Jul1

Rey Road Rip, part 3

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Rey Road Rip, part 3

The last leg of our journey was to my sister’s house near Cleveland. Once again, all the nearby relatives descended. We made Hungarian kielbasa from my grandfather’s meat grinder and sausage press–intestinal casings and all. If this grosses you out, please scroll quickly.

My kids took turns cranking the meat grinder. I’ll spare you the pic of my brother holding up the white, ropy casings.

Just outside the garage, my dad set up the smoker his dad had made to complete the first stage of cooking, but then… the rain came.

I took a half step outside, and in two seconds, one side of my body was drenched in cold, fat rain drops. “Nope,” I said. My kids and their cousins, however, ran several laps around the house, laughing and screaming.

Foreground: the roof of the smoker becoming a soaker. Nevertheless, the finished product was delicious. I’m sorry I neglected to get a picture of the sausage. I was too busy eating it, I guess.

When there’s a lot of rain, like we experienced, there’s a kick-butt waterfall.

The next day, we went to Brandywine Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

I learned of this newer park from blogger Bijioux, whom I met my last trip back home, but who was “out of town” this time. (I kid, B!) If I hadn’t already met her, it would’ve been awesome to meet four blog buddies in four states in four days, but alas.

My kids and their cousins got along amazingly.

The ones closest in age naturally gravitated toward each other. The weather for this hike was absolutely perfect.

My sister hosted 10 children in her home! Hubby and I crashed at a hotel, which had this amusing sign.

I wasn’t tempted by anything Quality Inn had to offer, but is this standard practice now?

Since the next day was rain-free, my big brother brought his Shelby GT500. (“It does not get rained on,” he told me.)

When I got in the backseat of the convertible, my sister-in-law handed back a hair tie, which cracked me up. Not that it did me a lot of good.

He cranked some 80s metal he referred to as “his racing song” as he strove to beat our sister to our destination. He won, though I considered it a toss-up since both my siblings drive like bats out of hell. Sister talked about her husband getting upset over the number of times he needed to get her brakes replaced. Her response: “The car works for me.”

We went to a place called Scene 75, which is like Dave and Busters. It was noisy, chaotic, and probably dangerous for epileptics. Once I got over the sensory overload, I played “black light mini golf” with Hubby, Brother, and Sister-in-law.

Not my photo. I didn’t take any, and the colors were not this vivid, but you get the idea.

We couldn’t find the score cards but didn’t care. I wasn’t in the mood for mini golf, but wanted the new experience, so I’m glad we all took it casually. For instance, one hole had a bridge that if you hit it over the center, you’d be right in line with the hole. Of course, from the starting position, the angle for the bridge was impossible. So I put my ball in front of the bridge, took my shot, and got a hole in one. They laughed. It’s great playing with people who aren’t competitive. Someone’s eye is twitching reading this, though, I’m sure.

Next we walked past my children on the way to the motorcycle game. When I told them of my plan, their faces darkened. “It’s really hard,” they said. “Be sure you lean.”

“Okay. Thanks for the tip,” I said as I headed for my Ducati. The game started, and I immediately ran into the wall directly to my right. Not even sure how that happened. Too much lean?

By the time I was finally getting the hang of it, I only had a half lap left. Then I slammed into the cement wall holding up the finish line banner and slid across the line to come in 13th. 😛 To me, that was a perfect way to finish. Someone else got 16th, so it could’ve been worse.

Then my sister wanted to bowl, so we wandered into this unique alley where the balls are smaller and don’t have holes. They were like morbidly obese cricket balls.

To me, the way to bowl was obvious. Without finger holes, I rolled it by swinging it, two-handed, between my legs. Of course my siblings laughed, until I got a strike, and another, and a few more, plus a spare. “We can’t let this Californian beat us,” my sister said. But I did, (two) handily.

Next came laser tag, for which we formed two groups of seven, with all the girl cousins in one group, leaving me with all the guys, including some random teenager who apparently hangs out to play laser tag. One of the girls said, “Sorry you have to be with all the boys.” Little did she know that was my comfort zone.

My beloved daughter shot me point blank twice after we ran into each other unexpectedly and shrieked in alarm. I shot her too. (The family that shoots together…) Turns out, the hang-around teen was a ringer. With him, we won easily, and I was proud, I guess, that I came in third.

By the end of the night, we had accumulated 14,000 points to use in the shop. One daughter got fairy lights for her room.

I got this cute little desk vacuum.

What should I name him?

The next day we went house hunting. Here’s what we found.

This might do. But only 65 rooms?
More angles, please, before I make my decision.
A rounded tower with turrets? Good, good, checking more boxes. Next let’s see how I feel about the interior.
Stained glass, candles, ornate stair railings, okay. I also appreciate how that window opens.
Oh good! I was afraid there wouldn’t be a polar bear rug!
Those chairs aren’t exactly La-Z-Boys, but I guess they’ll do, so long as I can still see the flat screen TV–once I find it.
No home is complete without tapestries, portraits of long-dead people, and a harp.
A stage for the stringed ensemble to perform while my guests enjoy their cocktails and caviar.
This shall be my new writing room, if I don’t get lost staring at the ceiling, which matches the pattern on the underside of the lamp.
Looks just like my last
cell phone!
A library with an actual hidden passageway? Sold!

