New Orleans Lady

Okay, okay.... I will plan on being there. Could someone please post specific and detailed directions to our meeting place? Just an address probably won't help me - google maps and mapquest aren't always specific enough. Please include some landmarks or points of interest to look for. (Yes, I get lost easily!) Also, would someone who is the main tour guide please post their phone number (or could you private message it to me)? It would be good to have a contact number to call if people are lost or running a little late. Can you tell I am an organized freak?

So, have you put any more thought into this event? Just looking ahead at my social calendar and pondering if I will go or not.... Is this the right tour for someone who really hasn't even toured Cincinnati before? I haven't been to downtown yet. I don't know my way around at all so I just wonder if I would slow others down. Is there a Cincinnnati for Dummies Tour instead? :wink:

A Photo Tour of Sugar Creek (where I went today around 3:00 PM).... A word of advice though....do not walk these metro parks after a night of rain, hail, and stormy weather. I was dodging puddles and fallen trees, and my shoes got so muddy. Anyhow, I hope you enjoy it. The entrance way to Sugar Creek Metro Park (off Wilmington Pike and Conference Road in Sugar Creek/Bellbrook): This park has hiking trails and an area where you can ride horses. I just went for the hiking though. I chose the orange trail, which was just over a mile and is known for its scenic trees. There were also signs from last night's stormy weather - fallen trees were everywhere: The orange trail had the "Three Sisters Trees". Here's a post that told the history behind these trees: Now here are the Three Sisters Trees: This walkway reminds me of a famous plantation home in Louisiana called "Oak Alley Plantation". The entrance way to the plantation is lined by Oak trees on both sides leading up to the home like this path shown here, except this one is just one side of the path and no plantation home at the end: Before I went on the blue-colored trail, I wanted to use the park restrooms but I found a lost bird stuck in the bathroom that wouldn't fly out. I tried to help him out but he was too scared. But I took his or her photo just for memory sake: More fallen down trees from last night's bad weather. Seeing this reminded me of post Hurricane Katrina and all the devestated vegetation we saw before we moved to Ohio. Several streams fed into the creek: Looks like you could white-water raft here. I wonder how deep this water is.... More fallen trees: And that completes today's tour of Sugar Creek. Next week I will try to get some shots of Cox Arboretum for those of you who have never been there. That is also a lovely park but not as vast as Sugar Creek. Get out of the city and get into some Ohio nature! It's worthwhile!

Hey Audiodave, I rode all around this park but could not find where there were any designated walking/hiking trails. I drove all around the golf course trying to figure out where to go in at but I couldn't figure it out. I must be an idiot. I didn't see any people walking around either. For the past two weeks I have been going to the Cox Arboretum two to three times per week. It's on my way home from work so it's a convenient stop and a really nice park. This weekend I want to try the SugarCreek park though. I've been getting into the trail walking and hiking. I notice there is a Trail Trekker Club through the Five Rivers Metro Park bi-monthly publication. Maybe I will join that team and hike amongst them. The club goes to a different park every other week. It might be a good way to force myself out of my neighborhood and see the nature out there. I really love all the parks and recreational things around here. Where I lived in Louisiana had nothing nice like this. The walking paths were flat, no hills or inclines and not much to see unless you walked along Lake Pontchartrain. It's a nice change and I find myself liking Ohio more now that it's spring and I can get out and see it!

Thanks for the maps and suggestions. I saved the information in my favorites folder. Lately I have been getting into visiting local parks and recreational places since it's finally warming up and longer daylight hours. Today I walked again at a local park. I noticed at the Little Miami River Scenic Trail that you could go canoeing there. I have never been canoeing or kayaking so I might try that this summer. I want to be one with nature. (Aa ummmm.....this is me meditating......Aa ummmmm) Ink, I have not been to the Miamisburg Mound but a co-worker of mine has mentioned it. I guess I'll have to check it out soon.

Thanks for the input. Today my husband and I rode our bicycles with another couple down the Little Miami Scenic Trail which is in Waynesville (I think). It was a nice path. I loved that it is paved and has the double lines going through it. We rode for over an hour and stopped just in time for some light rain and drizzles. What are the other nice bike trails? I have heard that Yellow Springs is the best. Do you concur or do you have others you like?

