Indiana Road Less Travelled, Yet…

Ah, yes! The first Saturday in May—Derby Day—First day for Gentlemen to wear straw hats and Ladies to wear white shoes (old Indiana traditions.) I, of course, went to Indiana for the Trafalgar High School* Alumni Banquet, always the first Saturday in May.

[There has not been a THS since 1967 making the youngest of us to be about 75 years old. As you can guess, the crowd is a little smaller this year; more later]

I had made a plan to go very early on Friday to meet a school chum I have not seen since we graduated in 1960. Due to an illness in his family, we had to cancel. So I decided to go a different road to Indiana and visit Hanover College. You know, just out of curiosity, since it was one of the few college campuses I had never seen. So, I chose the new bypass around Louisville which conveniently gave me an exit just above the “sparkling new” Ohio River bridge and it directed me to the burgeoning town of Hanover, IN; one of several small towns along the banks of the Ohio, all about or under 4,000 happy people.

(On the way North on Hwy 62, I slowly went through a thriving small city called Charlestown, which is spreading South toward the Ohio rapidly, also Westward toward I-65. the 2020 census says 7,775. I suggest it is already far above that.)

But as for Hanover, it’s about like always, somewhere between 3-4,000 happy people and a few old sore tails. As I entered the town I saw a nice-looking small restaurant and being curious of the name (“Mr. Grumpy’s”), I couldn’t help myself: I decided it was lunch time. If ever there had been a Mr. Grumpy, he was nowhere to be found. I found it clean and pleasant and the food, a very good Indiana Cheeseburger with BLT and mayo.

In the booth next to me sat an elderly couple, being of the same ilk and a light farming history, I correctly deduced they were retired farmers. So, a conversation was started and went to a variety of subjects from the need for rain there when the middle of the state is drowning in too much! all the way to a brief history of something besides Hanover College. Seems they had owned a 250 acre farm a few miles NW of town and had been very successful (my guess would be ..…as they sold it!)

But the two of them and their stories were pleasant. As I got up to leave we introduced ourselves and then the lady added that her father was Orville Wright……I said, the airplane flying Orville Wright? She said yes, her husband not adding anything to that part of the conversation, I then asked again, “The Orville Wright?” She said, “Yessir!” I said, “Wow, I’ve met a celebrity, right here in Hanover, IN!” She giggled her 82year old giggle and we said goodbye.

NOTE: Orville Wright the bycycle/airplane man died in 1914. This lady would have to be at the least 124 years old. She already told me we were the same age, 82. She had just bold-faced lied to me and her husband let her! Is that part of the dementia stuff we should just let go and not make an issue of it? Don’t know. Also, Orville never married and died of Typhoid Fever. What a wild tale to slowly make its way out of her mouth! Ya know, most Indiana farmer-stories are the truth, I thought up till now.

Yet this couple did tell me of a local site I should see and I followed their directions as I left town and went to a truly historic place about 7 mile down the road: Eleutherian College, A single 3 story building constructed of Limestone blocks hewn from local quarries. On google, you can find a lot of info about it and its founders, their hearts for the poor and for freed slaves, who simply sought a greater education. It’s quite an historic highlight! And, if you’re ever on Hwy 7 between North Vernon and Madison, IN, take a one hour detour and stop and see the remarkable building and the care-taking that must be continued. (Call to get a guide before stopping.)

Lest it reminds you of the word Lutheran, The founders were Baptists who first made it a school for freed slaves, then added the poor of any race who couldn’t afford to go to college. Eleutherian is from Greek and means “freedom and equality.”

Ye olde restaurant couple might have been allowing a lie to float out, but they new about their community’s history right well.

The THS Alumni Banquet was the smallest it has ever been, but somehow nostalgically enjoyable. Since last year our numbers of graduates still living was reduced by (to us) a big number: 22, and that startled most of us. My brother Jack Lockhart eulogized those who had passed, having known most of them personally. I think most all present enjoyed hearing something about all of them in such a way that might continue to bring them back in memories.

Before heading home I visited Grace Point Church in New Whiteland, IN, and was blessed by the group, the preaching and the fellowship with old and new friends afterward. Frankly, I had been worried they would not make a good choice for pastor after the initial pastor, Bro. Jim Devney, had passed away. I met the young preacher and he stands firm on both the King James Bible and the study process you find in 2 Tim.2:15—by “rightly dividing the word of truth.” (Go to gpindy.net and follow, listen and comment that the new young preacher may be advised and criticized that he might gain wisdom and direction. You can tell him I recommended that.)

