Good Family News

Stop! Yogi Time

2008-08-24T21:39:00.000-07:00

We spent the the day with Jim and Callie's family at the Yogi Bear Campground in Fremont, Indiana on Saturday:

Sofa King Cold on a Saturday Night

2008-08-10T20:17:00.000-07:00

As mentioned in my prior post, we attended a "bonfire/party" at the home of some Michigan relatives who shall remain nameless (Unless their blackmail check bounces!).

A great shot from the second floor deck

As the night grew longer, the keg got lighter, and the kids were put to bed for the night, someone decided that what the fire needed was - more furniture! Fortunately there were several old pieces laying around that were beyond recovery and destined for destruction:

Sofa #1 blazes away

The "fire meisters", still winded from transporting the fire's first victim, utilized lawn and garden equipment to assist in the second round. Not a drop of beer was spilled during this endeavor!

Sofa #2 travels to it's ultimate demise
The final departureThe landingUp in smoke

By this time, the Michigan night had turned quite chilly for our t-shirt and shorts wearing clan, so we had all moved from the upper deck to fireside seating. We warmed up in no time thanks to the efforts of these flaming young men who, I might add, also turned out to be excellent wait staff!

Our courteous servers

I've been invited for more of the same behavior from these adventurous lads in the near future. Something about motorsports, kegs, and media appearances. I'm sure that no harm could come from that, right?

Ellis Family Reunion

2008-07-29T18:17:00.000-07:00

Kris was armed and ready during the water balloon fight:

Dennie took a few direct hits:

Doug, Jammie, and Denny:

Kevin attempting to pass the torch for future reunion duties:

Barb and Kris:

Jody and Dennie:

Jib Jab Family Fun

2008-07-18T17:58:00.000-07:00

Send a JibJab Sendables® eCard Today!

A Day at the Midway

2008-07-13T18:26:00.000-07:00

We spent the afternoon at the Three Rivers Festival Giant Midway this afternoon:

Independence Dam State Park

2008-06-29T18:21:00.000-07:00

Kevin Whaley recently posted a story about "One Tank Trips" and asked for suggestions of nearby attractions that hadn't been covered in his post or the article he referenced from FortWayneHompage.net. I immediately thought of one of my favorite spots across the border in Ohio, Independence Dam State Park. I got it into my head on Friday to take the family up to the Toledo Zoo this weekend, perhaps that seed was planted when I read Kevin's post. And Independence Dam IS on the way. . . I discovered this gem quite by acccident about 20 years back. Back in my single days, I used to spend many of my days off exploring neighboring counties just to see what I could find. That's how I came across Independence Dam.

The park runs along a seven-mile stretch of the Maumee River just east of Defiance, Ohio. It's unique in that it's a rather narrow park, maybe a quarter-mile at it's very widest, that is squeezed between the Maumee River on one side and the old Wabash & Erie Canal and the former US 24 (Now Ohio 424) on the other.

There is one entrance, and cars may traverse the park for only a short way in, perhaps a mile and a half. Beyond that, it's pedal power or hoofing it. By car, you can make it past the dam (pictured below), several pavilion areas and to a playground that's a favorite stop for my kids. I've never ventured far beyond that point thus far; but the explorer in me yearns to return and bike or hike the remainder of the park at some point in the future.

Right at the very entrance to the park is Lock #13 of the old canal. The dam itself was built to provide slack water for the canal, and was named for the nearby canal town of Independence. The existing dam on the Maumee River was completed in 1924. This cement dam replaced the original wooden dam which was built in the 1800s for the canal system. At the time of the rebuilding of the structure, several organizations expressed support for a park between the old canal bed and the river and the Ohio Department of Public Works purchased private lands to create the park. The bustling burg of Independence once rivaled Defiance in size, but died along with the canals in the mid 1800's.

