On one of our adventure days with Mom and Dad, we visited Fleming Falls Preserve. In order to appreciate how special this visit was, you need to read the backstory. Mom and Dad have always kept their eye on what is happening in Richland County. They have lived in Richland County for over 60 years …
Lake Brady UMC’s 125th Anniversary
The very first church that I served as a pastor was Lake Brady United Methodist Church. I graduated from seminary in May of 1984 and started as the pastor of this church on July 1. I was 24 years old at the time. With my newly minted degree, I looked forward to changing the world …
Moving from Darkness into Light
Before the time change in November, I was leaving my house to take my morning walk in darkness. I walk first thing in the morning. I like to walk early because it is routine. It doesn’t matter how awake I am, my habit is pulling on my boots and heading across the road as soon …
The Yard Milkshake Bar in Short North
As soon as I heard about The Yard Milkshake Bar in Columbus, I knew I had to get my dad there. Dad is the only person I know who likes ice cream (all sweets really) as much as I do. We have been waiting for the right time to go and recently got our chance. …
Son of Thurman in Delaware, Ohio
Tom and I recently ate at Son of Thurman, a restaurant in Delaware, Ohio for the first time. Our friends, Paul and Sherry Downing, contacted us and let us know they would be in Delaware for the day. Paul was training his replacement as he is now semi-retired. Would we be available for dinner together? …
Mazzas Family Restaurant in Mt. Vernon, Ohio
Tom and I recently tried Mazzas Family Restaurant, a new-to-us restaurant in Mt. Vernon. We ate there with our friends, Chris Ferlinc and Bill Cashell on a cool, but beautiful fall evening. Normally we meet Chris and Bill farther north, but they were riding the Ohio to Erie trail on their bikes. We knew the …
Eat Dessert First: CRMD and Crave
As an adult, I sometimes eat dessert first. I still feel guilty about it, but it is a choice I am able to make. This week is Thanksgiving, which has great desserts. The desserts are usually at the end of the meal when I am too full to enjoy them. But, if I am lucky, …
Big Bone Lick State Park, Kentucky
As a final stop before going home, Tom and I headed to Big Bone Lick State Park in Kentucky. This was the final campout of the season arranged by Sandy Shaw and the first that any of us were doing without her. We arranged with Eric Shaw, and Steve and Amy Winstead, to join them …
Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial
The last national park site we visited on this trip was Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial in Lincoln City, Indiana. Abraham Lincoln lived on this farm along Pigeon Creek from the time he was 7, in 1816, until 1830 when the family moved to Illinois. The years at the homestead along Pigeon Creek were instrumental in …
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
Tom and I headed for George Rogers Clark National Historical Park in Vincennes, Indiana the day after hitting the Missouri parks along the Mississippi River. Tom was especially interested in going there because it is a revolutionary war park. He had also heard that they did living history there and thought it might be a …