Los Reyes Mexican restaurant

/ Roadtirementvintage / 6 Comments

On a day trip recently we stopped in Martinsville, Indiana for a bite to eat. We spotted Los Reyes Mexican Restaurant right on the downtown square. We lucked out and got a parking space right across from the restaurant. We appreciate it when we don’t have to walk very far! We enjoy Mexican cuisine, so we thought we’d give this place a try.

Entrance w/Court House across the street

Fancy sun dial

Colorful furnishings

 

 

 

 

 

Wall to wall decor

 

 

 

 

 

After the host escorted us to our table, it became apparent that this was going to be a treat for the eyes as well as the palate! We have been to a lot of Mexican restaurants, but this one had every square inch of the walls, tables, chairs and support columns completely covered with those colorful 3D raised decoration/pictures.

Good chips/salsa

Margarita!

Both our meals pictured

Sher ordered a vegetarian plate with enchilada, quesadilla and tostada served with frijoles. She also had a margarita. As I was driving, I had water with my beef chimichanga served up with frijoles and rice. We enjoyed the meal, served hot and of course we also enjoyed the chips and salsa. Seems as most Mexican restaurants have pretty much the same fare, but it still makes for a decent meal.

Morgan County Heroes

/ Roadtirementvintage / 6 Comments

There is a remarkable black granite three sided monument dedicated to the men of Morgan County, Indiana who gave their lives in 20th century wars. Starting with the French and Indian Wars up to and including the War on Terrorism, this monument speaks to the ultimate sacrifices made throughout the centuries. The honors are flanked by Old Glory, Indiana’s State Flag, and the black POW*MIA flag.

The Memorial is located in small plaza across street from the courthouse in downtown Martinsville, Indiana. I could not find a date of dedication, , the first reference I found was 2009.

Lavender farm near Mooresville

/ Roadtirementvintage / 12 Comments

Lavender field in bloom

Rows of Lavender

 

 

 

 

 

Recently we had a delightful day trip suitable for not only seniors like us but people of any age.  The Willowfield Lavender Farm  is south of Mooresville, Indiana southwest of Indianapolis.

Enjoying the sweet Lavender Mint iced tea

Healthy Lavender plant we now have

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had a glass of their fresh Lavender-Mint tea. It was so good that Sher had to have one too. The gift shop was fun to see, and the staff was very friendly and informative. We even bought a live Lavender plant and some lavender soap.

Comfortable seating under shade

Go to the Willowfield Lavender Farm website for hours, directions and special event calendars.

Honey farm in Martinsville

/ Roadtirementvintage / 12 Comments

Martinsville, Indiana is a quaint little town south of Indianapolis in the beginnings of southern Indiana’s hill country. West of town is a family owned, fourth generation of beekeeper’s honey farm producing a multitude of products from bees.

Store signage

Honey for sale!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hunter’s Honey Farm has 65 beautiful acres providing homes for bees, timber and Christmas trees. The family has been producing honey and honey related products in Indiana for over 100 years.

More honey products

Round table is full of samples!

 

 

 

 

 

The store on site is filled with anything and everything honey! Available for sale is honey, honey comb, honey mustard, honey candy, honey products, raw honey, honey sticks, and a variety of honey based soaps and lotions.

Live bees at work in an award winning display

Of course we bought some honey!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The farm also offers tours of the grounds, including trips out to the timber and Christmas Tree areas as well as bee hives and beekeeping demonstrations. Go to Hunter’s Honey Farm website for details concerning farm tours and upcoming special events. This is a great day trip destination.

Chewbacca and Zorro

/ Roadtirementvintage / 12 Comments

These are our grand dogs living with our Columbus Ohio family.

Zorro looks dapper with his bowtie

Chewy loves laying on your feet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chewy really looks like Chewbacca of Star Wars fame when his hair is grown out each winter. Zorro is a real sweetie and is convinced he’s a lapdog. “Hey, if Chewy can sit on your lap why can’t I?”

Brewdog started in Scotland, now in Ohio

/ Roadtirementvintage / 18 Comments

We had a really fun time this past weekend when we visited our son’s family to celebrate our granddaughter’s High School graduation. Friday night we found our way to a large establishment called Brewdog. This place was a full sized brewery, restaurant-bar, games, merchandise and the Doghouse Columbus Hotel, rooms of which have beer taps in each room. The original home is in Aberdeen, Scotland. Now there are several in Ohio.

