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Snapshot Chronicles Roadtrip

Family travel through a slightly twisted lens. Sense of humor required. Shoes optional.

It’s all happening at the zoo

April 26, 2010 by Susan Getgood

I’ve always loved the zoo, and this month, I visited two.

Columbus Zoo

During a business trip to Columbus, Ohio, I had a a full day to spare before my flight home due to last minute changes in my travel plans. The good news, however, was that friend Christina McMenemy (A Mommy Story) was free that day and suggested we go to the Columbus Zoo. We only had time for a few exhibits, but I was impressed with the facility — especially how clean it was, and look forward to a future trip to Columbus to see more.

4528514936 237189b3b3 Its all happening at the zoo

Baby Elephant, Columbus Zoo

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Red Panda, Columbus Zoo

4528526674 052699444a Its all happening at the zoo

Gray Wolf, Columbus Zoo

Stone Zoo

Douglas decided he wanted to go to the zoo too, so I took the afternoon off yesterday from book editing, and we went to a small local zoo, the Stone Zoo in Stoneham, Massachusetts.

You can see the whole zoo in about 90 minutes, but it is a pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon, and the staff is very friendly. One zookeeper pointed out a little turtle — wild — that had moved into their pond, and when we said we hadn’t been able to spot the Snow Leopard, offered to walk back and point her out to us.

The animals in the Stone Zoo are mostly American (North and South) native animals, with a couple of Himalayan species for good measure. Sister zoo, the Franklin Park Zoo, has the African mammals and will be our next zoo destination.

4554614914 7032f1fbfd Its all happening at the zoo

Mexican Gray Wolf, Stone Zoo

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River Otter, Stone Zoo

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Douglas, Stone Zoo

Soundtrack for this post: At the Zoo, by Simon and Garfunkel.

Filed Under: Day Trips, Massachusetts, Ohio, Zoo Tagged With: Columbus Zoo, Stone Zoo

Lucas “Do-dah”

July 2, 2009 by Mary Cardwell

After a rather sleepless stop over in Rochester NY, we decided to pull up our bootstraps, buckle down the hatches and head to our friends in Sullivan OH, an hour southwest of Cleveland.  At the time, we had no idea just how smart of a decision this was.  Due to technical difficulties, our visit was extended by a couple days but thanks to Cindi and Bill, nothing dampened our vacation spirit!

Dennis drove all the way from MA to OH, so when he asked me to take over the wheel somewhere west of the OH border, I gladly obliged.  Most of the roads to this point were long, long stretches of straight highway with little traffic so as a novice RV’er I figured even I could do this.  Little did he know (…or did he?…) we were only about 15 miles outside the Cleveland city limits.   After hours of silence, Betty (we named our GPS) starts screaming at me to prepare for a left exit, then a right exit, then a keep on the current road followed by a highway change.  We went from 2 lanes to 4 lanes down to 3 lanes – traffic entering from every direction!  I’m still not sure the real reason for Dennis’s sinister laugh – maybe he was nervous for me? Maybe because my knuckles were the same shade of white as my grandmother’s hair? Maybe it was my colorful commentary about each vehicle that came within 200 feet of us?  Or maybe it was his relief that I was behind the wheel and not him?

amish 300x211 Lucas Do dah

Ohio Amish

Either way, we made it to Sullivan without a scratch and a promise that I’ll never have to do that again!

Central Ohio was more beautiful than I expected.  Acres upon acres of rolling corn fields and dairy farms intertwined with Amish farms.  It wasn’t uncommon to see horse and buggie traveling past the house.  We decided to take a drive to Akron and see the Cleveland Indians AAA team, the Akron Areos. For sports fans, I highly recommend minor league ball games.  The cost is a fraction of major league games, parking is a breeze and the crowds are minimal.  The kids were jazzed that we were only 6 rows behind home plate.

Lucas Do dah 300x225 Lucas Do dah

Winning smiles

There were enough open seats that the adults scooted back a couple rows to spread out and give the kids some much appreciated independence.  We were close enough, however, to hear the laughter when the announced the first batter for the opposing team…”Now batting, number 34, Lucas Duda”  and Luke’s new nickname “Do-dah!” was born.

cool kids at a cool place 300x225 Lucas Do dah

Future Inductees

The next day, we took the opportunity to head to the big city.  This time Dennis drove and we were both mentally prepared.  We set the GPS to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Downtown Cleveland.  I visited the Rock Hall last time I came to see Cindi and  I was very excited for the kids to see everything.  It did not disappoint.  Cam loved Bon Jovi’s motorcycle and Dennis and Luke bonded over the stage props from Pink Floyd’s The Wall.

hands across Rock Hall 300x225 Lucas Do dah

Anything to make Mom happy

For our last full day in OH, we decided to take in the local sights.  Passing through a small portion of Amish country, we visited an old fashion cheese barn and candy store.  Luke said he was so excited he felt like a kid in a candy store, literally!  I couldn’t resist the blueberry cheesecake fudge.  Yum!  Dennis got a real chuckle out of the local version of the washer toss gamed called “corn hole board.”  He may have even bought one if it wasn’t $75!

Next stop is Mount Rushmore for the July 4th Celebrations.  If the moon and stars align, we should be there in plenty of time to see the country’s largest fireworks display Friday night.  Internet access may be limited but we’ll get something posted as quickly as possible.

Thanks again Cindi, Bill, Maddie and Zack.  We loved every minute of our visit and can’t thank you enough for being such wonderful hosts!!!

TIPS:

  • Visit local attractions not just big city or tourist areas.   You may find a hidden treasure like Grandpa’s Cheese Barn!
  • Take in a local minor league or college sporting event.  Prices and crowds are reasonable.
  • If you do visit popular tourist spots, plan ahead by knowing the hours, where to park and featured exhibits.
  • Be flexible and relax enough to enjoy your current situation.  Plans change and make sure you are able to roll with the punches and not let the little things spoil your good times!

Filed Under: Cross Country, Ohio, Vacation Tagged With: Cleveland, minor league baseball, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

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