This weekend was very busy. Saturday, I participated in a 3 mile walk for Alzheimer's. I actually ended up walking a total of 4 miles since I walked to the walk and back home afterwards. Sunday, I taught Sunday school before joining my parents for "Be a Tourist in Your Hometown." I got in line that was a block long to go to the top of one of the taller buildings to view the city. Just as I reached the front of the line Dad and Mom pulled up and Dad joined me while Mom parked the car. (She didn't want to go to the top of the building.) In the brochure, it said that we would have to walk one flight of stairs in addition to the elevator to reach the top. In actuality, it was 4 flights of stairs! I am so proud of my dad, that he made it to the top and back down! He was tired by the end, but he made it. The people were very patient and nice about him having to take it slow. The stairwell was very narrow making it impossible to pass.
Here are a few of the pictures I took from our perch above...
Our next stop was the Botanical Conservatory. The theme that they have this season is based off of "The Wizard of Oz". As you walk into the building, you are greeted by this tornado in the lobby.
Next we followed the yellow brick road...
And met the Scarecrow...
The Tinman...
And the Cowardly Lion.
We arrived to the emerald city, but we never did see the wizard.
Here are some other pictures I took while visiting the conservatory...
I thought these flowers were cool since they reminded me of butterflies!
Here is a chocolate tree!
Our next stop was to the fort where there were some historical reenactments from the early 1800's.
This gadget was one of the appliances used in the early 1800's and is an early version of something most of us use on a daily basis today. Can you guess what it is? I will have a prize for whoever guesses it correctly first. (Mom & Dad...you do not count since you were there and heard what it is.)
After the fort, Mom & Dad went home and I went and toured an old hotel and saw some of the renovations that they are adding now.
My day ended by attending a cook-out with my small group to kick-off our new year together.
