Takeaways:
- Ohio can be a beautiful place to be outdoors in April.
- Finding a coozie that is not dedicated to a College or University seems nearly impossible.
- Blooms and Butterflies ran from March 12 – September 18 this year (and will run similar dates in 2017). I would suggest visiting during this exhibit if possible because I LOVE BUTTERFLIES.
- Unpopular opinion: Tinder can actually be a great resource while traveling. I am single, so I have matched people and received a local’s perspective (I had in my profile I was looking for travel tips). It’s how I found out about the conservatory. Reminder-be safe and don’t share too much information with strangers. Common sense, right?
I was visiting Columbus, Ohio for a pretty long layover so decided to find something memorable to do while I was there, checking Ohio off my list of 50 states. I did a little bit of research and polled a couple people from Columbus (here’s where tinder came in) and
was lead to Franklin Park Conservatory. I fully expected it to be freezing, so I was happy to find something indoor that felt like an outdoor experience because I was fully ready for summer. However, the day I was in Columbus was 
BEAUTIFUL. I spent a long time at the conservatory but I also walked around the park and gardens outside. On their ground they have a community garden, an apiary and they work with the community during classes and outreach programs that vary from private horticulture consultations to edible gardens to city beautification projects! I am very into it.
I
f you are in the area I would suggest a visit, especially during the Blooms and Butterflies exhibit. Wandering through the butterflies makes me so happy no matter where they are. And wandering here is especially beautiful, but I also found the viewing window where you can watch the butterflies during metamorphosis and emerging from their cocoons. Each butterfly has a different cocoon and while I might be a bit older than the average guest, I still love to learn. Should you want to have a first hand experience of metamorphosis you can also purchase a Painted Lady caterpillar in the gift shop and 
watch it happen at home.
There is also a butterfly release at 1 and 3 o’clock where you can learn a lot about the butterflies. It was interesting, but also a great time to wander the rest of the exhibits (there are Chiluly glass sculptures throughout). With everyone distracted at the release I was able to be alone with the plants, flowers and my thoughts. I remember on this day I was mostly thinking about how glad I was to be spending times outside on my layovers again. Most of my layovers had been short recently. Allowing me time to change, sleep and put my uniform back on before work (showering if I was lucky). It had reminded me of times when I felt guilty having fun on layovers. It had been bringing back a lot of memories I had spent almost a year trying to get rid of. Stepping out of my routine and having a mini-vacation through work (even if it’s just a short trip to visit butterflies and flowers recommended by some tinder fools) was just what I needed to remind myself I was on the right track, metamophisizing myself just like those little butterflies ❤
Go Johanna Go 