I now call Clintonville home, but like so many others here in Columbus, I did not grow up here.  Thanks to OSU my husband and I are transplants.  I really like it here and if given the choice we would not move back to the east side Cleveland, but a visit back to your roots  is especially gratifying when you have a small audience to help you enjoy the  highlights of your past.

First we rode The Rapid downtown…

We passed the usual looking scenes..

As well as a few new ones..

We visited The Great Lakes Science Center…

Also a new place to those that grew up in Cleveland.  We decided to share one of the best things about Cleveland with our friends; Murray Hill AKA Little Italy.

First we had the worlds best pizza at Anthony’s and then had the worlds best treats at Corbo’s.

I tried making these photos smaller-but they really deserved to be big!

Then we rolled back to our downtown hotel that overlooked Playhouse Square.

Of course there was swimming.

Monday was a day of disappointment.  First we headed to Edgewater Park for “a day at the beach.”  Never mind that I poo-pooed that beach choice the whole way there.  We NEVER went to that beach growing up.  It turned out you couldn’t use flotation devices there so we packed up and headed to my beach-in Willowick.  Well, remember how we learned about erosion back in school-my beach was a perfect example.  It is the beach of no more.  So we headed out to Mentor headlands where we all got sunburned and found lots of sea glass.  A memory-check!

Then we headed back to Shaker to eat at Best Steak (not me-just everyone else!!).  The sign said closed for a few days-but it looked much grimmer than a few days.  My poor husband was about brought to tears.  So we went across the street for the worst Chinese food in the dirtiest restraunt I have ever been in.  It didn’t help that husbands families other favorite deli, Sol’s, was gone too.  W hat were we thinking-we should have gone to Corky and Leni’s!

But now we are home and the reality of  my life here in Columbus is hitting me over the head.  I promise some crafty posts sometime soon!

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Last night a few fellow, Columbus bloggers (her, her and her) and I attended a shindig put on by Experience Columbus.

It was fun to meet some new people as well as catch up with some ladies (her, her, her) I haven’t seen in a while.   (Sorry if I caught up with you and didn’t link to you, I had Jenl’s ice cream on the brain and it took my techy self way too long to do that many links!)

Abby made sure I didn’t forget about her- or she might kick my stretchy pants covered butt!

They are trying out a new add campaign and we got to preview it and comment and snack and all that good stuff.  Best of all we get to customize a free T-shirt from a local vendor!!  Definitely the best gimme!  Anywho, there campaign is based on what Columbus doesn’t have.  I am a bit leary of this ad concept.  I get that we don’t have bragging rights to the Eiffel Tower, or the Alps.  I don’t think anyone in the three hour radius (those who most visit for leisure) is looking for those things.   I am guessing you would be coming here to visit family, you probably have kids..or you are coming here to shop or visit OSU.   Most every city has a zoo, malls, possibly a science center, art museum etc…I think there ad should focus not only on what we do have but the oddities, off the beaten path, free, and different things Columbus has to offer.

Because I do not have three hours to type out a really great add for Columbus, I will just list some of our greatnesses!

1. The short North-try to visit the art district on the first Saturday evening of any month, year around and you will not only be entertained by the street performers, the open galleries  and stores, many different  eateries and bars, but by the people that attend.  Some of the best people watching around. We are The Indie Arst Capitol of the World you know!  And the short North will prove how serious Columbus takes its Art.

2. The Park of Roses-Come here anytime through out the summer and be amazed by the Award winning rose gardens.  Or come in the winter and hope there is some snow!

3. In the summer you can check out either one of these great free water attractions with your kids:  The Dancing Bunnies or Homestead Park.  Now neither of these are in Columbus proper but really no matter where your staying, it is fairly easy to get around here.  Especially is you aren’t in rush hour traffic.  But if you want water and you want to stay in the city-there is not only shopping galore (for those with money to spend!) but there are also free fountains to play in at Easton .  There are waterfalls to play in here in Columbus  too.  Did you know that?

4.We have great shopping!!  Some of the best thrift stores are here!  Village Discount, Ohio Thrift as well as several Salvation Army’s and Goodwills and Volunteers of America stores.  Antique stores like crazy!

5. Music and Food.  Where do I begin??  Every type of authentic ethnic food as well as American eateries can be found here.  We have many vegan and vegetarian options also.   Now as far as music-well I think we have another title there too-aren’t we like the best new up and coming talent, hot live music scene too?

Well I could go on and on, beleive me I have so much more,  but this took me too long and  maybe someday I will do an insiders scoop of Columbus on the cheap-with and with out kid activities.  Or better yet maybe someone will PAY me for all my good info!

So in a nut shell - Come visit us!  There’s lots to see and do both ordinary and extraordinary.  If you are planning a trip to our fair city and your are looking for something to do-drop me an email and I can certainly point you in the right direction!  I can be like your internet travel guide!!

Moooooooooooo from Cowtown.  Go Bucks.  O_H_I_O We have a little bit of EVERYTHING here!  That’s my new add campaign :

COME TO COLUMBUS-WHERE THERE REALLY IS A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING!

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This is the first summer in the past several that we have not spent a whole week camping at Delaware State Park.  Last night we camped just for the night while Jake went to a Birthday party of one of  his best friends  near by.   I spread the moth broth on a nearby tree.  Later when I checked there were several moths visiting but I thought I would wait until the girls were with me to take photos.  Bad idea-after returning from watching Lilo & Stitch drive-in style  we excitedly checked again-nothing!  But this morning I did find this guy outside the bath house

not such a good shot…but he was big!  Side note-the bucket of moth broth was hijacked into the woods by some raccoons.  Yes, the whole bucket was gone this morning.  There must of been some party going on in those bushes!

I love this park.  There is so much to do here; hiking, fishing and it is really big.  Today we went for a bike ride.

And of course there is always the beach.  I use this term very loosely… as  well this is the best we got here in the middle of Ohio..and it aint much! But my kids love it.

The photos make this place look pretty good-buyer beware!  Litter everywhere, duck poop everywhere, cigarette butts and foul language everywhere.  And not your regular old potty talk.  Lord knows I can keep up with the best of them!  But, grown men calling their friends  pussy in front of theirs as well as everyone else’s kids.  I sort of draw the line with that and the “C” word!  The sand is granulated dirt and the water is muddy green color.  Sounds great huh?

And there were these creepy crawly things EVERYWHERE!  Anyone know what these are?

It was a lot of packing up and unpacking for one night but all in all it was fun and glad we got to get away for the night!

This week Molly is attending camp at a craft museum as she has for the past several summers.  It is only 1/2 a day so I am hoping  to find some time for a few activities at home too.  Stay tuned.

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