“Tour of Corn Country”

          Bud and I both have always wanted to visit the big corn growing states of the mid-west. Several years ago Bud was offered an Ag-related Trip to Russia. He turned it down saying he’d always wanted to go to the mid-west states like Iowa and just never had a chance. He’d prefer spending his time (when he got time) visiting there.

          Since Bud farms and I work at the USDA Farm Service Agency, we both enjoy incorporating Agriculture into our vacation.  We had found Bed & Breakfast Inns added fun and interesting twists to our previous trips so we elected to make them part of our adventure this time. I began checking B & B’s on www.bbonline.com in general areas we wanted to visit. I specifically looked for country or farm related B & B’s in those areas.  Well… everything did not go exactly as planned but I’ve never had more fun! Even though we were on a “schedule” we left ourselves room to change that schedule as we so desired. It became a trip we will cherish the rest of our lives. J

“Let’s GO!”

          Since Bud lives in East TN and I live in West TN (350 miles apart) He left Wednesday afternoon, August, 27^th, arriving at my home that evening. Our trip would begin the following morning. We couldn’t wait!

Thursday, August 28^th

          We began our trip by taking Hwy 51 up to Cairo, IL crossing the rivers there and then heading West on Hwy 60 across Southern Missouri. Of course, we had to swing by Sikeston, MO where a hub of Ag equipment Implements and Auction yards are. It just seemed a must to drive by.

          Hwy 60 is concrete (which we found interesting) and flows through scrubby knobs and hills. Lots of National Forrest. We drove for miles and miles without a place to eat. When we did finally find one just past Mountain View we ran into a couple from Bud’s Sunday school class! They were riding motorcycles on their way to Springfield, MO for a motorcycle meet. Small world. J

          Mansfield, MO is the permanent home of Laura Ingalls Wilder. She is the author of “little house on the Prairie” books. She wrote the books in Mansfield where she, along with her husband, raised their daughter, Rose.

“Amish Country Inn”

          Our first day of travel ended in Seymour, MO. John and Carrie Haywood welcomed their road weary guests into their Inn. The old Barn had been remodeled into a 3 story B & B with a rustic, country touch. As we opened the front door we found ourselves walking into the gift shop filled with Amish made canned goods and crafts. Although John and Carrie themselves, were not Amish, they were very knowledgeable and respectful for their neighbor’s simple way of life.

          In the back of the gift shop was a dining area called the tea room with a huge kitchen just to the left where John and Carrie whipped up some mighty tasty meals!

          John has found a knack for smoking Bar-B-Q and each evening he provides a menu of smoked pork, beef brisket, chicken and ham for his guests. Carrie fills the rest of the plate with homemade bread, zesty coleslaw, creamy potato salad & baked beans. She tops the meal off with a delicious blackberry cobbler smothered in ice cream.

          John is also a wonderful photographer with his studio on the 3^rd floor of the Barn. His photographs are displayed throughout the Inn.

          John and Carrie are very busy people, raising a “barn” full of sons. (actually 7 total!) Some, already grown and on their own, the youngest, 18 months old. The three little boys added such delight to the Inn, reminding us of our own young grandchildren.

          The second floor was dedicated to the guest’s rooms. Each had it’s own private bath. Our room was the beautiful “Blue and white Room” with a queen-sized bed and cable TV. The atmosphere of the room with all the touches of blue and white, made you feel you were staying in the guest room of their home.

          After filling our bellies with BBQ, Bud and I relaxed on the top front deck of the Barn. Although Hwy 60 was in view, it was far enough away not to interfere with the peacefulness of the early evening.  We took a walk around the grounds of the Inn and enjoyed watching the three youngest Haywoods trying to pick grapes from the massive grapevine in the back yard. One was holding the little wagon while another was in the wagon and reaching for all he was worth for the grapes. The youngest had the bucket on his head like a helmet. We got so tickled at them! Such energy!  

