It’s these unexpected moments in small towns I’ve come to enjoy most on our trips after growing up in big city of Los Angeles. Loudonville has fabulous shops like Books, Bangles, and Brews, offering dining, hand-dipped ice cream, homemade desserts, and previously read books. I love books, but before I could get too close Leroy quickly steered me toward door and gently reminded me I have plenty at home on my shelf to finishing reading first. That’s all right; I also like Southwest décor and found a great selection of gifts, Indian art, and jewelry in Creative Outlet, which also has a wonderful Relaxation Center . Across street I discovered unique gifts for family and friends and heavenly scented homemade bath products by Grandma’s Cupboard and at a precious shop called The Extraordinary Shoppe.

To complete our day we took a trip to Landoll's Mohican Castle located seven miles from Loudonville. We climb a tree-lined drive and take in an amazed breath of awe; here stands a German-style castle from a fairy tale with turrets and oriels, right in Ohio. It is not castle that makes man, but his compassion and kindness. We knew this was true when we shook Mr. Jim Landoll's hand.

The castle is a reflection of hard work and dedication to his family who work with him on site to make dreams of guests come true. We listen while he describes preparations for fairy tale wedding. His eyes light up when this humble man speaks about past weddings when bride becomes a princess standing on balcony of his castle and waves down at her prince below. In addition to weddings, Landoll's Mohican Castle also host conferences and banquets. Guests staying at one of eleven elegant suites or luxury cottage at castle can wander 30 miles of trails throughout 1,100 acre woodlands, or work out in fitness center adjacent to pool with sauna rooms,and a cascading waterfall. The elegant suites have convenient kitchens, luxury Jacuzzi’s, and inviting fireplaces.

Legends At The Castle Restaurant.

After a tour of grounds, which are held daily, we stop for a

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Melody Schubert, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com

We arrived at Quinault Lodge on a rainy, foggy July afternoon. The cedar, spruce, and hemlock trees line roads like green velvet curtains. As we walked through lobby to back deck, sun broke through over lake. This brings up a bit of advice - and a secret - about Washington Coast. The weather on Olympic peninsula is NOT seasonal. It's completely random. July can be wet and foggy and cold, and January can be clear and sunny and you can even find winter days when you can put your feet in Pacific Ocean. That means that if you can go off-season, you should. Prices are down, trails are empty, and weather may surprise you. Still, don't head out there without being prepared for rain. It rains between 140 to 167 inches - that's 10 to 12 FEET - a year at Quinault and that rain can fall in any season. Trust me on this, I've been heading out to coast for years now, and not once has weather been least bit predictable.

While waiting for check-in, we visited Lake Quinault Historical Society and Museum, temporarily housed in ranger station. If you're lucky, you'll arrive on a day when one of long-time residents of area is watching gallery and get to hear a little bit about what life was like on peninsula when loggers were still heroes and a trip out to lodge was a big adventure.

The lake, home to steelhead trout and salmon, is a great spot for fishing, paddling, canoeing, and even swimming. (Since lake is on reservation land, special restrictions apply. Be sure to ask at front desk about purchasing appropriate permit.) You can rent a variety of low-impact watercraft right there at lodge, or bring your own and launch yourself from one of nearby campgrounds. We stayed off water, but watched a couple of hesitant guests carefully helped in to kayaks by dockside staff.

A short walking distance from lodge is trailhead for Quinault Loop Nature Trail. We decided to give it a miss, as both of us have walked trail before, and got in car to go over to Maple Glade. The self-guided trail is ½ mile, with a longer option, which we took, that goes through an old homestead. Old growth maple trees are draped in moss here, air is wet with mist, and environment is, well, a little mysterious. We had trail to ourselves, but park leads ranger guided walks from most of more popular trailheads and if you'd like to learn more about natural history of area, these walks are a great way to go. We also stopped on North side of lake to take a look at one giant Western Red Cedar. The tree is one of a half dozen trees in area that are largest of their variety in U.S. Lean back and look up!

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Pam, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com