It was so pretty and a perfect day. Hot but not screaming hot and little humidity, even by the water on Lake Erie.
There were loads of boats, some enormous!
We decided to have lunch there and boy -- was that ever delicious! Best fish and chips I've ever had!
Happy smiles all around!
After a quick look at the lake we were off again!
And then a sight to make me smile, Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Indians!
Yes, I'm a fan! (So is my family and most of the rest of Cleveland!)
I have several cousins in Cleveland. We based ourselves on the East Side. Fortunately, there was plenty of time to see everyone, including my friend Jane, whom we met for lunch. The Flying Crane had a lovely little garden where we enjoyed a good catch up!
It felt so good to eat outside, take our time and just enjoy!
And then after that, a visit to one of my favorite bookstores, Loganberry books, which has both new and used books.
Check out that art section!
Loads of spots to relax and check out the merchandise...
...some of which was very old and beautiful.
And the best stores have a shop cat! This one was a gem!
Of course, it couldn't hold a candle to Colby! That's my cousin's cat and I swear, he's the Marmelade Gypsy, fully enjoying the next of his nine lives. He landed in a good home (and the fact that I didn't sneak him home is due only to Lizzie's sense of cat propriety and ownership!)
That night "our generation" got together for a fun dinner out. You couldn't beat the company!
There's more to come, music and celebrations!
Sharing with: Best of the Weekend
46 comments:
Wow, this trip looks fabulous. Beautiful water photos, a bookshop to just die for (that art section makes me want to hop a plane for Cleveland right away), those kitties (Colby looks a lot like my Leo did too. It's been 4 years now since I lost him, and I still miss him) and wow, what gorgeous gardens. I think this trip is as much a treat for you as it is for Rick. Thanks for sharing. I never thought of visiting Cleveland. Hugs-Erika
What a fun mini trip you had! You are so right about the best shops having a shop cat. Although have a bookstore in the little town of Rockford they has a shop dog and the owner jokes about how that's breaking the bookshop mold. I wish I wasn't allergic to cats, I'd have one in a heart beat. I have to be content to just visit the Chowhound's live-in cat.
Good morning Jeanie: The bookstore looks like something out of my fantasy world. I am sure I could get lost in there and they would find me days later! The best fish and chips we had was in Wales many years ago. It was truly THE best. Yours looks delicious too, but I shudder at seeing all those plastic containers and throw away plates etc. Unless people refuse to patronize such places it is never going to stop. Miriam and I would walk away from it. Sorry to sound like I am pontificating but I really feel strongly about this. The world is getting buried in this stuff and I think it is every citizen's duty to rail against it.
Glad you enjoyed your trip. My faves are the fish and chips and that book shop, I would gladly move in there to stay! Enjoy your weekend, hugs, Valerie
Oh I loved that trip , Jeanie. What great sights. And friend and family time. Wonderful !! I love those cats. I had to smile about you wanting to steal a cat. LOL. My daughter Kathy and I would love that bookstore. Blessings to you and Rick....you sure treat him right. xoxo, Susie
Great photos ~ and that bookstore had me drooling! {You know how I am!!}
Great photos of a wonderful trip. That bookshop looks amazing. Love that it has a resident cat too :) Colby is so pretty too, more stripey than my Fluffy.
Cleveland rings a bell to me. Ten years ago I did a genealogical quest on my grandfather's family in America. I've never been to America, never knew my grandfather. I had only the name of a city - Cleveland, and the name Fromin (they had some sort of restaurant there). It was quite interesting.
I like the restaurants you show and can imagine the good chats and laughter you shared. My favorite bookstore lacks a cat (shocking!) and a sofa.
The bookstore would captivate me- and so would the kitties.
Your bookstore photos are unbelievable. I just didn't think that kind of place was still surviving! So huge and luxurious with tall shelves and all that soft furniture and beautiful carpets (whether they are "real" or machine made). You didn't really say if they had a good selection of books, which would be more important to them than to the customer, who could just enjoy the atmosphere and order from you-know-where.
best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Beautiful photos! I have never been to any of the Great Lakes. Hopefully someday! What a gorgeous garden at that eatery to enjoy. I love stores that have a pet. It makes the visit so much more memorable. There is an exotic garden center near us that had the cutest, most playful kitten in one of the greenhouses. The little guy was so happy and he probably took care of the unwanted pests in there.
What fun! Lots of smiles and fun things to do. I would spend ALL of my time in that bookstore! It's amazing!
Oh I just love cats! Those two are beautiful! It's good to see that there are still some physical book stores around. We were in Scottsdale in June and we saw a Barnes and Noble. We thought all their stores were gone.
What a sweet time of fellowship you all had. Have a blessed Sunday.
I would like to visit the place full of books.
Jeanie, what a lovely trip! Ooh, the fish and chips looks so delicious. I must mention that my sweet daddy played minor league for the Cleveland Indians. There was no doubt he would have been called to the majors, but Korea called instead. Thanks for sharing a fun time with us and I love the book store...perfection!
