Blue Gate Garden Inn

Several years ago we planned a short family trip to Shipshewana right after Christmas while the kids were off school for the holiday break. The area was breathtaking with a substantial blanket of snow. That year, late fall and early winter had been mild and we hadn't seen any snow yet, so when we arrived to all that freshly fallen white stuff, the kids were excited and mesmerized. As we arrived in town, we noticed beautifully carved blocks of ice in some of the parking lots of the businesses. We just happened to be visiting during the annual Shipshewana Ice Festival. Throughout town we got to see several more sculptures and got to watch some being carved.

So, this year when I wanted to plan a short getaway between Christmas and New Year's, I immediately looked up the ice festival dates and decided it would be a great place to visit. On our previous visit, we stayed at a hotel that had a small water park. It has since changed ownership and become the Blue Gate Garden Inn and the water park was replaced with a pool, but has a lot of nice amenities for families as well.

The Blue Gate Garden Inn has some common spaces that are inviting and cozy and spacious and I love seeing families gather there to spend time together. On our last visit and this one as well, I noticed many multi-generational groups together. They were playing board games, watching the football game, sewing, eating. I even learned from watching a grandmother show her granddaughter how to make a fleece tie blanket. It seems to be a popular spot for family reunions or multi-generational outings. It's a great place to spend time with family and connect. It's also great visiting at this time of year because the inn, like every place else in town, is still decorated nicely and all lit up for Christmas. The lobby was adorned with a tree and sleigh and some wreaths and greenery, but these huge poinsettia hangings were absolutely stunning.

So often on our trips, we are running all day to attractions and museums and then the evening may be dinners out or shows or sporting events and when we get back to the hotel, we just crash.

On this trip, we spent time at our hotel together and made memories instead of running until we were all exhausted. Pretty much all the shops and stops in Shipshewana close up around 5, so evening options are limited to dinner or to a show if there's one playing that evening. We opted to stay at the Blue Gate for dinner.

We went down to the arcade and played a few rounds of ping pong and air hockey and skee-ball and we ordered a pizza from the Creamery - a little cafe set just past the lobby offering freshly-made pizza and ice cream. I have to admit that I wasn't expecting much from a pizza made inside the hotel, but I was really blown away when I tried it.

When you are used to Chicago pizza, you don't find many places where the pizza measures up to the high standards you've set from eating years of Chicago-style pizza. If you find something while traveling that is the equivalent to a chain like Dominoes, it's usually the best you can expect. What made this pizza so delicious was the cheese - I'm guessing it's locally made, natural stuff and you could totally taste the difference. The meats were also very tasty and the crust did not disappoint. This is one of just a handful of times I've found really good pizza outside the Chicago area. So, if you stay there, rest assured that the pizza will not be a frozen pizza out of the box, but a delicious home made one that you'll really enjoy.

Pizza was followed up by ice cream, which we couldn't resist after smelling them making the waffle cones and waffle bowls all afternoon. The ice cream was creamy and the waffle bowl was just so good and fresh. The Creamery is a cute little retro looking eatery with black and white checkered floors and bar stools and an old soda fountain. In the back there's a table inside an Amish buggy where you can enjoy your meal or just pop into for a picture.

The rooms are really cute - decorated with country touches that are far from what you'd find in a standard chain hotel. I loved the quilts and the charming wallpaper borders. It really has such a homey feel and an atmosphere more like grandma's house than a hotel.

Breakfast was included with the room and it's far from the basic sweet rolls and granola bar breakfast that many hotel chains pass off as a continental breakfast. This breakfast has many hot dishes to choose from - we filled our plates with eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy and a ham and potato casserole.
There's also a station where you can have a custom made omelet made and there are make-your-own waffle makers with several different flavors.

