May 18-23. Sunbury, Ohio. Another unexpected jewel.

The journey across to Ohio from Illinois took in another Boondockers Welcome site in Noblesville, Indiana. A very lovely property just North of Indianapolis. At the ranch we stayed on the host was an airstream owner. Again…very nice people, very friendly, lovely spot for a secure, private, quiet overnight. If I had researched a little better I would have found that the mothership (where they make the airstreams) is just north of Dayton, halfway between Indianapolis and Columbus (Its Jackson Centre…I had always thought it was in Florida…!!)..so we could have made a stop and stayed there…..but we didn’t….maybe next time.

Our next destination was our first multi night BW stay in Sunbury Ohio ( just north of Columbus ). We had spotted another Frank Lloyd Wright building on the west side of Columbus….Westcott House. So we booked the tour…and stopped on the way….pulled the trailer up in their parking area….!!

Westcott house barely survived as it had been slated for demolition but was saved when bought by an association of FLW lovers….and it has been restored. It has very little of its original contents…so it is one of the very few FLW houses that allow photography inside. They had all the original specs…so they have been able to reproduce a lot of the furniture as it was designed by Mr Wright.

I believe the glass in the skylights is original but almost everything else was reproduced.

It was a delightful stop.

The Boondockers Welcome stop in Sunbury was a quite extraordinary episode in this journey. We were hosted by the very lovely Din and her family. Their kindness, energy and just darn good human-ness was quite wonderful.

This stop just north of Columbus allowed us a couple of more relaxed days….and a great opportunity to visit with and get to know our host a little better. BW so far has been people who love to travel but for various reasons are travelling less so now bring travelers to them sharing experiences, stories and resources. It has been a terrific experience so far.

The town of Sunbury itself has an old, English style, village square..

We wandered the square, taking some pictures to try and capture the flavour of the town and we stumbled upon the Myers Inn….a building boasting 1820 as its birth date.

We noticed that it was a museum….and that it was open…so in we went….

..and what a treat was in store for us. Inside we met, one amazing lady, Polly Horn.

Polly proceeded to immerse us in her enthusiasm for the rich history of this small town, its stories and origins. The brothers William and Lawrence Myers who walked from Pennsylvania….taking two years to reach this point establish their livelihoods in this place. The sometimes questionable business in the acquisition of the land from the original indigenous owners…..and many other fascinating tales and factoids around the development of the town.

….from the racoon who apparently foiled a bank robbery…largely by being blown up..!!!…to the restoration of the building and the exposed structure showing how it was originally built.

I think the time with Polly may be one of my favourite moments of this journey. Much love Polly…😀

Back on the road headed for Pennsylvania and in need of another overnight spot, I luckily chanced upon the Wooly Pig Brewery in Fresno Ohio, a Harvest Host location. This was quite possibly the most beautiful site for a craft brewery that we have come across. Add to that …a level parking spot and a highly competent Bavarian brewmeister ministering very palatable beverages…..bonus points for the Burrito Bus.…….the purveyors of mobile deliciousness……and you have the perfect location for a pleasant evening.

This is a spot that would absolutely be worth a bit of an extra drive to get back here. We may have to throw it into another trip.

The last piece of curious Americana for this trip was one of the strangest American ‘big things’ we have seen so far….I’ll take that giant concrete prairie dog …and raise you a giant breadbasket building…!!!

All pictures are clickable for a clearer view. All links for extra information are underlined.

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