Historic Railpark Train Museum, Bowling Green, Kentucky

We were on our way to the Corvette Museum and driving in were directed to a parking area that was at least 1/2 mile from the museum itself. We learned that it was the 25th anniversary of the museum's opening and about 10,000 corvettes from all over the U.S. were there as well as thousands of people, so we just kept driving and decided to head to the Historic Railpark Train Museum instead. We arrived just in time for a tour which took us through a Pullman train where we learned about mail delivery, eating and sleeping areas, and how the dining cars were named. 

Studebaker National Museum, South Bend, Indiana

Visiting the Studebaker National Museum was fascinating ~ seeing all the cars the company built through the years. I was not sure how much I would like it, but I did like seeing all the old cars, and I know Jim enjoyed it a lot. 

This is the history of how the Studebakers eventually began their automobile business: the Studebaker family were actually blacksmiths, first in Germany and then in the United States. In 1736, five Studebaker family members arrived in Philadelphia, where they continued their craft. They ran their business in Gettysburg but left in 1836 and headed for Ashland, Ohio. Then brothers Henry and Clement moved to South Bend and opened a blacksmith shop in 1852. Their business actually began with the Civil War when they accepted a contract for 100 army wagons, and then they received other military contracts. 

Old Jail Museum, Albion, Indiana

Built in 1875 the Old Jail Museum was a place where a debt to society was served. Both accused and convicted individuals would make their home here until the jail was turned into a museum in 1968. The sheriff's quarters were housed in the front of the building, while the inmates were located in the back section. The museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is owned and operated by volunteers of the Noble County Historical Society. The museum features displays of military history, school and local sports memorabilia, children's toys, period furniture, farm implements, medical items and clothing. The kitchen is equipped with appliances and utensils used while the jail was being used.

RV/MH Hall of Fame, Elkhart, Indiana

Jim and I became lifetime members of the RV/MH Hall of Fame in 2010 when we went to our first Escapees Escapade in Goshen, Indiana. The Hall of Fame has RVs from the early 1900s until the present. It's hard to say when people first began RVing, but the earliest truck camper at the Museum is dated 1913. The earliest recorded RV travel club is the Tin Can Tourists which started in 1919 (and just celebrated its 100th anniversary at Sertoma Youth Ranch in Brooksville, Florida this past February).

Mid-America Windmill Museum, Kendallville, Indiana

Well, I found another interesting museum with tools that played an important part in the development of our country ~~ the windmill. The Mid-America Windmill Museum has been around for over 25 years and are always getting new windmills for their exhibit. There are a total of fifty-two windmills that have been restored and are on exhibit in the museum barn or outside on the museum grounds. A highlight of the museum is a replica of the Robertson Post windmill, a single stone grist mill with a 52 foot diameter wind wheel. The original Robertson was shipped from England and erected on the James River near Jamestown, VA. in the 1620's. 

Bicycle Museum of America, New Bremen, Ohio

The origins of the Bicycle Museum of America come from the Schwinn Bicycle collection. In 1997, Jim Dicke II of Crown Equipment Corporation, a manufacturer of electric lift trucks, purchased the collection of bicycles and memorabilia in Chicago and moved the collection to New Bremen, Ohio. The Bicycle Museum is fascinating; it has unique and one of a kind bicycles, with a history of some of them. It also hosts some famous bikes, such as those of Robin Williams and Pee Wee Herman ~ really!

We had a great time there; the short film showed a group of actors riding the crazy looking bicycles that have one huge wheel in the front, and a small one in back. Even had a foot powered car that we were able to try (which we got videos of ~ they can be seen at the end of this blog).

Airstream Factory Tour, Jackson Center, Ohio

Since we were so close to the Airstream Factory when we were in Ohio, of course we had to take a tour. We have said that if we ever bought another RV, it would be an Airstream because we believe that they are built with quality. Unfortunately, they would not allow any photographs inside the factory of any Airstreams under construction, but we were able to see the materials they used in the construction of the Airstreams. If you go onto the Airstream website, you can browse the travel trailers, download the quality guide, and browse touring coaches.

