Michigan City 2010

July 19, 2010

Our favorite place to be in the evening. We take an updated shot in the same position each visit.

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Our forth trip to Michigan City fully documented here for our family. The weather and water has been the warmest yet. The highs have stayed in the mid-upper 80’s with just the right mix of sun and clouds. 

The cottage is showing wear as other guest at the house hasn’t been treating it with total care.  We were greeted with a wiggling door knob, a play station not working, a missing coffee pot, electric sockets taped over and not working, and an empty propane tank on the grill. Since arriving the door knob has been fixed, the electric is supposed to be working right again (afraid to check), and the rental office has given us another coffee pot.  I haven’t told the office yet about needing a new propane tank for the grill. A grill is a must for a family on vacation!! Update: A new propane tank has arrived. 

This trip has brought out how much Hannah and Nick are growing up. At the park Nick is swinging across a kid-zip line that he was afraid to in the past and Hannah is flying across the monkey bars just like a monkey. The monkey bars took her all seven days on the last visit to master.  Both Hannah and Nick are riding their scooters to the beach verses us pulling them in a wagon.  This is a bitter-sweet milestone and indicator that my babies are growing up.  Nick says riding his scooter makes him think about food and makes him hungry. When we return from the beach it is usually dinner time and everyone is grilling out.  He loves the smell!

Jason has been getting much needed sleep and relaxation with the family that he hasn’t been able to get in the past weeks, with work and the remodeling project consuming most of his time and sleep. 

I have enjoyed eating all our meals together as we very seldom get to do, plus I have Jason helping with the food prep and cleanup, which is a welcoming break. I am looking forward to playing and spending time with Hannah and Nick on the rest of the vacation as school will start in a few weeks after we return. 

Monday With the threat of rain in the forecast for the entire day, we spent the early part of Monday afternoon at the outlet stores.  It ended up to be a beautiful sun shining day.  Jason bought some new clothes and sandals, Nick bought an Iron Man 2 wrist shooter toy, and Hannah picked out some sparkly new shades, some school clothes, and a new Webkinz (that was promised for her birthday). We grabbed lunch out and headed back to spend the remainder of the afternoon at the beach and dinner at the cottage, cranberry-apple chicken (a recipe Hannah stole from Aunt Jen’s recipe book). The day ended with a trip to the park, card game of Uno, a little wine, and Sammy the Seal shows. Yes, Sammy the Seals show. Jason taught Hannah new tricks to perform with her newly adopted Webkniz pet seal, who she named Sammy. Sammy the Seal was the first longer length book she had ever read and originally was Jason's as a boy. 

Tuesday Today I woke up to the sound of rain. Hoping it was something else. It isn’t supposed to get out of the high 70's today, but weatherchannel.com hasn’t been right yet.  I probably need to find out the weather in the local news.  Here’s to another great day at the beach and hoping the weather man has got the weather all wrong again.  Tomorrow is supposed to be a warm, sunny day in the 90’s.   I have been enjoying a cup of Jason’s gourmet coffee every morning and some time to myself at the computer.  I guess it has ended for me today as I hear the sound of little feet and Nick already playing with his new toy he got yesterday for a souvenir, now complete with lost pieces.  I guess the hunt begins!  All pieces found and look forward to another great day with my family!!!

The weather here has been rapidly changing.  Now, the high for today is in the mid 80’s and a chance of scattered thunderstorms.  Better, I think we will get ready for a day at the beach. 

Today turned into the best beach trip yet.  It was a nice sunny day in the 80’s.  The weather man predicted rain throughout the day.  Nick enjoyed tossing his water bomb ball back and forth he earned it at the library for participating in their reading program.  Jason, Nick, and Hannah built a small kingdom of sandcastles.  The stately sandcastles attracted some small pirates, who wanted to steal our buckets and stick decorations, and demolish the kingdom.  I was really amazed the parents let their children run free as I watched them do it.  I stopped the bucket thief in her (sand) tracks.  We have taken a mid-day break and Jason has gone to the outlet malls and grocery store.  He is on a hunt for a new bathing suit.  We are going to go to the park and swimming pool after dinner if it isn’t too late.  Update: Hannah and Jason went to the pool and Nick and I went to the park.  Hannah and Jason took an evening stroll through Waterfall Park.  We ended the day by watching Pete’s dragon and falling asleep.

