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Indianapolis Motor Speedway Midwest Road Trip Travel 4Chion Lifestyle

Motor Raceway to USA Gymnastics ~ Midwest Road Trip

By 4chionlifestyle | May 28, 2018

Midwest road trip to the Indy 500 Motor Raceway and USA Gymnastics competition is a great time. The spring has settled in to bring a little warmth, sunshine, and lush greenery for this road trip. It is spectacular time to travel. There are some great food, experiences, and sightseeing this weekend.

Road Trip Indianapolis Cincinnati Levi Coffin 4Chion Lifestyle Vacation midwest — Road Trip

Experiences on Midwest Road Trip

Stopping in Indianapolis for breakfast there was a must to stop at the Indianapolis Speedway. May is the month for the raceway with NASCAR’s largest motor race.

Indy 500

The month is trials, pre-race, practices, qualifiers, and the last Sunday of the month the Indy 500. It was a perfect day to watch the INDYCAR Grand Prix Practice & Qualifying for Indy Lights Race 1. Colton Herta won the race with a hard fight to the finish. It was exhilarating to be so close to the racecars and feel the vibrations as they made their way around the turn. This year Will Power won the 102nd Indy 500 and sweeps the month of May. Love the Indy fashion. We find a gentleman at the raceway that is already for “This Is May.”

‘This is a place to visit anytime you are in Indianapolis. Here are a few other great places to visit while in town:

The Canal Walk a waterside promenade for walkers, runners, bikers, and sightseers. You can rent paddleboats and explore.
Gondola Rides experience the beauty, mystique, and charm of downtown Indianapolis with spectacular canal views.
Fountain Square this funky Indianapolis neighborhood has vintage and antique shops, a world of restaurants.
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art one of only two such museums east of the Mississippi.
Indiana World War Memorial a mausoleum-style limestone and marble memorial pays homage to Hoosiers killed during the war.

This is a beautiful town with many attractions, museums, baseball, and more.

Levi Coffin Home

Down the road about an hour is Fountain City, Indiana. This town houses the Grand Central Home for the Underground Railroad. Levi and Catherine Coffin’s, Quaker and abolitionist, home. This home welcomed slaves seeking refuge while making their way north to Canada. They estimate that he assisted 100 slaves a year to cross the border. The home is strategically built for accommodating Underground Railroad. There is an indoor well, kitchen in the basement, and even a cubbyhole used to hide slaves when their safety was a concern. This is a wonderful place to stop and learn a lot about the underground railroad.

USA Women’s Gymnastics

Cincinnati the final Midwest stop for the weekend brings great sightseeing, food, and USA Women’s Gymnastics National competition. This is an exciting time to see Camie Winger, my niece, compete as one of the youngest gymnasts there. She is a dedicated, hard-working, and focused young woman. Her region took 2nd in the competition. Congrats to all the gymnasts on making a great achievement in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati, Ohio

The afternoon was wonderful with time exploring downtown Cincinnati, “Dream Big and Fly High.” We ventured to the cupcake shop for a little dessert after lunch. It was fun exploring the shop with Camie. The afternoon was great sightseeing downtown Cincinnati. This town is full of great adventures, sports teams, and restaurants.

The riverfront is a great place to really get to know the town and community. The Smale Riverfront Park is situated on the Ohio River center of downtown. They have many activities for an entire day of entertainment. They include:

Anderson Pavilion banquet center on the floor below the carousel is a setting for parties.
Bike Mobility Center serves downtown bike commuters.
Carol Ann’s Carousel displays animals iconic to Cincinnati history.
Castellini Esplanade its design reflects the historic character of the produce industry that at one time was here.
Duke Energy Garden mounded garden at the entrance and oversized swings that offer relaxing views of the River.
Fath Fountain filled with water jets that dance to light and music.
Great Adventure Playground has rock-climbing canyon, log climbers, twin racing slides, a rope bridge and a mist feature.
Gardner Family Grove & Rose Garden plush garden with roses.
Labyrinth a great place for meditation, reflection, and walking.
Ohio River Trail this trail will eventually connect Madison, Indiana, and New Richmond, Ohio. Today it goes to Yeatman’s Cove, Sawyer Point, and Theodore M Berry International Friendship Park.
Pichler Fountains & Plaza The steps aligning with Vine Street are flanked by water cascades, and a plaza containing a fountain, a reflecting pool, water curtains, and glass balconies.
River Play fountains for children.
Schmidlapp Event Lawn & Stage for concerts and sunny days.

Food Stops on Midwest Road Trip

food indianapolis road trip 4chion lifestyle midwest — Road Trip Food

3 Sisters Cafe

The first food stop of the trip is 3 Sisters Cafe in Indianapolis, Indiana, in business for 20 years. They serve a large choice of elegant breakfasts from sweet to savory and great lunch menu as well.

They have great beverages (no alcohol) with flair. I enjoyed the turmeric and ginger iced tea. It was a great flavor not too sweet or sugary. The brunch was perfect a great hollandaise sauce over Scottish lox, poached eggs, fresh tomato, and locally made English muffins with caviar on top. The English muffin was fresh with a nice sourdough flavor. The hollandaise sauce was perfect with just a little heat. The porridge was a new experience. It was creamy with a hint of cinnamon.

