Far Flung

Detroit Air Race

According to the tour's Web site, Detroit’s rich knowledge in the automotive and aviation industries as well as its abundance of sports fans make it an ideal stop for the Red Bull Air Race World Series.

The city also shares an international border with Canada along the Detroit River. The Detroit race May 31-June 1, 2008 was the first time the Red Bull Air Race took place between two countries at the same time, making world history for the Series and for the cities of Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.

Click HERE for a slideshow of images from the air race, which was won by American pilot Kirby Chambliss.

Submitted by Scott Jennings of WFIN AM-1330

Cadavers in Cincinnati

Slavery or human cadavers? My husband and I were torn between the two for our May 17 road trip to southwest Ohio. Ultimately, "Bodies ... The Exhibition" won the coin toss over the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, so onward we went to the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal, which is hosting the controversial exhibit through Sept. 1.

The exhibit has been around for more than two years, and is being held simultaneously in different places, including Las Vegas. Its purpose is to give the general public the opportunity to view the human body in its entirety, just like medical students have for years, in order to gain a better appreciation and understanding of just how amazing we physiologically are.

READ MORE on the staff travel blog "On the Road."

Submitted by Courier reporter Joy Brown

Roethlisberger Nesting Dolls in Russia

My husband and I just returned from a 10-day cruise of the Baltic Sea. We visited seven countries and the best Findlay story comes from St. Petersburg, Russia.

We had just finished up on a two-day visit to some cathedrals and a river cruise. We were taken by bus to an outdoor shopping area in downtown St. Petersburg. I strolled down the lane of shops -- all the things looked practically the same on each display, with Russian painted boxes and many nesting dolls.

One man’s display of sports nesting dolls caught my eye. The gentleman asked me if I followed any sports team. I told him I was from Findlay, Ohio and that I followed the Pittsburgh Steelers because I was born and raised there.

He took me over to a nesting doll that, believe it or not, was painted not like a Russian lady but exactly like Findlay native Ben Roethlisberger in his Steeler quarterback uniform.

The seller proceeded to take the doll apart -- little one inside, then another, then another. It was full of Steeler players.

I wish I would have had my camera (mine died on the third day). They called us back to the bus so we were in a time crunch, but I wished I would have purchased it so I could show it to my family and friends in Findlay that even there –- in St. Petersburg, Russia –- there he is ...

Ben Roethlisberger, on display as a nesting doll.

Submitted by Bonnie Riley of Findlay

Hocking Hills

This past weekend husband Bill and I went to the Hocking Hills area in southeast Ohio for our fifth wedding anniversary.

We stayed at a cute little cabin (Nestled In - "The Sunset") and spent a couple days just relaxing, enjoying the scenery, and having fun in the area. Among the highlights were renting a paddle boat on Lake Logan, hiking to Old Man's Cave, go-carts and mini golf at the Hocking Hills Family Fun Center, and eating at some great local restaurants, including Jack's Steakhouse that we had visited on our last trip 3 years ago.

It was less than a three-hour drive to get there, and there's tons of fun things to do down there! We highly recommend it for anyone looking to get away for a few days (or longer), whether you're looking to relax and unwind or enjoy the outdoors.

Picture: Katie and Bill Erickson, taken by another tourist on Saturday, May 31, 2008, at the Upper Falls in Old Man's Cave in Hocking Hills State Park.

Submitted by Katie Erickson of Findlay