4 Delicious & Unique Food Festivals Coming This Fall

Whether you're taking a road trip or seeing a new part of town, driving on unfamiliar roads can be nerve-wracking. When you're in an unfamiliar place, consider the following tips to ensure you reach your destination safely. Slow Down Even if you're a speed demon on the highway, you should slow down on unfamiliar roads. Driving too fast can cause you to miss important road signs and landmarks. You could also come up too quickly on a speed bump and spill your beverage all over the interior cabin. No matter what, it's important that you maintain a safe stopping distance that's appropriate to your speed — the faster you drive, the longer the stopping distance. Consider the road's speed limit and maintain it or drive slightly slower so you won't miss anything. Use a Navigation System or Map Unless you've memorized the route ahead of time, having a GPS or handheld map on hand is essential in unfamiliar territory. Modern navigation systems like those found in many Chevrolet models are a great option because they provide turn-by-turn navigation. This feature helps you find out where to make your next turn without taking your eyes off the road. Having a backup printed map is also a smart idea if you're traveling in areas a GPS cannot locate, such as remote terrain. Activate OnStar If your vehicle is equipped with OnStar, now is the time to active it. OnStar provides an array of navigation and emergency services that can help you feel more confident while driving in unknown locations. The service calls for help when you need it, protects against vehicle theft, provides turn-by-turn navigation, and allows you to stay connected on the go with 4G LTE and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Even if you don't normally need OnStar, it's an essential tool for those long road trips where the chances of getting lost are greater than ever. more Listen to a Local Radio Station While you may have trouble switching over from your favorite satellite radio station, tuning into a local radio station can keep you updated on traffic conditions. Before your trip, research major radio stations along the route and note them in your phone or a small notepad. As you move from one city to another, you can switch over to the station with the most relevant traffic updates. Listening to the radio can also reduce stress while driving, so don't be afraid to turn up the volume and sing along! Bring a Friend Although this option isn't always available, the best driving tool to use in unknown territory is a friend who knows the route and can point the way. If neither of you have been on this road before and you don't have a GPS system, have your friend act as the navigator and a second set of eyes. Driving in unfamiliar territory can be intimidating, but it's also likely to create unforgettable memories of adventure. Consider your route ahead of time, take the proper precautions, and drive safely. Image via Wikipedia Commons used under Public Domain

The architecture in Columbus sets the city apart, with both historic and artistic modern buildings and structures. There are a number of enigmatic and practical designs spread all through the city, and anyone with a passion for how buildings are made will find these six places worth a visit. First Christian Church Constructed in 1942, this house of worship is one of the first churches in the United States built with a contemporary style. It features a perfectly rectangular clock tower over a building lined with columns of windows along the sides. The property is also home to Large Arch, a 20-foot-tall abstract sandcast bronze sculpture by Henry Moore. Across the street you'll find the Cleo Rogers Memorial Library, a charming brick building with many extended walls that first appear to be columns. Cummins Health Center Designed in 1973, this business was made to offer alternatives to common, industrial health care. The building was made with few interior walls, and much of the outer walls are designed in a special black glass that becomes transparent at night. This structure received an Honor award from the American Institute of Architects in 1976. Bartholomew County Jail Though few would expect it, this penitentiary for Indiana convicts with minimum sentences is downright beautiful. Lovely flower beds surround the jail, which has a criss-cross appearance with lots of white and tan topped by a transparent dome. While you'll never want to see the inside if you can help it, this structure sets an important precedent that care can go into the outward appearance of even the least desirable places to stay. more Inn at Irwin Gardens This Italianate home on stately property was built by Joseph I. Irwin, a Columbus businessman, in 1864. Though still one of the best examples of enduring historic architecture in the city, the Inn at Irwin Gardens also has an intriguing history of changes, since the building was enlarged and redesigned over the following decades. The site also houses a maze garden based on the Casa degli Innamorati. If you're after the most unforgettable hotel for a romantic getaway, look no further. North Christian Church Completed in 1964 by Eero Saarinen, this church has six sides and a sloped roof that joins to a 192-foot spire with a cross coated in gold leaf. The landscape and general site is also quite interesting, including a parking lot with rooms dedicated to sheltering vehicles. The Prall House In 1891, Charles F. Sparell designed this Queen-Ann-style home for dentist Will J. Prall, and it took until 1895 before the work was complete. The high brick chimney sticks out amid the cream-colored exterior and tower bedroom, and the ridges of the home's many roofs are lined with wrought-iron fencing, a fascinating touch that pulls the look together. These places should be a high priority for any Columbus visitor or resident in the architecture industry, or anyone with a general interest in the many ways buildings and properties can be designed, furnished, and landscaped. From churches to Columbus' towering post office, there's a lot to see if you go off your ordinary routine. Image "First Christian Church" via Flickr by hartjeff12 used under CC BY 2.0

The verdant landscape of Columbus can be enjoyed in many ways, particularly at one of the city's highly-rated golf courses. Whether you're interested in a long-term membership in a respected institution or just want a nice place to play the occasional game with friends, Columbus has just what you've been looking for. Take a look at each and you'll likely notice one that suits you best. Otter Creek Golf Course This 27-hole PGA championship course is designed to both challenge players and fully display the unimpeded beauty of southern Indiana, and has been one of the highest-rated public courses in the United States since opening in 1964. Otter Creek consists of one 18-hole course suited to experts, with a mix of wide, gently sloping hillsides. The course isn't too gimmicky with traps and obstacles, ensuring the players test their drive and swing to the fullest. There is also a nine-hole section that complements the 18-hole course and is excellent for a shorter game. Harrison Lake Country Club Popular for its fine dining restaurant, tennis courts, pool, card rooms, and banquet hall, Harrison Lake Country Club's main claim to fame is its classic 18-hole course. You'll swing over level terrain and mild inclines with terrific views of the lakeside and forested hills. Before or after the game make sure to stop by the pro shop, which provides various helpful services to members. The country club also holds private golf lessons by Nodjya Cook, a PGA training professional, and other experts, as well as junior golf camps. Greenbelt Golf Course For players interested in something more casual, Greenbelt is a 9-hole course set in less landscaped and more park-like land with very little incline. Repeat visitors praise Greenbelt for the pace of the game, as no hole is too long or too difficult to find after completing the prior hole. While the course is not difficult, it's a great place for first-timers to get the feel of swinging, putting, and more, or a good place for veterans to play casually with inexperienced friends. Rocky Ford Par 3 Golf Course For those unfamiliar, a par three course is generally less difficult than the typical championship 18-hole course, which has an average par of four when factoring each hole together. Though you'll see the occasional sandtrap and water hazard, you won't lose a ball at Rocky Ford Par 3 if you know what you're doing. However, with tees up to 2,100 yards you can expect a more intermediate challenge compared to Greenbelt. Rocky Ford Par 3 also has an 18-hole foot golf course, an extremely fun game that's just like gold, except with soccer balls, 21-inch cups, and no clubs. If you live in Columbus or are visiting the city soon and would like to play a great game of golf, any of these four places will do the job. Visit each one and you'll see photo-worthy nature and sharpen your skills. Image via Flickr by Krzysztof Urbanowicz used under CC BY 2.0 / cropped from original