YEAH! SPRING IS HERE! At least it felt like it today so I finally put on short sleeves and walked a trail around Cox Arboretum, one of the Five Rivers MetroParks around Dayton. It was so nice and peaceful, except of course until I ran into two girls smoking weed in the deep woods in the middle of my walking trail. Yes, you heard me right. I'm not making that up. Oh well, no big deal I guess as long as they don't start a forrest fire. I don't partake in any drugs but perhaps they had a shitty day at work like I did. I walked off my anxiety, they smoked theirs off. To each, his own. Anyway, as I walked around this park. I thought about how nice it was and how odd people are. There was the couples smooching and cuddling on the benches next to the ponds overlooking those overpopulated Canadian geese. There were families with kids and mothers pushing babies in strollers. The things I found the most odd were (1) people looked dressed up for church at the park. I saw more people in slacks and dress shoes than sneakers and sweat pants like I was in. And (2) people just sat and stared in the same spot for an hour, the hour I was there. I'm used to people exercising, walking dogs, rollerblading, bicycling, walking, jogging, and doing more activity than what I saw today. Perhpas I shouldn't be so hasty since it is really only the first day it felt like spring in Dayton. I guess I was surprised at how families sat on a bench for an entire hour just staring at the ducks. Maybe I'm just jealous of them. But I thought my hike in the woods was better for me. Although I did get to one section when I felt a bit frightened - I came across so many squirrels that I thought I was in an Alfred Hitchcock movie and that any minute, they are all going to "get me" while no one else is around. Anyway, I'm rambling. I haven't been on this site much in the past few weeks. (I've been so busy with work and finally making new friends.) The REAL reason for this topic is.... to find out what you think of other MetroParks and if you have a favorite? Which park do you recommend I visit next?

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the OTR anyway? I tried to google it, but a whole world of things came up that didn't seem to fit the bill. Is it a specific area/neighborhood in Cincinnati? Someone give a link to the OTR because you keep talking about it a lot, and I don't know what it is. Thanks.

Against Creedance Clearwater Revival's advice, I could not "run through the jungle." Jungle Jim's that is. How could I run when my jaw was nearly dropped throughout my two hours of shopping there this weekend? Yes, it was my first visit there. Even my husband who normally has all he can take after an hour of any supermarket was mesmorized at the selection, diversity, and vastness of this place. The animal creatures and circus-look did nothing for me. I thought it was a little tacky myself. I was there for the food. And food I found. I also found coffee, cheese, cannoli, cajun smoked pork chops, white barbecue sauce (my husband and I have never seen white barbecue sauce before?!), ceramic bowls, flavored cigars for a friend of ours, and lots of other things that led to us having a $150 bill. We were pleased to find a taste of New Orleans there when we spotted New Orleans Coffee and Chicory, Beignet mixes, Zataraine's Jambalaya, and more. Those of you who told me about this place were right - if you can't find it at Jim's, it must not exist. I loved walking into the various country of origin aisles. My favorite thing was listening to the music in each corridor. Today the tunes from the Scandanavia cubby hole was really jammin' :mrgreen: It is an experience that everyone who loves food and is looking for something unique should try. But I couldn't see myself shopping there every week. Too much to distract me. It's not a place you walk into in a hurry and come out quickly. Still we were glad we went. This afternoon my husband and I enjoyed our cannolis from the bakery and our Caramel Nut Cream Coffee from their grinding station. Cheers to you Jungle Jim!

Thanks Ink, that was helpful. I guess I should try to use the search feature and look back at old threads more often. But I'm a woman and I am impatient sometimes. It's always easier just to pose a question on a new topic. After reading that info though, i want to pay my dues for being a member. ColDayMan, where should I send my membership check to?

Right now I would take a friend from Toledo, Columbus, or wherever.... I miss my gal-pals from Louisiana. Where are all the women on this website? I'm being very proactive at trying to meet people....went to a Dayton Woman's Club Meeting, attended a cooking class, and a facial party. I'm looking into other clubs now. Maybe I would have more luck if I were in a bigger city? I don't know. I'm such a cool and fun person. Where can I meet another heterosexual woman who is as goofy as I am? LOL. I am thankful for this website, urban ohio.... it at least gives me a venue to talk and share thoughts.... Thank you for that. Where is the history of urban ohio? Who runs it? How do you pay for it? And how did you all meet? At OSU? If the history is hidden in some ancient forum, please send me the link. I'm curious to how this site was started and how it has evolved.

Dfly, Good point about the local Dayton newscasters. :clap: I watch WHIO Channel 7 and their early show newscasters are pretty lame..... James Brown (Yes, that is his name!) and Natasha Williams, I think. I mostly keep it on for the weather. I always want to know how cold it will be. Whatever the reason for the fire, it's still a sad event especially if it destroys a structure, building, or home of any kind. Thanks for the insight.

