August 24, 2010 Lake Chautauqua Institute

Lake Chautaugua Institute comprises homes built in the late 1700's by families as a studies and retreat area. These folks weren't necessarily monied at the time as tents were pitched on wooden platforms and later used as foundations for family mansions or donated to the Institution to build whatever was needed. There is a hotel, entertainment center, research library, religious studies and retreats of all faiths, lecture halls, grocery store, ice cream parlors, park and recreation, surprise, including 2 golf courses across the street! The kicker is - no cars are allowed until after Labor Day and most of the streets were brick. Folks get around by foot, bike, handicap scooters or the local trolley. We watched a fantastic banjo group, Cynthia Sayer & Sparks Fly. She is one of the top four-string banjoists in the world today who played hot swing, tango, western, classical and bluegrass. She played with such notables as the Woody Allen Band for 10 years and worked with artists such as Dick Hyman, Wynton Marsailis, Marian McPartland, Bill Cosby, Warren Vachi, Les Paul, Wycliffe Gordon, Marvin Hamlisch, Bucky Pizzarelli, Scott Robinson and many others. Her career highlights include performances in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the White House, and appeared with The New York Philharmonic. She is a member of the National Banjo Hall of Fame and is the subject of a PBS documentary to be aired in 2011 sometime. Check her out on the web if you are interested to learn more. CynthiaSayer.com Needless to say she was very good and could sing like an angel.

We played golf before the performance, had dinner on the Lake, enjoyed the concert and walked around the village both before and after with our mouths agape at the uniqueness of this wonderful village.................................BTW: Lake Chautaugua was named by the indians and means "pinched purse" because of it's long shoreline and is very narrow in the center like it had been tied together......................................and the journey continues

8/22-8/24/2010 Westfield, Jamestown, N.Y.

We're in a very nice KOA just across the road from Lake Erie where a regional park is located. Great for morning walks!

If you don't work for Welch's in Westfield, NY you don't have a job!This is Concord Grape central and this elephant says it's so. Don't know if he's an albino or just sun bleached but he's very large and carrys two barrels but doesn't budge an inch. Definately an eye catcher in the 100's of acres of grapes growing in the region of Westfield where Welch's has a huge processing plant. Check out the sky, major rain 1 hour later. The saying here is "if you don't like the weather now, wait 10 minutes and it will change". So far all the towns we've been in are vintage 1800 and the architecture reflects the same. Some in need of major renovation and many already are pristene and tempting.

Another days jaunt took us to Jamestown where Lucille Ball was born and raised. They had a museum dedicated to Lucy and Desi's memory where this television set is located. I'm sure many of you remember the Vitamea????? commercial! The life history of each, together and seperated was tastefully displayed. Sets from CA and NY, costumes used and family photos as well as displays of the Mertz's.

It was fun to listen to her friends' description of Lucy as a kid, they're not much different than her character in the show, always a clown!

This dress was worn on Lucy's last appearance on the Carol Burnett Show. It's hard to leave here without a grin from ear to ear!.............................and the journey continues

Elkhart to Niagara 8/17-8/21/2010

Back from Georgetown, Ohio (southern) to retrieve Tinker from the mechanized world of Duncan's RV repair we headed to Sandusky, Ohio (northern) to find the acclaimed US fishing capital for Walleye when we found this lighthouse built in 1840ish on our way to the RV park on Catawba Is. The planned fishing trip was sidelined due to Lili's hotel bug
that ultimately ended in a visit to the Doc in the Box in Port Clinton where the famed Al Capone hung out in the armory where the Doc does business. Very interesting place in that locals drop a 40' plastic Walleye into the bay to celebrate the beginning of fishing season. After a day or two we were ready to heave off to New York where our goal was Niagara Falls.

We took the Maid of the Mist ride out to Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side and the American Falls on the US side. It was like a monsoon on the Mist boat. It was truly an international experience with many folks from all corners of the world viewing this tourist attraction while getting soaked to the core. Our blue plastic rain ponchos hardly kept us dry so the dampness was a welcome relief to the heat and closeness of 300 people crammed together.

We stayed on the US side to avoid the 30 min to 1 hour re-entry wait. It appears Canada had more commercial interests and the US more park type attractions so we enjoyed a nice lunch and view of this American Falls scene........and the journey continues

Ohio Toabacco Fields, Underground Railroad

The Rankin House.

