Covered Bridges

Last fall when we went to Indiana. One of the things I wanted to photograph besides Tobacco Barns was a covered bridge.

On our way home.  We stopped at a rest stop in Illinois where they had tourist info.  The lady pointed us in the right direction but said we would have to walk across because no vehicles were allowed.

We found it in a park. 

 

It was called The Lake of The Woods Covered Bridge.  We have a Lake of the Woods here in Minnesota you know..but no covered bridges as far as I know.

 

Far Guy and Chance stretched their legs.

Just incase you wanted to see the light at the end of the bridge!

The lady at the tourist center was mistaken..cars could drive through from both directions.so we did.

I will have to re-visit my photography bucket list someday soon.  I know I still want to photograph a baby buffalo and lightening…and  Northern Lights if I am really lucky:)

Photo Bucket List: Mail Pouch Barns

Recently when we went to Indiana I had several things on my photo bucket list.  A Mail Pouch Tobacco Barn was on the top of my list. Ron( Brother In law) found me a couple of barns.

Ron is a Fisherman..he knows all the little back roads to the best fishing spots along the Ohio River.

If I had this barn on my property I would trim the trees and put up a bench with a free will donation jar instead of “No Trespassing” signs. 

The little village of Lanesville has the right idea, this barn is in their roadside park.

I have always been fascinated with barns..and these were special barns.  At one time there were over 20,000 barns in 22 states that were painted by the West Virginia Mail Pouch Chewing Tobacco Company.   Farmers were paid $1 to $2 a year for allowing the advertisement, the usual colors were black or red with yellow or white capital lettering.  The sides of the barn to be painted with the lettering had to be visible from the road..the rest of the barn was painted any color the famer wanted.  A farmer got someone to paint his entire barn ..what a great idea!  Many of these barns are now historic landmarks.

I kept one eye open for Quilt Barns..I saw only one and the traffic was horrid and the road was narrow..so Far Guy and I did not stop..maybe next time..it wasn’t a huge quilt anyway:)

Wifi, Blue Tooth, On Sat and Garmin

Technology sure is moving along. Us old farts can either embrace it or become hopelessly lost.

Wifi, now that is some word..and how do you pronounce it.  Why-fy or Wiffy?

The Grandkids roll their eyes and laugh out loud if you say Wiffy..so that is what I do.

I had Far Guy ask his sister if they had Wiffy yet?  She had no idea..but someone brought out a box and hooked it up and they can use their laptop upstairs.

I contacted Bethany (our niece) and asked her..she said LOL yes. 

Blue Tooth.  Why in the world would anyone name something Blue Tooth..and why is that important and what does it do?  Our new car has Blue Tooth..Far Guy can answer his phone by pressing a button on the steering wheel..and the voice comes on over the radio.  It will make hands free calls for you.  I can tell it to call Jen and it will.   It only works if Far Guy has his phone in the car or within 30 feet of the car.  Bethany’s beau is a computer guru and he helped Far Guy get the Blue Tooth all set up to recognize the cell phone.

On Sat..another new word..let me tell you those people want your credit cards very badly..we did not give it to them..I am not sure why I need On Sat but I have it free for awhile.  I could have bought minutes for their phone system..not sure why I would want that either.

The Gremlin..or Garmin..we call it the Gremlin.  Four years ago, I drove aimlessly around South Bend Indiana looking for a motel that would take a dog..and got lost..hopelessly lost..the only way I found my way back into the city was to go where the bright lights were.  Yes..I followed the light.  Far Guy was so tired..he said “Lets just sleep in the car.”   Eventually I found us a motel.

I wasn’t up to a repeat performance..so I went shopping..the Gremlin works great..she may be re calculating a lot whilst I am driving.. she only got us on one almost cow path in Indiana.

This is a Indiana road..not quite sure where it was..some place around Paoli maybe. No center line..no fog lines..no shoulder and not much of a ditch. Far Guy and I had no idea where we were..but the Gremlin kept directing us..and sooner or later we saw something familiar.

I like that I can program in stops..rest stops and look for gas stations and look at area attractions and for dog friendly Motels!  If I get real bored while Far Guy is driving I can just watch the little car move along on the road map on the purple path:)

Shoe Tree

The shoes were all over in the tree.  Some had rotten laces and littered the ground.  There were all kinds of shoes and boots and slippers.

These county crossroads near Milltown Indiana are the place to stop to see the Shoe Tree. It is one of those narrow roads out in the country where they don’t even mark the center of the road..where there is barely room for two vehicle to meet. 

This is the original Shoe Tree..it was on the South East corner of the crossroads..it was hit by lightening and most of the tree burned down along with a fair amount of shoes.

Someone started a new collection just across the road.  I didn’t have a pair of Crocs to donate..but maybe someday..Crocs last practically forever you know:)

The Races

We went to the races at Churchill Downs.  It is an impressive place.  There is a museum there too..but we passed it up this time.

