Our Ohio Landscape

No matter what size town you live in, you don't have to drive very far before you find yourself looking at fields of corn, beans or wheat.



I just love a good old fashion drive in the country. I love taking pictures of old barns and silos.



The following pictures were given to me by Lee Miller and were inspirational in my going on my own Sunday Drive in the Country.



This picture of a wheat field much like Alex's corn field picture show the simple beauty of the crops we raise to feed a nation.



Besides Silos, Water-Towers and church steeples reaching into the sky its hard not to notice these fellows as they march across the fields.



Thanks Lee for the pictures and the inspiration to go out and take a few of my own.

The Historical Loveland Castle and Museum

These lovely pictures were sent to my Jodie Peyton.



Chateau Laroche was built as an expression and reminder of the simple strength and rugged grandeur of the mighty men who lived when Knighthood was in flower.



It was their knightly zeal for honor, valor and manly purity that lifted mankind out of the moral midnight of the dark ages and started it towards the gray dawn of human hope.



Present human decadence proves a need for similar action.
Already the ancient organization of Knights have been re-activated to save society. Any man of high ideas who wishes to help save civilization is invited to become a member of the Knights of the Golden Trail, whose only vows are the Ten Commandments.



Chateau Laroche is the World headquarters of this organization, started in 1927.



It is a great place complete with sword fights, beautiful gardens, and knights. It was a wonderful place to visit!

Click the following link to visit their website.
The Historical Loveland Castle & Museum

Sunset On the Farm (Anywhere Ohio)

I live in the country so when I see a great sunset it looks something like this.







Not exactly palm trees and ocean but Hey its what I've got to work with. And for some odd reason I like taking pictures of silos. Go Figure.

Wapakoneta At Night (Winter)

I haven't had a chance to take any pictures for the My Hometown Ohio blog so I thought I grab a few from my archive. These are from last winter.

MidFirst Ohio Challenge, Middletown

The following pictures and story was submitted to me by Jodi Peyton.



This is 7th annual MidFirst Ohio Challenge, a full festival featuring hot air balloon competition events in the skies of Middletown, Ohio. Complete with skydivers and balloon glows after dark.









It is great to wake up to a sky full of hot air balloons floating right over the house! Usually in years past they fly over our house maybe once out of the weekend but this year they flew over every day!











The two special shape balloons in this year’s event—Lily and Joey, the Little Bees are flown by a husband and wife team. The Little Bees are the world’s only tandem flying special shape hot air balloons. They have appeared all over the world since their “birth” in 2003 at the Victoria Balloon factory in Brazil. They each hold 98,000 cubic feet of hot air, stand 110 feet tall and reach 110 feet from finger tip to finger tip.



They blow them up side by side, looks as if they are holding hands all the way up. At on point on Saturday evening the wind blew the girl and it looked like she was kissing him on the cheek. The kids thought they were great! (Sadly I did not get to take any of the fronts of them.)



Nice work Jodie. I've been wanting to go to one of these events for quite sometime. Your pictures now make want to go even more.

Troy Walk--About

These aren't particularly artistic pictures; just some I took while walking around Troy the other day. There mostly of some of the well known landmarks.



I love to tour cemeteries. I am not sure what the fascination is but I almost always pull in for a look when I am out driving. I found this awesome mausoleum in the local cemetery.



I've gone ice-skating on more than one occasion at the Troy Hobart Arena.



I found the Old Power Plant between the river and courthouse a nice picture find.



Most of the county court houses that I've seen have a very similar look to them.





I bet this set of Ten Commandments on the Court House lawn has drew its share of attention.



I'll close with a few random shots from downtown.

Tri-County Field of Honor

This patriotic display can be found at the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta.



What is the Filed of Honor? (From brochure)

The Tri-County Filed of Honor will be held to honor our heroes. 3'x5' American Flags will be strategically displayed for 8 days and will receive proper flag etiquette at all times.



WHY?

The Field of Honor is an opportunity to honor our heroes who have served, or are currently serving, in our military, as well as Firefighters, EMS, Law enforcement and First Responders. To Celebrate and honor those who defended our freedoms and reflect on the sacrifices of those brave and men and women.



There are 501 flags on display. Individuals or businesses purchased the flags for $30 to honor a hero. The flags are mapped and tagged so the sponsor can find their flag.



The display is from July 13th through the 20th.