It’s no secret I love being surrounded by trees. One of my favorite things about hiking is standing tall atop a mountain and admiring the world below me.
A trip to The Holden Arboretum offered a hike like view, but with 1/20 the effort.
120 ft into the sky, the emergent tower offered fantastic views of the trees.
Up. up, up.
Purdy little lady!
I could have stared at those trees for hours.
Even the bogs were pretty. So long as you don’t slather a Petri dish with its innards.
I was able to explore the downtown Cleveland scene a few days after this country adventure, and the contrast between country and city life continues to fascinate me.
I will always adore the beauty of unique buildings, and even admire the hustle and bustle of city life, but my heart will forever belong to the quite nature of the trees where time seems to stand still. It’s a much simpler life if you ask me.
Royalty.
I always enjoy seeing both the city and the country while visiting new places. I find it gives a solid balance of perspective, and it always confirms my love of nature.
I’d like to experience the city life for a short time, but I don’t see myself living somewhere large for longer than a year. I much prefer the slow and quite life of the suburbs. Something tells me my running pants and socks with sandals wouldn’t fit in with the business suits and BMW’s of the city. 😉
Q: Do you prefer country or city life?
Blissfulbritt 
53 thoughts on “Outdoor Ohio”
Amy @ A Desert Girl
What gorgeous views. I would get dizzy going up and down those stairs!
I can appreciate both city and country life, having lived in both. Ultimately I think I prefer small city living. 🙂
Jane Likes to Run
That view was amazing. I probably would have been too terrified to climb up into that tower, though. I appreciate both country and city life. I could honestly see myself being comfortable in either. Although, I know I want to live in the country later in life.
whostardis
I like suburb life. City is too busy and country is too slow. That tower you climbed looks awesome and scary at the same time! Great view though, I always love being rewarded like that for a long climb up 🙂
pausesandclicks
I agree! Life is just easier in a smaller town….says the person who just moved from Omaha to the suburbs outside Washington DC. It’s a good thing my house is in the woods because everywhere else it’s all about the traffic.
John Kraft
Oh, I am absolutely loving your Ohio postings. I was born in Cleveland, left town, then came back for college and another ten years before moving west. I loved going to the arboretum and I used to go to the Arcade for lunch – just to enjoy the beauty of the structure.
For a few years a friend of mine staged lunchtime acoustic musical performances inside the Arcade – called “Eine Kleine Noon Music.” I hope that they still do something like that.
I look forward to more of your posts.
John Kraft
Brittany
That Arcade was just stunning! I loved it, and I’m so glad you’re able to walk down memory lane with these posts. Thanks for reading! 🙂
allisonfiorini
What a cool place to visit!! You always find the coolest stuff to post about. I might be driving through Ohio on my next road trip. This is on my list!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
I have no idea how you managed to make me look less sweaty, but kudos to you. I was practically dripping by the time we got to top of that tower. Also, we had the best photo bomb ever on that trip.
I’m a city girl at heart, but I will visit you in the country any day of the week and twice on Tuesday.
Brittany
I just laughed out loud at the thought of that photo bomb kid, he was the best one I’ve seen yet. I find something amazing about the ability to zoom in on things that are funny and his closer and closer photo bomb was the best.
You look simply radiant in this photo, one would even say you’re glowing. 😉
briana1010
I’m a city girl myself. I like being surrounded by noise and people who aren’t friendly (yes, that sounds really weird). However, I think that allows me to appreciate nature more when I am in it. If I’m in it for too long, I start to resent the bugs and the quiet, etc. but I can appreciate its beauty and charms since I spend most of my time in the city.
