The Popeye Express

Saturday, July 25, 2009

The Henry Ford Museum

Welcome to the Henry Ford Museum, encapsulating a piece of Americana in a building with 12 acres under a single roof, it is indeed, vast.

From Henry Ford Museum

After a light breakfast in the Michigan Cafe, the first exhibits we come upon are trains - big ones!

From Henry Ford Museum

Adjacent to the trains are horse-drawn vehicles of all types, shortly followed by race cars, trucks, planes, and presidential vehicles.

From Henry Ford Museum

The museum features agricultural equipment, home arts, furniture and even the Wienermobile!

From Henry Ford Museum

I stumbled upon this old school bus, presumable Blue Bird #1 and marveled at how some things seem to go on forever. Ford still manufactures farming equipment used today.

From Henry Ford Museum

Look at this beautiful old sewing machine.

From Henry Ford Museum

How about this Porsche, once owned by Janis Joplin?

From Henry Ford Museum

One of my favorites was this Dymaxion House. Conceived and designed in the late 1920s, it was designed by R. Buckminster Fuller. Made of all aluminum, it was touted as being affordable, portable and environmentally efficient. With no wasted space, it sill had many drawbacks, and this house remains the only one ever built and lived in.

From Henry Ford Museum

And as we meandered to the front side of the museum, we came across the Wienermobile, the original, of course. They even had a Wienermobile Cafe, but since we don't like mystery meat, we opted not to try it out.

Our half day flew by, and now it's time to visit the Greenfield Village, just out the door.

For further information: The Henry Ford Museum

Thursday, July 23, 2009

FMCA Convention in Bowling Green, OH

From FMCA Convention

For as far as the eye can see, motorhomes of every sort descend upon Bowling Green OH for the FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) summer International Convention. From July 18 - 23, this was our home.

From FMCA Convention

Here is Popeye, up front on the right, looking down 4th street, our designated parking place.

From FMCA Convention

Whoever these people are, they are my heroes. Just look at where they have been! I have never seen a motorhome travel in more places and countries than these people, who proudly display their travel destinations visited. I'm green with envy, even though we have no intention of traveling south of the border with Popeye.

From FMCA Convention

The above photos show the campus of Bowling Green State University on Saturday night, before the crowds show up. The convention officially starts on Tuesday.

From FMCA Convention

Sunday afternoon we venture to downtown Bowling Green, a really nice town and enjoy the end of a street fair and get to see all the historic buildings.

From FMCA Convention

This photo shows friends Mike and Karen Forino, on left, and new friends Steve and Marci Krauss on right. Bob obviously took the photo.

From FMCA Convention

A couple of shots of downtown Bowling Green.

From FMCA Convention

Another view of the campus parking lots which we completely overtook.

During this week, I got to help the Geeks on Tour with their Computer Boot Camp. They accept 20 computers along with their owners for 3 nights of intensive instruction. Everyone had a good time and we all learned something.

From FMCA Convention

A celebration dinner, of sorts, after the final day. More new friends who joined, Tom and Anne Curran who serve as Wagon Masters. All the "blue shirts" worked for Fantasy Tours and we had a great time meeting them and getting together with Mike & Karen, dear friends and clients for many, many years.

Now we can look forward to Oshkosh next week!

Friday, July 17, 2009

Enroute to FMCA National Convention

From Enroute to the FMCA National Cenvention

Our reservations to the FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) National Convention in Bowling Green Ohio begins on Saturday July 18th, and we have 3 days to make the 737 mile journey.

From Enroute to the FMCA National Cenvention

All these photos are taken out the window of Popeye as Honey drives - don't worry, Bob did the picture taking!

From Enroute to the FMCA National Cenvention

Soon we are at the toll booth for the Chicago Skyway, and shortly afterwards we see a glimpse of Lake Michigan.

From Enroute to the FMCA National Cenvention

I should mention we spent the first night at a Flying J truck stop in South Beloit, IL, followed by a night in Angola, IN. The toll roads are so bad, that after "donating" $51, we turn off I-90 and drop down to Hwy 6. It turns out to be a great road (free!) and takes us right through the heart of Amish Country. The pictures which follow are all taken out of the window of our car, as we are driving to Shipshewana for dinner.

From Enroute to the FMCA National Cenvention

The town of Shipshewana has parking for horses and buggys too. I get this photo of one before several others arrive. I had read in a local magazine that the Amish don't like to have their pictures taken, so I try to limit picture taking to the horses and carriages. Also make this mental note: the Amish grow great food - the Amish don't know how to cook great food! Moral to the storey, skip the restaurants and shop for their beautiful hand made furniture.

From Enroute to the FMCA National Cenvention

Tomorrow it's on to Bowling Green!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Itasca State Park - Headwaters of the Mississippi River

From Itasca State Park Blog

Ever wonder just where the Mississippi River starts? Well you're looking at the headwaters, located in Itasca State park, not too far south from Bemidji.

From Itasca State Park Blog

Our first stop was the visitors center, which did an excellent job of giving us a heads up on all the park has to offer. We were in for a big surprise! It is perhaps, the nicest state park we have visited, and is complete with lodging, camping, restaurants, hiking & biking trails, and way too much for us to see on this one day visit. Here are some of the photos of the interior of the Visitor's Center.

From Itasca State Park Blog

A short ride down the road took us to the Douglas Lodge.

From Itasca State Park Blog

Directly behind the lodge is the trail leading to Lake Itasca, where we get our first real glimpse of the lake, and find the official state flower, the Pink & White Lady's Slipper.

From Itasca State Park Blog

Driving further, we find another view of the Lake along with the hiking trail.

From Itasca State Park Blog

Finally, we come to the "Star" of the park, the Headwaters of the Mississippi River. Located a few hundred feet from this center, it's an exciting event to finally see the "birth" of a river.