minutes outside of Carbondale, the home of Southern Illinois University.
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The cabin is one of the Southern Illinois Vacation Rental (SIVR) properties. The 2,300 sq. ft. log house is right by Route 51 and close to so many fun activities.
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With five beds total, you can comfortably fit 10 people. The living room is gorgeous, boasting vaulted ceilings that welcome you in with open arms.
The main bedroom is situated with a comfortable king bed, walk-in closet, and spacious bathroom. The shower was AMAZING!
Every detail at Hartline Hill was spot on. The architecture of the building, inside and out, was spectacular. It made you feel like you were at home, yet connecting with nature all at once.
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The kitchen is beautiful, full of modern appliances you can use if you just want to stay in for the night. I envision the dining area being the perfect place for a Friendsgiving, a family reunion, or a weekend getaway with friends.
Whatever the trip you’re doing, Hartline Hill is the perfect place for it. It’s great to have a fridge where you stay that has a built-in water dispenser and ice maker. We like our water and ice in this family! Especially with the hikes we did on our adventure. The living room has a real wood fireplace, couch, loveseat, recliner and smart TV.
The second and third bedrooms have a Jack & Jill bathroom in between them, and there’s a half bathroom in the hallway near the living room and kitchen. There’s a washer and dryer with all the supplies you need on that side as well.
You can walk out from the main bedroom upstairs right to the deck, overlooking a grassy field with a forest behind it. This is a great place for stargazing at night! The property sits on 5 acres of private land.
If you’re a sit-on-the-porch type of person, you can do that here too. There’s even a fire pit out back on the gravel drive behind the house. Speaking of driving, you have two indoor parking spaces inside the cabin! You can pull in to the bottom level of Hartline Hill where there’s two perfectly paved parking spots.
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Other incredible features of the lower level include the bar room with seating, a mini fridge and arcade games.
I played a few rounds of Buck Hunter myself! There’s also a Pac-Man machine and another machine with hundreds of games inside of it. It’s hard to choose!
Right outside the bar area is a ping-pong table, darts board and more.
I told my friends from college we travel with that this needs to be on our list for an upcoming friends’ getaway.
The lower level has a huge bedroom with two beds in it and a half bathroom.
The close proximity to activities makes this the perfect destination. Southern Illinois is wine country, so if you’re a wine lover, this is your spot! There are plenty of places nearby to eat, drink, get coffee or dessert, and take hikes.
What we did during our stay:
Hiked at Giant City State Park
Visited StarView Vineyards
Ate pizza at Quatro’s
Ate dinner at Giant City Lodge
Climbed a water tower in Giant City State Park
Visited Boo Castle Park
Ate frozen yogurt at Cool Spoons
Had breakfast at Harbaugh’s Cafe
Got Frappuccinos at Kiki’s CoffeeHouse & Cafe
If you enjoy the outdoors, but need a mix of city life, you’re only 10 minutes from Carbondale. There are plenty of stores in town that you can shop at like TJ Maxx, Kohl’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods and more.
Allison was a fantastic host and was very communicative during our stay. Another perk of Hartline Hill and SIVR is they send you an E-Guide before your visit! The guide has all of the FAQs you could imagine about the property. Plus it lists out all the nearby things you can do! Many of the things we did were from this list, and there were so many more I wanted to get to! I of course have to thank Derek Hayden for connecting me with Hartline Hill Cabin, I’m very grateful we got to make this happen!
(MAKANDA, ILLINOIS) — Let’s be honest. There are two major things people think of when they think of Illinois. They both start with the letter C.
1: Chicago
2: Corn fields
I’m a Midwesterner through and through. I grew up in St. Louis, lived my college years in Springfield, MO – and have been in Illinois now 6 1/2 years. I can attest that Midwest living is a lot more than just that. And I hope my journeys through the Prairie State can help prove that.
This time, we’re talking about Southern Illinois! The area we visited is just a 2-hour drive from St. Louis. I feel like I barely scratched the surface in terms of things to do here. This article will hopefully give you an idea of things to do over a weekend with friends or family. Extend it out and have a 3-day or 4-day weekend why don’t ya! Let me know what you find along the way. Here are 8 things to do on your Southern Illinois getaway.
Gone are the days you have to travel to a mountainous state to stay in a log cabin. When I say this place is beautiful through and through, I mean it. It’s where nature meets luxury. I’m doing a full travel article on our stay at Hartline Hill Cabin, so stay tuned!
The cliff notes are:
Sleeps 10
Deck with views at the back of the house. Full porch at the front of the house
Spacious bedrooms with walk-in closets, gorgeous bathrooms
Game room with arcade games and bar area
Two indoor parking spaces
Downstairs bedroom with 2 queen beds, 1 bathroom
Roomy living area upstairs with TV, couches and recliners
There’s so much more to discuss, but let’s save that for next time. For now, enjoy the photos!
There’s a few things that make what I do so much easier. First, when the food and wine tastes really good. Check. Second, when it’s a picture-perfect day outside. Check!
It was a gorgeous October afternoon when Rachel and I stopped by StarView Vineyards. We ordered food from the menu and I got a wine tasting while we sat on the patio overlooking the very blue lake.
