I’m terrified of snakes.  While walking on the bike path, I happened to look over and right beside me was this:

First, I jumped to the other side of the bike path and began walking away quickly.  I managed to muster up a bit of courage, though, and went back to take the picture.  I was quite proud of myself for holding in the girly scream!

The only thing around to see me jump was this deer:

As soon as I looked up from taking the snake picture, I saw this deer.  I don’t think you can see it in the picture, but the deer is laughing at me!

We went to  Bluegrass, Barbeque and Boom at Dawes Arboretum last night – had a good time, but the best part has to be this picture:

I just stumbled across this place in Knox County – Honey Run Falls.  My camera and I are planning a trip for sometime soon!

Our new Olympus Stylus Tough 6020 arrived yesterday:

We needed a camera to take kayaking with us  (Chris bought a lifejacket for the camera), and one that was more portable than our Nikon.  Specs are here.  Waterproof  and, more importantly, clumsy proof (clumsy prof?).  First thing I had to figure out was the flash setting – default would blind you; there was no ‘red eye’, only bright white where your eyes should be.  Taking it camping this weekend, and then to Kings Island (water park) to test it out.    If it works well enough, we may upgrade to the latest and greatest model.  Look for follow-up post,  hopefully with pics, next week…

This is a pretty awesome effigy, with added awesomeness for all the astrological significance.  It was well worth the 2 hour drive to go and see the mound…make a day of it, see the Serpent Mound, Fort Ancient, and some of the other historical sites in the area.  An Ohio Historical Society membership gets you in free, and the membership dues go towards preserving Ohio’s historical sites.

…at least that is what I keep hearing.  I like it, and don’t go out of my way to visit other zoos to confirm that.  Anyway, went to see the new Polar Bears at the Columbus Zoo…twin sisters.  Their habitat is awesome, as are the bears.  I saw a dive from a rock that would make any cliff diver jealous.  If you haven’t been yet, I recommend it. 

For those of you who don’t know me personally, I’m an avid sportsman.  For those of you who do know me, ok – I admit it – I’m just a fat guy who can squeeze my butt into a kayak.  Anyway, PaddlePalooza is next weekend (April 30th and May 1st) at the Ohio Expo Center.    Check their site out – kayaking, camping, bicycling – if you’re interested in any of those you may want to consider attending.

UPDATE:  PaddlePalooza! was worth the $10 per person fee, at least for us.  It wasn’t an overwhelmingly awesome event, but we did gather a lot of information, including new places to kayak.  We were planning on heading down to camp at Wayne National Forest sometime this year, and after talking to one of the rangers we’ll be taking our kayaks with us!  Also, we learned there is an outdoor shop a couple miles from my house that deals with hiking, but also has kayaking and bicycling accessories.  EverestGear. 

The most awesome display at PaddlePalooza! was Yakima’s…not only because their stuff is cool, but because of the Subaru Tribeca they had sitting there with the cool stuff.

This rose is from my newest rose tree.  I like the coloring, but I think I like the yellow one better.

I’m trying to grow a rose tree.  It is less maintenance than a bush, and generally has more roses.  I’ve had pretty good success with the bushes, so I’m hoping my technique translates over to the tree.  The secret is in what you feed them.  I used the following on the bushes:

• 1 can of soda (not diet, and must have caffeine)
• 1 can of beer (any will do)
• Miracle grow for Roses (use what you normally would for a gallon of water)
• A good squeeze of Dawn dishwashing detergent
• 1 gallon of water

Mix that all together (and let the bubbles settle from Dawn) and use on your roses once a week.  DON’T OVER-WATER!

 The beer will help keep the bugs away, but also has the adverse affect of making your roses smell like beer.  So, do you want them pretty and smelling like beer, or bug-eaten and smelling like roses?  I hope it works on the trees!

My nephew Jack is up from Washington D.C., and I took him to the pool on Saturday.  While sitting there watching my wife and nephew swim, this old lady starts up a conversation with me (old = late 60s early 70s).  She tells me how she is there for her granddaughter’s birthday party, how she has 5 kids, 21 grand kids, and 7 great-grand children.  I make all the appropriate responses, and then she asks, “Are you here with your grand-children?”.  My mind was screaming “WTF?” but my mouth just hung open.  I’m only 38…do I REALLY look so old that someone would believe I have grand-children?  That nice old lady ruined my entire day!