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.

The Girl and her Dog

A peak at this view made me happy yesterday. She was the main influence behind us getting a pup. She's made all of us happy to have the addition to our family.

Tenting it in Perry County

I would be over-stating it, if I said that we went 'camping'. It was more like we went to visit a good friend, and slept in tents instead of on beds. So,... I guess... we went tenting.



With the kind of meals we had, and the facilities we were offered, we were barely 'roughing' it. The kids got to sleep alone in their own tent, however. With the dog, even. And nobody got up before dawn when we heard the roar of thunder and sprinkle of rain. It was a success.

By that time, a gourmet breakfast was awaiting.



Thanks, again, Michael, for your generous hospitality. We loved every minute of our little get away at what is now becoming more and more like a home away from home.



Thank you, too, for this most exciting bonfire ever made in human history! And the show that you had the lighting bugs put on just after that was something else, too.

California visit

It had been almost two years since we left our old hometown behind. We drove away not knowing if and when we would return. The several previous attempts to leave for good, only put us right back where we started (Right on the same street, even. Twice). California has that power, obviously.



But this visit was truly what it was. A visit. A visit to our favorite spots. A visit with our friends. It was a visit that felt like being back 'home', completely and utterly comfortable. We knew where everything was. We knew what we wanted to see. We even knew what the weather would bring. We were visiting 'home', and yet, we had no desire to stay.





It was better that way.

So we enjoyed it all, for what it was. The beaches were lovely; the sand was warm; the ocean air was refreshing. We loved seeing friends whose children had grown just as ours had. And yet it was as if no time had passed.



That's the way we like it.







We enjoyed the city, too, and all that came with it. The sights and sounds; the colors and vibes. It was the same old California we had known and loved. It was fresh and delicious and inviting.



We even crossed the famous bridge and went over to the rugged Marin headlands to find some peace and solitude and even more beauty.



We caught up with friends and family, most of whom had known us before we became parents, and some who had known the children before they could crawl.



We loved the connections we have with these amazing souls!



And then, the day came when we had to leave. Sure it was bittersweet to say goodbye to the coast, to the views, to the people we love. Surprisingly, we were all ready. We had drunken it all up. We had relived the past and enjoyed the present. We loved every minute of our California visit.



It was time to come home.



Home where our dog Katie lives; where the clucking hens roam; where the fuzzy bunny sprawls. We returned tired, but happy. We returned to our family life where the neighbors welcomed us back and the summer break is knocking on the door.



Katie and I are back on our walks. The walks that bring me a lot of peace and solitude here. The walks that remind me that there is beauty everywhere.







We look forward to our next visit to the coast. Yes, we do. But for now, we are happy to be home.

Chilling out, second grade style

The last block of the kids' second grade year, their school work focuses on 'healthy living'. They learn about eating good, healthy foods; they also learn about how to be physically healthy. So for three weeks, twice a week, all the second graders (and their parents are invited), bring mats or towels, and practice yoga for 20 minutes, first thing in the morning out on the front lawn of their school.

Sounds good eh? And we didn't even have to move back to California!

Jim and I joined them a few times to stretch out like "monkeys", "snakes", or "giraffes". The instructor has a clever way to direct the otherwise fidgety children through the poses.

We are missing the last week of it... but get this... we will be able to have our own yoga sessions... on some of our favorite beaches... a couple of thousand miles from this grassy lawn.

Chilling, we will be.