V2 – Why Birthdays are Good

We started our vacation with a stop in Cleveland to visit friends and family.

My friend Jane (the ultimate foodie, historian and expert in all things dish-related, among others!) took Rick and I to lunch at a fabulous Chinese restaurant called Ariyoshi as a late birthday celebration for Rick and an early one for me.

The restaurant is located in Cleveland Heights and was simple, elegant and divine.

he walk there as fun, too. I loved this mural on a building near where we parked.

While Rick went to a bike shop (of course!), Jane and I did my birthday presents and there were many lovely things, but I especially loved an autographed book of Doonesbury cartoons!

Then we toured both Jane’s garden …

and her neighbor’s. Does anyone know what these are? I want to plant them.

It was off to the cousins for a cookout/eat-in! A number of us got birthday gifts, as we had late and early celebrants in the group!

Patty received a very tiny easel, among other things!

Bonnie got more than one tote bag!

Rick received author Scott Raab's book of celebrity interviews. The cousins knew him during his Cleveland days.

I loved all the gifts from my cousins, but was especially moved by Cousin Patty’s painting of a wee orange kitten that looked exactly like Gypsy when he came into my life as an abandoned kitten.

Patty is incredibly talented and I hope she starts a blog sometime!

Then it was off to Chagrin Falls for quick sleep (courtesy of these reprobates!) and back on the road the next day.

A fun stop was lunch at the Tamarack Crafts Center, which had an enormous shop featuring all West Virginia artists. (There is something from this place in the souvenir package! Will it be yours?)

After 13 hours in the car, we landed in Myrtle Beach… more about the Beach next time!

(Remember, anyone commenting on any of the posts marked “V” (This is “V2" might be chosen to receive my vacation souvenir packet with items from West Virginia, Myrtle Beach, and Banner Elk, North Carolina!)