When I was a kid, the first assignment of the schoolyear would always be a “What I Did on My Summer Vacation” report. Well, I’m a smidge past grade school now, nevertheless, here’s my report. In the spring, Trudy and I sipped, cuddled, and cruised our way along the Cincinnati riverfront. Then, in June we did a weekend getaway to Broad Ripple Village in nearby Indiana. And best of all, we ended our summer steeped in nostalgia with our now-adult children Elliot and Beth, repeating favorite daytrips from our family’s past: King’s Island theme park, a day-long ride on a shade-covered bike trail, watching neon signs be made at the American Sign Museum, and exploring Ohio’s gorgeous Hocking Hills. Just before Beth flew home to California, she and Elliot imortalized their lifelong bond by getting a matched set of Totoro tattoos (a beloved movie icon from their youth). And, yes, we all got a bit misty-eyed.
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(Note: All photos were taken by us, and may not be used without written permission.)
I enjoy anything involving rivers and I would love to go on a paddle steamer.
Sounds and looks like a great summer!
No big trips to faraway places but, yes, it’s been a lovely summer nevertheless, Sheryl. Hope yours has been too!
It has been a hard summer in a lot of ways, but blessed and good also.
What a fun summer, Mitch. It’s so great that you got to spend time enjoying your kids too!
Thanks, Kellye. And, yes, that was the capper!
Mitch, it sounds like you and your family had a great summer building wonderful memories!
We did, thanks, Hazel. You too, I hope.
You’re welcome! Summer is magnificent and fun to enjoy the local scene!
Looks like a fun summer. Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure, Vera!
Wasn’t there a play named after a broken neon sign called “Hot L Baltimore”? (the “E” was burned out. What replaced neon signs? Did the museum have historical information etc.? Maybe they can explain why some typefaces totally confuse small and cap i l(L lowercase) I(i) 1(one)… oh nevermind, that would be in the qwerty museum… Those summer vacation essays were brutal for kids who didn’t go anywhere.
Doug, yes, the play by Lanford Wilson was a big hit about fifty years ago. Neon has mostly been replaced by backlit plastic signs. These became prominent after the invention of “vacuforming” (we learned about this at the sign museum). Vacuformed signs are cheaper and easier to make, but neon still has a niche as a nostalgic 20th century art form.
Your vacation pics, which I enjoyed, jarred some fond memories for me. My grandfather, a Kentuckian, lived there for a while. He pronounced it “Cincinnatuh.
;>) Yep, classic Kentuckian pronunciation.
The Rock House looks intriguing.
It is!
Any bats in the caves ? The Yankees need some bats these days.
;>) Nope, I’m afraid you’ll have to go to Louisville for those. Or for bourbon, in case the bats don’t help.
Beautiful pictures, brother 👌✨
Thank you, sister.
What a wonderful trip! I recognize the rock house, we’ve been there with our kids as well. Any time spent with family becomes precious!
Absolutely, Martha!
We’ve been making trips to Hocking Hills since our kids were small. (My in-laws lived in Columbus.) You found some interesting spots for appealing shots! Also happened to catch a photo where your family was wearing jackets. ‘Think we’ll ever need those again?! This heat wave is lingering way too long!
I think the only jacket (hoodie) is the one Trudy’s wearing on the riverboat; that was last spring. Yeah, it’s been sweltering, hasn’t it, Nancy? But it’s supposed to start cooling down this weekend!
We’ll appreciate it all the more after the sweltering!
Cincinnati, ahh, slowly I turn…Nope, that’s Niagra Falls. I lived in Cinci (Blue Ash) for a year in the early 90s while building a project at Fashion Fair Mall. Great city and I loved the river and all it had going on. Sounds like the trip was a winner. I’m heading down to Corpus in September to see my son and his family and do some saltwater fishing; I don’t surf anymore, but I wish I could, so I watch my grandson tear up a wave or three. In Cinci, some old guy built a rock castle, and it’s turned into a haunted house every Halloween. and the river attractions and the excellent food. Family vacations are rare these days, but my folks took my sis and me on many good ones. I take it you live somewhere around there instead of California?
