Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee fun | Arthritis Information
Wheeee. I haven't been posting much because I'm STILL rcovering from our trip to the Cleveland Zoo!!
I lived in Cleveland from 4th-9th grade and we used to visit the zoo about 4 times a year. Soo I wanted the kids to have the experience. Mark was between regular school and summer school and I was feeling pretty good so we packed up the van and headed out.
The kids were just wonderful for the drive (260 miles) and our hotel was incredible. It's nice to be older parents because we can spend a little more now than when our kids were little. Hyatt Place Independence ...marvelous hotel and staff.
Ally and I swam in the hotel pool which was as warm as a therapy pool. I loved it and felt so good after.
We got to the zoo around opening time on Friday and got our tickets for everything. zoo, rainforest, dinosaurs (yep dinos) and the touch exhibit.
After I bought all of us hats, we hiked and hiked and hiked and hiked allllllllllllllllllllllll over that zoo.
Jake fell in love with the elephants and the hippo which he called a "hello." The animatronic dinos looked like they were really hiding among all the tall plants. it was so much fun.. scared jake a bit though, but entranced Ally who is a little looney about the subject.
I think Jakes favorite thing was the big sandpile in the Australia section. He had a ball, and I'm still changing sandy diapers lol.
That night I met up with a friend and her daughter and we had a girls night out, having dinner and doing a little shopping...while mark watched the kids.
Yesterday morning Mark went back to school and Ally and Jake got back into their regular routines..Jake is napping now..
I've been looking up info on several zoos within 300 miles, including aquariums. If we get a family membership we can go to the Buffalo zoo, the rochester zoo, the national zoo, and and MANY more for free or reduced admissions. I doubt we will go tooo far the drive has to be managable in a day, but we are making plans.
It was just awsome, and what made it even better was I DIDNT HURT!!! yeah I got tired, and it took a couple days to recover but I was able to walk and enjoy it.
The only thing that wasnt perfect was discovering my camera had been accidently switched on and the batteries were dead so... no photos. I told Ally she'd just have to remember it..
The Cleveland zoo is supposed to be one of the best, I've been wanting to go. It sounds like you had a great little vacation! Are you close to Chicago? The Shedd aquarium is excellent. Lots of other fun kid stuff too.
Hi, Kathy it was so much fun reading your post. Children can be such a joy when they see things for the first time. I'm so glad you made it without 'hurting'! Honestly, our lives revolve around tryint to feel 'normal' . Is that too much to ask? Good hearing from you, Lynda.Hi Kathy,
Sounds like you had a great time at the Zoo. I, like you, had not been to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for years (maybe 20+) and I live in the Cleveland area! However, this years Arthritis Walk was held there. So after we did the 5K (which included walking up the long hill to the primate area), we rested and then decided stay and really see the Zoo and the Rainforest. We, like you, walked all over the place including that long hill, again, to the primate area. Since we had to be at the Zoo by 7:30am for the Arthritis Walk and we never left until 5pm, you could say we were exhausted. But we had a great time!!!
Marianne
Sounds like fun!! Glad you had a good time, I would have definitely needed a scooter for a day like that! Too bad about the camera but its a good reason to have to go back!
Yea that Shed here in Chicago is awesome! Havent been there in forever...Also the Field Museum is pretty neat too.
Wow, the Cleveland Zoo - I haven't thought about it in years! Probably the last time I was there was in the mid 1960's! I'm sure it has changed dramatically since then. That was back when they just kept the animals in small cement box cages.
Even though my roots are from West Virginia, I was born in Cleveland and lived there until I started high school, when I moved to Connecticut. I have been back a few times in last few years on my way to Chicago (where my kids were going to college). So much has been done to revitalize downtown Cleveland - it is a joy to see. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Science Museum on the lake are spectacular. --- Just wish something could be done to help the suburbs now - they seem worn down and depressed.
Chicago's Field Museum is really neat, I agree. The Shed didn't do much for me - was pretty much like any other aquarium. I haven't made it to the Art Institute, but it's on my list for next time. I have one kid left, and I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up going to college in Chicago too!
Yea the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum is really cool. Havent been there since it opened so im sure its even better now.
Hillhoney--I havent been to the Art Museum either and i live here. If you end up comming up let me know! How much longer till your youngest is in college?
He graduates from high school next June! (sound of ominous music in background).
It would be fun to get together - I think we could drag Gramma down to hang out with us too!
That sounds like a great trip!!! I am glad you guys had sooooo much fun!!!! I was born in Cleveland!!! When we would go back and visit relatives we always went to the zoo. Yea Im sure we could drag Liz down from cheeseland LMAO....As many times ive been to cleveland ive never been the Cleveland Zoo. Heck ive been to Chicago only a half a dozen times and i only live like 45 mins away
We will probably take the kids there next year.. since its a lot farther for us to go there.
I used to spend a lot of time downtown before the kids were born and even after we managed a few trips downtown.
I'm sitting with a map and making concentric circles.. looks like Buffalo, Rochester, Erie, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and the national Zoo are on the agenda.
Wow, this is amazing! My daughter, my son, and my daughter's fiance (from CT) all attended Columbia College! It's a great school!
Yeah i suppose I could leave the coziness of cheeeeeeeseland and come visit everyone down in flatlander country lol. me and Hillhoney can have a who sounds the funniest contest lol. Me with my cheeeseland accent or her with her east coast/hillbillie accent lol. Oooohhh when I get mad you can really hear the WI in me lol. LOL Liz you crack me up...ok so my hands arent typing the right letters today and i accidently typed crap instead of crack...LMAO thought id share that one w/ yall.... Yea we can go museum hopping..since we cant go bar hopping LOLIt sounds like you had an absolutely wonderful vacation!
Nancy
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