The best part about blogging is the friends you make.
Some of my “real life” best friends are bloggers.
This weekend I got to see two of them – Lucie and Meghan! Lucie was making a pit stop at Meghan’s on her way back to Switzerland, so I decided to hop over to Cleveland to crash that party.
Really I just wanted to meet this munchkin:
We had just as much fun as you might imagine. On night one, we had watermelon mojitos (which I some how managed to miss taking a picture of) and an awesome salad bar a la Meghan.
Somehow we managed not to completely terrify Meghan’s husband, who generously shared his beer and laughed at my incessant inappropriate jokes.
Thursday morning we woke up slowly, taking our time to acclimate to the time differences while drinking coffee, doing a little work, and playing with Ave. My two friends had an awesome time making fun of how much I loved the baby.
Then Lucie managed to drag my ass out the door* for a run followed by a quick weight session in the yard.
*Seriously. I was annoying her with my slow-moving morning ways. Sorry Luce…
Post-run we got a tour of downtown Cleveland from Meghan. I had no idea it was such a cool city! They have a ton of great food and craft cocktails. We paused at Greenhouse Tavern for some sustenance.
Let’s be honest… this is really all I require in life.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJ01uMlgoJR/
I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention the giant neon snails.
Naturally that required a photo shoot.
After our outing, we stayed in for the ending and made pizza. Meghan left her husband and me in charge. Not sure what she was thinking.
These pies were pretty good, if I may say so. Both had red sauce, provolone and mozzarella cheeses, asparagus, chickpeas, greens, and artichokes. The vegetarian pie included olives and blue cheese. The meat eaters had pepperoni and feta on ours.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJ1e3BZg2V4/
The next day I woke up pretty excited to go running. Meghan said I could take Ave for a run! It turned into a very slow jog, but whatever. She was incredibly cute and we talked the whole time. Well, I rambled on and she cooed adoringly. Why can’t all conversations be like that?
Despite our fun, she got hungry and I got antsy. I dropped her off after about 40 minutes to eat and took off for another 3 miles at a faster pace.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJ3MDZxAfUs/
After a quick shower, we were off for our next adventure. A drink, lunch and Lucie’s next tattoo! I somehow always have the privilege of being around for her tattoo adventures. I think I’ve only missed one of the last 4 sessions… it’s going to be time for one of my own soon!
There was a necessary pit stop at the Cleveland sign. It does rock.
Post-tattoo, we headed back to get dressed for dinner… after a pit stop to do a wine tasting. These really are my people.
Our paparazzi (Meg’s saintly husband) took some lovely pictures of us all cleaned up.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJ3_fsBgcns
As a thank you, we allowed the husband to escort us to dinner. Thereby helping him look like a total pimp.
Dinner was at a place I’ve drooled over on Meg’s blog, Forge Public House. We started with Devils on Horseback which consisted of house crafted chorizo, house maple syrup cured pork belly, medjool dates, emulsion verde, sriracha, mirco greens, garlic chives. There was also a skillet of vegan mac ‘n cheese. Yes, we’re a walking contradiction.
I inadvertently deleted that picture… so on to entrees…
I chose a roasted salmon, which was cooked to a perfect medium temperature. It was served with artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, smashed potatoes, baby frisée chicory, and preserved lemon emulsion. Plus more tasty beverages.
I benevolently donated my ‘taters to Meghan. Blech.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJ4F_DfAogy/
Then dessert… OMG. A layered s’mores treat – graham crumbs, Belgian chocolate, marshmallow crema.
This was Lucie’s first s’more experience. If it couldn’t be the legit roasting marshmallows over an open fire, this was a good stand-in!
And then it was time to leave. I swiped extra granola from our hostess with the mostest.
This tub was full on Wednesday. That’s how good it is.
Then had a photoshoot with the monkies. Both the stuffed Padre and the baby. Not going to lie, I was a little sad to leave her.
She wouldn’t fit in my luggage.
So how’s that for a marvelous photo dump? At least I kept it under 1000 words….
[Tweet “Three Friends and a Baby unleash on #Cleveland! #fitfluential”]
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I get to see Lucie again in 3 weeks when Vegas and I pop over to Italy!
Have you met any of your best friends in unlikely paces?
Has a random travel destination ever surprised you by how cool it is? I had no idea how nice Cleveland was!