Phil, yes, we moved to Cincinnati from SoCal in 2005. Cincy has been experiencing quite an urban renewal over the last seven or eight years; it’s becoming flat-out trendy. I think you’re referring to Loveland Castle, btw, a fun, quirky daytrip destination.
Yep, that’s the one. We used to go to Mount Adams and LaRosa’s for the best pizza, as well as the Rib King down on the river. Good to know it’s trendy now.
I took my boys to Kings Island many times. That wooden roller coaster ruined my skeletal bones. also played the Jack Nicklaus golf course by Kings Island. You live in a great city. Being from Texas, I never did get the chili with noodles thing.
;>) Cincinnati Chili really should be called something else. Have you tried it? It was created by a Greek immigrant and has a completely different flavor from southwestern chili.
So nice to hear a happy family story. Great pics!
Thanks, Annie!
Glad you had such a lovely time!
Thank you, Jean!
It’s nice your kids got matching tattoos. My kids are contemplating this for later in the year.
Yeah, it’s pretty adorable. We love the fact that they’re so close. They live 22oo miles apart, but talk, text and send each other photos all the time.
What a great summer! Time with our adult children is magic! ❤️
What a great summer trip making memories with your family. It looked great fun. By the way, I love Totoro too. He is on our mascot flag at festivals and features on our motorvan. This year though someone thought he was a potato!! 🤪how rude…he’s beautiful to me. My 2 girls love him too (now adults) and we all went to see the theatre production of the film in London last year which was amazing..your family would love it. If you get the chance to see the show then I really recommend it. The merchandising was crazy expensive though and sadly I couldn’t bring myself to spend so much money on a furry Totoro. We have a soot sprite though that my 85 year old mum has christened “Matthew” after one of the disciples….bless her she loves it.
Aw, Matthew the soot sprite sounds adorable.
Wow! Great pictures! ♥️♥️ I am glad you had a pleasing summer time..
Thank you, April.
Some wonderful photographs of what sounds like a wonderful vacation. May you enjoy many more to come.
Thanks, Daniel, and you too, my friend.
A+ on your assignment Mitch. What a wonderful family photo journal. Thank you for giving us a peek!
My pleasure, Pete!
Are those beautiful photos from Hocking Hills? Is it a state park or what? Looks lovely.
Not all, but many of the photos are from Hocking Hills. And, yes, PK, it’s a state park about an hour southeast of Columbus.
Mitch, I love everything about this piece and every picture. Particularly Trudy rejecting on the River. And of course, the girls and nature pictures. It brings us “closer” to those (and the things) you cherish. The beautiful life you live is obvious because of the captures. Thank you for taking us along. You get an A+ my dear friend. PS~the tattoos are priceless! 🙌🏻💛
Aw, thanks, Karla! I avoid turning my blog into a family Facebook page, but sometimes the personal stuff just feels sharable. <3
You’re welcome, Mitch. Im just like you~rarely do I share family pics (I do have a few on one page). I get it! Yes, shareable! 💚
Love this post. I can feel “family” in each photograph. How cool you were all together.
Aw, thank you, Kathy.
What a wonderful summer! Your photos are great. My hubby and I have been to Hocking several times. Isn’t God’s creation amazing? Thank you for sharing!
Yes, it is, Karen, and I’m glad you enjoyed the share!
wonderful pictures!! wonderful vacation!
Thank you, thank you, Katie!
🙂
I’ve never been to Ohio. Looks like a beautiful and interesting place to visit.
It is indeed.
A summer very well-spent.
Thanks, Neil. Yours too, I trust.
Beautiful pics! Thanks for sharing your family adventures!
My pleasure, Peggy!
I also received as first assignment of the school year “What I Did on My Summer Vacation”. Nice idea bringing this back!
Thanks, Cristiana!