Lodging that includes breakfast is always something we seek out when finding a place to stay in our travels. It makes the trip much more economical. It saves the time of driving to a restaurant and then waiting for a table, waiting to order and then waiting for your food. Sometimes you're in for two hours or more with transportation, waiting, ordering and then eating. It's so nice to just slip downstairs, fill your plate and have a hearty meal before heading out for the day or getting back on the road.

Shipshewana and the nearby communities of Nappanee and Middlebury are ones I would definitely recommend for families. Exposing kids to the Amish lifestyle is a great lesson in appreciating simplicity and the Blue Gate Garden Inn is an ideal lodging option for a visit to the area. There's also a car museum just steps away that all ages will enjoy. Visit BlueGateGardenInn.com for reservations.

Potawatomi Inn in Angola, Indiana

Fireplace off the main lobby

One fun thing we've discovered in years of traveling is that it's always nice to forego the chain hotels and stay somewhere more interesting. It doesn't always turn out to be amazing. We've had a few crazy  stories where it didn't turn out as well as we'd hoped. In the majority of cases, we've been pleased and often the bed and breakfasts, historic hotels, independently-owned cabins or other overnight spots have exceeded expectations.

I have loved finding inns located at state parks that may not be decorated in the most modern fashion or equipped with the most modern technology, but are full of history and style and just so cozy and inviting.

View from interior back hallway at Potawatomi Inn

We stopped recently in Pokagon State Park in Angola, Indiana to check out the toboggan run and visited the Potawatomi Inn while we were there. The toboggan run is a huge draw in the winter months, but the grounds and lake look like they're pretty stunning and fun during the warmer months. Throughout the inn are little pieces of history - chairs and taxidermy animals and little plaques giving historical tidbits. There's a large formal dining room where I'd hoped to have a meal, but we happened to be there during the 2 - 5 p.m. span when the restaurant is closed between lunch and dinner and didn't have enough time to hang around until it re-opened.

The toboggan run at Pokagon State Park

The in has 138 guest rooms as well as 8 historic cabins and four luxury cabin suites. The inn includes an indoor swimming pool, an arcade lounge and craft room. What I found most charming were the common rooms where families sat in front of fireplaces or snuggled on sofas or tucked away in corners playing board games. On the back of the inn is a long hallway that is all windows and filled with seating facing out at the lake. It's a perfect place to just curl up with a book and a cup of tea and get lost for hours.

If you plan on making a visit to Potawatomi Inn in the Winter (or 6 other state park inns), you can take advantage of a 2 for 1 offer that is valid Sunday through Thursday until March 2 (excluding the holiday break - December 25, 2016 - January 5, 2017.) If you stay for two nights, you just pay for one. To make a reservation, visit IndianaInns.com or call 1-877-LODGES1.

Navy Pier's Winter WonderFest

Chicago is a beautiful place to be around the holidays. Christkindl Market in Daley Plaza. Shop windows to explore on the Magnificent Mile. The tree lit up at Millennium Park and the snow-capped Bean. But...if you want to enjoy lights and trees and holiday merriment while staying warm, Navy Pier is the place to be for the Fifth Third Bank Winter WonderFest running through January 8 (closed on Christmas Day.)

I went to check it out with two of my boys recently and we pulled into the east parking garage, walked in to the Pier, went up the escalator and never had to feel one cold burst of wind. That's my kind of holiday fun.

If you're breathing a sigh of relief now that Christmas is done, but wondering what to do with the kids while they're home for the next week-and-a-half, the Winter WonderFest is a perfect way to spend a day. With an indoor ice skating rink, climbing wall, bounce houses and slides and lots of rides (including a carousel and Ferris Wheel), there's something for everyone. 170,000 square feet of fun for everyone to be exact. For more info visit NavyPier.com.



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City of Chicago to hold Victory Parade and Rally on Friday

For the first time in 108 years, the Chicago Cubs are the World Series Champions and the city is preparing for an epic party to be held less than 36 hours after the Cubs beat the Cleveland Indians in a  10-inning, game 7 battle at Progressive Field.

