Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Exeter - Fairmont - Grafton
WOW! We keep thinking that the current day is the best day on our 2006 Route 6 NE Art Car Tour. That's probably true but it also feels that way because there have been so many wonderful things before today that the smiles just keep building and building.
What we suspected about yesterday was true. We were too busy to update the photos or blog between Lincoln and Hastings. And, it was also the food tour.
We grabbed Lincoln Journal Star newspapers on the way out of Lincoln so we could see the photos taken by Dior Azcuy (section B, page 1 of Aug 22, 2006 issue - whoo hoo!)
We had such a wonderful time in Milford on Saturday that we stopped back in Milford yesterday for lunch at the Pizza Kitchen buffet. Nice selection, spotlessly clean dining area and friendly staff. None of us had tried the new beverage, "Cheerwine," and everyone who tried it raved. Honest, it really is called Cheerwine and they have it available at the Pizza Kitchen. You just never know what interesting and special things you'll find in Nebraska!
Paul even negoitated a special pizza for all of us to sample, bet you can't guess the secret ingredient. Yup, tomatoes! Stop by Milford's Pizza Kitchen and tell them the Art Car Artists sent you their way because we had a great time there.
Steve White, NTV News was waiting beside the road when we rolled into town at Milford. Our tabletalk of tom-foolery did not deter him so he went touring in the Rt 6 NE Cruiser to the next stop at the Exeter School.
Exeter: After touring Exeter (lead by their fire truck) we headed for the School for an all school chalk art competition lead by Erika. The first graders were declared the winners but everyone enjoyed the candy and swapping at the Shop and Swap Car.
Aerocar2 was fired up and the students were amazed - and cooled - by the experience. Anne was in an unusually good mood because she was getting grass in trade for some things from her car. [Editor's Note: The grass was lawn grass. Clean up your little minds, we were at a school for gosh sakes!]
We had time for a stop on main street to spend money and explore the local businesses before heading to Fairmont. Anne found some great bargains at Greg's Grocery Store in Exeter so she could restock her Swap and Shop car. Several Art Car Artists went exploring a building that was used for storage while Tam and Anne served as look-outs. Actually, they had permission to enter the building but we won't divulge the location because there is some really cool stuff in there.
Fairmont: Fairmonts celebration is becoming an annual tradition that we all look forward to - Ruth's birthday cake, ice cream at the museum, fire department fundraising barbecue in the park, and special awards for art cars as judged by the public, the committee and the mayor. Fairmont even decorated their ambulance with a holiday theme so they would have their own Art Car. Ho-ho-ho, Merry Christmas! Yes, Anne is still being a pain by displaying her "Super Creative" Certificate that she received in Fairmont. She is waving it in front of people's faces because it means so much to her to have the fact that she is creative reaffirmed. The hay rack rides of the community with Don West giving historial information was a hit with all of the Art Car Artists.
Grafton: Tony's Bar (owned by Gary, not Tony) in Grafton was a new stop on the schedule in 2006. We learned that stopping in Grafton is much more fun than driving by it and hope that others stop there, too. Gary was an excellent host and we were treated to music by Paul Siebert. Rex's Chewbaru (driven by Paul)is always a source of wonder and amazement and Erika's Scout received a lot of attention. Groups of people tended to gather around Don's Route 6 Cruiser to reminisce about their Route 6 adventures.
Anne had a great time swapping at Tony's Bar. Who would have known . . . give some of the crowd a few soft drinks (wink, wink, wink) and they might be talked out of trading the shirt off of their back, the cap off of their head and the purse off of their arm. Not one to ever take advantage, Anne now has a nice collection of shirts, caps and purses on display in Swap and Shop because some of the swappers went home and brought extra caps and shirts to swap. Heads up! Anne has several swappers who are interested in her bag of GIANT marbles and you'd better have something pretty special to swap. However, she did show a weakness for swapping for unusual T-shirts so come prepared.
This is a good time to mention that we have heard that Nebraska is a pass-thru state. Anyone passing through places like Exeter, Fairmont and Grafton without stopping is missing some of the best things about America. You would need blinders on your eyes (dangerous when driving) to not be able to see everything great about these rural communities. We hope you also give yourself the opportunity to experience the friendliness of these Fillmore County communities. Thanks to the organizers, participants and to all of our new friends for making us feel welcome.