Hebron Grille

The evening meal was a quaint place in Hebron Kentucky called Hebron Grille. The waitress, Brenda, was so friendly and informative. She provides insight into the southern menu. I decide on the Catfish Grand Bayou. This was a meal for two. It was perfect for a later time as well.

The fish was perfectly cooked with Cajun spice, white wine, lemon, capers, diced tomatoes, grilled shrimp, crawfish, angel hair pasta, and grilled asparagus. The capers brought an exceptional flavor and salt to the dish. The crawfish is a wonderful additional treat.

Abby Girl Sweets Cupcakes

Saturday afternoon in Cincinnati Ohio, my niece and I stop by Abby Girl Sweets Cupcakes. This was a delightful find in the lobby of the Hilton Netherlands Hotel lobby. This little shop has a variety of sweet and moist cupcakes. We enjoyed the coconut, black raspberry chip, red velvet, and peanut butter cup. They were perfect after a long of competition at the USA Gymnastics event.

This business is owned and operated by Nathan & Andrea Thompson (husband and wife). The name comes from their daughter, Abby Girl, she is the top taster for the cupcakes. The cupcakes are sweet and well-flavored.

This was a wonderful road trip in the Midwest especially seeing family. It is always good connecting with your brother and his family. They have six fantastic children. Burt’s Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes With White Tea Extract to the rescue it saved the hotel white towels. It was a wonderful time traveling through the Midwest. There is plenty to see and do from art to culture and outdoor adventures. It is a beautiful part of the country with friendly people.

@4ChionLifestyle

Follow the Road Trip here

Journey For St Louis BBQ ~ Road Trip

Over The Rocky Mountains We Go ~ Road Trip

The Journey to Zions and Beyond ~ Road Trip

Discovering The Great Outdoors of Arizona ~ Road Trip

@4ChionLifestyle

Follow us for all thing fashion, celebrity, and beauty.

Burt’s Bees For Road Trip Purchase Here

burtsbees website footer — Burt’s Bees Beauty

Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream

Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion

Hydrating Sheet Mask

Moisturizing Lip Mask (road trip really made my lips dry this was fab)

Facial Cleansing Towelettes With White Tea Extract (perfect and saves fees for staining hotel towels)

Coconut Foot Creme

Skin Nourishment Night Cream

Tropical Pineapple Flavor Crystals Lip Balm (This is fantastic, but does not have SPF)

Special offer for your road trip new cell phone case cover:

Click here to see a vast selection.

You get one free by using code GET100 (1 per customer) (limited time offer). Ads by Case Fetish

App download here:

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.clearsoft.esdiac.ng&hl=en

ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/esdiac-global-app/id1148131010?mt=8

Pricing https://www.esdiacapp.com/credits

Kanas Road Trip 4Chion Lifestyle feature image

Journey For St Louis BBQ ~ Road Trip

By 4chionlifestyle | May 22, 2018

Today is our journey to St. Louis for BBQ. Waking in the morning on our road trip there is a fresh coat of spring snow and 27 degrees in Eagle River Colorado. The morning birds are still happy and enjoying a little winter fun. Cherie and I get ready for the day and make our plans for the shortage from the snow closing I-70 in the Colorado Rockies.

Journey Denver to St Louis 4Chion Lifestyle Tammy Forchion and Cherie — Road Trip Cherie and Tammy Forchion

Vail Colorado Road Trip

This was a real eye-opener in the morning. We had planned to try to go up further north towards Yellowstone, but as the week got closer the weather indicated snow. It has been a beautiful journey so far. We get ready for the day. Grateful for Burt’s Bees Foot Creme, Coconut this is perfect for my feet to stay soft and non-drying. We are looking forward to some Medical Ball Tea at Starbucks for our drive to Vail and Denver.

The snow is slowly melting and roads are clearing up. The traffic is heavy as drivers try to get to their destination after an overnight road closure (thank you Expedia for all your assistance with the many reservations changes) We get to Vail Colorado just in time to hear the melting snow, capture a few photos, and watch as skiers get ready for a day of skiing.

The town brings a sense of a European Mountain town. The town was explored by Irishman George Gore, known as Lord Gore, and American frontiersman Jim Bridger was among the first explorers to venture into the mountainous region. There are little shops, skiing, and wonderful architecture. Many buildings have high A-frame roofs and beautifully set into the landscape of the Rocky Mountains.

The town is perfect for winter sports and fun, but spring and summer are wonderful for travel. Vail Colorado offers:

Skiing
Snowboarding
Cross-country skiing
Snowmobiling
Fly fishing
Hiking recommended
- Vail Recreation Path
- Piney River Trail
- Minute Mile Trail
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
Spa Services
River Rafting
Tubing

Continental Divide Journey

We head down the highway to one of the most impressive engineering creation Eisenhower Tunnel. This tunnel is 1.7 miles going under Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains. This tunnel is staffed with employees monitoring carbon levels and traffic. They walk the sidewalks inside, there are fire exits in the tunnel, and old booths where employees sat to watch traffic. The tunnel has a downgrade from the 11,000′ elevation. This section of I-70 through the Rocky Mountains is a wonderful journey of beauty and engineering.

Entering Denver, you quickly realize that the Rocky Mountains are behind the city to the West. Everything to the East is flat and you can see for miles. We stop for lunch at Zeppelin Station. This is a great place with a vast variety of healthy restaurants and a local bar. Many locals gather here on Saturday afternoon to share stories and enjoy a great meal.