Hello,
Looks like a wonderful trip and birthday celebration. The views of the boats are pretty. The kitties are cute. I just love that bookstore. Happy Sunday, wishing you a great new week!
Isn't it good to see that bookshops are still around isn't it? We came across a good one this week, it was a book shop surrounding the dining room of a vineyard, I think you and Rick would have liked this - perfect for cork poppers!
Wren x
Beautiful, sunny, summery, water, friend, family sights.
Friends, family, reunions . . .
Looks like some GRAND DAYS!
Sounds like a great trip!
What a great looking bookstore! Looks like you had a great trip.
Happy times! Oh the bookshop ..cats.Vivian:):)
What a pleasant little journey, those are the best!
Great trip, Jeanie. Love those kinds of book stores..Happy Weekend..xxoJudy
I forgot to mention about the book store cat. I've been in a lot of book stores and they almost always have a cat. Our little bookstore in town had a white one named Romeouw. He was a good greeter, but now does his greeting in cat heaven..Happy Weekend..xxoJudy
Just my kind of trip. You guys look like you are having a fabulous time.
Love the kitties. Never seen a bookshop that big either. Glad you had a fun time! Janice
Is Rick still wearing a compression dressing?
Looks like a good time was had by all.
Looks like a fun trip, Jeanie. You and Rick both look so well - I’m hoping you’re both feeling great. That book store reminds me of the old Tattered Cover in Denver which sadly is no more.
I could use a little of that nice weather you had. I was out and about all weekend, and by last night, I'd sweat so much my hair was dripping and my clothes were soaked through. When I walked into the air conditioning last night, I couldn't get out of those wet clothes fast enough -- I was freezing! Love the boats, and love the cats. There's so much to see and so in Cleveland, which surprises me. Cleveland's one of those places that's stayed a bit of a blank slate in my mental map of the U.S. I'm always happy to see your explorations in places like this.
Sounds like you are really trying to make sure Rick has a fabulous birthday this year. I'm glad you showed me around Cleveland, although I'm not an Indians fan. In fact, I don't much care for baseball at all. Too boring for me. But it was fun to see the stadium and your thoughts on Cleveland and more of Rick's birthday, too.
Beautiful photos.
Colby looks so much like Gypsy! What a beautiful cat! We stopped by a bookstore on Saturday that has lots of animals, including 2 cats (it's a children's bookstore). Paul loves cats so much so he enjoyed seeing the cats and other animals.
That bookstore is gorgeous!! I could spend a lot of time - and money - in a place like that!
Loganberry books looks amazing! I love those shelves. They also have a cat, that makes the book store perfect. Love the last picture. x
Oh Jeanie, this trip looks like you and Rick had a wonderful time. Past memories for Rick, seeing the marina and an a friend for you and of course family. A pretty drive and great lunch, what could be better. Loves the kitties, I'm sure you wanted to take the Marmelade Gypsy kitty home. He looks so sweet. I would make myself right at home in that bookstore with the seating area! Happy week sweet friend........
Oh, my goodness! That bookstore is amazing! That is a place one could stay for quite a while.
I love seeing you on your adventure. The fish and chips and the Cleveland Indians, plus dear friends and family are all so special. But that book store!!!!! I could stay there a very long time. It is beautiful!
I could live in that bookstore. Wow. All your adventures look super fun, glad you're enjoying the summer.
Amalia
xo
Oh, that first pic had me dreaming for while!
And your smiles :-)
Oh! Baseball! If or when we ever meet in person you have to tell me. Not a popular sport here and whenever I see it on TV I tend to fall aslee.... ;-)
"Homerun" is a word I remember and it sounds good.
Oh, no bookstore for me, just bought five books after saying I won´t buy anything! (Most was for the Nieces, though).
If ours had a cat... I´d be stuck there forever!!!
You have a beautiful family :-)
Oh, happy days!! What FUN all this was, Jeanie! And that bookstore--WOW! And a shop cat--that is the best! They know what they're doing there. A place to go and camp out in for a day... or two, or three! They have rooms for rent?! haha... Wow your cousin's cat could be the Gypsy! Beautiful cat... Looking forward to seeing more of your happy times, my friend... Enjoy! :) ((HUGS))
Jeanie, Colby is adorable! And that bookstore! OMGoodness, a *real* bookstore with soul!
It's ALWAYS tempting to try to sneak the orange guys home isn't it?
A wonderful trip continues with nice scenery, good times, friends, family and food...maybe cooler temps would be nice as well?
A lovely trip with beautiful lake and boats, family gathering, and books :)
I enjoy visiting bookstores and the one in your post looks amazing.
I enjoyed all of your photographs, thanks for sharing them here.
All the best Jan
Oh my God, that bookstore!!!
Do you know that I always wanted to go to Lake Erie? In fifth grade I had to learn by heart a poem of the German poet Theodor Fontane (whose work I love) called "John Maynard", a helmsman on a boat on Lake Erie. The poem is rather sad actually, but beautiful. I still know all the words.
It seems you're sending me down memory lane today.
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