Category: Destination

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Sights and sounds of cyclocross at GearFest

Dayton, Ohio

GearFest came to my attention via a mention by a Subaru e-mail. It sounded like fun, so I planned to attend with camera and digital recorder. I arrived early enough to get a fairly good parking spot, and by the time I left, I was glad I had come early. Parking was pretty far out and a good hike. Of course, hiking would be a good thing.

Occupying the most space was the cyclocross race, and course. I managed to get a few pics and a little sound.

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Listen to the sound as the cyclists race by.

[audio:Cyclocross.mp3]

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In six years, GearFest has become such a big event that Dayton’s Five Rivers MetroParks is changing the name to Midwest Outdoor Experience, and hoping to making it the premiere event in the Midwest. With sponsors like Subaru, Yakima, Keen, Eddie Bauer and others, it is well on its way. With the evolution of GearFest to the Midwest Outdoor Experience, organizers hope to “establish Dayton, Ohio as the ‘Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Midwest’.”

More photos from Midwest Outdoor Experience can be viewed here.

See you on the highway.

Brent

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Relaxing at the ballpark

It’s been a while since we’ve gone to a ball game, and it’s been five years since Lin and I have attended a South Bend Silver Hawks game. Prior to our move to Cincinnati, I was the photographer for the Hawks. I was at the ball park often. Very often.

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In five years, the Silver Hawks have transformed the ball park, also known as the Cove, named after Stanley Coveleski. The field has a new digital scoreboard with video. All of the old buildings beyond the outfield have been removed and replaced with landscaping that invites fans directly into the field from downtown South Bend.

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Just before game time, the stands were still filling up. We’re sitting behind home plate and slightly towards the Hawks dugout. I walked down to the screen and managed to get Mark Haley’s attention. Mark is the head coach for the Hawks and has been for about 7 or 8 years. It was like greeting an old friend you haven’t seen for a while. He’s also an avid fly fisher.

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The game got underway and it was like old times. Baseball, beer, hot dogs, peanuts and popcorn. There is something about hanging out at the ballpark that is so relaxing.

Brent

Note: These photos were taken with my LG phone-camera.

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Honoring soldiers on Memorial Day

The first known observance of Memorial Day was in 1865 in Charleston, South Carolina. Originally known as Decoration Day, it became better known as Memorial Day, but did not become a national holiday until 1967 by an act of Congress, and then officially as one of the four three-day national holiday weekends in 1968.

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Ichabod Corwin was the first settler in the area to become known as Lebanon. He served in the War of 1812.

Traditionally, Memorial Day is an observance of those who have given their lives in military service for the country. But, its usage has evolved into memorial for all who have passed on with individuals and families visiting the graves of family members.

After all the Memorial Day parades and ceremonies, I ventured forth to look for graves of veterans. I started in Lebanon, Ohio, at the oldest cemetery in town. It is about the size of one small city block.

I expected to find graves of Civil War soldiers, but was quite surprised to find soldiers who served in wars 50 years before the Civil War—soldiers from the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War, 1846-48.

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John Conrey, veteran of War of 1812. Died in 1864.

As this cemetery began to fill, the city obtained ground to the north that expanded the cemetery well into the future. As cemeteries go, it is more modern looking and well kept. Clearly, it has been well visited on Memorial Day weekend.

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Lebanon Cemetery gravesite decorations.

From Lebanon, I motorcycled through the countryside, first north and then east towards Waynesville and the village of Corwin, where my ride would turn south towards home. In Corwin, I decided to ride through Miami Cemetery, which is deceivingly large and very park like. At the northern entrance, I found the cemetery memorial  and gravesites of soldiers, all veterans of all wars.

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Miami Cemetery, Corwin, Ohio. Gravesite for All Veterans and contains the ramains of soldiers from WWI, WWII, Korean and Vietnam wars.

Thank you, brothers in arms. You served well and are not forgotten.

For my readers, see you on the highway.

Brent