If you’ve been a long time reader of my bliss-ed out blog, you’ll know I’m a sucker for beautiful architecture. I find myself drawn towards older looking buildings, along with cathedrals and anything unique. I’m fascinated by the different styles of houses between the west coast and the east coast/Midwest.
I suspect I’ll turn into a pile of love struck mush when I make my way to Europe.
The colonial style houses on the east coast have stood the test of time, and have given me hours of visual stimulation. I ran 12 miles while in Ohio which was just enough to keep my legs loose, and just enough to soak in the surrounding sights.
Running is one of my favorite ways to explore.
Morning runs give fantastic views of the city.
I haven’t had a running partner in years, so it was a real treat to run with Meghan even if it was just once. Plus she picks things up on her runs too. I love looking around me while I run, but sometimes there is beauty to be found right underneath our feet.
PC Meghan.
Despite running on my own the remainder of my miles, I wasn’t really alone. Each day I was running in what felt like a squirrel sanctuary. Grey squirrels, BLACK squirrels, and unseen white squirrels. Those are like the unicorns of the squirrel world.
Who knew there was such a variety of colors, they were literally EvErYwhEreeEEe.
Check out his buddy in the background.
I tried to summon them to run behind me, like my own squirrel tribe, but they were more interested in the plethora of acorns on the ground. Maybe next time.
Catholic school.
The oldest stone house.
I think what I adore the most about these houses are the stones. There is something comforting and rustic about a house built from stone opposed to wood.
I find safety in the fact that the big bad wolf huffed and puffed all the live long day, but couldn’t blow down the stone house. Solid.
I loved the new to me surroundings, but I missed my PNW trees. This vase inside Meghan’s house made me feel fuzzy and warm.
I took a lot of mental and physical snap shots of my trip to Ohio, but I was convinced I was going to leave with no actual souvenirs (cinnamon rolls don’t count.) Then, as if those magical white squirrels waved their fluffy tails in an act of fate I found myself inside an outdoor shop where I found my souvenir.
I’ve been searching for new Vibrams for a long time, without any luck. Not only are these the EXACT same style I was running in, (which have been discontinued for years, leaving my soul empty and alone) but they were MY SIZE.
The best part? They were 1/4 the price I payed over six years ago for my last pair. It’s like running barefoot atop a giant cloud filled with sparkles and cupcakes. I shall now think of Ohio each time I slip these magical slippers on my feet, which makes these the best souvenir I’ve ever purchased for fun and functionality.
Even better than the bottle of tequila I brought back from Mexico when I was 17. I’ll have you know the bottle is STILL closed, but there was something thrilling about buying alcohol as a minor despite the trouble it brought me with my parents.
I’d bet they’d be shocked to know I never drank it. 😉
Q: How do you prefer to explore new areas?
Blissfulbritt 
45 thoughts on “Cleveland Streets and Souvenirs”
ArtTherapyGirl
What an enjoyable read! I have been pulled to start running so I’m looking for inspiration and this popped up the reader. I like to pick up things, too, and I love that you shared this. It seems feathers are my thing for the moment, as I keep finding them at my feet when I’m outdoors. So, I pick them up and I now have a collection of feathers that will be used in some of my little assemblages. 🙂
Brittany
I love the idea of making something with the feathers you find, how fun!
Jade
Those pictures are beautiful! Those buildings are so cool. I’m a sucker for stuff like that. I think I need to go there. But I would also miss the PNW trees. I miss the PNW trees now and I’m in the PNW. 😦 When I first moved to this town I would just go out and take walks around town for hours until I knew where everything was.
shellybartz
Great thoughts! Yay on the shoes ! I know what you mean about the stone houses… I’m infatuated with the old stone farm houses in PA… Such natural beauty! 🌻
SB
Diane @ Life of Di.
I love to explore on our vacations, too! We typically walk or bike – rarely in cars! You stumble upon so much more when you can take your time and not speed by 🙂
rkgummer
How exciting! I totally love running as a way to explore a city. It really does give you a unique perspective 🙂
http://www.skinnybelle.com/
pausesandclicks
It’s always great to get out and see new places and yes, should you ever get to Europe, you’ll never want to leave. Funny thing is, even though we have just as wonderful places here in the US it all seems so very much more intriguing, simply because it’s in Europe. 🙂 And I love that you found discontinued shoes and in your size! Makes you believe that you’ve been living a good life and karma did it’s job!
Brittany
I love the idea of karma paying me back, thanks for that! 🙂
fionajarrett
What a perfect looking house 🙂 I can’t decide which is better, the house, the squirrels or the vibrams. All great! Love the blue colour in the vibrams too. Happy running!
Kelsey
Those houses are all so amazing! I know if/when we look into buying a home, we’d love something like the house you shared above – we are loves of the character, the charm & the work that has to be done. =) Those new vibrams are GORGEOUS.
Bradley on the Run
Love love love these photos! And I also enjoy exploring via running – great way to see a new city!
allisonfiorini
My favorite part about running is what you see along the way. Especially the architecture! Beautiful pictures!