          To continue stretching our leg we walked up the road to an outdoor theatre still in operation. A sight we don’t see much of anymore. The evening air was perfect and the post-rain breeze felt refreshing on our faces.

          To conclude the evening we curled up together to watch a movie. Movie watching is a favorite past time of Bud’s and I just love a good movie. Bud was so worried that I was bored. I laughed. How could I be bored in this setting?! 

Friday, August 29^th

          Our day began with coffee at the bottom of the stairs for all guests to enjoy in their rooms as they dressed for the day. Then we joined the other guests on the back porch for coffee and conversation. We shared stories and points of interest with the other two couples as John and Carrie put the last finishing touches on a scrumptious country breakfast.

          They served us breakfast happily, keeping the chatter light and full of energy, describing in great detail the Amish jellies and sorghum. They provide the tone that makes you feel you’ve stepped right into their own home although actually they live in the house that joins the back yard and duck pond.

          John and Carrie work hard with their many talents to make their guest’s stay a comfortable and most delightful one with memories to last a lifetime. They succeeded. J

“Heading to Kansas”

          After saying good-bye to our new friends at the Amish Country Inn in Seymour, MO, we headed west to Kansas. Wanting to avoid the city of Springfield, we took hwy 125 north and enjoyed the country scenery. Many knobs and hills made the Highway into a roller coaster. The rocky terrain made this area obviously horse and cattle country. We saw lots of round bales of hay. No row crops.

          We took Hwy 13 north to Collins, MO where we ate lunch at Peggy’s Restaurant. We enjoyed a tasty meal of fish sandwiches served by sweet ladies.

“Afternoon Cruise”

          At Collins, MO we took Hwy 54 west towards Kansas. With cloudy, overcast skies we hopped from little town to little town in rural Missouri. El Dorado Springs was larger by contrast to the tiny towns we’d seen along the way. As we made our way to Kansas we began to see more soybeans, milo and corn after we passed Oak Ridge. We watched farmers shelling corn as we continued on down the road. Something about the harvest sight brings a thankful feeling to the air, especially when the crops look plentiful, and these did.

          Just before crossing into Kansas we stopped in Deerfield to look at an old Mercury Bud saw along the road. Turned out to be an old Lincoln. The fellow who owned it knew Joe Costa of Pona City, OK, a man Bud had done car business with previously. Pretty cool listening to their conversation. Once again we thought how small the world really is.

“Welcome to Kansas!”

          Kansas greeted us with the blackest dirt I’ve ever seen. This was a big contrast to the light, reddish tan soil of western Missouri. The land became much flatter with a great big sky. Beautiful!

          We stayed on Hwy 54 West until we were 41 miles south of Emporia, KS where we turned on Hwy 99 North. We found not all of Kansas is flat. Hills and knobs were all around Madison, KS.

“The Kapp Place” 

Emporia, KS

          Our reservation for the evening was at “The Kapp Place Bed & Breakfast” just south of Emporia, KS. Although our Inn Keepers had given directions coming from Emporia, we decided to take the country back roads since it would be closer and in our eyes, a more interesting trip.

          We turned off 99/57 onto a gravel road, (Rd 140). We drove till we came to Rd G and turned onto it as my map instructed. Bud looked at me and laughed. It appeared we had turned onto a field road separating two large corn fields. We were sure it would dead end and we’d have to turn around but we continued on anyway. Half a mile ahead we turned left onto Rd 145. Just to our right was “The Kapp Place”. We’d found our home for the night.

“Bruce and Jerry”

          Bruce and Jerry Fair retired and moved back to the family farm just south of Emporia, Kansas. They remodeled the old farm house, turning it into a lovely Bed & Breakfast. They lease the large farm of cropland to a local farmer.

          The farmhouse was absolutely stunning. Refinished woodwork though out the house was breath taking along with the many antiques that decorated each room. The Marriott Plaza Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina has nothing on them! 