Wednesday The start of the last two full days here.  I woke up to sunny skies, better start than yesterday.  I am going to try not to check the weather today, since it hasn’t been correct so far.  The highs are supposed to be in the 90’s.  I am looking forward to another full day at the beach, this time with sunscreen for me.  Yesterday, I came back roasted.  I am putting a roast in the Crockpot for dinner tonight.  We should leave the cottage smelling good with all the cooking that has been going on in the kitchen.  I brought Hannah and Nick to the park this morning after breakfast while Jason drank coffee and woke up some more.  It warmed up pretty fast this morning, so we didn’t stay at the park long.  We went back and prepared to go the pool only to get detoured because there was “an accident” in the pool.  We came back to the cottage for lunch and are now heading out to the beach, wishing we brought our umbrella on vacation today.  It is going to be a hot one.  Nick would like a ride in the wagon today to the beach instead of his scooter.  Update: Nick rode his scooter to the beach and back.  I helped with little push breaks here and there.  It was hot at the beach, but as always we had a great time playing in the sand and water.  We spent some time relaxing back at the cottage, and Jason made us some banana/ strawberry daiquiris.  We played game of shoots and ladder and went to the park while Jason finished up dinner.  Nick made friends with a friendly 9 year old girl at the park.  Hannah joined in on playing.  I could stay on vacation forever, but Jason is ready to get back home soon. 

Thursday The heat index could reach up to 105 degrees today.  Instead of walking to the beach, I think we will stay closer and go to the pool.  Packing and getting ready to head home.  Planning trip to the beach after dinner… Update:  We went to the beach after dinner to see it one more time and to watch the sunset.  The sunset was beautiful and we stayed and played and built sandcastles on the beach till 10pm.  The water was warm and the temperature wasn’t as hot.  We should have spent more of the hot days there in the evening.  We packed up when we arrived back at the cottage and headed home to make the drive during the night to avoid traffic and making stops with the kids. Can’t wait to do it again next year!

Tags: vacation , family

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1st Annual Apple Smash yields 47 gallons of cider

October 18, 2009

The first annual "Apple Smash" yielded 47 gallons of cider and a few hours of great fun among our family and friends.

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The word for this weekend is most certainly "extraction" - that is, getting the juice from what mother nature has given us. Gently pressing, or violently smashing, it's all good. On Saturday, I helped the Specters press their grapes in Dave's refurbished grape press. On Sunday, we did our "1st Annual Apple Smash" using the cider press my dad refurbished but never got to use. Many years later, it finally did it's maiden smash. Two truckloads of green, red and yellow apples, a dedicated cart, wash, cut and smash crew, and we have 47 gallons of liquid gold. Everyone took home more then enough, and I have enough left to make 20 gallons of apple wine... and 5 gallons of Apple Jack.

Thanks to Dave and Sara Specter, Mark and Tracy Webster, Libby, the kids and my wonderful wife Susan. Special thanks to the Kinkers for providing the beautiful venue, the means, and some mysteriously good coconut curry soup.

With a week of gloomy, dank, cold rainy weather a week before, and a frost the night before, it turned out to be a BEAUTIFUL day and a perfect end to a summer with a very strange crop cycle. I look forward to doing it again next year!

Tags: nature , wine , family , friends

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Nick's Birthday Canoe Trip

August 01, 2009

My little fella who is becoming a real outdoorsman.

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We took a trip down the Whitewater River via Morgans in Brookville for Nick's 5th birthday. The weather was beautiful and we saw a bunch of wildlife including many turtles and a beaver as big as a pig. The river was busy as many other unthusiasts siezed the day.

Afterwards, we headed over to uncle Michael's to grill out and eat cake. Took some good pics to document the experience.

Tags: canoe , brookville , family , trips

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It's officially summer when you make ice cream

June 20, 2009

Pouring in the milk in the same ice cream maker we used when I was a kid. If you're serious about ice cream, go to a flea market or somewhere and locate an old hand-crank one with a heavy metal cannister inside. Avoid the modern, plug-in plastic crap.

