40 hours

 I was away for 40 hours.  Granddaughter Paige and I took a flight from Bemidji Minnesota to Louisville Kentucky.  Travel trip...do not wear a shirt with sparklies on it or you will alarm the system and have to have a wand search and then a pat down and residue swab on your hands.  Who knew?  They took Paige's toothpaste because it was too large. 

We had a lay over for a couple of hours in Minneapolis /St Paul.  The plane from there was a hunk of junk and kept making noises and you could feel vibrations and hear clunking noises under my feet.  As we landed in Louisville several streets were blocked off with cop cars...the lights were quite visible late at night we had no idea that riots were happening there and there was a 9 PM curfew as we traveled out of the city with Far Guy's sister and brother in law amongst very little traffic on the freeway. 

Thursday morning our oldest daughter was released from a hospital there and Paige and I drove 13 hours and delivered her safely back to the town where she is living.

Far Guy drove 3 1/2 hours in the early morning hours to pick up Paige and I.  Paige kept her grandpa busy talking and helped him watch for deer while I slept and reportedly snored in the back seat...only awakened with a charlie horse behind my knee.   After Paige was delivered safely to her apartment I completed the drive home. 

It was a quick trip...however it was nice to see Far Guy's sister and brother in law and our niece who lives in the area. 

Everyone wore masks in the airports and on the plane we were all spread out inside the aircraft with spaces all over...capacity was about 25% of normal.  They seated everyone in the back of the plane first row by row so no one had to walk by anyone else.   I believe that exposure was minimal...at least we hope so. 

On our way back through Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin everyone wore masks except a couple of people in a McDonalds in Indiana. 

Far Guy and I are both tired of driving and missing sleep.  Far Guy could not travel on the airplane due to his oxygen requirements and his weekly infusion. 

I came home to a carpet of newly fallen leaves so the second mulch of the season was completed...I would rather drive the lawn mower around for hours versus a car any day of the week.  Far Guy estimates that 1/3 of our leaves fell out of the trees while I was gone. 

Sunrise on Brazil Lake near Georgetown Indiana September 24 2020

It is good to be home.

Far Side

Wistful Wednesday: Chuck and Ardith

A month ago I told our youngest daughter.  “I have some sad news for you, your bestest friend in the whole world died.”  She replied “Oh Chuck died… that is sad.”

Chuck was a thorn in her (teenage) side for two weeks every summer.  He would come to the door and ask  “Can Jenny come out to play?”  When she hollered “NO” at him he would press his nose against the window of the piano room until she would draw the curtains and play piano so loudly she couldn’t hear him.  He would walk away shaking his head saying “I don’t know how they put up with that racket.”   He irritated her and she irritated him.  When he would first show up for his time at the lake she would greet him by saying “Aren’t you dead yet?” He would answer her “No and is that anyway to talk to your bestest friend in the whole world.”

Chuck was from Indiana, he was a Deputy Sheriff and a Jailer…one time he even ran for Sheriff.  He and his wife Ardith would vacation up here the last couple of weeks in August when it was the warmest in Indiana.  Chuck fished everyday he could, Ardith sewed. Ardith was a banker and the church organist, they vacationed with children and grandchildren for one of the weeks and the other was usually their quiet time.

High on their list was going out for supper.

 

Chuck, Gene, Me, Ardith, Sue and Keith (Chucks brother)

The waitress took this photo at Y’s Steakhouse in September of 2000.

We found our way to Chuck and Ardith’s home in Indiana one Fall and had a wonderful visit with them.  They had the cover on their pool and Chance thought it was just a blue tarp…and walked right out on it. Talk about a confused looking dog!

Sadly Ardith would suffer with large cancerous tumors in her abdomen that eventually took her life in 2011.  Chuck was very lonely after Ardith died.  He called a few times to talk and then the calls became fewer and fewer. He came up on vacation a few times but his last visit two years ago he didn’t even attempt to go fishing. Chuck joined Ardith in heaven on October 10 2015.

Chuck had a wonderful sense of humor and could tell stories for hours. Sometimes you didn’t know if he was pulling your leg or not.   He used to kidnap Captain one of our Shelties, Captain could be found in their cottage quite often …for nap time and a snack.

Chuck and Ardith were good friends. It is sad that they are both gone…times change and people die.  But it is still good to have friends that can make you smile long after they are gone.

I wrote about Chuck before Straight Lake: Legend of the Cap.

West Baden Springs: The Lobby and Atrium

Too bad I didn’t learn how to play chess.  Apparently is was “the game” back in the day.

The lobby had several chess boards ready to go. 

The lobby was decorated with many stained glass windows…perhaps left over from the seminary days.

This photo gives you some idea of the grand style in the lobby.  There were many seating areas and several library type rooms.

This is the atrium.  An architectural beauty.

The sky lights left in some warm light on a chilly day.

The center decoration must be made of tile.

All around the perimeter were ornate tile floors.

There were seating areas all over.  There was even a Grand Piano. And more chess sets.

There were balconies that opened into the atrium.

It was a fun place to visit.  Next time I am staying for lunch and a stroll on the grounds.

West Baden Springs : The Veranda

Oh my goodness that veranda was inviting!  It was a tad chilly so not many people were outside.  Far Guy’s sister is on the veranda.

I can only imagine the people that strolled here after dinner.

I had a blast on the front steps taking photographs.

Welcoming rocking chairs just invited you to sit for a spell.

I noticed the swastika on the railing…there was a sign that said “ The West Baden Springs Hotel Veranda Railing was constructed in 1915, long before the Swastika  Symbol was used in WWII.   Many cultures throughout the past 3,000 years utilized the Swastika Symbol to represent Life, Sun, Power, Strength and Good Luck.”

Perhaps you would like to go inside?   Tomorrow the Lobby and Atrium.

West Baden Springs

Back in November, November 2nd in fact…a day after the big wedding we went for a ride into the countryside of Indiana.

Looks like something out of a fairy tale doesn’t it?  Flags waving in the towers…damsels waiting to be saved!

The main gate.

Now that is some driveway.

It was chilly and it froze that morning.

Geraniums surrendered to the frost.

The Mums up on the veranda looked pretty good.

West Baden Springs Hotel is on the list of Historic Hotels in America.  It was built in 1902…and has quite a history.  It was a luxury mineral springs resort, a Army Hospital, a seminary and a college before it was rescued by a billionaire and partially restored…it reopened in 2007 there is a Casino nearby…French Lick.  It seems the only way the hotel could be completely saved was to partner with a casino group.

Tomorrow The Veranda