Kayaking has grown in popularity and what better place to kayak, whether your a veteran or a amateur, is Lake Erie thanks to the new Vermilion-Lorain Water Trail.

With 8 points of entry, you can travel 27 miles from Mill Hollow up the Vermilion River, across the Lake Erie shoreline and down the Black River.  Stop along the way and rest at one of the area's great beaches and enjoy a picnic lunch.  See wildlife along the riverbeds.  Enjoy all nature has to offer!

Need a kayak?  No worries!  You can rent kayaks from Great Lakes Kayaking in Lorain by the day or hour.  Not sure how to kayak?  Attend the Kayaking Symposium on May 21 at Lakeview Park from 10-4 to learn the basics.  You'll even be able to try out different types of kayaks and canoes in the beach's swimming area.  The Backpacker's Shop in Sheffield is also a great place to visit to learn more about kayaking the water trail and what supplies you'll need.

For more information:
Lorain County Metroparks:  www.metroparks.cc
Great Lakes Kayaking: (440) 244-5370 or (440) 787-8720
Backpackers Shop: (440) 934-5345

Congratulations to the Oberlin College Class of 2015!  If you've completed early decision, you'll want to visit campus during All Roads Lead to Oberlin.  This orientation for both students and parents will be held April 8, 11, 15 and 18, 2011. 

To reserve a stay at 5 Corners Bed & Breakfast during this exciting time, please click here or give us a call at (440) 984-3084.  The inn is located just 15 minutes north of the Oberlin College campus in historic downtown Amherst.

For more details regarding All Roads Lead to Oberlin, please visit www.oberlin.edu for registration and activity information.

Accommodations are available for Oberlin College Conservatory Auditions held February 11, 18 & 19, 26 and March 4 & 5, 2011.  Click here for available room options.

Situated 15 minutes north of Oberlin, 5 Corners is conveniently located just minutes from the Ohio Turnpike, Interstate 80, Interstate 90 and State Route 2.  Also enjoy the many restaurants and entertainment options within walking distance from the inn.

The staff of 5 Corners will work with you to provide the best accommodations possible during this very important audition.  Have an early audition?  Try one of our breakfast-to-go's.  They are included in the room rate along with off street parking, complimentary WIFI, snack basket and soft drinks. 

As always, please call if you have any questions.

Tired of being cooped up inside during these cold winter months?  I know January and February can be down right depressing in northern Ohio.  Here are a few suggestions as to how you can cure your cabin fever:

Try an Ice Wine - Klingshirn Winery in Avon Lake, OH are makers of a fantastic Ice Wine.  Sip its sweetness slowly and let it tingle on your tounge.  Ice Wine is very sweet and can take the place of dessert.  Share a bottle with the one you love.  http://www.klingshirnwine.com/

Wear a New Pair of Shoes - The Lorain County Metroparks offers free classes in Snowshoing.  Classes are held throughout January, February and March.  The shoes are even provided!  Visit http://www.metroparks.cc/ for more information.

Enjoy Soup for the Soul - Laurel Run Cooking School in Vermilion, OH offers several cooking classes throughout the winter months featuring easy to make soups and breads.  View their class schedule at http://www.laurelruncookingschool.com/

See a Show - Winter is a great time to enjoy a live stage show; whether its a full blown stage production at Playhouse Square or a one-man show at your local community theater.  Locally, Amherst features Workshop Players.  This renowned theater troupe offers several different shows throughout the year.  Visit http://www.workshopplayers.com/ for their performance schedule.  Oberlin College also offers fantastic theater and music performances, sometimes with little or no charge.  View their schedule of events at http://www.oberlin.edu/

While the holiday season is a very busy time of year, its sometimes nice to take a step back and enjoy a quick drive to see some local lighting displays.  Here's a quick list of some local displays that are FREE (or close to free):

Downtown Amherst:  On Friday, December 3, Main Street Amherst lights up the front yard of Town Hall with lights.  Enjoy a parade down Park Avenue along with caroling by members of the Amherst High School choir.  Many of the businesses and restaurants stay open to welcome you.  Starts at 6pm.  www.mainstreetamherst.org

Christmas in the Village (Amherst Historical Society) - Enjoy the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of Christmas past.  At 4pm join visitors for carols in St. George's Chapel.  2-5pm on Sunday, December 5.  www.amhersthistoricalsociety.org

Light Up Lorain:  Thousands of lights strung along Broadway.  Enjoy a display timed to music in front of City Hall.  Stop by 637 Broadway for pictures with Santa and a holiday craft.  Visit www.downtownlorainchristmas.com for more information and hours.

Lakeview Beach (Lorain County Metroparks) - Drive thru this lighted display along Lake Erie.  Free and open every night from November 28 till December 30.  www.metroparks.cc

Carlisle Visitors Center (Lorain County Metroparks) - Walk the short loop trail at the Visitor's Center and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Holiday Season!  Light refreshments available for a small fee.  Please bring one non-perishable food item for donation.  Sunday - Thursday 6-9pm and Friday & Saturday 6-10pm.  www.metroparks.cc

Have a wonderful, and bright, Holiday Season!

If you are like me, you probably have leftover canned pumpkin from your Thanksgiving feast after making pie, muffins or pumpkin roll.  Try this delicious recipe for Sunday morning breakfast.

Crock Pot Pumpkin Oatmeal

2 cups steel cut oats
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup canned pumpkin (not pie filling)
6 cups water
1 cup fat-free half and half
1 cup raisins or dried cranberries
1 teaspoon vanilla
Additional Brown Sugar
Walnuts

Lightly spray 3 1/2-4 quart crock pot with cooking spray.  In a large bowl, combine oats, 1/2 cup brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg.  Stir in pumpkin.  Gradually stir in the water and half and half.  Add raisins and vanilla.

