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Travel

Old North Cemetery

by Kaylah Stroup November 14, 2018

Throwing it back to August’s New England road trip again today!

As I mentioned in previous posts from this trip*, we had no real destinations or purpose. Jeff wanted to eat lobster roll and I was interested in the many, many old cemeteries that cover the area. Even with those things in mind, we were really just driving around hoping fun things would fall into our laps. Not our brightest idea. Works in the desert because of the lack of other people but aimlessly driving through areas with high traffic is the worst.

Old North Cemetery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire really was something that just fell into our laps though! While driving down the highway Jeff saw a sign for Portsmouth and asked if I’d like to take go there. I said, “why not?” I’d never been there before and I’ll always take any opportunity to explore a new area, even if only for a brief moment.

I think we both spotted the cemetery at the same time. I basically couldn’t get out of the car fast enough!

Old North Cemetery was established in 1753 and is the second old cemetery in the city of Portsmouth. Gosh darn it! See, if I had done my research beforehand like a normal person I could have visited the oldest one too. Looking on Google Streetview, it looks pretty awesome. Guess we should go back! It’s only an acre and a half of land but it’s jam-packed full of history, incredible headstones, and my favorite things – like skulls and chubby cherub faces. The cemetery is surrounded by a pond, a railyard and… wait for it… another cemetery. Basically, it’s perfect.

I spent so much time wandering around in the oppressive heat trying to see every single headstone. Every few steps I was motioning to Jeff, who was sitting in the air-conditioned car, how excited I was.

One of my favorites. Although not an old stone, what a title! ‘Sea captain of this town’!?! I also really appreciate that it says ‘husband of’. That’s not common at all.

Until next time, Portsmouth! We’ll be back with more time to wander, and maybe a better idea of what to get into so we don’t miss out again.
xoxo

▴ Three days in New England

▴ Ponyhenge

▴ The Burying Point

▴ the Atlantic Ocean

▴ Old Burial Hill Cemetery

three favorite Cleveland cemeteries

by Kaylah Stroup October 16, 2018

The Haserot Angel, Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland cemetery

I really love Cleveland. I think we’re a totally underrated city, and I want to do my best to help spread the word that this should be a place you visit at least once. Last month I shared some of my favorite spots in Cleveland, and before that, I spilled the beans on my favorite beachcombing spots in the city. Now, I’m back to talk about my favorite cemeteries.

One of the very first things I do after choosing a location to take a trip to is search for their best cemeteries. I wanna check out all the coolest headstones, and wander the oldest graveyards. Trouble is, without putting in a ton of research, it’s not that easy. Unless a city has a wildly popular memorial or is known for their cemeteries (hey there, Salem!) most people don’t necessarily go around posting lots of photos or information.

Buuut this is The Dainty Squid, and it’s October so here we go!

▴ Lake View Cemetery

12316 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH

Cleveland’s most popular cemetery! The kind of place that even if visiting cemeteries in each city you visit isn’t something you regularly do, you might come here. 285 beautiful acres, many famous interments including a former president, tons of beautiful headstones, and even a few geocaches. It’s a wonderful place to spend an afternoon – although it would take you a whole heck of a lot longer if you wanted to see everything. Every single time I go I find something new!

Must see memorial – The Haserot Angel, of course! A bronze sculpture of the ‘Angel of Death Victorious’ who appears to be weeping black tears. Lake View is pretty large and he’s easy to miss but the good news is you can simply use your GPS. The ‘maps’ app has The Haserot Angel listed as a landmark. Using the directions will only get you to the cemetery, not the memorial. Once inside you can use the location pinned as The Haserot Angel and yours to work your way closer.

Another favorite of mine is the weeping woman a few photos below. She’s life-sized and honestly, one of the most haunting statues I have ever seen. I am not superstitious nor do I think cemeteries are creepy but I’ll tell you what, I don’t like turning my back on her. My photo doesn’t do her extremely detailed and realistic face justice.

