September 19,2020: The Queen City for the King: A Month Long Celebration of a Pirate's Birthday Begins

 "As you get older, the first thing that happens is that your memory goes. And I can't remember the other two."   Anonymous

Pensive Paul the Pirate is contemplating his last birthday that starts with a 5.  And while I have known him, I respect his tendency to not be hemmed in by the modern concept of celebrating a birth for a mere 24 hours. Not Paul! Every day is celebration, a moment of joy and of course, going somewhere and making hay for at least a month is in order. 

I have seen all 50 states and my honey wanted to join the 2% club as well. Only 2% of American  citizens have seen all 50 states. My observation is that states are like people---if you look close enough, there is something  beautiful in all of them.  So in this year of restricted travel, I hope all of us have gotten to know our regions and our beautiful country better. It has been a time to SLOW DOWN, take it all in and appreciate those things great and small in our own backyards.... a maybe a few more backyards over in another neighborhood.  So for my honey bunny pirate's #59, we embarked last night on the American Classic--the road trip. I have always been non-averse to car travel, although it does take some time! But Paul is not a big car traveler. But with our little viral friend, we decided, Hey let's just get in a car and have a socially distant, for the most part, vacay. So we left about 6pm last night after I got off work and headed for Cincy, the town that spawned Doris Day and Carmen Electra.  We said that, generally speaking, we would not  drive more than 4 hours in one day, we would do plenty of hiking and sightseeing and even trusted friend visits along the way and we would go to a state on Paul's bucket list.---MICHIGAN. Other than DTW airport, the man hasn't set a foot in this state full of state and national parks. So Michigan it is. By car with several stops on the way.

First stop: Lexington, KY at 8pm (because it is COVID control and no one is open much later) to enjoy a meal before the site of our first night hotel: 21C in Cincinnati.. We ate in Lexington at Ted Turner's Montana grill. The bison was tasty and it gave me a while to deeply consider the union of Ted and Jane Fonda ? Really? Hey I can't explain the Bermuda triangle either ! The food was passable and welcome. 

Then we were off to the 21C. This is an "art' hotel chain. We highly recommend in general, but COVID has hit them hard. They only clean rooms on request and we had to call the desk for standard items like... a trash can? That said, still clean and friendly and artsy. 

Paul prepares for rest at 21C Cincy.  Yes, Chad Helms he might wear this shirt repeatedly. 

After a great night's sleep, we enjoyed the hotel's breakfast, but the waiter said business was bad enough he was considering a career with Amazon. We did notice a sparse customer number.  He indicated the restaurant, Metropole, which we have always favored was "barely hanging on. " We feel for them.  

We then ventured out to run some errands and eventually ended up at a favorite walking spot, Sharon Woods. This is a dammed small lake with paddleboats and a moderately trafficked 4.5 mile trail around a lake creek and gorge. 

Map of the hiking trail. Admission $5 but the gatekeeper let us in for free!

A look up the lake

Now that's some roots.! It's a meditation on keeping grounded!

Birthday boy in a yellow aura

The gorgeous gorge. Leaves just starting to turn...

Hikers!

This was a great hike with many beautiful waterfowl and scenery. Plus we had to earn our dinner at Metropole!

The dinner at Metropole was really nice and seasonal. We have eaten at Metropole in downtown Cincy several times and it never disappoints. Try housemade pasta or burnt carrots!

Nice wine selection at METROPOLE

I think Cincinnati must be the Queen city because she has many different personalities and no one, even famous literary figures can agree. 

“When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Cincinnati because it's always 20 years behind the times.”
― Mark Twain

“Cincinnati is a beautiful city; cheerful, thriving, and animated. I have not often seen a place that commends itself so favourably and pleasantly to a stranger at the first glance as this does.”
― Charles Dickens

Paul's Ponderings:  Great day out with perfect weather!   Lots of great hiking followed by a wonderful meal out at 21C hotel.   Sharon Woods is a beautiful area to have a gentle hike, with a lot of varied terrain and things to see.   It's big enough that there is not a crowd out on the paths in general.

We've stayed at the 21C hotel before and enjoyed their great restaurant Metropole as well.   We were able to enjoy a couple of nice wines and some great food.    Now it's on northward to Yellow Springs, Ohio