It’s been a long time since I’ve written in here.  I really started this blog as a hobby.  I enjoy writing.  I enjoy photography.  I enjoy traveling.  I enjoy Cleveland.  But work and other aspects to life have taken me away from it.  I apologize (said in my most humble Larry the Cable Guy voice).

But looking at the WordPress upgrades and looking at this wonderful picture above I can’t help but remember why I started this blog.  That picture was taken at the Phoenix, Arizona Biltmore in November of 2007.  We took it after a long day of seeing the sights, including the Frank Lloyd Wright house (Taliesin West) and his contributions to the Biltmore.  It was a perfect end to a perfect day and we sat down on the outside patio with a glass of wine to relax and absorb the surroundings.  Experiences like these are why I travel, and photographs preserve those experiences and memories.

It is February in Cleveland and not particularly warm.  It seems like spring should be around the corner and yet we often have snow through Easter.  All the stores have summer clothing out and particularly this year, the bikinis look odd against the backdrop of 6 foot snowdrifts outside the display windows.  We have set snowfall records this year.  We are blessed with this wonderful lake we call Erie which eerily blankets our home regularly with what we fondly call the “lake effect”.  It is this time of year one starts yearning for that warmer clime… to get in the car and drive South… to hop on a plane to the Caribbean… to find a deal on a cruise to Bermuda… to escape to some land of dry, warm, heat.  So why don’t we?  Money, obligations, time.  

So we plan… and isn’t the planning 80% of the journey, anyways?  We pore over travel magazines.  We read travel blogs and sites, get out our calendars, dust off our wish lists, and revive photos we’ve taken.  And somehow that experience, that research, that exploration transports us to the places we want to be… if only in our minds… until that time when we can make those plans real once again.

I am inspired to write.  I visited the farmer’s market this morning at Heritage Farms in Peninsula, Ohio.  I grabbed a large coffee from Crooked River Coffee Company, bought cherry orange scones from Great Lakes Bakery, and prepared for a lovely morning.  The market was bustling as this is the last day of the year it will be hosted at Heritage.  The same farmer’s market is held at Stan Hywet Hall on Thursday evenings, and that will end October 9.  They return twice in November at Happy Days Visitor Center, but otherwise this is it for the season!  I suppose fall has arrived.  I’m not ready for summer to leave yet.  But if all fall days are as glorious as this, I will allow it.  :)  There’s something about… a sunny day still warm enough for the convertible (with a sweatshirt), a perfect cup of coffee, my fellow shoppers milling about all the wonderful organic foods and treats, an abundance of pumpkins and mums surrounding us, and an Irish duo (Lawson) playing a sampling of their music… that just lifts my spirits.  It’s my kind of “soul food”.  These are also the moments that make me glad I live in the Cuyahoga Valley.  And for all the traveling I love to do, I am also thankful for home and the comforts and joys of nesting.  With our economy struggling, an unclear election looming, and stressful jobs, a trip to the farmer’s market centers it all and brings one back to the ultimate connection with our planet.  What will I find and what can I make from my purchases to nourish our bodies and minds?  Today the scones were unbelievably moist (not a typical scone), the tomatoes still abundant (heirloom, pear, etc.), and I found every color of pepper in the rainbow.  Lake Erie Creamery makes the best goat cheese.  A perfect lunch comes to mind – fresh tomatoes and basil sliced and layered on to a baguette spread with fresh goat cheese…mmmm.

The Heritage farmer’s market is sponsored by the Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy.  Do what you can to get out and experience the transition to fall, the bounty of the harvest, and focusing on what really matters in your life.  Enjoy!

“Nature always wears the colors of the spirit.”
RALPH WALDO EMERSON

I’m newly hooked on the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area.  I’ve figured out how to hook up the bike rack and attach my bike… all by myself!  Previously I had to rely on the brute strength of a male to provide that service.  But I decided to suck it up and take matters and freedom into my hands.  I am now able to explore at will.  I’ve been biking the Towpath, exploring bits and pieces of it as I get more stamina…. mostly the area from Peninsula up to Rockside.  I am appreciating it from a biking perspective.  I can cover more ground, see more vistas.  With the Ohio Erie Canal on one side and the Cuyahoga River on the other, I can get my feng shui water needs as well.  What is it about the sound of flowing water, rustling leaves, and busy insects that puts one’s mind at ease?  Nature… it does a body good, I say.