Thanks for reading, the Elder

The Finish, a Bit Road-Weary

The drive to Rapid City was long and arduous, but the expectation was worth it. We got there in time to visit the Black Hills and Mt. Rushmore (WOW!! Simply Wow!) I never expected to feel the awe of the faces on the mountain as much as I did. It is a bit mesmerizing, a bit humbling, and a bit deeper respect for what it all took for us to have the liberty and space this country has (even with all its foibles.)

Then, the Badlands has an effect different than expected, as well. We walked some short paths to see holes that look almost like sunken living areas, but can’t be any of the sort. Or, hills of rock that look like Cathedrals, or look like rows of soldiers standing in front of a hill. Or large hotel fronts with multiple stories of window-like holes. … all of this is out of some form of rock which is grey to brown to black, and then sand colored. And, massive!

Leaving South Dakota Badlands and going into Nebraska is almost eerie. All the farmland in SD looked the same: huge fields on soft rolling hills or else just flat as a pancake for as far as the eye can see. Just before we reached the Nebraska border, we began to see softer and more layered—billowed, small hills. In Nebraska the billowing hills began to look more undulating and continuous, soft (sand hills they call them), all covered with a short grass turned yellow-beige, but not as dead as it looked and that called for cattle, and many fed on this grass, be it a grass or a grain. In a few miles we began to see cattle on the sand hills, often with a large flat area, where we also saw how the farmer handled his cattle far from home, There were windmills of the old midwestern style, all running and in good condition, obviously providing water for the herds.

The undulating sand hills went on for miles and miles! In fact it was about 20 miles North of North Platte before the sand hills stopped and huge fields of corn, soybeans, and another strange crop were all around us. so, the “Cornhuskers” nickname comes to life! (North Platte—23,000 strong looks as though it must be a shopping area for more than one county—it has all the chainstores from Cold Stone to TGI Fridays!)

We slept well, then when our day started (today, the 28th), we headed toward home. We each guessed a total mileage for the trip and when we got home, I found out how bad a guesser I was; maybe a little trip fatigue, I don’t know.

Iowa: Number 50!! was not very far into our driving. We didn’t go very far, stopping in Des Moines, Iowa. I would classify DM as a “great city,” not only the capital of the state, but the most visited in Iowa by a large margin. I’m sure you can tell by now we could have stayed several days if not a full week in any of about a dozen cities visited, and Des Moines would fit that list! What a magnificent, almost overwhelming, State Capital building they have. Look it up, their pro-pics are better than anything we would take. The next day starts more directly toward home.

Iowa was less like the great Northern Midwest and more like Illinois and Indiana (Iowans would probably disagree), so we didn’t feel a need to slow down or stop much in this state. Besides, we were starting home—no need to dilly-dally!

When I was growing up and professional baseball was very dependent on their minor league programs there was a league known as The 3–I League. It was made up of teams from the 3 states abutted which started with the letter I—Iowa, Illinois, Indiana. I didn’t live close enough to any of the towns in Indiana so as to follow the league on radio, but the Indianapolis News and Star daily papers had pretty good written coverage. Driving across the 3 states in one day—starting in Iowa, crossing Illinois and stopping in Southern Indiana gave me time to remember some of the 50s news about the teams. It also gave me a rush of appreciation for those players’ love of the game. No trains, no planes, just un-air conditioned busses. Must have been some miserable days and nights.

We spent the last night on the trail in a Cracker Barrel parking lot, then the almost 8 hours home the next day. Home, at last. We will long have more words to say about the trip; the wonders of the land and lakes, the surprises of history, the awesomeness of the memorials, and the clearer understanding of why the Midwest is known as the “Breadbasket of the World” in its agriculture.

Just a word about the people: In 1973 we moved from Danville, IL to Oxford, AL. We had some friends from Illinois whose nomadic history had them moving often from Georgia, to Virginia, to Danville, IL, then on to Nebraska and briefly to Idaho. They once told us the the further North and the further West they went the friendlier people were. We found very friendly people the way we went — to Michigan , UP Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, then Iowa to finish the 50, and we have to agree everyone was friendly, and interested in talking with us. We love America—the land and the people! Yet, back home to Sweet Home, Alabama! is just right!

Thanks for reading, the Elder.

What a Whirlwind of Countryside!

