Cooperstown-Baseball Mecca

It poured all the way to Cooperstown-and it was cold!  We thought that we would hit the baseball museum in the morning and the Norman Rockwell museum on the afternoon. Little did we know that 140  little league camp games were cancelled because of the rain!  It took us four hours to go through the museum and it really was fun to see the excitement of all those young ball players.  

After having had my equality awareness raised just the day before, I was conscious of the minimal role women play in our national pastime.  

We had fun looking for everything Giant!

I just can't understand why there is so much emphasis on all those other teams:)

Seneca Falls-A Reminder

It was pouring rain as we powered on to the National Women's Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, NY.

That's me and Susan B.  This was a small national park building that was very inspiring.  In summary all I can say is ALL women and men are equal and we all would be better off if we were more conscious about it.  

We drove a bit more and stayed at a little family- owned motel in Vernon,NY.  The only memorable thing about the evening was our dinner at Vernon Downs CSino and Race Track ! Every so often during dinner the trotters would trot by the window!

In the morning we had a standard egg breakfast at Apple Betty's and we were off to Cooperstown!

Niagra Falls

What can I say?  Spectacular, commercial, must see, and done.

Yeah Linda!

Linda and I have not seen each other in 13 years and we picked up our conversation as if we had spoken yesterday!  She welcomed Michael and me, offered us her washing machine and gave us a cozy guest room.  We stayed up late talking and sharing a delicious Cabernet .  

In the morning we dried out the tent and re packed the car with all our clean clothes - thank you Linda !

It was hard to leave on Friday morning, but we were committed to reaching Niagra Falls so off we went.  Some connections are there forever- at least I hope so. 

Return to Athens

I left you when we were camping outside of Cincinnati. It was a beautiful setting.  There were a few scattered campers around and a lovely lake.  At night we saw more fireflies than I have ever seen before and they twinkled all night!  I now know where the idea for fairy lights comes from. 

We packed up the tent and drove to the shower building where we saw two maintanence men taking the water heater away!  No showers:(

After camping in 90 degree heat I was really looking forward to a rinse.  Oh well, a quick wash and off to Athens!

The campus of Ohio University has really grown in 40 years!  The main green is still the same, but many buildings have been expanded, repurposed , or rebuilt. We needed a map to find things!  The new student center is gorgeous and goes from "down the hill" up to the green.  Shively Hall has been redone and is airconditioned.  We got a tour because it was open for Orientation! No more giant window fans!  

For those of you who were there, the golf course is still behind the South Green- although I don't know if it is utilized at night anymore.  

We visited Stewart MacDonald, the instrument makers, and checked in on the Hillel - but it was closed for the summer . 

14 Brown Avenue, our home for 2 years was there , but it is a different house!  Not as cute and clearly a student rental. 

In the evening we had dinner at a great brewery, Jackie O's.  On the way back to the car we heard music and found the Athens Community Band playing a concert!  A lovely end to our evening in Athens.

We camped out a Stroud's Run state park.  It was pretty, but there were only 3 spots taken out of 81.  It felt pretty deserted.  Pit toilets that were gross, no showers, and iffy water. To add insult to injury, it started to rain just as we were finishing breakfast. We threw everything into the car and headed for Cleveland - hoping that our friend Linds  would take in this bedraggled couple . 

Cincinnati

Michael was not keen at first about visiting Cincinnati , but it turned out to be a good visit.  We went to see the house on Atlantic Avenue- where the Civil War swords were found and met Jane who had lived in the house for 20 years.  

She and Michael talked about some if the neighbors that they both knew.  We found the Aulesboro house, but that one did not hold the same level of memories. 

The last place we visited was Withrow High School.  As we came up to the school, the president of the alumni association saw us and let us in!  Michael  was most pleased about seeing the great auditorium and beautiful library. The student population is only half what it was when the Tuttles were there. Jack, the alumni president , knew Joe and Jon- Michael's brothers.  This visit was much more emotional than we had anticipated!

We left the city and are now camping at Stonelick State Park.

Louisville

What a nice day!  We left the awful hotel where the "breakfast " had curdled milk, and headed to the Louisville Slugger factory.  We loved the place!  The tour was very informative and the factory was laid out so well for visitors.  We even got a private tour of the Bat Vault!

What was not to like?  We touched Babe Ruth's bat!

Launch was at a small local place called Boomer's, named after a deceased dog. Michael was getting into the comfort food  zone with homemade tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich.