Whether at home or traveling, Kevin does crazy things to schedule in sporting events. Sometimes we try to combine road game trips with another purpose, like visiting friends or family. A few years ago when his college football team, Cal (UC Berkeley), played the University of Maryland, we flew to Baltimore. After a stunning loss (in no small part due to the 100+ degree temperatures and wicked humidity) we took the opportunity to visit Baltimore, spend a few days in Philadelphia, drive to far Northwestern Pennsylvania to visit family, then on to a Youngstown, OH suburb to visit family, and then, FINALLY, fly home out of Pittsburgh. Along the way, Kevin treated me to major league baseball games in Baltimore, Philadelphia AND Pittsburgh. It was exhausting, but I guess we didn’t learn our lesson.
Tomorrow we are flying to Columbus, Ohio for the start of an even more ridiculous itinerary! Saturday, Cal plays Ohio State, so Kevin will be there to watch the massacre. While he’s at the game, I’ll be out exploring things to do around Columbus. I’ve heard its a nice city and I have a weakness for college towns. We’ll also be meeting up with blogger friends: Michela (who lives in Columbus) and Jeremy (who we know from California, but is also in town for the game). Jeremy’s trip is part of his College Football Travel Tour, a very cool project where he’ll be traveling around the US all fall to go to college football games and explore the communities (a little bird told me that Ohio State gave him a media pass down on the field so he’ll get to roam the sidelines during the game! I’m sooo jealous of the photos he’ll take!) If you love football OR love travel, check it out.
Columbus, OH | Flickr: swolfe
On Sunday, we’ll board a Greyhound bus and head to Pittsburgh, PA. From there, my dad will pick us up and drive to his town in Northwestern PA. That night, we’ll borrow his car and head to Warren County to the small town where my mom, aunts, uncles and grandparents live. We’re excited to spend a few days with them, it’s been over a year since we’ve been back there!
Rimrock Overlook, near Warren, PA. I’m hoping we’ll get to see some fall colors on these hills!
Mid-week we’ll head back to my father’s house. From there, we are accompanying he and my stepmom on a looong drive across the state! We’re going to Bethlehem, PA to visit my sister and her fiance. Just weeks ago, they bought their first house so we’re excited to check it out (and/or help them unpack!) I’ve never been to Bethlehem, so I’m excited to see this small city.
Bethlehem, PA | Flickr: lehighvalleypa
From there, our next stop is…
LOS ANGELES!
Well, technically LA is not part of the road trip, we’ll be flying there
Los Angeles – San Pedro, CA
Can you guess why we’re going to LA rather than coming right home? Yup, so that Kevin can go to the Cal v. USC game. I shouldn’t complain. I lived in LA for several years and I love the city madly. I’ll be spending time with friends and seeing what’s changed in the Long Beach and South Bay area.
Anyway, off to pack! Let me know if you know of any fun things to do in Columbus, Bethlehem, or LA!
No DC? 🙁
Not this time, sadly. My sister is getting married in Jersey next summer, we’ll come down after that!
I love Long Beach! It”s so easy to get around there on foot or public transit. One of my favorite things to do there is have lunch/brunch at the cafe at the LB Museum of Art – dining al fresco overlooking the beach. They have great food at reasonable prices. That’s actually one of my little travel tips – always look for a museum for meals. Museums usually have decent restaurants and cafes, and you usually don’t have to pay admission to do so. My favorite musem restaurant is at the Getty.
Oh, perfect! Really great tips, Melissa! Makes sense, art lovers appreciate good food! I lived in LB for a few years but I never went to the art museum! It is a beautiful location! I haven’t been to the Getty in years, now THAT is another beautiful place to enjoy a meal!
Visit German Village, you’ll be glad you did.
Sounds like a fun trip. Are you going to try pawpaw while in Ohio? It’s the state’s national fruit and this is usually a good time of year to get it.
I had never heard of this, but I looked for it! Seems we just missed it coming into season, a fruit market vendor said they would be getting them in a few weeks! So sorry I didn’t get to try it. It sounds fantastic!
Is it a long trip from Columbus to Pittsburgh on the bus?
No, 2.5 hours I think? It was comfortable–big seats and it was nicer than flying or driving, for sure!
So glad we had a chance to hang out! And even though Cal lost, it was still a great game!
Yes! It was a great time, I’m so glad we got to meet up! I’m sure we’ll see each other sometime soon. I’d like to come explore Sac this winter, so I’ll let you know!