Pip {Cherries & Chisme}
Oh those squirrels!!! So ridiculously cute.
If you love stone buildings you HAVE to visit the Cotswolds in the UK, every time I pass through them I get excited, so beautiful 🙂
Brittany
I just Googled this, OH MY I MUST GO!
Appalachian Philosopher
I’m glad you enjoyed Ohio! I have lived in Ohio all of my life and I absolutely love it here. If you ever get a chance to come back you should visit all over the state. There are some great spots for running!
Brittany
I was fortunate to be able to see a few other towns, and even some winding back roads that I wished I was running on! Gorgeous state.
Leslie @ TriathleteTreats
I love exploring new cities by foot. Especially races because you can get the lay of the land and figure out where exactly you want to spend more time! Such a fun way to see a new place!!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
I’m still thrilled about your Vibram find. It was meant to be, unlike our trip to Amish country. I’m glad you loved the neighborhood as much as me. That makes me happy. You are of course welcome back any damn time.
Brittany
I’ll be taking you up on that, because I miss you like crazy. I miss Oscar too, and his dirty birdie blanket.
Amy
I am 100% the same way! I love exploring new places by running around, and I love love love brick and stone architecture. I don’t know why it makes me so happy… But it does. You’ll definitely love Europe, especially the castles and cathedrals!
Ellie
Of course I try the FOOD! 🙂 The best way to get to know a place 😉 Oh yea…sometimes I run too B-)
LWynalek
I loved seeing all your Cleveland food and running pics! I’m from there, so it’s like a little taste of home 🙂
Brittany
I love reading other peoples perspectives of Seattle, (my area) it always makes me warm and fuzzy.
Jane
This Cleveland is extremely different to the suburb of Cleveland we have here in Brisbane! Beautiful stone and brick architecture. I’m still trying to get a pair of your “toe” shoes. I’m so curious about them! Another interesting post. 🙂
Brittany
I sure hope you can get your paws on some toe shoes, I just adore them. 🙂
Emma @em-poweredwellness
Walking around a city is my favorite way to explore, I guess running would just be a sped-up version of that 🙂
An Unrefined Vegan
Running really is the best way to learn about a new place. Your photos are making me a little verklempt – but in a good way!
whostardis
i love walking to get around the city. the best way we explored boston was just walking rather than taking public transportation. if you havent been to eurpoe yet you will absolutely love the architecture! thats the great thing about Europe too you walk everywhere and see so many beautiful things. you dont even have to try really they are just everywhere!
Shawna
running is suuuuuch a fun/great way to explore new cities! i like biking around, too. i’m with you on being such a sucker for old architecture. your pix are gorgeousss as always!
Kat
That architecture is absolutely stunning! Now my new fixer upper house seems super inadequate to me. And I love that stone! I’m a sucker for unique aspects to houses. Living in LA has made me hate those cookie cutter track homes that all look a like!
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Running is an awesome way to explore, but one of these days I want to explore a city on a Vespa. It sounds like it’d be a good way to get around. And your obsession with old architecture sounds like what I have with decrepit old buildings/shacks/barns. I saw a bunch while driving up to the mountains this weekend, but no one would let me stop to take pics. Rude.
Brittany
YES!! I adore rundown barns in particular, there were plenty of lovely barns scattered around Ohio. Hopefully you get to see some! A Vespa would be a great way to explore, but it reminds me of the last time I went to Portland and saw people taking a tour on Segway’s. Can’t say that’s something I would want to do.
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Amy @ A Desert Girl
Your line about stone houses and the big bad wolf made me laugh! Smart. 🙂 I’m so glad that you found the shoes!! They were meant to be on your feet, for sure.
Jess @hellotofit
I’ve never been to Ohio – how fun, to explore! I LOOOOVE looking at homes: the architecture, design, inside, outside. All up in it, yo.
Rach @ This Italian Family
Ohio is such a fun spot! We went last fall during peak foliage season and it was GORGEOUS! If you like the colonial style houses, you’d love Memphis. That’s the majority of the style of homes here. Lots of stone and brick. 🙂
And I LOVE that you found the Vibrams! What an incredible find!
Brittany
I think I would also love Memphis because if I were there it would mean YOU were nearby. Must visit.
Heather
That squirrel is huge. Everything is beautiful and I wish I could’ve snuck away with you!
Lauren @ ihadabiglunch
When I traveled in Europe I always made a point to run around new cities. That’s the BEST way to see any new place. I’ll let you know that squirrels in the midwest are EVERYWHERE. On my college campus they aren’t even afraid of humans anymore so they would just chill next to you in packs…it was pretty scary. We even had some albino squirrels on campus. No joke….
I love tequila. That is all.
Brittany
THE MYSTICAL WHITE SQUIRREL! I need to see one of these before I die…
dave379
This is a great word picture story 🙂 I love exploring by way of running too.
stateeats
Do you not have tree rats in the PNW? Yes, they are everywhere here in the midwest the lil buggers.-Kat
Brittany
Tree rats!?!?! I don’t know what those are, but they sound horrifying. We don’t have any of those here…just regular rats. HA.
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