May 31

Today on the 9:30 a.m. ride out of Lake Avenue, there were 44 riders. Sara told me that the 9:30 a.m. ride out of Loyal Oak had about 18 riders. The Loyal Oak riders had to take shelter from the storm near River Styx, but the riders from Lake Avenue made it back before the downpour started.

Tonight 8 of us played Cribbage at the Blue Heron. Score: Gals 3 Guys 1(one of the gals' wins was a skunk. Really it was a double skunk the guys were so far behind the third game. We are trying to decide if we should count it as a double skunk. It would mean we beat them 4 to 1 if it counts.

Elaine

May 30

John finished the driveway this morning. Then he went off to the 1:30 p.m. ride starting at the Wechter's house. I drove over later, and Gary gave me a tour of the yard and gardens. Beautiful!

The short ride left the house at 2:30 p.m. Riders began to arrive back around 3:30 p.m. A little after 4:00 p.m. we started eating the delicious potluck lunch. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed lots of conversation. Some people went on a tour of the the house.

We returned home around 7:00p.m. No need for dinner tonight.

John and Elaine

May 29

John was up early putting a coat of blacktop on the driveway. I made Bar-b-qued Beans and cornbread for the SCBC potluck picnic tomorrow at Gary and Rita Wechter's home after the rides.

Sorted and filed all the postcards, tickets, brochures, etc. from our trip this spring in preparation for eventually creating a scrapbook.

John mowed the lawn again thinking about the rain that is predicted tomorrow night and Monday. I planted morning glory and Texas wildflower seeds tonight.

The temperature and humidity have dropped a little this evening, but tomorrow it is suppose to be 87.

A quiet evening....

Elaine

May 28

John worked on the driveway patching this morning. Then he picked up Joey and met 3 other classmates from Washington High School at Polumbo's for lunch.

Tonight we went to dinner at La Pizzeria with John's cousin, Joe, and his wife. Then to Heggy's on Tusc. for ice cream.

Stuffed again,

John and Elaine

May 27

Margie gave John some rhubarb, so this morning I made him the pie he was asking for the other day. Also made some blueberry muffins. Chicken Marsala in the crockpot for dinner.

Trimmed the spent blossoms off the other two rhododenron bushes this afternoon. After dinner, John started filling the cracks in the driveway, preparing it for recoating.

Tried to hook into a conference call about Jen's bridal shower in August, but after waiting 15 minutes, I finally gave up.

Elaine

May 26

John had his stress test this morning, which he passed, of course. I rode the trail with Ken Stenger--16 miles. We stopped at Lock 4 to watch the canal boat turn around. They rammed it against the side of the canal, and it took both men with their poles and a lot of strength to get it out into the canal again going in the reverse direction. There were several elementary kids on the boat, so I'm sure they got a kick out of that.

This evening John hiked around Petros Park with the hikers. I waited in the car reading my book. Afterwards, we went to the Irish Exchange on Tusc. for dinner.

Elaine

May 25

John is over getting another blood test to check medication levels. He will have to watch what he eats and drinks today, no caffeine, as he has a stress test tomorrow at 8:45 a.m. His blood levels are just right for a change.

The doctor's office called me and said my sodium is low.???? John is the one who is suppose to be on a low salt diet.

Planted several pots of Wave petunias this afternoon.

Went to game night at the Blue Heron. Beat Bob 3-1 in four games of cribbage.

John is power washing the driveway, in preparation for resealing the black top tomorrow.

Elaine

May 24

Rode 16 miles on the Towpath this morning with Erika, Sally, and Fran. Conversation at the Blue Heron afterwards. John rode the road 27 miles. Picked up the held mail on the way home.

Routine Dr. Appt. in the afternoon.

Dinner at the Geissen Haus and cribbage. Eight of us played. Gals 2, Guys 2. We skunked them first game. We are now tied for the year so far.

Elaine

May 23

The day is starting out with a steady rain. Hikers are once again leaving at 9:00 a.m. for a 3 mile hike. Checkout time is noon, so they should be back in time to take showers and rinse off the mud before we leave.

It stopped raining(at least for now) just as the hikers were leaving. I noticed that they were all either carrying or wearing their rain gear.

Hikers arrived back a little after 11:00 a.m. We left the Lodge around noon.

Picked up 219 just north of Thomas, WV. It is designated a scenic route in Maryland. It was scenic with rolling green hills and small farms dotting the landscape. Had lunch at a small family restaurant in Oakland, MD.

Picked up 68 in Northern Maryland and drove to 79, where we went north to 70 in PA. Took a very winding back road from 70 over to 2 and went up the coast of the Ohio River. Crossed over into Ohio at Steubenville.

From there it was just a short time until we reached 250 and 77. Arrived home just before 6:00 p.m.

Another fun weekend with my traveling partner, John.

Elaine

Blackwater Falls Hike and Dolly Sods Hike.

Cairo and Harrisville WVa. Marble sorter and Berdine's 5 and Dime.