Journey Denver to St Louis 4Chion Lifestyle — Road Trip Denver to St. Louis

Aloha Poké Co. provides a light refreshing meal with a wide choice of vegetables and rice. This is a perfect meal for this long day of road travel. Cherie and I sit outside enjoying lunch in the spring sun and looking back at the Rocky Mountains thinking a strong contrast from the last two days to the journey that lays in front of us.

Kansas Journey

Heading back on our journey again the landscape becomes flat and almost desolate. It seems at times there is nothing but land here. The road seems to go forever and the earth seems flat. The journey begins to become endless. We begin counting water towers for entertainment. We counted 68 total from Kansas to Champaign IL. I am sure we missed a few here and there.

Missouri Journey

Rolling into Kansas City, MO. the city is beautiful. This is not on our scheduled stops, but one to return to for visiting. We see our first baseball stadium, The Kansas City Royals. We make our way into Independence MO. Our ancestors were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We stopped by the Independence Visitors Center.

This center represents a time in the lives of the members of loss and contention with the government. They built homes and had plans for a temple for worship. The Saints entered the area in 1831 and by 1833 twelve hundred members in the area. This was a slave state and members did not support slavery. The voting power became a concern. The members were driven out of Independence in December 1833. The area is strong in religions started in the 1800s in the USA. The Community of Christ has a temple across the street. It is a great place to explore early American religion. As we make our way towards St. Louis there is a strong religious influence seen alone the freeway.

St. Louis City is a place that Cherie is excited to stop and explore. The first place we stop of course is the baseball stadium for the St. Louis Cardinals. It is a great place to explore the team and history. There are statues outside representing the best ballplayers. Looking behind the stadium, you see the Gateway Arch. This is the gateway to the West designed by architect Eero Saarinen. The St. Louis arch is the tallest arch in the western world. There are great things to do in St. Louis including:

Private beer lovers tour
Augusta wine tour
Lewis and Clark historic tour
Get a one-day adventure pass for admission to
- Children’s Zoo,
- Zooline Railroad
- 4D Theater
- Conservation Carousel
- Stingrays at Caribbean Cove and Sea Lion Show

St. Louis is known for its arch and barbecue. This being a late Sunday afternoon we realize that many locations are not open, but find one near the ball field, SugarFire SmokeHouse BBQ! This is an award-winning restaurant under Chef Mike Johnson has studied with Myron Mixon, cooked under Emeril Lagasse and Charlie Trotter. It was a great experience of community, exceptional food (sweet potatoes the best) and BBQ pork and salmon. It was a great meal for the remaining day’s journey to Champaign IL. We finally make it across the Mississippi River and enter Illinois.

To follow the road trip read here:

Discovering The Great Outdoors of Arizona ~ Road Trip

The Journey to Zions and Beyond ~ Road Trip

Over The Rocky Mountains We Go ~ Road Trip

@4ChionLifestyle

Connect with 4Chion Lifestyle for your best lifestyle here:

Burt’s Bees For Road Trip Purchase Here

Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream

Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion

Hydrating Sheet Mask

Moisturizing Lip Mask (road trip really made my lips dry this was fab)

Facial Cleansing Towelettes With White Tea Extract (perfect and saves fees for staining hotel towels)

Coconut Foot Creme

Skin Nourishment Night Cream

Tropical Pineapple Flavor Crystals Lip Balm (This is fantastic, but does not have SPF)

Special offer for your road trip new cell phone case cover:

Click here to see a vast selection.

You get one free by using code GET100 (1 per customer) (limited time offer). Ads by Case Fetish

App download here:

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.clearsoft.esdiac.ng&hl=en

ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/esdiac-global-app/id1148131010?mt=8

Pricing https://www.esdiacapp.com/credits

Zion and beyond road trip 4chion lifestyle

The Journey to Zions and Beyond ~ Road Trip

By 4chionlifestyle | April 12, 2018

Planning the road trip across the US there was a detour from Yellowstone National Park due to weather. The next best stop for national parks was Zions National Park just off highway 89 in Utah. Stopping in Page to meet with high school friends and fill up for the next leg of the journey to Zions and Utah.

Ranch House Grille Road Trip 4chion lifestyle — Ranch House Grille Road Trip

Page Arizona to Kanab Utah

It was a great morning meeting with Jeff Lott and his beautiful wife at Ranch House Grille where we enjoyed reconnecting and enjoying a beautiful breakfast. Leaving Page Arizona you cross Glen Canyon Dam taking you into the beautiful1.25 million acres of the Glen Canyon National Recreational Area. This area is home to Lake Powell, a place that brings fun, sun, and water sports to the southwest. The white ring you can see is known as the bathtub ring and a formed from calcium carbonate deposits. A few of great activities in the area include:

Boating
Camping
Rainbow bridge (only accessible by boat or 14-mile hike)
Escalante Arm
Fishing (a favorite of foodie Ellie)

Foodie Ellie Fishing Road Trip 4Chion Lifestyle — Foodie Ellie Fishing Road Trip

Zions National Park is about 104 miles from Page. It is a beautiful drive as the landscape changes from the red rocks to a borderline Mediterranean climate. Kanab is the first town you come to after Page. This town is the center of all sorts of great outdoor adventures including Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park, the Grand Canyon (North Rim). This is well-known for the great Hollywood film production. A few of the films produced in this region are:

Stagecoach (1939)
The Lone Ranger
Death Valley Days
Duel at Diablo
Planet of the Apes (1968)
Buffalo Bill (1944)