Brittany
I actually totally get the idea of being around people that aren’t friendly, but maybe more so around people that aren’t ones to talk to me. I love being in large crowds, but not saying anything to anyone. It’s odd, but I dig it. 🙂
Musings
I want to live slowly in the city. I fully believe it’s possible, and as an introvert, I’ll make sure to find a balance!
evozeta
I’m totally with you on all of it!! I prefer working in the city but living a little outside. And I absolutely love trees – I enjoy discovering new trees in new areas. When I moved to Texas I was so intrigued with all the “new” trees I didn’t know from Switzerland. By now I do miss the change of colors of the Alpine mountain forests, though.
Brittany
It’s funny how we all lust over things we don’t have. I would die to see the mountains of Switzerland and think that living there would be absolutely magical!! I love my PNW trees, but adore the hills of the mountains just as much.
evozeta
You’re right, Switzerland is a magical place to live and the longer I’m away the more homesick I get. No wonder that back in the days of Napoleon they called homesickness the “Swiss illness”.
But then there’s so many fascinating things to see here that I can certainly handle to he away for a little while longer 😉
Shawna
these pictures are so pretty! gahhh city vs country is the battle of my life, as i am half and half. i grew up upstate in a more rural setting, but i obviously love my NYC life — so long as i can still get upstate regularly and be outdoors. i need my nature!
familyrulesbyplainjane
City, I think. But I change my mind a lot.
Brittany
Rightfully so, I do too.
Ellie
I actually kind of like the city…but small city. I live in a smallish city and it’s great. There is enough stuff to do, places to walk to and people so you don’t feel as alone as the country (where everything worth doing takes driving). I am also surrounded by gorges and trails for hiking and running which is a great escape from the bustle. I did just visit DC and really enjoyed that experience. I imagine is gets much busier on weekdays, but I could see myself living there some day…some day… 🙂
Becster
Oh wow this looks just like such an amazing place! I’m lucky enough to live on the edge of a small town and being a stone’s throw from the sea and mountains. Definitely prefer country living!
Jane
I enjoy the benefits of easy access to resources in the city but need my hiking escapes. It’s great to have a balance. I always enjoy your cheerful and interesting posts, Brittany. Love that smile. 🙂
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
What an amazing view! That is like the ultimate tree house!
Diane @ Life of Di.
Wow! Stunning views. Marty and I may have to take a trip up to that area to check this out. It seems like it’d be worth it. Maybe stop for breakfast or dinner in Cleveland before or after! 🙂
Brittany
You should! The Arboretum has MILES of trails to explore, the emergent tower and canopy walk are new additions. Then you could go to some of the Cleveland eats places I shared. 😉
Luv What You Do
I think city life with easy country access is the best of both worlds. Right now I’m stuck in suburbia and it’s the worst!
Rebecca@RunningFoodBaby
Amazing pictures!
I think I prefer the city life – I like the lights, sounds and having everything close. Of course, we are thinking about moving to the country…..so…. 😀
Jade
That view is beautiful! I love city life, but I like being close to the outdoors, which is why I love the Seattle area. So much in not a huge space!
Jess @hellotofit
Great view!! I don’t think I can do city life, but I don’t think I can be out in the country, either. Suburbia? Or “urban living”: ‘suburbs’ of the city?
Rach @ This Italian Family
We visited Ohio last year right in the peak of fall and the trees were GORGEOUS! It was such a riot of color. I loved it!
I could easily live in a big city again, but I would have a hard time having a pet while in the city. I love that Oreo has so much space to run around in our back yard here. I think I could do small town or country life if I really had to. And if I had REALLY good friends that I lived close to. But the idea of driving forever just to go to Starbucks or Target is kind of a no for me. Memphis is pretty perfect in size. All the positives of city life, but we’re able to live in a neighborhood with a little bit of our own space. 🙂 I think all in all, I’m actually meant for beach life, though. Small town or city. I’d live just about anywhere to live close to a gorgeous beach and to have sunshine year round. 😉
Brittany
I must visit Memphis!
Miss May
I climbed a tower similar to that when I was in Prague, Czech Republic. The view was amazing. Thanks for sharing the pictures!