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On Sunday, we'll celebrate Hannah birthday a little early before we go on vacation. Strawberry ice cream was our test run Friday night. We'll do it again on Sunday with all the other kids and chocolate and butter pecan is on the menu.

We used this same ice cream maker when I was a kid. Yeah you have to hand crank it, but that's the point. The kids tend to tire out a little early, but when I take over to finish it off, I think back when my dad did this same thing with us. Our electric maker just collects dust. They make things so shitty now days. Plastic and thin metal for the canister. This ice cream maker has a solid, heavy metal canister with a lid. The point is so the ice and slat can cool it so cold, that the ice cream actually sets up. It gets harder to crank and you know, it's almost time. We added in the fresh cut strawberries and cranked it somemore.

Finally, on a sultry, sweaty hot night, the whole family about busted in to song as each of us felt the essence of summer.

Thinkin' this thing is going to come out a lot this year!

Tags: family , friends

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Morgan's Ft. Ancient Canoe and Cabin Trip

May 13, 2009

Deb and Andy led the way when we put into the Little Miami river for a scenic day of paddlin'.

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We shook it up a little this year for Susan's birthday. She usually likes to canoe and camp on her birthday and we usually go to the Brookville location. This year, we tried the Ft. Ancient location since it has been so long since we visited there. We also wanted to pay our visit to the June Morgan River Sanctuary.

It was good to see all my cousins and my uncle Bob who I usually only see during the holidays or other significant gatherings. We stayed in the cabins at Riverside Campground and the place looked beautiful. Upon arrival Lori was weeding the flower beds and Dirk was making picnic tables. It's clear the Morgans go out of their way to provide a fun-filled experience with the grounds pleasing to the eye and hospitality equal to down south.

We were driven up the river to put in at the Livery. Cousin Randy opened the door of the van and greeted us while Gary gave us a tour of the livery and the upstairs museum. I'm so glad my family are the chief proprietors around these parts. They have collected knowledge of the area and responsibly documented it as well as organized fossils, points, stones and other artifacts for display and education. The Morgans truly are the keepers of this land and river.

The canoe trip was as scenic as ever. We stopped at Junes Sanctuary and talked about her pioneering the efforts to clean up this once polluted river. The weather was beautiful and we soaked in the scenery and even caught some turtles basking in the sun on a log (see pictures).

After the trip, I ran into my uncle Bob at Riverside campground and got to catch up and update him on my dad. Then, Dirk showed us a tree that was leaning over a little too far so he jumped on the tractor and pulled it straight. Sunday morning, I watched (with some guilt) Dirk pounding rocks and dirt around the planter to stabilize the tree that we straightened the day before.

Later in the evening on Saturday, Dirk and Lori gave us a tour of their home and we finally got our glimpse of the famed turtle rock as well as the other awesome artifacts in Dirk's personal collection. Later, they set up a corn-hole tournament at the campground that thoroughly entertained us and our guests. It's been a long time since I've been able to slow down and forget about work and responsibility and I want to thank my family for welcoming us and our visiting friends from Louisville and helping us forget about things for a while. For those of us over-worked and under-paid, it really goes a long way and means a lot. After our friends Andy and Debbie were stuck on I-71 for an hour and a half on their commute up on Saturday morning, it really meant a lot to them as well.

These pictures should capture the trip just fine. Enjoy, and we really want to go back soon!

Thanks and much love, Jason and Susan

Tags: family , canoe , ft. ancient , nature

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Wine Cellar Event Sat. Feb. 21

February 20, 2009

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On Saturday, we ate, drink and were merry with good friends. Over the last 2 years, I have really been digging the red wines. To me, reds *are* more complex animals and hard to figure out both in the tasting and making. But I drink what I like and it spans from sweet to dry. I look at the craft in the style of wine in reds more so than whites. It seems there’s more tinkering done in the cellar with red wines… and rightly so.

These are NOT all the wines that were available. They were this years, “featured selections.” My idea is to feature a diverse group of wines from sweet to dry and cheap to expensive, both red and white. People liked some, but not all. Seems my homemade peach wasn't so hot. In fact, it tasted soapy :( - But, I plan to play with it some more. You watch, I may just bring it around. My Plum wine however, was something to gett jiggy to.

Here was the official line up, but it didn't include many wines that were brought... and additional wines that were pulled from the cellar.

