I had never heard of this restaurant ’til a recent visit to Phoenix.  I had been hearing from a friend about an amazing salmon dish included on their menu.  He couldn’t use enough positive words to describe it. So, when I was in Phoenix, we included dinner at Charleston’s, and being a big fan of salmon, there was no question about what I’d be ordering…

The menu varies a bit based on location and availability of ingredients. Happily, the aforementioned salmon, listed as Short Smoked Salmon under Specialties, is on the menu at every restaurant! The flavor was indeed unbelievable; portion size perfect, and it was perfectly prepared. I’m not usually a very slow diner, but the flavor of this meal just demanded savoring each bite and making it last. The fish came nested on a wonderful cucumber dill salad and included Honey Dijon sauce and a side. When salad is served before the meal — Caesar or House — it includes a hot, fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth croissant.

Prices are reasonable (mid-range); ambience comfortable; service exceptional. All in all, a pretty memorable dining experience.

There are only 15 locations (so far) in 5 states. Having been founded in Oklahoma, that state has the most locations at 8. Still, if you find yourself in Arizona, Indiana, Nebraska or Forth Worth, Texas, consider Charleston’s for dinner.

Photo credit: Virtual Ern

It’s been awhile since I’ve been to Phoenix. When it comes to food, first thoughts lean toward Tex-Mex or Mexican. Decisions are not easy.  However, having a local help with the picking makes all the difference. My first meal in Phoenix was at Manuel’s on Cave Creek.

Manuel’s is a mid-priced restaurant, has 7 locations in and around Phoenix, and was voted the Best Neighborhood Restaurant in azcentral.com’s 2009 Reader’s Choice.

I was quite hungry having traveled all day. Chips and a very tasty fresh salsa were delivered immediately. Manuel’s doesn’t skimp on the salsa. They keep it coming for chips AND for the meal. For dinner, I enjoyed a Rolled Quesadilla with extremely flavorful beef.  The portion was generous and included sour cream and guacamole. I enjoyed this quesadilla both at dinner and the following day at lunch.

If you’re in Phoenix, know you want local flavor and can’t decide on a restaurant, I can tell you that you won’t be disappointed if you dine at Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant and Cantina.

Photo credit: naotakem

I grew up in Ohio, which has a surprising number of summer amusements. My favorite, of course, was and is Cedar Point, home to some of the finest roller coasters in the world!

As with most amusements, proximity is the best solution to money saving.  There are options available that include or exclude parking, for seniors/juniors, for unlimited or limited visits. The Platinum pass for ‘local’ visitors is an amazing option for families and includes attractions in 6 states and 1 province!

For not-so-local visitors, though, there are also on-line admission deals and discounts available  on Cedar Point’s website, available ONLY on-line and not at the gate. Many are time sensitive, so if you know Cedar Point is on your summer list, act now! One particularly cool offer is a combined Cedar Point/Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame ticket for $54 per person (over 4′ tall)!  That’s a savings of $13 at least for the two attractions.

Photo credit: ewige

Hiking Mt. Washington is a popular thing to do for outdoor enthusiasts visiting the Mt. Washington Valley. Getting to that summit is an attainable goal and the view from the summit is an apt reward. If, however, you happen not to want to execute that climb to get those views, there is an alternative.

The Mt. Washington Auto Road near the  Pinkham Notch Visitor’s Center on Rt. 16 is a thrilling way to go.  You, your family and your vehicle can make this climb yourselves at your own rate and attain the summit and its rewards, including a ‘This car climbed Mt. Washington’ bumper sticker!

The weather on Mt. Washington is the most unpredictable in the world. No two trips to the summit are the same. The option to drive yourself isn’t available when the snow flies, but if you’re in the area in temperate weather, consider the drive. It’s amazing, memorable, and the story will be worthy of the retelling.

Photo credit: zappowbang

What a great way to finish a great day in Maine!  Because of the more rural nature of Maine, the skies are dark and the fireworks are brilliant as a result.  We love our fireworks up here, and there are many displays planned throughout the summer.

The State Fire Marshall has conveniently provided a listing of approved fireworks displays for 2010 on their website.  This is a great place to start your planning for including a fireworks display in your visit to Maine.  Weather in Maine is variable, to say the least. Always confirm locally that the fireworks will go off as scheduled.

