The Island of Put-in-Bay on Lake Erie

From Catawba island, we ferried (Miller line) our hybrid Diamondbacks as the sun danced on the gentle waters of Erie, one among the Great Lakes.

On arrival, a bike map was drawn that covered a loop around the isle measuring less than a few square miles in area, and off we jaunted!

Primarily to hydrate, a halt at Heinemen’s winery was justified, a sweeping 50 acres of grapes where we procured samples of Cedar Woods Red and the Island Blush paired with an assortment of cheeses.

As warm gusts of wind stroked our faces, we rode amidst the woods to reach Stonehenge Estate, a family owned vineyard and farmhouse.

Leaving a trail of fairy dust behind and proceeding along the blissful seaside marinas and Perry’s Victory and Peace Monument, we wound up at the tip of South Bass Island.

There is an unbridled joy that accompanies the sight of the endless horizon, the rhythm of the waves, the vastness of the incredulous ocean, and losing ourselves for a while.

The patio at Hooligans was illuminated in golden light that evening. A vibrant, multi-coloured salad, an Irish sandwich on sweet potato fries and a mugful of Magners and Guinness helped us attain a state of fjaka, and we aspired for nothing more at that moment.

Post-lunch biking was tiresome but on spotting Oak Point State Park, we pulled over! Dangling our feet in the cool waters and watching as the seagulls darted about, was a dreamscape.

Riding on the silky smooth roads in the amourous dusk, we made our final stop at The South Bend Chocolate Company where we sampled cherry chocolates, double chocolate chip and vanilla ice creams.

This quixotic adventure ended with worn out muscles yet left us feeling numinous.

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Cleveland Chronicles, Ohio

“How many godly creatures are there here!/ How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world,/ That has such people in ‘t!”

Almost 600 miles away, in the state of Ohio, lay Cleveland that beckoned to us, one weekend, like a shiny unfamiliar constellation.

We made a priority stop at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - a supernatural, bold, elevated, prismatic construction situated on the banks of Lake Erie.

Gamboling and reminiscing legendary music-makers, Jim Morrison, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jackson, sent warm waves of nostalgia through us.

We checked into Holiday Inn’s Cleveland Clinic for a quick nap (the straight 8-hr drive had taken its toll) before delving into the city’s throbbing heart, East 4th. Exuding an iridescent feel, this street was so alive with bars and restaurants that it stalled us in make dinner plans.

Finally, Zócalo Tequilería it was, with flavoured margaritas and abundant bowls of guacamole, tortillas, nachos, black beans and all.

Walking hand-in-hand in the moonlight, past Playhouse Square, we realized that travelling together brings out the best in us.

Day two in the city began with a visit to the vibrant indoor/outdoor West Side Market.

Rows of delicatessen cheeses, a melange of aromas from baked French breads, bagfuls of brewing coffee beans, chocolate and raspberry filled pastries, colourful, twirly pasta, and more. Oh, our bottomless stomachs!

Adjoining the marketplace thrived the Great Lakes Brewing Company. It took us just one glance to be smitten - the wooded decor, the chirpy vibe and little dining canopies in the open added a certain ambience while we sat savouring our pale ales and dark roasted malts.

As the pavonine rays of the sun peaked, we found ourselves gypsying around Cuyahoga National Park, half an hour from the cosmopolitan. The almost-gothic forest trail led to the unspeakably serene waters of Brandywine Falls drifting into infinity.

“You are the universe in ecstatic motion.”

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Boston in Our Eyes, MA, USA

We set out, under a cerulean blue sky striated with clouds, a day marred with perfection, to Massachusetts’ largest, Boston.

# Quincy Market, the city’s first public marketplace, is the soul of Beantown; its Greek-style architecture, historic location by Faneuil Hall, the arcades of food vendors (read divine Italian pastries and Thai bubble teas) and its upbeat vibe with performers had us galumphing around, felicitously.

# Government Center in the downtown area was a labyrinth of concrete and stone buildings alike, one that defied maps. It was from here that we rented Hubway bikes and toured the roads like flaneurs.

