Age of Steam

August 30, 2024

Scenic Hills CG site I

Millersburg (Berlin), Ohio

Today the two-legged departed with what they thought was plenty of extra time....but

with 5 minutes to go, they got hung up in one lane traffic for a good 20 minutes or more.  Instead of arriving on time for the 10:00 tour, it was a about 10:03 when they walked in the entrance to the Age of Steam.

The tour group was just finishing the mandatory safety film but the gal behind the ticket booth was kind enough....and sympathetic when we responded to her 'did you get lost' question as she got hung up in the construction one morning which made her an hour late arriving...to restart the video just for us

and arranged for an escort who guided us to the group.

Now I was wondering what the Age of Steam was all about, as you might be as well.  Let me give you a hint

.  Does the word Roundhouse help conjure up any ideas?

And turn table??

Jerry Jabcobson accepted a buyout offer in September 2008 for the Ohio Central System for a huge amount of money that allowed him the secure his lasting legacy, purchasing 37 acres of farmland and constructing the Roundhouse building filling it with history.... locomotive steam engines.

The knowledgeable tour guide 

shared not only the history of each engine, but shared an overview of the process that is involved in creating steam and in turn creating movement of the train.

He also discussed safety improvements such as the upgraded coupling system which not only saved fingers, but lives as the older system for coupling was quite dangerous.

Some guests even got to ring the bell...go Pam!!

It turned out to be a successful trip to Sugar Creek bulkfood store.  Lots of packages of chocolate raspberry cups sitting on the shelf,  just waiting to jump into Momma's cart.  Woohoo!!

Another good day in Ohio including a delicious dinner for the two-legged who enjoyed the smoked pork tenderloin that was one of the meats they purchased at Winesburg Meats today.  I wish they weren't so tuned into me at dinner time.  I did manage to get a sniff....but that's all I got...no bite of that great looking pork that I'm certain I would have enjoyed.

I'm Chloe

Another day in Ohio

 August 29, 2024

Scenic Hills CG site I

Millersburg (Berlin), Ohio

I'm thinking this might be a short post as Momma gave me a rawhide chew.  I haven't had one in quite a while and I'm just dying to pull those knots off the end, but Momma said I'd better get to writing first.

So today the two-legged traveled the country roads.  The first road was hwy 39 which is wider and more traveled.  They were headed to Walnut Creek to wander around the Flea Market.  Nothing too exciting there....so on to Walnut Creek Cheeese and Market.

There was the possibility of scoring some mini chocolate raspberry cups.....but no luck.  

The next set of country roads, just wide enough for two vehicles to pass, led them to Charm, Ohio and one of Dad's favorite places...Keim Lumber

His purchases have been tucked away behind the fireplace.  By the time we get home, he will have forgotten all the items he purchased and it will be just like unwrapping Christmas presents when he pulls all those items out.

They followed another windy, narrow country road to Hershberger's.  It can be a challenge tackling the roads because you can't always see what is ahead until you get to the top of the rise.  You just might come upon a slower moving horse and buggy.

It certainly is a pretty landscape.....hilly, but interesting to view

Hershberger's has had a facelift and a remodel.  Lots more bakery items were for sale as well as all the produce and other market items.  The barn is on the other side of the parking lot....and guess who was on the roof.

The horses had their own patio area

Aren't you departing a tad early for dinner?  Oh, I understand now.  You are heading to Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen Restaurant in New Hope for an Amish buffet.  Well, I guess it's a good thing you did eat an early dinner.  Otherwise, you would probably be too full to cut into that apple pie that Pam and Momma created.  It's got one of those crumb toppings on it that you like so well, Dad.

Can I have my very own slice please?  It smells so good just coming out of the oven.

I'm Chloe

Lehman's

 August 28, 2024

Scenic Hills CG site I

Millersburg (Berlin), Ohio

I heard Momma and Dad discussing the many choices of things to do in this area.  They have been here previously, but things do change over the years so some of the old favorites appear new.  The decision was made to head to nearby Kidron and visit Lehman's Hardware that has been in operation since 1955.

They shared the country roads with Amish buggies as well as Amish on bicycles.

The country roads are rather hilly and steep for horses as well as bicyles.  At least it wasn't a rainy day.

Lehman's is a neat store nicely decorated with a fall greeting by the west door

with a wide variety of items ...from kitchen items, to oil lamps, to garden items, to tools, to greeting cards, to candy, to clothing.... and the list goes on.  And on display throughout the store are antiques to enjoy viewing.

There were even metal signs for sale:

Our campground had many open sites when we arrived, but as the weekend approaches, it is beginning to fill up.  We just got neighbors on our door side

Momma chuckled when she saw the airstream.  Memories of the factory tour and info about the trailers came flooding in.  This unit is a 2023 owned by a couple who reside in Texas.  As it turned out, they just happened to park on their site with the tire in the right position for them to discover a piece of metal embedded in the tread.  They said they would be taking their Airstream to an appointment to have the issue addressed tomorrow.  Interesting concept....taking the rig rather than just the tire with the issue.