A Blog To Remember: The Road To 50/5

And now, on to Mackinac! Not just the island, but Mackinaw City, the famous bridge I heard about from my HS math teacher Mr. Maurice McNeely in the same year the bridge opened—1957, and across the bridge to St. Ignace, MI and beautiful views of Lake Huron. Mackinaw City had this wonderful 4th-generation bakery with the finest doughnuts I’ve ever tasted—and I’ve tasted many! Not even a hint of a grease smell! We kept wanting to go back, even 100s of miles and 3 states away!

We went to the island the next day, didn’t spend a long time there, rainy and chilly. But, visiting and touring causes one to understand more history and realize why it is such a tourist attraction. A worthy visit—after all, the French came there, the English, the Native Americans and finally us Americans. Heck, we thought, why not us, too?! Mackinac Island has a wondrous history. (And 500 people, permanent citizens, as well as 500 horses. Zero cars. One doctor for the 500 people, 3 Veterinarians for the horses.)

The trip continues: Saturday, Sept. 21st.

Leaving St Ignace, we travelled a long, long way across the U.P., that’s the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, much like a separate state entirely, but somehow they have thought better of it. Quite interesting and quite beautiful. The views of the lake, the stunningly gorgeous and unique sandy beaches, all endearingly enjoyable to see!

We truly enjoyed being in and again finding a unique restaurant (busy at late lunch time, yet courteous, friendly and serving great food), in the city of Escanaba. The city is not very large, but more than normal shopping areas and heavily trafficked by industry. Turns out upon a short study, it’s only 12,000 people, but they provide and serve about 33,000 in the surrounding county area. Well done.

Our stay was once again on the grounds of another vineyard; just beautiful. A wedding was just finishing when we arrived and what a sight! The wine store we checked in with was very busy, and the personable young lady attending (Ruth) said, “Oh just pick out a place to park anywhere you like!” I liked that—we parked so no one would hear our generator.

Talking with Ruth later I found out she was raised by missionaries in Africa, has been back in the states 11 years and is married to a young preacher. she knew a lot about grace and eternal security having come out of IFBC, and into the simple gospel of Christ. Hopeful for another future and longer connection.

Sunday, the 22nd, we took a leisurely morning, then drove very long (with a nap about half way) across the UP seeing many surprises. I expected to see forests, but it seems it is crop-farmed, and as we were told, another beautiful drive, into and out of and into and out of and into and out of Wisconsin (Most of the time we didn’t know if we were in Michigan or Wisconsin) till we reached the city of Superior, WI, another of the surprising cities filled with industry and no doubt a support to Duluth, Minnesota, just across the St. Louis Bay bridge.

We stayed on the WI side of the bridge (a bridge actually on I-35, for all our Texas friends!.) Then the next morning, there we were eating breakfast in Duluth, MN, with a gorgeous view of Lake Superior! Now, Barb and I have visited all five Great Lakes! Having read recently about the superiority of Lake Superior, its beauty and size was breath-taking. (Added bonus to the trip.)

But, the formidable few days left take us to the Dakotas, Nebraska and Iowa before heading home—off we go. So we’ve now driven from Duluth, Mn to Brainerd, MN to see Paul Bunyon’s giant Babe, the Blue Ox: it wasn’t there. No, it wasn’t stolen. The huge replica of the legendary story was put into a theme park outside of town and we would not pay their entry fee—we don’t play on kids toys very well anymore, ahem!

Brainerd, however was quite nice, very pretty and complete as a regional shopping center should be, built to provide for many more than the actual population. Then, on to Fargo, ND for the night. On arising, we decided to not venture further into ND, but to take a Southern route through ND to get to Sioux Falls, SD. We did see a lot of N. Dak. on the way. Again, somewhat surprised by the enormous crop fields, yet we saw some other loooong views at lookout stops, capturing the enormity of this land!

Sioux Falls, SD is a lovely town. It’s metro area encompasses more than 30% of the state’s whole population. We really enjoyed the actual “falls” of Sioux Falls. A downtowner’s dream for a tourist draw. Many people exploring the falls and the really odd but beautiful rock formations.

Well, maybe one more session of this story to get us back home, thanks for reading, the Elder.

Travel ON! the ride 50/5!

Well, it’s Tuesday morning (17th) and I just made my first RVer faux pas: I started the generator too early. A park neighbor came over and banged on our door and said, “Turn that loud generator off, it’s only 6am!” Sorry, I said and embarrassingly turned it off. Doesn’t everybody get up at 5:30 and need coffee? Hmm, I guess not. Many places say no generator until 8am, but we were at a Cracker Barrel parking lot and when we went to bed, we were alone in the parking area, but two more came in later and parked fairly close …. and I disturbed them. sorry sorry sorry!