# The Boston Tea Party of 1773 was less festivity and more a political protest that involved 342 chests of tea thrown into the ocean, a mark in the American Revolution. We cavorted around the harbour taking in the splendorous colours. Oh, summer!

# Downtown Crossing, a glorious, heavily festooned shopping area, had us spending a few moments just bathing in the sunlight.

# Boston Common is a part of the Emerald Necklace chain and also the oldest park in the country built in colonial times. On entering the premises, it drew us into an oasis of greenery, as we rode among the swaying trees and midday blaze.

# Mike’s Pastry in Harvard Square sent us into a state of delirium. The reputed classic, vanilla and choco chip cannolis, the cream pies, almond biscottis are some of what caused the aforementioned.

# Brattle Book Shop: If heaven was a place on Earth, it would be this adorable, antique bookstore! Three floors, and an outdoor sale, of beautifully crafted volumes and an incredible range of 1st editions too. “So many books, so little time.”

# Charles St. in Beacon Hill is an artsy neighbourhood in the center of Boston surrounded by boutiques and restaurants. Brunch, at Tatte Bakery and Cafe, was a luxurious affair complete with sweet potato tarts, cherry tomato and feta quiche, crispy halloumi salad, egg sandwiches, and a few rounds of brewed coffee.

# Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Great Dome, where we frittered away on the lawns, houses a world of scientific knowledge; constructed in the early 1900s and situated opposite the wandering waters of Charles.

# Charles River, totalling 80 miles in length, oozed romance that evening! We blithely watched as sailboats cruised under the fading sun while the warm breeze carried a whiff of the sea.

# Boston Public Library located in Copley Square is one of the nation’s finest. Our visit there proved cathartic. The reading areas, especially Bates Hall, pierced our weak hearts with sublimity and was every bit a bibliophile’s dream. Our ebullience was undiminished as we delved into the history defining its heavily painted ceilings and walls.

After an exhilarating 24 hours, we concluded this trip but knew that our dalliance with the city of Boston had only just begun.

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Postcards from The Block, Rhode Island

It was like a Patronus, a magical charm.
Here's our little picture-story of the Block.

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Historic Six: Upstate New York

Away from the razzle-dazzle of New York City, along Route 20 lies an offbeat trail of Native American history. In the first week of July, it drew us into its charming aura.

“Sometimes the most scenic roads are the detours you didn't mean to take.”

Six stops of significance were made in 600 miles, light from the glorious summer sky paving our way.

1: Capitol Building, State Street, Albany

The state Government seated in all its grandiosity at the Capitol - built in the late 1800s - a palatial neo renaissance-style construction frozen into a gorgeous facade.



In the vicinity stood the impressive Justice Building and the State Legislature of NY.

Contrarily, The Egg, a newer structure erected as an entertainment arena, made us feel as if we were living in different eras simultaneously.

2: Beekman 1802 Mercantile, Sharon Springs

Partially invisible to the eye while driving on the state route, this store was an artisanal wonderland. Dominated by a profusion of earthy colours and aromas, every product here was hand-designed and/or made from farm produce.

3: Hyde Hall, Glimmerglass State Park, Cooperstown

As the afternoon sun glared down on us, we traipsed through a bucolic setting to our third stop in the village of Cooperstown.

A landmark of neoclassical architecture in 1834, Hyde Hall, set amidst this state park, was the private home of a wealthy landowner. Overlooking the gleaming Otsego Lake, the mansion of 50 rooms, was one of opulence and finesse.

4: Anchor Bar, Buffalo
The best and only way to sum up this cozy pub,

most delectable hot wings ever.

5: Belhurst Castle, Geneva
It was in the brilliance of the yellow sun that we found this mythical castle. Ensconced within its stone walls were extravagant, domed spaces (one of which is now a winery) and outdoor dining fit for royalty.

We succumbed to our dry Rieslings by the shores of Lake Seneca for a luxurious two hours.

6: Willard Memorial Chapel-Welch Memorial Building, Auburn

Set among the lush shade trees, we visited this once seminary established in 1818. The windows decorated by Tiffany Glass, the place was a transcendental realm.

As this idyllic summer, dizzyingly beautiful, getaway drew to an end, we couldn't wait to start planning the next one.

...until we meet again, New York!

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