A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day.... 08-16-05 ....A Finest Ohio and West Virginia Adventure!

Mama_Bear, JustAmy, Dutchess, WVNan, DollyCali, PrissyMissy, Babychick

[Mama_Bear]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

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We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, Dutchess, Aquamarine, DollyCali ~

JustAmy, PrissyMissy and MamaBear met some of the Finest people on the planet on their recent trip to Ohio and West Virginia! Today's post will run through Wednesday and is a compilation of thoughts and photos from DollyCali, JustAmy, PrissyMissy, Dutchess, WVNan and Scubachick's "Babychick". Today we present "Part I" - Columbus and Akron. Tomorrow will find the happy travelers in West Virginia for "Part II".

We hope you will enjoy this picture story of their freeper get-together.

First stop - Columbus, where they "do the zoo" with Sistah Dutchess,......then on to Akron to meet with more Ohio FReepers.....

The Zoo...The Zoo....
California Finest Freeper Friends are Visiting
....That’s What We’ll Do!!!!



My perspective....how could I entertain these very special people? They politely suggested the Columbus Zoo which Jack Hanna ran for years. That became the focal point. I've loved these gals from afar for years....but drove into Columbus with a little "trepidation". Knocked on the door, the door opened and was greeted with a great big “Mama_Bear” hug from Lori! What a lovely lady! Hugs also from Amy and Marissa, equally lovely and adorable (in that order :o)).



No one was sure of the next step so I, hating city driving, drove on a course to the zoo AND missing a turn happened upon a Bob Evans Restaurant where we had breakfast. Now...I know most Midwesterners know of Bob Evans sausage (he actually started the family business in Gallipolis, Ohio where it is still headquartered) Lori NEVER heard of it wondering if was anything like Jimmy Dean sausage... amazing huh? Needless to say we ate lots of carbohydrates…


Next step...the Zoo.



We had so much fun and the day went so fast. Lots of talking, bonding, okay…hate to admit it….we did do just a tad, wee bit of ”gossiping” (but only in the purist, cleanest form, of course!)



Speaking of directions (how’s that for a lead in?) I did a wrong turn exiting the zoo and Lori, Amy and PrissyMissy had to put up with the "scenic" tour of northern Columbus....I tried to portray total confidence (while I didn't know where the heck I was and was feeling the beginning of a panic attack!!!). Meanwhile, Marissa seemed “nonplussed”, making up and singing a kind of “rap” song about cats. I am not exaggerating that she has a great voice, sense of timing and beat. Anyway found our way back to the hotel and before I had to depart they asked me for directions to the next leg of their trip. (ME, directions?????) Fortunately they supplied me with a map! (although I still called Mr. D…otherwise they still might be on the road looking for their next destination)



Anyway, just want to say....if you EVER have a chance to meet a finest freeper...do so... You don't know what you're missing. So glad to meet you in person Lori, Amy AND Marissa!!!

For Dutchess, DollyCali, MollyPitcher, OhioWFan, DrDeb,
BoxerBlues, Dubyaismypresident and CommieWatcher.
Thank you for welcoming us to Ohio.

After a hearty breakfast at Bob Evans,
our day at the zoo begins.
But first, Dutchess makes sure her camera is ready.

The zoo is BIG and wonderful.
Marissa and I take turns riding. :)
At least we know where she is!

The day was far too short. :(

We met at Stan Hywet Mansion and Garden on Saturday.
The picnic lunch and the wine were fantastic.
Left to right are: JustAmy, Mama_Bear, MollyPitcher,
OhioWFan and Dr.Deb.

Dubyaismypresident, BoxerBlues and Commiewatcher
also joined us at the Stan Hywet picnic on Saturday.

DollyCali ..... thank you for planning and organizing a wonderful FReeper get together.
You did good.

Mama_Bear and JustAmy extend their
heartfelt thanks to DollyCali and all of the Ohio FReepers who came out to picnic with us.

Did I read that FReepmail correctly? Amy & Lori are coming to OHIO to visit us????