          We were fortunate to have the south bedroom that featured a Queen-sized bed, private bath and private balcony porch that looked out over the front lawn.

          After arriving we enjoyed meeting our Inn-keepers and a couple of guests also staying at the B & B. Then we went into Emporia for a Mexican meal for supper. Later we relaxed back at the Kapp place on our private porch. The breeze blowing in the Elm trees and the peacefulness of the country side helped us unwind and let the world go by for a while and we just enjoyed the moment. The distant hum of a combine and a pound of an occasional hammer sparked our imagination of farm life nearby.

“The Disposable Car”

          Bruce, the owner joined our peaceful evening as he petted and played with his dogs and cats. Observing him from our perch on our porch above, we chatted back and forth with him. We found it amusing that while we were gone to eat supper in Emporia they had wondered what Bud did for a living. Bruce assured his wife that Bud must be a mechanic. No one else would leave out on a long trip in a car like we were driving.

          We laughed because no matter where we go, Bud’s old 81’ Cadillac Seville with a diesel engine is a conversation piece. I laughed saying I trusted that old Caddie more than my own 96’ Mustang! Bud commented that the car was virtually worthless but still ran good and rode well. Should he have trouble along the way, he could easily walk away from it and rent a car for the rest of the trip. Also, we don’t run much risk of someone wanting to steal it either. J They dibbed the caddie “the disposable car” in Emporia and it stuck for the rest of the trip. J

“Rural Luxury”

          As we turned in for the evening, Bud found a plate of homemade cookies in our room while I enjoyed a hot bath in an antique claw foot bathtub. Thick, soft terry robes awaited each of us in the closet.

          The antiques and special touches provided by our Inn-Keepers made the atmosphere the same as an expensive hotel. We truly felt privileged to stay there.

Saturday, August 30^th 

       I crept down the beautiful wood staircase in my bare feet to the aroma of fresh coffee. Jerry offered me cups to take back up to the room. Her warm, friendly personality made me feel right at home. Later Bud and I joined another guest already eating breakfast in the dinning room. Bacon, Apple pancakes with locally made apple syrup! Warm muffins, & fresh fruit only began the morning menu. Bruce and Jerry truly out did themselves with breakfast! Especially those Apple Pancakes! J

          The guest proved to be very interesting to talk to. He had been there all week while attending an engraving school in Emporia. Although originally from Virginia, He now resides in Idaho after marrying a lady from there. It was most interesting to share differences within the states. Bud immediately found a common ground. He and the Idaho guest both love bluegrass music and put the rest of us to shame with our lack of knowledge of popular bluegrass groups.

“Nebraska Bound”

          After breakfast we said our sad good-byes and headed out in our “disposable car”.  It had started to rain. Originally we had reservations in Weeping Water, NE (just east of Lincoln) but the Lady had a medical emergency and requested us to cancel. We seized this opportunity to possibly drive more miles than planned thus reaching our destination in South Dakota sooner.

          As we left Emporia it began to rain. We sadly heard later that that rain turned into a flash flood washing a car off the road drowning a family of four. Such tragic news to a town we’d enjoyed so much only hours earlier.

          We headed north on Hwy 99 driving through Kansas rain. They were in bad need of rain. Large cracks in ground from drought conditions.

          As Hwy 99 crossed interstate 335, Bud spied a junk yard. Since he loves old, antique cars, junk yards sometimes provide a much sought after car part. To his disappointment, this junk yard was private. We drove on.

          As we continue our journey north, the light rain keeps our windshield wipers busy while the miles and miles of rolling hills keep our eyes busy. There are very few houses on the rocky terrain. This is cattle country.

          This area has plenty of rocks. We see miles of rock fences. We are deep in the Flint Hills of Kansas. We check the mileage at Eskridge. We are 650 miles from home.

          We notice that there is no traffic on the highways we’ve traveled today. This was very strange for Bud, who lives in the population explosion area of East TN, Smokey Mountains.