What we ordered:
Spinach & artichoke dip. Amazing!
BBQ Pulled pork sandwich made by a local restaurant. So good!
Rachel got a chicken salad sandwich. She loved it!
Now let’s get to the wine. In my tasting I went from semi-dry to semi-sweet. You get 5 wines to try, but I asked for a 6th because I saw it was made with Niagara grapes (my favorite).
1: Vignoles
2: Vidal Blanc
3: Red Star
4: Morning Star
5: Moonlight White
6: Silver Star
All were AMAZING. I ordered three to take home. The Vidal Blanc, Red Star and Morning Star. I’d highly recommend anyone stop by StarView Vineyards. We had an amazing time and I already can’t wait to go back. I’ll be posting an Illinois wine blog with more details on the different wines that you can try. Stay tuned!
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3: Eat Deep Pan Pizza at Quatro’s | Carbondale, Illinois
If I went to Southern Illinois University, Quatro’s and I would’ve been best friends. It’s a lovely pizza place famous for a few things. Yellow take-home cups, side salads with world-famous ranch, and Deep Pan Pizza. It’s a delicious take on deep dish pizza. The crust was layered with burnt cheese which was fantastic. We ordered the Meateater Bonanza which had sausage, beef and pepperoni along with cheese… and more cheese! Yes, you could eat it with a fork and knife, which I did for the most part. But it stayed intact so well that you could pick up a slice on your own and dive in.
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4: Climb a water tower | Giant City State Park | Makanda, Illinois
My wife is a rockstar. When she was pregnant with Bennett, we went on a babymoon to Holland, Michigan and she climbed a sand dune while 7 months pregnant. This time she climbed up a water tower with me, while 7 months pregnant! The water tower is located right by Giant City Lodge, a rustic lodge with cabins and a restaurant. We ate there last night and I really enjoyed the all-you-can-eat chicken! I ate one plate and was stuffed, though. But everything was reasonably priced. But the water tower is a great place to catch the sunset over the forests.
We love a good frappe in this family. And Kiki’s had just that! Right now they have fall themed drinks, I got the witches brew, and they’re decorated for Halloween. They have food options as well, and a kids’ play area if you want to bring the little ones along!
With over 300 toppings, you can’t go wrong here at Cool Spoons. I mixed the cake batter and blue cookie frozen yogurt to make a delicious combo, and topped it with things like cookie dough, mochi, strawberry gummies and more.
We’re back to Giant City. We returned to the park our second day before leaving town. The Giant City Nature Trail is where we walked. It’s a moderate difficult 1-mile loop that takes you through the forest, and what you see along the way is what’s magnificent.
I walked through caves, climbed on top of huge rocks, and walked through the “Giant City Streets.” This was truly one of my favorite hikes in Illinois and we completed it in roughly 45 minutes. There are some hilly areas throughout the hike, so make sure to stay hydrated, take your time and enjoy the scenic views.
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8: Hang out with wizards and dragons while seeing a castle! Boo Castle Park | Carbondale, Illinois
We drove by this place one night and were like “what in the world is this place?” So naturally we had to check it out. It’s a privately owned park, but it’s free and open to the public. The park was created in honor of Jeremy “Boo” Rochman, who passed away in a car accident in 1993. As a kid, Boo loved action figures. As he got older, he enjoyed painting wizard figures. This is a place that’s fun for kids and adults. I felt like a kid again walking through the park and seeing wizards, dragons, gargoyles and of course… walking through the Castle. It’s a very intricately designed castle that you can walk through with ease, and there’s something new around every corner. The amount of design and effort put into this part is incredible.
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As I mentioned, I barely scratched the surface on what to do in Southern Illinois. This is really just in the Carbondale region. And even then, there are so many more things you can do while visiting. I want to thank everyone we met for being so hospitable, and we can’t wait to visit again!
(PEORIA, ILLINOIS) — Tonight was the first time I’ve ever seen the Northern Lights in person. And I was in Peoria, Illinois! Who would have thought.
It seems that this year more opportunities have come up for us Midwesterners to get a glimpse of the aurora borealis, whether it be just a sliver or the whole nine yards. I got just a glimpse, but I’ll take it!
The Northern Lights aren’t the only “firsts” happening in life right now. And the beautiful painting in the sky had me realizing I haven’t done a proper life update in quite some time.
We bought a house! It’s hard to believe I’m writing that. It’s one of those things you wish and dream for, and it’s finally here. We’re very grateful to everyone who helped move us in and have supported us along the way. Bennett loves it. It’s so new and exciting for us adults, imagine it for a little kiddo whose imagination is just exploding right now. We’re very blessed.
Almost time to become a 2x dad! Rachel would tell me “you already are a father of two!” Which I am, she’s right. But what I’m meaning is, little baby Sheehan #2 is now roughly 2 months away from making her grand debut. Yes, you read that right, we’re having a baby girl. I’ll be honest… for the first kid, I wanted a boy. Now I’m ready to have a “daddy’s little princess.” And she’s already spoiled. I feel like I’m buying her a new onesie or sleeper everytime I step foot into a store. And… we picked a name! But, so sorry to share, we won’t be sharing until she’s here earthside.