But what of the 70-acre grounds?

Oh good. Pompom flowers are a must.
Excellent. I prefer my yards with waterfalls and ponds.
This water nymph may be taking the idea of a reflecting pool a bit too seriously.
My son thought his new friend might be chilly so he’s lending his cap.
Outdoor seating for lunch on another glorious day. You may pull your carriage through the opening there.
Fancy a walk along the birch tree lane? Why thank you, I shall.
A rounded bridge over a stream–another box checked.
In case I wish to move my concerts outdoors.
More turrets from which to make proclamations. Excellent.

I think we’ll take it!

Yes, I suppose it will do, Daughter decides, so long as the gardeners replace these obscene potted plants with something more floral and festive posthaste.
My son tossing his reclaimed cap in exultation.

This was Stan Hywet Hall near Akron, Ohio. I remembered a field trip from my childhood and wanted my kids to experience this place too. It was built around 1915 by the guy who founded Goodyear Tires.

Later, returning to reality, Hubby and I had dinner with friends we hadn’t seen in 12 years. Another night, more friends drove up from Pittsburgh.

Finally, I made a point to let my Ana from Wish I Was Here visit her hometown of Hinckley near where I grew up.

My sister only had an old cover copy at her house, but that seemed appropriate so Ana could see that I brought her home. (Anyone who doesn’t think book characters are real people clearly isn’t an author.)
I mentioned the buzzard migration in my book, so when my sister told me about this mural, I knew it was a perfect spot for a photo opp.

Now we’re all home again, and I’m back to writing and figuring out where Ana and the gang will wind up next.

Thank you for reading our fun family adventures!

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45 responses »

  3. It looks like it was a really nice part of the journey for you and your family, Ilsa. I’m sure glad that you posted it. Now that you’re home, you can get back to your normal enjoyment of life with its challenges.

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  7. Looks like a great trip… messy convertible hair aside…but please let us know when you buy the Goodyear house so we can start planning the blog buddy reunion party.
    PS …. I totally want that funky old phone.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Wouldn’t that be so amazing for one of us to be filthy stinking rich and host a big ol’ blog party? Oh, I would love that!

      The phone was super modern for its time. Also, one little phone room had TWO phones because there were two phone companies at the time. Your friends could be attached to one or the other, so you needed a phone for both.

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  9. What an epic trip! It was fun to follow along (and experience a small portion in person). How fun that Ana was able to return to her roots.

    I might point out that MarTar Manor has waterfalls and ponds, as well as those pom-pom plants, as you call them. All that’s missing is 62 rooms and 69.2 acres.

    Your desk buddy looks like a Vernon to me.

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    • So that’s one vote for Vernon!

      When you acquire 62 more rooms and 69.2 more acres, let us know. Rivergirl has her bags packed for a blog buddy reunion/meet-union. Just guard your old phones.

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  10. Way too many things here to comment on–I’ll just do a few. The Quality Inn sign–I actually like the idea. I hope it stops people from stealing! The Shelby GT500–oh that is beautiful!!!! The Best Dad Ever–I have wondered for a long time who that was. Now I know!

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  11. This is a beautiful roadtrip, Betsy. And to get to catch up with your family – over delicious sausage! – and to also see the next generation spend time having fun together is a blessing!

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    • I think the highlight of the trip was seeing how much fun my kids had with their cousins. It was a real blessing. My sister said her kids cried on the way home from dropping us off at the airport. 😦

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  14. i had a friend from hinckley and remember they have a giant buzzard every year. this sounds like you had another great adventure, it seems to happen wherever you are and that’s not a coincidence )

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  15. I remember my parents took me to a home their friend was in the process of building. I took the tour in silence, and when I was finally asked what I thought, the only thing I could say was, “You didn’t put in any secret panels?”

    Everyone looked at me like I’d asked the most ridiculous question imaginable, but I just shrugged.

    “Well, I would have,” was the only thing I could think to say.

    Liked by 2 people

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  18. Was going to ask for the name of that stunning mansion but you were kind enough to provide it right there at the end. Nope, never heard of (or studied) Stan Hywet Hall but then again, I don’t get to Cleveland much (or ever). The comment about the Shelby never getting rained on is surely something my Ferrari brother would appreciate. And your own comment about “(two) handily”… I see what you did there, Ilsa. N-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-c-e!

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  20. Well, I’m back (briefly) and I love everything about this post!!! I’m glad you went to see our famous falls and isn’t Stan Hywet the best? I remember going with Girl Scouts and my dad sometimes told the story (when my mom wasn’t around) of the time he and his friends ‘broke in’ to the mansion! LOL – those crazy kids in the 50’s!

    My husband is from Hinckley, so I recognize Foster’s. If I would have been home, I’d have recommended going to Coco Cafe in Hinckley. XO

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