What's on Larchmere?  Are you there or something?

 

And I am a proud Merrell brand shoe wearer.

That's the one.  Trekking it at night is even more interesting.  Fire breathing smoke stacks and train cars in every direction.

What's on Larchmere?  Are you there or something?

 

And I am a proud Merrell brand shoe wearer.

 

It's one block away heading North.  If you're at Dewey's, you're probably sitting right infront of the bus stop.  Just walk to the end of the block which will be Larchmere,  You'll see the Gas Station and AmTrust Bank. Make a right and you'll be on Larchmere.

You'll love the Rocky River Reservation (or at least I did the first I experienced it). I love the high bridges (especially the old ones) and the knowledge that I'm surrounded by city all the way south to Berea (and beyond) but you'd never know it by the rural-like park settings.

 

If you haven't already rented a bike, you can rent one at Century Cycles, 19955 Detroit Road, in Rocky River, 440-356-5705. Before you head south from Detroit Avenue into the river valley, get on the Detroit Avenue bridge over the Rocky River and look north toward the lake. You'll see the remaining part of the old Detroit Avenue bridge has an office building built on it. Plus the river lagoon area is pretty cool.

 

Farther south, you'll pass one of the busiest golf courses in the country -- the Big Met course. Keep going south and you'll pass the stables at Puritas. Stop in and pet a horsey. Next, check out the Rocky River Nature & Science Center. Keep heading south and visit the quaint downtown Berea and look for the campus of Baldwin Wallace College, which started in the mid-1800s. Some great old buildings. On Front Street, put can put your bicycle on the rack on the #86 bus and take it north to Lakewood and the bike west to Rocky River, or if you're really tired, put the bike on the #26 bus on Detroit Avenue.

 

Probably more than you wanted to know, but just in case you wanted to know!

Century Cycles only rents from their Peninsula store.  I just called and checked.  The woman I'm staying with offered to loan me her bike, but I wouldn't have it until tomorrow morning.  So I guess that'll just have to be that.

 

I can't get enough of the Rapid trains crossing the square.  It's such an elegant form of transit.  Before Monday I had convinced myself that heavy rail is always better than light rail.  Now I'm thinking it's almost the opposite.  Michael's Diner has one of the coolest sit-down views I've ever seen.

Michaels is my favorite diner in the city.

Century Cycles only rents from their Peninsula store.  I just called and checked.  The woman I'm staying with offered to loan me her bike, but I wouldn't have it until tomorrow morning.  So I guess that'll just have to be that.

 

I can't get enough of the Rapid trains crossing the square.  It's such an elegant form of transit.  Before Monday I had convinced myself that heavy rail is always better than light rail.  Now I'm thinking it's almost the opposite.  Michael's Diner has one of the coolest sit-down views I've ever seen.

 

Ajknee you like a lil kid watching trains.  lol. 

 

If you sit on one of the two benches in the median of the street (inbetween Sergio's and Yours Truly) you'll be one or two feet away from the passing trains.  If you make a hand motion they'll blow the whistle, toot the horn and ring the bells for you.

Ajknee you like a lil kid watching trains. lol.

 

If you like watching trains, eat lunch at The Station restaurant in Berea, off Front Street and about a mile north of downtown Berea. The Station is in a 19th-century stone railroad station. Two very busy railroad lines converge there. Seeing 7-15 freight trains go by in an hour-long meal is the norm.

Ajknee you like a lil kid watching trains.  lol. 

 

If you like watching trains, eat lunch at The Station restaurant in Berea, off Front Street and about a mile north of downtown Berea. The Station is in a 19th-century stone railroad station. Two very busy railroad lines converge there. Seeing 7-15 freight trains go by in an hour-long meal is the norm.

 

Or since he's on Shaker Square, he could sit at "shack on the track". lol

OMG really?  I'm totally [on the benches between the tracks] after I finish my hot cocoa. 

I have to admit that I came to the square on Monday and totally brushed it off.  But after riding through it a few times yesterday I began liking it.  And now sitting here, I'm really feeling how special it is. 

 

Quick question: What's the best way to offend a Clevelander?  You know, just in case those benches are taken.

Quick question: What's the best way to offend a Clevelander?  You know, just in case those benches are taken.

 

Start talking about how much you love the Pittsburgh Steelers.

What's a "shack on the track?"

OMG really?  I'm totally [on the benches between the tracks] after I finish my hot cocoa. 

I have to admit that I came to the square on Monday and totally brushed it off.  But after riding through it a few times yesterday I began liking it.  And now sitting here, I'm really feeling how special it is. 

 

Quick question: What's the best way to offend a Clevelander?  You know, just in case those benches are taken.

 

HOT COCOA????  It's June!  Who are you Rose Nyland??

 

Offend a clevelander?  hummm.  Say something negative about the Browns could possibly get you killed.  Keep in mind, your next to a live train track!

MTS, you don't live in one of those two tallest buildings, do you?

What's a "shack on the track?"

 

The Diner at the Shaker Square train station.

MTS, you don't live in one of those two tallest buildings, do you?

 

shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh  :wink:  Not that it's a secret, since everyone here knows my address.

MTS, you don't live in one of those two tallest buildings, do you?

 

shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh :wink:

 

Man, you're super-stalker creepy today ;)

HOT COCOA???? It's June!   Who are you Rose Nyland??