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Career: I’m now working three jobs. It’s not as bad as it sounds, I promise. Everything syncs together perfectly, allowing me to give 100% in each workplace. Full time I’m in healthcare marketing, working with a fantastic team, led by a wonderful boss. I feel like the work we do is meaningful and beneficial to our local communities, and it’s a job that brings fulfillment.
I’m the Vice President of Peoria City, the pre-professional soccer team in Peoria, Illinois. We just made it to the National Championship! Out of nearly 130 teams, we were one of the final two. Sadly, we lost 2-3 in extra time, but Peoria sold out Shea Stadium with over 3,100 fans in attendance. It was fantastic. We’ll be back for 2025 in no time, and I hope you’ll join us for some games. We’re always looking for partners and sponsors. So if you’re interested, let me know! Let’s talk.
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Lastly, I’m working as an adjunct professor at Bradley University teaching Public Relations Writing. It’s been an enjoyable experience! It’s just after midnight and I just got done grading my students’ discussion posts. For a lot of them, this class is the first time they’re really learning about the PR/marketing field. I hope the work they’re doing helps them become better writers and communicators once they reach the real world.
And of course, I’m doing this! I’m trying to write whenever I have a chance, and I’ve got some really exciting content coming up. Multiple Illinois-based projects within the next month that I’m pumped for, and hopefully an out-of-state adventure in early 2025. The last Illinois projects I’ve done were back in March when we visited Starved Rock Country! It’s a beautiful place and I loved getting to try different food options nearby the State Park, of course while staying at the infamous Starved Rock Lodge.
It was fantastic to visit Colorado back in August. It’s such a special place to my family and I. I’m already dreaming of getting back to Estes Park and hiking through Rocky Mountain National Park. Or heading to Walsenburg and Cuchara in Spanish Peaks Country, and enjoying the slowness of life there. It’s such a beautiful area.
A big part of what I like to do through this blog and show people locally and afar the fun things there are to do that are closeby. With many of these projects coming up, I’ll get to do that!
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While life has been truly rewarding for myself and my family lately, it hasn’t been for a lot of people in the southeast. I made some connections in Sarasota, Florida this past March when we visited, and it’s heartbreaking to hear and see the devastation brought by hurricanes Helene and Milton. If you can support the local communities, I’d ask you pray about it. I did a quick search on the official Sarasota County website, and there was a donation link that took me to the Disaster Recovery and Relief fund, headed by United Way South Sarasota County. If you feel inclined to join me in donating, click here.
I hope this reading finds you well. Thank you for sticking along with the blog. With all the other work going on these past few months, I recognize it has been a bit quieter. But hopefully not for long!
While everything happening in the current moment is extremely exciting, I’m ready to enter this October and November to bring you some must-read stories! Talk soon, and God bless.
(WALSENBURG, CO.) — There’s something special about southern Colorado.
Maybe it’s the 10 degree drop from Colorado Springs or Denver, the slowness of life, or the beauty of the outdoors. Maybe it’s all of the above?
Whatever it is, there’s a magnetic connection deep down in the spirit of southern Colorado, and it keeps my family and I coming back. And I’d argue we aren’t alone.
One of the southern Colorado mountain towns is Walsenburg. There’s a vintage downtown with a few new businesses breathing some life into the city, surrounded by flat lands providing a decent view of the Spanish Peaks. Walsenburg is also home to the oldest state park in Colorado, Lathrop State Park!
The vastness of the Spanish Peaks always becomes obvious to me while driving down I-25 South when you start to see them and your GPS says you’re still an hour away. It makes the drive a lot easier when you’ve got something to look forward to. In this case, you literally have something right in front of you, almost cheering you on to just get here already.
Let’s dive right in to where you can eat, stay and play while wandering to Walsenburg!
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Where to eat!
The Stokehouse: Connected to the Walsenburg Mercantile, let me introduce you to The Stokehouse! This modern restaurant and bar’s menu is filled with options for food lovers of all kinds! Steaks, salads, seafood, burgers, tacos… you name it! They’ve got it.
And if you’ve got kids like me, you’ll love the play area connected to the dining area which has plenty of toys and games kids can play with while waiting to be seated, or if they get bored during the meal. The food was top notch. I was told to order the T-bone steak, and how was I supposed to turn that down? It was fantastic.
So were the fried calamari and nachos we got.
My wife got a salad she really enjoyed along with soup. The one thing I did bring up with the management is the service was not the fastest, and the order was missing a few things. I have to give the benefit of the doubt that the restaurant is a bit newer, and there wasn’t a be a ton of staff for the amount of orders there were. I would definitely go back and they were very gracious with my feedback, so I wish them the best!
Second St. Bar & Grill: If you would’ve told me anywhere that the local golf course was one of the best places to grab a bite of food, I would’ve been a bit skeptical. But hear me out.
When you’re driving through Lathrop State Park, you’ll find the Walsenburg Golf Course, a beautiful course with the majestic Spanish Peaks golf clapping for you when you sink that birdie putt. At the top of it all, you’ll find the Second St. Bar & Grill. It’s not a very boastful building, but it stands on business and the staff works harder than most other places I’ve seen.
