Wildlife, Farm Life, Lake Life and Friends

The journey was recently filled with wildlife, farm life, Amish country, lake shores and friends. It made me think, what would life be without friends?  This is what I would be missing...

The VenzAliner survived the path to Ted & Joann Kiser’s home in Kennerdell, Pennsylvania. Ted called up the wildlife show with deer in the front yard. Enjoyed Joann’s freshly planted flowers direct from Joann Fabrics and had some awesome ribs from Hirsch Meats of Kossuth. Thanks Ted, Joann, Denise and Korey.

Stahlman Lane, Kennerdell, PA

Off to Uniontown, Ohio for a visit with my boys’ babysitter from years ago, Jackie Melton. Enjoyed a visit to her brother’s antique store followed by an afternoon of wine and girl talk with Jackie and her sister-in-law Deborah—we covered it all (note, we didn’t drink it all)!

Jackie & Judy at Bro's Antique Store

Jackie & Deborah

Several stops in Indiana gave way to catching up with Caribbean Beach Club extended family!

Thanks to Phil & Kim, the Venzaliner rested on their spare drive in Greentown while I gallivanted around the upper half of Indiana. I would share some picks of P&K’s beautiful home but I experienced technical difficulties due to full SD card and dead camera battery. However, I was able to catch this shot of Kim and her handsome grandson Parker at the Beebe Farm…not sure who had more fun!

Loretta gave me the Simpson family farm tour followed by a day of work at her parent’s new trailer; unfortunately her parent’s lost their home to a fire recently. Fortunately, as you can see from the picture below, they are doing well at 90+ years young!

Enjoyed a day in Amish Country in Shipshewana with Gene and Loretta; visited the Guggisberg Deutsch Käse Haus Cheese Factory (tasted just a little) then carbed up at the Blue Gate Restaurant with a tasty Amish meal of homemade noodles, mashed potatoes, bread and old fashioned peanut butter (needed our protein too!), and ended with a traditional buggy ride.

Amish dad and son working the field

A visit to Indiana would not have been complete without a visit to the Simpson’s lake house. Relaxed and enjoyed the sunrise and sunsets; not to mention the pontoon and speed boat rides and a refreshing swim in Sechrist lake. Thanks Gene & Loretta!

Sunrise at Sechrist Lake...the calm before the storm!

One last stop, the Beebe farm; thanks Jodi for letting me tag along in the life and times of the Beebe family. In two days we covered soccer (good choice Colin), gymnastics (keep tumbling, jumping and swinging Jenna), lacrosse (awesome game Luke & Spencer); not to mention feeding the chickens and goats, collecting eggs, and watching Luke build a fence. Oh yes, and a visit to Cool Ponds…awesome. Now I know why Matt travels for work! 

Petting the fish

Colin & Parker

One will be food

Thanks friends for the hospitality and for adding wildlife, farm life, lake life and Amish Country to my journey; I certainly enjoyed!

STOP and listen...A special thanks today to all my friends for being a part of my life!