Across the Great Divide

A must-see: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

On our way to the Penguin party at Bouchercon. 

While Dave was at Bouchercon on Saturday, Molly set out on foot to see the city during the day. 

We had lunch the next afternoon with Dave’s editor at the highly recommended Lola, Michael Symon’s flagship’s restaurant in Cleveland. Though it came highly recommended, Lola was just okay, and the waiter was probably the surliest we’ve ever encountered. He was more than a little put-off when we asked him to repeat the specials and clear some dishes. Apparently, in Cleveland, waiters are too good to tell you what’s on the menu and carry dirty dishes. 

The walk back to the hotel was just as awe-inspiring.

After dinner, we went to a private party for Mysterious Press at the Hard Rock Cafe in the Tower City Center, where we met Pulitzer-prize winner Robert Olen Butler and bestseller Michael Connelly. 

We ate dinner at Pura Vida, which was simply outstanding. One of the best restaurants we’ve ever been to. 

We saw more of the city when we walked to dinner that night.  

We had never been to downtown Cleveland before and were not expecting it to be so beautiful, but the urban landscape was simply stunning. The Fountain of Eternal Life was right outside the entrance to our hotel. 

After Cincinnati, we headed to Cleveland for the Bouchercon Conference. The drive—right at the beginning of fall—was beautiful.