Photo Friday: Vacation, All I Ever Wanted

Last month, I finally went on an overnight trip again. In fact, it was two nights! I visited Columbus, a whole two hours away. Lame? Well, my son has lived there for eight years, if we’re counting college, and I have never once spent the night and seen the city. Driven back and forth to OSU 30+ times, yes. And I've been to the zoo and museums a few times in my life, but never really experienced it as a local, which we all know is the best way. My son and daughter-in-law have been married almost two years now and have mentioned a few times that we should visit, so I finally decided to just do it and leave my husband at home. I plugged in my podcasts and hit the interstate on a Friday afternoon in October, ready for a vacation!

After getting the grand tour of their apartment, we went to downtown Dublin and walked across the pedestrian bridge, which is the longest span single tower S-shaped suspension bridge in the world. Facts like that are too much, aren't they?

On the bridge looking over the Scioto River. We were headed back to the rooftop bar in the glass building seen from afar.

The swanky Vaso, serving Spanish tapas. Now we're talking vacation! My son ordered us a bottle of wine and chose the dishes.

From the top clockwise: mini lamb kabobs, duck cannoli, falafel fried artichokes, braised octopus, spicy crab cakes, and sweet potato tacos. It was my first time trying octopus; I was feeling adventurous. A lovely evening with my son and his wife. 

The next morning, we headed to the Fox In the Snow Cafe in New Albany. The suburb was so pretty, with matching brick buildings in their town center.

I had this blueberry cream cheese pastry with a latte. Such a treat for me!

Then we headed to Inniswood Gardens in Westerville.  It sits on 123 acres and is part of an estate donated to the metroparks by two sisters with the last name of Innis who loved gardening.

Entering the herb garden. There was a rose garden, cutting garden, conifer garden, just lots of gardens and paths to walk.

Rock gardens are always my fave.

Then we headed to the Short North , which is the urban revitalized art district of Columbus.

My son wanted to take me to one of his favorite spots, the Brothers Drake Meadery. Here was the flight I shared with my daughter-in-law. I'm usually not a fan of sweet wines, but they were all very good. My favorite was the blueberry chai.

Next stop was lunch in the German Village. But, since I don't care for German food, we had tacos at Local Cantina.

To walk off our lunch, we headed to the Scioto Mile, which is a 12 mile greenway path along the Scioto River and connects various parks.

I loved this deer statue looking over one of the bridges downtown.

Okay, you didn't really think I would not go to a brewery, did you? We walked to Land-Grant and enjoyed a beer in their lively beer garden. *Note: this photo is courtesy of Land-Grant's website, as I forgot to take a picture in my excitement of the Del Boca Vista coconut cream ale.

Then it was the long walk back to where we parked the car and back to the apartment. My son put together a nice charcuterie board for us to snack on, with a cheese and preserve tasting. The next morning was the sad drive home. I was absolutely tickled that my son planned out the entire weekend, choosing things he knew I loved: beer, wine, gardens, fish tacos, and walking. It was the perfect personal vacation!