A Road Trip to Cleveland: Three Days in Cleveland ~ June 10 - 13, 2024

 Three Days in Cleveland 

June 10 - 13, 2024

What a whirlwind of a visit!  And what an absolute BLAST we had!  Our trip to Jared and Anita's was relatively short and uneventful, and we arrived at about 3 p.m. They live in a lovely neighborhood that is now a designated historic district.  Their house dates back to the turn of the century and was once a boarding house.  Lots of their furnishings and decorations came from either the Van Wagenen side or the Meyerson side of the family. 

This was taken on Tuesday evening after a dinner hosted by Jared and Anita

A delicious lasagne with spinach dinner at Jared and Anita's on Monday night!

Vic and Chuck joined the dinner

Vickie and Anita

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

On Tuesday, Jared and Anita suggested that we go to the Cleveland Art Museum which is over on the side of town where Stuart and Ginger live.  The museum is amazing and beautiful.  We headed to the interactive Seven Jeweled Mountain exhibit.




I loved these "stone looking" pillows that you could sit on to watch the images


Jared and Anita





This exhibit was amazingly beautiful and I could have sat through two or three "loops" but others wanted to move on.  We chose to go to the Impressionists area (although others split off) and agreed to meet for lunch in the cafe at 1:30 pm.


I love the colors and the brush strokes of this Monet painting.


This Monet work is one of my favorites. I find the woman's face haunting, and it makes me want to reach for pen and paper and write a story.

Jeff is also a fan of the Impressionists!

The photographic-like quality of this portrait captivated me!

This painting is called The Proposal - I wonder what her answer will be.


A school group marches through the atrium.


After a lovely lunch, we headed over to Stuart and Ginger's home. They downsized a year or so ago to a charming ranch-style home with a lovely back yard and pool.  Stuart keeps a few birdfeeders filled, and I was delighted to see red-wing blackbirds, cardinals, goldfinches, and several types of woodpeckers.  The pool was occupied by various grandchildren. Stu and Ginger's girls have six between them, and Jared's daughter, Julie, and her husband, Brian, have twins.  Brian, Ted, and Liam were standing as lifeguards while the older generation chatted up a storm.

Sally, Jeff, Vicki, Stuart, Jared, and Rip are all visible in this photo

Jeff chats with Stuart as Liam watches the kids in the pool

Left to right: Jeff, Stuart, Candy, Sally, Jared, Vicki, Rip

The Cousins!

Stu and Ginger put on quite a spread!


Ginger prepared the largest Le Cruset potful of macaroni and cheese I have ever seen in my life. There was a beautiful salad and a delicious steak to go with it!  






After dinner, the kids enjoyed making s'mores over at the firepit.  We were quite the gang: 13 "tier one" folks, 6 "tier twos," and 8 "tier threes."  Ginger and Stu made it all look easy.

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Jared walked over to a nearby bagel shop and returned with a few warm and delicious bagels.  Vicki and Chuck walked over from their AirBnB, and Vic made oatmeal for those who wanted it. We sat and enjoyed the breakfast, chatting about everything and nothing at all, laughing and reminiscing.  We took a walk over to their farmer's market, which was amazing - I would love to have something like that nearby.

Jeff and Jared then went out to a "boat launching" event. Jared volunteers with this organization which engages teenagers from the city in building boats. Jeff shot the photos below, which capture the beauty of both the day and the event, as these young ones celebrate their accomplishments.






While Jeff and Jared enjoyed the boat launching, I helped Anita prepare food for the evening - another gathering of the cousins (without the kiddos).  I chopped the vegetables for the potato salad, while Anita prepared the table.  Again, it was a simple meal - potato salad, green salad, and some very delicious hamburgers.  


Sally and Rip chat with Jared, Vicki, and I

Jared and Chuck

Jeff, Sally, and Chuck in Jared and Anita's back yard

Snapdragons

Left to right: Rip, Candace, Sally, Vicki, Jeff, and Jared

Stu and Ginger had another event they needed to be at, so they left us before dinner.  After dinner, Chuck took one last photo in Jared and Anita's living room!

All too soon,  "cousin palooza" came to an end and we were hugging our goodbyes.  Our visit was more fun than any of us could possibly imagine, and we are beyond grateful to Jared and Anita for their warm hospitality and to Stu and Ginger for a fabulous party with all the kiddos.  We are thankful to Sally for making the trek over from Beavercreek and to Rip and Susan for deciding to move back to Cleveland from the "left coast."  


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