I LOOOOOVE COLUMBUS!!!
Ohhhhh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! WE had more fun today than anybody has a right to! It was a loooooong busy day - but I got everything done I wanted to. Sort of. I had HOPED to be up and out by 9:00 this morning... THAT did not happen. But we did get down to the continental breakfast before it closed at 10:00!
The hotel has a beautiful little dining area.After breakfast we headed to the German Village. (a different one!) On the website it looked MUCH better than it did today -- probably because all the flowers were in bloom in THEIR pictures! Pretty much nothing was in bloom today -- and it was the gardens I was hoping to see!
None the less, it's still a quaint and pretty part of the citywith cobble stone streets and sidewalks.
We did visit the Book Loft ... and I did spend money.
I just liked this rocky horse!I bet it's really cute surrounded by gorgeous flowers!
When we left the German Village, we headed for the ZOO!
The Columbus Zoo is rated THE #1 Zoo in the COUNTRY.I will tell you right now, it is rated that way FOR the PEOPLE. Not for the animals! And mostly it's rated that way because it also has a rather large amusement park, water park, and aquarium all included for the same price. It IS a kids haven! Luz would have a BALL!!! And you DO see a lot of animals. But they are most certainly "caged". It is also a very beautiful zoo. But it is not my favorite zoo. Nonetheless, we had a very good time today. Ella came with us -- she has been feeling rather blue since we left Wisconsin and has not wanted to participate much - but today she was feeling better. She just requested that we NOT go see the elephants. (since there was a 45 minute line to see the new BABY elephant, I didn't argue!)
The FIRST animals we saw there were free roaming!
Those little chicks were sooooo cute! But MAN they
move fast! Very hard to capture on ... pixels.
Then we headed over to the Asian Village to see the tigers.
We saw ONE baby one sleeping... but that was it.
Ella enjoyed climbing on the statue though.
Then we saw some tortoises and Ella went ballistic!
She couldn't understand why they were penned up!
She misses her friend Zippy!
And THEN we saw the flamingos and Ella thought Pennie
MUST be around somewhere! Pennie's the only one that
would leave a flock THAT size somewhere! It made
perfect sense to me too!
We saw LOTs of other animals too - but in the interest of shortening this post a little bit - and saving something of interest for another day... I'm going to move along!
After the Zoo we headed back "in to town" to the North Market.
I WISH we had a market like this at my house!
The very first thing, Ella had to sample some of the
olive oil mixers. She HIGHLY recommended the
garlic cheddar mix... so I spent money. But I really
wanted a bit of the cajun cheddar... so I spent even more!
Then everything was going jusssst fine... until we got
to the bakery! OY!
Mom & I decided we each just wanted ONE little
chocolate petit four.
But ELLA wanted this GIANT coconut
covered rum ball!
It looked realllllly good - but she wouldn't
share - not even a BITE!
We ate our treats while we sat out on the porch and listened
to the wash tub band! They were great! They were playin'
songs like Buffalo Gal, and Old Dan Tucker. Good FUN!
Those little chicks were sooooo cute! But MAN theymove fast! Very hard to capture on ... pixels.
Then we headed over to the Asian Village to see the tigers.We saw ONE baby one sleeping... but that was it.
Ella enjoyed climbing on the statue though.
Then we saw some tortoises and Ella went ballistic!She couldn't understand why they were penned up!
She misses her friend Zippy!
And THEN we saw the flamingos and Ella thought PennieMUST be around somewhere! Pennie's the only one that
would leave a flock THAT size somewhere! It made
perfect sense to me too!
We saw LOTs of other animals too - but in the interest of shortening this post a little bit - and saving something of interest for another day... I'm going to move along!
After the Zoo we headed back "in to town" to the North Market.I WISH we had a market like this at my house!
The very first thing, Ella had to sample some of theolive oil mixers. She HIGHLY recommended the
garlic cheddar mix... so I spent money. But I really
wanted a bit of the cajun cheddar... so I spent even more!