The team buses are scheduled to leave Wrigley Field around 10 a.m. on Friday for a downtown parade and noon rally at Lower Hutchinson Field in Grant Park. The parade is expected to travel from Addison and Sheffield to Pine Grove and likely downtown via Lake Shore drive. The parade downtown is expected to begin at Michigan Avenue at Oak, then south to Ohio Street before moving to Grant Park for the rally. The event is open to the public.

Edwards Place in Springfield, IL

For those who love history, Springfield, Illinois should be at the top of your Midwest travel list. Besides the very obvious reasons of there being a current and former state capitol as well as so many attractions related to Abraham Lincoln, there are several historic homes in the city that give a glimpse into life in Springfield's early days.

The "courting couch." Photo provided by Springfield Art Assn.

On a recent visit to Springfield, I was able to visit some of those historic homes, including Edwards Place, which is the oldest home in the city that has remained in the same location. Built in 1833, the home was occupied by Benjamin and Helen Edwards and was a social hub of the area. Benjamin Edwards was the youngest son of Governor Ninian Edwards. The Edwards hosted parties and political events, including a rally for Stephen A. Douglas, which wouldn't seem all that unusual for a prominent family in early Springfield. However, the sister of Edwards' brothers' wife happened to be Mary Todd Lincoln.

Within the home are priceless pieces with ties to Lincoln, including the "courting couch" where Abe Lincoln and Mary Todd sat during their courtship in the home of Benjamin Edward's brother and the square grand piano that was used to play music at the wedding of the Lincolns.

The home underwent renovations to expand it in 1857 and cutouts on several walls show where the original brick is underneath. The renovations included the addition of the front porch that you see on the home today. In some spots, the original wallpaper is visible and you're able to view it in comparison to amazingly identical reproductions.

The sitting room at Edwards place. Photo courtesy of Springfield Art Association.

Throughout the home, the formality and prestige is conveyed, with some original furnishings displayed along with other period pieces in the parlor and private living spaces. As we visited, the house was being prepared for a fun murder mystery dinner (a first time event)
so it didn't appear exactly as it would a normal tour, but we were able to get a good look at what is covered on a routine tour, which lasts about 45-minutes.

The home ceased being occupied by the Edwards' family following the death of their daughter in 1909. It later became home to the Springfield Art Association in 1913 and became a gallery and space for meeting and education.

In 2015, the first floor was restored to appear as it would have when the Edwards called the structure their home with plans to continue with restoration of the second floor in the near future.

The home is open for public tours on Tuesday through Friday at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. and on Saturday at 12, 1 and 2 p.m. or by social appointment. Admission is $5 for adults and kids age 10 and under are free. For more information, visit EdwardsPlace.org

UNLOCKaLOCK Escape Room opens Friday

I've been hearing a lot of buzz in recent months about Escape Room destinations. They may be a little hard to wrap your head around if you have never been to one. These businesses, which have popped up in several spots in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana offer a fun activity for groups where they are locked in a room and have to work together to solve clues to get out of the room before their time expires.

One is set to open this Friday and my husband and I were among the first people to get to try to successfully escape from a room last weekend as the owners were doing a preview and some test runs.

UnlockaLock in Lansing offers two themed rooms - the Pirate Room and the Throne Room. I was in the first group to do the Throne Room. Besides my husband and I, there was another couple and their two young adult daughters. The other male in our group and my husband hit it off and their humor made the challenge that much more fun. Groups can go up to 8 in a room. It's neat that in working together, everyone contributes something that leads you to finding clues.

We got off to a slow start, but once we found the first clue, we were doing well and I think we were just short of solving our mystery when our one-hour countdown ended. With it being my first time doing an Escape Room, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but it was a lot of fun and we all really got into it once we found our first clue and got rolling. I'd love to try it again.

