Strange Days (March 29, 2020)

Been off here for a while as Winter has been winding down.As winters go, this one was pretty moderate. We had a few short additional bouts of snow but not a great deal. It was certainly nothing like the amount we had last year.
Spring is now here and it is certainly looking and feeling like it here in Central Ohio. I like to get out at dawn and get some morning photos. It has been beautiful here and enjoy the quiet at dawn. Have been trying to get a photo of a pair of local Blue Herons but have not had much luck to this point. See them flying, but can't get a good picture.

Of course for the past couple of weeks have been dealing with the advent of the Coronavirus in the USA. Found out last night that the disease has come to nearby New Carlisle but to be honest it has probably been here for some time.Testing for the virus is just now ramping up here. Ohio has been under a stay at home order. That means in this state that restaurants have to be drive though or carry out, many many places and businesses have been closed, and people are asked to stay home except for vital needs such as food. You can get outside for exercise. Have enjoyed taking walks with my wife Debbie.

Worry about this bug, but have been doing our best to keep indoors. Luckily we have a great time together and there are a lot of things to do here in the house. In addition to enjoying each other we watch movies and shows on tv. I have been enjoying Google Earth Flight Simulator and exploring the world via the computer. Occasionally we get in some walks as noted. I also am lucky in that I have the recumbant bicycle and my weight bench with a good weight set downstairs in the basement. Have been working out at home for years and enjoy that a great deal. I am hoping that this disease is not as bad as is being talked about in numbers and this social distancing makes a real distance. We are hoping that the things we are doing keeps us safe and our community safe. We are keeping the world in our prayers.

Looking Back at Winter March 10, 2020)

 Its been a very interesting winter, my second in Ohio. Been amazing mostly for as it winds down it has been amazingly moderate. Very little snow and cold has been really moderate as well. The local weather stations have reported that this is the Fourth warmest Winter on record. There have been many days here like above.

 That is not to say there has not been snow, and certainly makes for some beautiful sights. Still, these have been few and far between, especially compared to last year. Course in winter you can never count it out, so we have been staying close to home especially since last December.

 Which is not to say we have not been on some road trips. We made three trips to Rising Sun, Indiana which is a favorite of my wife and in fact of myself. Interesting little town and a fun place to explore which is not far up the road.

 We also did some other trips. Explored Indian Lake, Ohio and some areas below that, as well as found a new aviation museum. I love aviation, and find more and more this is an interesting an exciting place to explore.

One place I have explored "a few" times is the National Museum of the United States Air Force. I have a number of older posts from there, and certainly enjoyed this a few times. Great on rainy and cold days and always fun to explore the heated five aircraft hangars with over 130 aircraft and thousands of other items. Not sure you can ever see it all. Not to mention hours spent exploring the lakes near my house. Been a very interesting Winter, but looking forward to the adventures of Spring coming soon.

Carolina Christmas Lights (December 11-17, 2019)

On December 11-17 flew to Charlotte, NC to see some of the Christmas light displays at Charlotte Motor Speedway. We also visited some of Debbie's family in Charleston, SC and also saw the Festival of Lights display there. It was a great time and was fun to see those sights plus to visit family and friends. I lived in Concord, NC for some 14 years and have some fine memories from there. I have photos from the light displays below. The first three below are from the Charlotte Motor Speedway, the rest are some from Festival of Lights (the very last being from a very fine restaurant in Charleston, SC.

 

Carillon Historical Park (December 5, 2019)

Went again this year to the Carillon Historical Park in Dayton, Ohio to see the historical and Christmas displays at the park this year. As always the Carillon Tree was cool to see. Actually heard the bells ringing this year (they play some music I think on the hour) and enjoyed that. There are many amazing things to see there, of which these photos are only a very few. Many items from the Wright Brothers including as seen directly below the Wright Flyer III which is considered the first actual practical plane (the Wright Flyer which flew at Kitty Hawk, NC was barely controllable) and is quite a sight to see. May the best of the surviving planes as far as condition. I also enjoyed the lights and going into the historic buildings. All are authentic and contain many interesting displays inside. There was also a very cool display on bootleggers and criminals from the 1930's. This was new and enjoyed those items a great deal. It was as usual a very fun night and enjoyed this with Debbie my wife as we explored the sights on what was a beautiful Dayton late fall night. Some explanation can be found with the photos below.     

The Wright Flyer III

 Gas Station from back in the day. 

Ohio built car

Debbie with the old train

Original bicycles

Clock tower

View from the Clock tower

30's era police wagon  

Gangster era Machine gun

Carousel Ride 

Nashville, Tennessee and Rising Sun, Indiana (November 6-9, 2019)

Amazing time in Nashville, though the first night we spent relaxing after the long drive from Florida (but a fun drive though Alabama. Got up the next morning and toured The Parthenon. It is a replica of course of the one in Greece, but old in its own right built in 1897 for an Expo. The Athena Statue is also a replica but very cool. We wandered some downtown and also visited the Grand Old Opry which was very neat. Nashville is the first five photos.
8th and 9th of November we went to Rising Sun which is rapidly turning into "The Christmas Casino" and this time of year is one of our favorite places. Just some of that can be seen in the last four photos. It was a remarkable trip to these places and we had a wonderful time. Looking forward to the next adventure!

Florida Trip (October 28-November 5, 2019)

 Amazing trip to Pensacola, Florida where we saw some amazing sights. As to the rocket at left (which is a Saturn 1B from the Apollo program) that was in Alabama. We took an overnight trip in Indiana and a night in Tennessee in Nashville before arriving in Pensacola on the 28th. Rained the first two days and part of the third which is when we went to the Naval Aviation Museum (second photo below and the previous post). Had a great time there. After a couple of days exploring Pensacola, we went to Navarre Beach and points beyond. We had a great time at the National Seashore and the Navarre Pier. Fun to explore the restaurants there, meeting the people and enjoying the sights.
The photos below are of just a few things we saw, and will carry some great memories of this trip for many years to come. In fact, planning to return at a later date. Met some great people plus got some good help at Discount Tire in Pensacola after the tire blow out in Alabama just before we got into Florida.
On the way home made another stop in Nashville (but got to explore some this time) and also a stop in Rising Sun, Indiana for a combined total of four days....that will be covered in my next post.