Friday, July 18, 2014

South Dakota Trip Part 2

On Thursday morning we left Doland and headed toward Sturgis for the Camaro Rally.  Needless to say we saw some interesting scenery along the way - LOL!
It was a nice trip and enjoyed some beautiful rides with the top down in the Camaro.  We did have to dodge several rainstorms but managed to stay dry.  It was worth the cost for the underground parking at the motel as it sure cut down on the amount of time spent washing and wiping down the car.  I think one of the things that made me smile the most was every time we went past the car wash there was a line of Camaros waiting to wash and every gathering the guys were all out wiping down the cars.  Seriously even if we were all just in the parking lot gathering to drive somewhere.  

It was really fun to see all the Camaros in one place on "show day".  Yes, we had a couple of short downpours during the show but not to worry everyone had their rags, towels, chamois and even a squeegee to dry them off.  I actually think my favorite photos were taken from up above after the rain.  The wet pavement showed off the cars much better.   Here are some photos from the actual car show.













From the show we all lined up and drove to the town about 8 miles away for their car show.  They block off Main street in town and park us 2 x 2 down the middle while the cars from their show are parked along the side.  They then enjoyed an hour looking at our cars while we enjoyed an hour looking at theirs.








Well, I am completely out of time so South Dakota Trip Part 3 will show pictures from our scenic drives.  See you soon!


  

South Dakota Trip Part 1.

I have so much to share that I really don't know where to even begin so I guess we will start with the trip to South Dakota photos I promised in last post.  I really must start posting more often to cut down on the length of my posts.  I'm starting to feel like a short story author due to their length.

We were headed to the Camaro Rally in Sturgis, SD by way of a visit with Bill's Uncle and cousins in another part of South Dakota.

We headed out on a Tuesday morning with our Camaro securely tied down on a trailer - or so we thought!  When he hit the first rest area and checked how things were, we found one tie down flopping in the breeze.  We are so thankful it did not bounce back up and hit the Camaro.  If it had, I think Bill would have been crying.  Resecured and back on the road and things were going really well - right until we made our first stop for gas and Bill realized he had left the money for the trip at home in his pants pocket in the dirty clothes.  Thankful again that he had given me a portion of the money to tuck away in my purse so we were good until we got to an ATM at our final destination.  Again on the road and moving right along until we realized we had taken a wrong turn and Bill did a U-turn.  An illegal U-turn we found out when stopped by the police officer.  Lucky for us he was a nice guy and after checking what they check he let us go on our way with only a warning.  Whew!  

After arriving at Bill's family we sat down to a lovely dinner prepared by the cousin's wife only to have it not agree with Bill's stomach who then spent the rest of the evening sick.  I'm pleased to report after a good night's sleep he woke up feeling his old self and enjoyed a wonderful visit with his family.
Bill spent the morning going with his cousin's to the grain elevator after filling 2 semi's and trailers.  It takes 50 semi loads to empty one bin.  YIKES!


Keith and I spent our morning in a different way.  Cousin's wife took us to the neighboring farm where they raise buffalo to have a look.  

 The picture on the left is a full grown buffalo while the herd on the right are all babies.  Yep, I said babies.  I 'm glad there was a fence between us.



Keith and I also enjoyed some time sitting out by the pond and near the arbor.  This arbor is built on top of a slab of cement that belonged to an old school that used to be on the property.

We also went over and had a driving tour of the Hutterite Colony and learned about their way of life.  Cousin's wife has a friend there so is quite knowledgeable.  I could never live the life they do as I was raised so differently but there is appeal in the fact that women no longer have to cook when they reach 40.  Be honest that would appeal to you too!

Later than same day Uncle Bob gave Bill, Keith and I a guided tour of all the old cars at various places around the property - and there were many!  So many that after supper that evening we went to another location and his cousin and uncle gave us another guided tour.  Here is just a small sampling.


Notice the old wooden spoke wheels on this car and the next one!  First time I had ever seen real wood spoke wheels on a car.


 This one looks like someone just got out one day and left everything in it!


This one still has the gas rationing sticker from WWII around 1944 or 1945!


 This one is all original!  If we remember correctly, it is a 1923 automobile.  TOTALLY AMAZING!








I think my favorite photos are of the old falling down houses, barns and old rusty vehicles in the fields.  This first photo is my favorite from the first part of our trip!




I almost expect to see Laura Ingalls Wilder walk out of this next one. 
Well, that is all for this post!  Next post will have the Camaro Rally photos from Sturgis.  After that I will have a post to show you what I've been stitching, sewing and what has come back from the framer. 




Friday, July 4, 2014

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!
Today we are celebrating Independence Day and as always my son likes to dress for the occasion - well really we all do.  It is common to see everyone wearing something in red white and blue on this day.  I always sprinkle a little bit of the patriotic around the house for the month of July as well.

Last night we took a drive around town checking out all the many activities going on this weekend for the 4th.  

There is the 80/35 music festival. There was the Yankee Doodle Pops which is an outdoor concert by the Des Moines Symphony ending in a fireworks display.

The Iowa Cubs Triple A baseball team was also in town with end of game fireworks.

The Good Guys car show is also going on all weekend at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.  It officially starts today but there were many old cars to see around town during our drive.

While hubby is out golfing this morning I have been preparing side dishes for our cook out later today.  As we've been gone on a trip, this year it is just going to be the 3 of us as no time to try and put together something for family and friends.  I, however, still insist on making it something special for us.  I think our years in the Air Force and being so far from family and childhood friends has taught me to keep it special even if it is just the 3 of us.

I don't know what else we will be doing to celebrate the holiday over the weekend but do know we will be finishing up with showing our Camaro on Sunday at the Good Guys car show for All American Sunday.  I will pack a picnic lunch in the cooler and will enjoy a wonderful day with hubby and son.  Although we are expecting temperatures on that day to be 91 with a heat indices of 100 degrees.  YIKES!

HUMMING BIRD


 

 I also found some time this morning to snap a few shots of our visiting hummingbird.  Several people in the neighborhood have put out feeders but it seems that they prefer our flowers instead.  I will be sitting out on the porch and they will come up to the flowers within inches of where I am sitting.  Apparently my reading does not bother them.

STITCHING

While on our recent trip I did manage to find a little bit of time for stitching.  I made a bit of progress on Harvest Time by the Prairie Schooler.  I'm hoping to find a couple of hours over the weekend to make some significant progress on this project. 

READING

I'm almost finished reading A Higher Call by Adam Makos.  Really an excellent read about the fighter pilots in WWII.  I highly recommend it.

VACATION

I have run out of time for posting today so will share my vacation with you on the next one.  Have a wonderful weekend!