I have to say the friends made through this crazy online blogging world are some of my best friends…strange how that happens but I love it…I’ve yet to meet many in person, but this fall I’m going to a blog retreat and will meet many of my FAVES!! And yep the midwest rocks! I’m only about 2 hours from Cleveland!
It is strange! But then you think of online dating and how many people meet that way… it’s kind of the same…
Aw, so much fun. I kind of want those giant colorful statue things in my life. Do you think Zoe would care? And look at you with a kiddo…. WINK
Shut yo’ mouth!
The snails are interesting but that baby is utterly adorable. Looks like a fun week!
I’m still drooling over that steak tartare after you posted it on IG. My all time favourite food. You can add it to the list of things you must try in Paris. OMG.
As you should be. I swear I could just eat a cow. Maybe I will in Paris…
The food, the baby, the friends – looks perfect.
I’m always THAT friend when babies are around too, so I feel ya! Looks like y’all had an amazing time, and I’m off to check out Lucie and Megs blogs now
I hope you liked reading! They are two of my favorite people in the world. 🙂
Aw looks like you had so much fun and all the food looked delicious! I love ordering salmon out, they cook it so much better than I can at home.
I used to be the same way, but I learned that if you just throw it under the broiler for a few minutes, it does pretty well at home! It will vary depending on the thickness, but I broil my Sizzlefish salmon for less than 10 mins!
I’m at the age where any and all babies make my inside hurt, lol I’m not ready for one yet but they are so sweet and innocent. I wish I could make salmon as good as restaurants do but I’m never successful, it looks tasty and perfectly cooked. Mmmmm those roasted marshmallows look delicious.
Girl…. I can’t imagine having one right now. Or at 25, which is when my mom had me. WHOA.
Aww I love how much fun you all had and I’m super jealous! I do feel so far away sometimes being over here…
The Devils on horseback – well you just pretty much described by ideal meal. Nearest I have done to that is blue cheese stuffed dates wrapped in prosciutto… It was amazing…. And now I want them again so bad!
It was so crazy good! There’s a place in SD that does them with apple and blue cheese; it was incredible!
This sounds like an incredible weekend
Looks like an absolute blast!!…with lots of food, fitness and a baby 🙂 I like the way you ladies roll!
I traveled to Cleveland once a LONG time ago but was so surprised by it’s coolness. Cleveland gets a bad rap so I’m glad you’re setting the record straight. I mean, it’s no San Diego but…
Well, you can’t compare anything to SD… HA! Cleveland does rock. I would actually go back for a long weekend vacation! And to see Meghan et al, obv.
i should have been there. 4 friends and a baby. yes, that’s even. Just sayin…
YES! Next time, petty please?
Agreed. You need to be at our next gathering. We talked about how we missed you.
Oh my gosh how fun! I wish I had some blogging friends in real life! I think I could make more of an effort to, but my blog just goes to the wayside with school for the most part. Looks like a great visit!
Sooooooo wonderful. You three ladies are such a powerhouse. I can’t even imagine how amazing it must be when you all get together. I can’t believe you’ve found each other through blogging. That is pretty damn amazing.
LOL! I think we scared Meghan’s husband. 😉
When I see you holding a baby… I get a little scared that all of a sudden you’re going to scream HIKEEEEEEEEE and then punt the baby into a trashcan or something.
On a completely different page: if that salmon entree has some left overs and they were thrown in the trash, you best believe I would be head-first in that trash can immediately!
HAHAHA! I was a little surprised that Meg let me take her for a run.
Do you REALLY think there we leftovers?! I thought you knew me…
Good friends, booze, & food… sounds like an awesome weekend!! It also sounds like a certain someone has baby fever! 🙂 She is so cute!
Why is everyone saying that?! You people… 😉
Yayy what a great post. I’m living in downtown Cleveland right now and so glad to see you stopped by so many of my favorite spots downtown, in lakewood, etc. Glad you had a great time!
I need to come back and try more! I love Lakewood too – it’s the most hip small town I’ve ever been to!
Ave and I both miss you terribly. Come back, bring Vegas. 🙂
Only if there are cheese puffs and granola involved. 😉
your posts remind me to have more fun haha! now, to get my lazy butt to do something…
i have a really good friend i met through a coworker’s dining out group. years later, i found out she knew a college buddy of mine and even crazier, we realized we had already met once at line dancing when the mutual friend visited town! small world! =P
I love stores like that! It truly is a small world!
You looks like you do all sorts of fun stuff to me! Sake tastings are only for fun people. 😉