Day 13 - Labor Day in Nebraska

Hi all,
Today was a very exciting day. My knee has been feeling fine, hoping in and out of a Model T, and airboat, so today was going to go up in a 1949 Ryan Navion, what an exciting treat. Ken's cousin Norman, a pilot, owns this plane and invited us for a flight. We were at the airport at 8AM. Ken and Norman rolled the plane out of the hanger onto the cement. I looked at the plane and thought how will I get into it. Norman said to step on the footstep, grab the handle, then pull yourself up on the wing. Well I stepped on the footstep, grabbed the handle, and reached for Norman's hand. Well thinking and doing can have a synapse lapse. My knee bent and there I was kneeling on the wing, but not standing. I was able to pull myself up and climb into the back seat of the plane. Hooked my seatbelt and was ready for takeoff. Ken and Norman got into the front seats.

Well off we went into the wild blue yonder. So beautiful, but after about 5 minutes I felt very hot, unbuttoned my jacket, but no better. I than became very nauseous and had a blast from the past. Every time I rode in the back seat of an old car I became car sick,ugh!! Here I was in a vintage plane in the back seat with no airsick bag, and how can I tell Ken and Norman, I love the ride, but may have to hurl. Just as I was thinking that Ken turned and looked at me as did Norman, I must have been a lovely pea green. Norman flew back to the airport and after a wonderful soft landing, opened the canopy so I could get some air. Ah, I was going to make it after all, but how was I going to get out of the back seat. Norman taxied to the hanger and said it would be easier getting out than in, and he was right. He brought out a small stepstool, I climbed out of the plane, stepped on the stool's top step, sat down and slid my feet to the ground. Norman's a great pilot, and such a gentleman.

After a delicious lunch, Ken's cousins Norm and and Rex and their wives, Ken and I took a ride. The plan was to see where Ken's grandfather farmed, which we did, some buildings still standing. It was like a walk back in time. We then decided to visit a cemetary in Hazard. Well the road sign said limited maintenance but that didn't deter our staunch driver Norman. We went on dirt roads that looked like Federal Assistance Rejects. Everytime we reached the crest of a hill we expected to see our destination. Alas, this was not to be, at one point I thought I saw the ocean, maybe wishful thinking. After much laughter and comments about how you can't trust a GPS we arrived. S

Today was another wonderful day with my cousins and their wives. I don't know when we have laughed so much and enjoyed ourselves more. Norman and June and Rex and Betty are such wonderful hosts and have showed us such a great time, that it will be hard to leave this part of the country. A ride in the front set of Norman's Ryan Navion was a real treat. I had flown in his museum quality WW II restored Piper L14 before, but had only seen the Navion about 10 years ago before it was restored. This ride was a little rough, but Norman is one of the finest pilots you have ever seen. What views of the Nebraska fields and country sides, but it was cloudy, so the brilliant greens were subdued.

To see the town and countryside that I started my life in from the air was a thrill again after all these years. The last time I flew over Pleasanton, I was probably 14 years old and Norman was the pilot then too. I remembered flying over the town into a stiff headwind and then realizing we were actually flying backwards over the town. We had air speed, but not ground speed, and when I had looked at Norman, I remember he had this mischievous grin on his face that I can still see after all these years.

After landing, we drove over to Rex and Betty's home and saw more of Rex's toys, including his airboat and a 1928 John Deere tractor that his dad had bought new. Of course, it was in perfect running order, so he cranked it up and drove it out of the garage so we could look it over. Quite a machine and hard to believe it is still operational after all these years. It only had 19 horsepower, but it was a real workhorse back in the days.

Back to Pleasanton for lunch with the cousins. Rex and Norm were still wanting me to take the Vette for a ride through the mud race track since it looked like the track had dried out a little, but I still refused. They took us for a ride in the country side and we saw the farm that my grandparents had farmed so very many years ago. The house is still there, as are some of the buildings. Until I saw the farm, I hadn't really remembered it, but I did recognize features again after all these years. Traveled on to see more of the countryside and over roads that are not regularly maintained. Rex and Norman sure were wanting to take me back to get the Vette to follow them thru the countryside. Also visited a cemetary in Hazard, Nebraska, where my great grandparents are buried and saw another farm where the great grandparents had homesteaded land so many years ago. Their first home was made from sod.

We will sure miss all the laughs, stories (both old and new), and the fun we had while we were here and hate to have to leave to continue our journey. This visit with all of my cousins will never be forgotten, nor will we ever be able to thank them for all the experiences this weekend. We will miss them all and are certainly glad we were able to have a reunion after all these years. We have to plan for another reunion soon.

