"Today is a Good Day to Drive!" .....Van-Go

June 29, 2008 Back at Jayne’s, Will’s Mother’s, we reconnected with the neighbors and did a little yard work around the house, put in a few tomato plants and flowers and got the tractor working.

June 28, 2008 Pittsburgh Aviary is a birders paradise. You can walk among birds from many areas of the world, but you have to watch out for bird bombs. Kathy’s favorite, the brown pelicans have grown up quite a bit since we last saw them. They came to the Aviary because they have clubbed feet and would not survive in the wild. The pair of broad billed herons have mated and their little baby is learning to get around the canopy of trees in their open room. The bright yellow birds would chase him around shooing him away from their territory. Will’s favorite, a hen from Asia loves walking the banisters. There are trees and some beautiful flowers blooming among them. Another of Will’s favorites is the Golden Eagle that will come right up to the window and interact with him. Outside the squirrels get peanuts before the bird of prey show….wonder if one of the birds went after a squirrel one time! Here in Pittsburgh, PA it is cloudy, but warm. We made our way to the Buffalo Wild Wings in Monr...

June 28, 2008 Kathy and her sister Carmine showed up unexpected at their niece's shower! It was a special present! The shower circled Jennifer with her female family and friends. She recieved a selection from her china wish list. Her mother surprised her with some nightwear. There were tables filled with drinks, snacks and sandwiches-yum. All celebrated Jennifer's joyful moment.

June 27, 2008 We arrived in Pittsburgh and stayed at Carmine and Robert's. Kathy and her sister did the sister catch-up time, we all enjoyed movie time together.

June 27, 2008 We got up this morning to heavy clouds that slowly broke up enough to brighten up the world and make things nice and muggy. We saw a great blue heron and tried to get closer, but he heard us and flew off. He flew a big circle and scared off another the we watched as both flew together then hunted across the lake. An hour before noon we headed out. We took a small road, route 646. New Rumley, OH is the birthplace of General George Armstrong Custer. From our exhibit readings we learned he was first a teacher. Custer accepted the white flag of surrender from General Lee at Applomatox. Interesting man. He did not want money in life, he wanted greatness-to be remembered throughout history and so it is. The Stratton Lock and Dam is closed to the public now. There is new construction going on for a new nuclear plant. Lots of coal being delivered. We made Pennsylvania by late afternoon and drove into Raccoon State Park where we found a widespot to park.

June 26, 2008 Woke after the stormy night still dry. It was about noon by the time we headed out. We’d had enough of interstate driving and took off meandering on the narrower gray roads. And in the immortal words of Jackie Gleason, “ And away we go!” Driving east of Newark, OH driving on route 16 we saw a large basket, really large; the size of a seven story building! It was the dream of the late Dave Longaberger. The building is a trademark of The Longaberger Company, keeper of the art of basketmaking inspired by four generations of Longaberger family tradition and pride in quality. Plans are for an entire industrial park of basket buildings. After spending an hour or so at the corporate basket building watching the video, seeing the room designs filled with baskets, and chatting with Libby, we drove to the Longaberger Homestead & Manufacturing Facility. The Crawford Barn was moved to its new location in 1998 where an old fashion barn raising was held. Today it houses a shop and ...