Travel – Rebecca's Country Notes

Christmas Season Edition: How to Be a Tourist in Your Hometown

The Christmas season is a great time to be a hometown tourist. The first snow, holiday decorations, and community events are perfect for going on an adventure close to home. Make the season more festive by taking time out of your busy schedule to explore your hometown. If you need inspiration on how to be a tourist in your hometown at Christmas, check out the following for ideas.

Check Community Events

When was the last time you spent an afternoon or entire day being a tourist in your hometown or closest major city?

Start by researching your hometown for upcoming events.
Look for anything new that interests you. But do not hesitate to check out events that are new. Trying something different is a great way to grow and meet new people.
Join social media groups that focus on your hometown, nearby cities, or county. The shared information from other group members is a great resource.

Check for Christmas Season Events

The Christmas season brings new events to many communities.

Christmas tree lighting ceremonies.
Candlelight services
Church events
Live Nativity scenes
Christmas caroling
Festival of Trees
Christmas light decorating contests. (Many community pages will post a map to view the best lights in your town).
Christmas parades
Christmas community concerts or plays
Christmas Fairs
Go to a Christmas Market
Christmas craft shows or holiday bazaars

Create a Local Christmas Bucket List

Go ahead and make a bucket list for your hometown or nearby neighborhood. If you are going with family and friends, create the list together. Travel buddies are a great way to enjoy your hometown Christmas experience,

Check out new restaurants, revisit childhood favorites, go to art galleries, historical sites, or other interesting Christmas events.
Considering taking a different mode of transportation to get around your hometown. If the weather is good, consider walking.
Use coupons to save money which is a bonus during the holiday season. Also, many coupons use free items as an incentive for customers to spend a specific amount of money. Small trinkets or Christmas ornaments are a fun part of the shopping experience.
Take hometown tours.

Document Your Christmas-Themed Travels

Grab your camera or use your phone to document your hometown Christmas experience.

Go to your local café for a cup of hot cocoa, coffee, or tea. Sit and jot notes in a journal about your day’s adventure.
Buy postcards and write about adventures on the back.
Take lots of photos. Even if you pass the place every day while going to work or running errands, stop and snap a photo. Try different angles.
Create a Christmas scrapbook. Use your photos, postcards, sales receipts, business cards, and notes to make lasting memories of your hometown Christmas adventures.

Enjoy your journey! Merry Christmas!

Fall Edition: How to Be a Tourist In Your Hometown

Autumn is a wonderful time of year. The changing leaves and cooler temperatures are a major part of the fall season in the Northern Hemisphere. Exploring your hometown is one of the best ways to enjoy fall. Attend local outdoor events or on rainy days revisit past favorites. If you need inspiration on how to be a tourist in your hometown, check out the following for ideas.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Research

When was the last time you spent wandering around your hometown or the surrounding area?

Begin by researching your hometown.
Look for anything new that interests you.
Join social media groups that focus on your hometown or county. The shared information is a great resource.

Check Seasonal Events for Autumn

The changing seasons bring new community events. The autumn events are generally a yearly occurrence.

Farmers’ Markets
Pumpkin weighing contests
Corn mazes
Haunted houses
Homecoming parades
Fairs and festivals
Craft shows

Write a Local Bucket List

Approach your hometown like any other travel destination. Begin by making a list of places you want to see. Are you traveling solo or with family and friends? Travel buddies are a great way to enjoy your hometown experience with a new perspective.

Check out new restaurants, revisit childhood favorites, and go to art galleries, historical sites, or other interesting events.
Consider taking a different mode of transportation to get around your hometown. Ride the bus, rent an e-bike, or walk around your neighborhood. The change in transportation is a great way to see everyday sights from a new perspective.
Go ahead and use coupons for discounts on meals, tours, or admission costs. Many coupons use free items as an incentive for spending a certain amount of money. Businesses use self-promoting products as a way to draw tourists to their locations.
Check out the tours of your local hometown attractions. Follow the tour guide throughout the museum or local sites. Every tour is a learning experience.
Buy postcards.
Take business cards.

