A Whole Lotta Local

July is almost over (already?!), but we have been having a great time. The softball season ended with our team winning four out of our last five games, then dropping to the first place team in the first game of the playoffs. We had so much fun, we decided we're going to play Fall Ball, too. Why not, right??

I know I always write about the weather, but it has been so insane this year that it's hard not to. We had the snowiest February, the rainiest and coldest April and May, and now the hottest July. I love the heat, so I'm not complaining... then again, I'm lucky to have air conditioning to cool me off when it's hovering around 100 degrees... which it has for the past eight days straight. We're spending a lot of time at the pool and in the shade, and while some people are not happy with the heat, I am still remembering that it was SNOWING two months ago!

As far as adventures and travels, we have stuck around Ohio this month, but we have been busy. We spent the 4th of July up on Lake Erie at the family sailboat in Marblehead Lakeside. We kayaked around, sat at the marina, and enjoyed the lovely summer weather. Later that weekend, we set off fireworks at my in-laws and hung out with my parents and my husband's family. Always a good time.

Outside of Progressive Field, Cleveland.

The following weekend was my husband's 28th birthday as well as his cousin's wedding, so we spent three days and two nights in Downtown Cleveland celebrating. We walked around East 4th (our favorite street in Cleveland), enjoying the food and drinks at Flannery's and 4th Street Grill. We strolled over to Progressive Field to get some Indians gear, and then partied into the wee hours at the Marriott for our cousin's wedding. It was a blast! That Sunday, I went to the Indian's game, sporting my newly-purchased Tribe hat, with three of my friends. It was so hot (97 degrees) that we opted to sit under the shade instead of in our excellent seats in right field. Even though we didn't win, we had a great time... Progressive Field is truly an awesome park, and one of my favorite places in Cleveland.

Last weekend my husband, our friend and I hopped on our bicycles in Downtown Akron and rode the towpath 21 miles through gorgeous scenery to the Brecksville Reservation. I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is just so damn beautiful it nearly makes me cry every time I see a new portion of it. Having never been to the southernmost part of the park, I was once again taken aback that this kind of forestry and beauty is actually in Ohio. It literally takes your breath away, and I rode all 21 of those miles in the oppressive heat with a huge smile on my face. I think it's therapeutic, truly. Even after we were done with our epic ride, we decided to keep exploring, and took a hike around Virginia Kendell to cap off the day. It was absolutely perfect. Nothing beats the C-Val!

Now the month is winding down, and we're still taking advantage of the weather by laying by the pool, taking walks and jogs, cooking out, and spending as much time outside as we can. My nephew's birthday party is tonight and we're looking forward to spending time with my family and celebrating. Next month we are venturing out to Boston, Cape Cod, and possibly NYC, so we're very excited about that! Until then... enjoy this gorgeous summer!