Cleveland Ruins

I love Saturday mornings with my husband Matt. They are relaxing, not planned, and full of adventure. We love to go exploring. This use to take place in the woods, but now we are surrounded by buildings.

We set off on our bikes and headed toward the industrial part of town. Matt had scene these old bridges and he was craving to climb. Look what we found in downtown Cleveland!


If there is something inappropriate on this wall. I am sorry! Just look at the pretty colors and artistic potential of the graffiti artists.

A buttercup gift from Matt was a perfect pop of color to the train tracks that dissapear.
Found some rock to climb. A little different than mountains.
Crazy at times, but I absolutely love him. I was doing well, till he noticed he couldn't get back down. Then I stopped taking pictures of him.

Skate Park

Our church held an outreach event at the skate park!! Tournament, food, tons of kids, and God...what could be better? Take a look at some of these kids in action!




This boy is only 9. By the way that is a full flight of stairs!

This guy not only jumped the stairs but he sailed over the cement railing as well!


Okay so a little too much saturation in this picture. I am learning that 100% is not always the best. Every day I am learning more and more about editing.Wow!! This is nothing compared to the roller hockey I played when we were little. First of all mom made me wear pads since I was playing with my older brothers and their friends. And Second, when we were getting out of control on the driveway we skated and threw ourselves on the fluffy grass. This was pure cement everywhere!

One little boy was wearing pads that his mom made him put on. He was complaining about them and the helmet and I feel his discomfort. They restrict you from your game, but at the same time. Way to go mom.

Practicing Photography at the Museum

I love art museums and the one in Cleveland was recommended by so many people that I had to visit. I woke up the other morning and was in spontaneous mode. This mode influences me quite a bit from day to day, but this morning the spontaneous spirit within me was very strong. Usually, when it is this strong I get a haircut on a whim, just because my hair won't cooperate. Today it took me on another bike ride. Around a two hour bike ride! Once again, I am no Lance Armstrong, but at this rate I am catching up. I did not know how far away the museum was...let me tell you, it was far!!! I biked about a third of the way and by that time I had sweaty helmet hair, back sweat, and I was afraid to stand up off my bike in fear of something else being wet. It was at that point I began to ask for directions, because by my sense of direction and time I was supposed to be there by now. Word of wisdom...never just look at a Google map and decided how far away something is...actually read the written directions and mileage! I asked an elderly woman, “How much further to the art museum?” She said. “Honey, you have a long ways to go.”

Well, I made it....an hour later. Very sweaty. I lazied my way through the museum (lazied-did I make that up...well I like it). Sketched a little, but its hard to stay focused when everyone is trying to casually peak over your shoulder when you are not looking. The museum was beautiful...I will have to go back when the new wing is complete. I watched an installation and thought...hmmm...maybe one day I could be in a museum (not me, my artwork). Just a dream. Hey you never know with God on your side. What do you think God? No pics of the museum-they took my camera. Outside there was a beautiful park! Take a look. First of all, a ton of ducks. Watch your step. Practicing sun burst F16---it worked!!! Panning. It's when you set your camera on a lower speed. This will allow the blur of the background. Then to capture a moving object in focus...you need to move your camera with the subject. Follow their movement and then click click click. Take a few shots. Takes a little practice to not only stay with them, but to choose the right aperture. Here I am practicing raising the speed of the camera to stop water. If you have your camera in auto, it will most of the time pick the highest speed to ensure nothing is out of focus. It is designed by the same man who did Central Park. I forget what his name was. I learned this fact of the day from a very kind old man. He was a historian and worked at the museums in the area. He told me all about the park, the armor collection in the museum- which was awesome, how Cleveland museum was started, and where they get the artwork. He told me about how severance hall is decorated after the architects wife. One room is fashioned after her wedding dress. Each room represents her. He talked for about an hour, but I really did find it very interesting, I just wish I retained it all. The bike ride back...well I called Matt and asked him to pick me up on his way home.

You Should Brush Your Teeth Less?!?

