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Tag Archives: patio

The Barn Inn in Amish Country, Ohio

7 June 202524 May 2025

Mom and I planned a long weekend in Holmes County, Ohio and it would be my first visit to learn more about the Amish community.  We agreed to stay at the Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast in Millersburg as Mom had stayed there in the past.  She explained that the owner had grown up Amish and decided to leave as an adult.  With her knowledgeable insight, we would learn more about the Amish customs, culture and religious practices.

After driving a couple of hours out of Columbus, we finally arrived at The Barn Inn, easy to find with its beautiful barn red exterior. Stepping inside, I was amazed with the open floor plan and rustic design   The upstairs bedrooms can be accessed by stairs that follow the edge of the large room.  We reached our respective rooms and unpacked before wandering the beautiful grounds.

At the time of check-in, we learned about the resident goat and llama.  Of course, I couldn’t wait to visit the dynamic duo within the enclosed fence.  We made a quick stop before driving into town that afternoon.

The hotel staff is extremely knowledgeable with a list of great recommendations for the area.  We requested a restaurant for later and some options for shopping the next day.   I was interested in booking a horse and buggy ride over the weekend while Mom inquired about the bakeries.

We walked the surrounding grounds which pristinely manicured.  A path led to the garden where we found a darling gazebo and small pond.  I imagined that this was the perfect spot for weddings, special events and prom photos.

The fountains scattered within the property are well-maintained.  Sitting next to the trickling water was relaxing and therapeutic.

Mom and I had a wonderful day in the surrounding Amish towns outside of Millersburg.  We shopped for baked goods and unique grocery items such as Nehi Peach soda. We wanted to travel back to the bed and breakfast before dark so we could enjoy sitting on the deck and turning in for bed early for a full day.

I slept so well the previous night and loved the beautiful room set up….very Fixer Upper.

In the morning, we met Michelle, the Inn-keeper.  Over breakfast, she presented the highlights of Holmes County, an overview of Amish traditions and a list of places to visit.

Breakfast included homemade French Toast, breakfast casserole and a side of oatmeal.  Such an incredible selection as guests could also order eggs, bacon or sausage.

Where my seat was located, I could see the beautiful stone fireplace that was the gorgeous centerpiece of the great room.

Before checking out of The Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast, I toured the upstairs of the property.  What a great view from the second level where there was so much space with additional rooms and public space.

The Barn Inn is an historic Bed and Breakfast that offers next-level service from its gourmet, scratch-made breakfasts and homemade country-style dinners, some of their famous meals include stuffed French toast and stick-to-your-ribs casseroles.  From the beautiful accommodations, peaceful property with walking paths and the exceptional service, The Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast is the perfect location to explore Holmes County, Ohio, the largest Amish community in the United States.

Where to Stay:

The Red Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast

6838 Co Rd 203
Millersburg, OH 44654
Telephone: 877 674 7600

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Babalu, An Upscale Experience Sharing Tapas

21 April 20243 May 2025

Before browsing the Farmer’s Market in Knoxville, we stopped at a tapas restaurant called Babalu.  I loved the décor and the idea of sharing a few plates instead of having a full meal for lunch.  Tapas are a Spanish-style way of eating where “small plates” are the perfect size portions for sharing among family and friends.

Selecting an outdoor table along the sidewalk patio, we had plenty of opportunities for people watching and taking in the urban scenery.   We started out with a bowl of Babalu’s fabulous, tableside guacamole.  As we watched our server combine the ingredients, we learned their secret ingredient was sun-dried tomatoes, which enhanced the guacamole’s chunky texture.  This is one of Babalu’s signature, upscale avocado dip served with homemade chips and I highly recommend it.

Other starters that looked just as amazing were the flash-fried-calamari and  yellowfin tuna ceviche.

Choosing three tapas was difficult because there were so many from which to choose.  We ordered the beef empanadas, a selection  of three tacos and the filet on a stick which came with a grilled tenderloin covered in a teriyaki glaze, rosti potatoes, broccolini and pico de gallo.

The food was spectacular and the service was fabulous.  The small plates were the perfect sized portions and we were ready to tackle the Knoxville Farmer’s Market.

Have you had the opportunity to eat at Babalu?  What was your favorite item on the menu and how was the service?   I would love to hear about your visit if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reviewing my post about Babalu in Knoxville, Tennessee and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Ijam’s Nature Center
2915 Island Home Avenue
Knoxville, TN  37920
Telephone:  865 577 4717

Market Square Farmer’s Market
Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee

Where to Eat:

Babalu’s
412 S. Gay Street
Knoxville, TN  37902
Telephone:  865 329 1002

Where to Stay:

Four Points Sheraton Knoxville Cumberland House
1109 White Avenue
Knoxville, TN  37916
Telephone:   865 971 4663

 

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The Winery at Wolf Creek in Norton, Ohio

24 June 202022 September 2024

Taking the last sip of my wine sample of Space Cowboy, I noticed a group of bubbly young college students walking through the door of The Winery at Wolf Creek, dressed for a bachelorette party. They approached the tasting bar where I was enjoying a glass of wine when we struck up a conversation.  It was their first time here, so they asked what I was drinking and if I had any suggestions for what they should order.

