French Lick & West Baden Springs, Indiana: Exploring West Baden Springs Resort (Part 2)

The interior spaces of West Baden Springs Resort are stunning, but the property's outdoor spaces are beautiful as well.  If you visit, make sure you spend some time relaxing in a rocking chair on the veranda and taking a stroll through the gardens.

Entrance to West Baden Springs Resort

A beautiful veranda surrounds the hotel and overlooks the gardens and grounds.

Choose a rocker and relax.

While sitting on the veranda, you're sure to notice the swastika symbol in the railing.

You'll also notice the numerous signs explaining the swastika.

From the veranda you'll also enjoy the many different trees and flowers on the property.

You can also see and hear the fountains in the formal gardens just across the driveway.

Fountains in the formal gardens

Surrounding the gardens are other buildings original to resort.

Deer, rabbits, and other wildlife are abundant in this area.

This bridge crosses a small stream on the property and leads to the site of an old baseball field

The West Baden baseball field was the site of spring training for many professional teams in the early part of the 20th century.

The mineral springs are no longer operable, but a couple of the structures that housed them remain.

You can travel the resort by foot, car, horse, bike, trolley,
horse-drawn carriage, or these fun pedal cars.

French Lick & West Baden Springs, Indiana

The best gifts my husband and I give to each other usually involve travel and time together.  So to celebrate our 25th anniversary, we decided to take one of those "trips of a lifetime" this coming fall to Yosemite and Lake Tahoe.  I can't wait!!!  But since our anniversary was this past June, I wanted to do something special at that time, too.  We ended up taking a short trip to the resort area of French Lick and West Baden Springs, Indiana, only a 2 1/2 hour drive from our home in Kentucky.

French Lick and West Baden Springs are small, side-by-side towns in The Hoosier National Forest.  Both were once home to magnificent resorts popular for their mineral springs.  After their popularity waned, the resorts fell into disrepair until investors stepped in to salvage and restore them to their former glory.  When you step into either the French Lick Resort or the West Baden Springs Resort, it's like stepping back in time.  We chose to stay at West Baden Springs Resort, which is a bit quieter and less hectic than neighboring French Lick Resort.  And, ohhhhh, that atrium!  It is easily the most stunning hotel atrium I have ever seen.

Today, let me give you just a taste of the West Baden Springs Resort.  I promise much more will follow.

West Baden Springs Hotel & Gardens

Hotel Entrance

Atrium Surrounded by Guest Rooms, Shops, Dining, Etc.

Center of Atrium Dome

Advice to Fellow Travelers: Take the Road Less Traveled

Some of our most memorable and enjoyable travel experiences have happened when we have gone off the beaten path--when we have ditched the plan and just wandered.  During our recent trip to Maine after visiting the famous Nubble Lighthouse, we took the back way (Shore Road) from Cape Neddick to Ogunquit, leaving Highway 1 to the other tourists.  What we found was the beautiful St. Peter's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church.

St. Peter's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church

This beautiful church, constructed in 1897, is made of stone, wood, and gorgeous stained glass and is listed on The National Register of Historic Places. The church sits near the top of Christian Hill where, at the request of original owner of the land, its cross can be seen by fishermen when they are at sea. A memorial garden sits among the woods beside the church.  Services are held at St. Peter's on Sundays during the summer.  Visit the church's website for a virtual tour and more information.

Maine's Southern Coast: St. Anthony's Franciscan Monastery

Every day when we drove from our vacation house into town, we passed the entrance to St. Anthony's Franciscan Monastery.  Noticing a sign that welcomed the public and seeing only glimpses of some lovely stonework, my husband and I became more and more curious about what was beyond the entrance.  So one evening just before dark as we were driving home from town, we decided to take a peak beyond the gate.  

We didn't go far or stay long because daylight was almost gone, but what we saw was enchanting.  We returned the next day to explore, and I'm so glad we did!  The Franciscan Monastery is located just off of Beach Road in Kennebunkport, and it's a lovely, peaceful spot to stretch your legs and be inspired.

Beautiful trails run through the property.

A small statue and prayer to St. Anthony

We saw beautiful ferns along the trails at the monastery & throughout the area.

Flowers were tucked into tree trunks and rocks along the trails.

Benches & a swing that overlook the Kennebunk River

Wander through the marsh to this quiet spot

From the bench in the marsh, you can watch the boats come and go.

Kateri Tekakwitha

Observing the harbor and downtown Kennebunkport

Lily of the Valley

Rhodedendron

Lilac