Road Trip: A Few Zoo Views

We didn't get to see as much of the Cleveland Zoo as we might have on a zoo-only visit when we were at Jeff and Lauren's wedding. But we did catch a few animals! My favorites are the giraffes.

Cleveland Roadtrip: A Memorial, a Celebration and a Magical Evening

Going to Cleveland to see my family and my good friend Jane would be reason enough, but the main reason we chose that particular weekend to travel was because we were attending a memorial service for a friend of RIck's. It was held in the charming village of Gates Mills, with the Chagrin River running through it.

So, we got out of our play clothes...

...and into something that felt right. Because Bob would wear a tie!

I think Rick's friend Bob would have had his heart filled with joy to hear the wonderful things people were saying about him and all the love that was there. I had only met Bob on two occasions, but he was a big force in Rick's life -- and from what I heard, a big force in others' as well.

It was nice to have time to meet his lovely wife at the reception after. It couldn't have been a lovelier venue. Yes, Bob would have thoroughly enjoyed.

After that it was a change of clothes and off for Rick's birthday concert! We were headed to Blossom, a music venue in a national park in the Cuyahoga Valley. We spent a little time in the town of Peninsula.

The train station was pretty charming and there were walking and bike paths.

And of course a few galleries! I loved the garden at this one.

After picking up sandwiches for our picnic, we headed to Blossom. We got there in plenty of time to beat the crowd and had our pick of picnic tables!

Then it was off to the venue. We got lawn seats for the Cleveland Orchestra.

And what a perfect night for it! A blanket, a cooler, great music, ideal weather, no bugs! Happy Campers!

The guest was a cellist, who was very good...

...and the last act, Elgar's Enigma Variations, featured both the Cleveland and Kent State Orchestras. (We saw the last act under the pavilion!)

Home late, but the next day was filled with fun things -- not the least of which was a family potluck that turned into a surprise birthday for both Rick and me!

We even got to hear the traditional Cleveland Birthday Song Medley that my family does each birthday -- you need to blow out the candles before it begins or you'll have wax on your cake!

The youngest guest was Baby Ben, five months old. I won't show a photo here, but instead I'll share my second favorite cat, Colby, who had to be sure Ben's carrier was comfy enough. (It was!)

Then back home the next day. Perfect weather until after we stopped for a wonderful lunch at a favorite Italian restaurant in Ann Arbor. Then this.

And this.

At least the basement was dry when I got home!

Sharing with:        Best of the Weekend   

Cleveland Roadtrip: Boats and Books!

I mentioned before that Rick's birthday celebration was going to be long lasting! It continued with a trip to Cleveland. We started out on our road trip heading that way and when our route was slowed down, took an alternate! It was a good thing, because it took us by a marina where Rick's dad used to keep a boat when they were kids!

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   

A Quick Trip to Cleveland

I've been on the road way more than usual this fall. The last trip took me for a few days to Cleveland to visit my cousins.

After getting lost a few times and then enjoying lunch with a cousin on the West Side, I landed on Cleveland's East Side. Once again, the leaves were in full gear. The view from my cousin's living room was mesmerizing.

It was even kind of pretty when it was doing this snow-sleet thing that had us all alarmed. As I was sitting comfortably in Cleveland, Rick was riding his bicycle down (fortunately not camping) and we were all pretty concerned!

Our dinner out took us to Jekyl's -- a full family outing. The food was good. The view of Chagrin Falls was even better!

I love visiting family and my friend, Jane, in Cleveland. There is so much to do that we never get it all done! This time, part of the trip was a celebration of my cousin David's birthday.

David and I are like brother and sister -- we're two months apart and have a lifetime of experiences together so it was fun to be there for the party!

I met Jane years ago at a contradance when we were both sitting out. It turned out she grew up (and her parents still lived) at the house across the street from where David and Bonnie now live! So a Cleveland trip has to include a visit. This time it was Gigi's, a small bistro-type restaurant in Cleveland Heights. It was too nippy to eat outside but the bruschetta plate made being inside well worthwhile!



After a birthday breakfast at Jack's deli (we like to spread birthdays out in our family!) David and I drove around a bit and the color in this tree-filled area didn't disappoint!

When I was in Beachwood, David's suburb, I noticed a lot of yarn-bombed trees. They were done to celebrate the Peter Max exhibit at the community center.

                      

Although we missed the artist's appearance by a week, Rick and I enjoyed checking out the colorful paintings -- a blast from the 70s past!

It was hard for me to pick a favorite. There were a few iconic images along with new ones I'd never seen.



They weren't inexpensive, either -- between $6,000 and $40,000 for the ones I saw. I think this Sinatra (from Nancy Sinatra's collection) was the most expensive.

Truth be told, I loved these paintings. But Peter Max is clearly an artist derivative of himself. There were multiples of most of these paintings -- sometimes with a different color, in a different size, a different swatch of red instead of blue. I understand this. I paint the same backwards-sitting cat all the time, changing it up. But that's because I have a limited drawing and painting ability. I expect more from him.

                      
That said, I loved every single thing I saw, even the duplicates!

 

This angel was my favorite. What's yours?

We were off to home. A short visit for Rick and not long enough for me. We made a short side trip to the small college town of Oberlin. We'll go there next time!