This was their first winery experience but they were not new to wine. We discussed which types of wine they would normally purchase and I shared with them my wine list with all of my hand written notes.   I suggested that they start out sampling some of the wines before they commit to a bottle.  They agreed that the sweet, fruit wines were more their style so they started out with samples of Blue (blueberry), Original Sin (apple) and Space Cowboy (peach).

The server set them up as I took a glass of Redemption out to the patio, waiting for a pizza from Fat Boys.  Redemption is a French-hybrid blend that is light on the sweet side which I absolutely enjoy chilled.

I took a menu outside to look over the beer selection that includes craft beers from local and popular breweries as well as ciders and fruit based ales.  The Winery at Wolf Creek has a limited menu of cheeses, meat and crackers but they welcome patrons to bring their own foods to enjoy with their wines while enjoying the spectacular view.

With a few minutes to spare, I reviewed my tasting notes and information that I had collected from my server.  Distracted by the beautiful view of the Akron skyline, I noted which wines I would be purchasing before leaving the winery.

The Vignoles was my first sample which is a semi-sweet estate wine that I found had a lingering sour finish.  This having been my first experience with this wine, I was curious to learn about specific food pairings that may alter the taste of the wine and found an unusual list to include pumpkin and ginger-based foods as well as gingers snaps*.

One of the varietals grown on the estate, Vignoles is one of three grapes that make up about 80 percent of their white wine production which also includes the Pinot Gris and Leon Millot.

Peppery and smooth, the Zinfandel was my absolute favorite but having learned that the winery makes a great Cabernet Franc, I had to sample this wine as well.

Summit County provides a grape growing terrior that includes sandy loam, clay loam and gravel.  Because the climate is similar to the Loire Valley in France, this provides the potential as a perfect location for growing Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin varietals.

Switching over to sweet wines, Sweet Revenge is a beautiful Ohio rose that the winery has been making for over twenty years.  A blend of Seyval Blanc and French Hybrid wines, this crisp, delicious wine is a classic.

I am always interested in sampling the fruit wines from Ohio wineries because they have the potential to be extremely fruity or combined with grapes, have subtle notes of fruit flavor in the blend.  Blue, a semi-dry blueberry wine was rich in color as well as a little tart which I found to be an absolute lovely combination.

Original sin is the perfect name for this crisp, apple based wine, but it is Space Cowboy that wins my vote with its full peach flavor in every sip.

The sun is starting to set on this beautiful, brisk October evening. I bring myself inside where I can continue admiring the outside view from the beautiful glass windows of the tasting room.

My pizza had just arrived, so I ordered a bottle of Zinfandel, knowing that the winery can repackage the remaining wine for me to take home.

The Winery at Wolf Creek is open year around, with limited hours during the winter season.  Cellar tours are available by appointment and wine tastings are offered daily.  The winery offers a great selection of wine accessories, clothes, gift baskets and of course, wine which ranges from $14 to $24 per bottle.

The bachelorette party is going strong in the tasting room and I stop by to inquire how they enjoyed the wines.  The bride-to-be, dressed in red, mentioned that they had such a difficult selecting a favorite that they purchased one of each to enjoy with their large group.  I told her to beware of the Big Bad Wolf as I exited the winery, happy to see they were having the time of their lives.

Have you had the opportunity to visit The Winery at Wolf Creek?  Did you pack a picnic or order some food?  What was your favorite wine?  I would love to hear about your visit to The Winery at Wolf Creek if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading my post about The Winery at Wolf Creek and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

The Winery at Wolf Creek
2637 South Cleveland Massillon Road
Norton, Ohio  44203
Telephone:  330 665 1445

Where to Stay:

The Whimsical  Pig Bed & Breakfast
2682 South Cleveland Massillon Road
Norton, OH  44203
Telephone: 330 576 6104

Ron and Sue Bishop were absolutely lovely hosts.  The French toast for breakfast was amazing!

Where to Eat:

Wolf Creek Tavern
3044 Wadsworth Road
Norton, OH  44203
Telephone: 234 571 4531

Seated on the outside patio, I was so excited to try an order of homemade pierogis and I selected the fish and chips for my entree.

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I have had a passion to travel for as long as I can remember and landed my dream job at the age of 19 on a cruise ship. The Suite Life of Travel is about those experiences as well as my future endeavor to explore this amazing world!

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