Monday, August 28, 2006
Aug 27 - Imperial & the Border: Happy Day - Sad Day
Happy Day: Last night Fearless Leader Don gave us a gift. Due to the change in time zones we were able to sleep an extra hour. After bowing and groveling at his feet for the unexpected gift we just stayed up an hour later and it was like it never happened.
Happy Day: Our Sunday excursion started with the scenic drive to Imperial for our scheduled stop at the Imperial Manor Nursing Home. Fearless Leader Don, always one to take advantage of an opportunity, took his Concert Roller Organ along so we could play it for the group. He also played some of the unlabeled cobs and the residents generously offered their assistance in helping to identfy them. I saw plenty of toe tapping and several residents had a gleam in their eyes as they recognized yesterday's tunes.
Happy Day: We were treated to a home cooked meal and everyone totally cleaned their plates before we were presented with homemade blueberry pie.
This is probably a good time to mention that we have been discussing a fall tour because we are willing to eat our way across Nebraska again to get more of these locally cooked meals.
Very Happy Day: We were honored and humbled to be in the presence of a local writer, Wayne C. Lee, with a fan following that has given him justly-deserved international fame. We were in awe of his many accomplishments and purchased some of his books but also took the information so we could purchase several more. Erika purchased the book on Kansas, Tam grabbed the one on the early days of wild Nebraska communities and Anne was overjoyed to learn that she could read about the baddest of the bad men of Nebraska's early days with her purchase.
Since the skies opened up and drenched the area with much appreciated rain we were able to stay longer to get to know Mr. Lee, his family, and meet some of his friends.
We had a presentation on Lamar during the 1920-30 era. We learned a couple of coin tricks from one of Mr. Lee's friends and we had a second opportunity to play the Concert Roller Organ before departing.
Happy Day - Sad Day: As the skies cleared and the rain slowed to a drizzle we waved goodbye to Aerocar2 Dave so he could depart for a birthday party. We hated to see him leave but were happy, happy, happy that he joined us again for this tour. What a great guy!
Happy Day - It was time to "run to the border" and the beginning of the tour would be unimportant if we didn't have an end to the tour. Lead by an antique car we departed Imperial for our destination. Instead of the shouting hurrah that we had last year we had an emotional hurrah. There were smiles all around as we toasted at the border and Chewbaru driver Paul was documenting the experience from several angles with his camera. No one but Paul knows how many photos he has taken while crossing Nebraska but we appreciate every one of them. Thanks, Paul!
Happy Day - Don gave everyone a packet of antique, commemorative postcards of Nebraska for completing the tour. Super Tam presented Fearless Leader Don with the traveling trophy for his organization of the tour and leadership during the trip. Swap & Shop Anne received the brain award and everyone declared that she was one of the most creative people they had ever known.
Happy Day: We were elated that we safely made the trip and we had a short prayer for those who were with us in spirit and were facing adversity.
Happy Day - Sad Day: This was the official end of the tour. That's enough to be both happy and sad about. However, not willing to let it end at the Nebraska/Colorado border we made plans to stop for fuel and then meet in McCook for the "last supper."
Happy Day: Our Sunday excursion started with the scenic drive to Imperial for our scheduled stop at the Imperial Manor Nursing Home. Fearless Leader Don, always one to take advantage of an opportunity, took his Concert Roller Organ along so we could play it for the group. He also played some of the unlabeled cobs and the residents generously offered their assistance in helping to identfy them. I saw plenty of toe tapping and several residents had a gleam in their eyes as they recognized yesterday's tunes.
Happy Day: We were treated to a home cooked meal and everyone totally cleaned their plates before we were presented with homemade blueberry pie.
This is probably a good time to mention that we have been discussing a fall tour because we are willing to eat our way across Nebraska again to get more of these locally cooked meals.
Very Happy Day: We were honored and humbled to be in the presence of a local writer, Wayne C. Lee, with a fan following that has given him justly-deserved international fame. We were in awe of his many accomplishments and purchased some of his books but also took the information so we could purchase several more. Erika purchased the book on Kansas, Tam grabbed the one on the early days of wild Nebraska communities and Anne was overjoyed to learn that she could read about the baddest of the bad men of Nebraska's early days with her purchase.
Since the skies opened up and drenched the area with much appreciated rain we were able to stay longer to get to know Mr. Lee, his family, and meet some of his friends.
We had a presentation on Lamar during the 1920-30 era. We learned a couple of coin tricks from one of Mr. Lee's friends and we had a second opportunity to play the Concert Roller Organ before departing.
Happy Day - Sad Day: As the skies cleared and the rain slowed to a drizzle we waved goodbye to Aerocar2 Dave so he could depart for a birthday party. We hated to see him leave but were happy, happy, happy that he joined us again for this tour. What a great guy!
Happy Day - It was time to "run to the border" and the beginning of the tour would be unimportant if we didn't have an end to the tour. Lead by an antique car we departed Imperial for our destination. Instead of the shouting hurrah that we had last year we had an emotional hurrah. There were smiles all around as we toasted at the border and Chewbaru driver Paul was documenting the experience from several angles with his camera. No one but Paul knows how many photos he has taken while crossing Nebraska but we appreciate every one of them. Thanks, Paul!
Happy Day - Don gave everyone a packet of antique, commemorative postcards of Nebraska for completing the tour. Super Tam presented Fearless Leader Don with the traveling trophy for his organization of the tour and leadership during the trip. Swap & Shop Anne received the brain award and everyone declared that she was one of the most creative people they had ever known.
Happy Day: We were elated that we safely made the trip and we had a short prayer for those who were with us in spirit and were facing adversity.
Happy Day - Sad Day: This was the official end of the tour. That's enough to be both happy and sad about. However, not willing to let it end at the Nebraska/Colorado border we made plans to stop for fuel and then meet in McCook for the "last supper."
// posted by artcartraveler @ 11:43 AM 