Nearly every morning since I first moved here in November, when I get up and watch the local weather & news, I hear about another fire that broke out and the home is destroyed. Why is there such a problem with fires here? Dayton? Springfield? Fairborn? etc. Do the other urban cities in Ohio have a lot of problems with fires too? I mean it's nice to wake up and not hear about a murder every day like I used to see, but I can't understand why fires keep happening here. This isn't California. Can someone shed some light?

Sorry...forgetting that some of you don't know much about Mardi Gras. Endymion is the name of a "Krewe" or organization who pays dues to be in their own club, meet, have parties, and then the ultimate - ride in their own parade for Mardi Gras at a scheduled date and time. In New Orleans, there were at least probably 30 or more "Krewes" or clubs who were formally organized. The names of the Krewes usually have a mythological or literal meaning. For example, some Krewes I know are named "Hercules" "Aquarius" "Cleopatra" etc. etc. Most New Orlenians consider the Krewes of Endymion, Orpheus, and Bacchus to be the Super Krewes of Mardi Gras. Think Super Models of Mardi Gras - they have the most decorative floats and have celebrities serve as queen or king of their krewe. They also have huge parties in places like the Superdome or New Orleans Convention Center where famous musicians play. There is a well-known designer of Mardi Gras floats named Blaine Kern. You can view his floats in a museum just across the Mississippi River. If you're not able to do the real Mardi Gras, visiting his museum is the next best thing to see the elaborate, huge floats that ride in the parades. Check out his site at http://www.mardigrasworld.com/. As far as King Cakes, I don't think anything here compares to the home-based New Orleans King Cakes. I am bias of course. I had one from Dorothy Lane Market and it was okay. My favorite New Orleanian King Cakes were from Randazzo's and Haydel's Bakeries. You can order their cakes along with a package with beads, coffee and chicory, etc. at any time of the year. http://www.kingcakes.com/ OR http://www.haydelbakery.com/ As far the best historian of Mardi Gras and finding out more than I could ever tell you, consult with Mr. Mardi Gras himself - Arthur Hardy who has appeared on the Today Show and other entertainment means. http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/arthur/ That's about all I can think of for now.

No, that doesn't look right! I AM AN IDIOT! I need the Picture Posting 101 class please! Check out this site to see the larger versions.... http://www.kirkandmandy.net/mardi_gras.htm

I hope I figured this out right....this is my first time posting photos to this site. Anyway, I wanted to share some old Mardi Gras parade photos with you. My husband and only liked going to the Endymion parade. We have seen celebrities like George from Seinfeld, Gene Simmons of KISS, and Marisa Tomei from My Cousin Vinny reign as Grand Marshall at this parade. We had some fun times.... Happy Mardi Gras to you (Fat Tuesday is Feb. 28th)!

Jeff, how was your food at Meadowlark?

Prices? Depends on the item, of course. Dining out is a little more expensive here. All the restaurants along Rt. 725 always seem to be crowded; so my husband and I are trying to avoid that dining area now, even though we live so close to it. We find some places more comparable to Louisiana though. Where we used to live, every other restaurant had Italian and Seafood dish choices and they were all good. But slowly we are finding places to eat here that are good too. Gas is more expensive here (but might not be anymore since post-katrina) but we saved $400 in car insurance here compared to Louisiana auto insurance. On average, groceries here have been cheaper....milk, bread, canned goods. Of course, seafood is more expensive here. Oh how i miss paying $2.99 a pound for shrimp. Houses seem to be about the same. But I'll know more about that by summer time when we go to buy a home here (our house in Louisiana is supposedly 3-4 weeks from being completed with repairs). I do think there are quite a few free or cheaper activities (besides eating) to do here... like festivals. IceFest was free and their hot cocoa was just fifty cents. Not bad for several hours of fun. There are a lot of parks, museum tours, and other things here that are very affordable. I really can't complain so far.

That Meadowlark restaurant place got a great review in the Dayton City Paper a month or so back, and I believe they serve brunch there on Sundays. That will be the next place I try. I've passed it a dozen times too but have never gone in. I frequent that shopping center a lot- Health Foods Unlimited, Borders, my dry cleaner, etc. El Meson got 4 out of 5 stars because although it was great, it still left me wanting the "wow" factor - the absolute mouth watering feeling that one can get from an ultimate dining experience. And the other small factor that came into play was that our bill came to $63 plus tax. So it's not a place we can eat afford to eat every week. However, my review still stands and I would recommend it to others to try and hope to take my family member there when they come down, (I mean up), for a visit.