Then everything was going jusssst fine... until we got
to the bakery! OY!
Mom & I decided we each just wanted ONE littlechocolate petit four.
But ELLA wanted this GIANT coconutcovered rum ball!
It looked realllllly good - but she wouldn't
share - not even a BITE!
We ate our treats while we sat out on the porch and listenedto the wash tub band! They were great! They were playin'
songs like Buffalo Gal, and Old Dan Tucker. Good FUN!
From there, I drove down to Front Street -- I really wanted to see the cities waterfront. But oh nooooooo... I couldn't find ANYwhere to park -- and NOT because of crowds! Nope. In fact there was no one down there at all! The entire waterfront is UNDER CONSTRUCTION! Ack! I couldn't believe it! That was very sad. I don't know what happened to it... The pictures on line are beautiful... but that IS the drawback to exploring on line things to do... you are UNinformed of things like that!
But the last thing I wanted to do today was go to a festival that they have on the first Saturday of every month -- it's called Short North. (I guess because that's where it's located) It's an arts fest with local artists of all kinds showing and selling their goods. It was NOT what I was expecting though! Actually... it was BETTER! But I was not allowed to photograph ANY of the art! The art was not on display out on the sidewalks or in the park -- it was all in little shops up and down High Street. But let me tell ya -- THIS art was waaaaaaaaaay better than that garbage at the Modern Art museum in Cincinnati! A lot of it was modern - but recognizable as something! But I looked at some of the prices. THE cheapest item I found today was $295 dollars. And it was really plain and tiny. Most of the prices ranged in the $2000 - $5000 range. A few pieces went as high as $15,000! And mom kept TOUCHING things! I finally quit going in! I could just see her breaking something.... and me explaining THAT charge on her credit card! LOL!
But the last thing I wanted to do today was go to a festival that they have on the first Saturday of every month -- it's called Short North. (I guess because that's where it's located) It's an arts fest with local artists of all kinds showing and selling their goods. It was NOT what I was expecting though! Actually... it was BETTER! But I was not allowed to photograph ANY of the art! The art was not on display out on the sidewalks or in the park -- it was all in little shops up and down High Street. But let me tell ya -- THIS art was waaaaaaaaaay better than that garbage at the Modern Art museum in Cincinnati! A lot of it was modern - but recognizable as something! But I looked at some of the prices. THE cheapest item I found today was $295 dollars. And it was really plain and tiny. Most of the prices ranged in the $2000 - $5000 range. A few pieces went as high as $15,000! And mom kept TOUCHING things! I finally quit going in! I could just see her breaking something.... and me explaining THAT charge on her credit card! LOL!
There were a few fun photo's to be had though!
An outdoor mural...
a rather different perspective of Ma & Pa Kettle!
For dinner we went into a little place called the Happy Greek.
For an appetizer we got a flaming cheese.
Mom thought that was neat!
After dinner we were back out on the streets...
Ella realllllllly likes sidewalk musicians....
She thought this guy was very good!
And she liked him even more...
... when he let HER toot his horn!
And she had a blast jammin' with this band!
And she really WANTED to play with these guys too...
Ella loves hip hop... but you know... elephants got
NO rhythm.
Now Mom is snoring and Ella is jumping on the bed...
We are heading HOME tomorrow... it's about an 8 hour
drive so I need some sleep!
Seeya tomorrow...
An outdoor mural...a rather different perspective of Ma & Pa Kettle!
For dinner we went into a little place called the Happy Greek.
For an appetizer we got a flaming cheese.Mom thought that was neat!
After dinner we were back out on the streets...
Ella realllllllly likes sidewalk musicians....
She thought this guy was very good!And she liked him even more...
... when he let HER toot his horn!
And she had a blast jammin' with this band!
And she really WANTED to play with these guys too...Ella loves hip hop... but you know... elephants got
NO rhythm.
