At least I didn't get eaten by a wild animal

I went to the Wilds, the largest animal conservation reserve in North America. It's an extension of the Columbus Zoo and they have open air 'safaris' (and other ways of visiting). It was grey 70ish and raining lightly off and on which turned out to be the best time to go because the animals were cool and not hiding from the heat.

It was not quite 50 miles north west of here and I got there in plenty of time. They had a little 'pan for gems' thing that was actually pretty damn cheap so I bought a bag of sand. It's seeded with couple dozen gem types, all low-grade and rough but it's fun and now I have pretty rocks for the collection.

There are many types of herbivores running around the Wilds, types of deer, scimitar oryxes, takin goats, masai and reticulated giraffes, ostriches, ban-tang cows, white rhinos, Indian rhinos (scientific name Rhinoceros unicornis) Persian onagers, zebras and so much more. Some are extinct anywhere outside of zoos.

They had two stops, the first you could get out and feed either the catfish or the birds. Given that the catfish are over a giant hill and I've done that before, I picked the birds. Turns out they were just budgies, lots of beautiful budgies. they were so greedy too. One got on my hand. others pecked each other. I'm like relax, a jillion of us are going to be in here with seed stix

The second stop was the carnivores which I didn't know they had. African painted dogs (gorgeous) dholes (only saw one) and cheetahs (omg your typical cat, lazy and looking at you so superior)

We got there just as they fed the giraffes. boy can they strip a branch in one sweep. Tuffy was a reticulated male and the biggest. There was a masai baby about two years old. I also got to see a rhino nursing. That's a first. Also there were three ostriches that love to charge the bus. Sure enough they did, trying to peck people. They have not forgotten they were dinosaurs once. Also they're kinda dumb.

It was fun. Sabrina was a good guide. I bought crap I don't need (including giraffe earrings)

I came back to Marietta and went to Mound Cemetery. It has more revolutionary war soldiers than any other cemetery AND in the center (giving it its name) is a native american mount. Now I am not fond of what they did, i.e. put steps up the mound and benches on the top. They want it to be a space for contemplation. The Natives are not amused.

I found a lot of cool stuff. It's a small grave yard and pedestrian traffic only. I also found every mosquito in Ohio and given my luck I probably have malaria or west nile or some shit.

I went for Mexican and at dusk I went for an ice cream by the river (speaking of which I saw the giant sternwheeler I wanted to travel on this year but the damn inclusive price is over 5K) and read my book. Then I went to the hotel bar for their curated scotches. Well it was fucking zoo. One bartender over full house. I asked for the list, didn't get it but I felt bad for her so ordered off the cocktail menu, a Marietta mermaid water (coconut rum, spiced rum, blue curaco, pineapple juice and a splash of sprite)

It was good and something happened that hadn't in years, a pair of brothers my age give or take found me and my tale of ghost hunting (when they asked why was I in town) fascinating and bought me drinks all night.

So much better day than yesterday. However the conference room area of this hotel (which is almost the whole block) smelled heavily of smoke so this place WAS on fire.

Too tired for the pictures tonight.