What In Blue Blazes?

What In Blue Blazes?
First,the bad news:we lost all of the first day's pictures and all of the second morning photos due to a camera snafu.Gone forever are the wonderful sunset photos of us packing up the car.Gone is the photo of us setting up our tents up in the dark(Millie's eyes shining);gone is the picture of the morning sun coming through the trees as we started out the next morning;climbing the 100 ft.high Lockington Dam;the rays of sunlight photos gleaming on us as we walked through the almost tunnel-like woods;the beautiful scenery of the corn and soybean fields during our road walks;Tyler's pop can stoves,pruney looking toes,Nik playing the harmonica;pictures of the BLUE BLAZES we followed,setting up camp and taking it down;Adam goofing around;following the Miami-Erie canal;and all so many more postcard perfect shots.But,what we do have is a nice sampling of the rest of our hike.....
...... We Started our our two day adventure Monday night planning on doing the whole 'St.Mary's' section of the Buckeye trail(BT).This section is 44 miles long,and we figured it would take us four days.It was only an hour drive to Lake Loramie State Park in Fort Loroamie,so we dropped the van off there and then we went south to Pique/Lockington to camp for the night.The BT is marked by BLUE BLAZES,so with our BT map in hand and the trail blazed before us,it was,for the most,very easy to find our way.Almost as we started,we had to climb the 100 ft.Lockington Dam.We soon came to a park that led us onto a wooded path.The path seemingly ended right at the spot that the forest ranger had told us to avoid-right into a supposedly grouchy man's property.We had to back track-find the illy marked path(complete with fallen trees)which led us onto another private property...well a corn field.This took us to the next few miles of open road walking.For the next five or so miles we followed the roads,mostly without shade... in 90 degree heat and with 30-40 lb packpacks.Tyler cooked us some Ramen noodles with his popcan stoves during a water break.We quit early at a map noted campsight[really,just a guy's front yard].Everyone had sore piggies,but Robyn's were the worst.She had six major blisters.We fixed up her feet as good as we could with antibodic cream,moleskin and corn pads.The place had shade,a place to pitch our tents and all the water we could ask for.Tyler and I cooked supper on my new Wal-Mart stove,and we played frizbee,cards,and relaxed until bed time.
The next morning we broke camp and after a half mile trek,we were back to the BT.It immediately joined the Miami-Erie canal and we had a couple of the best miles of wood hiking the whole trip.Following some easy road walking we were basically back to woods walking until we got to a campground in Newport-which we thought would have taken us alot longer to get to.Robyn's feet were mighty sore and she was getting a headache.She asked if we could hike up to the car-seven or so miles away-and then come get her.Nikolas decided to stay with her and our dog,Millie,because,I think,he didn't want to leave his Mom behind by herself.Nikolas,you are a champion.Tyler and Adam took off their packs and I emptied out mine of all but water and a few basic supplies and off we hiked.It was a fun seven or so miles.We hiked through the woods and on lonely corn walled roads and even back yards before we hit Ft.Loramie.A Mile and a half out of town and we were back to the Van.{This is where I discovered that most of our photos were somehow wiped clean}.As we drove back to where Robyn,Nikola and Millie were,the clouds began to darken.We had two broken backpack snaps(one on Nik's Jansport!),Robyn had sore feet,and it looked like we would be pitched in our single man tents all the night during the thunderstorms.We decided to call it quites-since everything was almost already in the van anyway.

It was a good decision.It rained and thunderstormed not only just all night-but all of the next day as well.Fun was had by all.And we have something to look forwards to next time.

Robyn's Big Day:Celebrating Her 49th birthday Pt. I

Happy 49th Birthday,Cute Girl.We started off Robyn's Big Day[July 23rd] by giving her breakfast in bed{notice her 'bed hair'}.Cantaloupe,peach cereal,rye toast with raspberry jam,watermelon juice,and Yuban coffee.
For lunch we took her to Tumbleweed Steakhouse.The boys shared an all you can eat 'steak' meal(sssh,don't tell that they shared),eating 5 big juicy steaks.The waiters went to surprise her,but when they arrived at our table,clapping and cheering,Robyn wasn't there.She went to the girl's room.They came by,and did it again.Later,in the parking lot,Tyler,Adam and Nikolas surprised her again by giving her her own backpack and pink water bottle.

Next,we went over to Robyn's parent's house to celebrate.What a nice carrot cake!Thank you Mi-Mi & Pa.Thanks also for that very nice purse.

Make a wish,Robyn.

