Adventure 768: Herbie Joe on the Go/Manhattan, KS/Post A

We rate the whole Friesen-Kulp-Kempf-Rodriquez family Air B&Bs with ten stars. Father Friesen (Kelbabe) sent us off this morning with scrambled eggs with ham, cheese, toast, and fresh coffee. It was still dark and wet when we left. On our twelve hour marathon drive to Manhattan, we chose to travel farm roads, county roads, state roads, and interstates in that order. As a result we spent a great deal of time meandering through Ohio farmlands, home to competitive lawn mowing and very tall stands of dry corn. Then we stepped across Indiana and traveled under the shadows of the many windmills standing in the fields. Illinois proved to be flat, but clean and straightforward. Missouri started the rolling hills. Nestled in each crest of hill was a tidy farm. However, we passed through a few very small Missouri towns. The towns were tired, worn, and looked to provide just the merest measure of hard scrabble for opportunity. By the time we crossed into Kansas, the Flint Hills dominated. We rolled through, dodging the glint from the Western sun. We had little time for taking pictures, since one side effect of traveling farm roads is the extra attention driving narrow roads requires. It's harvest time, and very often during the day we encountered a farm vehicle moving on the paved road at a farmer's pace. No worries. We're in no hurry, and we're retired. But seriously, I was reminded what a great place America is. As we cruised past homes and farms that showed obvious pride, industry, and perseverance I couldn't help but think out there are some really fine people, people we'd be happy to call neighbor, and even friend. When we travel, I often think, "Everyone out here is just working the dream." It's encouraging, and it's really uplifting to spend a couple weeks mostly unhooked from the tiny screen that often occupies a portion of my day. It's hard to surf social media from behind the wheel. We thought, too, today, that this trip to see family has been so worth it. After all, life is so much better shared. We highly recommend it mostly because it reminds us that life is good, especially today.

The quilted clouds promised a soft landing in Manhattan.

 Go West you two.

Adventure 767: Herbie Joe on the Go/Archbold, OH/Post B

 At breakfast, we enjoyed our normal road fare of semel, cheddar, strawberry jam, and bacon (A Kelbabe treat). After breakfast,  we decided to drive to Dearborn, MI to see the Henry Ford Museum. We spent a good four hours wandering through the exhibits, which ranged from humongous railway engines to Le Mans style race cars plus vehicles of all types and ages. I was a bit surprised that the museum also included a great deal of Americana as represented by time line dioramas sprinkled throughout the property. It was a delightful day, and as usual presented me with much to think about as various memories jogged themselves loose from my life experience. I've claimed for sometime that I'm the luckiest guy on the planet. I've certainly been fortunate to grow up in this country, and having so many memories flash back through my mind today merely added to that conviction. We met Karen after she finished with her school day at "Byblos", a Lebanese restaurant in Toledo. It was very good, and a treat we wouldn't find in Spokane. So far this trip has not only provided us an opportunity to see the relatives we love, it has also provided us an opportunity to enjoy some of the great variety America offers, so naturally we think life is good, especially today.

Semel, a once full basket.

The Friesen bird sanctuary.

This car broke the speed record at Bonneville Salt Flats: 406 MPH.

All kinds of unique vehicles were spread around the museum.

JFK's limousine, the one he was riding in when he was shot.

Kelbabe at the engineer's seat of the biggest locomotive I've ever seen.

Lovely downtown Toledo, OH

Adventure 766: Herbie Joe on the Go/The Swamp/Archbold, OH

After a leisurely breakfast and a little chatter, we left the Singletree crew to their chores and headed for Archbold via Amish country backroads. We arrived at Kel and Karen's home about twelve-thirty. On the way, we recounted what a joy it is to see our kids (Kel's girls in this case) thriving. We thought, "Wow, each of our kids is thriving as well. Everyone seems happy and hard at it." It gives us comfort that our children are living the dream. And, old fogies that we are, it's fun to brag about the kids and the grand kids. After a quick sandwich and a little catching up, we took a rose from the garden out to Miss Jane's grave site. She was glad to see us. Then, Kel, ever a man of the Chamber of Commerce, took us downtown to see the new Archbold mural, which highlights the town's history. We made another quick stop for ice cream at the Dairy Queen for dessert this evening. We jibber-jabbered most the afternoon away while Kel baked bread and put the finishing touches on his creamy squash soup, which was delightfully creamy, delicately sweet, and quite satisfying. As we retired for the night, we once again felt grateful that life is good, especially today.

We stopped in Goshen for a second breakfast. The diner was packed, and quite passable.

For the group photo, we were all probably laughing at some C-Pap joke or some other bodily affliction that assails us.

We couldn't believe Miss Jane passed in 2012.

Warm hugs alone make the trip worth while.

Kel babe whipping up the fresh bread.

The loaf turned out pretty well.

This is a poor photo of a pretty cool mural.

I brought Kel a wire sculpture of the "Band" for his birthday.

Dinner is served.