Now Mom is snoring and Ella is jumping on the bed...
We are heading HOME tomorrow... it's about an 8 hour
drive so I need some sleep!
Seeya tomorrow...
Labels: Neenah Trip
posted by Melli at
10:22 PM
17 comment(s):
Of course Ella wanted a coconut rum ball! Have a safe journey home!
By
Kathy, at
5/03/2009 12:48 AM
I see you had a nice day ! This "german" town looks really very European it's a pity that spring hasn't arrived there yet.
I hated the zoo in Madison there was plenty of space for the people and tiny cages for the animals ! It should be the other way around.
By
Ingrid, at
5/03/2009 1:16 AM
Melli how wonderful. Your mom looks like she is really enjoying this and has settled right into this trip. And Ella...I so love her. This is so fantastic...What a day you all had :)
By
Anonymous, at
5/03/2009 2:51 AM
What fun! I can't believe Ella was playing in street bands! That girl is the friendliest thing!
By
quilly, at
5/03/2009 4:46 AM
Every time I see a picture of mom the first thought that crosses my mind is how HAPPY she looks. She's glowing!! This trip is really really very special I think. Loved all of your pictures again. If you drive, drive safe Melli. I would not want anything to happen to the two of you!! Andum ..; no speeding? ROFL!!
By
Jientje, at
5/03/2009 6:16 AM
Now that's what I call an eventful day.
Thanks for the wonderful pics and the tour!
I think my favorites are all the street musicians!
By
Nicole, at
5/03/2009 7:10 AM
Excellent adventure Melli....I love zoos myself, so this would have been a great treat for me.
Hey? I have an award for you today on my Sunday blog. Come on over.
By
Hootin Anni, at
5/03/2009 7:48 AM
What a full day and Ella got to enjoy also. i also like street musicans. Have a safe trip today.
By
bettygram, at
5/03/2009 8:13 AM
Musicians. yes We got flocked last night, both Pennie and us. They did a good job because we heard nothing. I think the real birds are better looking but then again our birds have gone through a lot.
By
bettygram, at
5/03/2009 8:17 AM
The town you were in looked sort of desserted in the first pictures. Glad you found the zoo and the street musicians for good fun.
I'll bet Mom has had the time of her life on this trip. :) She seems to take most everything in stride and manages prety well.
By
Amber Star, at
5/03/2009 12:21 PM
You'd better not tell Ella that we have puppies here, cause I think she'd be on her way up to play!
I absolutely love the pictures!!!!!! What a wonderful trip you have had.
By
Maribeth, at
5/03/2009 1:23 PM
Looks like a fun day!
I am picturing you asking the guys playing instruments to let you take a picture of them with Ella! ;-)
By
Barbara H., at
5/03/2009 3:06 PM
By the time you read this you should be home.
I so envy all that you saw. Pennie was gone on Saturday so I was stuck home.
I am glad Ella had a good time.
Elmer isn't talking to me because I let Ella go and I keep getting his name wrong.
You were only here for a little while but we still miss you.
By
Dr.John, at
5/03/2009 6:34 PM
Good evening Melli,I have enjoyed viewing the city of Columbus through your camera eyes...I have a girlfriend who lives in Columbus and I have never visited her in her home town..she always comes to Savannah to visit her family...
Wishing you a safe trip home ...
Love ya, Baba
By
Baba, at
5/03/2009 8:32 PM
Mom looked so happy at breakfast, and a little surprised with the flaming cheese at the other place. :-) You have such a good heart, Melli! And after seeing all you did in a day, you certainly have much more energy than I have.
By
Tootie, at
5/03/2009 11:48 PM
WHEW!!! I'm tired and all I did was READ about your day. Glad you are now home safe and sound and that you had such a wonderful trip.
By
Jane, at
5/04/2009 8:25 AM
That Ella is a great flirt. Looks like you had lots of fun.
By
Nessa, at
5/04/2009 2:33 PM
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