Week 49 - Week of Welcome - 07-22-2007

Welcome!

We said goodbye to our neighbors in Niagara Falls and headed toward Ellen's cousin, Mary Ellen, in Piqua, Ohio. We were welcomed in every state, but no welcome was as wonderful as that from Jeff and Mary Ellen at Swift Run Farm. They live in the house that Jeff was raised in. It is on 2.77 acres that was part of Jeff's father's farm of 365 acres. Their house is on a lake, near the Great Miami River with bike paths close by.

The driveway to their house looks a bit challenging. The trees were tight, and the bridge was limited to 10 tons. Since we weigh 17 tons, we had to decide if it was worth the risk to park at their house. The original bridge was 165 feet long, but today only a 20 foot section remains. As our axles are 20 foot apart, we determined that only half the motorhome would be on the bridge at one time. As you can see, we crossed; and the bridge is still intact.

The bridge separates "big" lake from "little lake".

We took an 8 mile bike ride past the vintage car show, along the canals and had lunch at Caserta. Caserta is their version of "Cheers", where "everybody knows your name". Not only did they know their names, Joe "the kidney man", bought our lunch and traded a dozen jokes with Pete.

Jeff and Mary Ellen on the Tandem.

A beautiful sunrise on the big lake at Jeff and Mary Ellen's house.

The lake, our "campsite", the canoe ride and the big swing (made with rope from Colorado!).

Jeff canoeing Ellen on their lake. A green Heron. Kayaking down the Great Miami River. We went several miles down the river to see the Rookery, a group of Sycamore trees that the Blue Herons use to nest their young. Jeff is in charge of the annual 16-mile river cleanup. This year they pulled out 2,000 pounds of trash and hundreds of tires.

Putting kayaks in the water at the Miami River for the big ride. Can you find the Blue Heron?

Jeff, Mary Ellen, son Zack at our campsite on their front lawn
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We want to express our appreciation to the Lange family for an incredible weekend of fun. God has truly blessed you with the gift of hospitality.

Love, Pete and Ellen

Photos from Jul 2007