Utah Boarder to Zion Road Trip 4chion lifestyle — Utah Boarder to Zions National Park Road Trip

Zions National Park

Highway 89 takes you to the stunning and resplendent Zions National Park. This park became a national park when by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919. The park continues to keep the natural beauty with a project called Zions Forever. This project is in place to protect and sustain the park for all living beings and future generations. This is a leave no trace area. You need to make sure that you have trail etiquette and leave nothing behind:

Remove all waste (make sure you use the restroom you must take this waste of the trail)
Keep dogs on a leash
Place trash in designated receptacles
Be considerate of other visitors
Hike quietly
Enjoy the sound of nature
Hike in single file
Ascending hikers have the right of way
Have plenty of water this is a desert terrain
Be ready for changes in weather from rain forecasts, extreme heat or cold
Careful on trailheads they are slippery

You enter the park, there is a $30 fee, but well worth it. The canyon stretches 15 miles long and spans up to half a mile deep. You drive on the Zions-Mount Camel Highway that winds slowly downgrading with gorgeous views of Navajo Sandstone that is tan, cream, pink, and red color. There are locations where you can see hanging moss, trees at different angles, and You follow the Virgin River on the path taken to carve this canyon. It is so It was fantastic seeing the snow against the colored mountains. You pass through several tunnels. There is a tunnel that is more than a mile long. This is one impressive drive even in the dark. You continue down the hill until you reach the visitors center.

Zion National Park Road Trip 4chion lifestyle — Zions National Park Road Trip

Here is your opportunity to continue to explore more of the park. The concept of keeping the pristine the rest of the park is accessible by shuttle, hiking, backpacking, and hiking. The many activities at include:

Hiking
Camping
Ranger Tours
Helicopter Tours
Cycling
Angels Landing eHike (great visual online of what you experience in Zions)
Horse Back riding
Tram Rides
Photography

This was a wonderful journey on the road trip. Many years as a child this was one place we enjoyed as a family. It was a sunny bright day just as winter was beginning to change to spring. There is plenty of lodging in the area as well as food and restaurants.

Orem, Utah

The remainder of the drive continued on interstate 15 to Orem Utah where I grew up. It was wonderful getting to a warm home with my parents. The days filled with reconnecting with friends and family before continuing the road trip.

Meeting up with my dear friend Lisa Sherman was like we never missed even one day, even though it had been a few decades. Lisa and I have known each other since we were three. We ran the neighborhood streets as two determined little girls could. We enjoyed breakfast at Joe’s Cafe. The food was so delish. Lisa even enjoyed the grits. A dish she was convinced she did not like. Joe said, “You will love them. Nothing comes between your lips and my grits.” It was so wonderful catching up with Lisa after all these years.

Dinner was a fabulous reunion with my bestie from high school, Brenda Anderson. She and I meet at the Spicy Thai in Orem. This was an excellent choice for the food was excellent. Their menu had a great selection of Thai food with the ability to choose your heat. The evening ended at her home where we spent time catching-up, relationships talk, and a little (very little) drinking. Her cute little dogs entertained up throughout the evening. They are both such a ball of energy.

The next day was spent with my parents. We enjoyed dinner at King’s Buffet. My time with my mother we went over old photos, stories, and the fun times we shared in our life. She brought me a photo of my first haircut that she taped back together after tearing. My father enjoyed being the dad he has always been, making sure the car is ready for the next part of the journey. He took to put Rain-X on the windows. This was a great addition to the journey. Stay tuned for all the details in the next part of the journey.

@4ChionLifestyle

Follow us for all thing fashion, celebrity, and beauty.

Burt’s Bees For Road Trip Purchase Here

Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream

Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion

Hydrating Sheet Mask

Moisturizing Lip Mask (road trip really made my lips dry this was fab)

Facial Cleansing Towelettes With White Tea Extract (perfect and saves fees for staining hotel towels)

Coconut Foot Creme

Skin Nourishment Night Cream

Tropical Pineapple Flavor Crystals Lip Balm (This is fantastic, but does not have SPF)

Sweet Orange Flavor Crystals Lip Balm (This is fantastic, but does not have SPF)

Special offer for your road trip new cell phone case cover:

Click here to see a vast selection.

You get one free by using code GET100 (1 per customer) (limited time offer).

App download here:

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.clearsoft.esdiac.ng&hl=en

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/esdiac-global-app/id1148131010?mt=8

Pricing https://www.esdiacapp.com/credits

Connect With Zions National Park Here:

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/ZionNPS

Twitter http://www.twitter.com/ZionNPS

Instagram https://instagram.com/zionnps

Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/zionnps/

San Francisco Travel Road Trip 4Chion Lifestyle feature

Discovering The Great Outdoors of Arizona ~ Road Trip

By 4chionlifestyle | April 4, 2018

The beautiful state of Arizona is the Sonoran Desert, Sedona red-rock buttes, steep canyon walls, and ponderosa pine-covered mountains, that is a major gateway to the Grand Canyon. The beauty and natural formations are a great discovering journey.

Superstition Spring Mountains Travel Road Trip 4Chion Lifestyle a — Superstition Spring Mountains

The journey begins on US 60 near the gorgeous Superstition Spring Mountains. This mountain range is the most photographed and painted landmark behind the Grand Canyon in Arizona. These mountains east of Phoenix brings gorgeous sunrises and great light for sunsets. These mountains look different during the day as the lights play on the mountains. Many mountains in Arizona are volcanic. These mountains are near Weavers Needle, a tall eroded volcanic remnant.

