Wine and Spirits Travel

It wasn’t easy to make the decision to go on my first trip after the pandemic started. I am high risk and had been good about sheltering at home and only staying around people within my pod . I hadn’t even seen my family, with the exception of a few, short, outdoor visits with my mom, who lives nearby in an assisted living. I was definitely ready to get out for a bit and, when researching outdoor activities in the outskirts of Peoria (I was going there to see my puppy, who wasn’t quite ready to go home), I came across the perfect place for a safe getaway. Wildlife Prairie Park is in Hanna City, Illinois, about three hours from Chicago. It’s a tremendous 1,800 acres that offers a ton of outdoor activities for all ages and abilities. It also happens to have an unusual selection of accommodations, My friend, Joan, and I met with Brad Windsor, Volunteer Coordinator, and Sam Himegarner, Director of Hospitality, at our accommodation for the next two nights. We were one of the first to s

Last month, I talked about a new app I’m helping to promote called, Dosh. I was impressed with all the cash back offered when shopping with just a few easy clicks. I’m back to tell you more about how you can use Dosh to have more fun this summer, whether it’s a staycation or a vacation. Looking to travel to NY? Great rates at dozens of hotels PLUS up get $50, $100, $150 or more back in cash in your dosh account. You can also get tickets for the Circle Line, the Empire State Building, and a Hop-on, Hop-off bus tour. These deals are available in most major cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, and Miami. If you want to explore on your own, car rental deals with cash back are also on the Dosh App . Whether you are traveling out of town or enjoying your hometown, Dosh also has cash back offerings at chain restaurants such as Jack in the Box and Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, as well as local restaurants throughout the country. For the summer, Chuck E. Cheese is giving

Branson, Missouri has been on my list of places to visit in the Midwest for years. Since it was a bit of a drive (about seven hours) and there is a ton to see and do there, I wanted to make sure there was enough time. I planned the time and the crew for a perfect five days girls’ getaway, that would end with an extra-special birthday. Brittany has traveled with me many times, but this was my friend Marsha’s first adventure with us. Marsha and I had actually met on social media when I saw we had mutual friends and a very similar name. She’s Marsha Lynne and I’m Marcia Lynn. As we became closer, our friends started referring to us as ML1 and ML2. So, this was the first of many trips for ML^. We picked up Amanda in Alton, Illinois , and decided our lunch stop was going to be our favorite barbecue place in Missouri, SuperSmokers in Eureka. Their BBQ Nachos, corn chips topped with brisket, chicken, pulled pork, tomatoes, cheese, and baked beans, are not to be match

It was my third day as a guest of Karisma Hotels in Riviera Maya and I couldn’t have been more relaxed. Every morning my friend Roberta and I had talked about breakfast at one of the Generations or El Dorado restaurants. The room service options were just so convenient, included in the all-inclusive plan, and offered many delicious choices we couldn’t resist indulging in breakfast in bed. I started my day with a veggie-filled omelet, fruit, a croissant, and coffee. Roberta went to explore the El Dorado Riviera Maya properties and do some shopping while I relaxed. I was nursing an ankle injury so I was content to relax on one of the lounge chairs in the water behind our swim-up suite. When she returned, we ventured out for the short swim to the bar for some drinks. It was a beautiful day and the water felt great in the hot sun. We didn’t want to leave the pool area so we just ordered lunch from Palms Gourmet Terrace. I had loved their carnitas taco

My friend Lisa and I had enjoyed our first day at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake, but day two was filled with more fun – and food. We were up early for a great yoga class at Osthoff’s AspiraSpa . It was the perfect start to the day. I was starving by the time we got to breakfast at Otto’s Restaurant, but there was plenty to eat there. I had a fruit smoothie and German Potato Pancakes, while Lisa loved the eggs benedict. We were both excited to try snowshoeing for the first time and we headed over to Quit Qui Oc Golf Course . Todd Montaba, the owner, helped us both with the equipment and showed us the map of the trails we could take. Since it was our first time out, we didn’t go that far, but it was a lot of fun and a sport I’m sure I’ll try again. On the way back to the Osthoff Resort , we passed Road America. Road Racing started in Elkhart Lake in 1950 with an open race circuit here. The Road America location is still a big attraction, as internat