Reds

2007 Menage A Trios (a blend) - Folie A Deux
2007 Chianti – Ruffino
2005 Syrah Petite - Stags Leap
2005 Syrah - Columbia Winery
2004 Syrah - Red Bicyclette

Whites

2007 Voignier - Stags Leap
2007 Moscato - Sutter Home
2007 Gewurtztraminer - Chateau St. Michelle
2006 Savignon Blanc - Bogle
2007 Chardonnay - Bogle

Sparking

2005 Champagne - Valley Vineyards

My Homemade

2007 - Concord
2008 - Peach
2008 - Plum
2008 - Strawberry
2007 - Niagra Ice Wine (juice from a kit… real deal stuff)

Thankfully, my wife shares the passion enough to where we’ve sinfully set up a budget for wine-buying. The goal was to put some good stuff in the cellar, but it’s so hard to keep our hands off it! So the cycle repeats. We find ourselves being wine junkies to the extent of grabbing a quick bottle of the shelf to try something new. It’s cool when you find a good $5-10 bottle that you really like. The point of my featured selections is not to wow or woo. It’s to expose everyone to a variety of wines… and particularly, ones I’ve been drinking lately. Around here, we “drink what we like.” If you like it, and it happens to be priced right, remember who introduced you to it :)

Wine is fun and finding people who appreciate it the same is a blast. Thanks to all those who contributed something to the wine and food. What a great experience. So, see you at the next taste. Check out the pics from this years event.

Tags: cellar , family , food , friends , wine

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Michigan City, Our new Beach Vacation Spot!

July 02, 2008

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Our family vacation is going wonderfully. We spent our first night exploring the beach resort. Our house is situated across from "waterfall park," and overlooking Lake Kai, one of the man-made lakes. So that is where we went first. It is a pond surrounded by tall grasses and has a waterfall in the middle and a dock that extends out in the water. While we were there, we spotted a beaver at work, he was pulling sticks across the pond and took them under with him. Then we went to go find Sheridan beach, since we planned to go there in the morning. Along the way, we toured the streets and admired all the beautiful houses. The community is perfect, from the houses to its people. Everybody is very friendly. The community is very diversed and everyone seems to get along well. Nothing like you find in the city. When we arrived at the beach we went across a long board walk that is surrounded by an aray of plant life, trees, and birds chirping. The sounds the birds make are very relaxing and beautiful and is only a prelude to what it is like at the beach. I would never have imagined these freshwater lakes would be like the ocean, and even more breath-taking. We played on the beach some, and then headed back to out house, when it started to get dark.

The next day we went to Beachwalk's community park for children. Hannah wanted to go the night before, but it got too dark. The park has lots of tires, slides, a treehouse, and is equipped with a zip line just for small children. Nicholas likes playing on the tires and Hannah likes the zip line. After the park, we went to the beach. The kids have really got into playing in the sand and water. We have fallen in love with the community and could even imagine living here.

Sunday we woke up and got ready to play on the beach. After the beach we retreated back to our house and ate dinner. We went to the park and headed back home when the bugs started biting. We have played in the houses back yard with their yard toys and of course the red wine has been flowing. We ended the night playing boards games with Nicholas and Hannah.

Monday was pretty much like Sunday, more relaxing times on playing on the beach and at the park. Jason played in the sand with the kids and sculpted a crocodile. The kids loved it. We also brought the ipod for tunes at the beach. The weather and everything couldn't be more perfect.

Tuesday was Hannah's birthday. I woke up and baked a cake for her 6th birthday. I can't believe it has been six years already. We first spent the day playing on the beach. Jason made another crocodile for the kids. I don't know who is enjoying the sand the most. We also brought the ipod back again, so we could enjoy the tunes while we were relaxing on the beach. Then we came back and ate lunch. Hannah wanted to go to the park and Nicholas wanted to go to the swimming pool. So that is what we did. Jason took Hannah to the park, and I took Nicolas to the swimming pool. Jason played hide and seek with Hannah in the park, and Nicholas and I played "going on a shark hunt" in the pool. Nicholas loves the water and can't get enough of it. That night we ate a crock pot dinner along with birthday cake and played in the backyard with their yard games and bubble guns, I packed. After the bugs started to get thick we headed indoors where they all enjoyed playing on the playstation.

