Get ready for Orchid Mania

Published 10:33 pm Saturday, March 5, 2011

As a transplant from Ohio’s north coast I still receive a fair amount of newsletters and information that keeps me updated me on that region’s tourism related events and happenings.

Actually I am on way too many mailing lists and need to work harder on unsubscribing from a lot of them. With family and friends still in northeastern Ohio it’s a journey back home just as the transplanted south coast folks return back here to the river cities.

The main attraction on my next northern expedition is “Orchid Mania.” It is the Cleveland Botanical Garden’s annual ode to one of nature’s most fascinating plant the orchid. The show opened Feb. 27 and runs through March 26 so I’ve only got a small travel window but I will make it work.

Orchid Mania is now in its eighth year and I am told that this beautiful event an eagerly awaited milestone on Cleveland’s cultural calendar. The Cleveland Botanical Garden like the Franklin Park Conservatory we visited yesterday is a space where guests can escape winter and surround themselves with hundreds of colorful, blooming orchids.

If a trip to Cleveland or Columbus is not possible a local option is the C. Fred Edwards Conservatory. Located at the Huntington Museum of Art the Conservatory opened in 1996 and is West Virginia’s only plant conservatory. Today it features tropical and subtropical plants. The plants in their collection fall into four general categories: Orchids, Agriculturally Important, Fragrant, and Unusual.

The orchid collection here contains 400 varieties, which include hybrids and species. They are housed year-round in their greenhouse and brought to the conservatory to be viewed when blooming.

Package your northeastern Ohio “Orchid Mania” trip with a visit to the Quilts 2011 display in Mentor. Now until March 23rd you can immerse yourself in beautiful patterns, intricate designs, and a wide range of colors as you browse through Quilts 2011, the 20th annual quilt show at Lake Metroparks Farmpark. Discover more than 200 quilted works everything from traditional bed quilts to contemporary wall art.

While in Mentor make a short drive from the Farmpark over to Lawnfield, home of President James A. Garfield. Garfield acquired this home in 1876 to accommodate his large family and it has been lovingly restored and preserved to that era.

Nicknamed Lawnfield by reporters it was the site of the first successful front porch campaign which saw Garfield elected as 20th president of the United States in 1880.

After Garfield’s assassination, the Memorial Library wing was added by Mrs. Garfield setting the precedent for presidential libraries. Today the National Park Service conducts tours of the buildings and grounds.

Always on the scout for a good meal or unique restaurant, I am opting to visit “Lola” reported to be one of the crown jewels in Cleveland’s revived culinary scene. TV Food Channel Chef Michael Symon’s is said to present inventive and creative menu that offers diners the opportunity to experience a modern spin on their favorite dishes, while always showcasing the best of what local purveyors are producing just miles away.

I have to find out for myself if the hype is real or Hollywood.

After a couple of days it’s time to depart the north shore and head for the south coast. I’ll be back here real soon as soon as the boys of summer return to the Jake. Sorry guys I just can’t refer to it as Progressive Field.

Here is a save the date reminder for your home and garden enthusiasts. The annual WSAZ Home & Garden Show returns to Huntington’s Big Sandy Arena March 11, 12 and 13. All of the display and booth space is sold out so this should be a great experience. Make sure you block out some time March 11, 12 or 13.

Happy travels!

Got travel? E-mail Steve Call at the travelprofessor@gmail.com or dial (740) 550-9540.