A Hike at North Manchester, IN.

While Peggy and I were visiting my sister, Lois,  in North Manchester, IN, we took a 2K hike near and on the campus of  my alma mater, Manchester Univ.(formally Manchester College)   To get there we traveled over the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Ohio Turnpike and headed down rte #24 past Fort Wayne, IN to North Manchester, IN to Timbercrest Senior Community where Lois lives.

Our travels to Indiana took us to a weekend celebration of Lois' 90th birthday.  We enjoyed a reunion with family and friends while there, including my other sister, Mary Alice and her husband, Tom.  We were reunited with our niece, Mary Anna, and nephews, Tim and Michael.  And further we enjoyed seeing many of Lois' grand children and great grand children.

After the festivities of the weekend, we decided to take a hike on Monday, May 21, in honor of Megan.  This hike took us out of the Timbercrest community and into North Manchester, IN and on to the campus of Manchester Univ. where I graduated in 1960.  Some new buildings were not so familiar to me, but I could recognize the Administration bldg. as it stood in my memory.  Also the celebrated fountain was there.  Tradition was that new engaged couples (or perhaps the prospective grooms) were thrown into the water to initiate them to their marriage plans.  My chemistry classroom and lab building had been remodeled and turned into a computer science hall.

Memories of our college years stick with us and  college years become a significant influence on our lives.  I remember, clearly,  Megan's graduation from Binghamton Univ in her home town.  It was quite a festive day.  Now she is planning to attend Univ.of Buffalo as a graduate student.  Our best to her on this new adventure!

Previous    44K
Current        2K
Total          46K (Goal 100K)

Administration Bldg at Manchester Univ.

Traditional fountain

My remodeled chemistry hall

Remaining Bagwell family (sister Mary Alice, myself, and the 90 yr old, Lois)

While visiting the Santa Croces this past weekend Peggy and I decided to take a Volksmarch year round event. (YRE)  Our starting point was the YMCA in downtown Binghamton, NY.  On our hike we discovered several bridges that connect the roads into downtown Binghamton.  Two rivers merge in the city limits, the Susquehanna River and the Chenango  River.  I guess you call this a "confluence." So to get around in town you have to cross these rivers.

We enjoyed getting this view of Binghamton.  We have visited family here many times, but this was a great way to get more familiar with the city.  At the "confluence," we met a fisherman and watched him bring in a catch.  Further down the line we passed  the Roberson Museum which has a fabulous winter, Chistmas display during the season.

On another block we passed  Christ Episcopal Church, the oldest church in Binghamton. The city has many old, stately homes and commercial buildings.  While walking down State Street we were hailed over to the curb by another out of towner in her car.  She couldn't find a Savings and Loan bank.  Peggy whipped out her trusty phone navigation app and traced it down, only a few blocks ahead of us.  (Our good deed for the day)

We ended our Volksmarch back at the YMCA,  with a much fuller picture of Binghamton, NY, where the confluence of the two rivers occurs.  This term "confluence," where the forces of two rivers swirl and boil, reminds me of Megan's experiences with battling cancer.  It was and is a meeting and mixing, a confluence of many medical contents...medicines, operations, exams, etc.  Megan was working when we took this walk so she could not join us, but I'm sure all these scenes are "old hat" to her anyway.

Previous totals    39K
Current                 5K
Totals                  44K (Goal 100K)

The spot where two rivers meet.

The oldest church in Binghamton

Beautiful bridge at the confluence

Roberson Museum

An Oriole fan in NY territory