Wednesday we went to the beach, it was a little breezy, so we didn't stay as long as the other days. We went out into the water mostly since the sand was really blowing on the beach. Hannah and Nicholas wanted to come back home to the "purple" house, so we headed back and stopped at the heated swimming pool on the way.

There are people across the street who live in Moores Hill, IN. They came over and said hi and they knew a friend of Jason's. They also gave us access to their wireless network, so Jason doesn't have to go into town to check his email. We've used all the amenities of the house fully. Jason sits out on the top deck with his guitar (or laptop) and we've been through the yard toys and games inside. We're only half way through the vacation. We have a lot of pictures and video that we'll get up when we get back.

More in day or two, Susan.

Tags: family , vacation

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October Water Skiing

October 19, 2007

Who'd a thunk it? A beautiful day in October on Brookville Lake. The water was great. Here's some pics of a fine day out on Brookville Lake with Michael and the kids.

Tags: family , trips

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September 2007

September 28, 2007

We celebrated our six year wedding anniversary and managed to squeeze in a night out alone. Jason's mom and grandma watched the kids. We had a very nice dinner together. The kids enjoyed staying at home and playing with their grandmas.

We celebrated Bill and Shirley's 50th wedding anniversary together at the Canoe Livery. It was great seeing the whole family. We hope to get to see everyone soon.

Hannah continues to work very hard in school and has completed her first grading period.

Hannah went on her first field trip. Susan went too. They went to an apple orchard. The whole class got to pick their own apple, and later peal and eat it together. They saw how apples are sorted, washed, and stored. The class played games together and had storytime. They even got to go on a hay ride. Hannnah had lots of fun.

We managed to get a few extra swims in at our friend's pool in the month of September. That is one good thing that has came out of all the hot September weather. Hannah and Nic have become quite good getting around in the pool on their own.

Susan, Hannah, and Nic went boating on Susan's brother boat. It was Nic's first time on a boat. We were uncertain how he would react, but he kept saying "faster, faster". Hannah went tubing with her cousins Abby and Andrew. She didn't want to get out of the tube when it was time. It was a wonderfully relaxful Sunday. Too bad we forgot our camera, but we drew a picture when we got home.

Jason has remained busy throughout the month of September working most nights and weekends. Despite his hectic schedule, he is making time to practice with his band to get ready to play at a benefit. If you are interested in attending the benefit and contribruting to a good cause, contact Jason for more details.

Tags: family , trips , anniversary

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August 2007

August 06, 2007

The whole family came together to celebrate Nicholas's birthday. We grilled out and played games. Hannah started kindergarten so Susan busily gathered school supplies and clothes for her. Nicholas got a lot of exercise riding his new and much bigger bike he received for his birthday. Hannah continues to read lots of books.

Both of us continue to work around the yard. The garden was our largest, and most successful ever. The grass is officially the worse ever due to the drought. We're glad we didn't pay a lawn service this year.

Here are pictures for August.

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July 2007

July 31, 2007

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July was a busy month for us. At the beginning of the month, Jason had his neck surgery. He was back at his desk in 4 days but taking it easy. Five days after, we went to a riverside party at a friends.

The following week, we went to Moonlight Gardens at Old Coney to see Old Crow Medicine Show (a concert Jason scheduled his surgery around.) Jason's brother Kyle came in from Korea with 9 of his extended family. We hosted a Saturday at our house, and we prepared about 7-8 American dishes. Most things were grown in our garden and Jason served plenty of homemade wine and beer (dark and light).

For the kids, Susan arranged activities from sack races to roasting marshmallows over the fire. We hoped to provide the real American experience and look forward to seeing our extended Korean family again soon.

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Morgan Christmas in Brookville

December 27, 2006

The Morgan family Christmas took place at the Brookville Canoe Livery. A White Elephant gift-exchange was thoroughly entertaining and spirits were high and happy.

We remembered June Morgan who we lost in August.

We were happy to see all the family and look forward to seeing those who didn't make it SOON!

Tags: morgan , family , brookville

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November 2006

November 22, 2006

Here's photos for November 2006. A lot of photos taken by Susan capture the essence of Fall quite well. Also included are some photos that I left out from October... the pumpkins and Susan in her Raggedy-Ann get-up.