Well, we have now traveled 2452 miles on "the Great Adventure" and will be hitting the road for Mt. Rushmore tomorrow morning. Stay tuned for our continuing saga... K

Day 12 - Hand Family Reunion

Today was the Hand family reunion in Pleasanton. Arrived in Pleasanton to meet cousins, second cousins, and third cousins. First cousins Rex and Norman, we saw on Saturday, but today we got to see cousins Sharon and Barbara. We haven't seen Barbara in 10 years, but I hadn't seen Sharon since the mid-50s. Rex brought his 23 Model T Ford to the reunion, and it is in incredible shape. I had ridden in a Model T as a child, but had never driven one.
Before you know it, Rex was teaching me to drive this beautiful machine and it was a ball. Takes a lot of getting used to, especially when you have to stop - Make sure the left floor pedal is mid way down, and press the right brake pedal at least a half block before you really have to stop. Brakes are only 1-inch wide and are mechanical brakes on the rear wheels only. To take off, advance the gas lever on the steering column and press the left pedal to the floor. Push the handle beside your left leg fully forward when you start moving forward , let off the gas, and let the left pedal come all the way back to shift into high gear, and away you go. When I shifted into high gear, the poor old car bucked and jumped, gears shuddered and groaned, and I asked Rex if that was normal or if if was me. "No." he said, "It's you."

We had it out on the highway and managed to get up to about 40 mph, and what a kick to think this was advanced technology in 1923. Also took it through a pasture behind Norman's home and Rex said this was the way the roads would have been in 1923. When we got back, Rex got Sheila out of the house, and off the two of us went for a ride. That was really a thrill, and I was so glad I could drive that thing and take her for a ride.
These are Betty and Rex, me and Sheila, Norman, June in the lower left, Barbara, and her sister Sharon. Missing in this generation of cousins were Mike and Patty. Seeing everyone and their children was so nice and we had such a great time. We all wonder why it is so long between us seeing each other and are looking forward to the next time we get together. Meeting in Pleasanton is always fun with Norman and Rex and their families. These two guys also have nice toys to play with (air boat and the Model T - They have other toys too).
This is Rex and Norman in Norman's kitchen on Saturday night trying to figure out how they're going to get me to take the Vette down to run in the mud races. (Note Rex's pony tail.) This subject was brought up several times during the course of the evening. They figured the least I could do is drive it down to the pit area to take a couple of pictures with the trucks covered in mud. They didn't talk me into it. K

Day 11 - Reunion Bound

I asked them if they shipped and they said
"Yes, but not to New Hampshire".


We had to post Day 11 today, as we were having too much fun on Saturday. Left Bellevue about 9:00 AM after one more swing thru town. Then on to Kearney and Pleasanton. We didn't need an early morning wakeup at the motel, as the fire alarm woke everyone in the motel at 6:30 AM. No fire, but it was a hell of a way to start to the day.

Got to Kearney and checked into the Ramada Inn, got unpacked and freshened up, and headed for Pleasanton. My family originally came from the Pleasanton area, and my parents and brother are buried here, so this place has very special meanings in my life. When we arrived in Pleasanton, the street into the town, population 310, was filled with cars and people lining the street. Of all things, they were having mud races with modified pickup trucks. People were trying to get me to pull the Vette into the racers' entrance, but I passed up the chance the beat these guys. (Yeah, right!)

Drove over to my cousin Norman and his wife June's place and were greeted by June. Shortly after my cousin Rex arrived and then Norman arrived. They had been down at the mud races. Talked and laughed over old times and then we went to the races for a while. Really interesting race track. Just a short strip of mud and dirt, and then a quick car wash if you don't stop in time. If you don't stop in time, you will land right in the river at the end of the strip.

Back to Norman and June's and Norman invited Sheila and I for an air boat ride with him and his brother Rex. Of all things, we forgot to take a camera with us. Norman has a new air boat with a 425 horsepower Chevrolet engine (that's 75 more hp than our Vette), and he took us for several miles up and down a small river called the Loop River. What a beautiful ride through some of the most scenic areas we've ever seen. The river is too shallow for a regular boat, so an air boat, especially one with 425 hp, is the only way to see the river. Not much in the way of shallow water or sand banks is going to slow a 425 hp air boat down. Even saw bald eagles nesting along the river and Rex saw a deer watching us from a bank on the river.

