September 3, 2022
When we arrived this morning at the Threshers Reunion we went over to the area where a man carves animals and other things from a log of wood. This man makes the most amazing things, not just bears and eagles. He carved a barn and silo with a tractor coming out of the barn. Underneath it says “Welcome to the Farm”. He also did a flag and pig that were really unique.
I watched the wood carver for a while and then moved on to the tractor area. I didn’t expect to learn anything, but I did. They had information posted that said “Did You Know”. I didn’t know, but I learned the Hart-Parr Company coined the word tractor in 1907. They had referred to their products as gasoline traction engines, but decided it needed to be shorten and came up with tractor. It’s meaning is a machine for pulling or hauling. I read other trivia while I walked the grounds, but I thought this was the most interesting.
While I was meandering through the tractors, Steve was on his own adventure at the swap meet. Most of what he found were parts for tractors, which I guess only makes sense, since it is a threshing show. The only thing he saw for a Model A were 2 wheels.
The attendance for the show doubled since yesterday and it was hot again so we stayed only until Steve drove his car in the parade for a second time. By then we had seen everything we’d wanted to and were ready to leave. It had been fun. Steve enjoyed talking about his car to anyone who wanted to listen and he was happy to be part of the car show. I was happy to make new “doll” friends and hope to connect with them sometime in the future.
Before we left Mt. Pleasant, Steve agreed to stop at one of the big flea markets in town. It was in the town square and Steve sat by a fountain in the middle of the square while I shopped. Most of the vendors sell all the same things that I’ve seen before so I didn’t buy anything for myself. I did find for Steve a small metal cutout of a Model A that looked like our car. Something else he doesn’t need, but liked anyway.
We made one more impromptu stop and that was about 30 miles from Mt. Pleasant. It was at an unincorporated town called Swedesburg. As I am ½ Swedish Steve thought it would be an interesting museum that I would like.
As we entered the museum we were welcomed inside and offered coffee and treats. There are still many descendants, that live in the area, from the original Swedes that settled there. For that reason, the museum was packed with artifacts and information. After touring the museum we went outside and saw the statue of a Dala Horse, the traditional symbol of Sweden. Steve, of course, saw a photo op with his car and took several pictures.
The rest of our drive was pretty mundane, except for the 25 mile detour we had to take when our road was closed. It was late by the time we settled in for the night in Grinnell, IA. Tomorrow we have no planned stops and should be home in the afternoon.
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