Robyn's Big Day:Celebrating Her 49th birthday Pt. II

Happy 49th Birthday Robyn-With The Dixie Chicks
I took Robyn on her 49th Birhtday(July 23),to 'The Shot' to see The Dixie Chicks.What a great concert!

They Played all of there big hits,and really rocked the house.They played:'Lubbock Or Leave It','Long Time Gone','Wide Open Places','Landslide','Goodbye Earl','Ready To Run','Not Ready To Make Nice','The Long Way Around','Lullaby,I Believe In love','Godspeed','Cowboy Take Me Away',Easy Slience','Travelin'Soldier',and many more I can't recall.


Opening for The Chicks was Anna Nalick.Her big song was ,"Breathe(2am).We had beer and hot Italian subs...just one good time.




The crowd sang along with almost every song,and cheered loudly after every song.Let me put it this way,two weeks ago we I wnt to the sprint car races my ears didn't ring as loud as they did after some of these song.We had such a jolly time we didn't even mind just waiting in the parking lot listening to everyone else play The Dixie Chicks as they passed by.
I think that we gave Robyn a
pretty rockin'(Rockin' Robyn) 49th birthday.
Happy 49th,Robyn!!!!!!!!

Rick & Jennifer's Wedding(July 22,2006)

RickCunningham marries Jennifer Armstrong

Jennifer Armstrong,who teaches with my wife Robyn,married her longtime beau Rick Cunningham, Saturday July 22,2006.It was a beautiful wedding and a fun reception.In this first photo are some of Robyn's school gang,Barb,and her husband,Gene;Robyn;Nancy with her husband,Virgil;and police gal and bridesmaid,Lisa.

In the second picture,the new bride and groom exit with bubbles....
...and then enter the reception to much applause.

Robyn & me all duded up.....

.....Line dancing to 'Big & Rich'

Fun was had by all Good luck and God's blessing to you..enjoy a great marriage and a lifetime of happiness,Rick & Jennifer!

Fun In Columbus

We went to Columbus today to run errands.We ate at the Mongolian BBQ.Here is a picture of the grill chefs frying up my lamb,sirloin & all the oil and fixin's{Their tee-shirts say things like:'We do it on the grill' & 'Our chef's are hot'}.It was 'all you can eat',and I went back three times.Below is a pic of the gang..Tyler,Nikolas,Adam and Robyn. That's my beer.

Logan County Fair

What is the child's song<"Let's All Go To The Fair!">?We went to The Logan County Fair today...of course,since it is fair week it is hot[95 degrees].We went to see the pie judging(to see Robyn's Mom compete).She only won one blue ribbon(for her banana cream pie),but won four other forth places(she totally got robbed on her back raspberry pie).The boys went with their friends and cruised the fairgrounds.Why is it that the young boys and girls always look so handsome and pretty walking around the fair?Got a gyro,and the wife got a walleye fish sandwich.Saw all the artwork and critters,but didn't ride any of the rides.It was just too darn hot.I am whooped.

Actual UFO Sighting!!!

Wowzers!This is my second UFO sighting,ever!I was walking by the city's baseball field talking on my cell phone,when I saw this light suddenly appear-coming very quickly towards me!As quickly as I could get the phone into camera mode I took this picture.I can't believe how crisp and clear this photo came out!The UFO was gone as quickly as it came.This is my only evidence.No one else was around!I can't believe it!!!

Nah...just joking with you.This is just a fireworks photo from the Fourth...but I do have a real UFO story.It happened around 16 years ago,but I remember like it was yesterday.....



...The UFO that I actually saw,I saw with my wife,Robyn.We were staying at the Quaker Square Hilton in Akron.We were relaxing on a balcony-star gazing when we saw this very high up sunlight reflecting sideways 'V' { '>'} crossing the sky south to north.There were these three dots of light following it-one in front,two behind.Suddenly,it flip-flopped so that it appeared to be traveling {'V'} like.I was so freaked out that I called the local police[They said they had sightings reported every clear night]and the FAA.The man at the FAA said that they no longer kept records of sightings,but asked,"What did it look like?"anyway.I only mention Robyn being in this story because she verifies and seconds my story.I have found when you tell people that you have actually seen a UFO,that they think you are nutz.Soon after this,a big giant glowing-lit up 'V' was captured on film in Phoenix,so this is all very weird.

....Sorry about the Tom Foolery with the fireworks shot,but it was what got me to thinking about the UFO I did see.I was gonna 'punk' ya all with it,but decided against it...ya gotta admit it,though,that photograph sure does look like it could have been a real life UFO.Remember,fight fans,the truth is out there:-)) Peace.

