Leaving Ligonier, to Kendallville, IN & into Ohio...

                             After leaving Ligonier, ID, our next town to hit was Kendallville where they escorted us all through town with the local PD blocking the intersections while our fire escort led us to the other end of town. Our motto so far has been start slow and finish strong but this morning we started fast, went even faster through Kendallville. Thank you for supporting this ride and keeping us safe and for adding your patch to the trailer for FDNY!    

Pictured here:  Kendallville Indiana (Kendalldallvill Fire Department - 8/31/11) - right to left - Chief Mike Riehm, Volunteer Eric Terry, Firefighter Chris "lumpy" Smith, Admin Assist Barb Penick

Men from Edgerton, Ohio. Our first town in a new state

After 108 miles, we reached our destination in Bowling Green, OH and their main fire station. Thanks to all of you for dinner and a very comfortable night's sleep. BTW F/F Terry Busch will be riding with us for a few miles as we head for Cleveland.
Chief Tom here is placing their patch on the door for FDNY

Ligonier

Why are we doing this? Because there are small towns every where which have the same feelings about 9/11 and Ligonier, IN is one of them. This fire department was touched along with their mayor Patty, pictured in the middle for us wanting to stop in their town. She dropped by the night we got in and then came to see us off this morning. One of my favorite lines from my favorite movies is "Attitude Reflects Leadership and this town is doing a great job of supporting her.

Lights Camera Action

Today as we left Hobart, the ride was mostly uneventful but did that change when we got about five miles outside the town of Ligonier! We first saw in the distance flashing red lights and the back of the trailer. They were both off the side of the road and our first thought was Fred got pulled over by the popo. Turns out it was the fire chief coming out to meet us. As we headed on closer to town a FD water tender came out,  got behind us and Fred and followed behind until we got ready to make the turn into town. Three more FD rigs were waiting along with a local police and state trooper car. The highway was shut down for us. Our thoughts really gravitated to the fact that as we have gotten closer to Ground Zero. The energy is growing not for us but that everyone has caught onto our idea of honoring the 343 and the gratefulness of coming through their towns. An added touch to this night was as we were eating and visiting with the FD and their families, the Ligonier Mayor stopped by to greet us and let us know how important it was for us to choose their town and how grateful they are for it. This is a very caring community like so many others and we are humbled once again!

Dress up day

Hobart-Ligonier

A Big Welcome from Hobart Indiana

Seemed like the whole town came out to Hobart, ID fire station #1. Dave here is getting a hug from Marge (Honey) who is dear to the fire service here. Honey had two family members in Hobart Fire who died in the line of duty. Seemed she was the strong one for the department. 

Nicole, the fire department secretary is placing the Hobart FD patch on the door. We got to talk with her a few times before getting into town and she let us know they had special plans for us. Little did we know!

When we left Chicago Fire we were met by Phil who lives in the Hobart area and wanted to ride with us. Phil rode up to Chicago and met us close to downtown. Phil made it for a good ride to our next destination and most of it was on bike path. Phil wanted to make sure his wife Leah got the chance to meet us so he brought the family back Great family and we'll be talking with them more in the future.

So, the FD secretary, Nicole let us know that there would be someone to meet us at the bike path in Hobart to lead us into the fire station. So a short scenic tour through the town and we were led down the final street towards the station. We could see the truck set up in front of the station with a huge U.S. flag draped off the tip of the aerial. As the lead FD apparatus moved out of the way, it opened up a line of sight where we saw a carnival type atmosphere.                                                                                    

The apparatus floor had been cleared out to make way for tables and chair for all the people from the community who showed up to greet us. A live, 4 piece band, jump house for Dave and the kids, BBQ complete with fresh corn on the cob (picked that morning and donated from the farmer) BBQ in the husk and a table full of homemade side dishes and desserts. My weight is now going the wrong way again. 

Dave here is showing an article printed up in the local news paper of a project started by Holly and Lisa. They get handprints from people in the community on large sheets to memorialize different events. One was done with kids applying 343 pairs of hand prints for a 9/11 anniversary

Chicago... Lots of Tradition, History & Heart

Welcome to Chicago, the Windy City….

