Jonathan's Amazing Adventure

Columbus, Ohio - 8 July 2009

Jul. 14th, 2009 at 12:45 PM

I slept so well at Mike and Tony's. Tony had left for work by the time I woke up. Mike had coffee ready and we sat around for a while, waking up. Mike suggested brunch at a place called First Watch. My friend Scott joined us there.

Mike in front of First Watch:

This is Scott on his scooter:

Scott had to scoot away after brunch. Mike took me to the Columbus conservatory where there was a Chihuly Glass exhibit and an butterfly hatchery. As you know, I love gardens and art. I also have a love for butterflies, so it was a very special treat. The only thing that really sucks is that I left the Leica in Sam's coach in Michigan! So, I didn't get any good shots of the butterflies with my iPhone... no zoom and no macro focus.

There was Chihuly Glass at the St. Louis Botanical Garden and you might also recognize his work from the ceiling of the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. These are from the Columbus Conservatory:

This Macaw was a total poser for the camera:

Here I am inside the "whisper chamber" in the zen garden:

and Mike, with the opposing chamber in the background:

There were some astounding bonzai trees in the garden, including this one that is 365 YEARS OLD!!!!

Here are some kids with a butterfly:

The large room where the butterflies are released has a special two door system to insure they don't escape and you are asked to check yourself in a mirror upon leaving to make sure you aren't carrying any "Hitchhiking Butterflies."

I had a lovely day with Mike and appreciate his hospitality during my brief, but very enjoyable visit to Columbus!

Be sure to check out the Columbus, OH photo gallery!!!

Columbus, OH Photo Gallery!

Jul. 14th, 2009 at 1:31 PM

A new gallery of my day in Columbus - see link to the left!

Where do you find the Gays in Columbus?

Jul. 14th, 2009 at 1:32 PM

At the corner of High and Gay, of course!!!

Point Pleasant, West Virginia

Jul. 14th, 2009 at 1:35 PM

As I was driving through eastern Ohio (where I saw "Jesus in the Hills" ) I decided I would stop for gas just across the WV border. I checked my GPS, and what town just happened to be on the way? Point Pleasant, WV of Mothman fame. If you have not heard the stories or seen the movie, you should check it out. The Mothman Prophecies is one of my favorite movies. I had recently watched it (for about the 50th time) with Sam and his kids. I was so thrilled to get to actually visit this small WV town and drive across the (rebuilt) bridge that collapsed on Christmas Eve 1967!

Downtown Point Pleasant and the Silver Memorial Bridge:

Those poor children in WV...

Jul. 14th, 2009 at 2:06 PM

You would think they wouldn't post signs about them....

I think the adults in WV are kinda slow too...

Jul. 14th, 2009 at 2:09 PM

I got to this intersection and discovered the "North/South" signs were posted incorrectly. I took this picture facing EAST....

Charleston, West Virginia - 8/9 July 2009

Jul. 14th, 2009 at 2:12 PM

I made it to Charleston, WV Wednesday night and stayed with my friend O'Dell. He took me to dinner and gave me a tour of the capitol including a very detailed history lesson. Thanks for an nice visit to WV, O'Dell!

Ronald McDonald lives in WV!

Jul. 14th, 2009 at 2:16 PM

Overnight with Fred in Providence, RI

Jul. 14th, 2009 at 2:18 PM

I had planned to stay in Philly on Thursday night, but I realized I couldn't be to P-town by noon on Friday if I did. I needed to be close when I got up Friday morning, so I could arrive in time to help stuff registration packets for Bear Week. So, I asked my friend Fred if I could crash with him Thursday night. I woke up in Charleston, WV Thursday morning and hit the road at 8:00 AM. I got to Fred's at midnight! 17 hours of driving in a day! That is, to date, my longest drive in one day. It wasn't too bad. I slept well the night before, drank lots of coffee and had some fun music (that my friend Michael O'Brien in Dallas sent to me) to listen to. I started to get a little sleepy toward the end, but I made it safely to Fred's and was happy to see his beautiful, smiling face. We had a glass of red wine and I was soon asleep, snuggled up against his hairy chest! WOOF!

This is Fred:

Bear Week in P-town, Part 1

Jul. 14th, 2009 at 2:54 PM

OMG!!!! So many men, so little time!!!! Bear Week in Provincetown is AMAZING! It's like Bear Heaven! Funny, I saw this sign in West Virginia on my way here:

So much happening since I've been here. I'll try to be thorough:

I got to P-town around 12:30 Friday. I parked in the municipal lot and walked over to John Burrows gallery where the guys were preparing to assemble registration packets. As I stood in the doorway, waiting for my eyes to adjust, I heard a voice, "Jonathan!" I was overjoyed to see Steven and Dale from DC standing at a table folding t-shirts! I ran over, hugged and kissed them. I knew it was going to be an awesome week from the start!

I spent the rest of the afternoon helping sort and fold shirts and stuff bags with dog tags, schedules and tickets to the Fireman's Ball. Then I joined Steven and Dale at the tea dance at the Boat Slip Hotel. The tea dance is every day from 4:00 to 7:00. After the dance we went to dinner at the Squealing Pig. I had a "toastie" with gorgonzolla and fig!!! YUMMM!!!!!

I was supposed to sleep on the Viking's sofa Thursday night. The Viking is a friend of John and Chris'. He is of Scandinavian descent and is about 7 feet tall. I tried calling John and Chris, but to no avail. I only got voicemail. So, Steven and Dale offered to let me sleep between them. Usually I would never want to come between a couple, but... well, you know... I love those guys... and coming between them is loads of fun! The snuggling isn't bad either! WOOF!

My friend Park, from South Carolina arrived Saturday as well. He ever so graciously invited me to share his room at the Black Pearl Inn for the week. It is an awesome room in a 3 story guest house. It has been so much fun spending time with him again and getting to actually snuggle - last time I saw him, my arm was in a sling and I had to sleep on his sofa! His beautiful dog, Kent, is also here and has been proclaimed "the most handsome dog in Provincetown."

Park has a knack for meeting the most fun, interesting people. I found him talking to 3 super fun chics and we ended up spending most of the afternoon with them, drinking bloody marys, going to shops and then we invited them to the tea dance. They were thrilled to have an "inside invitation" to the (mostly) boys event!

I didn't want the olives in my Bloody Mary, so I fed them to Noelle who said, "eating olives increases your bust size!" I think she's right!!!

I met some super sweet men from San Diego, Don and Leigh. They took me to dinner at Frappo 66 at the the Art House. I had sweet chili glazed salmon, sweet potatoes, couscous and grilled mixed veggies - squash, zucchini, onion, red pepper, garlic - it was an amazing meal and I would highly recommend eating at Art House as often as possible! Don and Leigh told me all about their home and garden in San Diego. The garden sounded like a horticultural delight. I can't even list everything they are growing, but they must have over 50 kinds of fruit and veg growing! I asked them if they needed a garden boy!