There was one bartender/server handling all the tables, and he was serving like a pro. Taking orders. Boom! Bringing out drinks. Bam! Order’s ready. Kapow! Need a refill. Kachow! Okay, you get the point. I mean, give that man a raise! And not only was the food really good, but the variety of food was awesome!
It was recommended to us by our friends at The Inn at Pennington Place, which I’ll get to here shortly.
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Places to stay!
The Inn at Pennington Place: I tell you what. If you’re looking for someplace new to travel, then look no further. Seriously, the Inn at Pennington Place is one of my newest all-time favorite places we’ve stayed. Located in a private community, Pennington Place stands on its own and is a beautiful property. The inn itself is magical, featuring three stories of different spacious, themed suites that cater to different people’s wants. You want a romantic getaway? There’s a room for that. Want a rustic, quiet night? There’s a room for that. Small family looking for some time away? You betcha, there’s a room for that, too. The grounds of the property sing a magical song, enchanting every step with something new to see, feel and experience.
There’s a mini chapel located at the southern end of the garden, with the Spanish Peaks perfectly positioned behind it. Yes, it was done purposely by an architect with quite the eye for design. So if you’re looking to elope or have a very small wedding away from all the hustle and bustle of daily life, here’s your place!
They even have a pickleball court!
Play with the Spanish Peaks at your back (or in front of you, depending on the player).
The asphalt court is high quality, and they’ve constructed a pickleball-themed shed right outside the court you can sit, drink some water and get some shade.
The suites have so much room, it was such a breath of fresh air. With a toddler, we’re packing extra bags on our trips so sometimes rooms can get a bit… tight. The extra space here was a nice reprieve from all that, and the lush, comfortable king size bed was the cherry on top. Each suite comes with a full bathroom and shower, filled with shampoo, conditioner, lotions, body wash, towels of all sizes. There was also a small kitchen available to make coffee, keep waters cool in the fridge, etc. Donna Pennington Birkmann and Rich Birkmann do a fantastic job keeping this place fantastic, and are amazing hosts. Their dedication to detail makes the Inn at Pennington Place a must-visit.
There’s even an underground wine cellar with a dining room right outside, perfect for dinner parties, murder mysteries, the list goes on!
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Where to play!
Lathrop State Park: As mentioned earlier, Lathrop State Park is the oldest state park in Colorado. With beautiful Lake Martin offering a stunning view, you can’t miss the Spanish Peaks from wherever you stand. Mule deer, rabbits, coyotes and bobcats roam the park, along with birds and fish, according to the Colorado Virtual Library.
Martin Lake offers plenty of water-based activities like swimming, fishing, jet skiing, water skiing and tubing.
Horseshoe Lake offers a quieter spot for visitors, where you can canoe, fish and bird watch. We did not get much time in Lathrop other than driving through, so this is on my list of to-dos when we return to Walsenburg.
Walsenburg Golf Course: If you’re a golf enthusiast, or just want to play a pretty course with some great views, Walsenburg Golf Course is the place for you.
You already heard about the food, so combine that with some fantastic golf, and you’ve got an amazing afternoon ahead of you.
All in all, Spanish Peaks Country is a beautiful place for anyone to visit. It has everything you can ask for. Beautiful views, friendly people, delicious eats, and the wonderful outdoors. The air seems crisper, life seems slower, and it lets you breathe a sigh of relief that you’re getting away from the everyday world. Until next time, which I hope is very soon.
(ESTES PARK, CO) — It was basically four years to the day since I had been in one of my favorite places in the United States. Estes Park, Colorado.
The Colorado mountain town was the beginning of an August 2024 family trip, etching more fond memories in a town we visited multiple times growing up.
Now it was time for me to make new memories with my growing family. My wife of nearly 3 years, a son that was turning 2 and a little baby girl on the way, due on December 18, 2024.
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Where to stay!
Growing up, Whispering Pines Cottages was our go-to spot. Quiet, rustic cottages right off the Big Thompson River provided an affordable destination for friends and families alike. While we did not stay here on this trip, we had to stop by for my dad to take a photo of the sign (which is a total dad thing to do). I have very fond memories there of wading in the chilly river, shivering like a fool and laughing just as much.
This time we started out at Ram’s Horn Village Resort, tucked away on the outskirts of town, while staying close by to Rocky Mountain National Park. These are beautiful 2-story timeshares, with porches downstairs and upstairs, comfortable sleeping arrangements, full kitchens and great bathrooms. The front office staff are extremely friendly and helpful, and they even offer complimentary hiking backpacks if you need them! I took them up on the offer and loved the hiking carrier as we traversed through Rocky Mountain National Park. We found the resort on Booking.com but you can also find them on Vrbo and AirBnB.