When we got back o the house, Rex's wife Betty joined us and the stories of the adventures of Rex and Norman began. The things these two have done would fill volumes. We laughed and laughed over old and new stories. Its amazing these two have survived some of their exploits, but they and their families are wonderful and amazing people. We finally had to leave for the night and headed back to Kearney. Along the way back, the Vette was attacked by a killer racoon that literally ran into the side of the car while we were traveling along at 60 mph. That thing, when I saw it at the last minute, looked big enough to mate with a Shetland pony! I figured I would be in serious need of a car wash Sunday morning, but lucked out. The driver's side of the car was actually cleaner than the passenger side - Probably due to the racoon fur treatment. K

Kearney, pronounced Carney, was named after Fort Kearney here in Nebraska. The ride from Omaha here again was flanked by corn, wheat, and soy fields, beautiful fertile country. The ride from Lincoln to Kearney is a long flat road, I wonder if Nebraska in Native American means road flat as a pancake after Lincoln. Kens family is very nice and a lot of fun, I've enjoyed spending time with all of them.
Visited the cemetary and Kens parents and brothers graves. Cemetary is a very peaceful place maintained by town residents. Kens grandparents are also buried there. Have purchased some flowers to place tomorrow at gravesites.
Visited Pleasanton 10 yrs ago and have to say some changes have been made. Still a small town but the town has moved forward.
Kens cousins really enjoy teasing us about placing the Vette, in mud races, tractor pulls etc.
Last night they had a rodeo in town big excitement for small town.
Will see Kens family again tomorrow, more to follow.
Yes I did get my OPI nail polish pretty color and all. S

Day 10 - Bellevue, Nebraska

Today was another trip through memory lane for me as I drove Sheila around Bellevue again and then found our way into Omaha and the Old Market area. This area is now tourist heaven, and I was lucky to find the place after all these years. It would be a fun place to spend a day going through the shops and cafes, but didn't have the time. I did locate a machine shop that had been owned by a couple of friends' father, and one of the sons still runs the place. I stopped and surprised him and we talked for a while before we had to leave and he had to get back to work.

My old stomping grounds have changed so much in all these years, and some places I recognized, but others have changed so completely or are no longer there. Quite a shock. Did go back to the cafe we had visited the day before and has fried fish again. Had to make a video documenting from the cafe back to our old home in Bellevue so my brother could get an idea how much everything has changed. My sister had been here in Omaha/Bellevue a week ago for a high school reunion so has seen all the changes. She couldn't get over the changes either. K

Hi all,
Really enjoyed our trip to Olde town. It's been years since we've been but it still has that quaint feeling. Stopped into an artist co-operative, what beautiful things. The first thing I asked was ,"do you ship?", I was so disappointed when they said they didn't. So many different and striking things at good prices. I did buy a pair of copper and silver earrings very light and different, but if they could have shipped pieces it would be another story.
Would have liked to have spent more time there but too tempting. S

Day 9 - Bellevue, Nebraska

We arrived in Omaha/Bellevue, Nebraska, today in the middle of a rain storm, but managed to find the motel. The GPS and I are speaking again. After it got us lost in Des Moines, it did redeem itself by getting us to our motel. After checking in, we managed to find our way into Bellevue, and so much has changed in the city. Bellevue is where I lived and graduated from High school. It has been a long time since I've been here, and driving around town brought back a lot of memories. Didn't recognize the main part of town at all (too many changes), but did remember the streets. Found our old house without any problems too.

Wanted to go to an old favorite place to eat called Joe Tess in South Omaha, and of all things, I drove right to it. Sheila didn't realize I had no idea where I was going because the streets have changed so much, but I lucked out and drove right into the parking lot. We had fish sandwiches, which are really deep fried fillets of carp served with dill pickles and rye bread. Really brought back memories. Of course, when I was living here, the fish sandwiches were $0.25 apiece and are now $3.95. Just a little inflation over the past 45 years or so.

Called my niece Stacey and we were able to meet her and her son Kayden and daughter Ivy. What a beautiful niece she is and what beautiful children! We met them at a McDonalds near the motel, and, of course, I managed to get a little lost getting back to the Motel, but didn't have to sleep in a field someplace instead of the motel. We're going to be here for another day before leaving for Kearney and the reunion. Want to go back to South Omaha and use the video camera to film the changes all the way back to our old house so my brother can see the changes. We had internet access when we arrived, lost it, re-connected, and then lost what we wrote yesterday, so this is being posted on Friday instead of Thursday. K

Hi all,
Back in the Cornhusker State, lots of corn fields around. Bittersweet moments for Ken driving by his old house and neighborhood, so much has changed.
Have been using my new face creams and, maybe it's just me, but I think I look about 3 weeks younger.
My first time in Nebraska I went to a department store with Kens mother and sister Vicki. While we were shopping they announced " Go Big Red" and all shoppers except me cheered. I thought it was for the employee of the month, then found out they love their football here and it was for the Uof N team. They sell the T shirts everywhere now, I thought Ken would like one but he said no Big Red lives in his heart.
Now plan to get my nail and toenail polish changed. Told Ken I needed to pick up some OPI nail polish as my nails need some help. He asked why anyone would name a nail polish Opey Eye, and so it goes. S

Day 8 - Des Moines or Bust

We left Sheila's "Mecca" about 9:00 this morning headed for Des Moines Iowa. A smooth, uneventful trip, but lots of construction. After leaving New England with pot holes everywhere, you hit the midwest and realize they don't have many pot holes. The highways from Detroit on have all been concrete in lieu of asphalt like they use at home. Saw them pouring concrete in Minnesota today, and the roadway had to be 10 inches thick!

