Aunt Kathy and Uncle Chip

We spent the rest of our trip with Sarah's Aunt Kathy and her husband Uncle Chip, in Columbus, OH. My good friend, Randy (a Michigan Wolverine fan that viscerally hates the Buckeyes) warned me not to go to Columbus, as I would likely "get some of it stuck on my shoe"! Contrary to Randy's warning, Columbus is a nice place to visit. It has a small town feel, though it is Ohio's capital and largest city. What made it enjoyable was spending time with the Deckers. Thank you Aunt Kathy and Uncle Chip for your kindness and hospitality.

We did lots of things in Columbus, which was somewhat shocking. It didn't seem as if there was much to do there...at least online research seemed that way. One of the things we did was all die on the Titanic!

These two water towers were by our hotel. Sarah thought they looked like gym socks

We briefly visited the very tiny Columbus, Ohio Temple. It was as small or smaller than the stake center next door.

Sarah and Leah at the Columbus, Ohio Temple. On a funny side note, when we told Uncle Chip we wanted to visit the temple, he asked if it was an Al Quaida temple. HAHA!

A pretty building that gets prettier with these two in front of it.

The Trospers are forever!

We went to a placed called "That's Entertrainment" which is a HUGE complex that houses miniature cities with trains running throughout. Seriously, this was awesome. Here is Leah waiting at the underground subway station for the train.

Nobody in their right mind would leave this baggage behind!

There was a ride designed for children 3-9 that was powered by kid power alone. The worker didn't believe Leah could do it and volunteered to push her. She didn't need it. This girl is strong!

Leah thought she could and thought she could and did!

Thomas, Leah and Me.

Entertrainment Junction in Cincinnati. A must visit.

We drove by what once was "Radio Free Europe". There used to be acres upon acres of these towers in order to broadcast anti-communist pro-American propaganda behind the iron curtain. This is an interesting study topic.

We ate at this restaurant called the Golden Lamb in their pub called the Black Stallion. It opened in 1803 and was quite a piece of history. With famous authors, politicians and other noteworthy characters staying there, the entire place is a museum. Quite neat. Their Beef and Barley soup wasn't bad either! This is the oldest restaurant and hotel in all of Ohio.

The Golden Lamb

Aunt Kathy and Leah in the Golden Lamb

Chip loves trains with quite the passion. We drove to Lebanon and rode the L, M & M (Lebanon, Monroe & Mason) line. It was neat to ride a piece of history and of course take me back to my childhood dreams. All boys like trains.

Leah was excited to ride the train, but the whistle scared her from time to time.

Here is Aunt Kathy, Uncle Chip, Leah, Sarah and Myself with the train conductors.

Clickety-Clack

This is either the oldest schoolhouse or one of the first in Ohio.

Sarah studying the next destination

I think Leah was possessed in this pic

Chip riding in the Gondola car

Crossing an old truss bridge

Say CH...CH...CH...Choo Choo!

Leah trying to figure out what is going on

Sarah the deep thinker.

Leah waiting for the train.

What a cute thing!

ALL ABOARD!

She's a nut!

Sarah and Chip

Aunt Kathy won Leah over with this music box of a train that Chip had. Leah sure loved it. Almost as much the fun car they gave her.

Every night she was pooped!

This is Sarah standing in front of the house her Father helped to build as a teen with his Father in New Albany, OH

Leah resting on her Great Grandpa's headstone.

Three of four generations represented here.

John Francis Wilson, Sr. ~ Rest in Peace. Sarah making a sketch of the headstone.

Aunt Kathy at the cemetery in New Albany, OH.

Leah helping to clean of the headstone.

Me and my girl with Lake Erie in the background

Sarah and Leah. We explored Ohio from the tip of Lake Erie down to Kentucky! It is a great place to visit, but because of the humidity...I wouldn't want to live there. Again, a special thanks to Kathy and Chip for feeding us and hosting us in your town.