The reunion of 3 generations of Yeongs in USA Part 1.

Yeye ( Grandpa) Yeong had expressed a wish to travel during our church family  camp in March 2017. He is already 89 years old and of good physical and mental health for his age. We do recognize the window for him to travel is not a very big window so we quickly proceeded to plan to bring him to Cleveland to see our son and his grandson Ken Jon this year before the very cold winter set in. 

I am awed by God's faithfulness in bringing us to Cleveland ( literally half a world away - 12 hours time difference) and safely back. When I reflect on the wonderful weather throughout the trip - my heart is moved by God's tender mercies and kindness to Yeye and to us. We were somewhat concerned over Yeye's health ( he had a lingering nagging cough that popped up each time he was in air-conditioned rooms) shortly before we left so much so Christy asked us if it was possible to cancel his airline tickets. We are so grateful to God that Yeye was in excellent health throughout the trip and did not cough at all despite experiencing temperatures from 5^oC in Lodi, Ohio to  40^oC in Dubai.

We broke the journey with 2 nights in Dubai, 2 nights in New York and then to Cleveland. The return journey would also have 2 nights in New York and 1 night in Dubai. This would help him and us adjust better to the long journey with the different time zones.I shall also break up the blog posts according to location rather than chronology. These posts are also to enable Yeye to recap and to understand his trip.I shall also begin this post by focusing on the reason for the trip - the reunion of the Yeongs and begin with the reunions in  Cleveland and Ohio. One of the things Yeye wanted to see very much was Ken Jon and Francesca 's home. He requested for a full family photo (chuin kar fook ) outside their home at Mayfield Village.

The Yeongs and the Luppinos outside KJF house

Yeye enjoyed exploring their house. He walked every inch of their front and back garden. He loved seeing how Ken Jon used his kitchen and various rooms. His happiest memories here are when Ken Jon cooked char koay teow one cold morning and also chicken curry the last night before we left for New York.

The chef in Yeye checks out how his grandson Ken Jon cooks the char koay teow.
When we came back to KL -we had a gourmet meal cooked by a renowned chef,
Yeye mentioned Ken Jon's char koay tasted better than the noodles
 of the renowned chef.

Savouring Ken Jon's char koay teow.

Ken Jon crowned our memories in Cleveland by cooking 
this yummy curry chicken for us that last night before we flew off.

Grandpa Yeye and grandson Ken Jon sit down to warm home cooked 
breakfast overlooking Ken Jon's front garden.

Jason with Isla - the cat before the fireplace.

Blue skies are reflected in KJF house windows.

Can that apple be eaten?

Lounging on the deck chair in the back garden

Yeye at the picnic table behind KJF home.

Last night together - grandson and grandfather still have lots to chat .

Francesca has decorated their home beautifully and tastefully.
View from the bathroom.

Francesca and Ken Jon planned many interesting excursions for us. We went to the Squire's Castle in North Chagrin  Reservation.

At the Squire's Castle in North Chagrin  Reservation grounds.

Yeye with the Squire Castle in the background.
The trees are still quite green.
Fall has not yet come here as of 30th Sept 2017.

"What tree is this?" Yeye asked. "Can you eat the fruits?"
The answer came much later through Frank Luppino's expertise.

This is a hickory nut tree. Remember our old nursery rhyme?
Hickory, Dickory Dock
The mouse ran up the clock....
The fruit can be eaten and the wood used to make clocks.
The aha moment.

We also went to Lake Erie waterfront near Euclid Creek Reservation. Crossing the Cuyahago River on the bridge helped us understand  the difference between West Side and East side Cleveland. We toured a local famous beer brewery near the West Side market and had a lovely dinner at the Flying Figs.

At the Cleveland signage with Lake Erie in the background

At the famous Cleveland brewery.
Francesca braved the trudge up and down the brewery.

West Side market

I studied North America in Geography at O' levels. Mrs Ong Eng Guan, my beloved and highly competent Geography teacher made sure I was able to draw free hand the map of North America and label it clearly. The result of Mrs Ong's training is that I enjoyed maps and understand the roles of the  5 Great Lakes and the St Lawrence waterway in developing the industries here.  Do you remember the names of  5 Great Lakes? Use the  pneumonic -HOMES - Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior. Cleveland sits on the eastern shore of Lake Erie. Thanks Mrs Ong!

Jackie and Frank Luppino hosted us for 5 days at their farm in Lodi.  On 2nd October, they took us  (and 3 bikes) to Kelleys Island - one of the many islands on Lake Erie. We drove an hour+ to Sandusky and boarded the ferry for Kelleys Island. We cycled all around that island that day while Jason and Yeye rode in a golf cart. Frank is a great tour guide cum educator and uncontested forest expert while Jackie keeps us happy and comfy and well fed. Thank you - Jackie and Frank Luppino!

We cycled all around Kelleys Island . It was a very good
workout andnear the end - Jason had to take over the bike
while I went to drive the golf cart. with Yeye.

Yeye and Jason rode around in the golf cart.

Cleveland to Euclid to Medina to Sandusky and Kelleys Island and Milan
and back to Medina

Do you know the great lakes are remnants of glaciers? The huge glacial grooves on Kelleys Island are evidence that the Lakes were part of the receding glaciers.  The glacial grooves are the most popular natural destination on Kelleys Island. Our grooves are the largest and best accessible example of this geological phenomenon anywhere in the world! The glacial grooves are 400 feet long, 35 feet wide and up to 15 feet deep. They were created by the slow movement of the massive glacier that created the Great Lakes and Lake Erie Islands. (www.kelleysislandchamber.com/place/glacial-grooves)

 Jackie made us happy all the time.

Yeye and Jackie by the side of the deep and long glacial grooves.

On the way back from Kelleys Island, we had an unexpected bonus. Frank took us to visit Milan, the birthplace of the famous Thomas Alva Edison! Yeye was absolutely delighted and thrilled as he knew who Edison was. 

See Yeye's  happy smile  as he posed with the
 historical marker of Thomas A. Edison birthplace.

Yeye behind Thomas Alva Edison home.

Posing with Frank Luppino outside Thomas A Edison birth home.

I like the historical markers in Ohio. They really helped me learn a lot
 and make me realize Ohio is more significant  than I currently comprehend. 

Thomas A. Edison lived about 500 meters away from the Milan Canal which saw big schooners come in daily from the lakes.  His exposure to the international sailors in his early childhood may have sparked off the curiosity and began the innovative spirit within him to invent so many things. The Milan Canal later closed up after the invention of the locomotive.

My geography lessons learned 44 years ago become alive as we transverse various parts of Lake Erie including east of its entire length up to the Niagara Falls between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. But The Niagara Falls story will come in another post.