Adventure 47: Manhattan, KS/Post D

Karen's sleigh ride socks and booties

Today, our adventure had us ignoring a winter traveling advisory. About ninety miles due north of Manhattan not far across the Nebraska state line is the little burg of Beatrice, Nebraska, hometown of Dorothy Wiebe, Judy and Karen's mother.  It was much like sleigh riding back down memory lane. The weather man promised a drop in temperature and enough precipitation to produce a mix of rain and snow, otherwise known as sleet. On the ride up, the ground temperature (It was nearly 60 degrees yesterday) kept the roads wet but unfrozen, even though the air temperature steadily dropped to a low of 27. The wipers did freeze up as did the mirrors, but Rod guided the Subaru Outback expertly all the while providing an equally expert commentary on the surrounding geology, history, future prospects, and present failings. Traveling through the Flint Hills, (arguably the prettiest part of Kansas, even in the early winter), we were informed of a variety of things including the flood history of the area and an incidental tidbit that a local small high school has recently produced two NFL players, one of whom is using his high salary to buy acres of farmland around his boyhood farm. Imminently entertaining, Rod's comments kept us entertained up front with the windshield wipers slapping time, while the sisters giggled in the back like two little school girls on the way to Grandpa's house. We detoured through a couple of small Kansas towns on the way to look at old Victorian houses, and one fully bricked downtown. Arriving in Beatrice, the fun started as we listened to Judy and Karen scour their memories (turn here-Mom worked there…) in order to find their uncle's old farm, the houses of their aunts, and a loud wail squealed from the back seat when they realized grandpa's town home was gone. We learned later from Aunt Alice that the house may not have been razed, but merely moved to a new location. We stopped in front of each place and the sisters recounted stories of card games (Rook-Shoot the Moon), domino games, and the hijinks of their cousins. They deftly ignored the changes in the terrain caused by progress such as the train trestle near the farm, which is now missing. They chortled in joyful unison when they saw the pretty white farmhouse, the old windmill, the barn in which they played, and "Oh, my how the old tree had grown!" It was sad that the outhouse was gone, and that new white barn wasn't there, and memories bubbled from them like lavender bath beads forming in a warm bath. They didn't care that renters now lived on the properties. Rod was instructed to drive right up and around so they could "Check it out". What fun it has been for Judy (and Karen) on this part of the adventure to reconnect with her family, especially the fortunate connections with the distant family. We continued to Dale and Kathy Linsenmeyer's home (cousin Dale) to find that Dale had fetched Aunt Alice (92 yrs.) for a visit. Dale, Judy, Karen, Rod- a little bit, and Aunt Alice (Dorothy's sister-in-law-the only living relative of that era) hopped on the sled for a ride down memory lane. Kathy and I snapped pictures. Then we went to lunch at a place called Aunt Mary's (We got to meet her). Once again, it was down home midwestern fare. I had the pork tenderloin special with mashed taters and green beans (Thin gruel as Ed Drouin would say).  Judy had homemade chicken noodle soup We swapped (Like we always do) half way through. The fun ended on the ride home, though Rod expertly traversed the treacherous conditions. In the space of three hours, the sleet had time to accumulate on the roads all the while continuing to fall. It reminded me of Spokane's ice storm, and glad I was, as we crept south, when the Manhattan skyline came into view. The good news is that we're home safely. As we speak, Karen has her incredibly aromatic Borscht warming on the stove, the fireplace is glowing, and we're all basking in the warmth of family connection. And don't forget, Kansas weather changes quickly, so who knows what tomorrow will bring. On a tournament note, Judy is still ducking me. I think her new cheating tactic is to fill my head with thoughts of invincibility, so like the empires of old, I'll fall under the weight of my own supposed grandeur. Stay tuned, and though the crown wears uneasily life is still good, especially  today.

A photo of the original farmhouse from a photo hanging on Dale's living room wall. Below that, the farmhouse with its addition.

The same old barn with the same old loft where the girls played as kids. The pretty setter is a new occupant.

 Another photo from Dale's wall: a younger Linsenmeyer family in the old barn loft.

 The same old windmill.

 Aunt Alice's house, which is now home to a family building their own traditions.

 Aunt Alice, healthy, hearty, and happy.

 Cousin Dale, our most gracious host for the afternoon.

 Judy and Karen pouring over old family photos.

 The cousins riding on their sleigh ride-smiling all the way.

    Rod and Karen's Subaru, safe in the garage, but still coated with frozen road ice.