Photo credit: Sabrina Fobes

This annual event is the major fundraiser for the Scribner’s Mill Preservation group.  They pull out all the stops and it is a great historical event.  The Back to the Past celebration is always the first weekend in August.  The efforts of dozens of volunteers and exhibitors help make this a great experience for the whole family.

There are people demonstrating and selling hand crafted items — e.g., spinners and knitters, a tatter, weavers, and a beader. There is a pig roast. There is music. There are diversions for children. There are antique vehicles like a fire truck that periodically shows how water was taken from the nearby stream to put out a fire. There is the mill itself, an amazing feat of restoration. There is a working blacksmith’s shop. There is the house, which is itself being put back to how it looked in it’s hey day.

It is a marvelous way to spend a day. It helps with the mill restoration and is a great step into Maine history.

Photo credit: Sharife

It’s July in Maine and time for the annual Yarmouth Clam Festival, an event which involves about 3000 volunteers united to earn funds for Yarmouth’s non-profit organizations, school groups, and churches.  This event begins at 6 p.m. on Friday with a parade which is as much fun for spectators as it is for parade participants. Following is three days of wonderful entertainment for the whole family.

Stuff you’ll find at the festival are a broad listing of competitions and events, an impressive craft and art show, and of course, lots and lots of good food, featuring clams — steamed clams, fried clams, clam cakes — lots and lots of clams. If you happen to be in Maine this weekend, check out the Clam Festival website for a listing of events and other information, including directions and parking suggestions.

As a side note, from personal experience, I can tell you to keep an eye out for any of the many yard sales in Yarmouth that are sure to be under way this weekend.  As these are generally found on the way to or from the Festival doings, they help make the whole experience interesting.

Photo credit: KitAy

Maine has a lot of outdoors for vacationers to enjoy.  Parks abound.  There is one National Park (Acadia), a piece of the White Mountain National Forest, and 31 or so parks managed by the Maine Bureau of Parks that charge fees. The Appalachian trail passes through or near several of these.

Day passes are completely reasonable to visit one of these parks.  Fees for adults range from $4 for residents to $6 for non-residents, depending on the park.  For children 11 and under, admission is $1.  Senior Maine residents go free; non-residents no more than $4.  If you’ll be in Maine for an extended period, like a summer, or live in Maine, consider an annual pass. $70 vehicle pass gets access to all 31 of the fee-charging parks for a year.

Maine’s natural entertainment is it’s biggest tourist asset. If you go to Maine, don’t limit your visit to the beaches. Look into one or more of Maine’s state parks.

Photo Credit: Chris Dag

As a rule, I don’t tout chain restaurants.  There’s too much room for inconsistency from store to store.  I believe I’ve found an exception.  I recently had the opportunity to dine at Texas Roadhouse in two different states.   The quality was consistent.  It was fun…unlimited peanuts in the shell and an invite to drop those shells to the floor (warning to those with peanut allergies).  The food was fresh and delish — I had pulled pork once and a remarkably tender and perfectly prepared sirloin on the other occasion.   The service was great — friendly, attentive wait staff, and a quality check at the end of the meal.

Above and beyond  the dining amenities, a notable plus for the budget wise is the list of 10 meals offered for 7.99 during the week for early diners. Hours vary by location.

All-in-all Texas Roadhouse is an enjoyable dining experience.  I have no complaints and look forward to my next visit, no matter where I may be.

Photo credit: BKM_BR

I grew up in Ashtabula, Ohio, next to a town park right on Lake Erie.  On a recent visit home, my sister and I took several walks through this park, as one of its entrances is only a couple hundred feet from our mother’s front door.

With the help of the Army Corps of Engineers, Lakeshore Park has grown into a very nice something-for-everyone park. Some of the features include beach, boat launch, Frisbee golf course and bocci courts, picnic tables and hibachis, duck pond with ducks, geese, and swans; pavilions, lots of open space, ball field, playground, bathrooms and a concession stand.  The one notable drawback (in my opinion) is that dogs are not allowed in the park.

Oh, and for those of you who need you some WiFi, Lakeshore Park is equipped!

There is no fee to get into the park, but reservations may be necessary for pavilion space for family reunions, or weddings, say. If you find yourself on American’s ‘North Coast’, specifically, Ashtabula, Ohio, take a visit to this lovely and historic park.