Oy Vey

So this is what passes for high entertainment in Tucson:

Last night was a "family event" that attracted all kinds (believe me, ALL kinds) to this, uh, "happening" that had to be seen to be believed.

People gathered at a pre-ordained meeting spot near a Trader Joe's to saunter over to a special bridge.

Why?

Because at a certain time, hundreds of bats were expected to fly out from under it, en masse.

How cool is that?

So the pay-off to this cultural wing-ding was to see hoards of MF flying rats take to the air (and hair) and people brought their kids to this? I knew Tucson was gonna be a little different from New York, but, come on people!

The only close encounter I had with a bat (before coming here, don't ask) was when I took my kids to play tennis at some little park, we called it the "Care Bears Park" and you'll have to ask Emmy why. We liked to name our parks. You gotta problem with that?

Anyway, it was getting dusky and there were huge trees (trees!) huge and majestic, branches swaying in the evening wind. Suddenly, I served and five bats came out of NOWHERE and we ran like we never ran before.

Screaming, me, Ben and Em high-tailed it to the car, just a tad nervous. Nervous laughter ensued.

Bats have their place in the eco-world, I get it, so lay off you animal right nuts. I love animals too, I just don't see the attraction, the "fun" in watching hundreds of bats magically take flight like something out of "The Birds."

Is it me, or are people in Tuscon just a little different from what I would choose as a "family activity"?

I was invited, but quickly declined, citing a made-up rodeo research project.

Oh, to be back in the Peter Playground. When it was good and splintery.

Tucson, can't wait to say, "Oh I hardly knew ye."