July 3, 2008

World's Largest Horseshoe Crab & The Ohio River

Today we met up with our friends Amber and Shelly and went to see the world's biggest horseshoe crab.

See it yourself at the Freedom Worship Baptist Church in Blanchester, Ohio.

Originally built for the Columbus Maritime Museum in Baltimore, it was ultimately determined that the museum had no room for the crab and it was donated to the church.

A scripture garden surrounds the crab.

An eagle greets visitors at the front entrance of the church.

Pastor Jim Rankin started the church in 2004 and was kind enough to give us a personal tour.

The church building was successfully converted from a long-time hardware store.

Preparations were being made for the Fourth of July town parade.
The church features an impressive collection of artifacts from biblical times, as well as other historical time periods.
Each youth room features a different theme.
This display is featured behind the church.
Thanks to Pastor Rankin for the tour!

Learn more about the church, the horseshoe crab and their Crab Fest at http://www.freedomworshipbaptist.com/ .

Next we headed to Cincinnati to view the city from the Ohio River aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat.
It was quite a stormy day for a riverboat ride.

Two professional sports stadiums can be viewed from the Ohio River.
The skyline of Cincinnati.
The "Big Mac Bridge" spans the river.
This would be a neat building to live in...when I win the lottery.
Since it was raining, our riverboat video is really brief.

To be continued...

July 2, 2008

Olive Branch Campground, Oregonia, Ohio

Today we headed toward the Cincinnati area and landed at The Olive Branch Campground in Oregonia, Ohio.

This is the entrance road.

We had a nice pull-thru site with our own deck.

They had another nice swimming pool we probably wouldn't swim in.

A stocked catch-and-release fishing pond is located right on property.

We will be here an entire week seeing the sights near Cincinnati and visiting a friend from Epcot.

For more pictures, go to http://public.fotki.com/Marlonfleenor/1/2008/july/olive-branch-campgr/ .

To be continued...

July 1, 2008

Pymatuning Deer Park, Jamestown, Pennsylvania

Today we visited Pymatuning Deer Park, which was established in 1953.
Here's a sampling of the many animals you will encounter on a visit.

"Why do they like to feel my antlers?"
"Look...but don't touch. We bite."
"What the heck is that thing behind me?!"
"I just drank some green Kool-aid."
"I'm gonna peck you!"

"I'll eat you for lunch."

"I won't spit on you since your feeding me."

"I like meat."
"I like meat too."
"I'm ready to hibernate."

"Look at the ants...look at the ants..."

"Slow it down there..."
"Relax..."
"I need a haircut."
"You smell like ham."
"The heat is killing me."
"I love chewing tobacco."
"It's a long way down. Hope this guy doesn't drop me."
"Ooo...look...people..."
"I'm lucky because I have shade."
"I can't wait to transform into some flying critter so I can get the heck out of here."
Most will agree Pymatuning Deer Park is well worth the $6.50 admission price.

Check out our video below.

To be continued...

List of Most Recently Published Blog Entries

This is a list of our most recently published blog entries. As we are filling in prior years randomly, this list will be useful for locating...