 

Adventure 765: Herbie Joe on the Go/Singletree Farm/Goshen, IN

We left Madison, "Wes"consin around seven after saying our goodbyes to Micah, Wes, and Gracie, the cat. Our drive, pleasant except for the mad dash through Chicago, found us winding our way along back roads of Indiana, ogling at farms, fields, horses, and buggies. We arrived at Singletree Farm right about 2 P.M. Scott, Kate, and Anne-Laure came walking up the drive shortly after. We gave our hugs, introduced ourselves to Anne-Laure who is visiting the States from Switzerland, and were off on the nickel tour. Fabulous! and on the way to being more so as projects are completed. After a little jibber-jabber we were off to the DeFries Calendar Garden, a circular gem built with the summer and winter solstice in mind. The circular space has dates of the year etched in bricks. The flowers bloom in tune and on time around the circle. Very cool. Afterward, we enjoyed a hearty meal of fresh baked bread, chicken borscht, salad greens, and brownies with ice cream for dessert. Thin gruel as they say. A wonderful evening as it were, spent sharing joyful conversation, so naturally we concluded that life is good, especially today.

Miss Kate and Aunt Judy waxing about new baby possibilities.

Late season flowers under the main hoop.

Indiana backroads.

The Singletree Farm complex.

Heavy traffic on the back roads.

Anne-Laure, Kate's distant cousin from Switzerland.

The chrysanthemums are blooming on the garden circle.

Dinner: Simply delicious.

Scott in a friendly pose.

The center of the DeFries Calendar garden is a pond. Small houses are built on compass points for the spring and winter solstice.

Lunch stop, Indiana style.

Wakarusa, Indiana seasonal round about.

Art shot of the day: One of Kate's Dahlias providing a still presence in the room.

The smaller of the two flower hoops still producing beautiful colors.

It is said that gardeners plant hope. We need more gardeners.

Adventure 764: Herbie Joe on the Go/Kamp Kulp Play Day

Many would agree that turmoil swirls around the world, the nation, and sometimes relations. Judy and I aren't too interested in turmoil, but we are loving injecting ourselves (briefly) into the controlled chaos of the lives of Micah and Kim Kulp. For the last day and a half, we've watched fondly as they chase, nurture, love, feed, and change their little human, Wes. This is the kind of turmoil Judy and I are choosing to surround ourselves with these days. I'll call it the "Love Swirl". We're not concerned with the malice and greed that consumes some; rather, we're enjoying mingling with family, which is especially nice because we don't often have the occasion to mingle. On this trip, we're deciding to make it happen. Today, we spent a delightfully full day enjoying the offerings and charms of Madison, Wisconsin as hosted by Micah, Kim, and Wes, so naturally, life is good, especially today.

We started the day at the Saturday Market, which surrounds the capital with vendors every week.

34 degrees on the first lap.

 

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Aunt Judy fetching some Kettle Corn.

Wisconsin Capitol dome.

We took Wes inside the dome to warm up a little. He was a bit rosy after two laps around the market.

Aunt Judy playing squash with Wes.

Lunch spread, Wisconsin style.

An afternoon jaunt around part of Cherokee Marsh, which is right across the street.

Miss Kim and Aunt Judy face timing Aunt Karen.

Wes on the loose.

The Cherokee Marsh is quite large and is quilted with mowed walking loops. Quite cool.

These three Sandhill Cranes walked part of the way home with us. Amazingly unconcerned about us as a species. Great day of adventure at Kamp Kulp.

 

Adventure 763: Herbie Joe on the Go/Madison, WI

Yesterday's wind brought the moisture. By the time we left at seven this morning, large fluffy snow flakes filled the sky. The snow globe drive lasted most of the day, but by the time we got within range of Madison, the skies dried up. However, the somber grayness gave way to a sharp sense of chill brought on by the sub forty degree temperature. No worries. We were perfectly warm inside our comfort controlled vehicle speeding along the highway with a plethora of semi-trucks, and any number of our newest road acquaintances. It was another good day, safe in the arms of traveling mercies. We arrived just in time to pick up Wes from daycare. Micah, Kim, and Wes took us downtown to a legendary pub called the "Old Fashioned" for dinner. Since it was parent's weekend in Madison, the pub was more boisterous than usual. We enjoyed a platter of cheese curds for the table, a must when one is in Wisconsin. Judy and I shared the fish fry platter, which was well prepared and tasty. We arrived home and began the usual "watching' of the toddler. Fun times had by all. After a few games of peek-a-boo, and a couple of PBS "baby shows", Wes was off to bed. Suffice to say, we're pleased enough to say that life is good, especially today.

The "schlepp" pile.

From Fargo to Madison, the temperature didn't waver from 37 degrees.

Road construction led us twice off road on adventures, which of course, we love.

I'm hoping this early snow isn't a harbinger of things to come.

Miss Kim and son, Wes enjoying a moment at dinner.

Not everyday you get to cross the Mississippi.

Micah and Kim abode.

This is the face you get when eating a 90% cheese dinner.