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Next we headed to an AirBnB called Redmonds on the Rocks. It’s a rental property right by the Big Thompson River, filled with gorgeous cabins. The cabin’s interior is breathtaking, filled with a very open, spacious social area, super comfortable beds, top-notch amenities in the kitchen, beautiful bathrooms, and even in-house laundry options which came in clutch. This was also nearby one of my all-time favorite coffee shops, which we’ll get to later in this article. To avoid booking fees, I’d recommend going to www.rockymountainspropertyservices.com and work with Renee.
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Where to eat!
The foodie scene in Estes Park is top tier. From quick pickups to sit downs on the downtown strip, or steakhouses with scenic mountain views, you can find whatever your heart desires here.
Twin Owls Steakhouse: Located in the Taharaa Mountain Lodge, Twin Owls Steakhouse provides some of the best restaurant views Estes Park has to offer. This is where my wife and I found out the gender of our baby girl, with the waitress bringing a dessert at the end of the meal. Cheesecake for girl, creme brulee for boy. A delicious cheesecake came out to my surprise, yet I was very joyous to learn we would soon have a daughter. A Colorado apple cider started off the meal, followed by a ribeye steak for me and filet mignon for Rachel. To top it all off, there was a rainbow across the valley in front of the restaurant, which I take as a blessing from God over our little girl.
The Post Chicken & Beer: You ever heard of The Stanley Hotel? Maybe you’re a horror film buff like me and enjoy Jack Nicklaus in The Shining. If so, you know what I’m talking about (if not, see the photo above). Located on the property is The Post Chicken & Beer. The Post has a few locations across Colorado, and we had a great time at the Estes Park location.
We started off with baked oysters which were tremendous. I got the half fried chicken meal with fries. My mom got shrimp and cheddar grits, Rachel ordered chicken tender lettuce cups and Bennett got a chicken tender meal. Below the restaurant is a super cool theatre and library with spooky vibes if you’re looking for a Halloween getaway. The servers were very welcoming and the service was fairly quick. Just be prepared to pay $10 to park on The Stanley property! You get a special Stanley coin which you can use on property to help pay for drinks. I kept mine as a souvenir.
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Munchin House:Deemed Estes Park’s “Sweetest Spot,” this downtown homemade ice cream shop is an great place to stop by. This is where my wife and I told my parents we were having a baby girl, when I ordered a strawberry ice cream cone to give to Bennett. It was VERY pink, which was perfect for the gender reveal. It was equally delicious. They have multiple cones offerings, some with chocolate or white chocolate drizzle all over them. The owner also owns multiple other shops downtown, so make sure to stop in The Lazy Moose next door and see the biggest pajamas store you’ve ever seen!
CasaGrande: Like I said, there’s tons of food options downtown Estes Park. One of those is Casa Grande. Fajitas, burritos, street tacos and more line the menu of the Mexican restaurant. After a long morning of walking, walking and walking some more, this hit the spot.
Coffee on the Rocks: When I mentioned one of my newest favorite coffee shops of all time, this is it. Yes, the coffee itself is really good. But, the best part of this restaurant is the atmosphere and quacky friends outside. When I was speaking to someone ahead of the trip, she told me that Coffee on the Rocks had “8 billion ducks” that waddle around the property. She wasn’t very far off.
Ducks and geese galore stampeded around a scenic lake and walkway around it, waiting for you to feed them their duck/geese food (which you can buy inside). The frappes were fantastic here, as was just a normal iced latte. If you’ve followed my website for awhile, you know Rachel loves a good frappe while I get a hot coffee, iced coffee, frappe… who knows with me.
There I am with my pops Bruce and brother Kevin.
But anyways, we get a good variety. And Coffee on the Rocks has a great variety of coffee options for you to enjoy. Right behind the property is the Big Thompson River, which offers stunning yet relaxing views.
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What to do!
The line should really read, what not to do? There’s so much, but for me, there’s only one place to start. Rocky Mountain National Park.
RMNP is always ranked as one of top national parks around the country, but it’s never quite at the top. I have quite a ways to go in my national park hopping experience. But for me, this is my favorite so far. You drive up the windy yet scenic Trail Ridge Road and can stop at beautiful overlooks to see mountain passes galore. Some stops have trails you can walk out to, and I love how the higher you go up, the cooler it gets. Which is common sense, right? But it still takes you by surprise when you drive 20-30 minutes and it drops 10 degrees, all while the wind is packing quite the punch. But I love it.
Of course you should stop by the Alpine Visitor Center, where you feel like you’re “on top of the world.”
Want a hiking challenge? Climb up the steep steps right outside and get to the highest point in the park.
You better be prepared to breathe heavy and take rests if needed, because the steep ascent in this high of an altitude gives your lungs a challenge. But your lungs are up for it! Go for it. Unless your medical provider tells you not to 🙂
There’s so much more to do in the park, but I’d rather you experience it for yourself. Make stops along the way, pack a lunch and head out on your journey. Take your time, and enjoy the ride.
Lake Estes Trail: With this being my wife and son’s first time to Colorado, we wanted to “take it easy” a bit when we first got here. Overdoing it on your first day is never a good idea. So to still get out and enjoy the beautiful blue Colorado skies and see some scenery, we walked along the Lake Estes Trail. We started downtown near the Visitor Center, and headed towards the lake and around it a bit. It’s a very flat walk that goes right by the golf course downtown, and the journey becomes worth it once you reach the lake. It’s a great way to get acclimated to the Colorado climate.
