Cardinal Gulf Streamers Fall Rally 2009

Well, we arrived home today from the Fall Rally with our RV club. We met at the Shelby/ Mansfield KOA last Thursday and had a great weekend together. There were 15 RVs (30 club members). That included four couples who were camping with us for the first time. Everyone but us left the rally on Sunday morning after breakfast and goodbyes. Most were going home, but some were already headed for their winter residences in places that are warmer than Ohio. We stayed until this morning. I had a performance with the barbershop quartet that I sing with. It was in Wadsworth at 2:00pm and that was on the way back to Kent. We made all the connections and got home, had dinner and even got the motorhome unloaded. Not bad, but we need a litle rest now.

In addition to some great meals, four of the rally highlights were visits to the murals in downtown Bucyrus , the Carousel District in downtown Mansfield, the restored one-room Harvey School and to the D. Picking Company, also in Bucyrus.

D. Picking makes all sizes of hand-hammered copper pails, kettles, and such, as well as tympani drum bodies. The company has been in business since the 1870's and is still in the same small building. Most of the mechanical devices date from the early 1900's. There are four employees and the lady who owns the company (she's 95) comes to the factory every day.

The murals were spectacular in detail and perspective. Even though we were standing close to them, it was difficult to realize that they were painted on flat building walls.

The Carousel District is a tribute the that well-known amusement park attraction. All of the animals on the carousel were made at the small factory that is just down the street from the building that houses the carousel. You can buy a wooden horse of your own, but the ones in the window were over $5000 each. You can buy a kit and construct one yourself. We didn't investigate the price of those.

The Harvey School was a great experience. Our teacher, Miss Sand, instructed us for about an hour, much in the way that students were taught over 100 years ago. We sang and recited. We practiced our writing and learned to use Roman numerals. While doing our lessons, we passed a Mason jar of milk from one student to the next. Each person gave the jar 10 good shakes. After several circuits around the room, we had butter, which we spread on slices of bread and ate. Cool!!

Here are some pictures of our activities. These rallies are so great because they give us a chance to see the wonderful attractions that are right here in Ohio.