Going To The Races

My Dad took my 16 year triplet boys and me to Fremont Fairgrounds to watch the racing on the 3/8 mile dirt track oval.

It was loud,dirty,smelly & fast.We loved ever minute of it.

Rainbow Throw; #1 From The Sucky Poetry Council

Charlie Brown was so mad at the sun/
That he picked up a rock to break it/
Therefore he tossed up the stone/
just as hard as he could/
And,alas my dear Lucy,he made it/

Black-raspberries

Yum,black-raspberry pie,bread,muffins,cobbler,shortcake,on cereal,ice cream,jam,condensed milk,etc...

Flowers

I don't have a very green thumb(unlike some people I know),but here are some flowers from around the house any who.

The Apocalypse, or Revelation

The Apocalypse,or The Book of Revelation,was originally meant to be a book of hope.It was originally written,probably by St.John(or one of his disciples),in a time of strong prosecution of Christians by the Roman empire(circa. 100 A.D.).The followers of Christ were being burnt alive at the stake,crucified,put inside cast iron images of bulls and roasted,feed to the lions,etc...well,you get the idea.


Suffice it to say,it was allot harder being a Christian back then.And hope was waning.Many followers were questioning what good did it do following the Lord.

The book gave many hopeful answers.It foretold of those persecuted as attaining heaven and becoming warriors of Jesus.It told that in the future all the suffering would be rewarded by the ultimate victory of Christ over the evil of the world.

Imagine how comforting that had to be to people who were suffering death of loved ones for Christ.Could a greater hope been asked for?Hardly.

But recent interpretations of the book have mostly been centered on the symbolic language of the book.People are now using it as prophetic 'End Of The world' literature.

And it well may be.But the trouble with prophecy is that it can only be proven true after the fact.I hear good solid Christians calling the Catholic Church,'The Great Mother Whore Of Rome'.This is probably,not so much because they are convinced that the Catholic Church is evil,but more probably because they can not think what else this prophecy could mean?

Then they twist the rest of the book to fit into this too simple theory.

This really gets my goat.I tell these people that while they very well maybe right,that there is a danger in interpreting The Book of Revelations this way.I tell them that I could give them an interpretation of the book that fits all of their criteria and at the end they will go to me,"No Way."

So,the game begins.

I ask,'What is the number one thing that most people associate with the anti-Christ?'Some say that he will be the head of Rome.I say,very good,but the Vatican is a city-state unto itself.If you are going to call The Vatican Rome,can we then agree that the book deals in relatively symbolic terms?'They usually say yes,that there is really no other way to decipher the book.So,I then reply,'So Rome can be seen as the world power of it's day?'They say,'Yes.' 'So when we are talking of Rome,Rome could mean that the anti-Christ will come from the world power of the day?'They say,'Of Course.'I ask ,'Who is the world power of today?Whose culture does the whole world follow?'They usually shake their heads,not wanting to understand.'Let me put in another way.In how many countries are there McDonald's?In how many countries do people watch M-Tv?Dress in blue jeans and watch Hollywood movies?Well,the whole world.'


But still not getting my point,it usually comes down to the numbers 666.I then ask what the numbers stands for.They say a name.I ask,'Whose name?'They usually don't know.I go[holding up one finger at a time],'Ronald Wilson Reagan.'

This is when they first go,'No way.' But I push on,'Not only does his name add up to 666,but so did his California address.That was until he chanced the last number to an eight .Before then he lived at 666 St. Cloud Road.'

'No way,'they gasp.Then I say how the anti-Christ was supposed to die and come back to life.That happened to president Reagan.On national Tv,Dan Rather pronounced Reagan as dead,only to recant it moments later.

I then go on to say that one head will die off only for another to appear....George Bush[losing re-election],and George Walker Bush.

The people are really going ,'No,no,no,' now.They say that I got all the facts wrong,and refuse to believe me.For a caper,I claim,'And who could the symbol of the dragon be,but China?'

By this time,I have made my point.They don't believe.They say it is just too preposterous to believe.


I go,'Why?Because it is our country?'And they go,'Yes.'Then I say that Christ even said that the true followers would be deceived if it were possible.Why couldn't it be America?


By this time,they are almost ready to fight me.Then I say,'See,I told you that you would say it wasn't possible eventough all the signs are right there.That is the danger in putting too much credit in the 'prophecies' in The Book Of Revelations. Our lives should be based on the love and mercy and teachings of our Lord Jesus,not on a book that was originally meant as a book of hope,but is now being used perhaps wrongly to spread fear.