Our journey in Georgetown took us past many fields in various stages of growth and color which we were unfamiliar with. Some had blossoms and some looked more than ready to harvest. Come to find out these were tobacco fields.. We learned that tobacco is a good crop to grow for small farms and when it turns yellow it indicates time to start the harvest by hanging it to cure and then take to Kentucky for auction. The flower is that of the plant going to seed like an onion. These blossoms were left on for future seed

production.

We visited the Rankin House high above the Ohio River, in Ripley looking toward Kentucky. The Reverand Rankin used his home as as a safe haven for escaping slaves from Kentucky heading to Canada for freedom. When the river was frozen several slaves came across and were interviewed by Harriet Beecher, a friend of the Rankin family. It is said that some of those interviews were the impetess for the book, Uncle Tom's Cabin. This 2 story cabin with basement became part of the "underground railroad" prior to the Civil War. Many of the escaping slaves had bounties as high as $500.00 so the bounty hunters were pretty thick looking for their retirement dollars.

More Ohio River Fun

We just had too much fun not to include pictures of Dan and our host Chris.

That's Evan behing towed behind the boat in the tube thing. Sorry Abby, we forgot to take a photo of you! Abby is Chris and Jen's daughter.

Carl & hostess, Jen, enjoy a calm moment before we all take the plunge to cool off...............................

and the journey continues!

8/10 - 8/13/2010 Georgetown, Ohio

Before going to Ohio we toured the Newmar Motorcoach factory in Nappaannee, IN. This coach has a drivers compartment and engine at this stage, the rest will be custom built to the owners specifications in about 10 days. All materials are precut prior to assembly from the specs and then installed by Amish artisons. Their craftmanship is outstanding and they pay careful attention to every detail. This plant is one of the survivors of the economy and now only builds coaches to order. They are down from 1100 employees in 2008 to 400 currently but still produce 20-30 coaches a month. This rig is 45' long, dual axel with a 500 hp diesel with all the new federally required air emission controls. It was explained to us that with the new emission regs the weight of the coach increased requiring the dual axels as

well as an additional $5000.00 to the price tag of the already $790,000.00!

Arrived Georgetown, Ohio to warm and sultry weather conditions so Dan, Lili's stepson in blue shirt, arranged with friends Chris & Jen and daughter Abby to take a ride on the Ohio River on their beautiful pontoon boat. Also along for the ride was Carl and Dan's son, Evan. We ate lunch on a floating restaurant on the river in the town of Ripley. After lunch the kids enjoyed being towed behind the boat in a tube toy. Sorry, I don't know what the exact name of this fun devise is but they sure enjoyed the ride. A swim for the adults was in order and here Carl, Lili, Evan and Dan bob around hunting for cool spots around our feet. We stayed in the water

until we turned into prunes. The next day Dan took us on a tour of the Amish Country, which is second in size to the Penn. Amish. Their craftmanship is magnificant and Lili wishes she had an additional trailer to bring home a dining table she fell in love with. We ate lunch at an Amish deli of sandwiches prepared with homemade bread, meat, cheese, pickles and potato chips. An absolutely devine meal. We're off on another venture tomorrow..............................as the journey continues !

8/3- 8/6/2110 South Bend, IN

We're back to the journey continues................. and here we are dipping spoons into chocolate at the South Bend Chocolate Factory. We toured the factory and learned how chocolate is made from seed pod to creamy decadence. As you entered the chocolate factory was a picture of Lucy and Ethel in the bon-bon factory!!!! You all remember that, don't you?


We dined at The Carriage House, a church built in 1840 and converted to a 5 star eating establishment and we weren't disappointed. The walleye and scallops were beyond great!

Indiana Dunes on S. Lake Michigan was our next stop. It was interesting to see the dune intersperced with heavy industry and shipping business but that's what the Great Lakes are all about. No pictures of this area, fighting the rain drops most of the day. We had to wait for several thunder storms to pass over to tour the singing dunes which were wet, therefore, no singing today.