          Alma, KS – City of native stone. After Alma, KS we came out of the flint hills. Land became flatter, with more corn and milo. We ran in and out of rain most of the day…

“Oregon Trail Crossing” 

          Just before reaching Westmoreland we found the Oregon Trail Crossing. Even after all these years, the ruts cut from Wagon Trains headed west still exist. North of the Oregon Trail Crossing we were in rolling hills again. We saw some crops but mostly pasture and hay. 

“Marysville”

          As Hwy 99 intersected with Hwy 36, we turned west onto Hwy 36 to Marysville. We stopped for lunch at Penny’s diner box car. Penny’s is an interesting diner.  After eating lunch we saw custom combining outfits. These are people who travel across the states during harvest time providing the service of custom harvesting. They have their combine loaded on a trailer hooked to a grain truck. Another Truck hauls the combine header. It was amazing to see such large machines like combines and headers packed in such a portable manner.

          We also learned that Marysville is known for it’s Pony Express Station. Yet another link to the historical past of the Mid-west.

“Hello Nebraska!”

          Upon leaving Marysville, traveling west on Hwy 36 we turned north onto Hwy 15 just past Washington, KS. Within minutes we were in Nebraska.

          The quaint little town of Fairbury was interesting with streets made of brick. Hwy 15 took us straight north in Nebraska across beautiful farm country on rolling hills dotted with farmsteads. We saw lots of irrigation systems in Nebraska.

“David City, NE”

          We ate supper at Pizza Hut in David City, NE. We were beginning to get weary even though our eyes longed for more scenery. As we sat eating our Pizza, Bud noticed a portable sign next door saying “Tempte, help wanted.” This caught our attention for Tempte is a large grain trailer company. Bud and I did a little research on such companies a couple of years ago when he was shopping for a grain trailer.

          When we left Pizza Hut we found the factory that makes Tempte Trailers was right behind the Pizza Hut! An interesting little addition to our “Ag tour”.

          North of David City, Hwy 15 carried us up across the Platte river that because of recent drought conditions, was nearly dried up. However, the further north we went past Schuyler, the better the crops looked. Bud filled up with Soy diesel in Schuyler. It was our first purchase of such a product. It was kinda neat buying a product that you produce. (Yea! Go soybean growers!) J  Paid $1.56 per gallon.

“Norfolk, NE for the night”

          We called it a day in Norfolk, NE. We had made good progress on our travel and had an interesting day. We, weary travelers, got a room at the Norfolk Country Inn. It was simple, yet clean and nice. Norfolk is the hometown of Johnny Carson. Interesting, the tidbits you learn along the way, just cruising across the Midwest. J

“Sunday, August 31^st”

          After eating at a local restaurant, we once again headed north. This time, on Hwy 81. Bud spied a junk yard just before Wee Town. (We wondered where they got that name! Bud said “well, guess you gotta name it something.”) We also notice large, old trees we believe to be cottonwood trees. (This was confirmed later in our trip that Bud was correct.) The bark was very rough and deep on the weathered trunks.

          We happen up on some old thrashing machines. Lots of them! I got so tickled at Bud getting really excited as he sees an entire hillside full of them! See a hunk of rusty old metal on the side of the road, call Bud. He absolutely LOVES the stuff. J Actually he enjoys the link to the history to the past that it portrays. He loves the original engines and how they worked. As I hang around Bud, my appreciation for such items, I admit, is growing. Look out junk yards! Here we come!!! (lol)

“The Pit Stop”

       After traveling for a while, I was ready for a pit stop and we needed ice for our cooler full of diet cokes. We pulled over to this place in the middle of no where! It was a small country diner and cars were everywhere! Guess it was the only diner in the area and catering to the locals dining out for Sunday breakfast and early lunch.

