More Travels In Pennsylvania

Yesterday we left Kane, PA and traveled to Champion, PA on the second leg of our Pennsylvania visit. Our trip took us through Punxsutawney, home of the world famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil. It was early so we were unable to stop and see Phil in his home at the library complex. However, we did see lots of statues of Phil all over town. We also traveled through Indiana, PA, hometown of the late movie star and retired Air Force Reserve Brigadier General, Jimmy Stewart. Today we had a long day of sightseeing. We started near Shanksville at the Flight 93 Memorial. This somber memorial is at the sight of the crash of the hijacked plane on that fateful day of September 11, 2001. The passengers and crew of that flight were heroes and deserve to be remembered. Through their efforts, the plane never reached its intended target in Washington, D.C. We then went to Johnstown, PA to visit the Johnstown Flood Memorial. We also got to walk on the remnants of the dam that broke away on May 31, 1889, killing at least 2209 people. We also visited a cemetery in Johnstown where the victims are buried. There were hundreds of graves that were inscribed "Unknown Victim". Our last stop for the day was in Latrobe, the hometown of Arnold Palmer. There we found the gravesite of Fred Rogers, of TVs Mr Rogers' "Its A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood. Also while in Latrobe, we went by St Vincent College and saw the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers working out at their training camp. Boy do the Steeler fans turn out for training camp. The place was packed. Man what a great day we had, Lenny and I were also treated to Happy Meals during our day out.

Thursday we plan to do more sightseeing at Fort Necessity, Friendship Hill and Braddocks' Grave (not the Chuck Norris Braddock). This Braddock was a pre-Revolutionary War General from England. That's all for now!

Enjoying The Alleghenies

Boy are we having fun here in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania. Here at the RV Park, Lenny and I have been able to play with Bo, half lab/half shepherd, and Squirt, another long haired Chihuahua. I met and played with Squirt when we were here two years ago. It is great seeing him again. We are also having a great time playing with cousin Smokey,(pictured above). Lenny is getting along real well with other dogs and is having fun playing with them. Mom and Dad have been busy visiting with Mom's brothers and their families that are in the area. Mom and Dad have also been doing some sightseeing. One day they went to Bradford, PA to the Zippo Lighter/Case Knife factory and visitor center. Dad was fascinated with the Zippo Lighter street lights at the visitor center. Hershey, PA has the Hershey Kiss street lights and Bradford has the Zippo Lighters. Mom and Dad also visited the Straub Brewery in St Marys, PA. Dad enjoyed the "Eternal Tap" at the brewery where he was allowed to help himself. Tomorrow Mom and Dad are taking us to Salamanca, NY to the Seneca Indian Reservation for a picnic. That should be loads of fun. This weekend we will be winding up our visit with a cookout at Uncle Albert and Aunt Diane's. We will be fed real well and get to spend more time playing with Smokey. Later folks!

Ohio Visit Winding Down

Our visit to Ohio is winding down. Thursday we leave for the Allegheny Mountains in Pennsylvania where Mom was born and raised. We have enjoyed our Ohio visit but are tired of the rain. Mom and Dad toured the home, in Mentor, OH, of President James Garfield. According to them it is quite a place. The home had nine rooms when the Garfields purchased it but they added on to where it now has 29 rooms. Mom and Dad had previously visited Garfield's crypt in Cleveland. Yesterday, Mom and Dad had lunch with two old friends, Kelly and Mark, at the Old Mill Winery in Geneva, OH. Kelly and Mark loaded Mom and Dad up with vegetables from their garden. Gotta keep the old folks healthy. Mom is going to roast the vegetables tonight for supper and she is going to give Lenny & me some to have with our dinner, I can't wait.

While Mom & I were out walking , she almost stepped on a SNAKE. I was going to get it but she hauled me up in her arms and took off. It was a 2 foot black snake. Lenny is in the dog house, Mom cleaned and then he dumped the toy box out all over the place, she yelled and he got excited and put his foot in the food dish and dumped that then all H----broke loose. Don't worry Lenny, she gets over it real fast, just give her the eyes.

This is all for now, talk to everyone later from Pa.

OHIO....Birthplace of Aviation

We are currently in a beautiful park in Wilmington, OH. We have a big grassy site with plenty of room for Lenny and me to run and play. Yesterday, Mom and Dad went to Dayton and toured the Wright Brothers Bicycle Shop. Afterwards, they went and found the graves of Wilbur and Orville. They also found the grave of humorist Erma Bombeck. Even in death, Erma has a great sense of humor. Her grave is marked only by a big boulder. No fancy monument for her. Today we went to Brock, OH to see the grave of Phoebe Anne Moses, better known by her stage name of "Annie Oakley". She was also nicknamed "Little Sure Shot" by Chief Sitting Bull when they toured with Buffalo Bill and his Wild West Show. We then went to Greenville, OH to see a statue of her at the Annie Oakley Memorial Park. We also went by her home, which is still a private residence today. Thursday we leave here and will be going to Jefferson, OH in the Northeast part of the state.

FINALLY!!!!!!

Lenny and I are so happy that we finally have a new sister-in-law. Trevor and Sharon were married July 4th, while vacationing in Costa Rica. Now we have two wonderful sisters-in-law to fawn over us. We are so excited to have Sharon in our family. Now, when can expect some little cousins?

UPDATE: Our friend Annie is recovering from her attack. She should be home by this weekend.

Doggie Prayers Needed

While here in Batesville, IN, Lenny and I have made friends with two little white dogs, Angel and Annie. Last evening while out walking with their Mommie, Annie was viciously attacked by a big Dalmatian. Annie is in critical condition at a doggie hospital in Cincinnati, OH. Lenny and I would like for all of our doggie friends and their parents to pray for Annie's recovery. Thank you for all your prayers. We will keep you updated on her progress. Trike & Lenny

Doggie Day Out

Yesterday was doggie day out for me and Lenny. Mom and Dad took us to the groomer at PetsMart in Cincinnati . We got groomed, a pedicure and our teeth cleaned. We loved being pampered. The groomer said we were very well behaved and easy to work with. After the groomer, we went to see the vet for our checkups and necessary vaccinations. The vet said we were very healthy but that Lenny needed to lose some weight. I guess that means there will be no more "doggie lattes" from Starbucks for us.

Afterwards, we did the the tourist thing around Cincinnati. One stop was at the home of Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin". We also got to see the stadiums where the Cincinnati Reds and Cincinnati Bengals play. Boy, are they nice stadiums. We also crossed the Ohio River so Lenny could leave his scent in Kentucky and add another state to his States Visited Map.

We want to wish everyone a safe and happy 4th of July. Be careful and have fun!