The Learned Owl: Hudson, OH

Had a great event yesterday at the Lake Forest Country Club, in the gorgeous Cleveland suburb of Hudson, OH. I’m a terrible golfer, but I am a Caddyshack fan, so doing a book gig at a country club was a fun experience. Though I kept expecting Carl Spackler to show up spouting, “License to kill gophers by the government of the United Nations. Man, free to kill gophers at will…”

The other cool thing was Cleveland itself. I have to say, I’m blown away. I’ve been to a lot of great cities on tour and none have moved the needle as much as Cleveland. There’s just something about the funky blue-collar, all-American vibe that I love. I just wish I had time to visit the Superman house, because for those that don’t know it, yes, the Man of Steel was born in Cleveland, Ohio. And I’m one of the many geeky comic-book fans that donated to the restoration.

Off to Nashville where I’m at Davis-Kidd Booksellers tomorrow.

Up, up, and away…

Comments

[Kristan]

Heh, it's funny b/c I just had lunch with two native Cleveland-ers and they were joking about how the tourism slogan of Cleveland is, "At least we're not Detroit!" :P

That said, when I visited Cleveland, I too enjoyed it. So maybe the insider/outsider perspective is just that different.

[Eric Stallsworth]

That is so cool - you being a fan of the Man Of Steel. If you ever find yourself in Illinois, stop by Metropolis, Illinois. For one thing, there's a 50 foot tall statue of said hero. That alone merits a "fly-by".

Incidentally, I didn't know Supes was born there, but I do have a tattoo of him gracing my broad (okay, not that broad) chest. The Man of Steel and the Incredible Hulk both have a prominent position near my heart (they're my kids favorite heroes, so....). Good luck in Nashville, Jamie.

[Jamie]

Oh, and it's also where A Christmas Story was filmed...

[Dara]

Wow. I never really viewed Cleveland like that and I'm a native of that area...Gonna look at it a little differently now when I visit the family at Thanksgiving:)

I guess there is a unique vibe up there--it's definitely different from Dayton, that's for sure! Kristan's right though--that slogan is used A LOT. At least in my family it is! Perhaps it's that insider/outsider thing like she said.

There are some things I miss about the city though--they have an awesome zoo and I always loved going to the lake to watch the air show around Labor Day. Ah, the memories...

Glad you liked Cleveland though--many people don't :P Oh and Hudson is probably one of the prettiest suburbs up there too :)

[Boyd Morrison]

But if he kills all the golfers, they'll lock him up and throw away the key. Oh...gophers, not golfers.