From the flip side of the sign, I learned that this canal was on the trunk line of both the Miami & Erie and Wabash & Erie canals. The two canals joined together at a point some 15 miles southwest of this location. Clicking either of these sign pictures will bring the text up to an easily readable size.

This shot is of the canal, at the site of Lock #13, facing towards Toledo.

This shot, from the same location, faces towards Fort Wayne.

Here are a couple of shots of the Maumee River from the park. I'm not sure that the pictures do it justice, but it's simply amazing how wide the Maumee is here, a mere 50 miles or so from it's birth here in Fort Wayne.

I encourage you to experience this park for yourself! From Fort Wayne, travel east on US 24 to just past Defiance, Ohio. You'll need to exit at State Route 281, which is clearly marked "Independence Dam". 281 will take you to State Route 424 in less than one mile, and 424 east takes you to the park entrance in just under two miles. Expect about a one hour drive and, pack a picnic lunch, your cross-trainers or bicycles, and fishing tackle if you're so inclined. Oh! And if you have little ones, look for this area at the end of the drivable part of the park. . .

A Trip to the Toledo Zoo

2008-06-29T18:20:00.000-07:00

We took a day away from things today, and traveled to the Toledo Zoo. One of the many nice things about being a member of the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo is that your membership allows you free admission to many other zoos around the country. There are several within range of the Summit City that make for nice day trips, and with your membership card, you're only out the cost of fuel for you and the car. We were going to go yesterday, but Toledo was experiencing the same weather as we were yesterday, and today's forecast promised overcast but dry skies.

So, of course, it began drizzling nearly the second we crossed into Lucas County. . .we had to duck into doorways a few times after arriving but, overall, we stayed fairly dry. Check out the face on this big guy. . .

Not every exhibit is "family friendly". . .we had to explain that one of the turtles was "just giving the other one a really big hug". . .

For some reason, I couldn't get that old song by Sir Mix-a-lot out of my head after this exhibit. . .

On the way home, we made a detour to Independence Dam State Park, where we watched a guy reel in a catfish that wasn't quite as big as this one at the zoo's aquarium. . .

'rangs are always as fun as a barrel full of monkees, ahem, and this one decided to climb onto the acrylic ceiling over our heads and stick out his tongue. . .

I heartily recommend the Toledo Zoo to other families. There's definitely something for everyone's interests, the food and giftshop prices are reasonable, and there's a nice mix of indoor and outdoor exhibits; an important feature on a questionable weather day like today. It's easy to spend an entire day there and, with the improvements being made to US 24, the drive will continue to get better and better. It was just under two hours from here in Aboite to the zoo's front entrance.

Sabrina stars as Little Bo Peep

2008-03-28T13:45:00.001-07:00

Indy Overnight

2008-03-03T14:23:00.000-08:00

Jody had a seminar today and tomorrow in Indy, so the girls and I tagged along yesterday and spent the night:

Samantha's 8th Birthday!

2008-02-23T15:37:00.001-08:00

Samantha was joined by 10 friends, Mom and Dad, Stan and Wanda, and Pam for a birthday celebration at the Roller Dome South.

Samantha and Kelsey enjoying cupcakes and ice cream.

Samantha having a great time.

Samantha at the end of a race around the rink.

Samantha performs in The Elephant Child

2008-02-15T19:44:00.000-08:00

Snow Angels

2007-12-16T18:42:00.000-08:00

Florida 2007

2007-09-29T20:32:00.001-07:00

We returned home from Florida yesterday afternoon, after three long days and four very short nights in Kissimmee. Both flights were uneventful; we've flown Allegiant twice before, but this time I had stumbled across some rather unnerving news pre-flight. It turns out that the CEO of Allegiant Air used to run another small discount airliner. . .it's name was Jet Blue! In all fairness, Jet Blue became AirTran, and both they and Allegiant have maintained clean records for years.

