Almost home. . . QS for today

MWA clinic this past weekend.

 Sat. morning started out cool, but sunny.

The gang, students and instructors, gathered early to get their groups set.

 All kinds of vehicles are used to get us and our boats and gear to the river.

 My trailer set up for hauling lots of boats around for the weekend.

 Much lighter, more modern ones are so nice.
Did I say much lighter?

 Some newer and more shiny with the latest boat lifting systems.Sort of the IPAD of racks.

The level was very low.
We called it about minus 6 inches.
We would have liked about 12 more inches at least on top of what we had.

 Aaron was a real big help this weekend, climbing out on all the rocks I asked him to, to set up safety.

The gang, minus safety boater Richard.

Style by Cory.

Style by Dan.

By Aaron.

By Pam.











A colorful group going by.

Finally pulled over. . . .

 Since I have been driving down HWY 94 more over the last few years, with our move, I have often told myself I need to pull over and take a picture of this old farmstead.
I finally pulled over and did. On the day I finally did, the owner was out, and give me a little history of the place.
Before the highway was expanded over the last few years, the farm set further back from the main roads and had a gravel drive.

 The barn was built around 1900 and sets on a wonderful stone foundation.

 The well pump is still usable and in fine shape.

The house itself, a wonderful federal style, was built in the 1860's and is well maintained.
They no longer live in the house, having built a new one further back on the property, but they keep it well looked after.

A beautiful cabin from a blog I follow. . .

It's a small town life. . .  She always has wonderful photo's.

Finally, breakfast at Martha's and Grand-Ma's 90th!

 One of my favorite things about visiting small towns is finding local places to eat, and Martha's is about as local as you can get. We had had dinner here once before, but my real cravings go towards breakfast.
Now Martha's is never gonna get more than one star on any Michelin list, and you won't find any of her recipes on Rachael Ray's show, but if you are looking for real comfort food, you can't beat a place like Martha's

 Nothin' real fancy.

 But it sure hits the spot on a cloudy Sat. morning.

Yum!

 We'll be back.










 Shelbina is a small rural town, just northeast of the middle of Missouri.
The below picture is how the town looked in about 1924. It had a very busy main street, with several cross streets also packed with business's.

 

 This wonderful building graced the main thoroughfare for almost a hundred years.








Unfortunately earlier this spring it suffered a fire. And although the front facade stood after the fire, it was deemed to unsafe to leave up.

The fire made all the local TV news programs for that part of Missouri.

It was a very sad loss for the town.









But at least someone in town saved a few of the stone pieces from the front of the building, and hopefully they will reuse them or place them in the towns museum.                                                                                            

 

The town boasts one of the many Carnegie Libraries.
Carnegie_library

Many fine old buildings still stand, but many are also in very bad disrepair.
Just a couple of years ago many of these business's were still active, but now the whole store front is closed down.

The town is still a very active in agriculture and that is probably what sustains it.

Many fine homes still in town.

But the real reason we were up here this past weekend was to go to the farm for Grandma's 90th birthday!

Spring was springing all over the place, just like Grandpa said, about a month early.

Another view of the often posted here root cellar.

Of course, going to the farm means playing outside all day with the cousins.

Yet another view.

Uncle Tim gave the kids a deer skull to take to school.

Family soon started to show up.

Cousins laying out the spread.
Party in the barn.

Sister-in-laws working in the kitchen.

Yet another view.

(I don't know what it is, but I just love this building!)

Along the fence row.

Three brothers, three hats.

More people showing up.

Grandpa, great-grandson and cat.

Wife with  grandma, making sure the birthday girl goes first.

Ok, now the rest of ya can feed.

Don't rush, plenty for all.

Farm tail-gate party for the kids.
Cheers!

Wife and her dad.

Cake anyone?

Startin' to drag near the end of the day.

Four generations.