Pennsylvania (Part 2) – Making Friends & Memories

The O'Keefe Family

Driving north we made our way to Pittsburgh, where we were invited to spend a couple of days with some new friends, the O’Keefe Family. Brian O’Keefe listened to an interview I did with the Free Agent Academy. After the interview Brian offered to help me set up our website. Then when he heard we were coming through Pittsburgh, he invited us to stay with him and his family. We had such a fantastic time with the O’Keefes that we dubbed them honorary Funhogs! The girls made fast friends with their 10 yr old daughter, Madeline; Elijah was enraptured with the older boys, Conner & Kyle; and Tirzah was thrilled with the puppies, Sadie & Kirch. Jodi and I stayed up late talking with Brian & Mary, finding many common interests.
We spent two nights being pampered with air conditioning, a soft bed, a spotless shower, wonderful meals, and several adventures.

Sledding

Brian took the kids for rides on the four wheeler and sledding behind it. We also went to the nearby Raccoon Creek State Park to canoe and swim. After dinner, they made smores over an open fire in the yard. The kids were having so much fun they asked if we could extend our stay several more days.
Alas we headed north to Franklin, Pennsylvania, where we had arranged to get some raw milk and farm fresh eggs. A friend from Phoenix had parents who own a dairy in Franklin, and we were delighted to meet Dallas and Peggy. Peggy showed us all over the farm and blessed us again and again with milk, eggs, peaches, and corn. She had such a kind and giving heart that she would not even allow us to pay her. She said that is just the way folks are in that part of the world, “They give freely and often.” We saw this in Warren, PA as well, where Jodi’s Aunt Pam lives with her family. Jodi’s family fed us dinner, and we spent the evening laughing at old stories. Then we camped in their backyard. We will remember Pennsylvania as the state of giving and kindness.

S'Mores Time

Peggy & The Dairy