The Quick Trips

Last week we took a couple days and went to Cincinnati to visit the zoo and take in a Reds game at Great American Ball Park. The visit to the zoo was excellent, with an absolute gorgeous day with nary a cloud in sight. The ball game we were greeted with a cold and rainy day, but made the best of it and enjoyed the park and most of the game. Catching up at work this past week has been a chore, to say the least, but I cherish these trips that we take. And though they take more commitment (time, money, and otherwise) than simply doing gifts for birthdays, it is probably my most favorite of the traditions Jackie and I have started for our family.

It was a quick trip. Checked into the hotel on Tuesday, swam and had dinner in town. Wednesday went to the zoo. Located in the heart of Cincinnati, the zoo was pretty amazing, if a bit disorienting at times. Being in such close proximity to urban life - seeing a cheetah with a house in the background, elephants with office buildings, hearing the sounds of urban life next to wild animals - was a different experience (not bad or worse, just different). The highlight was seeking the Okapi - an animal that has rear legs that look like a zebra, but is related to the giraffe, and while not as tall as the giraffe, has a similar long neck. Maia has talked about the Okabi for awhile after first seeing it on a show of hers called "The Lion Guard" on Disney Junior. So it was neat to be able to see it in person. Maia continues to show an interest in animals, and not just in seeing them, but learning about them. Thus, these trips to the zoos are always a lot of fun.

The next day was the baseball game, and as I mentioned we were greeted with a cold front that brought the temperature down to near 40 degrees, along with a light rain. That said, Great American Ball Park is a beautiful stadium and I was glad I got to see it, and it was nice to simply sit and watch a few innings of live baseball for the first time in awhile. For me, watching live baseball (particularly at a major league park where the PA system is often quieter than a minor league park), is one of the more relaxing, calming, and enjoyable activities there is (hence, why we went for my birthday trip).

All in all, a fun packed few days, and makes me look forward to our next trip - the annual getaway to Pentwater this summer!

On our way into the Cincinnati Zoo.

Feeding the giraffe

A seal, believing the sunshine is all his!

My girls

All tuckered out after the zoo

Our weather for the baseball game

The view behind our seats of the Ohio River into Kentucky

The Great American Ball Park scoreboard.

The view from our seats, by the right field foul pole.