I can see it being a great outing for co-workers or for a scout troop or birthday party or just for a family night or date night out. In looking at the online calendar, it looks like you'll be able to book for Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday and some Wednesdays. Take a peek at the website for a list of FAQ and additional information. If you book online by 8/31, you can get 10% off by using the discount code "CARSHOW." All escape sessions must be booked in advance online at www.unlockalockescaperoom.com.. If you're looking for something different for a night out or enjoy activities that require a bit of thought, it's something you need to try at least once...but chances are once you try it, you'll be hooked and want to give it another try.

UNLOCKaLOCK Escape Room

18241 West Street

Lansing, IL 60438

708-704-3853

unlockalockescaperoom.com

White Sox U.S. Cellular Field to get new name

Even though I'm a big Cubs fan, announcement of a name change of the White Sox home field is big news. In my mind and many others in the Chicago area, it will always be Comiskey Park. In 1990, the old Comiskey Park was used for its last White Sox season and a new ballpark was built beside it. The new park, which opened in 1991, was knows as Comiskey Park until it was renamed U.S. Cellular Field (a.k.a. "The Cell") in 1993. It was announced today that the ball park will get a new name starting November 1st.

Even being a die-hard Cubs fan, Comiskey Park/U.S. Cellular Field have created pleasant memories. My first Sox games were at Old Comiskey and I've attended several games at the new park, which has some great family friendly features and promotions. If you ever have a chance to attend a patio party at The Cell, it's a blast. Your group enjoys a buffet and beer and you have a chance to pregame onsite before the game.

Here's the details announced in a press release today:

Guaranteed Rate Field debuts on November 1

Chicago-based national mortgage lender Guaranteed Rate and the White Sox have signed a 13-year naming rights agreement for the team's home ballpark, which will be named Guaranteed Rate Field beginning November 1, 2016. "We are pleased to find, in Guaranteed Rate, a new naming rights partner founded in Chicago by Chicagoans, which shares our commitment to the city and to our fans," said Jerry Reinsdorf, chairman of the White Sox. The White Sox and Guaranteed Rate also have agreed on sponsorship elements associated with White Sox baseball, including various branding, promotional and hospitality benefits, along with joint marketing opportunities. Guaranteed Rate becomes the official mortgage and title company of the White Sox. "We are incredibly excited and honored to be part of the White Sox family," said Victor Ciardelli, president & CEO of Guaranteed Rate. "We look forward to many great years of White Sox baseball at Guaranteed Rate Field."

HarborPark: Kenosha, WI

During the summer months, there are a lot of fun events that happen at HarborPark in Kenosha, including the recent Border Wars Beer Fest and the annual Taste of Wisconsin, which we have attended several times. And even when there's not something going on, it's a lovely place for a stroll with beautiful views.

Just steps away from the park are the Kenosha Public Museum and the Civil War Museum as well as the tracks for the electric streetcar system. Anytime we are near the Kenosha lakefront, my kids love to hop on and take a ride. We also love all the free and easily accessible beachfront that you can spend time at. There's a lot to love about Kenosha and the lakefront is at the top of the list. For more info on events at HarborPark and within Kenosha, go to VisitKenosha.com

Caboose Lake: Remington, IN

On several trips over the years to Indiana Beach we'd pass Caboose Lake Campground in Remington, IN and it looked like a fun place for the kids. So, as we planned our most recent visit to Monticello to visit the amusement park, we decided to make it into a little getaway. We spent a full day at Indiana Beach and then a full day at the campground where there's a lot to do.

I had been wanting to do camping with the kids for a while. We'd stayed at a lot of campgrounds, but always in RVs or cabins, not actually "roughin' it." And we had a sizable tent that hadn't been used other than for backyard campouts and a once a year cub scout camp.

So, we set-up our tent and slept under the stars that night. I'm glad we experienced it, but I learned that I am no longer into roughin' it. I hadn't done that since I was a teenager. It was muggy. My inflatable mattress deflated in the middle of the night. Bugs were buzzing. My kids snored and kicked. The neighbors in the camper beside us were up late and then up early and really loud. Luckily, they have both rental RVs and cabins, so on our next visit, we will have to take advantage of that.

