The estate built in 1914 for the Sieberling family, founders of Goodyear Tire and Rubber. It has a grand entrance with a large lane and massive meadows. It was landscaped to be like an English country estate. At the entrance there is also a treehouse, as part of a Great Garden Adventure added for the kids. I stopped at the treehouse and said, “OK Mikey we’re here, get out.” He looked at the treehouse, looked at me and said, “You drug me all the way here for this? Seriously.” I had to laugh. It was awesome. Once he saw the real house, the grounds and the conservatory he was excited and forgave me for “dragging him” all the way (20 minutes) to Akron.
We had so much fun trapsing through the gardens in the rain. There are great walking trails, allees, vistas and history in this estate. It is worth a visit if you’re ever in merry ole Akron.
Filed under: Living in Ohio , akron, Estate, Goodyear Tire & Rubber, Ohio, Sieberling, Stan Hywet Hall
Mikey, my dad and I went up to Akron for a special exhibit on Jellyfish. I took Jordy last week while Mikey was at camp, so I have to take Mikey this week while Jordy is at camp. Apparently that is how it works. So off we went.
The Akron Zoo is an ok zoo, as far as I can tell. I am by no means a zoo expert. I think I’ve only been to three: Disney’s Wild Animal Kingdom, the Cinncinati Zoo (when I was 10) and now the Akron Zoo. An animal lover I am not.
The zoo isn’t that big and there isn’t a huge variety of animals, but its something to do. It is clean. The zookeepers are friendly and knowledgeable. We saw a lion, tiger, lemur, penguins, bats, red panda, birds, etc. It was good.
Mikey’s favorite animals were the bats. He also enjoyed learning that the lemurs have reddish poop.
I think for me I enjoyed watching Mikey be a kid. He was so giddy with the animals, so was my dad really. Amazing how animals are an equalizer. It was sad for me to see the wounded Eagles. There were two at the zoo by special permit. They only have one wing. Maybe these wounded symbols of our nation are a metaphor for our current state. You never know.
It was a good day.
Filed under: Living in Ohio, Mi Familia , akron, animals, dad, mikey, zoo
A couple of years ago I went to an Irish Festival in Irvine, Ca that had sheephearing, celtic games, Irish food, clothes and plays. It was a lot of fun. They played to the history, tradition and Irish culture.
The Riverfront Irish festival, presented by the St. Brendan Division Of the Ancient Order of
Hibernians was a middle-aged drunk fest. It played to the Irish stereotype. Everyone had a guiness and the band on stage was playing Neil Diamond. Not sure if he’s Irish but the over 40 crowd ranted and raved like it was 1974 all over again belting out Sweet Caroline. It was excellent people watching.
The one highlight was a band called Rathkelthair. It was a rock band centered around a bag pipe. This band actually had someone from Ireland in it (the drummer.). But the star was the bagpipe player, Neil Anderson, who just returned from active duty in Iraq. He played at least five different instruments and two of the flutes at once. It was incredible.
After their set we decided to leave. The drunk boomers and families left and the drunk college frat boys were rolling in. It was a good time to jet.
Still a fun night. We sampled some fine Irish cuisine, heard a rockin’ bag pipe and found our families coat of arms.
Filed under: Living in Ohio , akron, Bagpipe, Irish Festival, Neil Diamond, Ohio, Rathkeltair, Rock Band
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