Delta mileage special + Marriott planner rate + PTO to burn = trip to Cincinnati

For my birthday this year, we decided to head up to Cincinnati.  I know Cincinnati is not really a hot spot especially in December but the stars lined up so off we went.  A good friend moved back home to the area so we wanted to go visit him (he's another one of LuLu's adopted kids), The Ark Encounter was nearby (the commercials always make it seem interesting), Delta was running a mileage special, I had PTO to burn (no way am I going to lose my hard earned PTO) and Marriott had their planner rate available at Residence Inn Downtown / The Phelps Residence Inn Cincinnati / The Phelps.  The service at this hotel was by far some of the best we have ever had!  The servers in the breakfast room were absolutely phenomenal.

In the park across from the hotel, there is a
sculpture of the USMC globe and anchor.  There was a
photo in our living room.  JB sending us a sign he is with us.

On Saturday, we headed up to Loveland where my friend lives.  It is such a cute little town and looks like a set in a Hallmark movie especially with all the Christmas decorations!  They were having their annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Festival while we were in town.  The view from his apartment looks directly into the festivities so we could watch the lighting from the warmth of the indoors.

 

Mark's sister & brother-in-law met up
with us for drinks. The bar has these
cool igloos to keep you warm.

We spent Sunday walking around Findlay Market (for a short time because it was freezing!) and then did a driving tour of the area before going to evening mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption.

Turns out there's a casino around the corner
from the hotel.  LuLu can't pass up chance to play slots.  

Another sign from JB he is with us.

 

For several years, we've seen the commercials for The Ark Encounter in northern Kentucky.  It was only an hour or so away from Cincinnati so we took a day trip.  The Ark is massive and does fit the image the Bible story conjures up so that part was good but that is pretty much where it ended for us. Not sure we were the target audience for the attraction.  It did feel a little like Disneyland for God as on every floor of the ark there is a gift shop though I will say they totally missed the mark by not offering animal crackers in any of the snack shops!  The first two decks were a bit hell, fire & brimstone for us and it wasn't until the third deck did they address the grace, benevolence and love of God.  If you do go, prepare to pay a pretty hefty entry fee of $59.99 per person plus an additional $15 for parking.

Birthday lunch @ Skyline Chili...a Cincinnati institution
Chili 3-Way
Spaghetti, chili and cheese

Was excited to discover they had the Candlelight Concert Series in Cincinnati!  The night's quarter played selections from Taylor Swift at the Bell Event Centre. It was the perfect way to celebrate my birthday and end our trip!