cbus in 2 days

Two dear friends.
One magical train ride.
72 hours.

Had a sleeper car.
Watched the world rush past.
The scenery melted from industrial, hard edges & loud, bright signs hawking things no one wants to buy to green trees & pastoral settings.

Crab cakes in the dining car with a couple named "Weez & Gordon" who'd been married for 45 years & have the same anniversary I'll have. 

Weez was blind & full of life. She met Gordon over burnt hot chocolate
He'd been her eyes ever since.

A top bunk & a few hours of much needed sleep. 

Arrived in Cleveland.

Rented a Jeep Patriot. 

Drove to Akron. 

Slept some more. 

Drove to Columbus--the back way:). 

Perfect spring weather.
Back in my old stomping grounds.
Not too much changed.
Jeni's ice cream in Columbus.
"Saffron Olive Oil Citrus & Caramel" + (my perennial fave) "Pistachio & Honey" in a waffle cone.

Shopping in the Short North.
Lunch at North Market.
A brief respite in Goodale Park.
Saw an old professor meandering down the street.
Walked High Street.

Turned down Lincoln.
Right at the first alley by the Mona Lisa mural.
Turn into the first brick parking lot.
There's our b&b.
Ducked under the lilacs & dogwood.
Made our way around the side of the house.
Punched in the door code.
Unloaded our luggage in a sun-drenched room complete with a fireplace.

German Village.
Cobblestone Streets.
Crepe Myrtle & all kinds of blooming tree scents.
A coffee fix at Cup O Joe.
Browsing at the Book Loft (32 rooms of books!)
Observed a rehearsal of "King Arthur" at Schiller Park's outdoor theater.
Ordered lobster nachos at MoJoe's (after seeing them whisked by us while ordering coffee).
Crispy wonton chips with a fresh salsa, lobster bits, & light delicious cheese.
Took lobster nachos back to b&b.
Enjoyed them under the twinkling string lights of our b&b's backyard in the balmy spring night while being entertained by another guest & his guitar.
Another day done.

Pastry strudels at Mozart's Piano Cafe in Clintonville.
Salzburg Chicken.
Potato & Portabello.
A little walk to Hayden Falls.
A drive on Riverside.

Back to campus.
Senior art show.
Seeing an old friend.
Not being too sad that I wasn't there to graduate.
Buying my first original artwork.

Dinner made by another dear friend (I've got the best!)
Wednesday church.
Seeing my "people".
Another trip to Jeni's (Browned Butter Almond Brittle + Double Toasted Coconut)
Drove back to Cleveland.
Train was delayed.
Caught a few winks in the train station.
One more train ride to Union Station.
Saying goodbye.
CTA card expired...the day before, so begged $2 off a safe-looking girl.
Thanked God.
Took the CTA to Midway.
Flying to SoCal.
Back in Ramona.