I was just looking back at this poll at the restaurant reviews here. My husband and I ate at El Meson last night and really enjoyed it. I wanted to write my review on it. I have always wanted to be a food critic. So here goes... We had the most patient and most endearing waitress. We had no idea what we wanted and she allowed us plenty of time. Perhaps we were mesmerized by the colorful gecko lizards all over the walls! :-o In the spanish cultural mix of New Orleans, we frequented Cuban and Latin American tapas places before but this place has a charm of its own. Their "salsa" and fresh bread is surprisingly good. It was not spicy but packed with a lot of flavor. That is how I can best describe the dishes we had there. I had the tortilla chicken soup as my "tapa" and my husband got a grilled corncake as his. The soup was not like anything I have ever had. The bowl arrived with the shredded chicken, cheese, guacamole, and chips. The soup's broth sat in a thermos next to the bowl. I looked it at strangely not sure what to do. Thankfully, our ever-so-sweet waitress walked by and pushed my overflowing chips to the side of my plate then poured the broth over my bowl mixing it up. Again, looking at the soup it looked like it would be bland with a clear broth. Yet again, the soup was packed with flavor thanks to its fresh, solid ingredients. The husband enjoyed his grilled corncakes and cheese tapa too. I was pleasantly surprised at the seafood dishes there. For my entree, I ordered the grilled Mahi Mahi while my husband ordered shrimp fajitas. His shrimp fajitas had a brown sauce with slight hint of peanut flavor. They came grilled with zucchini and other veggies and was a mouth full of plump taste. Overshawdowing the fajitas though was my grilled fish cooked with olive oil, lime, and tomatoes bursting zest. Both dishes came with yellow rice and black beans that when mixed together are the PB & J of Latin America. And of course, one cannot forget to mention the house margarita I had while eating all my delectables. Strong yet subtle, I sipped it for an hour and achieved just the light buzz I needed to end my workweek. This is Cajun Critic (Aka New Orleans Lady) offering four out of five heaping spoons (that's four out of five stars) to El Meson for a night and meal to remember....

Great insight from everyone! I wasn't looking for answers and I'm certainly not playing sides. I may live in "southern" Ohio but I have no political favorites yet. Call me a liberal-republican-democrat, I guess. I have no or all opinions. And I've driven to rural parts in Southern, Ohio and now Northern, Ohio. The Ohio turnpike itself is mostly rural (I-80/I-90) and we drove that coming back from Cleveland to make a stop in Lima. So I know there are "rural" parts all over the five regions of Ohio mixed in with larger, urban cities. I simply found the topic interesting and thought it was worth generating discussion in this forum. So i did. And all of you did. So thanks.

Yesterday and today I was in the Cleveland area on business for my job. My company has an office near Twinsburg. My co-worker and I took the office manager and another worker out to lunch. Over Italian food, one lady started talking about the differences between Northern and Southern Ohio. This person was raised in the Cleveland area and has always lived there. She really seemed to dislike Southern Ohioans and the "so-called" politics of Southern Ohio. She said how rural Southern Ohio is compared to Northern Ohio and talked about how the South ruined the last presidential election. She made some other comments I don't care to go into. Now, I usually stay out of politics or religious discussion. Personally, I don't follow politics much and don't know anything about Ohio's past (and don't really care to). BUT.....I got a kick out of her “philosophy.” I never realized that Ohio is divided politically and socially on various viewpoints. I thought Ohio people just hated Michigan, but according to this lady people in the Northern Ohio cities dislike the Southern Ohio city folks. Do you agree with this notion? Is there validity to what I heard? I just thought it would be interesting to throw out this topic to you.... I hope to hear from someone in Cleveland and someone in Cincinnati or elsewhere that will disagree or agree with this theory. Funny - I told this lady that if she hated "Southerners" that she wouldn't like me much since I am from Louisiana. I mean, you can't much farther south than that!!!

Thanks, maybe I will check out "Building Ohio" by Jane Ware.

Really great pics Pigboy! Madison looks quite charming. It's nice to see you embracing the city where you are living instead of just missing Ohio. Can you send me a postcard or something from "Mother Fools" - now that looks like an interesting shop!

I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this topic, but.... Have any of you seen or read the books "Weird Ohio" and "Ohio Oddities"? I bought both of these books after moving here and reading their good reviews from amazon.com. So far, I'm a little disappointed on them both. Weird Ohio is chocked full of ghost stories throughout various Ohio cities, much of the places abandoned and not open for a tour by any means. It didn't provide any insight into Ohio like I thought it might. Ohio Oddities is slightly better but doesn't map out any real underground tours that I want to take across the state. I'm traveling throughout Ohio with my job....Cleveland next week, then Marietta the following week. I'm looking for a good travel book that I can take along with me for quick stops or interesting facts. If any of you have read a good Ohio book, please let me know what that book is. Or is my only source of reliable facts available on this site? Hmm, maybe....