This weekend I convinced Rob to join me, and we ventured into the Metroparks Hidden Valley north of Rockside Road… what an interesting dichotomy of industry and nature.  At one point, you pass under a sewage pipe connecting the suburbs to the Southerly waste station, a gasline pipe supplying the downtown, and the Short Line railroad (still in business since the early 1900’s).  At first it’s disturbing, and then you realize that it is a way to merge our two lives peacefully.  We need industry, waste water treatment plants, railroads… but not at the expense of nature.  Cleveland learned that the very hard way with the burning river incidents in the 60’s.  And while I’m not sure the Cuyahoga River is completely clean, I hope it is nearing complete recovery.  As a resident, it is disheartening to hear the jokes about Cleveland’s burning river.  Now it seems we can thank Cleveland’s burning river for national awareness on the topic of pollution and regulation needed to keep our rivers and lakes clean.  And that awareness has led to this wonderful Towpath extension through former industrial wasteland now called the Hidden Valley.

While biking the Towpath is fantastic… I can’t ignore walking the Towpath.  It is only by walking that you hear, see, and truly absorb the valley.  Try sneaking down a bridle trail to get closer to the water.  And of course stop, sit, and listen to the stillness.  It’s hard to believe this treasure lies within 15-20 minutes of a major metropolitan city.  No wonder it is one of the most visited National Parks in our nation.  If you need a slice of nature, it’s never too far away.

I decided to forgo the Segway tour ($60 for 90 min) and instead chose a bike rental to round out my time on Coronado Island this week. I rented it from the Marriott ($10/hr – $32/day) and started out mid-morning. A defined bike/hike path surrounds half the island and the other half provides a bike lane on the quieter streets. I rode under the Coronado Bridge, out to Silver Strand Beach, around to the Hotel Del Coronado, and past the Naval Base back to the Marriott. It was a perfect day for a ride, sun shining but not too warm. I donned long sleeves to avoid some sun damage but ended up burning my hands! I stopped for the most time on Coronado Beach to enjoy the Pacific Ocean, sand, and sun. The Hotel Del was as I remembered, a beautiful and stalwart beacon urging relaxation and serenity. They’ve completed the “beach cottages” we saw under construction last year – a collection of inviting vacation purchase properties right on the beach (I can only imagine how expensive).

After the ride, I took a nap and then headed out again, this time by cab to do some shopping on Orange Avenue near the Hotel Del. Most of the shops and restaurants are closer to that end, so if you stay at the Marriott you really need a bike or car to explore (or some really good walking shoes and plenty of time!). I decided to take a cab out and walk back, stopping at stores that caught my fancy. I ended up back near the ferry landing at the Coronado Brewery for a pint and some fish tacos, a must when in the San Diego area, and a perfect end to a perfect day.

I should mention that I had a lovely dinner Monday night of chilean sea bass at Peohe’s at the ferry landing marketplace. I grabbed a delicious dinner of green curry pork on Wednesday night from the Thai Cafe, also at the ferry landing marketplace, and enjoyed it on the patio of my room – what a view!

Alas, the rest of my time on Coronado was spent at the Web Summit I attended. The Marriott was a spectacular location for a conference. We had delicious lunches and receptions outside on a patio overlooking the bay and the Coronado bridge. Maybe that will help explain why I went for a conference and returned with a tan!

Well, I’m back in my beloved San Diego. It’s been a little over a year and I’m thrilled to be back. Stepping off the plane and out of the airport, I couldn’t believe the sun could shine that brightly, all 75F. The breeze off the harbor just felt so right, as I rolled down the window of my cab on the way to the hotel. This time I’m not here to stay downtown – I’m here to stay on “the island” as it’s known around here. You and I know it as Coronado Island, home of the famous Hotel Del Coronado, backdrop to Marilyn’s movie, “Some Like It Hot.” Coronado is connected to downtown San Diego by a massive 2.5 mile bridge. The Hotel Del is on the Pacific, the Naval base takes up another 3rd of the island, and the other side faces San Diego Bay and downtown.

I’m actually staying at the Marriott on Coronado where I’ve been blessed with an absolutely lovely room with an extraordinary view of the harbor. As I write, I’m gazing at the San Diego skyline, sipping a glass of Chardonnay I picked up at a shop down the boardwalk. What is it about place, time, weather that can put one at complete peace? This is as close as one can come to happiness I believe, folks – grabbing moments like these when you can. The wind is rustling through the palms, people are strolling on the boardwalk, sailboats are floating by, Navy helicopters occasionally pepper the serenity, and I feel like it’s my world right now.

