Adventure in the "big city"

Today dawned in Central Ohio bright and sunny. The temperature started out in the mid 70's and promised to only climb into the 80's. It was the perfect day for an adventure. Our youngest was put on the bus for summer school and the girls and I headed downtown. We took the bus, an adventure worthy of its own blog, and got off at the corner of Washington Ave. and Broad and walked back to the Old Deaf School Park.

At 9:30 in the morning the park was mostly empty of visitors. There was one couple sitting and talking in the shade, some workers trimming bushes and one homeless man minding his own business on a bench. We wandered along the path looking at the topiary bushes, the flowers abuzz with bumbles and were taken by surprise by fish splashing in the water. You should have seen us jump! The water was a beautifully covered in lilly pads blooming with lovely pink flowers. We especially enjoyed the duckling that swam past with it's mother.

After admiring the famous bushes and posing for a few pictures, we took a stroll over to the intersection of Rich and Grant Streets and paused to admire the giant graduation cap hanging over Rich Street courtesy of Franklin University. It is big and it is blue. I like to think it stands for the wonderful opportunities that open up with education. I'm not talking of riches or fame, as a good education is not a guarantee of either. I am talking of how fantastic it feels to learn about the world and to acquire an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. (Be rest assured, I don't think money or acclaim would diminish this feeling so feel free to acquire both and share some with me!)

After the giant mortar board, we felt the call of Mickey D's and the girls and I walked over to get ourselves a chilly drink. Beverage in hand, we walked the streets guided by my internal compass that is occasionally faulty. Thankfully, today it steered us correctly. Although a misstep in the friendly streets of downtown Columbus, Ohio would not have been a tragedy. We'd have considered the experience a "detour" and simply asked for directions back toward Broad Street!

We ended up back at my husband's work and passed out jam to everyone we saw. For a treat we went out to lunch at a nearby Italian restaurant before we took the car back home. We look forward to many more summer adventures downtown. There really is so much to see!