Ladle the mixture into the slow cooker.  Cook, covered, for 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 hours on low.  In the morning, top with extra brown sugar and walnuts.

I don't know if I am just weird...but I'm not big on touching all the "guts" from inside a pumpkin.  While carving is fun, I'd rather paint, glue, glitter, or even decoupage a design on a pumpkin.  I know its a Halloween tradition so I started trying to motivate myself into grabbing the giant knife and digging in.  And what better to motivate me than food?  Inside that pumpkin are all sorts of tiny seeds just waiting to be eaten.  Now I've tried roasting the seeds in the past and they've just been okay.  So how can I make them better?  I've searched the web and here are a few of what I have found to be the most interesting flavor combos.  Let me know what you think!

Step 1 - Wash the seeds in a colander to remove the extra gunk.  To make life easier, do this right after the seeds have been removed from the pumpkin.
Step 2 -  Coat them in melted butter and mix them with your chosen flavor combination (listed below).
Step 3 - Place them in a single layer on a cookie sheet.
Step 4 - Bake for 10 minutes.  Stir and bake for another 10 minutes. 
Step 5 (and possibly the hardest step) - Let cool before eating

Italian - Italian seasoning blend, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt and pepper
Simply Sweet - Cinnamon, white sugar, brown sugar and dash of salt
Pumpkin Pie - Cinnamon, ground ginger and a pinch of nutmeg
Honey Mustard - For every cup of pumpkin seeds, mix with 2 tsp honey and 1 tsp spicy brown mustard
Asian Influence - For every cup of pumpkin seeds, mix 2 tsp honey, 1/4 tsp orange extract and 1/2 tsp soy sauce
South of the Border - For every cup of seeds, mix 1 tablespoon taco seasoning and 1/4 tsp garlic salt
Spicy Seeds - For 3 cups of seeds, mix 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt and 1 tablespoon seasoned salt

Fall is here which means there are apples, apples and more apples!  I love this time of year - cool breezes, crisp morning air, and beautiful leaves.  And did I mention that I like apples? 

Locally, there are several apple orchards and fruit stands that give you the freshest and tastiest apples around:

• Miller's Apple Hill - 8690 Vermilion Rd, Amherst - Pick your own plus great bulk foods and Pumpkinland
• Grobe Fruit Farm - 43875 SR 113, Elyria
• Hillcrest Orchards - 50336 SR 113, Amherst - Wagon rides in the spring show blossoming trees; pick your own apples and pumpkins in the fall
• Spiegelberg Farms - 6060 Middle Ridge Rd, Amherst - Fantastic apple cider is available year round

You can spend an hour or a whole day out in the countryside.  You choose.  It is a great time of year!  Enjoy every bite.

It is easy to take for granted everything there is to do in your hometown.  Its what you see you day in and day out.  However others who have never visited your area before may find what is a mundane to you exciting and unique to them.  Lorain County is a perfect example of this.  For those of us who have lived here for many years its easy to take for granted all of the activities that surround us.  Best of all, many of them are FREE or low cost.  Here are a few examples of new activities to try the next time you say "but there is nothing to do!"

Oberlin College - This world renowned college is home to a fantastic art and music department offering a plethora of plays, music performances, theater productions, operas, speakers and art shows.  And that's just the college sponsored events.  There is also a variety of poetry readings, concerts and activities coordinated by the students at the local coffee shop.  http://new.oberlin.edu/calendar/

Ohio Wines - I could write a blog just about the variety of Ohio wines now available in our area with several new wineries opening up within 30 minutes of 5 Corners Bed & Breakfast.  Each has its own unique personality.  A few to try - John Christ Winery, Papermoon Vineyards, Quarry Hill Winery and Vermilion Valley Vineyards.  Don't forget Richard's Wine Cellar just two blocks from the B&B.  He features over 3,000 bottles of wine from all around the world.

Lorain County Metro Parks - This area has FANTASTIC parks that are sure to offer something for everyone...bird watching, kayaking, cross country skiing, sledding, beaching, nature hikes, outdoor concerts, ballroom dancing and even sunset cruises along the Black River.  Plus most of these activities are free or low cost.  Check out www.metroparks.cc for a complete list.

Well here it is!  My first blog entry.  Since I've never written a blog before I am simply learning as I go.  I bet some of you feel the same way about staying at a Bed & Breakfast for the first time.  Here are a few pointers to help you feel more comfortable when staying at a B&B; whether its at 5 Corners or in some other neck of the woods.

• Every Bed & Breakfast is different.  Be sure to ask questions when making your reservation.
• While most B&Bs try to make you feel as if you are in your home away from home, it may not provide all of the same amenities - Ask about cable TV, free WIFI, private baths, parking, guest refrigerator, payment options, etc
• The Breakfast.  Many people are nervous about this meal.  Will have I have to sit with people I don't know?  What if I don't like what they serve?  Will I be able to order off of a menu?  The answer to many of these questions will depend upon the size of the inn.  The best thing to do is to ask before you book.  Don't be nervous sitting with others.  This will only enhance your bed and breakfast experience.  At our table, there is never a lull for conversation.  Only interesting people sharing life stories.  If you are uncomfortable with this, many inns will provide breakfast-in-bed for a nominal charge.
• Sharing a bath - The majority of B&Bs today offer private baths but be sure to confirm this prior to making a reservation.  In general, B&B guests are very respectful of not only the place in which they are staying but of the other guests.

The bed and breakfast experience will leave you relaxed and eager to try another during your next trip.  And don't forget the great memories you'll take with you on your journey home.