As we drove down US 27 toward Ohio, we were chatting aimlessly. But then James said, "Grandbear, I want to tell you something." Oh, what do you want to tell me? I said. He said, "I liked going to church meetings with you when you were a pastor." Well, we were celebrating his birthday, but right off, I think I got the best gift. Wow.
The Cincinnati Museum Center has five museums in one complex, plus an Omnimax theater. There's a lot to see. We primarily hit the Museum of Natural History and the Children's Museum. James tried a couple of activities he wasn't sure of at first. But he stretched a bit, and did them. This is a big deal for a kid who likes everything to be the way it always was and who is extremely risk-averse. I was proud. We also looked in on the historic Cincinnati train set, which will boggle your mind. And then we went to the theater and watched a cool movie about Superhero Dogs (rescue dogs, therapy dogs, and the like).
This concluded, we hit the gift shop, where he cleaned me out. I mean, he went home with the swag. But what else am I saving it for? Glad to do it. On the way out of town, I talked him into trying a new restaurant (another challenge). I had described Cincinnati chili to him, and he said he'd try Skyline. I got him a small 3-way (and I had a large 5-way). He loved it.
Well, after taking him home and then driving myself home from Richmond, I'm pooped. But I did my Grandbearish duty.

James being stalked by monsters out of the past