Travel in 3s highlights close-to-home-events, new attractions and special deals. To offer suggestions, e-mail travel@plaind.com or call 216-999-4240.
CELEBRATING MOTHER EARTH
Earth Day marks its 40th anniversary this month, and there are lots of ways to celebrate, either by getting a little dirt under your fingernails or just having fun outside. Read on for several options.
1. Several Ohio State Parks are holding volunteer cleanup days to mark Earth Day. Cleanup days are set for Saturday at Cleveland Lakefront, Geneva, West Branch, Caesar Creek and Alum Creek state parks. On Saturday, April 24, cleanup days are scheduled for Maumee Bay, Buck Creek, Stonelick and Jackson Lake. In some cases, lunch and prizes are offered to participants. For times and other details: Go to dnr.state.oh.us/parks and click on "What's Going On."
2. The ninth annual Mohican Wildlife Weekend kicks off Friday, April 23, and runs through Sunday, April 25. Among the activities: bird walks, nature hikes, fly-fishing seminars, a barn dance, star party and much more. Activities take place at Mohican State Park, Malabar Farm State Park, the Ohio Bird Sanctuary and other Mansfield-area locations. For information: mohicanwildlifeweekend.com.
3. Tour Blue Rock Station, a unique Ohio home made of tires, cans, old barn wood, straw bales and other recycled items. Tours start at 1 p.m. Saturday at the home, near the small town of Gaysport in Muskingum County. In addition to the tour, Earth Day activities at Blue Rock include green cleaning tips and bike repair, all followed by high tea. Reservations are requested: bluerockstation.com or 740-674-4300.
SPECIAL DEALS AND PACKAGES
1. Discount Web site travelzoo.com offers a list of deals at environmentally friendly hotels throughout the United States. Among the overnight specials: $99 at the Courtyard Chevy Chase in suburban Washington, D.C.; $109 at the Orchard Garden Hotel in San Francisco; and $109 at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colo. For information: travelzoo.com/green.
2. The ninth annual "Shoot the Hills" photography competition is next weekend throughout Ohio's Hocking Hills region. Competitors will have 24 hours to shoot subjects in Hocking, Fairfield, Vinton and Athens counties. The contest begins at 1 p.m. Friday at the Hocking Hills State Park dining lodge. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners. Registration is $30-$35. The weekend also features nature hikes, photo seminars and more. For information: shootthehills.com or 740-774-6243.
3. Eight Ohio State Park lodges also are sponsoring a photo contest, which runs through Monday, Nov. 1. Photographers can enter images in one of five categories: park activities, kids and family, flora and fauna, lodges and cottages, action and adventure. Winners will receive overnight packages at one of the lodges. For entry information: ohiostateparklodges.com/Photo-Contest-6295.html.
EVENTS NOT TO MISS CLOSE TO HOME
1. Go robotic this week and you'll see how clever students at all levels are at building and using devices at the National Robotics Challenge. There will be demonstrations of various machines for manufacturing, farming, etc.; hockey and maze-running competitions; and sumo matches. Hours are 1-9 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday at the Marion County Fairgrounds, 220 E. Fairground St. Admission is $4 ($2 for students accompanied by an adult). For a schedule: nationalroboticschallenge.org.
2. If you enjoy anything related to trains and railroads, you may want to chug down to Columbus on Saturday for the 47th Buckeye Model Trains & Railroad Artifacts Show & Sale. Among the artifacts are dining-car china and silver, lanterns, timetables and brass locks. There will also be memorabilia from other forms of transportation, including, planes, buses and ships. Hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave. Admission is $6 (free for children under 12). Call 330-518-9670.
3. Here's a chance to experience prehistoric Ohio by visiting the Octagon Earthworks, built by the Hopewell Indians from about 100 B.C. to A.D. 500 near what is now Newark. An open house will be held Sunday, April 18 and Monday, April 19 during daylight hours so people can see the whole complex. The golf course on which it is located will be closed those days. Special programs and tours will be offered. Hours are noon-4 p.m. April 18 and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 19. The site is at North 33rd Street and Parkview Road. Admission is free. Go to www.ohiohistory.org/newark or call 1-800-600-7178.