I had met them 6 months prior in DC at the Inauguration in January 2005. We didn’t have too much time together as for all of us a lot was packed into the 48 hours I was in DC. But I did wish we were not a thousand miles plus away from each other.

Well, I had read it correctly and the months didn’t go fast enough until the day on July 23 where we would all meet for a FReeper get together. They didn’t have a whole lot of time & had a lot of real estate to cover in Ohio & WV so we had to chose ONE locale they wanted to see.. Offerings such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, First Ladies Museum, Warther Museum, and the Inventor’s Hall of fame all took fell off the draft table when they took a look at the possibilities of the Stan Hywet Hall in Akron Ohio. A turn of the century Golden Age mansion on an immense and gorgeous estate was the choice.

Next followed many FReepmails & posting on State board to see who could come for a PAR_TAY. It is summer & people were going to be on vacations, at weddings, or otherwise committed but we did have a nice. although small, group. None of the WV folks were able to attend. Wanted to keep the cost low for travelers so decided to provide a picnic wine/lunch & ask local folks to bring something to share.

The weather was perfect. After weeks of stifling heat & humidity, God blessed our time with a gentle breeze, mild temperatures and a gorgeous blue sky with puffy clouds & bright sun. The California gals simply could not understand why we were always complaining.

Attendees were Molly Pitcher (who lives the closest); Dr.Deb (who drove the farthest); ohioWfan; Commiewatcher; Dubyaismypresident; boxerblues; JustAmy; Mama_bear; PrissyMissy; and DollyCali. It was good to have boxerblues with us as she had lost her 51 year old husband to cancer a few months prior and currently has 2 sons in military - one in Iraq and so was very ready for sharing time with good FReepers.

Over wine in crystal we toasted the occasion & chatted for hours about the weather, politics (OF COURSE!); Iraq; gossip ( OF COURSE AGAIN); our pets; Jim Robinson (OF COURSE); tattoos (YEA, we did); and the normal chit chat that goes dozens of directions.

Plenty of food was prepared, but I had to chuckle when I called Amy on her cell phone about a half hour before our rendezvous time to check if they were on schedule and heard they were at BURGER KING!!! Guess people always get a little nervous/worried when they know a vegetarian is preparing the meal.

After chat & eating a few of the folks had to leave (one to play poker!) but some took the tour of the Stan Hywet house. It is big, impressive, fun. The Sieberlings were GOODYEAR & friends with the likes of William Taft, Helen Keller & the Von Trapps (of Sound of Music fame). Mrs. Sieberling was a professional opera singer & canvas artist and the guests & performances at Stan Hywet were the talk of NE Ohio. The entire mansion contains all of the original furniture & appointments. It was fun but the day went much too quickly.

That evening was a live professional presentation of a Midsummer’s nights Dream on the grounds of the estate.. Amy & Lori were bushed & decided to just go relax at their room in Cuyahoga Falls at the Sheraton Suites.

Below we are about to say goodbye for the day & PrissyMissy was kind enough to take our picture. Amy & Lori & PrissyMissy left the next morning to visit Nan who was … well, that is somebody else’s story.

Dutchess is calling for directions.
I hope we're not lost.

We didn't get lost.
Dutchess found "King Louie"
of Jungle Book fame.

It looks like ketchup.
DrDeb says it isn't.
She is right, it doesn't taste like ketchup.

MamaBear and I checked out
beautiful view at Cuyahoga Falls.

It is important to get your beauty rest
whenever and wherever you can.

06-28-05 HALL OF FAME #12

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 08-15-05 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[DollyCali]

AAAWWWWWKKK!!!!!

How could I leave out dear ohioWfan

but I did. Sorry FRiend.

[MissTargets]

How wonderful you guys all got together. You are looking well.

[JustAmy]

Pinging you to Ohio and West Virginia.

Well ... We will be in West Virginia tomorrow.

[tuliptree76]

Beautiful thread! Thank you for sharing your adventures.

[freema]

Easy for you to say! I'm sitting in a puddle : ) lol

[JustAmy]

Good morning, Mayor.

