Actually, Claire, Vincent, Jessica and I have been developing cabin fever and needed to get out so we eventually decided to head up to St Paul to visit Como Park (Zoo), check out the observatory and maybe do some other things if time permitted. I've only been to the Zoo one other time and that was during the summer when people and flies were everywhere. With the brilliant sunshine, mild temperatures and only a moderate number of people to contend with, the zoo was nice to see. I always enjoy seeing the animals and it was fun watching the faces on the three kids with us. Pierce was taking it all in but Natalya and Lucas were really enjoying them. Lucas seemed to especially like the giraffes and Natalya had a lot to say about the lions.
But for me the highlight was our picnic. It was a relaxed atmosphere, pleasant conversation and I think we all had fun pulling the kids about in their sleds. Natalya even pulled out her snowshoes and taught daddy how to do it. Nobody else at the table seemed even slightly fazed by the fact that we were having a picnic in the middle of winter, surrounded by snow and ice. On the other hand, I almost had to pinch myself every time I became aware of just what we were doing. I must admit, I'm sold on winter picnics now.
After lunch we headed back into the Conservatory. The recreated forests and jungle closely resembled the rainforest from home and the smells really got me homesick. It's funny just which senses can trigger such responses. The most spectacular pavilion by far was a the flower display. It was truly something to see and I imagine it would be a great place to visit on those cold, gray days just to lighten up one's mood. Natalya especially loved it with all the different pinks and the treacle-sweet aroma hanging silently amidst the flowers. The flower exhibit changes four times a year and the spring exhibit is supposed to be the most spectacular display, made up of tulips. Jessica already has big plans of taking her mother to see the tulips (they're one of her mother's favorite flowers). We didn't get time to visit the orchid garden but I'm convinced there will be more visits in my future.
Upon closing of Como we still had some adventure left in us so we headed over to the Science Museum. The Museum always seems to have too much stuff to take in at once and this night was no different, although we gave it a good go and I think everyone had a good time. We must have had a good time because time got away from us a little. We all needed to eat dinner before driving south. We found a small place and ate pseudo-Greek food which I thought was quite nice and the seven of us were the only ones in there. Actually, it was amazing how well behaved the three kids were considering how tired they must have been. For me, it was a great end to a long, but fun day.
Driving home a big, almost full moon sat hovering above the horizon, hazy red - almost copper - and I thought to myself that I'd had a great day...............perhaps even better than a day fishing.........but I swallowed that thought before I finished it. I suspect my entire universe would collapse in on itself if I let that thought go to completion so I spent the rest of the drive home thinking about which fly patterns I need to add to my flybox before spring steelhead time.