I had forgotten how thin and bony looking 2 and 3 year old thoroughbreds look.

This was the pre race area..where you can look a bit closer at the horses. They are paraded around before the jockeys hop on…we even saw a farrier adjusting a shoe..making a horse very upset.

The Bugler bugled “The Call To Post”..what a job.  I guess he has had the job a number of years..Far Guy and I were intrigued with his pagoda..and wondered what he did between races.  I read later that he has a microwave, fridge and a TV screen that shows the race.

The green grass was a feast for our northern eyes..and the sunshine was marvelous…so warm.. it made me sleepy.  I was lucky the first three races..my horses won..I picked them by their pre race behavior..if they looked antsy and like they wanted to run really fast I bet on them..very scientific!

This was our first trip to Churchill Downs..we have been to horse and dog races before but never to this track.

The building and grounds were flawless..the track was manicured after every race.

This was a very sculpture like light fixture in one of the main entrances.

Outside in  the gardens mums have replaced the roses..but there were still some of those Knock Out Roses in bloom here and there.

Mums and Rainbow Colored Swiss Chard:)

Looleevill

When Trica was little she always wanted to hide in her Aunt’s suitcase and go to Looleevill.  She would pitch a fit until her Aunt was on the plane alone..then she would just sob..because she was always left behind..while her Aunt went off to that wondrous place that was difficult to pronounce. 

Far Guys sister lives in Indiana..right across the river from Louisville, Kentucky.  She has lived there 44 years.

We drove downtown one day to The Frazier Museum.  They have wonderful exhibits. I got some great ideas..and I loved seeing how things were displayed when money is NO object.  We spoke at length with several of the Interpreters..they are all actors..and love their jobs..and you can tell.  We even spoke to the buyer for the gift shop..everyone there was very friendly. 

Their collection is heavy on weapons..guns and such..and a collection of knives/swords that was stunning.

They allowed non flash photography. We asked at the front desk.

I didn’t see a speck of dust in the entire place..everything was gleaming..

The exhibits were lifelike.

It was almost like you were there…watching the battle.

We spent most of the afternoon walking around and attended several interpretations.

It was a fun day..I have never seen so many weapons in one building in my entire life.

They had several hands on displays that I could incorporate into our museum setting.  A trunk filled with dress up clothing for children and a place where you could do rubbings..both activities that we do not have…yet.  ( Wheels are turning..how can I fund this latest idea ?)

If you are ever in Louisville..The Frazier is worth a visit!  Chance did not go..he kept Ernie company and serenaded the neighborhood:)

Winnie The Bear

Last fall we visited Winnipeg Manitoba Canada.  We had a fantastic day at the Assiniboine Zoo.  I looked back at some of those photos and wanted to share a few today.

This is a wonderful sculpture.

I did get one not so great photo of the plaque.

It says:

On August 24, 1914 while enroute overseas during World War I Lieutenant Harry Colebourn V.S.of the 34th Fort Garry Horse Regiment of Manitoba purchased a black Canadian bear cub at White River Ontario and named him Winnie after his home town. The bear became the pet of the soldiers. While Lieutenant Colebourn served in France she was left in care of the London Zoo.  In 1919 he gave her to the zoo where she was visited and loved by many, including the author A.A. Milne and his son Christopher.

In 1926 A. A. Milne gave the fictional character Winnie The Pooh named after Lieutenant Colebourn’s bear to Christopher Robin and his friends for posterity.  Winnie died at the London Zoo on May 12, 1934.

“Winnie the Bear”.  By Sculptor William Epp was donated  to the children of the world August 6, 1992.

It is rumored that the bear was orphaned and purchased from a hunter for 10 dollars.  Lieutenant Colebourn was a Veterinarian, apparently the bear was smuggled into France aboard a troop ship. What fun it must have been for those soldiers headed off to war. 

I love art with a story:)

Canada :The Train Show

This is what we went to Winnipeg for..the Train Show.  You see we are addicted..and should go into treatment.

I am not as addicted to the trains..as I am the road trips to the train shows that may or may not go right by an antique shop.

In Canada there were some really large scale trains.  We did manage to find a couple of O Scale Lionel cars. There were booths on two levels, which gave lots of space for layouts.

These are both some kind of cars that shoot missiles. I am not sure what they are doing in my windowsill. Resting perhaps. That is my Lionel box…I bought something for Far Guy the next day at the Train Show in Fargo, North Dakota.

Here is another purchase from the Winnipeg Train Show.   Far Guy has not taken it out of the box yet..so I didn’t either.

We got up early had breakfast and were at the train show just as it opened. I noticed a few people still say “A”  after every sentence.  Our waitress said “for sure” many times.  By the time we left town, I almost knew my way around town.

Onto the next Train Show in Fargo North Dakota.

This is the checkpoint at the border.  The lady that checked us through was really sweet.  She asked where we were from and what we did in Canada.  She ran our passports through some kind of machine…and we were told to wait.  So we did, then she handed back our passports and told us to have a good day:)

Canada: The Forks

“The Forks” is an area near downtown at the junction of the Red River and the Assiniboine River.