We didn’t stay in Estes quite as long as I would’ve liked. But aren’t all vacations like that? But this is a good start to send you on your way. I will 100% be returning here, hopefully sooner than four years from now, where I plan to explore Estes Park some more.
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(DALLAS, TEXAS) — I’ve enjoyed a decent amount of wine over the years.
I started out as a sweet tooth. Moscatos, fruit wines, you name it. And while the flavor was always plentiful, the sugar always gave me a headache if I had more than one glass.
Luckily, my palate has changed, and now I sit on the semi-sweet to semi-dry range, right down the middle is my happy place.
So when I heard of a clean crafted wine, I knew I had to give it a try. Through LinkedIn, my wife introduced me to Sheila Stender, a consultant with Scout & Cellar.
Sheila sent me two bottles of wine, and we’re going to review them today! Let’s get started.
I want to point out before we dive in that Scout & Cellar operates as a multi-level marketing (MLM) company. I only learned this after the fact, but we’re still going to discuss their wines. Like many online wine retailers, you can order their wine directly online. However, it’s worth noting that their business model involves consultants purchasing starter kits and earning commissions through sales. If you’re interested in learning more about what this all looks like, you can find details on the Scout & Cellar website.
1: Dove Hunt Dog | Sauvignon Blanc | $25
This 2021 California white wine sits at 13.9% alcohol and is filled with crisp, citrus flavor (lemons, lemongrass, under-ripe pineapple and white peach). I really enjoyed the Dove Hunt Dog, it was smooth and bursting with flavor.
The Dove Hunt Dog pairs well with seafood, patio parties and picnics, and it’s a zero sugar wine! It’s also vegan and gluten free.
Normally, sauvignon blanc wines are on the drier side. Which I would still argue this is a semi dry, but due to the fruity characteristics, it can still be appealing to the sweet wine lovers.
2: field house | White Zinfandel | $18
Don’t let the name fool you, this wine is much more red than it is white. Priced at $18 a bottle, the 2021 California is sweet & crisp with notes of strawberry jam, berries and cherry candies according to the Scout & Cellar website. And I’d have to agree! This was definitely the sweeter of the two wines.
The grapes are sourced from 10-year-old Primitivo vines, which is a red wine grape variety also known as Zinfandel. These vines are popular in southern Italy.
Scout & Cellar prides itself on being “Clean-Crafted.” The company, launched in 2017, allows no added sugars or artificial processing aids in its wines. It also has a benchmark of less than 100 parts per million (ppm) sulfites allowed in wines.
While you can shop online for their wines, Scout & Cellar does have an actual tasting room located at 2261 Morgan Pkwy Suite 180, Dallas, TX 75234.
(ST. CLAIR, MO.) — Have you ever seen billboards that say “DOES BILLBOARD ADVERTISING WORK? IT JUST DID” or something similar?
Well rewind about six months ago, when my wife, son and I were on our way to Springfield, Missouri. We were driving down I-44, an interstate I’ve traversed a thousand times during my time at Missouri State University (Go Bears!).
I continued to see billboards for a place I had never heard of before, the Pinemark Inn.
Intrigued, I told Rachel to look up the place and it seemed really nice! Not only that, but it appeared there was a lot to do in the area. So, I made the connection with Pinemark, and here we are today, writing about a weekend away in St. Clair, Missouri.
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Roughly 45 minutes outside of St. Louis, you can hop on I-44 and head southwest towards St. Clair. The Pinemark Inn is an easy exit off the interstate, which is great for any travelers looking for a place to stop during a long road trip.
We stayed in the Club Suite, a magnificent multi-room unit with a jacuzzi tub, king size bed, full bathroom, a desk where you could work or read, and a secondary room with a mini fridge, sink, microwave and multiple seating areas.
For a smaller family of three, this was the perfect size. They had a pack-n-play ready for Bennett, and it was super spacious.
The jacuzzi was fantastic, and while it was outside of the full bathroom, that doesn’t take away from the greatness of the shower in the bathroom.
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The shower had three shower faucets inside. One like usual, above your head, one that could be hand-held and moved out of where it was stationed, and a third that came out of the wall.
The attention to detail in the room is where Pinemark really stood out compared to other hotels we’ve stayed in. From the remote-controlled candles around the jacuzzi, to the desk with mirror in the main bedroom, to the overall design of the Suite. This is the perfect place for any traveler, but a couple of specifics come to mind.
1: Long road trips, need a night to rest your head. The bed was really comfortable, the jacuzzi and shower were very relaxing, and you have a work space either at the desk in the main room or in the secondary room.
2: Smaller families like us!
3: Remote workers needing a night or two away. This was something local tourism bureaus tried to promote during the COVID-19 Pandemic, when hotel stays weren’t happening as often as usual. Doing “staycations” at a local hotel to get out of the house and enjoy something new. I think the Club Suite at the Pinemark Inn would be perfect for this.
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The Pinemark Inn does have food service, too! I would recommend the pepperoni flatbread!