Ahh, I could live here. Rob tells me I wouldn’t appreciate it as much if I did. I think not. Wouldn’t everything be better if every evening allowed for a stroll outside? If you knew the sun was always shining, even if you were inside that day? And you needn’t worry as it would probably shine on the weekend, too? Cleveland has its merits, but I’m done, done, done with winter. And I’m a Canucker! I always poo-pooed Seasonal Affectiveness Disorder, but I’m thinking it might be valid these days. When you get a glimpse of the sun only every 90 days and realize that’s the only day you’re chipper, I’d say that’s a case of the SAD.

So far the Marriott has been a good choice. I’m here for a conference, came the day before, and got here early enough to enjoy most of today. I’ll have time tomorrow as well to explore a bit before it’s in full swing. I didn’t rent a car. I plan to stay on the island. Today I explored walking distance of the Marriott. There’s not a whole lot of dining choices down the boardwalk, just Peohe’s and Il Fornaio (seafood and Italian). The Coronado Brewing Company and Tartine are walkable, but not without a little effort. For a cheap lunch, there’s Spiro Gyro’s and a little Thai place at the Ferry Marketplace. I plan to try them for lunches this week. Of course there’s the restaurants at the Marriott. Today, I grabbed picnic fare from KFC in the Ferry Marketplace and headed to an outside table to enjoy. I hit the pool at the hotel briefly – even an hour is plenty of full on sun for a Northerner. But there’s nothing like heading to the hotel pool to feel like you’re on vacation. Wait, I’m not! I’m here for a conference! The one thing lacking at the pool was drink service – I was dying for a pina colada! I’m surprised this level of resort wouldn’t have that poolside option.

Two things that interest me, renting a bike to explore the island on my own and/or taking a Segway tour – I am here for a technology conference, ya know. For some reason I have an image of nerdy Bill Gates as the only person who rides a Segway, everyday to work from his amazing home on Lake Washington in Seattle, I’m sure! Well, we’ll have to see what tomorrow holds.

Someone asked about going to the beach from Orlando – a bit out of luck, mate! Unless… you want to drive to either coast. My suggestions are either go East or West young man:

1. East: take a day trip to Kennedy Space Center and tool around Cocoa Beach – not the best beach, but certainly within an ~hour of Orlando. Kennedy is a fantastic full day experience, though, so you may forget the need for a beach.
2. West: a much better beach and on the gulf is Clearwater Beach/St. Petersburg Beach – about ~2 hour trip and the beautiful wide stretch of sand and azure blue waters are worth the drive on a beautiful day. If you want to make it an overnight, check in to the venerable Don Cesar – the hard to miss pink resort on the tip of St. Pete’s. While you’re in the area, definitely stroll through Fort De Soto park and enjoy the view of the Tampa Bay bridge. And if the pink resort isn’t your cup of tea, the Sheraton Sand Key would be a great choice as well.

Of course, if you’re up for a longer drive, you can always head farther Southwest to Fort Myers or farther Northeast to Daytona. But my pick would be Clearwater. And if you’re just desperate for water in Orlando, head to one of the water parks, for goodness’ sake!

We tried a new restaurant in Hudson the other day, Downtown 140. Well, it’s not new new but new to us. It is a quaint little wine and tapas restaurant right on Main Street, perfect for a little evening of shopping at First and Main topped off with a delightful dinner. I’m very fond of the tapas idea, as I want a lot of variety and don’t want to leave feeling overstuffed. I started off with an Appletini at the bar and Rob had a “fancy” beer. I wouldn’t recommend the martini. While it was alright (I’m sorry, but I make some mean martinis), this is a wine bar, and wine would have complimented my food much better.

We started with a cheese/fruit/nut tray for which we chose a delicious Hudson Valley camembert. Then I went down the path of small plates – gulf shrimp and asparagus tempura, beef satay with a chili rub, and ahi tuna taco. Rob decided to get an entree of caramelized Maine scallops. It was all superb and the perfect amount of food, reasonably priced as well. The atmosphere is very cozy and cellar-like with stone walls and warm colors. I found it a little hard to hear across the table, so I just nodded a lot and savored my food! A crowd might not be the best idea, but it was a delectable evening for two.

The post on E. 4th St restaurants led me to think of my favorite restaurants in various Cleveland neighborhoods. I’ll start with Brecksville, the suburban neighborhood central to the intersection of Route 82 and Route 21 just east of Interstate 77. My favorite restaurants in Brecksville include Eddie’s Creekside, The Courtyard Cafe, Simon’s Restaurant, and Austin’s Steakhouse. Eddie’s definitely is a favorite summertime jaunt at a table on the patio overlooking beautiful Chippewa Creek. Stop there after work for the best Cosmopolitan martini in the city and enjoy their delicious veal piccata, chicken parmesan, or penne sorrento! Eddie’s is worthwhile in the winter, too, and a great place to take the whole family, particularly on Monday ($5 burger) nights. But get a table in the dining room – the bar is a little too chilly in January.

