downtown where everything's waiting for you

Jonah and I took a little trip to the downtown library by bus today. We do this periodically.

Jonah likes to load up my big backpack with the books and CD's to return. As we wait for the bus just around the corner from our house, he watches and comments with great interest on the various vehicles going by: the noisy motorcycles carrying burly leather-clad lads; the shiny convertibles floating cheerful couples by, breeze ruffling the little hair left on their heads; the monster-like garbage trucks shaking the ground underneath; and, of course the awe-inspiring dump trucks, tankers, and big rigs spreading their magnificent fumes and heavy metal magic everywhere.

Today, Jonah got so excited he shrieked when the bus came into view, turning the corner and heading down the hill towards our stop. On the way downtown, we watched the bridges across the river go up to let a tugboat and barge through.

Downtown, as always, was a feast for the eyes: a fire engine, UPS trucks, bike messengers, delivery men, and construction.

Twice Jonah spotted a small fenced-in pit in the ground with a group of chaps in bright vests and hard hats huddling around it. Each time, he rushed me to the site, stopping just short of sticking his nose through the fence, belting out a cheerful "Hi guys!" as if these muscle men in fluorescent hues were his long-lost friends - this even before he got their attention. The dudes were totally charmed by the midget with a toothy smile. One even honked his digger horn at Jonah, the highlight of our day for sure.

Usually Jonah throws the library books in the slot and then we pick new ones to borrow and read a few together, but today the library was closed, which made Jonah sad. Instead we took a tram to a nearby bookstore to read books before stopping by dad's office and having lunch with him. Lunch with dad is usually the way our morning downtown ends. Then it's time to go home for a nap. Too bad I forgot to take my camera this time. Next time I have to document one of our downtown adventures to provide you with some visuals.