This morning we took off about 9:00am and headed south towards Cincinnati – destination: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens. What a beautiful place this is. I highly recommend it to everyone. Rather than create two separate sites, they masterfully combined the zoo and botanical gardens – exceptionally well done. Mother and I took my nephews to the zoo around 2001 or 2002 and we fell in love with it. Since my last visit, it seemed that major improvements had been accomplished.

We started started off at the Bird House. Now for those who don’t know this, I, like my mother, am terrified of bird and bats. Once inside the building I realized I would not be traveling through the open rain forest section. As the boys walked through one huge, open room, I stood outside watching a pair of macaws. They were beautiful and I enjoyed them. The boys came out saying, “You should have seen how big the bats were in…” The next thing I remember is standing outside the building. My breathing calmed down and I believe my stomach began sliding back down after being wedged in my throat for a few minutes.

There was one area called the Monkey Adventure and you walked down this beautiful jungle path to watch the various breeds of monkeys in the open. It was fantastic. The lions also had a similar setting.

The polar bears put on a spectacular show of semi-synchronized swimming, entertaining a huge gathering of zoobies.

I think, the best part was the mammal exhibits – the manatees – large and unattractive, swimming so gracefully… Matt was standing by the glass and this huge manatee came right up to him, staring right at… it raised its paw to the glass and Matt laid his hand against it. I sat on the long sofa with others (I brought the average age down to 73!) and watched it… it was very touching. Of course, Jose called out, “Just like looking in a mirror, eh?” which had everyone rolling with laughter. In another mammal section of the zoo, the seals were also playing and very entertaining – playing ball and swimming up to the glass and staring back at us.

The gorilla/ape section is always my favorite. When Mother, the nephews and I were there, a mamma gorilla was nursing her baby. As she held it she caressed its head, brushed flies off of it and was so human in her mannerisms. Well, today, there was this huge male gorilla who was apparently in a foul mood and the others literally tiptoed around him! At one point he sat there, reached up to scratch his head, and folded his arms with his one hand still at the side of his head. It was amazing! I hated to leave that section. Of course, Jose could not help but to compare his brother to the one grumpy ape…

Another favorite area is the African/India section. The elephants and giraffes are in these huge open areas, and you have so many areas surrounding them in which to view them. At times it felt like being on a genuine safari.

I hurried through the reptile building after seeing the alligators… at age 5, while vacationing in Florida, an alligator ate a five year old boy – and several days later, one surprised me at Silver Springs during the glass bottom boat ride… Ugh!

If any has a chance to go to the Cincinnati Zoo, please do. It is beautifully landscaped and I cannot wait to return next summer – hopefully with friends and family.

After leaving the zoo, we moved south on Vine Street to the heart of the University of Cincinnati. It is located on a beautiful hill overlooking all of the surrounding area. Breath-taking views. The campus area was packed due to a football game and it was neat to feel that spirit.

We drove through downtown so the boys could catch a glimpse of bigger city life. We traveled across the Ohio River into Newport and then over to Covington to drive to the tallest hill – ahhh… what a site. I don’t think my sons enjoy the beauty of such things, but I figure one day they will remember those moments when I point these things out.

Then, the icing on the cake (for the boys, at least) was a visit to Dave & Busters. I had received gift certificates from the cast of my last professional production as a director and we had not used them. Since it was Jose’s GOTCHA DAY and a few days past the 2nd anniversary of Matt’s finalization, I figured it was time. What a fun place. I had been there before with some friends back in 2001, and I had a blast. The dining room is beautifully designed, very Edwardian in style, and the ceiling fans still fascinated me – all interconnected – you would have to see them to understand. This server came up to talk to the manager as the host was preparing to seat us, and I was taken with Meredith immediately. I asked if she could take more customers and she said she could. I said she looked as though she would be so much fun! And she was. Meredith was kind of like the actress, Cathy Najimy (Sister Act, Hocus Pocus).

After dinner we moved into the arcade. I don’t think I could do it justice with my own description… but try to imagine several gynamsiums filled with every imaginable arcade game, a huge bar in the middle and tables all around. You get your game cards to swipe for the various games and your are off. I caught glimpse of the boys every now and then. I tried my hand at a shooting game – all video – and my goal was to hunt dear. LOL! Well, I felt as though I should have a pickup truck with a rifle rack in the back window! Then, I failed miserably in the simulated Star Wars battle. Then, I was shooting gangs and criminals with the FBI. At first I did not realize I was shooting my fellow agents, but I quickly got the hang of it. I was involved in several White House and Capitol Hill terrorist attacks, and thanks to me we our country dropped to Code Purple. Woo hoo! Due to my exceptional shooting skills in the shooting range on this same FBI game, I received an award stating I was eligible to apply for service with the FBI. I would prefer the Secret Service or CIA and will call, first thing Monday, to see if my points can be transferred to their McClain, Virginia headquarters.

For more information, or to locate a Dave & Buster’s in your area, please go to: http://www.daveandbusters.com/?f=1

We left Cincy at 8:00pm and ended up at Books & Company and Half Price Books to cap off the evening. The boys, thank Heavens, love book stores and we can literally spend hours in them. After buying a few books, we returned home to a very excited Flyer.

What a nice day!