A quick, overdue visit to Louisville to see Andy and Debbie really hung Susan up on the pinball machine. Susan didn't really have a lot of time for small-talk and to socialize since there was a 790,000,000 high score to beat. Great fun.

We hope November finds everyone in good spirits and ready for Turkey. If you stop by the site, sign the guestbook so we know you're still alive. We look forward to seeing everyone for the holidays... or shortly after? Until then, be safe, have fun and hug your family for us.

Tags: family

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October 2006

October 31, 2006

October is a busy month for the Morgans. Of special meaning to me is celebrating my Grandmothers birthday. Edith turned 93 this year and she's truly an amazing woman. She still drives to the spa and gets in her workout per the doctors orders. She takes her friends on bus trips through Branson, MI to see stage shows and still watches her grandchildren whenever she can find a free moment. She's an example and inspiration to us all that truly loving life and enjoying your family can bring longevity not known by people half her age. We love you grandma.

October brings birthdays for myself and Aunt June as well. Included in this album is a picture of the October birthday crowd, the kids and happnin's around the house. Hope this month finds you well too.

Tags: family

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Coyote Creek Farms

October 23, 2006

Friends Freddy and Anna invited us to join them at Coyote Creek Farm (a local trip!) for a family day of pumpkin fun.

Highlights of the day were the pumpkin sling-shot, the corn-cob shooter, buffalo burgers, a hayride to the pumpkin patch, and of course all the animals on the farm! The kids were in heaven. Time was well spent and the weather was perfect!

Tags: family , trips

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September 2006

September 29, 2006

Finally got that new driveway we've been wanting since we moved into the house. Bit the bullet and did asphalt. Held out so long for cement, but it would have been a cool 12-13k and I knew I'd never spend that kind of cash on a driveway. I found a few flaws already, but the dude is coming back and hopefully squaring things away.

Plenty of pics of the kids and the new driveway in use already! The kids are growing faster then I'd like! Hannah was a natural in preschool and looks forward to every day of it. Here's the pics for September.

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Pictures for August 2006

August 20, 2006

An album of pics through August has been put up. August was a hard month. June Morgan (Jason's aunt) died on August 10th. A big surprise. She was diagnosed with Lymphoma cancer and died 17 days later. She was a very accomplished woman, wife of Bob Morgan and Morgan's Canoe Liveries, and touched the lives of many. We have placed a memorium on the home page of the site that will link you to her large obituary in the Cincinnati Enquire, as well as a number of photo albums that included June. She will be missed.

Other news in August is that we find outselves rather happy, healthy and fortunate. We hope you can say the same and we look forward to seeing friends and family soon.

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Farewell to a Morgan

August 17, 2006

View June's Obituary

June Morgan passed on August 10, 2006, but she remains in our hearts. She was an incredible person who meant a lot to us all. She was a devoted, loving mother and wife and we will truly miss, but never forget, her. May she rest in peace and watch over us from above. God Bless you, June. We love you. -Jason Morgan and Family

June Morgan, age 72, resident of Warren County, Ohio died Thursday, August 10, 2006. Born in Muncie, Indiana, June was the daughter of Virgil and Mildred (Artrip) Dugger. June graduated from Western Hills High School in 1952. She married her high school sweetheart, Robert W. Morgan, on September 11, 1954, when they were both students at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. They are the proud parents of 5 sons.

Bob taught at Sycamore High School and to supplement his income, he and June began "Canoe Trails" in the late 50's, a program which took hundreds of boys from the Greater Cincinnati area on 2-3 week long camping and canoe trips in Canada, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia and Tennessee. The boys knew June as "Blooming Flower", since she often would find wildflowers and wear them in her hair. On these trips, she was famous for her cooking- especially the yeast doughnuts she would make and let rise on the side of a hot canoe.

Bob and June established their first canoe livery, Morgan's Canoe and Outdoor Center, on the Little Miami River in Ft. Ancient in 1964, where they have resided since the early 1960's.

