Explore Our Back Roads and Beaches

Calling all cycling and outdoor enthusiasts! The Lorain County Visitors Bureau in Northeast Ohio has put together a fantastic new eco tourism venture called "Back Roads and Beaches." As the name implies, the tour route takes you down little traveled country roads, through townships, past corn fields and cow pastures, into small towns and little traveled city streets, and along the Lake Erie beaches. If you go the distance, you will travel about 60 miles and maybe more if you take a few off shoots to listed sites along the route. Plan your trip so you can take your time to enjoy the sites, sounds, and smells along the way. Stop and smell the roses at Lakeview Beach. Sit,relax, stretch awhile, and listen to the sound of the waves of Lake Erie as they come ashore on the rocks.

Along the route you can explore the many museums of Lorain County from the Maritime Museum in Vermilion to the Heritage Center in Oberlin. Learn about the Great Lakes, Ohio's role in the Underground Railroad, and read information about our small towns and cities. Stop and try your hand at kayaking or canoeing on Lake Erie or at the lake at Findley State Park. Visit the Lorain County wineries for a tour and some refreshments. Come in the fall for the changing of the leaves. There is shopping and bike repair along the way, great places to eat, and super B & B's to spend a night or two. And of course when you arrive in Oberlin, plan to stay a day or 2 here at Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast where you can recharge, take a sauna, relax in the Jacuzzi whirlpool, sleep on a fabulous mattress, and eat a fantastic breakfast! Unfortunately, the pool will be closed next week for the winter but will reopen in April. So plan a spring trip now!

The route is laid out so you can take your time. Spend a few days going from beginning of the route to the end. Start at Findley State Park and end in Avon Lake or start in Avon Lake and end at Findley. Or if your time is short, just do one segment at a time. So come and visit! See what Lorain County has to offer. You won't be disappointed!

Dog's Day Out!

This is Duke, our resident 10 year old rescued dog. He's a sweetie!

So here is another fun happening in Oberlin, in Northeast Lorain County, Ohio! Come on over on Saturday Sept. 22 for the third annual Doggie Doo & Pooch Parade! It is sponsored by the Oberlin Chamber of Commerce and the proceeds go to benefit the local Lorain County animal shelters. Events begin at 11 AM and go til 4 PM in Tappan Square and will be held rain or shine. (And the weather people are saying it will be a 'shine' day with lots of sun and around 80 degrees!)

Events for the day will include dog contests with the most popular event being one for the best dressed dog! There will be training demonstrations as well as a demonstration by the Sheriff's attack dogs. Pets from shelters and rescue centers will be available for adoption to loving and permanent homes. The activities conclude with the ever popular Pooch Parade! For complete information visit the Chamber's website at http://www.oberlin.org/doggiedoo/. Duke, in the picture above, is planning to go to Doggie Doo but he says no way will he dress up! We'll see about that! And we'll see YOU at the Doggie Doo too! There is never a dull moment in Oberlin! You know you want to come and see for yourself!

"Artist in Residence at the Inn"

Today, the 25th annual "Harvest of the Arts" took place in Wellington, just 7 miles south of Oberlin. It was a beautiful day with lots of sun and the feeling of autumn in the air. There were over 100 artists and crafters from Ohio and adjoining states presenting their creations for sale and the multitude of festival goers were eager to buy! We were very happy and excited to have had as a guest here at Hallauer House Sowmya Parigi, artist and owner of SVA "One's Own" Creations, Inc. out of Hebron, KY. She and her husband came on Saturday, the day before the festival, so that they could relax and be ready to set up for the show the next day. I really found her eco-friendly art to be in keeping with our personal philosophy of recycling and using natural fabrics and products. At her studio, Sowmya creates one of a kind fabric, water color, & custom art.

As Joe and I perused her art for sale at the festival, we had a hard time making a decision as to which to buy. There were custom painted T-shirts, hand bags, totes, and wine caddies, all with original art and hand painted by the artist. We finally settled on the wine caddie with plans to include this item when we get our winery tour package up and going with Single Tree Winery and other wineries in Lorain County. The picture you see on the right is now 'My' wine caddie, but you can select one for yourself or any other of Sowmya's art work by simply visiting her website at www.sva-creations.com where you can see her products and then order on line. You will not be disappointed!

And be sure to keep in mind and perhaps attend the 26th annual 'Harvest of the Arts' in Wellington, OH this time next year. It keeps getting bigger and bigger! And it benefits Herrick Memorial Library. And once again, there is always lots to do in Lorain County, Ohio! So come for a visit! You know you want to!

Oberlin College Tailgate Parties!

Here ye all you tail gate fans! The John W. Heisman Club at Oberlin College has announced two remaining tailgate weekends this fall. The first one will be on Sat. Sept. 29 when Oberlin takes on Hiram and this also just happens to be Homecoming weekend! I'd offer a special deal for all you Oberlin Alums for that weekend but we are full with guests attending a local wedding. Sorry about that. The second tailgate is on Sat. Nov. 3 for the game against Kenyon College. The other remaining home games are Oct. 13 with visiting Earlhan College and the last game on Nov. 10 which is Parent's Weekend. So if you like college football, come on over to Oberlin and join in the fun. Kick-off time for home games is at 1 pm and they're all on Saturdays.