Cleveland Segway Tour

Cleveland has really been in the news lately with the Gay Games, the Republican convention, and the return of Lebron James! And Oberlin is a neighbor to this robust and amazing city! So when you come to visit us here, plan a day to drive the 40 minutes into down town Cleveland and find out what the hoopla is all about!

The best way to really get the history and feel of Cleveland is to take a tour just like you would do in one of the mega cities like New York or San Francisco. We took the Trolley tour a few years ago and discovered many new and interesting things about the city and we've lived here for over 40 years!  Then just today in my inbox there appeared a Groupon for the new  Segway tour. These seem to be all the rage in cities around the country. So why not grab a Groupon for the Segway Tour and find out why Cleveland is for sure 'the best location in the nation!' Click for the link for the Groupon.

Oberlin's Amazing Smartphone Race

Do you have a smartphone! Do you like to solve clues? Do you love history?  Do you like to walk? Do you like friendly competition? Do you like solving clues? If you answered yes to all of the above then you should come to Oberlin and take part in the Amazing Oberlin Smartphone Race! All that is needed is 2 to 4 persons per team, with one person on each team with a smartphone. You start at the Oberlin Heritage Center where you are texted the first clue. When a team figures out an answer, they send a text or photo back to the center and receive the next clue. Now there are a total of 14 clues, covering about 2 miles, and should take you about 90 minutes if you are not side tracked for ice cream, coffee, or a beer!

This is a super activity to add to that list of things to do when you visit Oberlin, Ohio during your 'Staycation!' You may find there are so many activities to schedule that you will need several days to get it all in! You need to make time for the Oberlin Heritage Center and tours, the Oberlin Art Museum, the Oberlin Theater Festival, the Zip Line Canopy Tour, the antique shops, the quaint downtown shops, and then you need to take time to stop, smell the roses, and relax by the pool at Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast. You can race from now til  October!

The International Gay Games Comes to Cleveland

Thirty-two years ago the first International Gay Games was held in San Francisco and every 4 years since has been held in cities in the US, Germany, Australia, Canada and The Netherlands. We are excited that this year, August 9 - 16, the games will be held in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio and expectations are that 9,000 athletes will participate and close to 20,000 guests, spectators, performers and volunteers will flock into the city and surrounding areas. Hallauer House Bed and Breakfast will welcome all participants and guests so come early, stay late, enjoy the games while you also enjoy a taste of history and the modern amenities at the B & B just 15 miles west of Cleveland right off of  I480/US Rt. 20.

The kick off ceremony to open the Gay Games will begin on Saturday, August 9 from 4:00 - 6:00 P.M. at Quicken Loans Arena as the participants march in according to geographic locations. And just like the Olympic games there will be entertainment with spectacular production numbers, dancers, music, speeches, and the raising of the Rainbow Flag. The closing ceremony will take place on Saturday August 16 on Mall C across from the Cleveland Convention Center.

And now the Games begin! There will be competition in:
basketball, bowling, power lifting, open lake swimming, pool swimming, rowing, triathlon, tennis, volleyball, rodeo, golf, diving, cheering, 10K & 5K road race, billiards, darts, ice hockey, martial arts, rock climbing, racket ball, road racing, sailing, softball, track and field, wrestling, body building, dance, cycling, water polo, beach volleyball, ice skating, sailing, squash, flag football, soccer, table tennis, and synchronized swim. Wow! Hope I didn't miss one!

There will be lots of entertainment in the way of comedy, theater, conferences, dancing, great food, tours to local attractions and museums, cruises, and much, much more. The Festival Village will be the hub of the games where participants, family, guests, and the public can gather to meet and greet and have fun times!

So we welcome all to come to our great Cleveland area. You may come as a stranger but you will leave as a friend! We are all one human family so we will "take the flame and pass it on."
Take the Flame (3’17”) By Henry Krieger, Bill Russell, Lyricist