Drill sergeants, Puppypalooza, and Spot
Trip Start
Aug 24, 2010
1
2
6
Trip End
Ongoing
Where I stayed
Mike and Elana's Place
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Hey there, Lisa here. By Wednesday morning, we were all packed up and ready to hit the road. We stopped by the supermarket to pick up some snacks, and I'm not gonna lie: I got a little teary eyed in the parking lot as we got ready to say goodbye to the DC area for good. We're both gonna miss all the amazing people we've spent time with over the past few years.
Dave and I drove in our two separate cars all the way to our first stop, Cleveland (And we'll drive
separately until Chicago, where Dave's brother will take my car to drive out to LA later in the year – his brother is awesome. Thanks, Suvit!!) I got sleepy driving alone through Pennsylvania and Ohio for the 7.5 hours it took to get there, but luckily Lady Gaga and a can of Red Bull kept me going strong.
We stayed with Mike and Elana (my brother and his fiance), and it was awesome seeing them, their new place, their adorable cat Nala, and their energetic new puppy, Willy. Mike just started law school at Case Western University.
Two friends from college, Sabah and Brittany, lived in the neighborhood, too, so we grabbed dinner and went rock climbing! It was HARD, and we were also wearing really really tight and painful shoes (to help us grip onto small rocks and holds). But the pain was totally worth it for the exhilaration and sense of accomplishment of getting to the top of the wall. I'm glad
I had a drill-sergeant-ish woman instructing me; otherwise I don't know if I would've gotten very far:
Me: Uhh, I don't think I'm gonna make it any higher. My arm muscles are like, 'But Lisa, you never use me! Ever!'
Her: Get that left foot up. NOW!!
Dave, Brit, and I climbed a bunch of walls for a few hours, and Sabah exhibited her belaying skills. It was a great work out and a lot of fun.
The next day, Dave and I slept in, and while I could barely move when I got up, he went on a run for his Chicago Marathon training. (He never ceases to impress.) We also went to lunch in Little Italy with Brit and Nick Schmandt, another Amherst alum at Case Western. It was a quaint little area with brick streets, outdoor cafes, and an abundance of pizza and gelato (pretty much, heaven).
That evening, we went to Puppypalooza (!) at Progressive Field, where the Cleveland Indians played the Oakland A's. We went with Mike, Elana, and of course, Willy, the new puppy! Willy especially enjoyed the freely flowing doggie treats and hanging out with the other dogs (as opposed to the cat at home, I think...although, you know, we couldn't really verify that by asking
him). And we got to be in the puppy parade around the field! Yep, they let us humans and almost 300 dogs walk around the perimeter of the field, so we got to see the dugouts, bullpen, and pre-game reporters up close. And when nature called to Fido on the field, there were plenty of volunteers in plastic bag-covered hands to help clean things up.
Dave and I had a dog of our own, too – Spot, our road trip mascot! Spot is gonna be hanging out all over America, so check out our photos.
After a nice dinner with Michael and Elana and hearing about their 6-week Central America vacation (awesome!) we went to bed to prep for our drive to Chicago the next day.
But before leaving Cleveland, I felt like I was on a work trip once again: we paid a visit to the
Cleveland Heights Police Department. Why? To get rid of the FOUR parking tickets we had accrued over 2 days (they had assured us when we got there that they'd put our plates on a no-ticket list. And don't worry, Mom – we successfully got them taken care of).
The second stop out of town was to Office Max to fax over my signed lease! Grace Maeng (another Amherst alum) and I officially have a place. So come visit!
Now off to the Windy City...!
Comments
Really enjoying this blog! Comforting to know you're enjoying the long trip out to CA. Great pics!
Safe trip! xoxoxo
You guys look like you're having a ton of fun!!! MISS YOU!
Great to follow you two; we're living through your travels so make them interesting - OK, just kidding. Stay safe.