Scioto Mile & Crab Legs

I was up and at it before 730am. Mindy didn’t budge and I didn’t dare wake her either. Instead, I headed downstairs in stealth mode, started a pot of coffee, then proceeded to knock out calisthenics. It was a gorgeous summer morning with nothing but clear blue skies and warm temps.

I spent a considerable amount of time out back walking around the yard appreciating the ever blooming summer landscape. My two favorite times to enjoy our yard are early mornings and then the late evenings, just before the sun goes down. Helps me appreciate where we live and what we have. I took several photos in the landscape, and even walked around front and snapped a few of my new car.

Friday’s late evening rain shower did wonders for the lawn and flowers, far more than the irrigation system could ever do. I didn’t head out for a run until almost 9am. I was having too much fun in the yard. Mindy was still asleep when I left and when I returned. It was a good run. I ran the usual Saturday trail, or just three miles.

Not sure the time when Mindy finally woke but I am guessing it was near 10am. We both headed out to the deck along with Eiknarf. Mindy walked her outback but she hadn’t yet gone. I eventually got her leas hand took her out front for her normal walk and she went immediately. Figured she would. Creature of habit.

Mindy and I weighed our options. Talked about going to Yellow Springs versus the new Scioto Mile park downtown. The new park won out. Figured we could also do lunch at the new Milestone 229 restaurant, which is located in the middle of the riverfront park and owned and operated by the same guy that owns CBC. I pulled up their menu online. Different but similar to CBC.

We both took showers before we left, and I’m guessing it was near noon when we were both ready. Chose to drive the new Accord. Joked with Mindy that I need a purse. I took my iTouch, camera, personal and work phones.

It was a cloudless early afternoon drive downtown. We met a traffic jam on I-70E near  Franklin County stadium that looked to have traffic slowed all the way through downtown. Thinking quickly, I diverted over to I-71S and took it to the Grenlawn exit to Front St then north into the downtown area.

This marked the first time I had seen any of the new development around the old Lazarus area, and I must say it is very impressive. They’ve done a remarkable job integrating  residential, business and parks with out compromising the look. Everything fits nicely. We parked at a meter that had about an hour still remaining. My only knock is that we still have the cash-only parking meters. Really need the credit card readers. Neither of us had any change. Our first order of business was procuring some change then returning to feed the two-hour max meter.

We walked to the new restaurant, Milestone 229 first. It’s located where the Bicentennial Park was. Mindy headed inside to get some change while I waited outside all the while taking a few pictures of the wildly popular fountain park. It was packed with ‘swimmers & bathers' young and old alike.

Mindy was inside only for a minute or two. She reemerged with a handful of change, two dollars worth to be exact. We walked back to the Accord to top off the meter. Once the meter was fed, we set out on a walk first towards the north all the way up past the Santa Maria and fireman's park.  We briefly tinkered with walking to the new park along the north bank of the Scioto which runs along Long St, but opted to turnaround at the fireman's park instead. That short run of park now could use a facelift thus giving the  entire riverfront from the short north to the brewery district a much needed shot in the arm.

We walked back to the fountain park taking in the attractive landscaping. Mindy suggested we feed the meter one more time before going further south and to lunch giving us another 2 hours to enjoy ourselves.

This time we walked through the fountain park and onto the new Main St bridge. It's very attractive structure made for a more than pleasant walk. They made two lanes for  traffic and another lane separated by a large metal structure just as wide for walking. Great idea. We could've gone on and followed the trail all the way to the Whittier peninsula, but instead we opted for some lunch at Milestone 229. Both of us were hungry. It was near 2pm and thus far all I had to eat was half a stale donut right after my run.

The new restaurant features 2400 sq ft of dining space inside and almost the same amount out on a covered patio overlooking the river and the fountain park. We opted for the patio.  We quickly learned that they were having problems with their exhaust vents/fans in the kitchen so suspended all food prep. For the time being, they were serving only drinks.  Actually, I was looking more forward to food, but went ahead and ordered a beer, a CBC Pale Ale.

