Welcome! I’m in Independence, about 30 minutes away from you in a Cleveland suburb. I LOVE it here. I am absolutely giddy over the winter we’re having so far, as I love snow. But people tell me I’m weird, what do I know?
I have been to one Dopefest since I moved here a year and a half ago and keep meaning to have one at my house. Maybe I will do it this spring. I kind of have to, since we’re likely moving away again this summer: my fiancé (who will by then be my husband) will be starting a 3 year podiatry residency and we won’t know where until March. We’re hoping for New England or staying in Cleveland but if he doesn’t get one of those, we could end up just about anywhere in the US.
For things to do, I really like the dueling piano bar, Howl at the Moon. I always have a great time when I go there.
My Disc Golf team plays at Hudson Springs Park. We’re pretty much on hiatus due to the weather, but we’ll be back in action soon. While some of the team members are actually good at throwing, many of us are talentless amateurs. See: http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/FlyingCircusDGC/
We can certainly tell you are from California, though. The “the” is not necessary in front of 8. Route 8 is just route 8. Most state routes are route X or just X (ex. take 303 to route 8). Interstates like 77 don’t have any prefix or just an “I” (ex. I480). The turnpike is the turnpike, though.
I thought that was going to be a simple expanation but was more confusing than I expected it to be after I typed it out.
Anyway, I think you will really enjoy the spring and the change of seasons that happen in this climate. If you don’t like the weather right now, just wait a while and it will change!
Wow. Thanks to all all for the great welcome and advice and stuff and things and so on and so forth. Let’s go down the list a bit.
freckafree- I’d like to hit Amish country at some point and we’ll definitely keep an eye out for the art thing. Sounds pretty cool.
samclem- I guess it’s for the best it’s been a little more wintery than usual this year. It gave us a crash course in how to deal with actual weather. Thanks for the restaurant plug, I’ll add that one to the list of places to try. And I’ll hold you to the promise of a dopefest. The worst part of moving here so far is not having any friends to hang out with.
Sigmagirl- I can deal with being an Indians fan. But do I have to be a Browns fan as well?
kittenblue- We’ve done the Science Center and the Zoo so far. Museums are on the to do list. And I’m all for the dopefest. Hell, we’d be happy with someone to go have a beer with at this point.
Always Brings Pie- I’ve seen the GLBC a few times, but haven’t stopped in yet. We’ll make it a point to try the brownies there soon.
OpalCat- Having spent my entire life in southern California, I’m a bit surprised about how much I’m enjoying the weather so far, although the Rainforest building at the zoo was a nice change. We had a Howl at the Moon back in Cali, but we kept putting off going. Nice to know we still have a chance here.
Snowcarpet- As long as they’re okay with talentless hacks flinging things around, that sounds like fun.
*Sigmagirl- I can deal with being an Indians fan. But do I have to be a Browns fan as well? *
No. We are diverse and many, and have had our hearts broken so many times that the Bondo never gets a chance to dry. As long as you don’t root for the Ravens, we’re down.
I don’t reccomend this, It made sense in the old days when kitty litter was made of sand but since the 1970’s it’s mostly clay, kitty litter tends to turn into wet clay when poured onto snow, it quickly turns into more slippery muck. I reccomend a bag of sand instead. But by all means practice this in your driveway or a parking lot first. first.
As a matter of fact, go to a big empty parking lot at night before it’s plowed and practice braking and turning on the snow/ice. It’s fun and educational too!
I did not know this. Where might I be able to get a smallish bag or box of sand, 15 lbs absolute max? My T-Rex arms (short, weak arms) can’t handle one that’s too big.
I highly second this. Wet kitty litter is NOT going to give you better traction. Wet clay is called “slip” for a reason. Sand or salt is good, but what I like is a couple (or 4) of wooden boards, a couple of feet long, and at least as wide as your tires. That’s usually gotten me out of slippery situations and/or deep snow. You just have to clear a little gap in front of each tire, then shove the board in right up against your tire.
Amish country can be pretty kitsch-y, depending on where you go. (And there’s nothing wrong with kitsch, if that’s your thing.)
However, you must visit Lehman’s, a hardware store that specializes in non-electric goods and all other manner of very cool stuff. I guarantee you will find something there that you did not know existed and can’t figure out how you ever got along without.
You other NEO-Dopers, when I lived on the other side of NE Ohio, I used to love Marcelita’s in Hudson. Is it still there? Is it still good? (Maybe it was never good but I was too Mexican-food deprived to know the difference. ;))
It’s still there. It’s OK, not great; known primarily for the quality and volume of its margaritas. The best Mexican in the area is Tres Potrillos out in Montrose, a little far afield for the OP; a little closer are Mariachi Locos at Chapel Hill and El Campesino in Stow. Pancho & Lefty’s in Stow is decent, not great.
There’s Mariachi Coco’s in Northfield Plaza (which is somehow related to Loco’s I think - seem the same to me). Depending where you are in Hudson, it might be closer than El Campesino. El Campesino was quite popular when I was in college.
Marcelita’s is still there and still fantastic. I highly recommend anything with the suiza sauce (wet pork burrito is my favorite) and my wife loves their fajitas. I also recommend Tequila Pancho’s who have very excellent margaritas. Mariachi Coco’s is pretty awful, El Campesino is OK. Luchita’s in Hudson is fine, but way overpriced.
No, of course not. Orange and Brown don’t look good on anybody. Just hang loose and if the team improves, jump on the bandwagon but if it doesn’t, just go about your business and no one will be the wiser. If anybody asks you about the team until then, just say, “Well, it all depends on how the offensive and defensive lines do” and that’ll get you off the hook.