Oh yes, Momma also had a bit of good luck today.  They stopped at Ashery Country Store today and purchased their last couple of bags of those elusive mini chocolate raspberry cups.  The timing was perfect as she had just whipped up a batch of cookies using the chocolate raspberry cups she had on hand.  

That actually made me rather sad as Dad told me 'no chocolate for you'.  But I did manage to guilt him into extra doggie treats.  He's so good to me!!

I'm Chloe

Who are you?

August 27, 2024

Scenic Hills CG site I

Millersburg (Berlin), Ohio

Momma, where are all the pics to include in this blog?  Are you getting lazy or can't your battery power handle all you are asking it to do?  Oh, Dad said you were snoozing up there in the front seat during most of the trip today.  Did you find all those endless fields of corn with a sprinkling of soy fields boring?

I know you often read if the view isn't very enchanting but the roads today weren't all that smooth so I'm sure you found it too hard to focus with all the bouncing.  Dad said that bouncing sure didn't interfere with your nap!

We have relocated further west and are once again in Amish territory.  This area of Ohio is quite hilly, unlike the area of Ohio we just left.  I feel sorry for the horses having to pull those carriages up and down the hills.  I saw quite a few Amish on bicycles pedaling hard up the hills.

Check in at Scenic Hills was a novel experience.  Momma had trouble even getting reservations due to Labor Day weekend coming up.  She asked to reserve two sites for a full week.  After several phone calls and some juggling on the part of Mariam in the office, Mariam was able to arrange two sites for the full week without having to pack up and relocate mid stay.  The sites aren't side by side, but they are close ....site A and site I.  

The gal in the office started checking Momma into site A and then she checked Pam into site B (Momma mentioned to her that Mariam had told her site I)....but the reservation was only for 4 nights.  She said, "I guess you are moving from B to a different site after that if you are here a week.  Hmmmm.  I don't see where they assigned you after night 4.  Well, make the check out for the full week and we'll call you to get you squared away.  I'm not sure what Mariam did but we'll get back with you.  Let me make sure we have a good phone number."  

Well, the number was way off, so she updated it in the computer.  "Okay Tina, we'll be calling you."   TINA???  My name is Pam!!  Huh???  Then she took a second look at the check with Pam's name on it.  Oh my, you are on site I for the full 7 days.  Duh...isn't that what Momma tried to tell you?  After determining that site I was a bit longer than site A, everyone decided switching sites would be a good idea.  The office gal said, "I'll just update it in the computer." I  wonder how that turned out?

Tina arrived a bit later and settled into site B.  Can you just picture the scene if Pam was already on site B?  

Having finally settled into our 'back in' sites....'Oh Roger, I'm having a bit of a problem over here on site A.  Which way do I need to turn the wheel?  We have had so many pull thru sites, I've lost my touch.'  Pam almost had it without assistance,  but got confused a bit before getting squared away. Just a tad rusty.  Then it was off to locate a barber.  Dad was feeling a bit shaggy.

Dad walked in the barber shop just around 3pm only to discover that they don't take walk-ins, but come back for a 4pm appointment.  That worked out well for everyone as it allowed time to stop a block down the street and fill the tank with diesel and then park between the hardware store.....for Dad to run into..... and another shop loaded with items for Momma and Pam to browse.  That shop turned out to be an endless shop of multiple floors loaded with booths overflowing with items for sale.  It went on...and on...and on... and by the time Dad returned from his haircut, the gals were almost finished with their tour of the endless store.  The building was located on a hilly piece of land so you could enter on the south side of the building and be on the top/third floor or enter on the north side of the building and be on the next to the basement floor.  And the square footage was huge!!

It appears the weather has brought us some heat.  Does that thermometer really say 92?  Dad said, I'm changing back into shorts again!  Looks like a warmer week in store before we return to highs in the 70's once again.  We won't need the heat pump or the fireplace this week.  They can take a short vacation before we call on them to provide heat once again.

I'm Chloe

 

 

  

Airstream

 August 26, 2024

Wapakoneta KOA site 20

Wapakoneta, Ohio

Wow Dad!  The Ram sure does sparkle!!  I thought you were just going to fuel up and pick up a few things.  It certainly appears that you found a car wash that did a GREAT job getting rid of all that road grime.  

I'd say the Ram is just as shiny as those bright silver, bullet shaped, Airstream campers you saw being built this afternoon at the factory.  

Not only does Airstream offer numerous 'perks' for their employees, they treat their visitors well.

The free popcorn got Momma's vote!!  