▴ Monroe Street Cemetery

Monroe Street Cemetery is a historic cemetery on the West side of Cleveland, until the late 1890’s it was actually the only public cemetery on the West side. It is said that burials began in 1818 but the earliest headstone that can be found is 1827. There are currently over 31k people buried on the 13.63 acres, over 500 of which were soldiers. During the civil war, soldiers who died at Army camps near Cleveland were often buried here. There are also two mayors, as well as many notable folks who helped build Cleveland and Ohio City buried here. My favorite fun fact about the cemetery though? It was fenced during the 19th century to keep out wandering hogs.

Must see memorial – This isn’t one specific memorial but since the moment I spotted them I’ve been enamored with the headstones that line the fence closest to the junkyard. When you enter the cemetery they’ll be to your far right approximately half way down the fence. They’re old and often, the greenery around them keeps them mostly hidden. The rest of the cemetery feels so open and inviting but this line of headstones feels so tucked away and secretive.

Monroe St. Cemetery, fall cemetery

▴ Riverside Cemetery

3607 Pearl Rd, Cleveland, OH

Riverside Cemetery is 102.5 hilly, green, tree-covered acres. Riverside was the first major-sized, non-sectarian, garden-type Cemetery established west of the Cuyahoga River. The cemetery is just over 140 years old and offers a wide variety of memorials. Just like Lake View, on each visit I find something new and interesting.

Must see memorial – One of my favorite headstones in Riverside is Thomas Baran’s. It’s an interesting collage of seemingly random items. Easily one of the most unique headstones I have ever seen! Multiple portraits of Jesus, book covers, telescopes, planets, and so much more can be found on the headstone. I have a few more photos of it located in this post. If you’re entering the cemetery off of Pearl Road, stay to your left and about 3/4 of the way to the back of the cemetery, it’ll be on your right side.

best Cleveland cemeteries Riverside Cemetery, Cleveland cemeteries, best cleveland cemeteries

Two notable mentions –

▴ Erie Street Cemetery is the city’s oldest existing cemetery. It’s fairly small but definitely worth a peek if you’re out wandering around the city. Although they aren’t all marked, there are nearly 18,000 interments!

▴ Not in Cleveland but worth a stop if you’re traveling through or up for an afternoon drive, Willoughby Village Cemetery is home to ‘the girl in blue’. One of my absolute favorite headstones. Read more about her here.

I’d love to hear about your favorite cemeteries in your city!
xoxo

Hug Point

by Kaylah Stroup October 15, 2018

Throwing it back to our honeymoon today…

I thought visiting Cannon Beach was a guarantee I’d see some sea stars and other interesting intertidal creatures. No such luck. When we got back to the hotel for the evening, Jeff and I set off to work figuring out what we’d do the next morning. Hitting up the beach again was definitely my priority. I was determined to see at least one dang sea star. I just wasn’t sure if we should head back to Cannon Beach and time our visit around tide times better or find some place new. In true ~us~ fashion, we decided that since our time was limited and the coast was just so magical we should check out somewhere new.

I started to tell Jeff about this spot I had found photos of when he said “…I think we’re looking at the same place!” That sealed the deal, I checked tide times, and the next morning we headed off to Hug Point. The internet promised waterfalls, caves, and access to tidepools. I could not wait!

oregon coast beach, hug point, pnw

We pulled in to an empty parking lot an hour and a half before low tide. The view as we walked down the stairs to the beach assured me we had picked the right spot. Almost immediately I spotted my second banana slug ever. I was over the moon! It didn’t matter what else I found or saw on the beach, I was pleased!

I couldn’t believe we had the whole place to ourselves. It didn’t seem real. In the morning light, Hug Point looks like a movie set. It was nothing short of magical. We wandered the beach, back and forth, waiting for the tide to go completely out. More creatures revealed themselves as each minute passed. It’s truly amazing how quickly the water drops (and in turn, how quickly it comes back in!)

