Tag: Cleveland

• Road Trippin

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on June 30, 2016

  I often tell people I’m a terrible road trip partner. I shift around a lot, I drink a lot of water, and I get restless easily equating to multiple stops along the way. Or maybe I’m a great road trip partner because I like making stops and seeing things I otherwise wouldn’t see.

  

  Last Wednesday I flew to Detroit for a road trip adventure with my pirate friend Lily. Our destination was New York for a wedding, but we left a few days early for some explorations. Originally the plan was to visit Niagara Falls on the Canadian side, but I dropped the ball as if it were a rhino corpse when I noticed my passport expired.

  The day before my trip. 

  

  Two tangled haired gypsies barefoot on the beach

  I choose my friends well these days and although it was a huge bummer, Lily had such grace about the situation and we quickly changed gears. Come to find out I could have gotten into Canada with my birth certificate, but I don’t want to talk about it.

  Insert hands over eyes face here.

  Instead we would stay a night in Erie, PA and explore Presque Isle State Park, with a pit stop in Cleveland for lunch with Meghan. What a lovely last minute surprise that was. Seeing Meghan was well worth the $250 spent on a Canadian hotel I never slept in.

  

  Cleveland has amazing vegan options.

  The state park is surrounded by Lake Erie giving miles and miles of beach to walk. We first tried walking through the woods because I naturally gravitate towards the trees, but the flies were so bad I began to question when the last time I had showered was.

  

  I’m not much of a beach person, but I did enjoy getting sand between my toes.

  

  

  

  It’s been a while since I rose early without work being the driving force for my alarm. The beauty of vacation is that you can stop to smell the roses, or rise early to catch the sunrise. Click here to watch my first time lapse of the sunrise.

  

  

  Post sunrise morning walk.

  While it was a big fat bummer we couldn’t go through Canada land, our plan B turned out to be a wonderful first stop on our adventures north. Pennsylvania was also the only place I found a co-op with vegan options galore. Needles to say I stocked up on treats and meals.

  

  Somehow I saved this chocolate chip cookie for the plane ride home. Three days later.

  Things don’t always go as planned, and sometimes we have brain farts loud enough to shake the sea. Some things end up out of our control, but our emotions and reactions are two things that remain ours to choose.

  

  Take it from me, choose a relaxed mind, an adventurous spirit, and a slippery shoulder to let unexpected detours slip right off into the past.

  Q: How do you deal with abrupt changes in plans?

  

  | 54 Comments Tagged Beach, Cleveland, Explore, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vacation, Vegan

• Outdoor Ohio

  Posted at 9:20 AM by Brittany, on October 7, 2015

  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?

  

  | 53 Comments Tagged Cleveland, Explore, Hike, Nature, Ohio, Vacation

• Cleveland Streets and Souvenirs

  Posted at 10:20 AM by Brittany, on September 26, 2015

  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?

  

  | 45 Comments Tagged Architecture, Cleveland, Explore, Ohio, Running, Vacation, Vibram

• Cleveland Eats

  Posted at 7:35 AM by Brittany, on September 23, 2015

  I discovered a new hashtag last week, which led me to conclude that if you put the word “eats” after any large city you’ll find photo after photo of delicious looking food.

  I also discovered #SeattleEats is amazing and I’ve been missing out. For this post though, all attention goes towards Cleveland and all my delicious eats.

  

  Cleveland Vegan decor.

  It should come as no surprise that one of the highlights of my trip to Ohio (second of course to the wonderful company I had) was all my exploration through food.

  I was fortunate enough to try a handful of new to me eateries, which is naturally the first thing I’m posting about. Food is life after all.

  

  

  “Beet” still my heart.

  First up to bat is this quinoa, beet, and sunflower seed burger from Cleveland Vegan. It knocked my socks clear into next week. The food was fresh and full of flavor, the staff was friendly and fun, and the decorations were absolutely adorable.

  

  Young love in a sea of plants.

  Root vegetables everywhere just like the carrot shown above.

  

  This place was so legit I had to go twice. Once for “real food” and once for “the best food.” Also known as dessert. Also known and my life force.

  Also known as triple chocolate cupcakes.

  

  Sigh.

  Cleveland Vegan wasn’t the only place with too legit to quit desserts, oohhh no. I made my rounds to a cafe down the way for brunch with a side of sugar.

  I’d love to give a hug to the person that coined the term brunch. It’s fantastic, and when I participate in the event known as brunch I feel fancy.

  

  The Root Cafe was fully equipped with bearded men, fair trade coffee, and vegan food that filled my soul with rainbows and kitten whiskers.

  

  Breakfast burrito packed with sweet taters, beans, broccoli, and enchilada sauce.

  The inner vibe was equally fantastic.

  

  

  

  My lovely brunch date.

  

  Oreo like cookie.

  If that Oreo like cookie wasn’t enough to bring me back to Ohio, the vegan mac and cheese from Forage Public House is. I’ll be recreating this masterpiece VERY soon.

  

  

  I also got a salad. I think that counts as balance.

  

  Last, but most CERTAINLY not least was the vegan cinnamon roll I obtained from Natures Bin – “a non-profit organization whose mission is to help people with disabilities develop skills and confidence leading to sustainable employment.”

  There is so much yes about that mission statement.

  

  

  I needed a moment of silence while eating this roll.

  I ate so much more than this while on the other side of the US, but these were the highlights. All of these places had a common theme – sourcing local and organically grown produce for a true farm to table meal. It’s no wonder I loved the food so much.

  Still to come are my adventures in Amish Country, my trip to an apple orchard, wandering through sunflowers, riding trolleys downtown, and pretending to be Tarzan in a forest filled with trees. Until next time.

  Q: Do you eat the same when you’re on vacation as you do in everyday life? 80% yes, 20% treats.

  

  | 65 Comments Tagged Cleveland, Cupcake, Dessert, Ohio, Vacation, Vegan

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• Contact: blissfulbritt@yahoo.com

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