Document Your Travels

Do not forget your camera. Or use your phone to document your travels around your hometown.

Eat or get a beverage at a local café. Try the hometown special. If you are traveling solo, bring a small journal with you. Use the time at the cafe to write notes about your day’s experiences.
Take photos of everything. Even if you pass the place every day going to work or running errands, stop and take a photo. Try different angles. The final results may surprise you.
After each hometown adventure, create a scrapbook with photos, postcards, and notes.

Have fun! Enjoy your day acting like a tourist in your hometown.

Tips for Thanksgiving Travel

Can you believe next week is Thanksgiving? Busy roads are always a major part of the holiday weekend. If you are driving to your destination, consider the following tips for safe Thanksgiving travel.

Lists: Start by making a list or two of all the essentials for your long holiday weekend. Consider making a list for each person and your fur babies. Cross items off your lists as you begin to pack and load your vehicle.
Vehicle Maintenance: Before leaving for your destination, do a quick maintenance check on your vehicle. Check the tire pressure, oil level, antifreeze level, brake fluid, and the condition of the wiper blades.
Get Gas Early: If possible, get gasoline early to avoid long lines at the pump. Also, gas prices increase with demand.
Arrival Time: Know exactly when you need to be at your destination to adjust your driving time. Give yourself extra time to get to your destination.
Pack and Load: If possible, start packing early. Clothing and other non-perishable items are easily the first items to cross off your list. Try to load as much as possible into your vehicle the night before your departure time.
Road Trip Snacks: Depending on the amount of driving time, snacks are an essential especially if you have children in the car. Plus, packing your own road-trip snacks and beverages saves time and money.
Be Flexible: Leave early to avoid the traffic. Wednesday and Sunday are the busiest travel time for Thanksgiving weekend.
Stop When Needed: Do not be afraid to take breaks. Around each one hundred miles, try to stop at a rest area or local café. Breaks are not a luxury but a priority. Remember for your own safety to lock your vehicle at every stop.
Weather Watch: The weather changes quickly. Use a local weather app or your GPS to watch for any sudden changes. Pack an emergency kit for your vehicle including a first aid kit, phone charger, and extra blankets.
Be Mindful: Watch out for other drivers. When people are in a hurry, mistakes happen in an instant. Be alert. Follow the rules of the road. Don’t speed. And avoid alcohol consumption.
Child Safety: Secure children in the age-appropriate car seats. Bring favorite toys, games, videos, music, and other items for entertainment on the road.

Most of all, make your road trip an adventure. Have fun. Stop and take photos. Enjoy every minute of the trip.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Rebecca Reviewed It: Oh Mi Organics

A couple weeks ago, I went out to eat with my sister and our dad. After the fantastic home-style cooked meal at Dershy’s Cafe, we stopped next door at Oh Mi Organics. Dubbed the Chocolate Studio, Oh Mi Organics provides “chocolate your body understands.”

Now, I do not claim to be a gourmet foodie. But I do know what I like. And, Oh Mi Organics chocolate is in my “like” category.

The General Information

Oh Mi Organics is located at 109 W. Higham Street., St Johns, MI 48879. They serve over 180 different flavors of chocolate. Serving a healthier alternative, many of the premium chocolates are gluten-free, dairy-free, or without peanuts. Along with chocolates, there were a few beverages, cold coffee, and hummus available.

Customer Service

In a word, the customer service was outstanding! The cashier was polite, quick to answer questions, and always had a smile on her face. When she found out, we were first-time visitors, she immediately offered samples.

At first, the customer service representative gave each of us a sample of the base chocolate. Next, the cashier had us test the Neapolitan chocolate. Listening to the instructions of the cashier, we held the chocolate on our tongues. When the chocolate dissolves, we really could taste each flavor. Yes, the flavors were yummy.

Will I Return?

Yes! Oh Mi Organics offers a great incentive to return, a punch card. After purchasing 12 dozen chocolates, you receive a dozen of chocolates free. And, every Tuesday is double punch day.