Note to self: when shopping for a camper to buy, find one that doesn’t need the generator just to make coffee. (camper to buy? Oh, no, no, no.)

Today, (Tuesday) Holland and the Lake Michigan shoreline. Each of these small towns along the Eastern shore is uniquely enlightening. All are proud of their heritage (or think we are interested in it) and each has a sort of flair for the artistry in display and are an open invitation for us to visit. Just a few villages give you the impression they prefer to remain private.

Holland was a lot of fun. There is a park-like area known as Dutch Village which was filled with everything Holland-y. The main attractions being an authentic historical windmill, brought to the area in 1964 from The Netherlands. Much larger than I would have gathered from photos, very impressive farming proviso. Also, on their grounds was a hand operated organ-grinder type of (loud) music from the old country. Quite something to listen to.

While the rest of the town was pretty, we began to want to head North along the shore of the lake. Muskegon is very welcoming and I would love to return to it one day. But, I find most towns attract me in that manner. I love the ambience of small towns in our country, just like I love the small farms, the forests, the massive farm fields of growing crops, etc., etc., etc.

We stayed Tuesday evening in a less cumbersome place than a CB parking lot. We were in Ludington, in the remote corner of Walmart parking lot (where I could run the generator at will, no one close!) When we left this morning we saw gasoline was creeping up in price. Don’t know how much, may send home for money—just kidding!

Our decision of how to come to the North today led us through even more beautiful small towns and to the North land edge of lower Michigan which turned us Eastward toward Northport, then South along the water of Lake Michigan now on the East side of the road toward Sutton’s Bay and further South to Traverse City What a great way to see Michigan—at Traverse Bay we turned North again!

[a side note: You may have heard me say before at some time, that Barb and I have an amazing knack for finding unique places to eat. We did it again on this day of our trip. We were oddly driving East across the peninsula of Michigan, just before coming in to Northport, and we drove past a sign at a mid-20th century building of unique design—the sign said Fischer’s Tavern Good Food and Drink. We turned around and went back to it. It was a find! The place has been open for 53 years, it was spotlessly clean, no odor of any kind, several people eating and more came quickly after 1pm, and the food was just right!

Two days later, on Mackinac Island a group stood with me out of the rain and one of them asked me about my shirt—then, where you from, etc. So I asked where were they from, they replied with differing towns but all in Michigan from Traverse City area. So I told them about Fischer’s to see if they had ever heard of it. One lady spoke up and said, “Been there? I love it there! It’s about 30 minutes from my house and the best restaurant around!” We had done it again.]

We stopped for the night at an exceptionally nice vineyard, which invited us and others to “Boondock” on their fields of grass, visit their tasting room, spend time with new friends, etc. This stop’s new friends I am hoping will turn out to be good friends. We met a nice couple of fairly new retirement age (really young compared to us) and one of the usual questions came with my answer that I had pastored churches for a long time. In just a few minutes, he asked me to tell him about my ministry. So, I gave him the short version of the last 60 years—getting saved at 22, learning how to study and what the Bible really says starting at 31, and then a very short version of what “rightly dividing the word of truth” means. Then I asked he and his wife if they were saved, and they gave a beautiful salvation story; from a life of doing all the wrong things, to seeing their errors of disbelief, both getting saved the same night and the peace they were living in continually since.

We went on to talk about the Lord and things on what it’s like to live in this world. Turns out they are in the process of getting off the continual travel retirement and are settling in Navarre, FL. Not so far from us and an area we visit usually more than once a year. My prayer for them is a fuller understanding of the Lord’s word and will for their lives with the added hope of continuing fellowship.

Another part of the trip may be coming soon. Thanks for reading, the Elder

The Long, Long RV Ride/50 & 5

gonna take a few posts.

This is a very long blog—more like a “booklet” of old. Remember them? If a writer only wanted to cover one subject or one location or idea, instructions, doctrine (usually called a tract, they would write it in 5 to 50 pages and refer to it as a booklet. A novelist would call it a short story, magazines would buy them for fillers because they were interesting and “teasers for more.” This might fit one of those pockets. To most who start reading this, it’ll probably not get finished. but, to some I hope they’ll find it interesting enough that two octogenarians decided, planned and carried it out.