Arrived in Des Moines and the GPS immediately got us completely lost. I pulled out the spare GPS and it also got us lost. It's wonderful when you have two GPSs with female voices plus a wife trying to tell you what to do and the GPSs are each giving you different turn directions. Sheila was the only one with any sense, however. Of course, Sheila was also trying to tell me where to go and it had nothing to do with getting to the motel. Our motel is directly across from the airport, and as we walked in the lobby, the military decided to test some jet engines and we were ready to look for another motel. Tests were quickly completed and we settled in to our room.

Just went out for something to eat and had to find a car wash. Drove all around the area and finally found one but when we got back to the motel, there was a car wash right next to the motel. Figures! We have now traveled 1872 miles on the trip. Omaha is a couple of hours drive, and we will spend two nights there before we head for the reunion in Kearney, Nebraska. K

Hi all,
After miles and miles of corn fields and windmills have arrived in Des Moines. Yes we had a period of high anxiety finding the motel, but are settled in now. Ken and I are still speaking just not to each other. Plan on going to the pool for a swim and will both settle down after some nice exercise.
Laundry still an issue, plan on finding a spot in Nebraska, or become frequent fliers at WalMart.
No restaurant at this motel so will take a ride after our swim and find a place.
Tomorrow up early and onto the cornhusker state, S

Day 7 - Sheila's Second Trip to Mecca

Today was our second trip to the Mall of America. We were so excited to get back (he says with a snicker...) that we arrived at the mall about 35 minutes before the place even opened. The coffee shops were open though, and it gave us a chance to look around before the crowds arrived. We certainly weren't the earliest to arrive, however. The photos were taken at Lego Land near the amusement park. They have areas outside the store that they provide Legos for the children to make things and then drive their parents crazy in the Lego store.

The amusement park has roller coasters, a ferris wheel, and all sorts of other rides. Certainly enough to keep the kids busy. The mall is air conditioned in the hot times of the year, but doesn't have heating for the winter months. Heat is provided for the cooler parts of the year by equipment heat and heat from all of the bodies shopping in the mall. Still didn't see all of the place, but certainly saw enough to tire us out. Had to go to the Apple store due to a software glitch on our laptop and it took almost an hour, but they fixed it. Had to buy a western shirt and a street sign that says "Corvette Parking Only". My shopping is done for the trip Kemo Sabe. K

#If you build it they will come" and so they have. Our bus driver told us this morning that more people come to the Mall of America yearly than DisneyWorld and DisneyLand combined. Today we started on the South side, yesterday we did the North side. Had a mango iced tea to start the day, very delicious.. Went into Baby Gap and got our youngest grandaughter an adoreable outfit. She will be 2 yrs in November and loves shoes. The shirt is a centipede saying, " I need more shoes", leggings that match and sox as well, think she'll look cute.
Then into Bloomies for a quick look around, bought a nice lipstick that will fit in my purse. Ken and I had seperated and agreed to meet in an hour. I thought I'd have so much time to do things, didn't plan on getting lost but I did. Went to the bead store again but just looked.
Did find some cute jeans in Coldwater Creek and a cute blouse, promised Ken I would layer dress on the ride home. Got pulled into a "Let me make your skin look 20 yrs younger kiosk" Well have know got a years supply of prime, yes I mean prime skin care products from the dead sea. When you see me again please comment/lie about my youthful appearance. Ken was with me and said it was up to me but he thought I looked fine, that just helped the salesman to reduce the price a little more.

Met up with Ken and we went to a "Healthy Lunch Counter". I had the grilled veggie burger in pita bread with a cup of veggie chillli. It was delicious. Ken had the bean and brown rice burrito, did eat it all but not his favorite. Tonight back to the Outback, they have a nice salad and grilled chicken.
Plan to go to the pool again before supper, it felt so good to swim yesterday. We"ll be leaving early in the morning as plan to drive toDes Moines Iowa tomorrow. The next day will be Omaha, spend a day there and on to Kearney for the Hand family reunion. S