Armstrong Air & Space Museum, Wapakoneta, Ohio

The main premise behind the Armstrong Air & Space Museum is the fact that Neil Armstrong, the first man to step foot on the moon, was born and raised in the city of Wapakoneta, Ohio. The museum features Mr. Armstrong and his contribution to space exploration but also highlights other aspects of the space race. Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930, on his grandparents' farm near Wapakoneta. He was the oldest of three children and graduated high school in 1947. He died on August 25, 2012.

The Temple of Tolerance, Wapakoneta, Ohio

As I peruse Roadside America to figure out what there is to see when we arrive in a town, I found The Temple of Tolerance. It sounded interesting, and was something I wanted to see. People noted, "it's behind the house of Jim Bowsher. It's open daily; just walk up his driveway and into his back yard." That was kind of weird and I just was not sure about just walking into someone's back yard without being invited. However, Jim Bowsher made his temple with the idea that everyone is welcome to come and enjoy it. A friend from our days at Kent State University in the early 1970s, Tim Lea, lives right here in Wapakoneta, and he came to visit today. We sat and talked for awhile and he indicated that he knew Jim Bowsher, so I suggested we go see the Temple. We must have spent a couple of hours walking through his collection. Jim was not around, but we did talk to a number of people wandering through his collection.

The Temple of Tolerance

Balach~Bala~Balla Cousin Reunion, Cleveland, Ohio

Walter Balachowski (1889-1963) was born in Buffalo, New York, and his wife Frences Schwanek Balachowski (1889-1964) was born in Prussia, Poland. They had seven children ~ five boys and two girls. The two girls were Leona, who was born and died in 1919, and Adeline Francis who was born and died in 1923. The five boys were: Ben (1917-1998); Elmer (1920-2014); Edward (1924-2014); Frank (1927-2007), and Richard (1928-2014). The house Walter and Frences lived in was in Ward 13 in Cleveland, which is called the Old Brooklyn and Stockyard neighborhoods.

A Christmas Story House, West Cleveland, Ohio

We finished our tour with Gary crossing the Hope Memorial Bridge to the west side of Cleveland where he took us to the Tremont area of West Cleveland and the house featured in "A Christmas Story." The Hope Memorial Bridge is named after Bob Hope's father, who carved the images on the columns on each side of the bridge. The name was chosen in honor of William Henry "Harry" Hope, a local stonemason who helped build the "Guardians of Traffic" sculptures, and the father of comedian and former Cleveland resident Bob Hope. 

Hope Memorial Bridge

Touring Cleveland, Ohio

Jim's classmate from high school came to visit us on Saturday and took us on a tour of the Cleveland area. Jim has kept in touch with Gary Jun over the years (49 years) and since Gary has lived in the Cleveland area his whole life, he offered to drive us around the city and show us some sights. We had a great time and are very glad that we were able to spend the day with him.

Our first stop was Lakeview Cemetery, where some famous people are buried, such as James A. Garfield, the 20th President of the United States. He did not serve very long ~ he served from March 4, 1881 until his death by assassination 6-1/2 months later. He was the first sitting member of Congress to be elected to the presidency, and remains the only sitting House member to gain the White House.

Garfield Monument

Goodtime III Cruise, Cleveland, Ohio

We took a two hour cruise aboard the Goodtime III Friday afternoon around the jetty of Lake Erie and up the Cuyahoga River a little past the Flats before turning around. Years ago the Flats in Cleveland was a steel mill but today is filled with restaurants, apartments, and parks. The improvement is fabulous and I took a few pictures of the area as we cruised up the river. The Captain also narrated a story of the area as we cruised. I wish I could remember everything that he said, but I am going to have to get information from the internet instead.