Our server was Mindy, a former server at the Columbus Fish Market, and favorite of Bob and Mary Ann, who frequent there often. Mindy asked about them right away. Yep, she knew them. Said she loved them. Ended up comping us our beers. I didn't complain but I am almost certain that what she served me was not CBC Pale Ale. I know it well. What  I drank tasted more like Bells Oberon, which they also had on tap.

We chatted with some other patrons a little but stayed for just one beer. After all,  I didn't want to drink and drive my new car. We headed for home around 300- 330pm. We made ourselves some lunch as soon as we got home.  I ate the other half of my Thursday Reuben. It was delicious cold. After cooling off and relaxing for a few, I asked Mindy if she'd go to Lowes with me to get the lumber necessary to finish the deck benches. She agreed. We drove the Pilot to dad's place to fetch his trailer. He was resting under his carport in the shade with the fan going. Archie was out there with him.

The trailer remodel project was complete. Looks really good, just as I hoped it might. Dad did some nice work. We chatted briefly, me sharing a few stories, including one about our new car.

It must've been close to 430pm when we left dad's place for Lowes. We took the back way up Old Dublin Rd and through The Glen. I wisely brought two pair of work gloves so we didn't have to over handle the treated lumber with our bare hands. We loaded 6 premium grade 8' 5/4" decking boards and then 7-8' 2X6"s. We grabbed a pound of 3.5" decking screws too, then looked at a few tools but bought nothing else. Set me back about $70.

We loaded the lumber into the trailer then headed for home. I asked Mindy if she planned on helping me lug the lumber around to the deck. She did. That made me happy. Believe me, it was very hot and steamy. We carried all the lumber back to the deck then headed inside where we enjoyed the comforts of the AC.

Mindy asked about dinner plans. She suggested the Big Fat. Sounded good to me. We briefly toyed with heading back down to Milestone 229 since we missed out on their food offering the night before. In the end, however, we opted for the Big Fat. We both changed into attire more fitting for dinner out. As it was, I was wearing my Yellow Springs tie-dye t-shirt.

We left for the Big Fat around 6pm and drove the Accord. It was a lovely drive up Riverside Dr. And we were there in a snap. Wasn't very crowded at all. More often than not, the place is packed to near capacity. Then again, it is a sunny summer evening with lots going on around town.

Mindy asked if Katarina was working. She was, and we were given our choice of a booth or table in her area. I opted for the table. We hadn't seen Katarina in quite some time. Last time we were in, Mother's Day, I think, she was at her college graduation. We talked for some time before we ordered food. She had me pegged for a Jack & Coke, but I fooled her and went with an Elevator Pale Ale instead. Mindy went with only water. For dinner, we ordered a large artichoke salad with gyro meat on the side and pound and one half of Alaskan King crab legs. I'd been craving their crab legs since our last visit.

Our dinner was served in a short amount of time. Both the salad and crab legs were good, but I'd say the crab was better the first time we had it. Still good, however, and no complaints. I am still looking forward to trying their new seafood place by the Polaris mall. Perhaps soon.

Mindy kindly picked up the check and we headed for home, but not before leaving Katarina a handsome tip for the quality service. At home we changed into our bed clothes then got comfy on the sofa. We watched an episode of Locked Up, or something like that on Discovery Channel. I thought about having another beer but in the end, opted only for some iced tea. The program we watched gave a detailed look into the life of a prisoner somewhere in Georgia. Interesting.

Mindy was getting tired. Up next was another prison show, only this time Locked Up Abroad. Mindy said she didn't have the stomach for it and headed off to bed. I chose to stay u and watch. Glad I did. It was interesting, and gave me some insight into what it might be like to get locked up in another country dealing with a judicial system that seems more corrupt than the crime committed. Certainly makes one think.

The show was over at 11pm and I took that as my queue to head for bed. Eiknarf followed me up.  Good night fountain park.