We were tired of the wind blowing fifty miles an hour..so after the Zoo we escaped indoors.

There was an indoor market where you could buy almost any kind of food you like..with an emphasis on Sushi. ( I have never had Sushi..and I am not sure I want to try it.)  I heard that there was an antique shop in this area..someplace.  I asked a little old lady.  She said “I have no idea..I traveled 400 miles to get my reading today.”

Now this gal had an “Authentic Crystal Ball”  versus an non authentic one..and she was busy with the travelers.  Someone came out and called names just like in a Doctors Office..unbelievable.

We wandered around..finally I asked two Paramedics ( not sure why they were in the market..might have been there for Sushi victims or maybe for Palmistry gone awry) “Where is the antique shop?” They “thought” it was next door in the basement.

I asked a custodian in the building next door.  She just shook her head.  Far Guy said later that she was foreign speaking only..and had no idea what I had asked her.  I finally asked at a Tourist Info Kiosk..where they spoke English.

The Antique Shop was great, I found some old black and white snapshots that were different than what I can get here in the US.

We would have been hopelessly lost without Jen and Andy's Garmin.  There was lots of road construction and a few detours.  It guided us through and around..and got us from one place to another.  It is an amazing piece of technology. OR at least we thought so..then it told us to make a U-Turn..and we both questioned that..but sure enough we did have to make a left and another quick left into a parking lot. I did most of the driving..Far Guy hates traffic and makes me nervous..so I am better off driving.

We eventually found a motel and a place for supper..but we both had breakfast..because who can mess up eggs?  I wouldn’t write home about any of the food we had on our trip..next time I will pack lunches to take along.

I was surprised at what a melting pot Winnipeg seemed to be. People from all different countries..and most of them owned a restaurant or a store that specialized in their food or their goods. 

This is the Canadian Museum for Human Rights that is being built in the forks area.  It is a Canadian National Museum..and the budget for this building is 310 million dollars. Entering the building at ground level you will travel through walkways and spaces and end your journey at the tower of hope sometime next year after it has been completed. It is supposed to be an International Landmark in the heart of Canada:)

Canada : The Zoo

One of my favorite places from years ago was the Assiniboine Zoo.  It has changed since we were there last when the girls were little.

Many parts of the zoo were under construction, 200 million dollars in improvements are happening at the zoo.  Many of the animals had been moved from their enclosures.

This mama kangaroo had a full pouch..but she was determined to keep her baby faced away from us. 

There were cavorting kangaroos.  The males are much larger than the females in the Red Kangaroo Family.

The wind was howling ninety miles an hour.. we stopped for lunch. $27.00 later we consumed one Chicken sandwich, two orders of French Fries a coke and a coffee. ( The hamburger was inedible…  I wondered where they got such terrible tasting meat.)

We headed for Toucan Ridge..where there were no Toucans.

We enjoyed the Flamingos.  There were a whole bunch of photography students that were in the building, with all kinds of fancy cameras.

At the Discovery Center we watched a Meercat..and he watched us.

I used to watch that show about the Meercats on the Discovery Channel..until one night one of the favorites was killed and they all stood watch over the body..that was too much for me..It made me sob uncontrollably.. and I have not watched the Meercats since..although they are awfully cute.

We did NOT go into The Reptile House..for obvious reasons.  They did have a snake in one exhibit at the Discovery Center, I saw the sign, at which time I promptly closed my eyes and Far Guy led me out of the area.  I am not sure if he saw the snake or not..I didn’t ask.  I wish they would keep all the snakes together.  It should be a rule.

The Butterfly house was closed for the season..I figured that it would be.  They have very extensive gardens in the Assiniboine Park..that would be awesome during the summer. Perhaps I will have to put Winnipeg back on the list:)

Manitoba Canada Glorious and Free

The motto of Manitoba is Glorious and Free.

The flag of Manitoba is the red Ensign or “red duster” with a shield of the provincial coat of arms that has the St. George Cross and a Buffalo that reminds them of the buffalo that used to roam the prairies.

The prairies that are now farm land and windmills.

I did see a buffalo..but it was at the zoo. 

I finally got a photo that has been on my bucket list..a baby buffalo.  I love the Zoo..and this Zoo has been on my list for a revisit for a really long time.  These buffalo seemed scruffy but content.  ( More on the Zoo another day.)

The Great Grey Owl is the Provincial bird.  I usually don’t think very much of sculptures..but I thought this one was very well done.

 

It says: Great Wise Owl

Animals of the region set in the Great Grey Owl the emblematic bird of Manitoba.

This sculpture was down at “The Forks” at the area in Winnipeg where the Red River and the Assiniboine River meet.  Where Aboriginal people, fur traders, buffalo hunters and immigrants  met long ago. 

There now, you and I have all learned just a little bit more about one of our Northern Neighbors:)