The Olentangy

The same post appears on Cool Columbus Blog

Another beautiful day. Another morning spent on a river: the Olentangy, this time, at Highbanks Metro Park.



I know, it's embarrassing how long it took us to finally get here. Many people have mentioned this park to us. Many of them very trust-worthy. Molly, for instance, brings her children here, so I know it would be worth the drive from our home in the far Southeast corner of Columbus (to the far Northwest corner)... I know... it's not that far. But I do everything I can to avoid the concrete-ness of the highways.



And yes. It was worth it. It was worth it especially with some friends in tow.



The children spent hours catching and releasing crawdads, fish, and clams. They didn't seem to mind the small amount of water left in the river due from this season's drought. If anything, it was the perfect amount of water for their creeking adventure.

Clear Creek

It was a beautiful day.



A hint of fall is in the air now. One can only guess how long it will last since we have had one of the hottest summers on record.



Never mind the unknown. Our family meeting this Saturday morning concluded with a decision to go somewhere new, somewhere pretty, somewhere preferrably with water. In this case, a clear creek kind of water... however little is left in it after the season's drought.



A little walking in the woods and playing with creatures was just what we needed. We also found plenty of mud (on our shoes), and a lot of crawdads (under rocks).



"We can stay here forever," proclaimed one of the youngest among us. Though we all knew that she didn't really mean it (including the said child herself), it was a sure sign that we were all having fun.



Yes, Central Ohio does have enough to keep us exploring. Today, we found a place equally as pretty as the day itself at Clear Creek Metro Park in Perry County, Ohio.

Where we were

About a week ago, we were eating bibimbap 39,000 above ground. Thanks to Asiana Airlines, the multiple (and surprisingly delicious) meals kept us distracted from the seemingly endless flights. The only good thing about such a long journey is that we had the time (oh, we had the time), to reflect on our recent trip to Thailand, with side trip to Cambodia this time.



Each trip back to my home country is a bit different. They say that even if the place has not changed, it is you who have. Bangkok remains a growing megatropolis. You can find anything, do anything, eat anything, in the city. But as always, I found it most refreshing to leave the city behind, to find the Thai gems that can only be found in the countryside, or by the sea.

This time, we went beyond the countryside. We went beyond the country boundary. We went to Cambodia.


I grew up hearing about Angkor Wat. To a little girl, it sounded like a magic kingdom, far far away from reality. As an adult, visiting this ancient world heritage site has been up there on my list of places to see (before I die). In reality, it's actually not too terribly far from Bangkok (within a day's drive and only an hour flight). And when you are there, standing in history, you realize that it is beyond a magic kingdom.








And that Tonle Sap is beyond any ordinary lake.



There were many memorable sites and sounds, colors and tastes. Back in Thailand, the beaches were pleasant and warm with creatures and waves just for the kids' delight. The grown ups found peace and quiet and family time to reflect and cherish for a long while to come.