I was invited by my sister Becky and my brother-in law Andrew to go with them and their children to go see Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, at the Blossom Music Center, with the Cleveland Orchestra playing the score for the movie. I have to say it was fantastic. There are parts where you have to remind yourself that the orchestra is actually playing it. For example; when they are doing the scene inside the pirate bar, the orchestra is playing the bar music. It is a huge tonal shift from the rest of the score, but they are still doing all the music. Amazing. I do not know if this is true or not, but supposedly that was the first time Disney had done the orchestra with that particular movie.

We left the program in some one else’s car, but there are going to be more events during the entire summer, and since kids (everyone under 18) is free for the summer I think it would be a great idea to go to another event. I do not usually have a chance to see how my children have grown, but watching two little ones fidget and fuss during the movie and I really got to appreciate how much older the children are and how they can sit quietly now.

We rode our bikes to downtown Akron, again, for the 4th of July. I say “again” sort of ironically, because I actually had the dates mixed up and took the kids downtown for fireworks a day early. We made the exact same trip two days in a row. The only real difference between last year and this year was we sort of took the long way this year. My personal philosophy is that riding a bicycle is a great form of transportation, but that you should also enjoy the experience. The towpath is definitely more enjoyable than city streets. With the water, the animals of all sorts, and the ability to really travel at your own pace.

We took a sleeping bag, which required a bit of experimentation in tying it down, and some water bottles with us. We enjoyed some ice cream downtown. Some of Patty’s friends from Stow showed up and we got a chance to all hang out with them. It was a great time. I wish I could take better pictures, but honestly I have been feeling lately that I should take fewer pictures and just enjoy the moment more.