Hayley
So so gorgeous. I 100% prefer country life…not a city fan. I need open spaces and nature nearby!!
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Now that’s just gorgeous, and I’m 100% with you on preferring life outside the city. I feel like being in a crowded city suffocates my spirit, whereas being out in nature makes it really come alive. I like what you said about the city confirming your love of the country though. I’ve never really thought out that, but it really does make me appreciate it more as well.
An Unrefined Vegan
I’m really enjoying your photos and thoughts on Ohio. You two really packed in so much!
I love country and city, but I need one to enjoy and appreciate the other.
Atheria
Great pictures! I have realized I need both urban/city and nature…although nature is becoming more dominant. I was actually diagnosed with a “nature deficiency” years ago when living surrounded by concrete in Los Angeles. It was weird because I’d kept verbalizing (without realizing that I was actually tuning into my body) that I felt starved for nature. Then, while visiting Santa Fe, I went to a holistic doctor in the woods of Tesuque and he did muscle testing on me (and some other things). He suddenly stopped and said, “Your body is saying it’s nature deficient!” Both trees and mountains are mandatory for me. I could never live in a place without mountains.
Brittany
Agreed!! How interesting about the naturopath experience, I love it.
wwwpalfitness
Reblogged this on wwwpalfitness.
Christina Does It All
Lovely! I like the in between of city/country. I’m about a 20 minute drive from both and I think that’s perfect for me because decisions are hard. 😉
Melanie
Oh my word, that place is ahhhhhmazing!!! I would LOVE to go there! I’m definitely a city girl, NYC is one of my favorite places in all the world, but I also LOVE the simplicity of the country too! I’m just glad we have so many different beautiful places in the world to explore and experience!
robertmgoldstein
such beautiful shots.
Brittany
Thank you! 🙂
Lucie (@theglowwithin)
Absolutely breathtaking views! I live in Brighton (which is aptly named “london by the sea”) a cross of the sea and city which means Im spoiled with both 😉
Brittany
Just the name Brighton sounds so lovely. I would love to visit this London by the sea.
stateeats
Beautiful shots! You make Cleveland look sexy! -Kat
Amy
That last picture… I was there!! Umm, only 8 years ago… 😉 My dad and I drove through much of the Great Lakes region for a baseball trip, and Cleveland was our last stop. I think we actually stayed in a hotel that was a part of that humongous building! But anyway, I love your nature photos. It makes me wish that my state wasn’t in a drought so we could actually see some gorgeous greenery!
Brittany
How awesome! It really was such a gorgeous building inside and out!
Kayse
This looks like an amazing adventure! Not sure if I could make it up to the top of the tower without someone holding my hand, though. Downtown Cleveland looks neat, too! As for me, toooootaaallyy a country life gal. Which I think you know 🙂
Josh dV
There are unique benefits to both but I would much prefer to visit the city and live way beyond the suburbs, real country life. The dream is to work from home and live out in the mountains and only head into the city when I want to not because I have to. Somewhere I can lace up my shoes and run out my door (front or back it doesn’t matter) and hit miles and miles of trail.
The city is beautiful and has a lot to offer but I will take what works and leave the rest.
Tania Griffis
Had no idea that was in Ohio, I need to visit! 🙂
katalysthealth
Oh my goodness this is absolutely beautiful! What an amazing place to visit.
BabetaRuns
I spend five days in Sweden last week. OMG! The trees, the lakes, the nature!
For everyone who loves to be with trees it should be obligatory to go and visit Sweden!
Lauren Rice (@heyricecake)
All I can think about is the Swiss Family Robinson. Looks like such a fun climb and amazing view!
Lucie (@theglowwithin)
What an absolutely tragic story of maria….I followed a similar story of a girl called Christi Thomas for years who had an incurable childhood cancer (neuroblastoma) and its just incredible the kind of hope these families have and the differences they make in their own lives and the lives of others becomes of the loss of their children. The sunflowers are so fitting!