I truly believe that I don't do much more then rough a few feathers,but perhaps I have also planted a few seeds of love,forgiveness and compassion along the way.

Now,if only I could erase that nagging doubt that I have planted along the way in my own brain about my own country....

The Drew-The Lousy Terrorist {A Tongue In Cheek Essay}

I have to admit it,I would make a lousy terrorist.It seems quite silly to me to strap a bunch of TNT around my fat belly,walk onto a bus and blow myself and a bunch of other innocent people up.I can see,however,that within a certain group of people,how with the proper motivation,say...47 virgins...this could have it's certain appeal.

I find it absolutely hilarious that the bombers are blowing us up because of our so called heathen ways when they are killing themselves to get what they probably could get,at least in part,by moving to the good ol' U.S.of A.I mean,they say we are evil because of our loose sexual morals,but then they blow themselves up for 47 virgins!?!What else could they want 47 virgins for?Tea and crumpets?

I am not up with turning Heaven into a brothel to begin with.That smacks me as wrong.There must be something to this that I am just not seeing.Maybe it's a wealth or power thing.I don't know.But 47 virgins?I mean,it would make a swell 'Welcome to Heaven party',but...?

I am also insulted on another level.Some of my best friends and relatives aren't virgins.What about my Mother and Grandmother,aren't they good enough for Heaven?What about my wife?Most of my wonderful women friends?Virgins are only virgins until they are deflowered.Then what?Throw them away?This is 'Heaven'???Virgins for the most part aren't even that good in bed.Wouldn't an experienced woman be worth more?

O-Kay,o-kay,let's just say that everything is hunky-dory with getting your 47 virgins in Heaven.I still would not make a very good terrorist.I am just too lazy.Who needs 47 women anyway?Couldn't I just rob a gas station at gunpoint and get,maybe,17?17?Man,that still is too much work.Couldn't I just steal a Milky Way Midnight candy bar from a Wal-Mart and get a nice girl that could cook?Yeah..yeah..now,that's the ticket.That's what I am talking about.That's all I would need.

Hey,you've been real good audience...Peace.Love.Out

Happy 4th Of July-2006

Happy Birthday,America!These photographs were taken at BellCenter,Ohio July 4,2006
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream: 'T is the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion A home and a country should leave us no more? Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand, Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation; Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us as a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust" And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

The Boss' Sandy

In honor of The 4th of July here is one of my favorite Bruce Springsteen songs:

Sandy the fireworks are hailin' over Little Eden tonightForcin' a light into all those stoned-out faces left stranded on this Fourth of JulyDown in town the circuit's full with switchblade lovers so fast so shiny so sharpAnd the wizards play down on Pinball Way on the boardwalk way past darkAnd the boys from the casino dance with their shirts open like Latin lovers along the shoreChasin' all them silly New York girlsSandy the aurora is risin' behind usThe pier lights our carnival life foreverLove me tonight for I may never see you againHey Sandy girlNow the greasers they tramp the streets or get busted for trying to sleep on the beach all nightThem boys in their spiked high heels ah Sandy their skins are so whiteAnd me I just got tired of hangin' in them dusty arcades bangin' them pleasure machinesChasin' the factory girls underneath the boardwalk where they promise to unsnap their jeansAnd you know that tilt-a-whirl down on the south beach dragI got on it last night and my shirt got caughtAnd that Joey kept me spinnin' I didn't think I'd ever get offOh Sandy the aurora is risin' behind usThe pier lights our carnival life on the waterRunnin' down the beach at night with my boss's daughterWell he ain't my boss no more SandySandy, the angels have lost our desire for usI spoke to 'em just last night and they said they won't set themselves on fire for us anymoreEvery summer when the weather gets hot they ride that road down from heaven on their Harleys they come and they goAnd you can see 'em dressed like stars in all the cheap little seashore bars parked making love with their babies out on the KokomoWell the cops finally busted Madame Marie for tellin' fortunes better than they doThis boardwalk life for me is throughYou know you ought to quit this scene tooSandy the aurora's rising behind us, the pier lights our carnival life foreverOh love me tonight and I promise I'll love you forever

Hike Photo

My family went for a small hike this past Sunday.Here is a neat photo.

Star Trek & The Sideways Question

While I am on Star Trek....Why does The Enterprise fly sideways around planets?Is it safer that way?Does it use less energy?Wouldn't it be more efficient to fly belly down in orbit?Or belly up?I am just wondering..cuz I don't know.