What we suspected about yesterday was true. We were too busy to update the photos or blog between Lincoln and Hastings. And, it was also the food tour.
We grabbed Lincoln Journal Star newspapers on the way out of Lincoln so we could see the photos taken by Dior Azcuy (section B, page 1 of Aug 22, 2006 issue - whoo hoo!)
We had such a wonderful time in Milford on Saturday that we stopped back in Milford yesterday for lunch at the Pizza Kitchen buffet. Nice selection, spotlessly clean dining area and friendly staff. None of us had tried the new beverage, "Cheerwine," and everyone who tried it raved. Honest, it really is called Cheerwine and they have it available at the Pizza Kitchen. You just never know what interesting and special things you'll find in Nebraska!
Paul even negoitated a special pizza for all of us to sample, bet you can't guess the secret ingredient. Yup, tomatoes! Stop by Milford's Pizza Kitchen and tell them the Art Car Artists sent you their way because we had a great time there.
Steve White, NTV News was waiting beside the road when we rolled into town at Milford. Our tabletalk of tom-foolery did not deter him so he went touring in the Rt 6 NE Cruiser to the next stop at the Exeter School.
Exeter: After touring Exeter (lead by their fire truck) we headed for the School for an all school chalk art competition lead by Erika. The first graders were declared the winners but everyone enjoyed the candy and swapping at the Shop and Swap Car.
Aerocar2 was fired up and the students were amazed - and cooled - by the experience. Anne was in an unusually good mood because she was getting grass in trade for some things from her car. [Editor's Note: The grass was lawn grass. Clean up your little minds, we were at a school for gosh sakes!]
We had time for a stop on main street to spend money and explore the local businesses before heading to Fairmont. Anne found some great bargains at Greg's Grocery Store in Exeter so she could restock her Swap and Shop car. Several Art Car Artists went exploring a building that was used for storage while Tam and Anne served as look-outs. Actually, they had permission to enter the building but we won't divulge the location because there is some really cool stuff in there.
Fairmont: Fairmonts celebration is becoming an annual tradition that we all look forward to - Ruth's birthday cake, ice cream at the museum, fire department fundraising barbecue in the park, and special awards for art cars as judged by the public, the committee and the mayor. Fairmont even decorated their ambulance with a holiday theme so they would have their own Art Car. Ho-ho-ho, Merry Christmas! Yes, Anne is still being a pain by displaying her "Super Creative" Certificate that she received in Fairmont. She is waving it in front of people's faces because it means so much to her to have the fact that she is creative reaffirmed. The hay rack rides of the community with Don West giving historial information was a hit with all of the Art Car Artists.
Grafton: Tony's Bar (owned by Gary, not Tony) in Grafton was a new stop on the schedule in 2006. We learned that stopping in Grafton is much more fun than driving by it and hope that others stop there, too. Gary was an excellent host and we were treated to music by Paul Siebert. Rex's Chewbaru (driven by Paul)is always a source of wonder and amazement and Erika's Scout received a lot of attention. Groups of people tended to gather around Don's Route 6 Cruiser to reminisce about their Route 6 adventures.
Anne had a great time swapping at Tony's Bar. Who would have known . . . give some of the crowd a few soft drinks (wink, wink, wink) and they might be talked out of trading the shirt off of their back, the cap off of their head and the purse off of their arm. Not one to ever take advantage, Anne now has a nice collection of shirts, caps and purses on display in Swap and Shop because some of the swappers went home and brought extra caps and shirts to swap. Heads up! Anne has several swappers who are interested in her bag of GIANT marbles and you'd better have something pretty special to swap. However, she did show a weakness for swapping for unusual T-shirts so come prepared.
This is a good time to mention that we have heard that Nebraska is a pass-thru state. Anyone passing through places like Exeter, Fairmont and Grafton without stopping is missing some of the best things about America. You would need blinders on your eyes (dangerous when driving) to not be able to see everything great about these rural communities. We hope you also give yourself the opportunity to experience the friendliness of these Fillmore County communities. Thanks to the organizers, participants and to all of our new friends for making us feel welcome.
// posted by artcartraveler @ 11:46 AM 