Thank you for bringing nourishment for the soul with coffee again this morning.

[JustAmy]

Good morning, Molly Pitcher.

It was wonderful to be able to meet you and spend some time together.

It is great to see that FReepers are as nice in person as they are here.

(((( Hugs ))))

[Enterprise]

Country Roads - John Denver

Almost heaven, west virginia
Blue ridge mountains, shenandoah river
Life is old there, older than the trees
Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze

Country roads, take me home
To the place, I be-long
West virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads

All my mem’ries, gather ’round her
Miner’s lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine, teardrop in my eye

Country roads, take me home
To the place, I be-long
West virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads

I hear her voice, in the mornin’ hours she calls to me
The radio reminds me of my home far a-way
And drivin’ down the road I get a feeling’
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday

Country roads, take me home
To the place, I be-long
West virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads

[DollyCali]

;-)

[Aquamarine]

Mama Bear you did such a beautiful job of giving us a cyber trip to Ohio, I loved seeing all the pictures of everyone's happy face as they got to spend some time with each other. Can't wait for this next chapter to this story.

[b9]

Thank you Amy!
What a treat!!!
We got to drive through Columbus and northern Ohio on our way to Maine from San Diego in June, driving a 25 ft. UHaul "mastodon" truck, with a trialer hitch on the back, towing daughter's truck. So we didn't get to exactly stop and see the sights.

We wisked through Columbus pretty fast -- had no idea it's so pretty. Ohio's so GREEN compared to CA!

So fun putting faces to names. Everyone's adorable. Give that Missy a great big kissy !!! ":^)

[Pippin]

Hi, (((Lori)))!

Did you get to visit with Phancy and Guffy?

Thedy live in Columbus.

Wished I'd have known of your get together, I would have loved to come and meet y'all.

[JustAmy]

Good morning, Dolly.

It is great to see all of our memories in one place this morning.

Thank you again for helping to make our time in Ohio wonderful.

(((( hugs ))))

[Mama_Bear]

I loved reading every word and enjoyed every picture!

Oh, thank you. I am glad you did.

As I was compiling all the contributions from various people, the thought occurred to me that this is a bit like sitting down and forcing people to look at one's vacation photos. LOL. It was nice to get up this morning and see that people actually are enjoying seeing them, matching names and faces. :-)

[MEG33]

Well, it was a "family" vacation and for those who do not get to see the FR Finest family..pictures are the next best thing!

[Mama_Bear]

Hi boxerblues! It was great meeting you and the others. It was sure a beautiful day, in more ways than one. Whenever FReepers get together it is a day to remember.

Thanks, MEG, for pinging the picnickers. Dummy here forgot to add them to the ping list. I do have an excuse though - it was after midnight and my brain was asleep when I posted the thread.

[b9]

Peggy Noonan had a very cool column about her recent trip to West Virginia.

[DollyCali]

It was so very nice to see you again. If you do this next year, and I am still in ohio, we will selfishly keep you here longer & give you the two bit tour~~~ I have about 5 major attractions I like to share with visitors. .. and that is without the national park & my "outdoorsy stuff"..

I had a hard time chosing pix to use. I took quite a few, as I normally do.

If I can ever get back onto Domania I will post a few more today or tomorrow. Still not able to link in. It has been quite a few days.

Need to email Paul again

I can't recall, did you get to the butterfly area at Stan Hywet?

[Mama_Bear]

Good morning, Gail - our Finest quilt-lady!

Whenever I see a beautiful quilt, I think of you. And we saw some exquisite (and VERY expensive) handmade quilts at "Tamarack" in West Virginia. I would have dearly loved to have brought one home. I didn't even look at the prices on the full size quilts after I saw a baby quilt for $800! But, I wouldn't sell one for less, had I put that kind of work into making it.

[Mama_Bear]

Great thread....great pics....terrific visit...wonderful FRiends...:-))

Hi, Molly FRiend! Meeting you in person was such a delight! Thank you so much for joining us for the get-together. I was a day I will long remember. :-)