A large part of the superstition is from Jacob Waltz. He claimed on his deathbed to have discovered a mother lode of gold there. Apaches believe that the hole leading down into the lower world, or hell, is located in the Superstition Mountains. Another superstition tied to the mountains is that the winds blowing from the hole that believe to cause of severe dust storms in the Phoenix metropolitan region. There are many stories of strange sounds and disappearance connected to the mountains. Many Apaches believe that the hole leading down into the lower world, or hell, is in the Superstition Mountains.

There is so much to see and do here! You can:

Hike
Bike
Explore the Lost Dutchman Museum
Apache Trail Tours
Goldfield Ghost Town
Superstition Zipline
Usery Mountain Regional Park

When exploring remember that this is a congressionally designated strict “leave no trace. This wilderness zone prohibits you from disturbing, leaving, or taking anything from the preserved areas.

V-Bar-V Heritage Lakea Montezuma Well Travel Road Trip 4Chion Lifestyle a — V-Bar-V Heritage and Lake Montezuma Well

Heading north out of Phoenix you climb 3000 feet in elevation. You take exit 293 follow the signs to Lake Montezuma Well National Monument (there is also Montezuma’s castle you can visit in the nearby area). This is a free stop with an easy to follow a trail, there are 100 steps down into the well. This trail will take you through how the Southern Sinagua, cliff dwellers, figured how to use spring water to irrigate their crops. The water is about 55 feet deep and 74 degrees Fahrenheit with 1.5 million gallons daily. The rim leads to large pueblo ruins and an ancient pit house.

Leaving the national monument use forest road via Forest Service Rd 618. This will take you to V-Bar-V Heritage Site. Here you will see life by the stream over thousands of years. There is a $5 parking fee, no pets, and no public water at this place. You will follow a trail walking past a chimney in remnants and fences from old homesteads along the creek. The walk is easy and beautiful. This trail will take you to the best-preserved and largest petroglyph site in the Verde Valley. This rock art is beautiful and tells a different story each day. You can follow the planting of the crops by Southern Sinagua to the harvest by the way the light hits the wall at a specific time each day. There is a carved rock in the wall that follows the mountain range of San Francisco Peaks. Save your pass for your ventures in Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon. You can see where the pass is good click here.

Sedona AZ family 4chion Lifestyle — Sedona AZ

Head east on N Forest Ranger Rd toward Forest Service Rd 618 to get to Sedona. The famous area rises above the desert land and brings beautiful hues of red color against the brown desert and green ponderosa pines. This prime community brings art, beautiful nature, vortex, and exceptional food and wine. The vortex is a swirling center of energy believed to help with healing and meditation. The best art shop in the southwest (we believe) is Tlaquepaque (pronounced T-la-keh-pah-keh). This place of great art from the southwest and modern artists. There are beautiful places to catch a bit to eat or drink. There are often great gallery showings.

Sedona does host a yearly film festival and wine festival (featuring Arizona wines our favorite is Alcantara Vineyards close to Sedona). There is a wide diversity of food and fantastic. A great restaurant is the Mesa Grill at the Sedona Airport. The view on top of the hill is fantastic. Watching planes come and go is an added bonus. Enjoyed the shrimp ceviche as it was midday.

There is so much to do in Sedona:

Jeep tours
Hiking
Biking
Swimming
Touring
Exploring
Golfing

Leaving Sedona you take 89A through Oak Creek Canyon. Highway 89 is the top tourist road trip. This road takes you from Mexico to Canada while passing through some of the most scenic areas of the west. You can visit National Parks, fourteen National Monuments and three Heritage Areas.

Oak Creek Canyon provides a great stop if you have time to take a dip in slide rock. This gorge provides beautiful views of sheer rock, changes in the landscape from the beauty of the red rocks to the Ponderosa pines. This journey will have you climb the final 2500 feet into Flagstaff AZ.

Flagstaff AZ family 4chion Lifestyle Arizona — Flagstaff Arizona

Flagstaff the last big city in Northern Arizona. This town is home to Northern Arizona University, connection to the Grand Canyon, and the San Francisco Peaks, Arizona’s tallest mountain Humphreys Peak. This town is where we stayed the night. A visit with my grandchild, Ellie, she provided an exception breakfast of pancakes and eggs. She is a foodie at 2. Cooking and washing dishes she loves to be in the kitchen.

We enjoyed visiting with family and exploring this beautiful town. The downtown area includes some great food and shops with exquisite Native American art and jewelry. It is a gathering place for tourist and locals alike. There is a monthly art walk with the many galleries and movie night in the Square. Dogs are welcomed in most areas of the town.

Our final evening we enjoyed a wonderful meal and drinks at Dara Thai with family and dear friends. The food was exceptional. The menu provided a vast variety for everyone including a nephew who is particular. The spring rolls are fresh and have a great dip with some heat. The seafood with fresh ginger was warm and light. The cocktails were unique. They do have a full-service bar. It was a perfect evening together hearing about plans for traveling and journeys.

