Cincinnati Rocks!

I was visiting my family and BFF, Rick LaVenture Jr., this weekend in Ohio. With just a few days for my trip, I had to prioritize my outings. On Friday, Mom, brother Jerry and I went to the Cincinnati Zoo (pictures are pending as family and community photographer, Jerry, forgot his digital memory card and ended up shooting with film. They will be posted at a later date once they are developed from the Beavercreek Wal-Mart and shipped to Lincoln, NE). Highlights of the zoo include the polar bears (they enjoyed a large enclosure with mutliple swimming pools with underwater views for visitors. It was a warm 78 degrees and they back-paddled around the lake; I found them to be a delight), some kind of monkey I can't remember (these solid white and solid black monkeys zipped around their enclosure steeling bits of lettuce and carrots from each other), and the white lions. 


On Saturday, Rick and I decided to skip church and instead spend the morning and afternoon at Trader's World.  I had been to Trader's World as a youngster, but they've since expanded, and I thought this would be a good opportunity to find the requested "Ohio Kitsch" souvenir for the New Media Coordinator at my office.  It was a success as I bagged a $4 Marshmallow Gun in Cincinnati Bengals colors, complete with a sandwich-sized bag of ammunition.  The only thing Rick picked up was a few of the local "honeys" (see below).  Other Trader's World attractions included the petting zoo with porcupine and magic carpet cleaning demonstration (below).








Additionally, I was able to catch a glimpse of a new landmark in the Cincinnati area.  If you're trying to find Trader's World, just take the exit directly after "Touchdown Jesus".  This is a ginormous, and some may say "tacky", likeness of our Lord and Savior accompanied by a reflection pool.  Rick points out the landmark at Solid Rock Church on the video.