A Blog To Remember: The Road To 50

At 8:20 this morning, Sept. 13, 2024, we began our almost 3 week run up North and West to complete our visiting all 50 states. Between the two of us we need to see Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa. To begin getting to those states we must travel through Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and on the way back home we’ll traverse Illinois. So this trip will take us through a good portion of 13 states. The planning of this trip began a good while ago when we realized we didn’t have many more states to go to get through them all.

We wound up deciding last Spring to rent an RV and do it this way. Tonight, first night, we are stopped in Madisonville, KY—a town straight South of Evansville, IN and North of Clarksville, TN. 19,000 happy Kentuckians live here and it has a true middle-America look to it. In the morning when we leave, we’ll look the city over a little closer, we’re putting up with some rain this evening, sort of curtailing our plans to walk their downtown area.

Driving the RV was not as daunting as some might think. It’s a 25ft. C Class we rented, so not a big road hog, just a little bigger than a 16ft. rental truck, but tricked out very nicely. Seemed comfortable for both Barb and Bessie (the toy Aussie who thinks she runs our life.) I drove, but was not terrible tired out and at 6:30 pm, feeling refreshed, looking forward to watching the Cubs baseball after a while—yes, we have internet—can’t leave home without it!

Saturday morning drive to Trafalgar for the Lockhart family reunion was delayed by a couple of minor things and caused us to be late getting there. We let the family know we were coming but would be late, it brought to mind one nephew whose tardiness is pretty regular. So, his brother who was at the reunion called me and when I said “hello,” he said, “Is this my tardy brother being late again?? or is this Jerry who is learning from him on how to do it?” —a good laugh in the background at our expense, and at the tardy nephew’s also, who never made it at all. It was wonderful to see those who were there, but attendance was down considerably.

When the reunion ended, Barb and I trekked on—to a farm in Northern Indiana which raises Alpacas, a very welcoming place with an Alpaca shop, beautiful barns and event facilities. As a matter of fact, they had just finished an event and the workers were gathered to eat a veritable feast and invited us to join in. It was a wonderful gesture and the food was exceptional—beef brisket or salmon, vegetables and dessert —pie and ice cream.

We walked the grounds, introduced Bessie to hogs she had never seen (don’t think she cared much for them), and shopped in the Alpaca shop (don’tcha know?) These were exceptional people. They treated us as if we had known them a long time, and now sitting with them and talking like we were now getting “caught up” with our long-interrupted conversation. I drove on thinking, is this whole trip going to be like this?

Driving North in Indiana is always enlightening. As a kid and then a young man in the business world, I thought I went to a lot of places in Indiana, but every trip I see places I’ve never been. We were stopping for the night at Barb’s nephew’s beautiful small farm and , as usual, they were perfect hosts. Good fellowship and reasons for prayers, and good laughing about old stories, as well. —Onward early the next morning.

Monday with our friends Tom & Donna Morse was a really nice day. Their part of the Detroit suburbs, Canton, Dixboro, etc., are really beautiful cities/towns. We ate a brunch meal at Anna’s House in Westland at about 10:30 and were not hungry again until stopping for the night (7-ish) at Cracker Barrel about 150 miles West of there.

While with Tom and Donna they took us to an orchard built out to be a family park with everything from hayrides through the orchard to a petting zoo to a retail store with more apples than we’ve seen in a long time. Followed by a tour and walks in the park along side the beautiful Huron River.

It was a wonderful visit with them, marred only by Donna receiving a call that her favorite uncle (90 yrs old) had just passed away. So we left them about 5pm, drove almost to Holland, MI before stopping.

Took a side road along the way because we saw at an exit, a small “camper” sign with an arrow to exit so we did. We turned the correct direction, down a classically countryside highway; clean, neatly kept farms, occasional businesses related to farming, etc., but no RV park or campers to be seen. So, I stopped at a really nice convenience store (obviously local, not a chain) and ask the girls working there, “Hey, where’s the camp ground?” One said, “Oh, you mean Elm Grove? It’s down that way a ways. You go to the 4-way, then turn left and it’s a few miles.” I said, “ok, do you know if it’s a good camp for RVs to park at?” Neither knew anything at all about it. With no more info than that, we got back on the I-169 and kept driving.

When we approached Grandville, we noticed a billboard for Cracker Barrel, so as tired as we were that was an easy way to finish our day on the road: eat dinner at CB and park in one of their designated RV slots and sleep free. A super nice finish to a super nice day.

(Part 2 in a couple of days.) Thanks for reading, the Elder