A Play Day in Toledo

Our day started with a special brunch cooked by Theresa.  We enjoyed maple bacon, scrambled eggs, assorted fruit sections, coffee, and croissants with warm brie cheese.  Since downtown Toledo fronts on Lake Erie, we drove there just to check it out.

The Maumee River at Toledo, Ohio, U.S.A., close to Lake Erie.

Toledo is famous as the Glass City.  The huge Sylvania factory is here with other industries.  The Toledo Museum features a special Glass Pavilion which we would like to explore one day.  The town is really clean, for a large metro area.  Toledo also boasts of its minor-league baseball team, the Mud Hens.

Dozens of white seagulls (lake gulls??) floating in the river.

There was just enough time to drive south to the Stranahan Theater for the musical production of "Wicked."  The theater was packed to the brim for this popular show.

The Stranahan Theater, Toledo, Ohio

A Map of the Emerald City of Oz projected on the stage's curtain prior to "Wicked"

The large audience was rewarded with an outstanding play of "Wicked."  This is the engaging story of the two sisters, Glinda and Elphaba, the witches in the "Wizard of Oz."  The music, singing, dancing, story, lighting, scenery - everything - was enchanting!  At the end, those assembled gave a rousing, standing ovation! I tried to think which was my favorite character and couldn't decide; they were all wonderful.  No TV or movie can do justice to a live presentation, in my opinion.

Mother & daughter, Theresa & Heather, display their "Wicked" t-shirts, in Theresa's Toledo apartment.

Heather had plans on the following day, Sunday, so we immediately packed and headed south on I-75.  Traffic was light compared to the previous day's bumper-to-bumper experience. There was a light rain most of the way home.  Lexington suffered a heavy rain and thunderstorm at the same time.  For our part, we enjoyed a spectacular panoramic show of lightning like I never remember seeing, clear from east to west in the sky.  We didn't hear thunder till we reached Lexington.

When we reached the "Welcome to Kentucky" sign after the Ohio River bridge, I felt like kissing it, like I always feel.  It is always good to get home!