So, I decided to get acquainted with Cleveland a little bit more. I got on my bike and headed toward the East side or no the West side...Aahh it is so confusing ( this is some Cleveland lingo I really should get down). I definitely headed toward the West Side. My journey first took me over a Mile long bridge!The picture really doesn't do the slope of the bridge justice. As I started peddling, I started changing my gears down...down...down...this was supposed to keep going, but my gears were jammed! They made a clicking noise on anything below the hardest gear. Then after the click came a sputter in which my bike stopped and I julted forward. Let me remind you I am not the most talented biker in the world. I turned the gears back to 7-the hardest, so that I didn't fall off my bike in front of traffic. That would be embarrassing, but don't worry I was on the sidewalk (like always). I was not worried about biking in gear 7, I mean for goodness sake I was an athlete. No challenge to great...as I broke a sweat and got to the point where I need to stand up to pedal. Then I got to the point where you are standing up pedalling, huffing and puffing, and the bike is barely moving. I made it to the top completely out of breath, with huge pit stains, and my hair now wet beneath the helmet ( as if helmet hair wasn't bad enough).
The ride down felt amazing as the wind cooled my face. All of a sudden, I had forgotten how absolutley ridiculous I looked pedaling up the bridge and now sat tall, shoulders back, dignified, with a sense of pride as I glided down the other side.

My journey took me to the West Side Market (that is how I figured out I was going West and not East-duh).



This place is amazing!!! They sell fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese, pastries, bread, cupcakes, sushi, pizza (which they will make right on the spot),


and Crepes...
There is so much more, but I must stop here. These mouth watering Crepes are incredible. I mean my mouth is watering right now. My favorite and the only one I have tried, it is just so good, is a crepe filled with strawberries, blueberries, sprinkled with powdered sugar ( I always ask for a few more shakes), and whip cream on the top. The strawberries melt and oh it is so Good!!!
Here is a photo of the crepe man. I snapped it really fast...hence the blurriness, but he still noticed and I am not sure if he was caught off guard or not pleased. Ooops. Next time I will ask instead of being sketchy.
Remember please that I am in the learning process, which brings me to the whole title of this post.

I was on my way back from the market, when I noticed some great photo ops. I like taking pictures of objects, but I love most taking them of people. Here are some photos from another visit to the West Side Market that will explain moments I love to capture.

I thought noone had seen me. I was wrong. As I pedaled back, I stopped at a red light and was approached by an elderly man. He had the most peculiar demenor. His bierd was pulled together beneath his chin and wrapped in a ball. His eyes were old with the years, but still full of life. He spoke with a little jump in his step and said,
" Ya know it would go alot better if you dressed differently."
"Excuse me," I said.
" You stand out too much..too clean," he said.
He continued," You should wear clothes like us, dirtied up a bit and worn. Your hair, too nice. And your teeth to white, you should brush less."
"What if I just ate an oreo instead," I said.
He smile and nodded.
I thanked him genuinely for his advice and rode off with a smile.
He yelled out behind me," Are you married?"
I smiled again and said, "Yes," and began back up the hill/bridge more prepared this time for what was ahead.

About Me

Hi! You can call me Cassie for short.
Here I am with my amazing husband Matt. Yes, I know he is extremely handsome.
So, I wanted to tell you a little bit about myself...I thought the best way to do this was through everyone that knows me best. Here are stories from Family and Friends that express my true colors:

Starting with...

A Little Displaced

Everything within me longs to be surrounded by the Beauty of God's creation. I feel so at peace climbing through the woods, jumping rocks, listening to the wind blow through the trees or whistle past the waves on the beach. I feel alive and free at the top of a mountain as well as at sea level starring to the ends of the earth past the waters.

I am a country barefoot loving girl who presently finds herself here:

Welcome to Cleveland Ohio. Welcome to not just Cleveland, but the very heart of the city...Downtown.

I now walk, with shoes on, through a forest of people that rush about across the streets not looking for a smile or conversation, but for the walk sign. I have learned that it is almost impossible to talk on the phone when outdoors, the beeping trolley, the sirens, or the crazy strong winds of Cleveland are bound to disrupt cellphone conversation.

The only animal in sight is a seagull or pigeon.

Moccasins, oh so comfortable, but they do not fare well when walking block after block

And...I ride my bike on the sidewalk. Why? Because I prefer to dodge pedestrians than take my chances in the beeping traffic. I don't know how others do it, but for an uncoordinated bike rider I stick to the sidewalk ...and yes I still wear my helmet. Someone should take a picture of that.

WELCOME to my life of new beginnings.

If you stick around you will read stories of being a displaced country girl and watch my journey towards becoming a photographer.