The outstanding customer service went beyond being inside the store. The packaging of the chocolate was superior. Each chocolate was placed in trays then set inside of a box, for easy travel. The best part, the cashier wrote on the side of the tray to identify the type of chocolates.

Next time you are in St. Johns, Michigan, do not forget to stop by Oh Mi Organics for great-tasting chocolate.

Rebecca Suggested It: St. Johns Mint Festival

Are you looking for a family friendly activity to attend this weekend? Head to St. Johns, MI for their annual Mint Festival. The entire town will be buzzing with different events.

The Mint Festival runs August 13-15, 2021. Most events take place at the St. Johns City Park. Other activities are downtown. If you are a bargain shopper, many residents host yard sales all weekend long.

One of the main attractions is the 2021 Grand Mint Parade Route Kickoff. The theme is Back Together Again. The parade begins promptly at 10am. Go early to find the perfect seat to watch the Mint Parade. You will not be disappointed with the floats, the Mint Queen and her court, and much more.

Some of the other events at the Mint Festival include:

Arts & Crafts
Flea Market
New Vehicle Show
Food Vendors
Inflatables
Mini Golf
Live music at the Performance Shell or Downtown
Cornhole Tournaments
Beverage Tent
Classic Car Show
Peppermint Plop
Carnival Rides
Worship in the Park (11 am, Sunday at the Performance Shell)

For the exact times and full list of events check out the schedule on the Clinton County Chamber website or Facebook page. The Mint Festival has numerous events for the entire family to enjoy. Hope to see your smiling face at the Mint Fest.

Best Lakes to Visit in Michigan

When you think about the “greatest lakes” in America, you probably think of none other than the Great Lakes – of which there are five. The best part about the state of Michigan is that four out of these five lakes (all except for Lake Ontario) touch along the state’s border, so no matter where you are in Michigan, you’re never too far from a gorgeous waterfront view. While the Great Lakes are the go-to choices for the best aquatic places to visit in Michigan, there are also a lot of smaller lakes in the state that are underrated but just as beautiful. Here are some of the best lake spots in Michigan.

Torch Lake

Torch Lake is not only Michigan’s longest lake, but its deepest lake as well, but those are not the only titles this lake holds. National Geographic, also named Torch lake the third-best lake in the country due to its gorgeous blue waters – frequently compared to the Carribean Sea. Torch Lake is known for its incredible parties, particularly on the Fourth of July, where the elite of Michigan gather to relax and enjoy the gorgeous scenery. On your next visit, you may even spot some Michigan celebrities such as Kid Rock and Eminem!

Lake Charlevoix

Lake Charlevoix is a great destination for those that want to enjoy the splendors of nature alongside a great town filled with delicious food and boutique stores to explore. The downtown Charlevoix area that surrounds the lake has so much to offer. While you may think of taking a lake trip on a warm summer weekend, Charlevoix really shines in Autumn. Visit during the 2nd week of October to experience the infamous Apple Festival for an unforgettable experience.

Elk Lake

How do the lakes of Michigan have such stunningly blue water? The second deepest lake in Michigan, this natural wonder has the same gorgeous coloring as Torch Lake, but with a more relaxing demeanor. If you’re looking for a more relaxing vacation, away from the excitement and business, Elk Lake is the perfect destination for you.

Lake Michigan

Okay, we implied we weren’t going to name any of the great lakes, but your trip to Michigan wouldn’t be complete without visiting the lake of the same name. It’s probably the best lake in the whole state, perhaps in the whole country. With something to do for everyone, Lake Michigan is the perfect place for your next family trip, girls’ weekend, or romantic getaway. There are many wineries, fishing opportunities, and boating expeditions you can take advantage of here. Even if you’re just taking a long drive along the riverfront, the breathtaking view will be well worth the visit. Many fall in love with Lake Michigan so quickly that they find themselves looking at Grand Rapids real estate after their visit so they can experience this wonder all year ‘round.

Image Credit: Pexels

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Torch Lake

Lake Charlevoix

Elk Lake

Lake Michigan

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