There is a complimentary breakfast as well, which has a great variety of food and drink options. Plus, coffee! Route 66 themed, I might add.
Another awesome amenity at Pinemark is the outdoor pool! It’s a bit of a smaller area, but the chairs and couches make for a comfy cozy setting. It was the beginning of May so the water was a little chilly, but Bennett and I still had a fun time swimming!
Local places to eat/drink nearby:
Let’s start at breakfast time, then move ourselves later!
1: BB Coffee Lab: With delicious coffee and AMAZING food, you need to stop by BB Coffee Lab. The inside is very modern and spacious, and the breakfast burrito is arguably the best I’ve ever had. It comes with a sauce that reminded us of the sauce Taco Bell has inside of Crunch Wraps, and I got a side of apple slices.
I went with a grape passion drink, which was refreshing, and Rachel ordered a frappuccino like usual. The flavor… toffee crunch and white chocolate. It was one of the best frappes I’ve ever had. If BB Coffee Lab wants to expand to Peoria, Illinois – I’m down! While mine was really good, hers was heavenly. Next time I’ll be ordering a frappe for sure.
Known for their St. Louis-style pizza, wings and cheeseburgers, Gibby’s is a great St. Clair restaurant to add to the list.
Rachel enjoyed a nice salad while we split some pizza and wings, and I also ordered a cheeseburger. Way too much food for the three of us, we definitely had leftovers!
Feeling adventurous? Well then take on the The Great Gibby Burger. It’s 1 1/2 pounds of lean ground beef smothered with provel cheese and other toppings. You’ll notice one thing about Gibby’s, there’s plenty of provel cheese to go around. Us St. Louisans sure love our provel, and Gibby’s makes sure it’s all across the menu.
One of the best highlights of the trip was our visit to Wild Animal Adventures. This is a place I had seen a thousand times driving from STL to Springvegas (a nickname for Springfield, MO by some Missouri State folks) during my college years. It did not disappoint!
At the wildlife habitat, we were able to feed goats, chickens, ducks, porcupines, deer and even sharks! It was a blast feeding these sharks with a piece of meat on the end of a feeding stick. Now I can cross feeding sharks off my list of things I’ve done!
The place has all kinds of animals. Wolves, bears, lions and tigers and much more. It’s mostly an outdoor walk, but for those reptile and amphibian lovers, there’s plenty of options inside.
As weekends always do, it came and went too fast. I definitely think there were a lot of other things in the area we would’ve liked to see, but nap times for a toddler and every bedtimes have an impact on that.
But as you have to do in family travel, be flexible! Take your time, relax when you have a chance, and don’t rush things. Allowing ourselves to recharge midday helped the evenings go much smoother.
I definitely hope to return to Pinemark Inn one day. It was overall an outstanding stay and I would recommend it to anyone. Thanks to Jason and Courtney at Pinemark for the hospitable stay, and all the local food recommendations! I’m still craving that frappucino from BB Coffee lab.
(SARASOTA, FL.) — In the span of just a few minutes, I gained two new “favorites” just like that!
1: BBQ brisket
2: Fried okra
On our recent trip to beautiful Sarasota, Florida, I came across Brick’s Smoked Meats on Main Street.
Located right downtown, Brick’s aesthetic is modern Western, with a beautiful indoor dining space, built-in bar area, and outdoor seating on the downtown Main St.
For an appetizer, coined “Humble Beginnings” on the menu, we split the bacon burnt ends. Served in a bowl with toothpicks to eat, these were smothered in sauce and delicious.
To get a taste of as many things as possible, I ordered the Texas Trio. Enough to fill up 2-3 people, the Texas Trio consists of three meats and two sides. I ordered the ribs, brisket and sausage! For sides, I got French fries and the highly-enjoyed fried okra.
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The St. Louis ribs were lathered in sauce, meaty, and full of flavor. The brisket, now my favorite brisket I’ve ever had, was also packed with flavor, extremely tender, and delicious. The sausage was packed with jalapeno and cheddar cheese, which is one of my favorite kinds of sausage.
The fried okra was perfectly crispy and seasoned to perfection. I also got the brussel sprouts which were served in a mini skillet, amazing texture and flavor.
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We also went during Happy Hour which comes with special pricing and items. Rachel ordered the Happy Hour nachos, covered in guacamole, meat, pico de gallo and more.
The only negative part is that Brick’s Smoked Meats is so far away from Peoria, Illinois. For my friends at Brick’s – there is an open space available and for sale in North Peoria if you’re interested in expanding! It used to be a Famous Dave’s, and is surrounded by shopping, hotels, and a state-of-the-art sports complex at Louisville Slugger Sports Complex.
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I give Brick’s Smoked Meats 5 stars across the board. Food, service and atmosphere were all stellar. We appreciated the “Future Grill Master” onesie the staff gave to Bennett as we left. See a photo of us grilling out this past weekend below!
Thanks once again to the staff at Brick’s for the amazing experience. I hope to be back in Sarasota in the near future where I can come back and visit.
(STE. GENEVIEVE, MO) — If anyone tells you Missouri is completely flat, don’t listen to them.