Here we are on the Norte Dame campus looking at the Library and the Golden Dome, everything you see on Saturday College Football. It's quite a lovely campus with the huge football stadium front and center surrounded by lovely matching brick structures unlikely to be seen in CA earthquake country!..We played a round of golf on the University owned golf course and played with two students from overseas taking the 2 MBA program. Alot of hipe around the golf course and campus because they had an old timers tournament yesterday and football practice starts in two days. All the past coaches still alive were in attendance so the course was in excellant condition, not many have been so pristene where we've played. Back to Elkhart to retreive Tinker for..................................and the journey continues

8/2/ - 8/13/10 UPDATE, where's that?

HI EVERYBODY,

WE'RE IN OHIO SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY. TINKER IS STILL IN THE SHOP WAITING FOR MORE PARTS FOR HER OLD A/C SYSTEM, BACK IN ELKHART, IN TO BE PICKED UP ON MONDAY 8/16 WHEN................ THE JOURNEY CONTINUES...................... AND WE GET TO A SPOT OTHER THAN MCDONALD'S TO UPDATE THIS BLOG PROPERLY.

CHEERS, LILI & CARL

8/1 - 8/2/10 Amish country

A 90 mile loop trail takes us through the Amish communities of Bristol, Middlebury, Shipshewana, Goshen, Nappanee and Wakarusa . These communities consist of the 3rd largest Amish populations next Penn and Ohio. Horse drawn buggies clatter down the rural roads, men sport suspenders and broad-brimmed straw hats, women clad in simple homemade dresses and modest bonnets, tables groaning under a bounty of fresh-from-the-farm food are everywhere. Skilled and disciplined hands are an Amish hallmark. You don't have to look far to see that many Amish are deft entrepreneurs. At farm markets and other outlets, they sell some of the regions's best food, heirloom-quality quilts, furniture and other handcrafted items.

The water powered 1832 Bonneyville Mill has produced quality flour for 150 years. The facility is operated by the Elkhart County Parks system and offers fresh ground corn meal daily, wonderful picnic areas and hiking trails for all to enjoy.

This is one of the pristine Amish farms along a rural road. This seemed very typical of all the farms we saw.

This Amish built, 51,450-square-foot timber-pegged American Countryside Farmers Market features snacks of homegrown fruits, cheeses, barbecue, pie, fresh meats and many other tempting treats. We bought some incredible Amish beef in the form of NY steaks which were delicious. The second floor is filled with talented artisans and gift shops to tempt your pocket book.

7/30 - 7/31/10 Elkhart, IN

The RV/MH Hall of Fame museum shows the history of the RV and manufactured housing industries with actual units from 1913 to 1970. This limo unit transported Mae West to a from her venues. It was never called a motorhome because it had no sleeping quarters but had a driver, hot plate and an expandable veranda for her to sit in her rocker between scenes on the set.

Ruthmere, a 1910 home along the banks of the St. Joseph River showcases not only the elegance of the time but boasts one of the many patch work flower quilts displayed throughout Elkhart and surrounding areas. The home was built by Albert and Elizabeth Beardsley as a tribute to their daughter, Ruth, who died in infancy. Beardsley gave Elkhart it's name, explaining the shape of the confluence of the St. Joseph and Elkhart Rivers reminded him of the shape of an elk's heart.

The downtown area along the Elkhart River showcases a 2 mile riverwalk with whimsical statues depicting the various industries of Elkhart. Here Lili is marching in the metal band showcasing the mfging of muscial instruments in Elkhart for 100 years. No vandalism here, this marching band is holding whole or parts of real instruments. I could just hear the sound of 76 trombones! They have a winter ice arena which converts to a summer splash pool too..........and the journey continues

Traverse City, MI 7/26/2010

Old Mission Lighthouse, circa early 1800 on Lake Michigan on the Grand Traverse Bay is equidistant from the equator and the North Pole. Folks wading in the water are looking for elusive Petoskey stones in the shallows. The Old Mission Penninsula is the center of the flourishing cherry-growing region and wine grapes.

Wine tasting on the Penninsula if a favorite pastime of many locals as well as visitors. Although the winemakers may have talent they just don't have the grape product of CA quality, at least by our standards!

We were clued into the sandbar parties at lower Torch Lake by a couple of locals during a golf game. We just had to drive by on the way back to Traverse City and this is what we found. Looks like Lake Havasu on the 4th of July. Eventually 14 people jammed onto the boat and off they went.......and the journey continues