The Courtyard Cafe continues to be my favorite spot for baked lasagna and is another comfortable Brecksville restaurant choice. In the same plaza, Simon’s Restaurant is where I go for breakfast out, a great deli sandwich, or some home cookin’. Across Route 82 in the Heinen’s plaza, Austin’s Steakhouse is my favorite spot for cumin spiced baby back ribs. But I find Sakura (in the same plaza) to be much like Otani in Akron with entertaining chefs but mediocre food. And even though Panera Bread is a chain, the Brecksville location is quite cozy and also has a lovely patio overlooking the ravine leading to Brecksville Reservation.

If you spend any time in downtown Cleveland you have to notice the little growth spurt happening on East 4th Street between Euclid and Prospect. We’ve “always” had Flannery’s – the best place to get your Irish drink on – and maybe hang out with Gaelic Storm after they play at HOB! Then came the House of Blues concert venue and restaurant. Then came Pickwick and Frolic comedy club and restaurant. Then the Wendy’s became the Corner Alley (yes, bowling) and 4th Street Grill. Then came Lola Bistro (moved from Tremont – the former is now Lolita), the Wonder Bar, and Zocalo. And I see Blackfinn Restaurant is going in on the other E 4th/Euclid corner. I’m very excited about the development happening. It also looks like apartments are being renovated above these businesses. In the summer time the patios all seem to connect for a wonderful outdoor experience. Even in winter, they are all cozy inside. Here’s what I think:

• House of Blues – great food, reasonable prices
• Corner Alley – lots of fun, bowling downtown – how cool is that!
• 4th Street Grill – not a huge menu and kind of pricey for a lunch but definitely a viable option
• Pickwick and Frolic – comedy club entertainment and other great benefits – good martinis and food
• Wonder Bar – love the vibe and atmosphere in here
• Lola – lovely, upscale restaurant – try the gourmet mac and cheese for lunch and roasted squash soup – yummay! and now Chef Michael Symon has won the Iron Chef America challenge! It’s a must try for lunch or dinner!
• Zocalo – delicious margaritas and chips/salsa, fantastic patio in the summer time

What will it take to keep these businesses thriving? Happy Hour specials would be a good idea. The only time I’ve seen these places crowded has been before Indians or Cavs games. People may be wondering why they pay full price for a pint of Great Lakes beer when they can go to the Boneyard or the Lizard or Flannery’s on Prospect for Happy Hour specials.

And then we need some shops. We have the restaurants and activities (bowling, comedy, HOB). But anywhere restaurants are created, we need shops to keep people strolling around before and after dinner. The whole evening becomes one destination. And what about gradually connecting East 4th to the Warehouse District and revitalizing the Flats – then we’ll be in business for a vibrant Cleveland nightlife!

I am the biggest Cleveland fan ever, but I am getting so frustrated by the Euclid Corridor Project. What is happening to my city?! Every day I swear the sidewalk on Euclid is shrinking – at this point you pretty much have to scale walls just to get from Tower City to Jimmy John’s! Euclid Avenue is disappearing! I was driving further down Carnegie by E. 30th the other day, and I went up a block to Euclid – I thought I was going the wrong way, it was so empty down there!

I don’t know all of the details on the project. But the story I have is it’s a three year project to widen and “improve” Euclid Avenue. “The story” says it will bring businesses, jobs, and people downtown. But I ask, what will happen to all the businesses in the meantime? The Chocolate Meister is long gone – the best spot for an ice cream afternoon pick-me-up. I hope the others last. And the House of Blues, a venue that regularly brings visitors to Euclid Avenue – you can barely get a picture of the marquee without orange barrels, tape, or something in the picture with you. Will those crowds come back when Euclid is finished?

I know that progress does not happen without a price. I’m just having a hard time seeing into the future when I’m accosted by vagrants I can’t ignore, because the sidewalk is a strip of cement the size of a Twizzler! I will say the City of Cleveland is at least providing extra security in the area with the “yellow shirt security guards on bikes” I call them. As a regular visitor to downtown, I do appreciate that immensely.

At any rate, I pray the pain is worth the gain and the treasures of Euclid and Cleveland will shine again.