San Francisco Peaks and Sunset Crater Travel Road Trip 4Chion Lifestyle Arizona — The San Francisco Peaks and Sunset Crater

We hit 89 early in the morning and stopped by Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. This is a loop you can take off highway 89. There is a $20 fee to complete the loop. You can stop and see the Sunset Crater area just off the road. This volcano erupted over 1000 years. This eruption created the crater and volcanic fields you can see today but destroyed homes, families, and farms of the native people who lived in there. They relocated to Wupatki, a national monument on the full loop.

The drive from the national monument is one that journeys through Native American land. It is one of change and beauty. You can see the San Francisco Peaks disappear and the land become a painted desert. We can recommend Cameron Trading Post. This is a great place to get Navajo rugs, Hopi pottery, Hopi kachinas and silver and turquoise jewelry, Apache baskets and Plains beadwork to our Native American Art. The meal was fantastically cooked from scratch meal. Enjoyed a homemade garden burger on Indian Fry Bread with fabulous fries.

The journey through Arizona ends in the beautiful town of Page AZ. Page is a great area to stage your next journey. It is connected to the following areas:

Lake Powell
The Wave
Antelope Canyon
North Rim of the Grand Canyon
Horseshoe Bend
Road stands with handcrafted Native American art

89 highway Page AZ 4chion Lifestyle Arizona — 89 Highway and Page AZ

This was a great place to meet with a high school friend and his beautiful wife. We enjoyed breakfast at Ranch House Grille. It was a very local place. Many entering the grill knew other patrons and shared stories of their families and community. It was a wonderful meal. Large portions, good café coffee, and great hash browns.

This journey on the 89 through Arizona was a great journey of beauty, nature, family, and friends. The road trip was one of reflection and dedication to understanding the diversity in Arizona. What is your favorite Arizona site to see? Post your photos here #4ChionStyle

@4ChionLifestyle

Follow the entire road trip here:

Chicago Food, Fun, and Relaxation ~ Road Trip

The Middle of the Midwest Champaign ~ Road Trip

Motor Raceway to USA Gymnastics ~ Midwest Road Trip

Over The Rocky Mountains We Go ~ Road Trip

The Journey to Zions and Beyond ~ Road Trip

Follow us for all thing fashion, celebrity, and beauty.

Burt’s Bees For Road Trip Purchase Here

Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream

Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion

Hydrating Sheet Mask

Moisturizing Lip Mask (road trip really made my lips dry this was fab)

Facial Cleansing Towelettes With White Tea Extract (perfect and saves fees for staining hotel towels)

Coconut Foot Creme

Skin Nourishment Night Cream

Tropical Pineapple Flavor Crystals Lip Balm (This is fantastic, but does not have SPF)

Special offer for your road trip new cell phone case cover:

Click here to see a vast selection.

You get one free by using code GET100 (1 per customer) (limited time offer). Ads by Case Fetish

App download here:

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.clearsoft.esdiac.ng&hl=en

ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/esdiac-global-app/id1148131010?mt=8

Pricing https://www.esdiacapp.com/credits

Connect with Daniel Chimowitz (designer for the gown at V-Bar-V Heritage Site) here:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/daniel.chimowitz

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PPBoyz of Beverly Hills Visit Ireland!

By 4chionlifestyle | January 29, 2018

Our fascinations with the green country began as a child with the breakfast cereal “Lucky Charms” and the commercials of the leprechaun chasing the pot o’ gold. It continued into adulthood with the blockbuster movies “PS, I Love You” and “Leap Year.” Ireland quickly rose to the top of our bucket list of a place we had to visit.

Ireland PP Boyz Travel 4Chion Lifestyle a — PP Boyz Visit Ireland

Our journey began with a quick stop in Dublin, so we could explore the old world charm of this capital city. We selected a hotel in the main area of Stephen’s Green, which placed us in the heart of the districts, renowned for shopping, fashion, art, culture, theater and of course we can not forget, the infamous pubs, each with its own eclectic personality. Our hotel and suite were immersed with charm and character neatly tucked away on the famed Grafton Street.

Ireland PP Boyz Travel 4Chion Lifestyle e — PP Boyz Visit Ireland

We spent the afternoon strolling in the Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre, an outdoor/indoor high-end shopping area, which is complete with every international fashion brand and an area with historic pubs, where locals and tourist venture out to find the perfect Guinness. We celebrated our arrival that night with a traditional Irish dinner at The Old Mill, in the cultural center, known as the infamous Temple Bar. This area is visited daily by millions of tourists and when you have made it here, you feel the pulse of Dublin. Our meal consisted of fish and chips and lamb shank, recommended by the chef, as our way to taste the real Ireland.

The next morning we awoke early to visit the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral on our way out of Dublin and off to the Rock of Dunamase Castle. The sunrise was stunning and captured the essence of the cathedral, despite our small mishaps navigating our selfie stick.

The Rock of Dunamase are ruins that were highlighted in the movie “Leap Year” and so we wanted to explore their history. Located just outside Portlaoise and about a 3-hour drive from Dublin, is one of Ireland’s most inspiring spots, yet not often traveled to by tourists. The Rock of Dunamase consists of the ruins of what used to be Dunamase Castle. We hiked up to the top and took in the spectacular views of the lush green fields and the Slieve Bloom Mountains in the distance. If there’s anything that makes the Irish countryside even more beautiful, it is the jagged bits of the castle rising out of the ground. We visited the church at the foot of the castle ruins and then continued our journey onward.

