Showing posts with label Urbana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Urbana. Show all posts

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Un-Scheduled Time

Un-scheduled time.  Take the watch up, unplug clock you're on vacation.
Today's letter is U......Un-scheduled.
While it may not be practical to truly unplug the clock in hotel room, it probably is reasonable and worthwhile to take your watch off.  Aside from a few tours you've perhaps scheduled where tickets are necessary, eat when you're hungry, sleep when you're tired.  Don't schedule everyday of your vacation.  Often it's the unplanned things that make the trip special.  Allow yourself to just be idle, to relax, to take in and think about the sites you've seen or the book you read, or even just enjoy the fact that you're not on the clock.

We like to be busy when we travel site seeing; but we also enjoy doing off the cuff things, have been known to cancel something that was planned in favor of "down" time or a different activity all together.

Want to travel to a destination that starts with U.......how bout Urbana, or Utah

**After the close of April's A-Z, I plan to continue to write a post a day in the month of May using again the A-B-C's as my guide.  My focus for the month of May will be Spain.  I've been planning and almost have every letter thought out.  If others are interested in continuing to blog daily using our A-B-C's, please let me know.  We could start a linky and continue what we've begun during April.  I don't imagine it will be anywhere near the scope of the annual April Challenge.  But, if you're interested, please let me know in your comment.  And even if you're not up for another blog challenge, do stop back in, I have much to share from recent travels to Spain.**

If you're a new follower, please let me know so I can reciprocate.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

General Eichelberger and I, Famous!

historic sign side 1Rarely do I leave home without my camera, even when I'm not on vacation and doing "real traveling". Why? well, you just never know when something might present itself. I have a small easy, inexpensive for just that reason. I can put it in my purse. Remember you can always enlarge the pictures by clicking on them. While traveling to and from Urbana, Ohio to visit my elderly aunt in an assisted living center, I spotted this historic sign, right across from Mercy Hospital in a beautiful lush green park setting. Come to find out, I'm not the only famous person to have been born in Urbana, Ohio. Imagine that! General Robert Lawrence Eichelberger was born there too, so slightly before my time since he was born in 1886.

His list of accomplishments is huge and quite impressive. He graduated from West Point as a 2nd Lt. in the Infantry, married the daughter of a judge in North Carolina and served. Boy, did he serve our country. He served in Panama, on the Mexican Border, in Siberia as part of the American Expeditionary Forces. He was the Superintendent of West Point when Pearl Harbor was boomed. He trained flying Army Officers. He served in World War II in several locations; but is most remembered for his leadership in The Pacific. General MacArthur is known to have said, "Bob, I want you to take Buna, or not come back alive". He defeated the Japanese there and elsewhere. He became The Commander General of the entire 8th Army and lead the invasion of The Philippines, the occupation of and rebuilding of Japan. He was highly decorated earning The Distinquished Service Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Cluster, and The Navy Distinguished Service Medal among many others.
side 2 historic signHe retired in 1948, a few years before my important birth there in the same city, and is was buried with full military honors in 1961 at Arlington National Cemetery.
Gen EichelbergerKeep your eyes open as you make your daily travels to and fro, you really never know when you'll see and learn something that's not ordinary. A great man, all have stories to tell. Was pleased to learn his story in my travels.

Other posts about Urbana
Historic courthouse and
Traveling is always an Adventure
Town Round About
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Saturday, May 7, 2011

Urbana, Ohio

Welcome to UrbanaThis is the sign you see welcoming you to Urbana, Ohio. The road ahead is Scioto Street, a main drag. Initially you'll see some businesses, then some fabulous older homes with great front porches, leaded glass windows, welcoming doors. I've often wanted to tour those beautiful old homes. Urbana, as you can see from the sign was founded way back in 1805, just 2 years after Ohio became a state. Urbana is county seat of Champagne County. Urbana was for a period of time the headquarters of The NorthWest Army in 1812. The city was named after a town in Virginia called Urbanna. It's also the burial location for famous Simon Kenton, The Indian Fighter.

