Ohio Tour

Hello to all!

Lori and I returned safely from our long weekend travels around the state of Ohio.  Our trip was a whirlwind frenzy of visits with family and friends.  

Whenever Lori and I spend time on the road in Ohio, especially when we go from one end of the state to the other, I am reminded of my 7th grade trip, Ohio Tour.  Our school loaded up charter buses and sent us off on a historical trip around Ohio.  We visited president's houses, the state capital - Columbus, OSU campus, Thomas Edison's home, and a historic village or two.  I also recall a wicked sock-ball fight in the hotel room, in which my fellow deviants and I threw smelly balled-up-socks back and forth at each other.  We were big fans of dodgeball in gym class, and had tons of energy to burn off at night, after spending so much time sitting on the bus.   

I digress... Lori and I drove to Cincinnati Thursday after work, and visited with her Brother Jeff, who was in from Italy, and Linda & Barry.  Jeff experienced another mishap with his luggage, which was left in Rome by the airline.  Ridiculous.  Lori, Jeff and I ran an errand or two together, then popped over to her grandma Nonna's house for a short visit.  I think that Jeff should win an award for hooking up a new DVD player to Nonna's TV in record time.  ...and he had the remote figured out too.  Friday night, Lori and I drove up to West Chester, north of Cincy, for my Aunt Peggy and Uncle Sterlin's 50th wedding Anniversary.  I had a good time visiting with extended family and catching up with my cousins, who I had not seen in forever.  The celebration was held at a nice country club, which served a buffet style dinner that included pasta with choices of sauces: pesto, marinara, and alfredo.  There was also a taco station. ?!?  with a big bowl of guac.

Saturday morning we drove like mad up I-71 from Cincy to Cleveland for Jen and Jed Thomas' wedding.  The wedding was in Broadview Heights, and the reception was down town at Windows on the River, which is in the same building as the Improv and Rock Bottom Brewery.  Again, it was great to catch up with friends, dance, and eat yummy food.  I had not been down town in a long time and I enjoyed seeing the flats, the Cuyahoga river, the bridges, and Cleveland skyline.  Years ago, when I was in high school, we would take fieldtrips down town with our Art Club.  Cliff Novak, my art teacher, loved down town, and relished taking us there for photography, painting and drawing.  

Sunday, we spent some time with Bill and Pat in their Fairport Harbor home.  Lori and I entertained the idea of sneaking in a quick swim at the beach on Lake Erie, but it was too too too cold.  Surprising for August.  We caught up with my folks, read the Sunday Cleveland Plain Dealer (always a treat to read a big-city paper).... and then hit the road back to Athens.

Safe travels.  No hiccups.  Photos soon.