Friday, August 6, 2010

Dad's Trip

As you know, our dad recently visited his Amish friend Tim in Indiana.  These are a couple of  the highlights of his visit.  This is our dad speaking:

"One of the things that tickled me on my visit to Amish country was when I was riding in the horse and buggy with my friend, Tim. He is 26 years old, married and they have a baby girl. Tim was born and raised Amish.  As we were driving to one of his neighbors' farms, there was buggy after buggy full of Amish - some were men driving the horse and some were women - they were all nodding and giving the Amish wave to Tim. Most of them looked horrified to see me - a man in shorts wearing sunglasses riding alongside Tim. They smiled and waved just the same. 
I saw many Amish women in their full Amish dress, which is a long dress down to their ankles and a white cap tied onto their head. Many were riding bicycles with groceries hanging out the back or there was a small cart attached to the bicycle with supplies in it.
I saw several women cutting the grass in their full Amish dress. They were pushing very large mowers.  I couldn't help but smile watching these women as they were mowing their lawns." 
(Dad did not take this picture. We snagged it off the internet. He says that the women he saw had less hair showing beneath their caps but their dresses were very similar with long sleeves.  Imagine cutting the grass at 99 degrees in long sleeves?!)

"Next we went past a farm where a little boy was running along between a nice white fence and  barn. He looked to be maybe 7 or 8 years old. He had blonde hair and was wearing a pair of farmer jeans with suspenders. He had a white button shirt on and his pants were rolled up. He was smiling from ear to ear when he waved to us. He was running through cow poop that seemed to be almost up to his knees and he looked as happy as could be."

Dad also was in Chicago for a couple of days at an Indian motorcycle dealership!  Big surprise, right!
Dad said he had a great time taking a spin on a 2010 willow green and cream Indian Chief! 
 No, he didn't come home with it, thank doG!

From Chicago, it was onto Madison, Wisconsin, where the USA Transplant Olympic games took place!
Check out the view from Dad's hotel room window!
It's the state capital building all lit up at night!
No medals this time and this year dad competed in the long jump for the first time ever.  He said he came darn close to getting a medal in this event!  Next time, dad!
This is the shirt that dad and the members of Team Connecticut wore at the games.
 
Dad had a great time but he is glad to be home and we're sure glad to have him home!

So until next time.................

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

36 comments:

  1. A great trip your dad had, I bet it was like another world being with the Amish he was very privileged. Mom's says she loves the Indian.
    See Yea George xxx

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  2. Sounds like your dad had a great trip! I don't know why, but I thought Tim lived near you. We're glad you dad is home safely, where he belongs with all of you! BTW, we have an Indian dealership less than 5 miles from our house...just in case your dad ever wants to visit!

    Aire-hugs,
    Penny & Patches

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  3. Hey your dad was in my mom's country. she grew up in Wisconsin! and Norwood's mommie attended the big UW! hope he stopped fur some yummy cheddah cheese & beer & oh bratwursts!
    How exciting to compete in the transplant Olympics- furry proud of your daddy...

    kissies,
    tula

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  4. Great trip you have taken us on. Thank you x

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  5. What a great trip - your Dad got a look at Amish life that most people never see. We know he enjoyed his visit with Tim and his family.

    XOXO
    Lilly, Piper, Carrleigh and Ruairi

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  6. Interesting post. I think Chicago is one of the loveliest cities in the world - but I've only been in the inner-city area. The buildings are just great.

    The trip to the Amish community sounds really interesting.

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  7. That is a trip to remember of M&M's great Daddy.
    Next time, next time take home a medal yeah!
    Do Amish people have pets too?
    Cheers!

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  8. What an honor for your dad to be so accepted in the Amish community. We bet Tim told all his friends and family who was coming, so your dad was less of an "outsider" when they saw him.

    And the Indian was lovely, but we like some of your dad's older ones better.

    gussie

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  9. We are glad your Dad had a great time on his trip! No I can't imagine cutting the grass in such a long dress, it is bad enough in shorts and short sleeves.
    Have a Wonderful Weekend.
    Your Friends at
    http://www.lifewith5dogs.com/

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  10. Coool! Sounds like a great trip.

    I know your dad will win next time!

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  11. What a special journey across some cool areas of this country (in hot weather tho...). It sounds like his experiences with the Amish people were unforgettable; just as unforgettable as that photo of him on that wonderful Indian! Great bike! And another great image has pupped up in Ma's mind of your Dad participating in the transplant "O"s. Would love to see a pic of him broad jumping!
    Hugs xoxoxo
    Sammie and Crew

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  12. I can't even imagine dressing like that in this hot weather, let alone doing any hard work. I think I'd fall over in the grass. m I spoiled? Yeah and I like it.

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  13. Oh what an exciting trip you dad had. I think it would be most fascinating to visit Amish country. But, I gots a question...do they not allow you to fotograph them or was your dad just being polite?
    I can't imagine mowing grass ANYTIME...hot or cold weather...hehehe!
    Better luck next time Mr. Dad on a medal. Da important thing is dat you were able to compete in da games.

