Ah, the moment for which we've been waiting is finally here!
Welcome to Powell, Ohio, a northwestern suburb of Columbus, and home to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Founded in 1927, the Columbus Zoo has always had a reputation for one of the most diverse animal collections in the country, even so far as being top rated by several media outlets. The property is situated on nearly a square mile of land, also including a water park and 18-hole golf course. Notable animal promoter Jack Hanna has done a fair amount of work with the Columbus Zoo, helping with its reputation. Despite some issues in the 2010's stemming from inappropriate uses of zoo funds, the zoo has since been re-accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and continues to be a popular place for visitors around the world.
Upon first entry after paying for parking and dealing with their over-the-top security forces, many choices abound for where to go. Heading under the tunnel, the Congo Expedition give view of the zoo's prized gorillas, including a baby recently born as of the time of our visit. Also in the area are Australia and the Islands with several interesting views, along with the seemingly underwhelming Shores and Aquarium, although being one of the few zoos outside of Florida permitted to help with the development of the manatee. Heading back under to the main area, Asia Quest gives a lovely view of tigers, red pandas, and Asian elephants. The North America section had most of it under construction with hardly anything available for exhibit, although if the majestic moose has eluded you, this is the place to find it. The zoo does offer a shuttle between the entrance area and Africa to at least help people get around the construction zone. Africa did not seem all that well laid out, as many of the animals were in the open prairie and difficult to view. The one saving grace to this zoo was Adventure Cove, being able to see the playful sea lions and harbor seals, along with other marine life and a tribute to the work of Jack Hanna.
At the end of the day, although we were very much looking forward to this place, the Columbus Zoo did not live up to the reputation it has garnered in years past. One full day is all you really need to get through the entire menagerie, though be sure you're ready to walk around because it is expansive. Make sure to bring food and drink with you, as the concessions are over-priced well beyond even most of the tourist traps we've visited across the country. Sure, the variety is nice, and it is clear that the staff does well with upkeep, but with a large chunk of the exhibits closed down for one reason or another, and especially at the price customers pay, you'd expect a better value.
Sometimes, your Internal Compass will really push you to go to certain places. Just make sure that expectations aren't set incredibly high, lest you be disappointed in what you find.
Once again into another match!
Welcome to Delaware State Park, just north of Delaware, Ohio, for today's disc golf match at the campground course. This is one of two courses available at Delaware State Park, and is in the area reserved for camping guests. It is a nine-hole course with short, technical holes, which should give our players a break from the rough times they've had recently. There is no map available at the park itself, but the signage makes it fairly easy to follow your way through the course. She has been on an incredible streak; can she keep it up, or will he be able to right the ship? Let's see how they fare:
Course Result:
His Holes: 3
Halved: 6
Her Holes: 0
Course Record: Him 8 - 4 - 12 Her
Holes Record: Him 57 - 74 Her
After a straight forward halved first hole, a missed putt by her allowed him to take hole number two. After trading missed putts on hole 3, she had a chance to tie the score with him having bad tree luck, but a missed putt led to the hole being halved. After trading missed putts on what could have been a par on the 5th, she had another missed putt on the six with cost her another hole. She had a little bad tree and rough luck on the seven while he was able to make par, winning him a third hole. She had a chance to get back in it with him ending up in the rough, but a missed putt for par halved the hole. One final halve brought him a shutout. The shot count was a decent 39-42 in his favor.
He has found a good course to be able to get back in the win column, but can he keep it up? We'll find out next time, but until then, be sure to Follow Your Internal Compass.
Yet another menagerie is upon us!
Welcome to the City of Seven Hills, home of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. This zoo dates all the way back to the 1870's, and while it is not the oldest zoo in the nation, they do claim to have the oldest zoological building that still stands today, though once housing primates, today houses a number of reptiles. Today, this zoo has grown to 75 acres of wildlife preservation in the northern part of the city, and their hundreds of different species leaves this to be a place where many flock from around the country to visit.
Because this property is within the city, visitors will find that parking comes at a cost in addition to the entrance fees, but several of the lots are covered with high roofs. That being said, it is not recommended to have your RV in tow at this location. Consider taking a picture of the map as you walk in, as this is a fairly large park with many different things to offer, whether you take a walk through Roo Valley, experience Giraffe Encounters, or see the growth progress of the smallest surviving (at the time of writing this) hippopotamus ever recorded in history. Give yourself a couple of days to really enjoy everything this zoo has to offer, as it is an extensive collection. Just be aware that prices do change based on attendance for the day, so plan ahead.
The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is highly rated by several media outlets, and at the end of the day, we can certainly see why they were. We had come to the area in the anticipation of visiting other attractions, along with another zoo not too far away, but we are very glad that we stopped by this location. Even if you're a little ways outside of the tri-state area along the corridors of Interstates 71 or 75, whether a group, a family, or even just yourself, it will be worth the drive to see this collection.
So the next time your Internal Compass takes you to the Cincinnati area, be sure to put the Zoo and Botanical Garden on your list of things to see.
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