The boys enjoyed fishing with their dad, playing on the playground, making s'mores, swimming and playing on the beach and just strolling around the campground and eating ice cream. For a one-price wristband you have unlimited use of the Summer Beach Family Fun Zone during the times they are open. It includes a big inflatable water slide, bumper boats and a Water Wars water balloon game. Different fun activities are scheduled on weekends, such as horse shoe tournaments, train rides and corn hole tournaments. The kids took advantage of all of the above.

Caboose Lake provided a nice time for all of us and a chance to enjoy time as a family without electronics and screens. I'd recommend it as a place for a weekend family getaway if you're in Northern IL, Northern IN or Southwest, MI as is not too far and t'd it's a great stop to pair up with a visit to Indiana Beach. For more information, follow Caboose Lake Campground on Facebook or check out the website at cabooselake.com.

Locavore Farm offers Dine-on-the-Land Dinners

Summer is a lovely season for dining, whether it's on a trendy downtown rooftop or al fresco on a patio or enjoying a picnic at a scenic park. But, for the ultimate in outdoor dining, you need to pay a visit to Locavore Farms in Grant Park, Illinois.

There's so much to love about this place, including the backstory. A busy professional suburban couple, Chris and Rachael Jones, tired of their hectic life and grabbing easy, but not so healthy food made a conscious decision not only to make a move with their two children to live a quieter more rural lifestyle, but to grow their own food and focus on sharing that bounty with others while also bringing in other local farmers with a similar philosophy of wanting to provide good food for people and providing an opportunity for them to slow down and really appreciate where it comes from.

They open up their farm, which has just begun season two, several times a year for visitors to come enjoy life on their small family farm. The events include a tour, five-course dinner, craft beers and cocktails, hay rides, a fire-pit to relax by. Beautifully decorated with chic country touches, like painted mason jars filled with wildflowers, benches and seats adorned with colorful quilts and throw pillows, lighted jars hanging from trees that give a lovely glow as the sun sets, you almost feel like you've stepped onto the site of a photo shoot for a magazine. Everything looks perfect.

The food is always a spectacular feast of what's in season, with five courses prepared using fresh ingredients from their own garden and from local farms by creative chefs. For dinner, guests gather at a custom made table that seats 100. Tickets go quickly for these events, so don't wait. There are three remaining dine-on-the-land dinners scheduled this year (August's is already sold out) and there will be an Oktoberfest celebration there on October 8.

It's truly a lovely experience of arriving in late afternoon as the sun shines and the blue sky as a backdrop as frogs croak in the pond, stems of emerging crops blow in the wind and a perfectly situated hay bale sits covered in a floral quilt. Then listening to live music on a blanket as the sun sets caps off the diner perfectly.

Mushroom Hunting in Galena

Earlier this month, I was invited to an exclusive media event at Galena's Eagle Ridge Resort. It had been a good 15 years since I had been to Galena, so I was excited for this little getaway. I had never been hunting for morels before, so it was a fun experience. We had the opportunity to be taken to a top secret spot by Eagle Ridge's executive chef and food and beverage director where we received tips on what to look for and how to spot them. Though I only found a couple, it was quite a thrill to search and finally come one.

Along with our hunt, we were treated to creative meals that featured morels (more to come on that on my food blog - chicagofoodiesisters.com)

Eagle Ridge is a top rated luxury resort with some of the most beautiful, lush surroundings for golfers. In 2014, Midwest Living rated Eagle Ridge as one of the "45 Midwest Resorts We Love." As part of the 6,800-acre Galena Territory, it includes 80 rustic, elegant rooms and over 200 homes and villas, a 6000-square foot spa, award winning restaurants and 63 holes of championship golf. For more information, go to eagleridge.com.