The Great Lakes

The Great Lakes live up to their names: they are truly great in size, and beauty. If you didn't know what they were, you would arrive at each one and immediately think that you have reached the ocean. And you wouldn't know that you were wrong until you dip in your finger, and take a taste of the water. It's not salty.



We are living closer to these lakes now, a few of them are just north of us. A couple of weekends ago we were at Lake Michigan. And this weekend, we were by Ontario and Erie. All of them sparkled in the beautiful September blue sky.

Cleveland in January

This was my second visit to Cleveland. Uncanny, and unplanned, we were there at about the same time last year as well. So Cleveland, I only know you during your coldest week (according to the meteorologist), but I do like you, quite a bit.

Maybe it's the lake, or the more familiar Northeast feel. Maybe it's living the hotel life, and being away from the mundane. Maybe it is all of the above.

We did a lot, and also a lot of nothing. It was the best way to while away our weekend as a family, in the city that I only know without anything green and plenty of snow. Next time, Cleveland, I promise to come see you when you are warm and flushed with life. I'll bet you can put on quite a show.

A Walk in the (Ohio) Woods

I live on a hundred acres, in the middle of nowhere. There are dozens of hummingbirds that come to the garden everyday... We can go hunt for mushrooms, salamanders, whatever! You should bring your family out sometime!



It was that easy. An invitation, from a prolific writer (with four NEW books coming out this next month), who I had just met a day before.  Michael is an easy guy to meet. No ego, no agent, no fluff. He means what he says, as we quickly found out when we found ourselves driving up the gravel road, meandering through the wooded hills of south eastern Ohio.



Nor was he making up the mushroom, salamander, and the hummingbird bit. Accompanied by some four legged friends around a small pond, we slowly made our way through the woods, finding fungi, and critters, and a very scary looking tree.



Michael is knowledgeable about mushrooms: which one is good for eating, and which ones will kill you. We found several oyster mushrooms, puff-balls, and chicken-of-the-woods, among others. The host promised a sample of our find during what was turning into quite a late summer's feast.


Thorny Honeylocust



And a feast we had: alfresco, multiple courses, with a few hummingbirds buzzing about.



Thanks again, Michael, for a fabulous time on the hundred acre woods. We didn't see Pooh, or Piglet, or any of their friends. But we did have two very happy children who are already looking forward to their next visit to the enchanted forest full of discoveries.

Cincinnati, Part II, Findlay Market

This post can also be viewed at Cool Columbus

Of course I couldn't go to Cincinnati without visiting the Findlay Market, right? My understanding family was nice enough to be dragged there despite the rain that was pouring down on us on Sunday morning (that was NOT in the forecast, but oh well). I had read a little about this public market in Edible Columbus' sister publication, Edible Ohio Valley. It was time to see it for myself.



Findlay market is tugged away in a small block in a sleepy neighborhood north of downtown Cincinnati. Like I said, it was raining, and it was early on Sunday morning, so it was not the most happening place in the city. But in some ways, it was a wonderful introduction to the market - we literally had it all to ourselves.



The inside of the market reminded me of a smaller version of the one in Cleveland we went to last winter. There were lots of meat vendors, bakeries, and even seafood stalls (a bit of a puzzle to me!). The German food culture influence is big here as well with lots of options for sausages, and German baked goods. Outside a very small farmers market braved the rain. We got some fresh staples to bring home as edible souvenirs.



Just outside of the covered market, more restaurants and shops lined the small streets. I have not felt this way about other places in Ohio (besides German Village), but the quaintness, the local food vendors, plus the colorful hanging baskets reminded me of small European villages I had visited in the past.



I can only imagine how lively and well attended the market would be on a warm sunny summer morning. I don't even need to see it to know, but I do hope to get back there again sometime to experience this place at its best.




Findlay Public Market
1801 Race Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Hours of Operation

9am to 6pm - Tuesday through Friday
8am to 6pm on Saturday
10am to 4pm on Sunday
Closed Monday

Findlay Market is open year-round.