Baedeker: Columbus, OH

Part II: Columbus Clipper’s Baseball

I spent a recent Saturday in Columbus and took in a few sites. Part II includes a bit of a Clipper’s game at the new ball park in the Arena District. I scalped a ticket watched part of the game before heading to the Grandview Café to see a band and drink more beers.
Author's Note: Baedeker was a German-based travel guide begun in 1827 by Karl Baedeker. These comprehensive guides were hugely popular in Europe, the United States, and throughout the British Empire. I have adopted the moniker for all my travel pieces beyond Cincinnati. Given its German history and stately influence, I thought it fitting for the Queen City.

Baedeker: Columbus, OH

Part I: Columbus Zoo

I spent a Saturday in Columbus recently and took in a few sites. Part I includes a trip to the Columbus Zoo. I had never been and just wanted to see it. But I also wanted to compare it to Cincinnati’s historic zoo. A few facts: Cincinnati’s zoo is an urban zoo established in 1875. Columbus’s zoo is in the suburbs and opened in 1927. But then they get hard to compare because of size, location, and added amenities like a whole water (Zoombezi Bay) park at Columbus. For instance . . .

Size:
The Columbus Zoo feels huge and by all account is bigger than Cincinnati’s. I can’t find precise numbers though as for instance an article in Parent’s Magazine did a story of the top ten best zoos for kids and they describe the Columbus Zoo as having animals on 90 acres. But another article I read says a total of 340 acres and the Zoo’s 2007 Annual Report says the total complex approaches 600 acres. That last number though I think includes the huge parking lot, the water park and maybe even the Zoo owned golf course. For reference the parent’s magazine article has the Cincinnati Zoo at 75 acres.

Animals and Species:
I see a number of numbers for total species and total animals. Cincinnati I see by their website has over 500 species and by the parent’s Magazine article 1,733 animals. (That seems low.) Columbus Zoo numbers are anywhere from 5,804 animals (2007 Annual Report) to 11,773 animals (Parent’s Magazine). And the number of species for Columbus is actually listed as 600 in 2007 and now 700 on their current website.

Attendance & Visitors:
The Cincinnati Zoo website said there were 1.2 million visitors a year annually.
A recent newspaper article on the Columbus Zoo said they have nearly 2 million visitors (and Wikipedia says 1.8 million). I assume that counts the water park which opened in 2008. The 2007 Annual Report, prior to Zoombezi Bay, included visitors of over 1.5 million.

So what did I think?

Well, I liked the Columbus Zoo in a lot of ways but it is just spread out and if they have more animals than Cincinnati, it didn’t feel like it. I walked A LOT and I thought I walked a lot between some animal exhibits. Cincinnati is just so dense and charming by comparison. I personally like the older feel of Cincinnati’s Zoo but I also think the amount of land given for some of the animals at Columbus has to be nice for the animals. However, even as big as the Columbus Zoo is, it felt crowded attendance wise. I was there at a peak time I am sure. And it has been a while though since I’ve been to Cincinnati’s zoo in the middle of the day. I like going early and leaving around lunchtime. Finally, I really liked some of the species the Columbus Zoo had on display. I loved seeing things we don’t have here like kolas, kangaroos, moose, huge tortoises, and huge flying foxes to name a few. (I wanted to see the bison but they were not out.)

Ok, finally some pictures . . .
For the Record, in the 2009 Parent’s Magazine article “The Top Ten Best Zoos for Kids”, Cincinnati came in at No. 6 and Columbus came in at No. 10. A 2009 USA Travel Guide article has Columbus as the “No. 1 Zoo in America” while Cincinnati comes in as No. 7. Not too shabby for Ohio when you think about it. (Toledo Zoo get’s props in the polls as well.)

Next: Part II Columbus Clipper’s Baseball

Author's Note: Baedeker was a German-based travel guide begun in 1827 by Karl Baedeker. These comprehensive guides were hugely popular in Europe, the United States, and throughout the British Empire. I have adopted the moniker for all my travel pieces beyond Cincinnati. Given its German history and stately influence, I thought it fitting for the Queen City.

Baedeker: 2009 Summer Vacation

Rehoboth Beach and Cape Henlopen State Park, DE, and Annapolis, MD

Part IV – Bonus: The Washington Monument

A multipart series chronically sites of my 2009 summer vacation

So while on the way to Rehoboth, I actually stopped outside Boonsboro, Maryland and checked out a few sites in the area. I won’t tell you why but if you want a hint, I will tell you about all of the sites during Rutherford B. Hayes month!

One site I can tease you with though is the Washington Monument. On a mountain overlooking the surrounding valleys, the stone monument was erected in 1827 by residents of Boonsboro in honor of George Washington. It is the nation’s oldest monument to our first president.
Started on July 4, 1827, it was completed to its final 34’ height in the fall of that year. Originally it was constructed without mortar and fell in to disrepair at various times. It was finally preserved in to its current state after it and the surrounding land was made a state park in 1934. An internal stairway leads visitors to the observation deck. And to get to the monument, one climbs a portion of the Appalachian Trail as it follows the ridge of the mountain range and passes through the park. This was my first time hiking any portion of the Appalachian Trail!

That's it for Rehoboth Beach until next year!

Baedeker: 2009 Summer Vacation

Rehoboth Beach and Cape Henlopen State Park, DE, and Annapolis, MD

Part III – Annapolis, MD

A multipart series chronically sites of my 2009 summer vacation

I stopped in Annapolis on the way home for a quick day trip. I regret I didn’t get to do more while I was there or stay longer. I love Annapolis and there is plenty to fill an entire day. This includes but not limited to visiting the U.S. Naval Academy, various house and city tours, boat cruises, shopping, and great eating. Here are just some shots from about 4 hours in Annapolis and the Naval Academy.