Big city with lots of tradition…  Chief Peter VanDorpe met us about 1 mile outside of downtown Chicago & escorted us to Engine 42 Firehouse “The Big House”. 

As we are driving around downtown & checking out this big beautiful city all of us had this thought “they just rode their bikes from Santa Clara, CA to Chicago, IL”.  26 days, approximately 2500 miles – WOW!!  What a feeling!!

Another surprised awaited Darrell once he was able to get off his bike, grab some water & say hello to a few fellow brothers…  Our Pastor, Ryan Wright, flew in this morning & was at the firehouse waiting for us to arrive.  He brought with him cards, letters & lots of love from our church family…  Thank you so much Ryan! 

After being there about 15 minutes they got a call & down the pole came one of the firefighters.  They went into action of getting on their gear & off they went.  Our guys, Dave, Darrell & Fred, are excited to be staying at the Big House.  It was assumed Darrell would go to the Marriott to stay with Steph for the night before she flew out, however, that wouldn’t be the case…  Darrell wasn’t going to pass up an opportunity to stay at a Chicago Firehouse & Steph couldn’t blame him.  In fact truth be told Steph wanted to stay at the firehouse too & run calls…

Fred also has another nickname now “The Commish”.  Several of the guys swear he looks like the old Commissioner – so there you go…  We weren’t sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing so you make the call.

We were treated to a great dinner:  steaks, salad - with any kind of dressing you may desire, potatoes, corn on the cob, grilled onions, stuffing, & garlic French bread.  As the firefighters gathered around to eat we also just settled in as well.  It gets a little quite around the firehouse this size when dinner is served.  Thank you to “Moon” for cooking us such a great dinner.

After dinner, we checked Steph into her hotel & then Fred had a great idea…  Let’s go get a drink at the Trump Towers.  The building is amazing and the view is picture perfect.  We sat outside enjoyed a cocktail, pork sliders & frozen bananas dipped in chocolate.

When we returned to the firehouse some of the guys were sitting outside just chillin watching the people go by, while others were watching TV & playing cards.  The one thing we noticed is that the station is so big there are all these little areas that the guys can just chill, be by themselves if they so choose.  There is also a mini basketball court at this station just in case you want to pick up some B-Ball.

From Steph:  I guess my time at being a SAG driver is at an end.  I have had such a great time riding with Fred, singing songs with him & just keeping each other company.  Hey, being a SAG driver is not an easy job (yeah, yeah – the guys are riding approximately 100 miles a day) – but let’s not forget who’s supporting them…  Fred is the Man!  He does their laundry, gets the food restocked, restocks the ice, & has to figure out exactly where these guys are located at any given time.  I’ve only been with them a few days & I can tell you it is work.  Imagine only having to drive less than 70 miles but it taken you all day to get there (drive 10 miles – stop; blog, load photos, videos for a few hours then find the guys; repeat – you get the picture).

Here is a little history about Chicago Fire Dept.

*Fire poles originated in Chicago. 

*Snorkle firetrucks started in Chicago.

*Engine 42 firehouse could still potentially be the largest firehouse in the country

*All firehouses are named by the Engine Company except for Truck 24 & the reason for this is because  Truck 24 Firehouse is a single truck house.

*You’ll notice in the photos that the trucks & engines are painted red with a black top.  This is because years ago the commissioner drove in what they called a chiefs buggy, looked like a convertible with a leather top.  He liked this look & style so therefore the trucks & engines took the style on as well.

*There is also a green light & a red light outside on the wall of the firehouse.  The same commissioner years ago loved to boat so the lights were installed to represent the “port & starboard” of boating.

*Every Company has it’s own theme & this is chosen by the Company Officer.  He then submits it for approval to the big bosses.  At Engine 24 firehouse we saw the Tazmaning Devil, Wild Coyote and a few others.  Loved this!

We also noticed a bench that was in green & blue colors.  This had to mean something as well…  It did, each Company chooses it colors so theirs was blue & green.