Later that day, we arrived at our final destination for our trip to Ireland, Belleek Castle. Our first glimpse of the castle was driving into thousand-year-old guard gate, miles outside the entrance, which at one time in history surrounded the village. Upon entering the long drive to the front of the castle, we were transported to an enchanted forest that surrounds the magnificent grounds. Driving through the woods you can’t help but hear the mysterious sounds and imagine the years of soldiers, royal successions and loyal subjects that had one time traveled this same path to the imposing front lawn and entrance to Belleek Castle.

Upon our arrival, we were given the royal treatment, greeted with a red carpet and a champagne toast by our lovely host and hostess, Paul Doran and Maya Nicoleva , along with an itinerary of activities fit for a king.; actually two kings! As members of the staff at the castle organized our suite, we quickly changed into our hunting gear and were escorted to the bogs on the other side of the property with our personal hunting companion, the castle’s very own, Reece, a beautiful, German short-haired Pointer and Paul, who guided us through the many obstacles of the bog, and continued to help us hunt for woodcock and Snipe.

The next morning we ventured out early, driving through the lush, green countryside, on our way to Downpatrick Head. One of the most distinctive features of Ireland are the unique and breathtaking cliffs that protect the country from the sea, and at one time from the enemy propelled to attack. The elements of the wind and water have created their unique mark embedded in the ominous cliffs that surround the Island. In an instant, you are so high above the powerful waves crashing upon the cliffs below you that feel as if you are touching the sky.

@4ChionLifestyle

Written and contributed by Pol’ Atteu and Patrik Simpson

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The Key To Modern Travel ~ The Moxy

By 4chionlifestyle | September 27, 2017

My husband and I enjoyed a wonderful evening at The Moxy in Tempe Arizona. A great anniversary “staycation”. The first night we were at the hotel we enjoyed an evening of exceptional Italian food, drinks, company, and beautiful fashion. This night was ours to savor and enjoy. This boutique hotel brings a place for the modern travel that is relaxing, peaceful, and fun.

Grand Opening

The Moxy owned by Marriott managed by 24/7 opened the first Moxy in Milan Italy. The Tempe place opened with a traditional Italian dinner and fashion show. They now have 7 opened throughout the United States and Europe. The hotel concept is about an independent that wants to make the rules.

Moxy Hotel

When we arrived check-in takes place at the bar. The lobby looks a lot different from the first night. There is no runway, but a look and feel of entering your home. The check-in takes place at the bar. The staff is young and casually dressed. The room comes with a complimentary cocktail called “The Moxy.” This is a light refreshing lime-aide with a little kick.

The lobby fills with travelers listening to records, playing pool, enjoying books, computer, 1980 video games, board games, and more. There is a nice pool that is heated for cooler winters. It is like being at home. A long table to sit and enjoy your meal with new friends. Commissioned artwork fills the lobby. This selection took place through an online process.

We enter a room with casual styling. The decor is from Ikea and a LoveSack for relaxing. It is a decent sized room with an old-fashioned phone with a number of bedtime stories. The bathroom is close quarters, but a great shower with dual nozzles. You need extra towel or ironing they have an “ironing room” on each floor. Here you can get clean towels, linens, and iron a shirt. There was a very small patio and small is the keyword. You can stand on the patio, but that is all it is super small. There was a great place to hang my hat and scarf. The hotel room is exceptionally clean.

The decor was fun and spirited. All doors have “disturb” painted on them. The Do Not Disturb sign has a nice looking half-dressed man laying on a bed. The wall decor is thematic with great sayings on some pictures. The floors are wood with throw rugs. Loved this idea. Living in Phoenix there is very little need for the warmth of carpeting. The one downside in the room was the pillows.

There is a long mirror perfect for getting ready for the evening. I did make the evening fun by dressing as a 1950 wife. Styling for the evening included: a dress purchased through Amazon. This was a first for me purchasing clothing online. The dress was a knit black dress with a doll collar, hung just below the knee, and fit the theme for the evening very well, short black gloves with a pearl ring over the top, hair L’Oréal Techni Art Dual Styler, Jazzy eyeshadow, YBF lipstick, and Revlon powder. Completing the styling was my wedding veil and a set of pearls from my husband.

The ride down the elevator to the lobby included the ride a moment for a selfie. The elevator is equipped with selfie props and a couple of backdrops. Attach your photos with #AtTheMoxy and they show up on Instagram. This made for a wonderful memory and some fun photos.

Anniversary Dinner

The hotel restaurant is a self-service collection. You help yourself to a wide choice of beverages, snacks, and quick meals. The kick is you “do it yourself.” There are many great local restaurants in the are to enjoy. We enjoyed sushi at Kobe. This was the place our first date. We enjoyed a nice glass of wine. We sat in the bar area just like our first date.

Kobe 4chion lifestyle Photo Raymond L Forchion — Kobe

Moxy Bar

The evening closed out at the bar enjoying “The Moxy”Bacardi Cherry Rum infused cocktail with our traditional anniversary cake from Variations Bakery. It is a white cake (best sponge cake, banana filling, and whipped cream icing). The staff very helpful and they enjoyed our cake with us. The bar has a floating ceiling that comes from a reclaimed Kentucky horse barn/fence. It was great enjoying the bar after hearing the story from the architect who designed the hotel at the opening night party.

