Classic Autos, More F.L. Wright Prairie Architecture, and Collectible Trains and Toys (Springfield, Ohio/Wheeling, West Virginia)

 As we left Michigan, I said farewell to one of my brethren.  It was great meeting ya!

Soon, we crossed the state border.  “Welcome to Ohio”, where the horrific road conditions and ongoing construction will jolt your brains around!

 

We arrived at Snook’s Dream Cars, a privately run automobile museum that participates in Harvest Hosts.  Jeff, the owner, explained that his Dad was a car builder, auto mechanic, AND an avid collector.  What a terrific collection of historic and classic cars, as well as auto-related memorabilia.  As we ogled one beauty after another, we each picked out our favorite!

That little mini mint green replica 1954 Kaiser Darrins was my favorite!  Wrap it up, I'll take it!

 

Snook's had this fine collection of one-armed bandits, too.  Knowing my Aunt Laurie's infinity for gambling, I thought it apropos to take this photo.

Since we arrived early enough and the Rambling RV Rat Rubicon was detached, we took a ride to Bowling Green and walked along the paved trails of Black Swamp Preserve, surrounding by an abundance of cornfields.

The next morning we traveled to Alton RV Park in Galloway, Ohio.  Conveniently located on US-40, this small, family-owned Park (2 generations live on site) offers full hook up pull-through and back-in sites.  Though we love to support family businesses, this is not a place that we would normally stay (let alone for multiple nights).  For starters, it costs an average of $67.50/night (weekday $65/weekend $70).   Then the sites are right on top of each other—you put out a chair and you are right under your neighbor’s window.  Furthermore, the sites are not delineated in typical RV Park formation, though the one commonality is that they surround the family’s farmhouse on all sides.   Despite the drawbacks, the Park puts us right where we want to be:  near Janice/Rick, another pair of wonderful friends from Amazon.  Over the course of 3 days with Rick/Janice, we enjoyed fellowship, breaking bread at 2 fine restaurants, worship services, getting a tour of the area, and meeting their friends Ginger/Herb, another RVing couple with whom we bonded.

Always great to meet friends of friends!

 We also had the opportunity to tour the Westcott House in Springfield, Ohio.   It was designed/built by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1908 in the Prairie style for the Burton Wescott family.  Burton wanted a progressive, trendy home design suitable for an affluent Midwestern car enthusiast (he owned one as early as 1899) and car manufacturer (he was among the 300+ automobile manufacturers in Ohio in the early 1900s).  Wright included a garage and living quarters for a chauffeur in the design concept to accommodate Burton’s affection for cars, along with stables (for the grandkids), and a pergola.  Wright fulfilled the Westcotts’ desires to make their home a show-stopper.  And yet, Westcott House laid in decay for many decades.  You see, the 1920s brought a series of misfortunes to the Wescotts:  the death of Burton’s wife, the floundering of his company, the loss of his other investments, the foreclosure on the property, and eventually Burton’s own death.    Other families who lived in the house thereafter made modifications, with one owner dividing the house into 6 apartments during the 1940s (what were they thinking!)  Thankfully, in 2001 the Springfield community recognized the importance of the property and purchased it for the Westcott House Foundation. Using the talents and expertise of 400 architects, craftsmen, and volunteers, the home was totally reconstructed over a 4-year period (for $5.8 million) and brought to its former glory, using the same techniques Wright employed when he built it!  As with many Frank Lloyd Wright designs, the concept of compression (small, unassuming entranceways) and release (big open spaces) is evident, along with his belief that the hearth is the center of a home, both architecturally and spiritually.  A terrific tour, well worth the $20/person admission.

 

The fireplace takes up an entire wall, and it is centered in the lower floor plan.

Narrow stairwell but wide, open hallway with skyroof, evidence of Wright's concept of compress and release.

View of the gardens from a second floor window.

Before our final day’s rendezvous with Rick/Janice, we went hiking within the Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, a beautiful area along the Miami River.  In the early 1800s, a grist mill and sawmill operated above the small waterfalls along this river.  Unfortunately, by 1876 they were destroyed by flooding.

We perused the Nature Center, though I must say I don't like looking at STUFFED animals.  

 

Fortunately, this turtle was alive and well, and came out to greet me.

This bee enjoyed this colorful cornflower as much as I did.

 

Our time in Ohio had come to an end.  We cherished every minute we spent with Rick/Janice, hoping it is not another 3 years before we get to see them again.

The next day, we traversed along I-70 for most of our trip, crossing the Ohio River and viewing the Appalachian Mountains before arriving at Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum, our Harvest Host for the night.  Oh boy!  Dolls, board games, trains, Legos, Bobbleheads, and the largest collection of Peanuts memorabilia I have ever seen!  We enjoyed playing with all the interactive toys, too, from race cars to free games of pinball.  The owner of this treasure trove of trains and toys is Mr. Miller.  He is a hoot!  Friendly, humorous, and informative, he gave us “the rest of the story” on many of the collectibles.  We spent hours laughing and reminiscing.  Initially, I thought $15/adult a bit pricey for my cheese bank, but after touring the displays (all housed in a century-old elementary school) and spending time with Mr. Miller, it was worth every nickel!

A board game called Mouse Trap.  Why do you humans dislike rodentia so much?

Anyone know who this mouse character is?

 I made another new friend.  And he gets dressed up in human clothes like I do!

Mr. Miller built in a great view of the train set-up.

Mom caught her "two boys" playing with the interactive toys.

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An entire floor is devoted to Peanuts.  This is just 1 room on that floor.

Later that evening, we visited Oglebay Park, a gorgeous area that includes lodges, cabins, lake activities, playgrounds, rock walls, miniature golf, rope bridges, and fully-paved walking trails with elevation changes.  Earl Oglebay bequeathed his Waddington Farm to the city of Wheeling for the establishment of public recreation.  I must say, Wheeling did a fantastic job of honoring Mr. Oglebay’s wishes!  Not only is it a terrific area for recreation, Oglebay seems to serve as a nature preserve.  The place is teeming with deer (young bucks, Momma does, and their young fawns), bunnies, and feathered friends.

 

                                                 

I wish humans could get along as well as these water fowl do!

Well, time for me to sign off.  I’ll talk to you again soon!