Sharing an update on my progress for Municipality May!
Last year, I decided to one-up myself when it came to my own goal-making process by giving myself monthly goals that I had to complete every single day within that given month. For more information about my goals, click here. My goal for May is called “Municipality May.” Municipality is just a fancy word for a city or town that’s governed by a mayor or another type of official. In my case, I just needed a word to make it an alliteration, but the ultimate goal is to explore and experience something new in Dayton everyday during the month of May.
I’m in disbelief that Kyle and I have already been living in Dayton for eight months now. We both keep ourselves busy with our own responsibilities, and even though prior to May we had gotten out and explored some, we know that there’s so much more that Dayton has to offer, and we officially have less than a year to experience it before we move to another city.
It has been so much fun getting out and enjoying some new experiences. I’ve been finding things to do through Facebook events, Google searches, and lists and articles on several Dayton websites. These are some of my favorite things I’ve done so far during Municipality May.
GOAT YOGA
I’ve been wanting to go to goat yoga forever, and I’m so happy that I finally got to go. I was originally supposed to go with a friend, but she cancelled last minute, and Kyle ended up going with me. We did it with a company called Secret Eden, and we had an absolute blast. I’m so happy that we were able to experience it together. It’s definitely something that I would do again.
2ND STREET MARKET
I love going to markets when I’m traveling, so I was excited when I learned that Dayton had a little market of their own. It took me way too long to actually go to 2nd Street Market, but Kyle and I spent a Saturday morning perusing the market. We bought some produce and had lunch at a Mediterranean spot. We also enjoyed a couple songs from a duo in the seating area.
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL’S CORTEO
I’ve always wanted to go to a Cirque du Soleil show, and I finally got to cross of the list when Kyle and I went to see Corteo performed at the Nutter Center. Not only was this my first Cirque du Soleil show, it was also my first show and first time going to the Nutter Center, and it was such a fun experience.
DIXIE TWIN DRIVE-IN
The only other time I’ve been to a drive-in movie was when I was on a business trip in Las Colinas, Texas a few years ago. Since I was solo, I decided to do something I had never done before. I was surprised when I learned that there was a drive-in theater in Dayton, and as soon as I did, Kyle and I made plans to go. We went to see Pokemon Detective Pikachu at Dixie Twin Drive-In,ย which was super cute, but my favorite part was that we got to bring Gunther. He was such a good boy ๐
YOUNG’S DAIRY
Young’s Dairy has been on my radar ever since Kyle and I moved to Dayton. Of course, when we made plans to go this month, it was a rainy day, but we ended up still having fun. We played a game of mini golf (which I totally won, by the way). We also had lunch, complete with way too many cheese curds, and ice cream, because you can’t go to Young’s Dairy without getting some ice cream. I’d love to go back during the fall when they have pumpkins and all the fall fun.
DAYTON DRAGONS GAME
Even though I’m not a huge baseball fan, going to a local baseball was definitely on my “Things I Need to do Before I Leave Dayton” list. Kyle and I went to the game on a random Thursday. Even though the Dragons aren’t exactly having a winning season, we still had fun at the game and enjoyed a pretzel and cheese and a couple rounds of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” Plus, we got free hats!
Not everything I’ve done this month has been a slam dunk, but I’m still happy that I got to experience them. Here are a few other noteworthy things I’ve experienced during Municipality May:
(1) Having my first visit to Tropical Smoothie Cafe – I know it’s not a local Dayton thing, but I had never gone before, and I received a gift card as a student appreciation gift a few months ago, so it gave me the perfect excuse to finally make it there.
(2) Going to see improv at Black Box Improv – After having seen my first improv show in Chicago, I was super excited to have a venue to see it in Dayton. Unfortunately, it was not good and incomparable to my first show, which I guess is to be expected. More than anything it was really cringey, and the funny parts were few and far between. We ended up leaving between the two shows, and I don’t think I’ll ever be back.
(3) Taking Gunther to Montgomery County Bark Park – It was a bit further of a drive than the usual dog park we take Gunther to, but it was so worth it. This dog park is huge, and it has several different sections along with a distinct walking trail. We’ll definitely be back.
(4) Getting drinks at a drive-thru alcohol spot – Even though there are drive-thru daiquiri places in Louisiana, I still wanted to experience this. For those that don’t know, it’s like a drive-thru liquor store that’s mostly beer and wine. If you’re on your way to a party and need to pick up some beer, this is the perfect spot to do it. It’s not as cool as drive-thru daiquiris, but I like the convenience of it.
(5) Going to two new hiking trails, Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark and Sunrise MetroPark – I wouldn’t mind going back to Wegerzyn Gardens because I’m sure it’s beautiful when it hasn’t just rained, which it had when we went. It was pretty flooded. We ended trekking through mud, and Gunther got stuck a time or two and had to be carried. It was definitely an adventure. I will 100% not go back to Sunrise MetroPark. I wouldn’t even classify it as a park, and there were no walking trails.
(6) Getting sweets at Gigi’s Cupcakes, Stan the Donut Man, and Rachel Bakes & Co – Oh my goodness! All of these places were so good, and I 100% can’t wait to go back and try more sweets and flavors. At Gigi’s, I tried the limoncello and miss unicorn cupcakes. Both delicious, but the limoncello was my fave. At Stan the Donut Man, I had a regular sprinkled donut and a maple bacon donut. I will make the long drive again just to have another maple bacon donut. So. Freakin. Delish. At Rachel Bakes, I got a lemon bar, pecan pie bar, and a sugar cookie sandwich. The pecan pie bar was the best. Everything else was kind of meh.
The month isn’t quite over yet, so there are still some things that I’m looking forward to crossing off. Kyle and I are heading to Cleveland for the weekend, so we, of course, won’t get to do any new Dayton activities while we’re away, but some things on the list for next week are visiting Hills & Dales MetroPark, taking Gunther with us to go to Ritter’s Frozen Custard, attending a free concert at Levitt Pavilion, and seeing Sinbad perform at the Funny Bone Comedy Club.
Even though Municipality May is almost over, having these experiences has made me realize how much there is to do in this city we’ve been calling home for the past eight months. I definitely plan on getting out more and prioritizing more Dayton adventures before we set off to a new home in less than a year.
What’s your favorite thing to do in the city you live in?
friDIARY is a weekly series where I share tidbits about my life along with [probably too many] unfiltered photos and random thoughts, including the not-so-happy ones. Check back every other Friday for a new post! Click here to read my friDIARY.
