Summer is off to a great start! Our first stop was Gatlinburg, TN. Had a great weekend, with Steve & Debbie Kopman! After leaving Gatlinburg, we journeyed to Trammel, VA, where we spent several days with our friend, Roy. Had a great time, there, just chilling out! After leaving Virginia, we traveled to Woodbury, Tn, and visited our good friend Reba. We enjoyed a "Party in the Park". It was a cancer fund raiser, where we enjoyed some great home cooking!
Worked our way to Bloomfield, IA, for a visit with our buddy, Steve, and his new pup, Harley.
Really had a great time, taking in the local sites! Spent a day visiting the town of Drakesville, an Amish community. Visited several Amish, and Dutch stores, as well as an Amish auction, where produce, and all sorts of plants were auctioned. Really enjoyed the sites!
Wagons, loaded with plants, to be auctioned,
Several buggies, at the auction.
Amish horse and buggy, at an Amish saw mill.
Cool horse, and colt, at an Amish farm.
A really cool green-house, on an Amish farm.
Since I love old barns, I couldn't pass up this corn crib.
Little D, in her element, an Amish market, selling plants, among other goods.
Another highlight of our trip to Iowa, was visiting a farm, where two old cabins, dating back to the mid 1800's, were joined together, creating a really cool home site!
D&D, at Duck, and Judy's farm.
Side view of the cabin.
Rear view of cabin.
Photo of upper loft, with sleeping quarters.
Little D at dining table, in cabin.
View of den, and operating wood stove.
Really had a great time touring Duck and Judy's farm! Spent a lot of time searching through the old barn. Felt like "American Pickers", going through all of the old antique tools, and implements, stored in the barn! After leaving the farm, Duck took us to his home in Bloomfield, where he showed us his gun collection. WOW, what a collection! Unbelievable, complete collection of many brands of rifles, shotguns, and hand guns! The entire cellar, is a vault.
Thanks to Duck, and Judy, for being so gracious, allowing us to enjoy their farm, and many, wonderful collections!
After leaving Bloomfield, we traveled to Moravia, IA, to visit our friends, Jim, and Chris.
While there, we made our annual visit to P.B. Choppers. Always enjoy seeing our friend, Jim Wubben, owner, and custom bike builder. My favorite bike is back, from the Dale Earnhardt museum, in Mooresville, N.C., and back on display at Jim's shop. Jim is a huge Earnhardt fan, as am I. Jim built the bike, as a tribute to Dale Sr. As Richard Childress said, "Dale would be very proud"!
Another view of the "Intimidator". Who could that be, in the background?
Darryl, Decah, and Jim
It's always a treat, to visit Jim, Sean, and P.B. Choppers! Who knows, maybe someday, we'll have Jim build us a cool bike!
We journeyed to St Charles, MO, to visit our friends, Marion, and Velma. Called several dances in the St Louis area, for different groups. Always enjoy staying with Marion, and Velma! They are a great host couple, and make us feel like family!
Will be heading for Dallas, where we'll pick up our steads, and enjoy a week of free time, to rest up, and prepare for the next leg, of our summer travels.
