Road Trip to Ohio

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March 16th 2009

Published: March 17th 2009

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swills82

Lees and I on the Walking Trail

I suppose, I was technically in Sharon Centre (outside of Wadsworth) but all the small little towns surround each other 😉

This past weekend I took a road trip to visit Miss Alisa - one of the teachers I worked with in Honduras, and someone who has grown to become one of my closest friends. It had been over a year since I had seen her last, when she journeyed to Niagara Falls, and we spent a weekend being tourists and stayed with my grandparents. This time it was my turn to drive the longer distance and so we picked a weekend that worked for both of us and I prayed that my "Rosie" wouldn't break down at the side of the road at any point in my journey.

I left Friday morning after work (11:30am) and made it to Alisa's Mom's house around 6pm. The drive was fine (I didn't get lost once!) except for the 45 minute wait at the border, as I'm assuming everyone was heading over for March Break. I also didn't really enjoy the sketchy bar in Buffalo where I stopped to pee, but after sitting at the border for the 45 mins, I

Homemade Noodles!

just pulled off the first exit and found what I could!

It was GREAT to see Alisa. It didn't feel like it had been over a year, but her and I talk on a regular basis, so we were well up-to-date with recent happenings in each other's lives. Lees' mom was a hoot - showing me the barn with all the animals. She made us tamale pie for dinner (it was gooood!) and we spent the evening chatting.

Saturday Lees took me to her favourite store (World Market) which was a huge store with a variety of goods from other countries. There were beautiful silk pillows from India, jewelery from Africa, and candies from Europe! We then went to the theatre to see 'Slumdog Millionaire' which was a great movie!

In the afternoon, we met up with Alisa's friend Jess (and met her boyfriend- Agusto- who came to the States from Nicaragua), then Jess, Alisa, and I went for a long hike around one of their State Parks. Beautiful trails and was an enjoyable walk. Weather was so perfect this weekend!

After the walk we went back to Alisa's for her mom's homemade noodles (so good!)

Charlie and I

On Lees' mom's farm!

as well as Puerto Rican chicken and a salad that Lees and I prepared. We had a nice dinner with her mom and friends of the fam, then headed out for a night on the town (neighbouring city) with a few of her friends. Jess and Agusto were there, as well as Jess' brothers and friends. We also met up with Lees' friend Michelle - whom I had previously met when she came to visit Lees in Honduras, so that was cool to see her again. We had an enjoyable evening out with drinks and dancing, then Lees and I returned home for a late night snack of more homemade noodles, and more chit-chatting before bed.

Sunday Lees took me to this place called Swenson's for lunch. There is no inside to the restaurant. You simply pull up and turn on your lights for service, then they run out to your car to take your order and place a tray on your car window. SO fun! We had a yummy lunch then took a short trip to Old Navy while we waited for AAA to come bail my keys out of my locked car (oops!!) then I was heading

Singing in my Car

Making to car ride more enjoyable!

home.

Both of us admitted to getting choked up after we said goodbye. We had such a nice visit and weren't sure when we'll see each other next. It's hard having such a great friend that lives so far away, but we promised to see each other soon.

The drive home was faster than the drive there, despite me overshooting my first exit and then ending up driving around ANOTHER one of their state parks, realizing that probably wasn't going to turn into the hwy. The drive was lovely with the nice weather - allowing me to drive with the windows down and singing my music nice and loud (one of my favourite ways to unwind!).

Totally worth the drive to visit my friend. Great weekend.

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