Jody did alot of research over the last month or two, and discovered that it was as cheap to rent a home down there as it was to stay in a decent hotel, so that's what we did:

This was our home for most of the week. It was a beautiful and spacious villa with 4 bedrooms, three baths, and an enclosed pool. Jody's parents were able to fly down and share our accommodations as well. We didn't spend alot of time in it, but it was nice to come home to at night!

That's our crappy rental car in the driveway - a 2007 Ford Taurus with alignment issues. Heh. . .it was CHEAP! ;)

We arose at O-Dark-Hundred on Tuesday, and dragged our tired butts to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot Center. We'd both been to these before, on our honeymoon, but it was a first for the kids:

Magic Kingdom

Samantha and Sabrina were fearless at the Magic Kingdom, and talked about nothing but Splash Mountain and Space Mountain! Epcot, which I found to be sorta boring 12 years ago, has some great newer rides: "Soarin" that simulates hang gliding over California - GM's Test Track in which YOU get to be the crash test dummy on the track - and a Mission to Mars space flight simulator that was nothing short of amazing!

Epcot

On Wednesday, we tackled the Animal Kingdom and MGM Studios (MY favorite Disney park):

Posing with Mickey

Animal Kingdom is a newer Disney park, and we could have spend at least an entire day there, but we had to get to MGM so my little daredevils could ride the Tower of Terror. I'd told them all about it, and they couldn't wait to drop thirteen stories several times!

MGM magic places me in Frisco

We wrapped things op on Thursday, saving the best for last, and visited Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure:

In front of Universal (duh)

Universal Studios, IMHO, by far one of the best attractions in the USA! Sabrina FREAKED OUT on the Jaws Encounter boat tour! We scored front row seats on the boat, and I have to credit the "tour guide" who stayed totally in character despite Sabrina screaming in his face the entire time! He totally cracked up at the end of the ride, and said that she had THE best face he'd ever seen react to that ride. ;) She calmed down enough to have her picture taken in front of the hanging shark one block away:

Catchin' a Wave

It was a nice little adventure, but I think we'll make it a full 7-day tour next time around - there's just too much too see and do in a short time frame! And we didn't even venture beyond Disney and Universal.

Our new additions

2007-07-01T17:14:00.001-07:00

Red Cedar Center

2007-06-06T18:01:00.000-07:00

Samantha recently attended a Girl Scout's "thank you" function for her successful sales of GS cookies at the Red Cedar Center. Red Cedar is ALL about things equestrian, and our little lover of horses was beside herself to be there!

In yet another showing of my age, when did we have to start wearing helmets to ride a horse? Or a bike? Don't get me wrong, I'm glad my kids are as safe as they can possibly be. . .yet I ache with the memory of how free and easy my life was at that age! I s'pose my parents thought that *I* had no worries compared to what they went through. . .I can see it now: My grandchildren will all be fully encased in silicone bubbles at all times! I hurt for them already. . .

Shore Leave

2007-06-04T18:13:00.000-07:00

Our girls spent some time on our lake frontage this weekend with the daughters of our friends, the Browns, as well as some neighborhood kids. They love sitting on the bench and looking out upon the lake.

Look at this HUGE frog that the neighbor kid netted! It's as big as your head! I hope these aren't mutant carniverous frogs!

Paint updates

2007-05-28T17:52:00.000-07:00

We updated the family room, main entry hall, and bedroom hall with a coat of orange paint over the weekend. We had already accented these areas with red throw pillows and terra cotta pots. Jody has expressed an interest in a "southwest" theme for the main living areas for some time now. This definitely pushes things along in that direction. . .

Welcome!

2007-05-27T22:10:00.000-07:00

Welcome to "Good Family News"! I hope to use this site as a means to communicate with our extended family. We'll post articles and pictures of our family as we continue to grow in an effort to bring us all closer together, as well as keeping you up to speed on our latest challenges and accomplishments.

I hope that you will not only bookmark this page, but feel free to contribute content that you wish to share. My e-mail address is: pontio@aol.com

I'll also consider adding any family members as contributors to this blog who have content that they wish to share.