Urbana Court HouseI snapped this photo through glass and thus have a bit of a glare. This is an 1874 etching of the Courthouse which shows J.M. Fitzpatric and John H. Runyon as County Auditors, and F.F. Woods and A.T. McBeth as Commissioners at the time. These names are prevalent in early Urbana history.

log cabinMy Uncle, who's long since gone built this log cabin and many others. Until a little over a year ago my Aunt still lived in this log cabin. There are a few of his log cabins still around. Near here is Urbana University which has the distinction of being the 2nd college in Ohio to admit Women into the classes with men. The University was founded by The Swedensorgian Church on land set aside by John James at teh urging of Swedenborgian John Chapman, better known as "Johnny Appleseed".

Urbana is a quaint little town with a rich history. This is my U post for the Z-A challenge.

**V post is HERE**
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Wednesday, March 23, 2011

A Different Kind of Travel

LukeMy newest family member, Luke being held by his Aunt. A different type of travel for sure. We traveled to the hospital to visit our newest family member. Isn't he a cutie! And his aunt, so proud. The pretty mint green and turquoise blue blanket on her lap is a work in progress (WIP for my knitting, crocheting, and crafty friends). It's a tie, no sew blanket. I got her a kit for Christmas and she's elected to make a baby blanket with it. The colors remind me of my very favorite prom dress ....way back in the day. Oh how I wish I had a picture of it. Will have to look through old pictures and see if I do.
Luke and HubbyHubby here holding sweet little Luke. Welcome to the family Luke. Notice his Buckeye Cap? lol Born a Buckeye for sure! Traveling to hospital do present different types of travel. Will be heading out shortly to travel yet again to another hospital. Though this time it won't be so pleasant. We're heading to Urbana, my 91 year old Aunt has fallen again and is having emergency hip surgery. Hip fractures are never good.
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Sunday, August 22, 2010

Traveling is always an Adventure

Continuation of Award, click here

Gwynne Street DuplexThis house is old. Really old, look how narrow the door on the right is. Look at the window, the little pointed one on the very top. See the coal shoot to the left of the steps by the door? These things are give you a feel for how old the building is. I believe it predates 1900. This is located on Gwynne Street in Urbana Ohio. Gwynne is a name that comes up multiple times when one looks at older historical data regarding Urbana Ohio. On a recent trip to check on my 90 year old, my Dad I decided to go by 2 addresses where he and Mom lived long ago. When they were first married. We didn't stop here, I took this photo out the car window. I'd like to find out more about the house, it's structure. I can share it's on the corner of Russell and Gwynne. To the left facing it used to be a grocery store and above it a couple my folks had dinner with once. Dad re-canted a story about being served squirrel. We both got a good laugh out of that. This excursion was brief and we combined it with the business at hand; but this certainly proves my point that ALL Travel is an or can be an adventure if you make it so.
1056 North Main Street HouseThis little house in the process of being painted is across the street from a Dairy Queen on North Main Street and is the 2nd location where my parents lived. This was their 1st house. The other locations were either rooms, apartments or duplex's like in the above picture. I found a note in the old family album that had this actual address and so we scouted it out. The lot next door (to the left as you face the house) is empty; though Daddy remembers there being a house there when they lived there. You can still see where the drive was; so apparently the house was torn down. This little house looks like it's getting a face lift. It's a small 2 bedroom 996 square foot house with an attic.
North Main Street Urbana OhioSee the 2 small attic windows? In my growing up years Mom and Dad used to tell a story about bats being in the house. This was in fact the house. The story went on, they opened the windows in hopes the bats would leave. When they didn't Daddy attempted to chase them out with a broom, when he did he followed them outside running with the broom and fell. Apparently, everyone got a good laugh out of that at the time. The little house hasn't changed much, except maybe a large tree is gone. My research tells me this little house was built in 1900, and has changed hands many times. It was fun to see where they began their married life together all those years ago. The Dairy Queen they ate at, is still across the street. How cool is that!

Make your travels adventuresome, stop and see and enjoy the sites; no matter how small they seem. I was born in this little town so learning more about it has been a plus.

