I think I was most amazed by the the wide open spaces we saw as we traveled along the highways. Yes, we saw miles and miles of corn fields and mile after mile of fields where the hay had been bundled up for the winter. But there was also miles and miles of gently rolling hills and verdant valleys. We were reminded of pictures from our childhood history books of the pioneers and their wagons trekking West. I don't think it has changed much except the herds with thousands of buffalo have disappeared and so have the never-ending flocks of birds. One is very aware of how small we are when confronted with these vast spaces. It was beautiful and so varied in texture and flora.
In Nebraska, we were pleased to see wind farms everywhere. As I sit here by an open window enjoying the strong breeze that is ruffling everything on my desk, I wonder why it is taking so long for OH to get their wind turbines up and running. It seems to be such an easy solution to energy needs.
Also in Nebraska, on just one day we saw easily 50 trains carrying coal East and South. They were very long trains with 130 or more cars each. Going in the other direction were just as many empty trains obviously going to fill up again.
I might have mentioned how much fun we had stopping at as many antique stores and antique malls as we could fit into a day and still get to our evening destination.
I was thrilled to find good quality cabinet cards and many with families and couples including a handful of wedding couples. I always look for cabinet cards wherever I go, but never find many of couples and seldom in such excellent condition. I will be adding them to my etsy shop as soon as I can get organized.
I was surprised that I did not see any brass cow tags except in one shop. After all, we were in cow country.
Look at this lovely collection of old postcards, cheese boxes, yardsticks and old printers' molds! During one segment of the trip I read all the backs of the postcards to John. He was captivated. Well, maybe not captivated, just a captive audience.
Having spent MANY summers going to Nebraska to see my Grandparents on the farm, this brings back lots of memories. Not all pleasant, before AC and allergy pills, sleeping on feather beds and the corn dusk killing me.
But there were many fun times learning crafts with my "one room schoolhouse teacher" of a grandma. And riding on the tractor with grandpa. Pictures are more pleasant than the cow smells, and the green tennis shoes from stepping in a cowpaddy. Ha! And they were bright white to begin with.
TFS!
Linda
Posted by: Linda Cain | Wednesday, 16 September 2009 at 06:36 PM
You scored, lady! OK, I'll bite...what the heck are cow tags? I mean, it's obvious and yet I don't understand the details. Share please...and, will these show up in your shop? hee hee
Posted by: Judi | Wednesday, 16 September 2009 at 11:13 PM
That first photo reminded me of Holland! I loved your holiday photos :-)
Posted by: Just a Plane Ride Away | Thursday, 17 September 2009 at 03:26 PM
What a great stock of things you all found. I wish I was going on a trip to the hinterlands sometime. You give me hope that there are still undiscovered old things about.
Posted by: Maureen | Thursday, 17 September 2009 at 05:27 PM