Off to the PIG! I decided to attend as an intermediate training goal, after noticing that the weekend was free of other obligations. Turns out I had inadvertently erased a race timing obligation off of my calendar. Oops! Luckily, I noticed this a couple of days ago, so I was able to get a backup plan in place for the race timing.
I decided to fly in on Thursday, and early Thursday at that, to have some cushion in case the fickle end of March weather came into play. It turned out to be a good decision since there was bad weather predicted for the next day. WDC may not have been affected, but it was nice to be at the meet site and not have to worry about it.
Roger dropped me off at the airport at 5:15 AM, and though the flight was late leaving DC, it was on time at the other end, landing at 8:30 AM. I picked up my car. Love seeing my name in lights.
I am so used to driving the minivan, that riding low in a strange place is stressful, so I decided to travel first class by getting a bigger car.
The vehicle had a backup camera with the image in the rearview mirror. This took me a while to get used to since it is in a different place then my van, but I really like it. I also like the feature where it beeps when you get too close to something backing up. Tested that out right away.
First stop was the Cincinnati Zoo. Since solo driving in new places is always an adventure for me, getting to the zoo was no different. I drove around and around, at times in some crunchy neighborhoods, before I finally saw the parking lot entrance. The sign pointing into the lot was only viewable from one direction. I finally saw it, did my tenth or so U-turn, and I was there. Whew!
With temps in the 30s, and a Thursday morning at the end of March, I didn't figure that the zoo was going to be too crowded. And it wasn't...perfect!
Checked out the map to make sure I knew where I was starting from and then set off.
It wasn't too long before some school groups caught up with me. I was watching the peacock at the time and was afraid that they would scare it away.
Well, I shouldn't have been concerned, because this is what happens when the peacock's feathers are ruffled. So, cool!
I took a picture of the tigers.
I then I had my picture taken with the tigers.
Twin cheetahs posing.
Black bear and some school girls.
Polar bear doing laps.
Recycled art in the Go Green exhibit.
Three girls twirling. This group was notable because they were carrying worksheets that they had to complete. They also seemed to be having fun.
And, the massive crowds on my way out of the park.
And, so you have it, my epic tale of nothingness.