Sher heading into the Brewery

Looking towards the outdoor seating area

The beer barrel wall, restaurant beyond

Bar and indoor seating, outdoor seating patio beyond

This is a trailer, note the girl just released her axe…

The facility has a huge building that houses not only the restaurant/bar/game rooms but the actual brewery with its large vats. Once you pass the merchandise area and go through the beer barrel wall, you’re in the restaurant bar seating area. The menu was filled with great bar food.

Smothered wings & fries, nachos and corn dip

Custom made pizza

You have to try a flight!

With our son and daughter-in-law

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The firepits were nice, heck, the whole place was nice. We’ll go back on another trip to visit our Columbus Ohio family.

Family style Italian at Buca di Beppo

/ Roadtirementvintage / 22 Comments

In honor of our granddaughter’s High School graduation, our Columbus Ohio family got together at one of the many Buca di Beppo Italian restaurants. These restaurants are perfect for a large group celebration, as they are known for serving “family style”.

Enjoying time with family

Once you enter the establishment you immediately get into the “Italian” mood. The decor is one of those styles that uses every square inch of wall space, and in some rooms every inch of the ceiling!

Pictures and more pictures

Have dinner with the Pope

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The menu has over 60 items from which to choose. The large bowls feed 6, while the small size is designed for 3. It is wonderful being able to decide which entrees, appetizers and salads to order. You can truly customize your meals, and with the family style serving, everyone can have a taste of whatever they like.

Apple Gorgonzola: Granny Smith apples, spiced walnuts, dried cranberries & Gorgonzola tossed with mixed lettuce in our signature Italian vinaigrette

Chicken with baby portobello mushrooms in a traditional Marsala wine reduction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The food was delicious, served on time and hot! The bowls were full and gave everyone the chance to try all of the varieties.

Shrimp Fra Diavolo: Garlic shrimp & crushed red pepper with penne in spicy rosa sauce

Cheese Manicotti: pasta tubes filled with ricotta, mozzarella & Parmesan with Alfredo & our homemade marinara sauce

This restaurant was a perfect place to have a graduation celebration. You cannot beat good food at a comfortable restaurant, and of course having your family is the best blessing of all!

 

Mayfly near the end of life

/ Roadtirementvintage / 6 Comments

There are over 600 species of mayflies in the United States, and over 3000 species worldwide. They spend most of their life in the water, and come out as for a very short two or three days in order to mate.

An interesting view of this remarkable insect

Same bug, good look at the eyes

After molting, even the tail shape is retained

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mayflies have an interesting life cycle that includes molting. We spotted this insect a couple of days ago and his molted shell showed up this morning. There is lots of good information on these insects on the web. Hit up “life cycle of mayflies” on a search.

Roosters in Ohio

/ Roadtirementvintage / 18 Comments

Main entrance, lots waiting for a table

No, we’re not talking about the Ohio National Poultry Show. We’re talking about one of a delightful chain of chain of restaurants that carry the self given label of “A Fun, Casual Joint”. On our way to family in Columbus, Ohio, we found a Rooster’s just off of I-71 south of the beltway. We were seated immediately, even though the place was very full. This place was full of life, covered with TV screens and interesting wall décor.

Yet another clever way to ID restroom occupants

A rather punny saying

A bit of editorial content here

 

 

 

 

 

The menu was very impressive and had appetizers for everyone’s tastes, plenty of wings and a full list of burgers and sandwiches. We decided on three items and they were very delicious and filling.

Dumpster Fries “It’s a hot mess!” Curly fries, topped with melted cheeses, bacon bits, tomatoes, green onions and jalapeños with Dumpster Dressing.

Quesadilla: Mozzarella, Provolone and cheddar. garnished with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, red onions and jalapeños.

Big Bob’s Burger: You had to grab this half-pounder with both hands!

 

 

 

 

 

 

This turned into a most enjoyable break on the way to our son’s family. The food was very good, reasonably priced and served in a comfortable establishment. There are several of these Rooster’s places all over Ohio and Kentucky. They get very busy, get there mid afternoon for immediate seating.