Good Bye Washington

Tomorrow morning we pull out and head for Chesapeake. We have had a lot of fun visiting with family while here. Lenny and I had loads of fun playing with TJ, a goldendoodle puppy. TJ is only a pup but he is way bigger than me but not as big as Lenny, yet. We also had a blast playing with Monica, Angela, Alex and Ben. Mom and Dad enjoyed seeing nephew Mike and wife Ester and were pleasantly surprised to see niece Heidi and her husband Ryan. It was like a small family reunion. The kids enjoyed swimming in the pool here at the RV park. Today, Mom and Dad toured Washington without us. They decided to ride the Metro Rail into Washington and dogs are not allowed so we had to stay home and guard the trailer. Mom and Dad were exhausted when they got back. They walked 4 hours in the heat sightseeing around Washington. They were so proud of us guarding the trailer that we got special hot dogs for supper. Thanks to Mike and Ester for their hospitality.

Hershey, "The Sweetest Place On Earth"

For the past week we have been based in Hershey, PA, the last stop of our Pennsylvania visit. We have had a busy week of sightseeing. Our first excursion was to the Crayola Crayon Factory in Easton, PA. I wonder how many people have used Crayola Crayons in their lifetime? Of course Lenny and I were treated to a Happy Meal that day. One day Mom and Dad left us home and went to the Hershey Chocolate Story Museum. Dad is fascinated by the Hershey Kiss street lights on Chocolate Ave. On Thursday we had a long sightseeing day as we went to the Philadelphia area. We visited Hopewell Furnace, a self-contained plantation where they didn't grow crops but worked with iron ore and limestone. From there we went to Valley Forge to see where General Washington based his troops during the Revolutionary War. In Philadelphia, we visited Edgar Allan Poe's home, Independence Hall and saw the Liberty Bell. And of course, Lenny and I got our Happy Meals for lunch. It was a long day for us. On Friday, Mom and Dad left us home to rest up while they went to Gettysburg where they toured the battlefields and President Eisenhower's home and farm. Tomorrow we pull out and head to the Washington, D.C. area to visit Mom and Dad's nephew Mike, his wife Ester and their daughters Monica and Angela. Mom and Dad have also promised to show us some of the sights in Washington. It should be a fun time. Until then, take care.

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.