Ottawa, OH

Another storm

I got caught in the middle of a storm in Ottawa, Ohio.  Asked Denny, who works for the Putnam County Fairgrounds, for directions to the local hotel but found that it seemed to be closed for the season. I biked back over to the fairgrounds to see if I could hole up in one of their barns. Denny, another road angel, was gracious enough to let me use one of their offices where there is a couch. I'm out of the rain, out of the cold, and about to get into a warm down sleeping bag.  Really too bad that I couldn't keep going, the wind was coming from the east and I was making great time. Knocked out 20 miles in no time at all but had another 45 to 50 miles to go to reach my destination.  I was pretty well frozen, so I had to find a place to stay. I'll stay here for the night, see how tomorrow looks and attempt to make it to Monroeville, Indiana.  It's amazing how gracious people are when times are tough. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the citizens of Ottawa, Ohio, and the staff of Putnam County Fairgrounds.

To the Putnam County Fairgrounds staff:

Kindness and fellowship come in many forms but the most gracious form arises when a fellow being recognizes that another is in trouble and steps in to assist.  Recently retired, I decided to travel across United States by bicycle.  The purpose of this trip is to rediscover America as well as to honor nine fallen soldiers with whom I served in Vietnam as I carry their names across this nation.  You might say this is a trip of enlightenment, and one where I am rediscovering America and how great and giving a country we really are. While traveling on highway 224 I hit a terrible rainstorm and very cold weather. I approached Denny Kuhlman, an employee for Putnam County Fairgrounds, and asked for directions to the nearest hotel.   Upon arriving at the hotel I found it to be closed and therefore found myself with no place to stay.  I approached Denny to see if I could set up my tent in one of the barns. Not only did he offer such assistance but he opened up one of your office buildings where I might stay for the night.  Not stopping there, he made certain that I had transportation to a restaurant where I might get something to eat and offered his own personal heater so that I would have some warmth through the night as well.  I just want to send my heartfelt thanks for the hospitality shown to me by Denny, employees of the Putnam County Fairgrounds, as well as the Ottawa community as a whole.  It is communities such as yours that make America great. I have supplied my blog so that if you wish you can follow my travels across the United States. I have discovered, in my trip so far, the gracious hospitality that so many folks across our great nation so willingly offer as the need arises.  Ottawa represents some of the best of what I've seen so far. It is obvious that the citizens of this community show genuine concern, hospitality, and an abundance of graciousness.  Thank you for opening your doors to me, and I do hope that someday my wife and I may return the favor. Avid RVers, when not bicycling, I plan to take my wife back here at some later date so that she might meet the people of this wonderful town.  Again, thank you so very much.

Stephan Speer

Decatur, Illinois

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