We spotted many colorful sea anemones, interesting little fish, and exactly what I came to the coast looking for – sea stars! I was surprised how hard they were to see. In photos, it’s so obvious where they are but in person, they’re much better camouflaged. I concentrated on one specific rock that I felt was promising. On a part of the rock a bit further away, in water too deep to walk into, I could see a red sea star so I knew there had to be more. I finally spotted a purple one I could walk out to (with caution because the waves were too deep to squat in but when the water washed out I could bend down real quick to snap a photo.) After visiting the same one three or four times throughout the course of our visit I spotted two more that I had just walked right by. I was THRILLED!

oregon sea star, purple sea star, tidepooling oregon, hug point tide pool Hug Point anemones

I still can’t believe Hug Point is real. It’s so close to Cannon Beach (just five miles south!) and in my humble opinion, a thousand times better. So why is it not overrun with people as well? It’s certainly strange but I’m very happy we were able to have that experience. We had the whole place to ourselves, aside from one guy with a dog, for over two hours. It was perfect. Easily my favorite beach experience, ever.

If you’re visiting the Oregon coast, Hug Point is a must!
xoxo

For more on our PNW trip, including hotel + food recommendations – check out this post.

Cannon Beach

by Kaylah Stroup September 26, 2018

Cannon Beach has been on my list of spots to visit since the second I knew it existed. A gorgeous beach along the Oregon coast, home to Haystack Rock, a 235-foot sea stack, and one of the most beautiful places my eyes have ever seen. Tons of tourists traveling Highway 101 stop here every year and it’s easy to see why. Hilariously enough, I didn’t even take a photo of Haystack Rock. Whoops.

I had discovered the beach years ago searching for information about tide pools. Seemed like every single time I searched for tide pools, even on the east coast the photos that showed up were from this mysterious Cannon Beach on the other side of the country. The tide pools around Haystack Rock are home to many incredible intertidal creatures. I felt like going there at low tide was basically a guarantee I’d finally find some live critters. (In case you haven’t been following my tide pool adventures, I’m really only good at finding dead things.) I could not wait to get there!

Cannon Beach at Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site

Cannon Beach near Haystack Rock was fairly busy, as expected, and the tide wasn’t very low yet so after poking around a bit we decided to head back to the car to do some research on where I’d have the best chance of seeing sea stars. Jeff and I both discovered Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site at approximately the same time. Just a few minutes away, and only one more exit down the highway yet still Cannon Beach.

It was much more peaceful here than at the main section of the beach. There was barely anyone walking this far down the beach, just a couple folks with dogs. Always a welcome sight, to be honest.

We walked and walked and walked waiting for the tide to go out. Alas, we ended up tiring out before the water hit its lowest point. I saw nothing more than a bunch of anemones. (Still very exciting for me!) The sunset was beautiful and anytime I have the opportunity to get my feet wet in the ocean is a good time in my book.

Getting off the exit, we noticed something black in the street. A lady standing in the grass of the nearby hotel motioned for us to slow down. It was a rabbit! In the grass near her, I noticed about five more bunnies! I nearly jumped out of the car right then and there.

Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site bunny!

Happy to have finally crossed Cannon Beach off my travel bucket list. I may not have found exactly what I was looking for but it sure was beautiful.
xoxo

Read more about our PNW trip here – Stroups gone honeymoonin’

Stroups gone honeymoonin’

by Kaylah Stroup September 25, 2018

See those people up there? That’s two folks on their honeymoon! We’ve been talking about it for years and just now finally made it a priority to get to the Pacific Northwest. Tickets from Cleveland to Seattle are never really all that cheap so it always ends up being one of the first places we check and then immediately cross of the list of potential destinations while planning vacations.

Never having been there before made it seem like it could be the perfect place for our honeymoon. Instead of going somewhere we’d been, or overbooking our agendas, we opted to go somewhere new and only plan stops in two cities. A leisurely trip, for once! (We tried to be leisurely at least.)

What we did…

Wednesday morning we flew into Seattle. Our flight was early enough that we were able to spend a good portion of the day wandering the city. I love exploring new cities by foot. You really just end up seeing so much more. We were both so tired from traveling all day and walking six and a half miles that we conked out early. We had made plans to go out to dinner that evening but apparently, our bodies had other ideas. I woke up at 11 pm, fully clothed with the lights on wondering what the heck was going on.

