ROAD TO SEDALIA AND SOUTH DAKOTA: July 2012

Monday, July 16, 2012

Along The Way

FInal Blog-Sedalia- "Along the Way" - July 14, 2012

As I write this "Final" Blog, we are tucked away in the Shawnee Sleepy Hollow Campground near Bedford, PA off the PA Turnpike. This is our last night on the road, and we will be back in Delaware tomorrow afternoon, the good Lord willing. We left our Campground in Milton, DE on June 16th and joined an Airstream Caravan led by Karen & Will Kushto of the Keystone Unit. We have seen and done so many wonderful things, but the best part is coming home to our family and friends:-)

While traveling these many miles, one comes across lots of things that "tickle our fancy" so to speak. We share them with you now, Some pics are self explanatory, and others I will offer a little info.

Here goes:

. My purse I actually "completed" while sewing at the Rally.

. Gerbers Small Engine Repair & Quilt Shop-great Shop

In Sedalia

. "Route 66 " Camper/Van-front end is a Ford Fusion, back

end is a Ford van. Hand built in 6 months@ 4-5 hours

a day. They are traveling from Chicago to the West

coast.

. Iron Bailey Eating Establishment-when asked if we could have

"separate checks" server replied "Ain't gonna happen"!

$3.50 charge for each separate check! Yikes!!

. Phil's "beloved" Case Tractors

. MA & Les in from of a "Keel" boat replica-Lewis & Clark Trail

State Park in Onowa, Iowa

. Onawa-"The widest main street in the USA" (and it is!)

. "ON-UR-WA" RV PARK, Onawa, Iowa-say that five times fast!!!

. "ANTIQUE ARCHEOLOGY" the home of Mike, Frank & and

Danielle-"the American Pickers" show on the History

Channel. They travel the country rummaging through

Old barns, outbuildings etc. in search of "treasures"

they can sell in their shop in LeClaire, IA. It was fun

seeing the items they had picked actually on their shop

shelves, but we were disappointed they were not there

for a "Kodak moment".

. Buffalo Bill Cody Museum in LeClaire, IA. A wonderful museum

displaying memorabilia from Buffalo Bill and his place in

history, as well as items donated by the town folks from the

early days of LeClaire.

. "Mary Ann,The Composition Doll-Buffalo Bill Museum

. CULVERS -HOME of the -BUTTERBURGER-a chain of fast food

restaurants in Ohio, and some of the mid west states. Best

Burger and Ice Cream!!!! YUMMY!!

. "PIE KITCHEN" Homemade Pies & Homemade Ice Cream

. "Walter Santon and His Trained Roosters"-for Chris

Finally, the very "last" picture is the ONLY way for Mary Ann & Les

to end their trip, don't you think??? It is only fitting that our final

meal on the road should be a SPAM dinner!!

Thanks for accompanying us on our trip to Sedalia, South Dakota, and back. We had fun, and we hope you did too! Hopefully, we didn't tire you out too much! Now, we need to get "serious" about our eating habits:-(

Blessings, Mary Ann Les & Pollybird

Bag Lady

Route 66

Asked for separate checks - "Ain't gonna happen"

For Phil

For Chris

Keel Boat

Mary Ann and Karen

American Pickers

Has VW engine

My first car was a Nash

"Mary Ann" doll

Horse hair coats

Dog churning butter

It does not get any better than this!

Butter Burgers

Thursday, July 12, 2012

South Dakota Family

Blog#18-South Dakota Family-July 11, 2012

I am so very happy to share my "South Dakota Family" with you, my friends and family! The Airstream Rally in Sedalia became even more attractive to me when I realized that Revillo, South Dakota is "only 600 miles" from Sedalia, MO!!! It took two driving days, but it was well worth it! My Dad grew up in Revillo. SD, and our remaining family is scattered around the little town on very beautiful farmland . What special times we enjoyed with my Aunt Lucille (100 years "young"), my Cousin Stuart and his special wife, Lucy, and their sons and Daughter In Laws" -Blake & Brenda, and Brian & Deb. Blair and Peggy drove over from "the cities" to see us. And of course, all the wonderful Grandkids-very fine young folks, too.

We enjoyed Lucy and Stuart's "southern South Dakota hospitality" and yummy meals-very relaxing and welcoming! My Aunt Lucille's face lit up with the most beautiful smile when she saw us come in-it brought me to tears! We enjoyed the most wonderful visits while we were there, and lots of hugs, of course.

Our fabulous "tour guides", Stuart & Lucy drove us all around the miles and miles of acreage owned and planted by them. We drove past my Dad's childhood home -original Barn, but the house had been added on to and updated. We explored the towns of Clear Lake, Milbank and Revillo. We have a new appreciation for the "farmer" when we see the hundreds of thousands $ in equipment, seed, work, energy, and planning that goes into this occupation, which is almost totally dependent on Mother Nature. As I write this, -much of the corn is not going to make it because of the draught:-( very sad! "Each South Dakota Farmer feeds 150 people"!

July 4th is not complete without fireworks, and we enjoyed a great evening picnic and fireworks show at Stuart & Lucy's Grandson, Nathan and his wife Becky's new home in Clear Lake. There is something very special about being on a farm with lots and lots of space, watching the kids and adults have a "blast" with the amazing variety of fireworks. Thank you Nathan and Becky!

Sunday most of the family gathered in the Community Room of Aunt Lucille's "Residence" to celebrate Stuart's 80th, Brian's 51 st, and Natasha's 19th Birthdays. You haven't "lived" until you have enjoyed South Dakota country cookin'-YUM! It was so good being together, and we so appreciate everyone making the effort to be with us.

We left Our South Dakota family on Tuesday, with some tears and so many treasured memories in our hearts. It was a very good visit, and we pray that the good Lord will allow us to be together again soon. Thank you Lucy & Stuart, from the bottom of our hearts, for helping to make our visit so special. And thank you Blake, Brenda, Brian, Deb, Blair, Peggy, Mike, Mary, and all of your fine young folks for being with us and making us feel special. AND to my dear Aunt Lucille-we LOVE you-you are THE BEST!!!

Blessings,

Mary Ann, Les & Pollybird