Ohio - Family and more home work

The diesel in the Midwest is high in Bio/renewable content.  Our 2008 Mercedes 3.0 diesel engine was one of the most advanced on the market when it built.  Biodiesel was not as prevalent then.  On the freeways the stations cater to the big trucks, where 20% biodiesel is most common.

After our second fill-up in Kansas the check engine warning became illuminated.

I always add a few ounces of Diesel Kleen to each fill-up to help combat the Midwest fuels.

The Scan Gauge indicated the error code was P2457 and EGR failure.

Although the EGR valve is right on top of the engine, and I was prepared to clean it, it was stuck. 

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I gave it a whack with a hammer but it remained in place.  I didn’t want to whack it too hard, so I reinstalled the bolts with plans to try again later.

We then went down to Beavercreek to watch Fran’s baby brother play tennis in a clay court competition.

He didn’t do so great … guess clay is not his best court surface.

The Fraze hosted the annual Bacon Fest that weekend.  Fran and I road our bikes over, where we each had a carnitas and bacon soft taco.

and shared bacon churros for dessert.

Fran played some tennis on Monday while I rode my bike to Dorthey Lane Market.  They have the best salad bar around.

Along with a great selection of produce

and cheeses

The High School season is always kicked off on Thursday with the Battle of Kettering.  Fran’s Alter Knights vs her brother’s Fairmont Firebirds.

Fairmont won easily 31-7.  But the 8 turnovers kept the game exciting.

Fairborn hosts the Fairborn Sweet Corn Festival every year.  This is the first time we have attended.  We were a bit disappointed that there were not more corn options at in the food court. 

But they did have a lot of corn!  Burwinkel Farms corn was being delivered by the truck load …

for the gals to shuck …

and cooked up in a large steamer.

There were lots of food options and craft booths. 

a train ride for kids of all ages

and a pioneer life exhibit including axe throwing

The Burwinkel corn as quite good.  We left with a dozen ears with the plan to freeze some with the plan to compare it to the Olathe sweet corn of western Colorado.  We'll pick some up on the way home.

I’ll close this post now, and finish up our visit and the work done on the house next time.

OH YES! - Remember that black watermelon from my last post?  It survived the trip from Green River UT nicely.

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