Family Reunions and Travels with Tommy (My special First Grandson)

Sunday July 10, 2011was a beautiful sunny day and the start of our vacation trip to Alexandria Mn. for the Wolf Family Reunion. I anticipated a wonderful and unique driving trip because our oldest grandchild Tommy was traveling with us. You see, Tommy really connected with the Amish when we travelled that way three years ago for the same reason. Tommy was super excited he said to get his Nina and Papa all to himself.

We stayed in Boardman Ohio our 1st night on the road. Ed and I opted to have dinner at Chili's with the hope there would be a vegetarian choice sine the Tomster has been a vegetarian since he was 5. Bonus -- Chili's had a Black Bean vege burger and Mr. T loved it. Of course, by dinner Tommy's medication had worn off and the conversation was non-stop.  What an imagination that boy has. I want him to write down these stories so we don't forget them.  He wasn't too high on that idea until I bought him a journal and a magical dragon pen to write with.

July 11 --Shipshewana by 3:00.  Check in to the Motel (which used to be a Country Inn), dump our bags, and head to town with the local folk:

Really!!! Notice the license plate under the orange triangle.  I love this and the buggies have the right of way.  There are rules of the road including don't blow your horn to get them out of your way.

Tommy is really in to antiques so we headed for the biggest antique store in town. Beautiful stuff and both Tommy and I could have spent all our money there.  I found a trunk at a very reasonable price and planned to get it until my "main squeeze" reminded me that with Tommy in the car, there was no room.  Tommy found a powder horn -- (NOT PLASTIC) and purchased it.  He was very cognizant of the money he had and wanted to make sure he had money left for the whole vacation. We went across the street then to the "Big Red Barn" and looked at some dining room tables.  The store was closing so we were not able to see as much as we waned to.  You see, the ulterior motive for driving on this trip was to stop in Shipshewana for furniture shopping.  Always a method to our madness.

More to come!