Thursday morning we woke up early (still stuck on our time zone), got coffee and headed to Geocaching HQ. It was a really fun experience. We found the cache there (that involved using a photobooth to log it!) and even met the president of Geocaching.

Our next destination was Seaside, Oregon. The original plan was to stay super close to Cannon Beach. I figured it would be fun to splurge and get a hotel RIGHT on the beach but even a few months out everything decent was booked up. I didn’t want to spend a fortune on a hotel that wasn’t super cool so we opted to stay in Seaside instead. It worked out perfectly because Seaside was adorable. We spent two nights there checking out the local beaches, a shipwreck, and eating lots of incredible food.

Saturday morning we left Seaside for Portland, Oregon. The drive was GORGEOUS. We made a few stops along the way for geocaches and photos. I couldn’t get over how wonderful Oregon smelled. Like the most perfect pine scented candle but obviously not fake. I wanna breathe air that fresh forever.

It took all of about five seconds in Portland for me to declare my love. We didn’t realize how much we’d enjoy it there and had opted to spend two nights in Vancouver, WA instead since it was much cheaper. We ended up spending barely any time in Vancouver, and just made a bunch of trips into Portland to wander. We walked and walked and walked. I did more ‘just for fun’ shopping in Portland than I ever have anywhere else. There were just so many cool little stores, I couldn’t resist. (My favorite purchase being this glass hand!)

Monday morning we drove back toward Seattle after making a little detour to hit a beach that had been on my list. We were both so pooped from all the walking over the past week that getting to our hotel and relaxing was honestly one of the most exciting things we did all day. Finally, on Tuesday morning, at 6 am we hopped on a flight back home.

Where we stayed…

In Seattle, the Mediterranean Inn. This place has a rooftop patio with an awesome view of the Space Needle, the city skyline and the water. The neighborhood was cute and walkable too!

In Seaside, we stayed two nights at Ashore. (Pictured above) OMG. I loved it there. The second I found this place online it became the thing I was looking forward to the most on this trip. Close to the beach, right in the middle of everything, free parking, adorable rooms. They even offer a couple different upgrades once you get there including a bonfire package which is 2 beers or 2 cans of wine, a smores kit, and all the makings for a beach bonfire! We saw a lot of other cool looking places while driving around the area but I would choose Ashore again if we were to go back.

In Vancouver, we spent two nights at the Heathman Lodge. It was clean, the bed was hella cozy, and the shower was so powerful (very important!) They even sent us up a bottle of wine and two cozy robes after checking in since I blurted out we were honeymooning. Jeff and I don’t actually drink but when one gets free wine they at least pretend to like it.

Our last night, we stayed super close to the Seattle-Tacoma Aiport at Aloft. The photo in that link is seriously selling them short, it was such a cool room!! The bed was extra cozy too.

What we ate…

We ate lots of great food. Lots of bests! I can’t believe how many things I ate on this trip that were easily the best I’ve ever had!

Okay, first of all, this is a very strange recommendation but there was this grocery store, Metropolitan Market, near our hotel in Seattle that had the actual best cookies I’ve ever had. They were huge, full of chocolate, and just… stupid good. We definitely should have bought a couple to eat on for the rest of the trip. (I actually found a recipe for a copycat version! YES!)

So, real food now. We had incredible tacos from Blue Water Taco Grill in Seattle where I tried tilapia for the first time. Delicious! Another first, I ate oysters. It was an oyster po boy so technically a very not scary way to try them but dang, it was GOOD. One more first, I tried (and loved) bánh mì. Not a hundred percent sure what all was even on my sandwich but I’m looking forward to finding more to try in Cleveland.

Ruby’s Roadside Grill in Seaside, OR caught our attention on the drive to Cannon Beach. We stopped after spending the evening at the ocean. I ordered BBQ shrimp tacos, Jeff got crab cakes and we “split” some garlic cheese fries. Split goes in quotation marks there because ya girl hogged those fries. I can’t even begin to explain how delicious that whole meal was. The fries though… Honestly, the best I’ve ever had.

