The end of summer in New York City can get heated. Humidity is up 100-percent, and it gets so hot that the pavement melts and sticks to your wheels. It’s also the usual time for tons of tourists and skate teams to visit. Under these crowded, sweaty situations, a crew of us decided to break for Ohio and take it down a notch. A couple cars full of skaters assembled and trekked out en route to Cincinnati. The crew consisted of Steve Durante, Alex "Butters" Davis, Jerry Mraz, Dave Caddo, Lurker Lou, and Curtis Rapp.

Curtis Rapp • Backside 50

Dave Caddo • Backside 5-0 to Fakie

On the way I persuaded a few heads that we take it over to Cleveland, as I had spots and sanctuary to promise. We met up with my good friend and local filmer Joe Bressler, who hooked us up with some tight spots to skate over the next few days. Check out Joe's video Windows and Doorways, which features Cleveland skaters and spots almost entirely.

Joe took us to several key ’hood project locations, which got the heat on. After some sweet moves, we cooled off in the ’hood swimming pool next to the banks we’d been skating, with no trouble. If you ever make it out that way, make sure you treat yourself to fine meals at Waffle House and Skyline Chili. These are two places we don't have in NY, so we made

sure to take full advantage and please our stomachs with the best food on earth. East coast Habitat filmer Andrew Petillo and I battled it out over the most food consumption. Off to Cincinnati.

Al Davis • Switch backside 180

Al Davis • Switch 180 Nose manual backside 180 out

Caddo and Al Davis both had the pleasure of showing us around, as they’re from Ohio and nearby Kentucky. We thought we'd avoid the heat and humidity of NY, but it was the same there—if not worse. Constantly soiling my clothes with sweat, I took to shooting photos mostly shirtless in my man sweater, like the true yokel I am.

Glenco projects in the ’Nati is one of the most eerie places I've ever been to. It’s basically a block or so of empty, abandoned housing that was shut down years ago, but still intimidates the air. A good place to bbq and skate, though. Madman Jerry Mraz can be spotted here fixing cracks for hours and making dreams come true.
C Rapp got down in front of the PJs!

After an all day heated sesh, we showed up to the local 'Natti spot "D.O.'S" to drink some streets beers and watch Lurker Lou Sarowsky stomp a nollie heelflip. Meanwhile, Habitat flowby Al Davis was on a mission. Killed every spot we went to. Don't worry, you'll be seeing plenty more of him in the near future! His rampage was cut short with a stop at the hospital- busted his grill but he was back in no time.

Durante got down on some tech ledge steez all over the place. I still owe him a couple tall boys for landing that switch heel b/s lip on point... come collect you, dirty Jersey scum!

Steve Durante • Switch heel switch backlip

Al "Butters" Davis • Backside 180 Nosegrind and buttery switch tre

Lurker Lou • Nollie heel into bank

Dave Caddo • 5-O Kickflip out

Steve Durante • Switch 180 Nosegrind

Curtis Rapp • Fakie nose
grind shove

Al Davis • Ollie into bank

In the end, the crews parted ways and headed back to New York. Al's face was busted so he stayed back in Kentucky for a few. Steve, Andrew, and I stopped in West Virginia for a couple beers and some pizza, and it turned into a night of rest-stop hi-jinx and an exhausting ride home…