Throughout June's life, she was always involved with children and nature. She was a 4H Leader and taught children about conservation and nature. She also was instrumental in getting the Little Miami River designated as a National Wild and Scenic River, where she served on the advisory board of the Little Miami Incorporated. She served as president of the Middle Council of the Little Miami Incorporated for a time in the 60's. In 1969, she was the first woman to descend down the Gauley River in West Virginia on a whitewater raft with Bob. In 1970, she was chosen by Family Circle Magazine as Homemaker of the Year, where she was featured with her 5 boys and their pets, along with some of her famous recipes. As the grandchildren started to arrive, she instilled in them this same love of nature and animals. Her 16 grandchildren know and love her as "Jumie".

In the late 1990's, cable station HGTV featured June, Bob and their family on the program, "TheGood Life", which was broadcast nationally. By this time, 4 of their 5 sons had taken over the family canoe and outdoor businesses located in Ft. Ancient, Ohio and Brookville, Indiana. This allowed June and Bob to travel extensively in the Fla. Everglades and Louisiana where Bob would fish, and June would often paint scenes from nature.

Bob and June continued their love of sharing nature with others, by opening a small bed and breakfast eco-lodge called Morgan's Jungle Lodge in the late 1990's on the remote and pristine Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica . National Geographic lists this area as one the most "biologically diverse places on the planet". Here, she acquired yet another name, "Jungle June". June enjoyed the daily visits from the white-faced monkeys, the howler monkeys, macaws and other various rainforest animals. Many area families traveled to the lodge and recognized this as a very special place run by a very special lady.

June was preceded in death by her parents, and sister, Nancy (Dugger) Theobold. She is survived by her husband, Bob, and five children, Greg (Tracy) Morgan, Gary (Moira) Morgan, Dirk (Lori) Morgan, Rob (Michelle) Morgan and Randy (Joni) Morgan. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, Jon and Drew Morgan; Chas and Mary Cate Morgan; Hunter Morgan, Teisha (Morgan) Widmer, Jessica, Jordan, Joni and Jadey Riewoldt; Ashley, Anne and William Morgan; and Amanda and Randall Morgan.

The visitation was held at the Bolton Lunsford Funeral Home, 3042 Harrison Ave, from 5-8PM on Wednesday August 16th.

A memorial service was held at Westwood United Methodist Church (the church they were married at,) 3460 Epworth Ave, Cincinnati, OH on Thursday, August 17, 2006 at 11 a.m.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider The June Morgan River Sanctuary Fund, c/o Lebanon Citizen's National Bank, 2 North Broadway,

Lebanon Ohio, 45036. This has been set up in June's honor and will provide a place of rest and reflection for paddlers on the Little Miami River.

View June's Obituary

Tags: genealogy , family

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Gatlinburg, TN 2006

May 08, 2006

Nothing complex.

This year, we wanted to do a vacation that was different from the rest... you know, one of those vacations where upon return, it's not like you slump down on the couch and say "Scccchhheeewwww... it feels good to be home!"

Well, don't get me wrong... we have kids... and it feels good to be home. But this trip rocked. It was just what we set out for. Easy booking... no check-in... impressive accomodations! ...at a great price too, nature so accessible, you jump off the porch into it.

I got to try out the new camera in many of the environments I have been wanted to try. I took the video camera... but it made it as far as a walk-through of the accomodations. I'll probably put that up later for family.

My brother-in-law and I fished the lake just outside. We caught us 7-8 blue-gill and decide to eat them. Alas, I need to refer to my local country einstein for the refresher on cleaning blue-gill. While we managed to get a few slabs and some pop-corn sized bites, still delish, I thought there was a better way to go at it. Scott?

There's something about nature that everyone can relate to... and you've maybe felt that feeling before when you're leaving the forest without having found what you went for in the first place.

Well, that was not me this weekend. A strong chord was struck that the whole family danced... no, not danced... aggressivley "jigged" to.

My little girl was so receptive to the nature around her, it brought a tear to my eye. We did two nice hikes and saw two great water falls. We made it to the aquarium... another thing we meant to do. And despite the Gatlinburg traffic (that we expected :) we still got to and fro.

For future trips to Gatlinburg... the "Gatlinburg By-pass" is a must to remember.

Last but not least... it was Susan's 30th birthday. We had a little party out on the spacious deck with hammock and citronella candle.

Anyway... I could really go on, but I hope these pictures will say it all.

Tags: vacation , family

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