So many coffee options in the Pacific Northwest! I get it, the weather and scenery makes me want to chug coffee too. We stopped at a bunch of tiny, drive-through coffee spots and visited a handful of coffee shops. My favorite had to be Cup & Bar in Portland, OR though. My mocha was out of this world. Made with small-batch artisanal chocolate, I’ve literally never had a mocha so tasty. Jeff and I shared a slice of avocado toast. This was no ordinary avocado toast though. It was their diablo toast! Hatch pepper cream cheese, cacao nibs, cilantro and lime. It was so dang good, also big enough for the two of us to split and fill up on. I miss it already. I look forward to returning again someday.

Sugar Bakery & Coffeehouse in Seattle was another favorite. The barista was so sweet, and the baked goods were incredible. We had a ham and cheese croissant as well as a salted caramel croissant. Both so tasty but the star of the show was the lavendar shortbread cookie. It was the most lavender-y thing I’ve ever eaten. It tasted like inhaling a field of lavender.

Our last meal of the trip was another favorite. We stopped at Ranch House BBQ in Olympia, WA because we were both starving and they have a huge metal pig outside. Pulled pork sandwich, garlic fries, pasta salad, deep fried macaroni balls, and strawberry rhubarb crisp with vanialla ice cream. OH MY GOSH. I could eat that every day. Definitely an awesome little spot, worth the stop for sure!

Highlights…

Finding a banana slug! This was on my list of things I really wanted to see in the PNW. Wasn’t expecting to find one on the beach though. There was a watermelon rind laying near the path down to the water. I looked at it and was about to make a dumb joke about that being Jeff’s breakfast when I spotted this little cutie munching away.
Visiting Geocaching HQ!!! Such a fun experience.
Portland. Can a whole city be a highlight? I just LOVED Portland. We had so much fun walking around and exploring the city. I was amazed by how many fun areas there were to wander. I mean, I always assumed I would like Portland but I didn’t expect to like it THAT MUCH.
All the coffee! So good!! Too many coffee shops, not enough time. I’m curious how Starbucks manages to get enough business to have so many locations when there are so many other options available out there.
We took a trip up to Ape Cave while we were in Vancouver. It’s a lava tube located in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This is actually our second lava tube. The first we visited in Arizona while on our wedding trip. Jeff was in love so visiting another ranked high on his to-do list. Despite being a little bit busy, it was pretty darn cool!
Four words – Bourbon basil blueberry doughnut.
Hug Point. Wasn’t even on my radar before leaving but it was my favorite beach experience of the trip… and my life. I have a ton of photos to share from here soon!

Until next time, PNW! You’re pricier to fly to than a lot of other areas but damn, you’re worth it.
xoxo

Old Burial Hill Cemetery

by Kaylah Stroup September 17, 2018

Old Burial Hill Marblehead, MA

Old Burial Hill Cemetery in Marblehead, Massachusetts came highly recommended by many folks whose travel suggestions I hold in high regard. Not that that matters because after visiting Salem I had completely forgotten about those recommendations. Luckily, as we were leaving the area, I thought to look at the FindAGrave app. I spotted the name ‘Old Burial Hill’ and instantly recognized it as somewhere I remembered looking up previously. I’d have definitely been bummed to miss out on this beauty!

Old Burial Hill Cemetery was established in 1638. It’s one of the oldest graveyards in New England. Surrounded by gorgeous old homes, on top of a rocky hill, overlooking the Atlantic, it basically could not be any more picturesque. The headstones are all beautifully preserved, and in incredible shape for their age. Nearly every one of them covered in symbolism. Skulls galore!!! Will I ever get over the excitement of skulls on headstones? I think not.

Aside from the hot sun relentlessly beating down us, our visit couldn’t have been more lovely. It seemed like every time I turned around there was something super awesome that caught my attention. I was especially fond of how close the houses were to the graveyard. One house, in particular, stands out in my mind it had a kitchen window that looked directly out onto the cemetery. Taking photos of headstones near it felt weird because it was THAT close.

'2 children' headstone