          Bud waited outside while I went in. He took a couple of Photos of the large fields of crops (remember I’m traveling with an East TN hillbilly who farms there) and even took one of me when I came out. I laugh because he is fast becoming a bigger shutter bug than me! J
 

“Follow that car!”

          As we got back in the car Bud said, “There’s a car show around here somewhere. I’ve seen 4 or 5 antique cars go up this highway since I’ve been out here waiting for you to come out.” As we pulled out onto the Hwy we fell in behind a black 48 Ford. Bud decided we’d just follow this car to the car show.  At the next intersection the 48’ turned left. We turned left. The 48’ then pulled over at the first driveway, let us go by and did a U turn. We pulled into the next driveway and turned around also. Back behind the 48’, we turned north back on hwy 81 just as they did. At the next intersection the 48’ took a left turn again. We took a left again. This time the 48’ pulled into a parking lot and we did the same, Bud waving through the windshield to show we were friendly foe. J Bud jumped out and explained we were following him, hoping to find the car show we were sure he was going to. He laughed and said he’d gotten a little confused on his directions and didn’t have a map. Bud got out our map and as the two men hovered over the map on top of the hood of the caddie, I stepped over to speak to the wife, still sitting in the 48’. “Are you from TN?” she asked. “Yeah,” I replied. “We are on vacation and he loves a good car show, thought we might luck up on one.” She sat there looking at me and said, “Do you know where mmm…..Weakley County is?” I stopped and stared at her. “I’M from Weakley county.”  She was tracing her genealogy and found the trail came to a halt in Weakley county, TN.

          By this time the men had the map figured out and were ready to get to the car show so we ladies promised to continue our conversation there.  96 counties in the state of TN, and she’s needing info from my county! Small world!

“Wausa, NE car show”

          The car show in Wausa, NE proved to be a delightful one. Held at the local park this Labor Day Sunday, it displayed a variety of old cars for our viewing. We found our new friends and enjoyed a nice visit with them.

                 “Randy & Becky Krueger”

          Randy and Becky Krueger live in Emerson, NE and farm approximately 1,500 acres. They also enjoy antique cars and participating in the local car shows. We all found it most intriguing how we met and then to have so much in common. Becky and I swapped address info and planned to keep in touch especially as I attempt to help her find her Weakley County ancestors.

                          “Welcome to South Dakota!”   

          Once again, on Hwy 81 North, still chattering about the car show we arrive at Yankton, SD just as we pass over the Missouri River. Finally in South Dakota, Our destination state!

          Yankton, we found, is the home of “Wilson Grain hauling trailers”. Another large grain trailer company based in the great Midwest.

          We drive north on hwy 81 in SD, munching on Planters Deluxe mixed nuts. I have to pick out the Brazil nuts and give them to Bud. He loves them! I dislike them very much (To me they taste like ear wax). We have our own little “home away from home” set up in our little caddie, complete with easily accessible items needed while on the road. Items like, snacks, gum, camera, map, pillow, and a cooler of ice cold diet cokes. It’s the little things, we’ve found, that makes the trip more enjoyable. (now, if only we had a built in potty… J)

          As we drive north we notice there are no irrigation systems in SD. They really struggle here for water and there’s none for irrigation purposes. The land is very flat and the sky goes on forever. I now know what “Big Sky Country” looks like.

“De Smet, SD”

          We take Hwy 34 west toward Howard and then hang a right onto Hwy 25 which takes us up to De Smet. We have now traveled 1,140 miles.

          De Smet is where Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little house on the Prairie”  books were written about. The final home for the Ingalls family is just south of town. Laura used De Smet as her setting for several of her Prairie books. We found it interesting that Laura Ingalls Wilder has popped up on this trip twice already unexpectedly. She lived as an adult with her husband and daughter and wrote the books in Mansfield, MO, near the Amish Country Inn, in Seymore, MO were we stayed only a couple of nights ago. It’s fun to see the countryside where she staged the books.