Main Street & Church Circle with Capitol in background
Main Street
West Street and St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in background
The State Capitol
Waterfront
Docked
The United States Naval Academy
The Naval Academy has a Visitor Center which includes a museum and exhibits along with a great gift shop and it is the starting point for walking tours of campus. I didn’t have time to take a guided tour but I think I missed out.
Officers’ Quarters
Chapel
Usually open to the public, it was closed for a wedding. You could only look in via the open door. (By the way, all the men of the wedding party were in full white dress uniform.)
Naval Academy’s Plebe Summer
At least that is what I think this is part of . . .
Group Push Ups!
Tug of War

To view all my Annapolis photos on flickr, click here.

Next: Part IV – Bonus!

Baedeker: 2009 Summer Vacation

Rehoboth Beach and Cape Henlopen State Park, DE, and Annapolis, MD

Part II – Cape Henlopen State Park

A multipart series chronically sites of my 2009 summer vacation

Before my bike ride south along Route 1, I kicked off the morning with a bike trip in to Cape Henlopen State Park. The south entrance of park is a short bike ride from Rehoboth. Cape Henlopen is located at the tip of Delaware where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Delaware Bay.

The south end of the park is called Gordon’s Pond and includes a bike path and a beach. The path leads to an observation platform and from there; there is a hiking path to the north side of the park. (The bulk of the park lies north of Gordon’s Pond.) Between the ocean and the pond are two World War II observation towers. From the website:

"With the onset of World War II, the U.S. Army established a military base at Cape Henlopen in 1941. Bunkers and gun emplacements were camouflaged among the dunes, and concrete observation towers were built along the coast to spot enemy ships. In 1964, the Department of Defense declared 543 acres of the Cape lands as surplus property. The State of Delaware accepted the property and established Cape Henlopen State Park."

Again, the entire Delaware Shore has a number of these concrete silos. On the north part of Cape Henlopen State Park there is a restored silo that one can tour.

So, all of the below photos are of the Gordon’s Pond area of Cape Henlopen State Park around 8:00 in the morning.
To view all my Rehoboth and Cape Henlopen State Park photos on flickr, click here.

Next: Part III – Annapolis, MD

Baedeker: 2009 Summer Vacation

Rehoboth Beach and Cape Henlopen State Park, DE, and Annapolis, MD

Part I – Rehoboth Beach

A multipart series chronically sites of my 2009 summer vacation

This was my second year vacationing in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Needless to say, I love it. Since I took some photos around town last year I didn’t do much of that. Here are just a handful of shots . . .

So last year I rented a bike for the day. I did that again but decided on a route along Route 1 through the town of Dewey Beach and into the Delaware Seashore State Park. The state park occupies the land between the Atlantic Ocean and Rehoboth Bay. I took a few pictures of a historic Indian River Life-Saving Station, first erected in 1876. (It got moved in 1877 and late modified)

Note: Much of the Delaware Shore is connected by either dedicated bike paths or dedicated hike and bike lanes adjacent to Route 1 and other main arteries. Here is a picture of the lane I’m talking about. The photo is from Atlantic Cycles, which is the rental store where I’ve rented my bike for the last two years. They are fantastic, affordable, and generous with their rental times. (For example a half-day rental goes until 7:00 PM!)

Next: Part II – Cape Henlopen State Park

Baedeker: Cleveland . . . Again

I was in Cleveland this past weekend. Yes, I missed all the fun stuff here this weekend. But I had fun too although I never did see Edro Edro. I had two chances to photograph some of Cleveland. Saturday late morning I walked around downtown and the Warehouse District. And then on Sunday I took in the Indians vs. Twins game at Progressive Field before driving home.


Author's Note: Baedeker was a German-based travel guide begun in 1827 by Karl Baedeker. These comprehensive guides were hugely popular in Europe, the United States, and throughout the British Empire. I have adopted the moniker for all my travel pieces beyond Cincinnati. Given its German history and stately influence, I thought it fitting for the Queen City.

Baedeker: University of Notre Dame

This past Friday I went to the University of Notre Dame. It is a beautiful campus . . . but as Miami University love Neo-Georgian, ND loves Collegiate Gothic. It is everywhere including new buildings. The older buildings are nice examples of French Second Empire and Gothic Revival. There are some bland, modernist buildings but I didn’t take any photos of them. These photos are just a small piece of the campus.

Main Building (1879)

Architect: Willoughby J. Edbrooke

The Golden Dome

Father Sorin Statue
Sacred Heart Basilica (1881)

Architect: Alexis Granger, Edward Sorin & Charles Harding
Washington Hall (1881)

Architect: Willoughby J. Edbrooke
Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes (1896)
Builder: John Gill

Log Chapel (1906) with St. Mary’s Lake in distance
Architect: William Arnett

Morrissey Hall (1925)

Architect: Francis Kervick and Vincent Fagan
Hesburgh Library (1963)

Architect: Ellerbe Associates

The "Touchdown Jesus" mural is actually called "The Word of Life" by artist Millard Sheets.

Moses (1962) also known as "We're #1"

Artist: Joseph Turkalj

At the Hesburgh Library

Goodbye from Notre Dame!
Author's Note: Baedeker was a German-based travel guide begun in 1827 by Karl Baedeker. These comprehensive guides were hugely popular in Europe, the United States, and throughout the British Empire. I have adopted the moniker for all my travel pieces beyond Cincinnati. Given its German history and stately influence, I thought it fitting for the Queen City.

References:
University of Notre Dame
Corson, Dorothy. "A Cave of Candles: The Story Behind the Notre Dame Grotto"