Thulani in Ohio, USA - DAY ONE

First Day: December 1st- Meet-n-Greet

I started out my door to do a few chores and errands outside in the crisp and chilly weather ...something bright caught my eye: a package on our front porch swing!

Approaching it with mixed feelings...I wondered what I had ordered....had I won a prize? Closer inspection revealed it was Thulani: the MUCH AWAITED BEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
**WELCOME, Thulani, to our humble home: Lin and Johann Duren; located in the Capital city of Ohio- Columbus.!!!!! Ohio is the 34th largest state of the United States of America, and the 7th most populous state....the "Buckeye State".

[Lucas Sullivan established Franklinton on the west bank of the Olentangy River, the area flooded a lot, so the population growth moved to the east bank and became Columbus. It was NOT the first city selected to be the Capital for the 17th state accepted into the Union in 1803, Chillicothe was, then Zanesville, back to Chillicothe, THEN to Columbus! "Ohio" is the Anglicized name of the Iroquois (Native American) for the word ohi-yo’, meaning "great river".]

*Immediately, Thulani helped decorate our Front door- the fragrant wreath

*Next we had to refill the bird feeders in the backyard so our feathered friends can prepare for the cold winter approaching (making a few friends here)
*While we were there, Thulani noticed the Garden Gnome, so they talked a bit while I finished the feeders
*Has Thulani tried to drive before? The opportunity was afforded in my white auto

*First stop: The gate to the Ohio State Fairgrounds and Exposition Center (Thulani missed the Fair in August, so we visited the area...hoping to catch a glimpse of a distant cousin: Smokey the Bear "Only YOU can prevent forest fires")

*We decided to view the Columbus skyline, since the day WAS so sunny and clear

*On our way to meet my husband at his auto repair shop, and in the area where I grew up, Thulani and I stopped at the High Street arch: "The Short North"- the area originally just north of Columbus (now DOWNTOWN), the old north...before it expanded to the University district (OSU), into Clintonville, and on to the Northland area.

*Thulani then met my husband, Johann, in his office- careful!!! watch that grease and oil!

*Driving skills were then tested in one of the many cars at the service garage

*The black Corvette was the favored: Thulani demonstrated quick, steady, and safe driving skills

*We went to the area recreation center to build "Gingerbread houses" out of graham crackers...to be decorated by children- more on this Monday. (no pix)

*The tummies started growling (bear's, too) so we met up with our son, Klaus, and one of his friends, Zac, to dine out on burgers, steaks, and ribs: YUMMY!!!...Then, a good night's rest.