New Years With Chummy
New Year's Day Narrative 2004
The last day of the year. The day traditionally set aside to celebrate the coming of the New Year. Fran and I are not big new years revelers; although, we have had some memorable celebrations. It was just two years ago we celebrated on the streets of London, England. The night started with a performance of My Fair Lady and did not end until the wee hours of the morning when we found our way back to the hotel. This year we were not out to top that but with our early planning it sure appeared that way. We had planned a trip to Ohio, a camping trip in Chummy, our motor home.
Our trip started out as planned with an un-eventful tour of the toll roads in Illinois and Northern Indiana. Our destination for this first night was Toledo. Ohio. That famous city almost on the lake of true weights and something else which escapes me right now. On our way through Indiana we decided to take in a few of the sights. Our first stop was a roadside plaza with a Hardees and an Ice Cream Fried Chicken Combo Counter. We made our own sandwiches in Chummy and drove on to Elkhart and went to an RV salvage yard. I had promised Fran a good time and was going to let nothing stand in the way. After an hour or so of rummaging through salvage Fran's threats finally caught hold and we left. When we got back to the toll way it became apparent that the fog would prevent our meeting the goal of Toledo for this night. We checked the Ohio camp guide and found a state park not far from the border. A phone call confirmed that they were plowed out so we set our sights for the park. At our appointed exit we paid our toll to Ohio and proceeded through the thickest fog ever produced. I was assured there was a road under the tires since we did not appear to be sinking- yet. We drove on for the eternity, these eight miles produced, then turned left at the sign. What sign? Suddenly another sign popped up saying: "South Camp Ground" Fran said, "No, not that one we need the North Camp Grounds." That was on the other side of the lake. Slicing through the fog we crept using my spotlight and hoping there was such a thing as the North Camp Grounds. When we reached the Promised Land there were only two spots plowed out but that was fine since we were the only people in the park. The instructions said to place the "occupied" sign on the post. I put on my boots and plowed through the snowdrifts to place the sign as the instructions stated.
The next day we awoke to find that the rain had washed away all the snow. The snow had melted all of the fog and we really did not want to go to Cleveland after all. Today was New Years Eve. Tomorrow we had to be in Columbus but tonight we could celebrate. We looked at each other and both said: "Why not Jackson Center?" I got out my map, which I bought for $4.95 at the Wal-Mart and realized that Jackson Center was not on the map. Maybe I should have got the $6.95 map. Searching my memory I seemed to think that the town was near Columbus on a 6 something road. I chose to take 95 south just to be safe.
We toured rural western Ohio on a continuous southerly route until we reached the town of Lima. After a quick drive through town I actually stopped for directions. Quite dismayed that someone would actually want to go to Jackson Center the clerk told me I only needed to stay on the road I was on for another 10 or 18 miles. I, quite dismayed that someone actually chose to live in Lima, accepted her seemingly knowledgeable advice and drove on. Twenty-six miles down the road over the crest in the hill sat Jackson center.( see mark on map) Chummy, our motor home, started to wheeze with delight at the sight of his birthplace, Fran and I immediately realized why it was not on the map. With no trouble at all we located the Airstream plant.
What a wonderful tour of the frozen parking lot we had. The security guard invited us to stay for the night and we gladly accepted. Fran wanted to buy postcards. We drove to the drug store and they informed her that know one had yet thought of printing a post card of Jackson Center. Seeing that it was New Years Eve I offered to take Fran out to dinner and inquired of a restaurant. The young lady happily replied that there were three. First the bar across the street does have food, then there is Phil's Foodliner, they have a table in there, and lastly is the pizza place. Then after a pause she said: "There's Hobo's but you do not want to go there!" We walked over to the theater to inquire of the night's performance and also a second opinion of the eateries. The young lady replied that there was the bar that does have food, then there's Phil's Foodliner, they have a table in there, and lastly is the pizza place next door. She paused then added: "There's Hobo's but you do not want to go there!" We choose the pizza place and had a splendid meal with Diet Cokes all around.
After setting up camp we walked back to town to see the 7:30 show at the theater, all seats $2.50. This theater was built in the early 20's and had the seats to prove it. The popcorn was popped fresh on their opening night and a penny candy machine still operated in the lobby. I do not think the good people of Jackson Center ever leave their homes to eat. We struck up a conversation with the folks seated behind. They obviously wanted to know who, what, and where we were from since we stood out from the locals. We soon convinced them we meant no harm and would not be moving to their town any time soon. Thinking I had their confidence I asked about Hobo's and they each replied: "There's Hobo's but you do not want to go there!" I decided best to drop the subject. After the movie they offered to drive us back to our camping spot but I figured the four-block walk would be safe even at this late hour of 9:30.
Back inside Chummy we came to the quick realization that the night's celebration was over, at least for anything outside of Chummy. Jackson Center had no midnight fireworks, or glass ball drop in their town center. Fact is they barely have a town center. We reflected on the day and decided it was not really fair to compare Sprigg's Pizza and "Meet the Focker's" with "My Fair Lady and Trafalgar Square. It had been a fun day; a very nice New Year's celebration and you certainly cannot beat a $2.50 general admission charge for all seats. We had a glass of wine, toasted our good fortunes and went to bed early.
