Sunday, August 24, 2008
Stop! Yogi Time
We spent the the day with Jim and Callie's family at the Yogi Bear Campground in Fremont, Indiana on Saturday:
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Sofa King Cold on a Saturday Night
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!).
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:
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!
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?
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
Sofa #2 travels to it's ultimate demise
The final departure
The landing
Up in smoke
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 departure
The landing
Up 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?
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Ellis Family Reunion
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:
Friday, July 18, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
A Day at the Midway
We spent the afternoon at the Three Rivers Festival Giant Midway this afternoon:
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Independence Dam State Park
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. . .
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
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.
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