My [miss]Adventures in the Midwest Part Two

Cleveland [click on pictures to enlarge]

We didn't get as early a start as we wanted,  so as Jenn and I got ready Adam drove Audrey to her mothers. When he returned we piled in the car and I got a daytime tour of Cleveland. It didn't seem like a big city to me, very manageable in fact. I am most familiar with Boston with its crowded narrow and winding streets. The two midwest cities I have been are wide open, straight and sensible. In Boston's defense it is much older and half built on a land fill.

Arriving at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame we could hear the music as we got out of the car. It is an interesting building to say the least. It looked smaller than I imagined but it is deceiving and is very spacious inside. Unfortunately no picture taking is allowed inside but believe me when I say it is filled with more memorabilia than you can imagine.

The displays are laid out in a mostly chronological order, starting with the early origins of rock and roll and continuing to the present. It is also laid out in a manner that it is hard to miss any of the displays. Everything is explained in well placed placards. My favorites were displays of bands I had seen in concerts.  I would point to someone, for example David Bowie, and say I saw him in 1977 and Adam would say "I wasn't born yet". This happened more times than I care to mention...funny guy Adam. :-)

We were surprised how short and small a lot of the artists were. Clothing and guitars definitely were the main artifacts. I found the hand written notes of songs and music very interesting and insightful.  There were also cars and motorcycles of many of the musicians.

We didn't have time to see everything and I am planning a trip back, hopefully this summer, to see the rest. As a music lover it is a must see.

Lunch was next and we headed to The Greenhouse Tavern, a top 10 best new restaurant of 2009 in Bon Appetit magazine. It is a "green" restaurant using reclaimed wood in its construction and fresh in season ingredients. My French Dip sandwich was well chosen and delicious.

Check out all the different draft beers at the bar.

My whirlwind visit, cut a day short by mother nature, was now over and it was off to the airport. Hugs all around and onto the only plane that left when it was scheduled.

 

Audrey 

Audrey and Addison

I must say Adam and Jenn were consummate hosts and their children Audrey and Addison are just delightful and adorable. I miss the little ones, it is nice to be around kids that don't talk back. 

 

Jenn, Addison and Adam

Part Three, do I make it to Indiana, will be Wednesday or Thursday.