 

I'm from Milwaukee, where it's STILL nowhere near warm enough to ditch the sweater for a whole day AND they force dairy products down our throats.  I'm just used to it.  Another strange thing we Milwaukeeans do is eat frozen custard year round, including the sub-zero days of February. 

 

I got a strange look yesterday when I asked for a bubbler, which is a drinking fountain or water fountain.  I knew that was something that only Milwaukeeans say, but I'm so used to it that it slips out in travel every once in a while. 

I'm also running low on cash and when I finally do I KNOW I'm going to ask for a "Time Machine."  It's actually TYME, but when you're not in MKE you sound like a nut asking people that. 

Alright, I'm off.  The sun is out, and I'm rejuvenated.  Thanks for the conversation.  I'll talk to you all again later.

sounds like you are having a good time and hitting some great places. Too bad E.Cleveland did not work out. Sounds like a bad apple you ran into. I have never had a problem there, and my spouse used to work there a few days a week and he never had an issue either. Also sorry you heard gun shots. Someone posted a map of shot reported and there were a lot. I have seen 2 people shot at and I say "at" b/c I did not stick around long enough to see if the bullet made contact.  Neither incident was in Cleveland though.  Once in NY (hells kitchen circa 1978) and once in Tampa. Sadly in Tampa gun shots were very common where I lived. First the pops, then the helicopter, and once the dogs. So where I live now is a cakewalk.

 

I have heard suspicious noises here too, but cannot confirm they are gun shots. Where did you go in Ohio City? Hopefully the Market.

AJ, glad you're enjoying your trip!

 

Also, just have to say you all are too cute with your excitement, willingness to help and encouragement!  Isn't that nice?  I mean, really, how friendly everyone is here :)

 

(I'm having a sentimental moment, ok, cut me some slack :)  )

You sure you want to offend a Clevelander after witnessing a shooting?  :shoot:

You sure you want to offend a Clevelander after witnessing a shooting?   :shoot:

 

Remember he never "witnessed" a shooting.  Or are you channeling Jam now?

:?

 

someone got shot a block behind me halfway up that hill

 

I didn't say it happened, I said he said he witnessed a shooting.  I can see reading that statement either way, but you were the one putting words in his mouth when you said he "set the record straight" later when he sure hadn't (with his skeptical "we'll call it M80s" remark).

 

I was simply shocked that he made that claim and everyone else just brushed it off.

And once again, this forum ensures I won't have a sober night. :roll: :drunk:

If there actually were gun shots in Little Italy, don't you think the PD would be all over that Peabody?

Thanks for all the suggestions.  I just walked down to Shaker Square with my shake in hand.  It was delicious.  I got the cookie dough as recommended.  The weather is getting me down, the blisters on my feet are REALLY starting to hurt and I have severe sunburn from yesterday.  So I'm going to relax here at Dewey's until my battery runs out on my laptop.  Feel free to stop by and say hello, I'll be sitting just like this for the next few hours:

 

 

Anyway, I'm definitely heading down to Lakeview tonight or tomorrow morning, depending on when it clears up. 

 

w28th, I definitely want to check out the path you suggested.  Is this where you recommend turning off?

 

 

If it is, I'm there for sure. 

 

If you need a little more inspiration to get down to the steel mills:

 

Here are some photos: http://snipurl.com/2be4q

 

And a story: http://snipurl.com/2pbkq

 

If there actually were gun shots in Little Italy, don't you think the PD would be all over that Peabody?

 

No way. Not if no one was hit -- and maybe still not if they were hit but not killed or at least seriously injured.

Hey ajknee, what brought you out here to Cleveland in the first place?

MayDay, can we get one of your cool "back on topic" graphics up here?

 

Anyway, it's been a blast.  I did the Rock Hall last night because I had to.  And I took my bike through the Rocky River Reservation from Detroit to Puritas.  That park is quite the asset.  Beautiful.  I'm all packed up and wasting a few more hours downtown with my huge backpack. 

Right now I'm enjoying lunch at the Tower City food court.  I love how you can feel the cars overhead, and the view out the window is incredible.  So, I guess that's it.  It's been an incredible trip thanks to all of you.  I strongly encourage any of you to look me up next time you're in the Milwaukee area. 

I'm only in MKE for a few hours before I head out to Peoria, IL for a wedding.  So the photo thread will have to wait.  I'll be back home officially by the 4th.  So the photo's will be up that weekend. 

Thanks again.

--AJ

We'll I'm glad you enjoyed shaker square, er, Cleveland while here.

 

Get home safely and I can't wait to see your photo thread!

 

 

"I did the Rock Hall last night because I had to."

 

Some people have their sacred icons, for me - the Rock Hall has Madonna's bustier from her 'Blonde Ambition' tour.

 

Great meeting you AJ, glad to hear you enjoyed your visit - have a safe trip back! :-)

"I did the Rock Hall last night because I had to."

 

Some people have their sacred icons, for me - the Rock Hall has Madonna's bustier from her 'Blonde Ambition' tour.

 

Mine is Janis Joplin's Porsche.

 

We're so glad you had a good trip! I love the caramel corn in the popcorn place next to Claire's there if you have a little more time to kill before you leave.  If you mix it with the cheddar corn, it's killer.

We're so glad you had a good trip! I love the caramel corn in the popcorn place next to Claire's there if you have a little more time to kill before you leave.  If you mix it with the cheddar corn, it's killer.

 

Too late, I'm already settled in at the airport with my bag Popcorn Shop Factory caramel corn from Shaker Square...Mmmm!

 

 

^That's some good stuff right there.