May 22

Blackwater Falls 9:00 a.m. Raining. The main group of hikers headed out with Boyd leading to hike one of the trails in the park. Laura, Judy, Jackie, and I (Elaine) jumped in Laura's Element and drove over to Dolly Sods to check out the area. We hiked about a 2+ mile trail called Wilderness Trail down through the woods. It was very wet and still raining. Crossed a couple of small streams. Coming back up was just as muddy as going down.

We drove further to the Northern Loop Trail, which went on a boardwalk through a bog, and then reached the Bear Rocks Trail. By this time fog was closing in, so we didn't see any of the great vistas. Lots of wildflowers blooming along the way: Bluets, Violets, Fringed Polygala, Azalea bushes, Trillium, etc.

We were going to drive further to try a different way out, but the road was blocked by big boulders. About 10 miles of the road to the top was gravel and full of potholes.

We made it back to the picnic area and ate our lunches standing on the road, as the tables were very wet. Then we headed back to Blackwater Lodge, about a 40 mile round trip altogether.

The main group of hikers were already back from their afternoon hike.

Tonight 33 of us are going to dinner at The Sawmill Restaurant, which is just outside the park boundaries. We had a very nice dinner(real mashed potatoes).

Cards and games going on in the game room tonight.

More from Blackwater Falls tomorrow...

John and Elaine

May 21

We left Parkersburg under overcast skies. Stopped in Cairo. Took pictures of some of the historic signs, the old bank, which is now the headquarters for the Rails-to-Trails in the area, and an old marble machine, from the factory that used to be in town. Marbles can be purchased at the old general store in town.

We bypassed North Bend State Park and drove into the town of Harrisville. I had read about an old(1908) 5 and Dime called Berdine's in the Massillon Inde's magazine section a few weeks ago. We found it easily. It was full of lots of things that we remembered from our childhood. I bought some candy from the glass cases, orange slices, licorice, Necco wafers, Toosie Rolls, also some Teaberry Chewing Gum, jacks, a repair kit for glasses, with a tiny, tiny screwdriver in it, Hollyhock seeds, canning lids with wire tops(to use as flower frogs on pint and quart jars, etc . etc. etc. What Fun!!!

We kept traveling east on 50 (it was just like 250 in Ohio) nothing but curve after curve, climbing the hills and coming down again. Going to try to find another way home on Sunday.

Stopped in Thomas and went through an antique store while John took a nap. Didn't find anything I couldn't live without.

Arrived at Blackwater Falls State Park around 4:00 p.m. Checked into our room, which overlooks the parking lot. John is taking another nap.

Hikers gathered for a picture at 6:00 p.m. and left for 3 miles of hiking. I took myself to the Lodge dining room for soup, salad, and a glass of wine.

Dining room opens for breakfast tomorrow at 7:00 a.m. Hiking begins at 9:00 a.m.

More from Blackwater Falls tomorrow...

John and Elaine

Ride of Silence--Columbus, OH

Town of Parkersburg, WVa, and the Blennerhassett Hotel and dining room.

May 20

Blennerhassett Mansion and Sternwheeler Ride across the Ohio River t0 Blennerhassett Island,

and Captain John Snively at the wheel.

Blennerhassett Museum in Parkersburg, WVa.

May 20

This morning we went to breakfast at T.J.'s Restaurant with Lin and Scott before heading east.

Crossed the bridge over the Ohio River around 12:30 p.m. Drove down to Parkersburg WVa.

Finally, found the parking lot for the Blennerhassett Museum. It contains 3 floors. The lower level displays many, many Native American items that were collected and labeled in the 1700-1800s and mammoth bones. The other two floors are devoted to Blennerhassett, Parkersburg, and Ohio Valley history.

We then traveled back across the river to Belpre, OH. The 19th Century Sternwheeler to Blennerhassett Island is leaving from there temporarily while the WVDNR redoes an park and original docking area. We boarded the boat around 3:00 p.m. The Captain, a Merchant Marine Officer, allowed each of us to steer the boat and took our pictures with our cameras. When we docked we bought tickets for the house tour, where docents told us about it.

The Blennerhassett Mansion was built by Harmon Blennerhassett, a wealthy Irish aristocrat, in 1798. He and his wife only lived there about 6 years because he became entangled with a plot formed by Aaron Burr, and as a result, both men were accused of treason by Thomas Jefferson and imprisoned. Burr was acquitted, and they both were released, but their reputations were ruined. Blennerhassett and his wife fled the island leaving everything behind.

In 1811, the mansion burned to the ground. In 1973, archaeologists rediscovered its foundations. Through careful research and historical letters and artifacts, the mansion has been recreated for the enjoyment of visitors.

Upon returning to the mainland, we returned to Parkersburg and had dinner in the Spats Restaurant at The Blennerhassett Hotel, built in 1889.

After dinner we decided to look for a motel and ended up in a Red Roof Inn, with owners and dogs from a dog show and a group of elderly gospel singers. Should be an interesting evening.

More from WVa tomorrow....

John and Elaine

May 19

Forgot: In case anyone is interested, on the 11:00 p.m. news last night, they showed a video clip of The Ride of Silence and Elaine was shown for a brief second. Celebrity status. Ha!