Moxy Amenities

As we checked out of the hotel we left our names on the large chalkboard wall in the back of the lobby. Each section of the lobby is themed for the entertainment surrounding the area. There is a large working area with MAC computers. Towards the front of the lobby a large choice of records and a record player. The best of the lobby for me was the bikes you can take out for biking. This is a great place for bike riding with Tempe Town Lake and the college campus nearby. My husband was thrilled about the pool table in the lobby.

The hotel that brings a new wave of travel experiences. It was a great accommodating hotel with a ton of independence to experience our adventures. This hotel has been called a hostel type with an upgrade. This hotel is not a hostel with an upgrade, but a nice affordable boutique providing the independent traveler with a beautiful stay.

Harlow’s Cafe

We stopped on the way home to Harlow’s Cafe for breakfast. This local restaurant is near the hotel. They offer a very straightforward traditional breakfast. The service was spot on, food that is tradition American Cafe menu. Conversations carried through the air with the smells of eggs, syrup, and coffee.

The weekend was such a great time away.

@4ChionLifestyle

A Roman Holiday our Italian Experience

By 4chionlifestyle | June 23, 2017

Our Journey in Europe included a stop in the capital city of Italy, Rome. With its unique blend of culture, architecture, and history, it’s no wonder why this city is often referred to as the Eternal City or the ‘Navel’ of the World. Rome, Italy is home to the Coliseum, the Forum, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps overlooking Via Veneto, the infamous Quattro Fontane (four magnificent Baroque fountains at four corners), and the Vatican.

We would recommend that if you visit, you book a hotel near Via Veneto or the Coliseum, which will put you in the center and within walking distance to all the sights this beautiful city has to offer.

Our time in Rome began with a rooftop breakfast on top of our hotel, the Mecente Palace, which gave us spectacular views of the ancient city and views of Basilica Square. After our authentic Italian breakfast, we took a short walk to the Coliseum. Of course, no visit to Rome, Italy could be complete without a tour of the Coliseum and Forum.

The Roman Coliseum, originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater, commissioned in 72 AD, as a place where spectators, who seated according to rank, gathered to watch deadly combats of gladiators and wild animals fight to the death. The gladiators were usually slaves, prisoners of war or condemned criminals.

Walking through the Royal Entrance, and once we were inside the Coliseum, it was as if we went back in time to the day of the gladiator games; you could hear the roar of the spectators and the rumble of their hungry appetite as the gates opened for the lions to enter and the prisoners to defend their lives.

Standing inside the mighty Coliseum leaves you in awe of who designed this and how they built it in ancient times. After we spent the morning exploring the Coliseum, we continued our adventure on to the great Forum, directly across the street.

Patrik Simpson PP Boyz Rome Travel 4Chion Travel — Basilicas, Rome Italy

The forum was once the center of political, commercial and judicial life in ancient Rome.
The largest buildings were the basilicas, where legal cases were heard. We spent the rest of the afternoon touring this incredible sight.

Inside the Forum, was a Mecca of ancient ruins, cobblestone-lined stairs lined with massive marble statues, meticulous gardens, fruit trees and the remains of what was once a thriving city. At the very end of the Forum, you will find the grand mansion, once called home by Mussolini, filled with ornate paintings and excavated artifacts, has now been turned into a museum for all to enjoy.

While on the walk to the museum, at the top of the hill, overlooking years of excavation below, we came across a group of orange trees filled with fruit. Our guide explained to us that it was often told that if you can reach the fruit, it would be yours for the taking. Of course, Pol’ always up for a challenge, had to have a bite of the ‘forbidden fruit’, and used every means possible to get it. His reward was a delicious afternoon snack of a very juicy orange, from a tree that had been there for over 300 years!

Our time in Rome finished with a quick visit to the Quattro Fontane. These four fountains are a group of four Late Renaissance fountains at the intersection of Via delle Quattro Fontane and Via del Quirinale in Rome. The figures of the four fountains represent the River Tiber (the symbol of Rome); the River Arno the symbol of Florence; the Goddess Diana; the symbol of Chastity; and the Goddess Juno, the symbol of Strength.

Patrik Simpson PP Boyz Rxome Travel 4Chion marketing b — Rome Italy

Trevi Fountain Rome Italy PP Boyz 4Chion Lifestyle — Trevi Fountains

Our last two stops were the Trevi Fountain, arguably one of the most beautiful fountains we have ever seen. It is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world.

It stands 85.3 feet high and 65.6 feet wide, and people from all over the world come here to throw a coin into the fountain to make a wish. Legend has it that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome. Another is that it is lucky to throw three coins with one’s right hand over one’s left shoulder into the fountain, and of course, we did as well.

We ended the evening passing through Via Veneto, commonly called the ‘Rodeo Drive’ of Italy, with a walk up the Spanish Steps. Pol’ recalled when he invited to the famous fashion designer, Valentino’s fashion show many years ago. Rich in history, the Spanish Steps designed in 1723 and are 138 steps joining the Piazza di Spanga and the Trinita dei Monti church. Once we got to the top of the steps we took in the final breathtaking views of the city. It was from here that we were able to walk back to our hotel all the while taking in the sights, sounds and smells of this marvelous and unique city that has withstood the sands of time.

Our days in Rome, Italy took us back to the moment of history where we lived through the eyes of the Romans and we reminisced about what it would have been like to live in such a modern city in such ancient times. Since we both tossed coins into the Trevi Fountain, we hope our wish comes true and we return to the romantic city of Rome, Italy and bring you an insight into the Vatican in the future.