I think these guys might have a long night awaiting them.  This firehouse runs about 23-26 calls per shift so we are hoping that Dave & Darrell will be able to run calls with them while they are here.

Good-Night Chicago… 

Had a great time in Chi -town and finding it hard to get out. Thanks  for the great hospitality.

Chicago Fire station 42 Shift 1

Sugar Grove, IL & Aurora Township, IL

The one thing about this trip is it has been planned for a long time... Darrell has taken almost 1 1/2 yrs to plan the route checking it not only once but several times.  There is a plan on how many miles they are going to travel on their route, where they begin their day & where they end it however, everything in between well, it just happens..

Today was one of those days...  Fred & Steph spotted a firehouse so off they went to do some PR work, waved the guys down & there we were visiting with another great group of guys...  Steph got another first...  Up in the bucket she went 104' - can't believe she went all the way to the top.  She event had to make sure of the firefighters first name just in case something happened...  Thank you Jason!!!




We were finally able to get some shots of the top of the trailer to show the great work that Darrell's brother, Dwight did...  343 sign...  Dwight - Thank you so much for the work & getting that on the trailer.





When we left Waterman, IL, Jerry had brought Darrell & Dave a flag that was made from 9/11 & it has the NY skyline with the Twin Towers on the flag.  They wanted Darrell & Dave to take it to NY.  While we were at Sugar Grove they were able to show the firefighters this flag...  Thank You Jerry - what an honor!!

A little further down the road after riding on the V.L. Gilman trail Dave & Darrell stopped at the Aurora Township Firehouse.  Another patch was put on the door to take to New York...

Off to Chicago we go!!

Leaving Waterman, IL

People are people know matter where you travel...  They work hard, have families, care about their communities and just want to enjoy life...




The town of Waterman is no different.  We were able to spend some quality time with Dave, Clidea, their daughter, Amanda and Dave & Toni...  Dave & Toni opened their home to us four where we were able to have a great hot shower, warm beds & then a wonderful breakfast this morning before we left...  Not to mention Fred & Steph kept them up late last night blogging, loading videos and photos...

After some conversation we found out that there is a long history of firefighters from Chicago on Toni's side of the family.  Her father was retired from the Chicago Fire Dept.  He passed a few years back however, he has left a lifetime of impression on Toni in regards to the fire service.  Toni is also an EMT
Thank you for his dedication as well...

Dave & Clidea Lave are getting ready to celebrate their 25 wedding anniversary.  They are leaving town soon to spend time in Seattle to celebrate and here in the midst of them planning their trip they were able to get us all taken care of...  Thank you SO much & Congrats on the 25 years...


We even got to meet Emmitt, their german shepherd which made Darrell & Steph miss our little Boslee more & more...




Off to Chicago we go...

Waterman/Shabbona Fire Dept Escort

Waterman - Little town, population of 920 but mighty in power

Today was a long day...  Dave & Darrell rode 112 miles with beautiful rolling hills & some humidity.
We stopped at one point & rested on someone's lawn & used their tree for a beautiful shady spot.

We were hoping to get into Waterman, IL around 5:30-6:00 pm however, we got in after 8 pm.
After several phone calls with Dave Lave, who is the Fire Chief of Waterman, he had arranged to have the guys escorted in from Shabbona and then into Waterman.



Seemed like it was taking forever to get the guys to arrive but around 7:30 we saw them coming around the bend & they were very surprised to see all the vehicles here to greet them.  Shabbona had Ambulance and Tanker Truck.  Then the county joined in with two police escorts.  Waterman had an Engine,  Grass Fire Truck, two ambulances,  and Police Department


As Fred & I looked behind we couldn't believe the amount of cars behind us that just had to wait for this escort to end.


As we came into town the Boy Scouts were on the side of the road standing with American Flags.  The towns people were out showing their support.  What an AMAZING greeting the guys received.  As Dave said "it gave him goosebumps"...

For dinner they treated us to a wonderful Italian dinner and was able to stay the night with our new friends Dave (another Dave) & Toni, his wife.  Thank you so much for your hospitality...