    Puddles

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  14. Brilliant trip had by your Dad. Bet you are just as pleased to see him at home all safe and sound as he is to be home.

    Molly, Taffy and Monty

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  15. Some day I'll get to visit Amish country. It seems so lovely! Are you glad your dad is home now?

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  16. A very interesting report of the trip of your dad.
    I may suffer Tim well because I have thus a nice collar of him. All see me, are astonished.
    Lots of love
    Mischka

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  17. Great trip all around I'd say! Thanks for sharing the stories!

    Wyatt

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  18. Gosh, what a Most Exciting adventure your dad had. I luved hearing all abouts the Amish peoples. And my mom says that she would make a terrible Amish lady if she had to do ANYthing in the summer in long sleeves!

    I'm sorry he didn't gets a medal but we think he's #1 just for trying!

    Wiggles & Wags,
    Mayzie

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  19. Wow..looks like he had a super trip. How privileged he was to be with his friend amongst the armish people.

    we know how pleased you will be to have him back. Rocket man likes the bike!!

    Big Nose Pokes
    The Thugletsx

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  20. What a nice trip your Dad had-thanks so much for sharing -next year for the medal! But really, just competing must be an honor and a thrill!

    And that bike is a real beauty- what a gorgeous color! Parental Unit and I think you should call up that place and order it for a surprise gift, Mom-does he have a birthday coming up?!

    Your buddy,
    Bocci

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  21. AMAZING MAGGIE! AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!! HOW COOL!

    Love, Putter ...

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  22. Sounds like your dad had a great trip!
    Tail wags,
    Storms

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  23. Hey M & M,
    Sounds like such a cool trip for your dad and so much to see. I am glad that he had a safe trip and is back home again!! He was right in my neck of the woods!!!

    wags
    jazzi

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  24. Sounds like your Dad had a great trip. I know you were just glad to see him, but did he bring you a little something? He did VERY well in the long jump. We're impressed.

    Our Human loves visiting the Amish area of Lancaster PA. Very interesting.

    Also, our human has it on her driver's licence that she'll be an organ donor---if the occasion arises.....and she hasn't used hers up.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

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  25. Your dad is one big old adventure dude. Bet he was in pig heaven looking at the barns and such in the Amish place.

    Slobbers,
    Mango

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  26. sounds like a fun trip, one of my dads is out of town and we sure do miss him, so we know what you went through. I know we will be happy when ours comes home on Sunday.

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  27. your dad had an interesting trip. we don't have any Amish peoples where we live. we think that is an odd way to live, but being dogs, we don't know anything at all about it. we think that motorcycle is very pretty. doesn't your dad need the pretty green one? hee hee. we're glad he had a good trip and is back home with you pups now.

    woofs.

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  28. Oh that sounds like such a wonderful trip!

    I think you would have both looked good on the Indian Chief!! BOL

    woo woos, Tessa

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  29. Geez yer Dad got ta go ta the games again...he sure has a good time...Gram just loves ta see the Amish....there are a lot of ;em up at our cottage and they come inta town in a van ta do shopping. Gram nearly fell outta the car one day when we stopped at Lil Caesars fer pizza and in the van beside us were the Amish...a lot of 'em. First thing ya know the driver comes outta the shop with 10 boxes of pizza and they all dig in......Gram thought they cooked their own.....she got a rude awakenin' that day....

    Glad yer Dad is home.....and he had a good time...

    Dewey Dewster here...

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  30. Several of the khounties Mom passes through in I81 on Sunday transports have a fairly 'large' Amish presence -

    She sees lots of buggies and/or bikes on the sideroads and overpasses -

    It sounds like your dad a great visit and time BUT I KNOW he was thinking of the three of woo the entire time!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra

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  31. Thank you for sharing the memories of visiting the Amish friends.
    The ladies dresses are always so beautiful. And such hard workers.
    Were glad your dad had a good time
    on his journey. Next year he just may win that long jump!
    love
    tweedles

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  32. What a great trip! You all must be thrilled to have him home.:)

    Love,
    Teddy Bear

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  33. That sounds like a fantastic trip. Mom has only experienced the Amish world through books, but it must be very interesting to live among them for a few days. And then on to a totally different world with motorcycles!

    Your Dad is a winner in our books - look at the wonderful work he does all the time. Congrats to him for participating in the games.

    Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

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  34. What an exciting adventure for your dad! My mom person has been to see the Amish many times & is always fascinated by the way they live. We even have a couple of beautiful quilts we had made for us by Amish in Shipshewana, Indiana.

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  35. That sure sounds like a wonderful trip for you dad!!! We know he had lots of fun but we know he is so happy to be home with you!!! Lots of love, Debbie and Holly

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  36. Wow, your Dad had such an exciting trip - quite a variety of places! Love the pics.
    Hugs, Miley and Mariah

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