The Fun Is In The Exploring!

So, as previously reported, I decided I needed to give Sylvania a chance to really show me a good time. So, with Jackie in tow this afternoon, we headed out go to the Sylvania History Museum (only open today from 3-7pm) and Historic Village! (Just discovered the Village on-line today...PHEW!) We got to the Museum about 4:30pm, and were met by 2 VERY excited and talkative Museum-ladies, who gave us the rundown of the place for like 45 minutes. Evidently, even though they had been open for 90 minutes, we were the first visitors of the day, and all the lights were off in the place. They quickly turned them on for us, and let us wander. The house was the former home of the Doctor in Sylvania, back in the day, and today it is furnished as it may have been back...sometime. BUT - to our surprise, there is also a rotating exhibit at the museum...and it turned out to be a display of miniatures celebrations, put together by TAME (Toledo Area Miniature Enthusiasts.) Who knew we would be that lucky for our visit and their display to coincide. Check out more on the TAME exhibit at: http://www.cityofsylvania.com/Historic/Museum/Inside/miniature_town.htm

And - if you want more info on the Museum itself, just click on the bottom of that page on the 'Back To Museum' link...and it will get you there!
After the museum, Jackie and I walked around the historic village out back - snapped some photos - enjoyed the grounds - and the weather. (Overcast, brisk, autumnal.)

Jackie playing PHARMACIST in the Doctor's Office at the Sylvania Historic Museum. CHECK OUT the red box on the far left in the second picture. (Probably best to see if you click on the picture to enlarge it.) I THINK that is the box Jackie is searching for.

Myself and Jackie showing off the Historic Village. BEAUTIFUL flowers and garden...nice log cabins...a fun stop!

LOOK how believeable Jackie looks, waiting for the train at the Historic Sylvania Train Depot. Don't worry - no train came...she went nowhere.

A HUGE thanks to the ladies at the museum - for all of the information on the house, the area and for letting me snap some pictures of things that delighted me in the house.
After returning to the hotel, napping and catching dinner with Chris up at J&G Pizza Palace and Gyro Restaurant (who comes UP with these combinations? And why do I love them so!?), a group of us decided that we would head out to Ralphies for the karaoke night that Frickers Hostess Brittany told us about. Turns out that this equation is true: CRAZY HOSTESS = LIAR. We found Ralphies - there was no karaoke to be had. So, we decided to find our own fun, since we were out cruisin' in the van. We headed downtown Toledo to check it out...and we found our fun! After a brief cross of the river, lulled by neon lights (and finding all the neon lit establishments closed), we headed back downtown and ended up at THE DURTY BIRD - with our new bartender friend, Kelly.

Good thing we did, too - because it was 8 of us - and a couple of other random people there and that was it. Kelly would've had to be there alone if we didn't show up. She let me control the music, she brought us some of their homemade potato chips to munch on, we played some pool and just hung out. But it was a great night! We had fun - we laughed with Kelly - and we found out that tomorrow night, The Durty Bird will have karaoke...so our hopes and dreams are coming true.

L: My own photo of The Durty Bird sign. R: Art inside the bar. I guess this would be 2 Durty Birds, actually. Or maybe one of them is Durty -and the other one is just weak, has a low self-esteem and can't say NO. Either way, you don't see classy art like this often.

Long story short, we decided tonight (or I decided for us all) that we either find or make the fun where ever we end up. We can't wait for everywhere to serve it up to us in fair-form or waitress-party-form. We just have to do it ourselves. And that ain't just on tour - it's one of those pesky life-lessons we are always dealt. Sometimes you get the Tulsa State Fair - and sometimes you get Main Street Sylvania. (Metaphorically, of course...) They both have their fun...but it's different at each place, and sometimes you just have to decide that you'll find it, come hell or highwater. But most importantly, it doesn't do you any good to wish for fried pickles and 1,000 lbs pigs when you know they're a thousand miles away. Just cross the street, order your pizza and/or gyro, check out the historic train depot and thank your lucky stars that you have the chance at all.
Lesson learned and shared...sleep beckons.
Gnite!
Gussy


So - First is Toledo at night. Second is Toledo at night with Jen, Andrew, Tara and Chris posing. Third is Toledo at night with Chris and Torg posing with a piece of driftwood they found and seemed pretty dern proud of.



L: This sign was on display in the museum today, and it just makes me laugh...for a few different reasons. (Click to enlarge if you can't read it.) Let me know what you think about it. R: HAHAHAHA! I need me a set of multicultural career puppets. Unfortunately, these weren't for sale...they were waiting to be picked up by someone who won them from a festival the museum had. Lucky!


So Jackie and I got TRICKED into thinking this would be a house of art to look at. TURNS OUT it's a basement place where Elizabeth sits at a table with a kid, painting rolls of butcher paper and then hanging it on the wall. And truth be told, I am almost positive that Elizabeth did NON of the painting. A real let-down. Don't stop in when you're in town.


I bought Jackie a gift today. This sign really says it all.