A Road Trip to Cleveland: The Long Trip Home ~ June 14 - 16, 2024

 

Trains!  There Must Always Be Trains!

June 13, 2024

After another round of coffee, tea, bagels, and oatmeal with Jared and Anita, we loaded the car and headed off to Sugarcreek ("The Little Switzerland of Ohio"). Our destination: The Age of Steam Museum.

We were a bit late for our 2 p.m. guided tour tickets. However, they welcomed us warmly, and Jeff went off to join the already-in-progress tour.

The Age of Steam Railroad Museum was the brainchild and passion of Jerry Joe Jacobson. Jacobson’s career in the railway industry began in earnest on May 1, 1984, when he purchased Ohi-Rail. His dedication to railroading was further confirmed in 1988 when he commenced operations with the Ohio Central (OCRR) from Norfolk Southern’s Zanesville Line. Jacobson then began passenger excursions between Sugar Creek and Baltic in the spring of 1989, initiating a tradition that would last for 15 years.

Throughout his career, Jacobson was instrumental in facilitating key developments in the railway industry. Notably, under his leadership, Columbus & Ohio River Railroad became the operator of Weirton Secondary on April 16, 1992. He also oversaw the commencement of various railway operations, including Warren & Trumbull in 1994, Ohio & Pennsylvania railroad in 1995, and Pittsburgh & Ohio Central in 2000.

In the spring of 2005, Jacobson took over CSX’s half interest in Newark and Cambridge Subdivisions. This provided the first “real” railyard on the Ohio Central System. His lasting legacy would be secured on September 30, 2008, when the Ohio Central System was sold to Genesee & Wyoming Industries, and the construction of the AOS Roundhouse began. The Roundhouse building was completed in 2010, adding a significant landmark to Jacobson’s esteemed legacy in the railway industry.

Jeff enjoyed his tour - albeit abbreviated.  From there, we headed to the Sugarcreek Village Inn for the night.

Dinner took us to Hans' Place, where we shared a bottle of wine from the Swiss Heritage Winery (decent) and enjoyed burgers. I started the meal with some jalapeno poppers that were very tasty (despite not being made with jalapenos - tasted more like peppadews).

It was a beautiful evening, so we ate outside. The venue was lovely as well, with several dining levels.

While we didn't eat up there, it was lovely to look at.  I imagine it would be like eating in a treehouse!

June 14, 2024 ~ A Visit with a College Friend

New Florence, Pennsylvania

As we drove east from Ohio, we were greeted with moody skies that gave way to sunshine over the course of the day, with a passing thundershower late in our day in New Florence, PA.  And what a wonderful day and evening we had with our friend, Barry Poglein, and his wife of 51 years,  Barb!  It was our first time meeting Barb, who was a first-year teacher in the Johnstown Public Schools, when she met Barry, also a first-year teacher. He was the elementary art teacher, and she was a fourth-grade teacher.

Barry was one of the group of "misfit toys" at Westminster College. They were a group of guys who were less wealthy, who worked in the school cafeteria, who did not seek to be members of a fraternity, and who were not athletically inclined.  But they enjoyed having fun and enjoyed being independent of the "Greek System."  They dubbed themselves the Enigma Nu and were proud of their independence!

The last time we visited with Barry was more than 50 years ago, and he wasn't easy to find. We managed to find an artist who had done a show with him and asked her to have him contact us.  After doing some due diligence to make sure we weren't "scammers," he contacted Jeff, and we arranged the visit.  He told us more than once that he "couldn't wait" for our visit.

View of Barry's house as we drove in.

When we visited Barry five decades ago, he drove us out to the piece of land he had purchased with the intent to build a geodesic dome house.  And, he did it!  The house is hand built - with help from friends and family along the way, and it is bohemian and crazy, and absolutely wonderful.  It continues to evolve - with the relatively recent addition of an "indoor pool" housed within a pyramid.  He is as close to living "off-the-grid" as possible.  He doesn't have a telephone, but his wife does.

The land is absolutely gorgeous, and we loved being outside.

A view of the "car port"

Art installation - made from an old piano!

Looking toward the house from the trailer

There is a brook that runs through the property

Barb and Barry outside on their "patio" - We enjoyed cocktails there before dinner.

Barry walking back from the two-bedroom trailer that also sits on the property

Linda helping Barb with dinner

Staircase to the two bedrooms upstairs from the living room

We laughed and laughed - I don't think we have laughed so much in 50 years!  The entire trip, in fact, was filled with memories and laughter!  We can't wait for the next visit with the cousins and with Barry and Barb!