This factory was built about 5 years ago.  There is a large, air conditioned lobby area complete with gift shop and snack bar in the area where the visitors gather to begin their tour before passing through the glass doors into the non-air conditioned work area.

Our tour leader guided everyone through the process of collecting safety glasses and ear buds (head sets for those wearing hearing aids) allowing everyone to clearly hear the information being shared.

And of course there was a no pictures rule once everyone passed through the doors into the work area where 500 workers .... about 80 of them clerical in offices ... worked in teams to assemble those shiny Airstream campers with the rounded edges.

Much of the work is done 'in house' with machines that laser cut and machines that stretch and bend the metal around forms to create the perfect piece needed for a tight, well sealed final product. Even the rivet hole are lasered for perfection.  The curtains are even sewn in house....but not the cushions.  

Unlike many other companies, Airstream builds their units from the outside in.  Once the outside shell is created and passes the water test to assure there are no leaks, the inside is completed.  The thoughts are, you can't really tell if there are leaks if you can't see and feel the inside walls.  The whole build process takes 8-9 days per unit.

Perks for the employees include an on site medical center and pharmacy that families can use, a cafeteria with low priced meals, and even ice pops handed out during the last scheduled break of the shift to help combat the non airconditioned/ fan cooled environment. Workers are scheduled with a 9 hour shift Monday thru Thursay with a half day on Friday, allowing Friday afternoon to be used to schedule any possible overtime that might be needed.

 

The tour was informative due to the extensive knowledge of the guide who used a mic with the visitors wearing head sets allowing everyone to capture every word.  Well done!!

Of course the two-legged missed out on the ice pops so they made a stop at Dairy Queen.  It was still early enough in the day that it didn't spoil their appetite so they could enjoy the marinated pork chops from Yoders Meatmarket that Dad tossed on the grill.  Unfortunately, they guarded the leftovers so I wasn't able to pull off one of my famous stealth maneuvers.

I'm Chloe

Appearing rather large

 August 25, 2024

Wapakoneta KOA

Wapakoneta, Ohio

I know everyone indulged while at Shipshewana...well, all the two-legged did with donuts from Rise n Roll, visits to Culver's, Ben's Pretzels and good Amish cooked meals.  But neither the 5er nor I over indulged, even though it may appear that we have gotten larger the way as we sit on our site.

That is our awning and our neighbor's camper.  Talk about tight!!

And things may look green.....well, kinda green....but forget about lush.  But we will only be here for 2 nights and then Momma has assured me our next location will have me belly down in the lush grass once again...and most likely room to romp a bit.

But Pam spotted a plus as soon as she entered the campground office.  They have hand dipped Velvet ice cream available for purchase until the office closes at 6 pm, with about 6 or 7 flavors to choose from.  I'm sure the two-legged will check it out before we depart.

When we crossed the border today into 

we traded the colorful flower gardens for wind gardens.

Not near as enchanting as what those green-thumbed Indiana gardeners produced.

Dad was wondering what kind of effect those large wind towers had on electric bills.  He certainly was smiling when this month's SECO bill arrived for the house in Florida.  The electric usage certainly decreases when we are on the road, significantly lowering the monthly electric bill.  Does that mean you can afford to purchase a dish of Velvet ice cream for me to enjoy?  I think I would really like ice cream....maybe as much as Pam does.

I'm Chloe

Last Chance

 August 24, 2024

Shipshewana South CG site 54

Shipshewana, Indiana

Today was the last chance day....last chance to visit any missed shops such as The Red Barn shops that were decorated for fall 

And offered some great sales such as the 50% off quilt Pam purchased.

Last chance to pick up some meat at Yoder's Meat and Cheese shop.  They even had a shelf with a label for the chocolate raspberry cups but unfortunately the shelf was bare.  Another store that can't keep that item in stock.

It was the last chance to pick up items at the bulk food store E & S sales as well as the last chance to grab some delicious offerings at Ben's Pretzels.  

Dad had thought it was the last chance to pick up items at Bontragers RV Surplus BUT.....they are closed on Saturdays.  Sad news Dad!!

And it was also the last chance to enjoy Prime Rib Saturday Special at Hopper's Pike Street Grill.  Dad said it was a scrumptious piece of meat.

 And Momma mentioned that they had friends join them.  They ran into some RV friends from Pennsylvania who are also camped in Shipshewana but at the next campground just up the road, so they invited them to join them for dinner.  

Doc has a new 3500 Dodge Ram that he is driving to tow his Open Range fifth wheel.  Nice ride!

I doubt they experienced the last chance to enjoy the colorful flower gardens as chances are,

they will drive by some tomorrow as we depart this area heading east.  Yep, our week stay is over already. 

I'm glad I didn't miss my last chance to chase my ball in this lush Indiana grass!

I'm Chloe