John and I visited the Art Deco Wonder of the Midwest over Thanksgiving break this year. We stayed a night in the Omni Netherlands Plaza Hilton hotel, located in Cincinnati's historic Carew tower. The Carew tower was built in 1930 and is 48 stories tall. It was built in just 12 months!
The murals and gold and nickel plated fixtures are original to the building. They are so detailed and beautiful. Click on the picture above for a better look at the detail.
This is one of the orginal dining rooms that is still in use today : The Orchids at Palm Court. John and I got to eat our breakfast here.
The entry way to the hotel lobby is quite grand. The marble floors and walls were once covered up with wood paneling and linoleum in the 1960's as a "modernization" effort. Can you believe that?!
View of one of the murals from the second floor. The Brazilian Rosewood used here and throughout the dining room and lobby areas is very beautiful, and today is on the the endangered species list. 
John and I stayed in a beautiful, historic bed and breakfast called the Queen Anne. Our room was on the left side of the home and overlooked the garden and gazebo. We were hoping that the home was haunted, but it unfortunately was not.
John in front of a small home made of bousillage, which is a mixture of Spanish moss, horse or deer hair, and clay.
The downtown area was very clean and pretty, and was situated on Cane River Lake. The weather was beautiful. Sunny and in the 70's.
John and I were able to tour some Pre-Civil War plantation complexes. These are the remnants of slave cabins from the Magnolia Plantation, which is now part of the Cane River Creole National Historical Park.
A horse-drawn hay baler from the 19th century.
This was the Melrose Plantation Home. Many writers and artists would visit this home in the late 1800's for inspiration and solitude.
Fort St. Jean Baptiste was a fun place to visit and learn about French colonial life. The fort included a chapel, barracks, a blacksmith shop, and officers quarters.
John and I hard at work, stoking the fire and getting supper ready for the little'ens.
A pretty view of the Cane River Lake.
Oakland Plantation was also part of the Cane River Creole Historical Park, and still had 17 of its original outbuildings still remaining, including 2 pigeonniers, and a carriage house.
John and I took his nephew, Jake, to Conner Prairie on Labor Day. Conner Prairie is a historical village that allows visitors to learn about Indiana history. The Conner house is original to the site, where as, most of the other buildings have been moved into the park.
Jake enjoyed the barn with the baby animals.
This calf was so calm and good-natured!
A tomahawk throwing contest. Jake hit the mark a number of times, and won some old-fashioned playing cards.
John and I gave it a try too. I didn't win any cards.
A pretty Catholic church in Ajo.
John looking handsome, as always.
Organ Pipe National Monument was a great place for a hike! We took a 4.5 mile hike to part of an old, abandoned mining operation.
This was a snack shop we found during a quick trip down to Mexico for lunch.
The adjoining diner car from 1958.
An old baggage car. 