Home to The Ozarks, the southern half of Missouri provies to have beautiful views, back road drives, and be the perfect place for wine country.
Missouri is sometimes called the “Napa Valley of the Midwest,” and there’s a reason for that.
Planning for a weekend getaway to the Ste. Genevieve area, I came across a very intriguing winery. One that connects my love for wine, and my love for caves (Big Batman fan here, folks).
It didn’t take me more than 5 seconds to decide “that’s where I want to go” for our trip to Ste. Gen. So, we made it happen!
First we were treated to a behind-the-scenes wine pairing tasting, which was phenomenal.
We tried 5 wine samples, all paired with different cheeses, crackers, salami and chocolates.
Wine #1: Venti Anni White
Paired with Havarti cheese, this dry white wine is a Vignoles and Traminette blend, and is crisp, fruity and light. It also helped me realize I absolutely love Havarti cheese. Watch out Provel, you’ve got some competition!
Wine #2: Norton
Missouri’s state grape! You’ve probably heard of our tried a Norton red wine before. This variation has notes of plum, dark cherry and smoky tobacco. You can pair this with smoked meats and sharp cheeses. It was pepper jack, for us! Another favorite of mine. We also dipped the Norton into Biscotti, which was surprisingly delicious. The Cave Vineyard has a Biscotti Bar in the Winery Loft, nearby the Tasting Room. All of the recipes are based on Grandma Strussione’s Almond Biscotti recipe. Amazing.
Wine #3: Cave Rock Off Dry
This was my favorite wine of the tasting. The Off Dry is in the Semi Dry/Semi Sweet category, and I’d argue it leans a little bit more to the sweet side. Maybe 55/45, which was perfect for me and my group. Packed with citrus notes, this was one of the wines both myself and my friend Jessica purchased bottles of before we left.
Wine #4: First Time Blush
This was a close second. Definitely more on the sweeter side, but full of flavor, beautiful color and goes really well with that Havarti cheese again. It’s a Semi Sweet Rose; fresh and fruity, with hints of berry. This was my second bottle I bought.
Wine #5: Cave Rock Red
One of the sweet-listed wines on the menu, but I found it tasted a bit more in the middle than the First Time Blush! This red wine is packed with flavor and pairs well with chocolate.
We did not try this wine in the pairing, but the Cave Rock White is the top seller at Cave Vineyard. It’s got a pineapple and grapefruit aroma, and the sweet finish pairs well with dessert.
After our pairing tasting, we headed to the bar and had… another tasting! This one was a wine flight with 5 samples, which costs $8. This time I added a few other wines to my list I really enjoyed; the Rockin Rosie, which is similar to the First Time Blush. The Venti Anni Red, which is a dry, Norton and Chambourcin blend. Very nice as well.
After one Norton/Chambourcin blend, came the Grotta Rossa, a sweeter blend of Norton and Chambourcin. Very tasty.
Next came the Grande Bianco is a fortified dried white that I tried. It’s a dry traminette fortified with Grappa.
What is Grappa, you say? I learned about it here as well. It’s an Italian liquor made from the grape seeds, skins and stems left over from fermentation. It can even aid in digestion!
The Cave Vineyard also produces smaller-batch spirits like Brandy, Grappa, Schnapps, Bourbon and Whiskey. While there was none the day we came by, the son-in-laws of the family produce even smaller batches of beer! Cleverly titled SIL, the beer options come in wheat, and IPA. They can also produce stouts!
After we got done with our multiple tastings, we headed down to the place the Cave Vineyard gets its name from. The Saltpeter Cave.
It’s about a 200-yard walk downhill to reach the cave. It’s a great way to burn some calories off after all that delicious biscotti. You head down the path, through the forest, and there she is in all her beauty.
We saw two bats while walking through the cave. The sleeping, beautiful creatures were just hanging upside down at the top of the cave. You can picnic in the cave, or on a platform at the mouth of the cave. There are enough tables and chairs to fit roughly 100 people.
Here are a few reasons the Cave Vineyard is one of my favorite wineries I’ve ever been to (and I’ve been to a lot).
1: Consistently high-quality, delicious wine.
2: Amazing selection of cheese, crackers, chocolates and meat. They do sell more meat in the fridge in the wine tasting room. I was tempted to buy a bunch and take it home with me. Next time.
3: The friendly staff. I want to send a heartfelt thank you to Laura Oliver, our wonderful host during the journey at the Cave Vineyard. She was extremely knowledgeable about the wines, the fermentation process, and gave wonderful history of the property. The bartenders were fantastic as well!
4: THE CAVE!
Of course this has to be one of the reasons. If you like caves, bats, and nature; come to the Cave Vineyard! It’s the perfect cool temperature inside the cave, so bring a picnic, have some wine, and relax!
Plus, you can see some bats. I’m always in for that. Unless they’re in my apartment, I may have an issue with that. But we would gently figure out how to relocate you.
Thank you to the Cave Vineyard for an amazing experience. My friends and I all had a wonderful time, and we’d love to come back! If you’re ever in the Southeast Missouri area, stop by and say hello!
Matt Sheehan Official 