Day Two, Rome, PA.....

Upated on our travels.....

Thursday morning we got up and drove down to Roma, PA. On the 2000 census, Rome's population was 382. There were more than 382 people that I went to high school with. So when we got to Rome Vet Center around 10am to meet up with Ben and his father Don.

We spent the day riding around and working with Dr. Don. He is the senior vet in the clinic. (Ben has been out of vet school since 07) I have to say that the people there are very nice. Don took us around on his farm calls. Doug got to do a DA surgery with Don on a cow, checked on a pregnant horse, and went to check on two goats that had been de-horned that were living in some lady's house. While travling around Don showed us all around the area. In all honesty we could have been driving in circles for all I know. The "Main" roads are paved and the "Back" roads are mostly gravel, both of which are winding through the "Hills" also known as mountains. Don took us by his church which also has a private christian school in it. He apparently helped start the school and was principle (along with being a vet) for two years. We got to meet his pastor, which was cool, Theo is from the Carribean and has a strong accent. Fun to find in rural Pa. We also meet the guys at the local gaurage when we had to stop in and have a new hose put on Don's truck. I have to say one thing about Don and Tina (his wife) they have 9 children, one is a preacher, one is a vet, one is in vet school, one is in med school, one is going to Cornell, two are still in high school, and I can't remember what the other two do, but the point being that all 9 of these kids went to a tiny private school in back woods PA and they are all going to be very successful. If nothing else it shows that you can do anything you put your mind to, no matter where you come from, or how much money you have. They are an impressive family in many ways. I really enjoyed getting to know them.

As the day wrapped up with dinner at Ben's where they severed sweet tea for us, they basically put the ball in Doug's court. The job is his if he wants it. This is really good news, but a big decision to make.

PS. There is absolutely nothing there, at least not anything chain.