Rubber meets road on city tour

I've always had this idea of the ultimate Akron tour, which is probably pretty close to what your idea of such a tour might be, assuming you're the kind of person who thinks about these things.

[Catherine Seiberling Pond]

Alright, this is just freaky. Brought two friends from my book group (check out www.TalkingCupcakes.blogspot.com ) to Akron last week as I was giving a talk on Stan Hywet and they'd heard just about "everything Akron" for several years. They were great to come out and join me--they by plane, me from six hours by car from the South.

The first thing we did on May 7 was to hit Swenson's in Wallhaven. They agreed: sublime. I explained that I was never a Skyway girl but definitely would "go along for the ride." Then, a driving tour of Akron that began with downtown and a requisite walk-through at Glendale to stretch our middle aged travel weary legs. More Akron drive bys and arounds (sadly, we needed another day, at least, as there was so much we did not see), and a full day at Stan Hywet on Thursday.

After taking them to the airport on Friday morning, I did a few more "drive bys" myself, mainly out of nostalgic longing for houses no longer lived in by people I know. Then a West Point run, then another trek to Swenson's (no Anthes this trip). Somewhere along route 71 to 75 south I pulled out the small box of sauerkraut balls I'd intended for the kids to try. Well, they didn't make it, even to the Kentucky border.

Thanks for your column.

All best, Catherine Pond

[Catherine Seiberling Pond]

PS And I was also sipping a California from Swenson's on my drive out of town, May 9th in fact...

By the way, I don't live in Regina, KY. Never heard of it! But I am in Kentucky...perhaps I am being oddly tracked by some misguided software.