August 17th: Planning flexibility required

 NOTE: I HAD TROUBLE GETTING THIS BLOG TO LOAD COMPLETELY. I WILL MAKE ADDITIONS CORRECTIONS LATER.

I flew to Cleveland August 3rd and arrived late enough that I just stayed near the airport. Wednesday morning Scott and Terri picked me up and drove me to my rental car location. I rented off site from the airport because the cost was less than double the cost at the airport. Fortunately, I made the reservation a couple months ago, just in case I couldn't get in to Canada. The rental agent remarked that my cost was a real bargain as current rental rates were more than double my rate! 

Everything went smoothly and we arrived at Julie's late morning. My cousin Marialice also joined us for a great outdoor lunch at Scotty's. Then we went to the Slovenian Rehab Center to celebrate Julie and Jim's 80th birthdays. We gathered outside and had a great visit, including strawberry cake and ice cream.

After visiting Jim we went for a walk along the lake. The new entrance to a walking path at the end of the street is wonderful. We had considered going to the Western Reserve Historical Society Museum in Cleveland but it was closed on Wednesday.

My plan was to stay with Julie Thursday night and then go to the farm Friday night. Saturday I would join Terri and Scott and drive to Dayton for the anniversary party. As it turned out, I received a text Wednesday afternoon from Andy that the party was postponed due to COVID. 

New plan. Terri, Scott, Julie and I went to the Western Reserve Historical Society Thursday. It has been significantly expanded since the last time I was there. A major addition was the Euclid Beach Park Carousel. We had fun reliving our youth by riding the carousel and reading about the history of Euclid Beach Amusement Park.

There are numerous fun exhibits and a detailed history of Cleveland. The wooden model of the terminal tower is very impressive. 

It's also amazing to see the small sailboat Manley sailed across the ocean. Truly amazing he made it. Robert Manry's Trip

 

Robert Manry's 13.5 foot sailboat

More info about the Western Reserve Historical Society. History

Raspberry bushes in the center

I had asked Julie if she had any projects I could help with while I was in Cleveland. She said she'd like to get the "Jungle" in her back yard under control.

Raspberry bushes and small trees removed

The raspberry bushes were quite overgrown and not producing much. They were in the center and clearly the toughest job. There were also numerous small oak trees and numerous morning glory vines that had started growing. We started with the raspberry bushes and the oak trees. We cleared them out Friday morning and decided that was enough for the day.

Julie was leaving to visit Jim and told me the lawn mowers would be coming that afternoon. Hmmm! Lawn mowers have good equipment. I talked to them and had them whack down the rest of the weeds and undesired plants. Much easier than Julie and me doing it! She has daffodils and peonies that will come up in the spring and plans to plant wild flowers. It looks a lot better.

Project completed

Given I wasn't going to Dayton I made arrangements to meet friends in Loudonville on Sunday. It worked out very well. Tom's peach trees are having the best year ever. One tree was so full that Linda's brother Warren used boards to prop up the branches. The peaches are delicious. Monday the Drouhard group, Marialice and Donna, (Becky's mother) gathered at the farm for dinner. I made barbecued spare ribs and everyone brought more food than we could possibly eat. Warren even stopped over later even though he had just driven back from Chicago to visit Matt's family. Then I went back to Cleveland Monday night to spend a a little more time with Julie before flying to St. Louis Wednesday.