Elaine

May 19

Today Lin and I drove over to Jen's. We went out to First Watch in Dublin for breakfast. Then we went to Wendy's Bridal for Jen to try on her wedding dress. Lin is keeping it at her house, so Robert doesn't see it.

Dropped Jen back at the house so she could go to work. Lin and I hit a few scrapbook stores before we went back to her house.

Dressed in our bike clothes and drove into downtown Columbus to ride The Ride of Silence. No one talks in memory of those riders who have died or gotten injured on bike rides. The ride was on the streets of Columbus and 9 miles long. The weather cooperated. It quit raining at around 5:00 p.m.

After the ride, several of us went to the Spaghetti Warehouse for dinner.

Elaine

May 18

This morning we traveled to Pickerington OH where my sister and brother-in-law live. We are staying here a couple of nights. Tonight we are picking up my niece and going to a local business

to hear a health talk and get facials from a bike friend of my sister. Should be interesting.

We, Lin, Nikki, and I went to a talk by a beauty consultant about make-up and color palate. Same kind of thing Mary Kay consultants were doing 20 or 30 years ago. $$$

Afterwards we met John and D.J., my nephew, at Graeter's for ice cream. Yum!

Elaine

May 17

Today it has been raining, raining, raining. Went to my ride. Larry Johnson was the only one who rode. Bob, Sara, I played cribbage. John, Mike, Ed and Mal just came for coffee.

John put new carpet in the upstairs bathroom this afternoon. It looks great.

Tonight we went to the Geissen Haus for dinner and cribbage. Bob, Mal, Karen, Sara, John, and I

played. The score was Gals 2, Guys 1. Not sure of the score for the year because Sylvia keeps it, and she is in Italy.

On the road to Pickerington tomorrow...

Elaine

May 16

Headed to the Poker Run about 7:50 a.m. Picked up our sign and cards and dropped off our cookies. Worked at Forty Corners, the first stop for the riders, until noon, when Bill and Carol Johnson took over.

John rode the ride in the afternoon. I went home and vacuumed, dusted, and prepared the house for the potluck. Made hot spicy meatballs in the crockpot. About 25 members showed up and brought lots of delicious dishes to share. Everyone went home about 7:30 p.m.

Put away leftovers and bagged the trash. That's about all that is getting done tonight, unless the maid shows up to finish. Ha!

It will still be there tomorrow.

Elaine

May 15

Today John went on a ride out of Navarre. I headed down to Bolivar to meet my sister. We went

to the Stamp Show in Zoar. Lots of tables where gals were selling their used stamps(the kind you

use with ink to make cards), ink pads, scrapbook papers, eyelets, etc. I bought 3 and some paper. Lin had a half a bag full(she already has about 1,000). That might be a SLIGHT exaggeration. Ha!

We went to lunch at Simply Cinnamon in Bolivar.

Then we headed to New Philly and went to the Riverside Antique Mall. We did the whole thing.

Of course, we each bought something.

Lin headed back to Pickerington and I headed home around 5:00 p.m.

After dinner, I planted six pots of flowers to put on the brick pillars out front of our house. It is only 8:00 p.m. and I feel like I am ready for bed.

Tomorrow is the poker run and the potluck, a busy day ahead.

Elaine

May 14

Worked on outside hanging plants and indoor plants(they survived fairly well being on their own for over a month, just a few dead leaves). Reworked the grapevine wreath for the garage by putting new flower vines on it. Finished laundry. Brought up some of the serving dishes, trays, glasses and silverware from the basement cupboard to get ready for the poker run potluck, which is Sunday. John went on the morning bike ride and then out to lunch with Joey.

Tonight we went to the Middle Eastern dinner at St. George Church in Canton. Sat with Erika and Steve Stephan, Polly and Nelson Caley, Dave Cardarella, and Karen Erdos. Afterwards, John and I stopped at Cleo's for ice cream. Now for a quiet evening at home.

Elaine

May 13

A relatively productive day. Bank, drug store, haircut, P.O. for stamps, groceries, weeded 5 flower beds (cut the grass coming in at the edges is getting ahead of me). Tomorrow laundry, vacuuming, dusting, and the rock garden. Need to get ready for the potluck after the poker run on Sunday. My cookies and meatballs are made and in the freezer. Managed to do that before we left on our trip.

Finished going through the mail and paid bills. That seemed never-ending last night.

Flowers that are blooming in our yard: Butterfly bush, white and pink bleeding hearts, white and blue forget-me-nots, wild hyacinths, silver bells. Mountain bells and peonies are just getting ready to open. Iris and Foxglove will be blooming soon.

Elaine

May 12

We left Indiana in a thunder storm, and the rain was with us all the way. We decided to leave I70 and traveled north on I75 once we were back in Ohio. Then turned east onto Rt. 30. We are now

home. Had a wonderful trip, some great memories and beautiful photos. Looking forward to our next adventure together somewhere on the road........

John and Elaine

Arch at St. Louis, MO

Georgetown, CO, an old town in the old mining district.