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*** 8-18-10 afternoon and pm---Jan from Animal Talk is on countdown now with surgery scheduled bright an early tomorrow am. She's running last minute errands today to be as ready as possible. I'll post update tomorrow after surgery, and do my best from there forward, until such time she has a live computer again....and or when she's able to sit up and communicate with you all herself. Send good vibs and prayers her way, please.

****UPDATE
AS OF 1:00 PM same day as surgery 8-19th
Surgery went well, she has metal plates, and 2 metal rods. Based on the testing done during surgery, there didn't appear to be any permanent nerve damage which is great news. Due to being nauseated, she was in recovery a bit longer then expected. When I left the hospital, she was sleeping and obviously in pain. Her husband, my brother and a good friend who's a nurse were with her. We'll go back later when's she's more rested and presumably awake. Do check back, I will update again later.
------as of 4:30 when I was started to head back to hospital.
My brother suggested not going as she was completely out and would not be able to visit, and certainly we didn't want to wake her when she needs her rest. Will be going tomorrow am.

8-20 1 pm, Jan had a clear liquid diet and managed a pop sickle or two. Physical Therapy has been in the room hoping to get her up in a chair and do a bit of walking. She was up in chair briefly; but was too groggy to attempt walking and so went back to bed. The combination of pain meds and meds for continued nausea have snowed her. They plan to alter her meds to see if they can reach a level where she's comfortable enough to get up, and hopefully also contain the nausea. Please check back. I passed along the good wishes you've left for her and she was pleased to hear them.

8-21-10 9AM, the change in pain meds seem to be helping. She was able to get up and walk down the hall last night. Few more tests planned for a little later today, and pending how she does on those; could be released today. I'm floored she's improved that much, such exciting news. My brother is picking up a special lift chair (sorta like a recliner) to aid her at home.

She's home! jan went home mid to late afternoon on Sat Aug 21, yesterday.
She's happy to be home, is to limit her movement, the nausea is gone. I checked with my brother twice and things seem to be going well. Check back!

Last update, I spoke with my brother once yesterday and also later with her. She's doing much better. She's allowed to go up and down the steps just once a day so is camped out in the family/room right by the kitchen with a nice big window to see outdoors. The 3 dogs are thrilled to have her home. She sat outside for a few minutes later in the day which made her happy. She's requiring less pain meds which is a good.
Spoke with her again this am and she slept better last night.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Urbana, Ohio

war memorial statue
As you probably know if you've spent much time here on my blog, I am rarely without my camera AND I consider all jaunts a form of travel, an opportunity to see, experience, and learn. So the other day making my way with my Dad to visit his 90 year old sister was no exception.

I've been taking photo's and scanning photo's to load into a digital frame for her. She's recouping from a stroke. I thought having something to look at, to help with the stories from way back...and things just to keep her company would be helpful. The above statue is one of the first things you see as you enter Urbana. This is round about with a flag proudly flying and this war memorial statue honoring those who've served.

Urbana is the county seat of Champaigne County, was layed out in 1805 (just 2 years after statehood for the state of Ohio), and for a short period in 1812 was the headquarters for The Northwestern Army.

Mad River historical PlaqueThis historical plaque is within walking distance of my elderly aunt's log cabin. Yes...I really did say log cabin. Her husband, my Uncle built it long ago. The plaque talks about the importance of the railroads in the development of this community and how Joseph Vance and John H. James were important and instrumental in it's development.
Governor VanceThis is Joseph Vance, the 13th Governor of The State of Ohio. He was an uneducated man, an Abolitionist and rose in the ranks due to hard work and service during The War of 1812.
John H. JamesThis is John H. James, an attorney and high official in the railroad business.

Simon Kenton famous Indian fighter is buried here in Urbana. He made his home here for awhile. Simon Kenton was a Brigadier General in the Ohio Militia and served during The War of 1812.

However, what Urbana is most known for is being the birthplace of Me, The Traveling Suitcase! You'll no doubt find that piece of historic data in all the history books. lol

It's a pretty little town with some fabulous old homes with grand porches. I've been traveling there with Dad at least once a week over the last couple of months; wish I had more time to explore; ...but that's not the purpose of our visit.

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