From A to Zoo

I knew that at some point on this trip I would find myself at a zoo, but I didn’t think it would take 45 states for it to happen, even though I’m not a huge fan of zoos, they’re just a little strange. Mostly I walk around feeling sorry for the animals. But anyways… there we were. Christian moved along pretty fast, stopping in to see everything, but usually only for a few seconds and then off to the next. He’s a great tour guide of the Pittsburgh Zoo though, he knows where everything is and he knows lots of great little facts about the animals. I was just trying not to sweat too much since it was one of the hottest days of the trip. My favorite animals at the zoo will always be the big cats, lions, tigers, cheetahs, and leopards. Those are amazing animals, a mix of fierce and elegant, sort of like me. Ha!

Later that day Karen pulled out the 1980 yearbook from Baraga High School. It was great to share stories about the same teachers we had 21 years apart. We even found out they told us some of the same stories! I guess once you find a story that works you stick with it. It was great to talk about Baraga and then to see many of my old high school teachers in their younger days, some fresh out of college and probably the same age as me now. That was very cool to do! Hmmm…

Alright, so I guess I won’t decide to be a father anytime soon. Twice in one day I made a baby cry. Karen has been babysitting a 6-month old girl while I am in town. And two times today I looked at the cute babe, she looked back at me, and her face went from smiling to frowning in the snap of a fingers, then came a little bit of crying. Just from looking at me! Being turned down by a girl is nothing new to me, but this was a little heartbreaking. Surely I can’t be that bad looking. When it happened the second time that’s when it verified that maybe I need to do something about my appearance. Perhaps it’s the shaggy hair and the funky uneven beard that I’m trying to grow. But I can’t shave, I feel that a man who’s been on the road for 11 months should look like he’s been on the road for 11 months. I don’t know though. If any other girls cry from just looking at me I’m going to have to seriously reconsider a makeover.

The day was finished with a movie in the park. The family and I walked right across the street to the local library where they host summer movies outside. What a fantastic idea! It’s another item to the growing list of little ways to build community that I have seen while on this trip. And in this one it gives the feeling of being in a small town, even though you’re in Pittsburgh. Tonight’s movie was the new Charlotte’s Web. I enjoyed it, it was well done. Once again, I will always have the kid in me.