Saturday was a magnificent day for adventure and I cannot wait to tell you about the things I did.

It was unseasonably warm and sunny in central Ohio with temperatures topping out in the mid seventies. This made for perfect road trip weather as it was warm enough to roll down the car windows and even to eat outside.

My first destination was Franklin Park Conservatory where I admired orchids, sought out the Chihuly art on permanent display and befriended some butterflies. One of them even landed on my camera lens in a moment so special and fleeting I hardly had time to absorb it until it was over.

I finished my visit there with an Impossible Burger from their cafe. I have found that places like museums, conservatories and other cultural sites are more open minded or at least more inclusive and more likely to offer vegetarian and gluten-free options than many regular restaurants. This is certainly the case at their small cafe.

I moved past the crowds huddled inside and took advantage of the completely empty outdoor seating area. Here I had a great time people watching while I enjoyed a tasty lunch and planned my next step.

That next step was to visit the Ohio Statehouse for a tour. My family has been in Ohio for hundreds of years and I’m guessing I am the first to tour this historic building. Afterward, I strolled the grounds and the vicinity nearby.

My final stop was the Peanut Shoppe, an old school candy and peanut shoppe that made my day.

Per usual Brandi fashion, I avoided the highways and opted to travel St. Rt. 104 which is lined with an unsettling amount of new housing developments and commercial buildings encroaching on historic farms.

I came home relaxed and a little tired from my day of exploration and learning. All these topics deserve a conversation so just consider this a sneak peak of what’s to come! Come back tomorrow for more.