A Slice of Life
Bill Lites
Day 12 Continued (5/27/2022)
So, after missing out on a visit to the Gasoline Alley Museum there in St. Marys, I just headed east 15 miles on US-33 to visit the Armstrong Air & Space Museum located in Wapakoneta, OH. I had visited this museum once before on another road trip, but since I had worked on the Apollo-Saturn V launch vehicle (at KSC) that put Neil Armstrong, and the other eleven American astronauts on the Moon, this museum held a special interest for me. The museum is housed in a specially designed 17,291 sq. ft. building and displays artifacts and memorabilia related to the military and space life achievements of Neil Armstrong and what led to man’s first steps on the moon on July 20, 1969. There is now doubt that he was an amazing person.
Photo Credit: Bill Lites
After that great trip down memory lane, I headed south 30 miles on I-75 & SR-273 to visit The Bicycle Museum of America located in New Bremen, OH. This 2-story museum is absolutely jam-packed with 150+ bicycles of every size and configuration dating from 1816. The curator told me the museum is a part of the private collection of one man, Jim Dicke II, and consists of some 750 cycles (600+ in storage). I even got a chance to try my luck on their 1870 ‘Big Wheel’ cycle (fixed in place).
Photo Credit: Bill Lites
Now it was less than 10 miles south on SR-66 to where I visited the Wilderness Trail Museum located in Fort Loramie, OH. This museum is situated in the old renovated 1852 two-story brick building that was originally a hotel used by Miami-Erie Canal travelers to the area. The museum is arranged to represent a mid-1800s hotel and displays antique artifacts and memorabilia related to the history of Fort Loramie and the surrounding Shelby County area from the late 1700s.
Photo Credit: Bill Lites
Now it was another 15 miles south on SR-66 to where I visited the Johnson Farm & Indian Agency located in Piqua, OH. The Johnson Farm is a 200-acre site where General Anthony Wayne built the Fort Piqua in 1811. After the military withdrew from the fort around 1858, John Johnson extablished a traiding post and Federal Indian Agency at the site. The farm includes the Johnson home (circ 1815), restored portions of the old Fort Piqua, and a one-mile restored section of the Miami-Erie Canal. Visitors to the Johnston Farm can also take a ride in a replica of the 70-foot mule-drawn ‘General Harrison’ canal boat (circ 1845).
Photo Credit: Bill Lites
Now it was only about 10 miles south on SR-25A to where I planned to visit The Museum of Troy History located in Troy, OH but they were closed. So, while I was in Troy, it was only a short drive to visit the WACO Aviation Museum located there in Troy. This museum has a restored 1856 barn that was relocated from Lorain, OH and two other large hangers, filled with a beautiful collection of restored WACO biplanes dating from 1921. WACO built some of my favorite “Golden Age” aircraft, and I love seeing them up close and flying (Not today).
Photo Credit: Bill Lites
The original 1820s building in which the Overfield Tavern Museum, is housed is also located there in Troy, and was in the process of being renovated when I stopped by for a visit. So, all I got for my troubles was a photo and then was on my way to the next museum on my list.
Photo Credit: Bill Lites
It was another 10 miles south on I-75 to Vandalia, OH where I wanted to visit the Sunwatch Indian Village, but they were closed. So, I just continued south another 50 miles on I-75 to Sharonville, OH where I planned to stop for the night. I found an IHOP Restaurant in the Oakley Center and ordered one of their ‘Colorado Omelettes’ and enjoyed that delicious meal. Yummm! It was hugh, and I even had enough left over for tomorrow night.
Photo Credit: ihop colorado omelette – Bing images
After that great meal, I gave Greta (My Garmin) the address for the motel there in Sharonville, and she took me right to it. I got checked in, got my stuff into the room, and recorded the day’s activities. Then it was to bed for this tired puppy. No TV again tonight.
—–To Be Continued—–
Bill is a retired Mechanical engineer living with his wonderful artist/writer wife, DiVoran, of 65 years in Titusville, Florida. He was born and raised in the Southwest, did a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, attended Northrop University in Southern California and ended up working on America’s Manned Space Program for 35 years. He currently is retired and spends most of his time building and flying R/C model airplanes, traveling, writing blogs about his travels for Word Press and supporting his wife’s hobbies with framing, editing and marketing. He also volunteers with a local church Car Care Ministry and as a tour guide at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum there in Titusville. Bill has two wonderful children, two outstanding grandchildren, and a loving sister and her husband, all of whom also live in Central Florida, so he and DiVoran are rewarded by having family close to spend lots of quality time with.
One of Bill’s favorite Scriptures is: John 10:10
Old Things R New 
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