Author Archives: Marilyn

photo of Inks Lake camp site

Our Inks Lake Getaway

Teardrop Trail Log: August 4, 2017

We met the folks from Southwest Teardrops and Vintage Trailer group at Krause Springs in May of 2016 and attended one of their gatherings at Lake Bob Sandlin last September. I had signed us up for another gathering with the group at Inks Lake State Park beginning August 3. Sadly, we had broken a leaf spring on our trailer on our last trip so we were a day late arriving due to the search for replacements for a broken leaf spring.

photo of Inks Lake State Park Sign

Welcome to Inks Lake!

Inks Lake State Park is considered one of the gems of the Texas Hill Country, near Austin.  About 8,000 years ago, prehistoric peoples lived and worked along the banks of the Colorado River. The Apache and Comanche later ranged through the Hill Country. After Texas became a state, German and other Anglo settlers farmed and raised livestock here. The area was used for cattle ranching since the mid-1800s and it remained a part of various ranches until the state acquired the land. Culverts and roads in the park were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps stationed at Longhorn Caverns in the 1930s.

photo of geese entering the lake

Our Neighbors

The 1,201-acre State Park was created from privately owned and Lower Colorado River Authority land in 1940, and is located next to Inks Lake on the Colorado River in Burnet County. Inks Lake is named for Roy B. Inks, one of the original board members of the Lower Colorado River Authority. It is the 2nd lake in the seven Highland Lakes chain. The water level of Inks Lake is usually unaffected by drought and is maintained at a normal level most of the time. The park opened to the public in 1950.

photo of The Gang at Devil's Watering Hole

The Gang at Devil’s Watering Hole

The entrance is off Park Road 4 and after checking in we saw Roger, one of the members of our group. Armed with the park map, we found our campsite on a lovely inlet and proceeded to establish camp. Members of our group were scattered about the campground. Our routine is to walk through the campground visiting with friends and stopping to check out other folks’ rigs, a great way of making new friends.

photo of a potluck supper

SWTVT Potluck

One of the unique aspects of the park is Devil’s Watering Hole, one of the favorite swimming holes in the Texas Hill Country. It is an inlet off of Ink’s Lake, bordered by rock outcroppings. We watched as members of our group paddled, swam and even jumped from the cliff. Later that evening, we joined the traditional pot luck dinner, where everyone tries to outdo each other in quantity and variety of food.

photo of Inks Lake sunset

Another Fine Day

photo of Weston Missouri Main Street

On the Tasty Trail — Lunch at the Tin Kitchen

Teardrop Trail Log: June 20, 2017

The charming town of Weston, Missouri was settled in 1837. The success of the town was based on the exporting of large quantities of tobacco and hemp grown in the region. It was also the town that equipped Lewis and Clark as well as wagon train masters and other adventurers for their trips west. During this time, Weston had grown to be the second-largest river port in the state.

I compiled a list of attractions after Sara Tucker of Cool Tears Magazine had suggested Weston as a stop on the Teardrop Trail. Main Street climbs upward from what had once been the riverbed filled with steamboats. It is lined with quaint, old buildings that exude the charm of a bygone era, many on the National Register of Historic Places. We found a parking spot that would accommodate both the Lady and the Ambassador and began our walking tour of this pre-Civil War town. We passed the Weston Historical Museum, the National Silk Art Museum, Victorian homes, antique shops and more.

photo of The Tin Kitchen interior

The Tin Kitchen

Weston’s rich history includes eating well. We always enjoy new dining adventures when we travel on the Tasty Trail. As we strolled down Main Street, we spotted the Tin Kitchen, Southern Smoke House, that occupies the old Rumpel Hardware building. Built in 1842, the building has been lovingly restored to preserve all of its wonderful charm. We were enchanted by the dining rooms that feature the original pressed-tin ceilings, wainscoting, dark wood tables and bars. We slid into one of the comfy booths that line the walls.

Graphic of Tin Kitchen Logo

Tin Kitchen Logo

I ordered the Friday special, a grilled salmon salad with a yummy Balsamic Vinaigrette and Jim enjoyed The Cheeseburger and 24HR Slaw. After our wonderful lunch, we explored the TK2 – The Public House at Tin Kitchen, offering craft beers on tap along with a full bar featuring a great selection of wine, spirits, and craft-cocktails set in the same lovingly restored interior.

We had developed a fondness for the Show-me state and hope to visit again soon.

On to Edmond, our next stop!

photo of The Cheeseburger and 24HR Slaw

The Cheeseburger and 24HR Slaw

photo of Weston Bend State Park sign

On to Weston Bend State Park

Teardrop Trail Log: June 19, 2017

As we departed Pella, our route took us along Lake Red Rock toward Knoxville, Iowa. The railroads and coal mining had provided growth during the 19th century. My grandmother had been a teacher in a rural one-room school in Marion County near Knoxville. It was so long ago since I had visited her that I only had a few memories from her recollections of her time in rural Iowa.

graphic of Lewis and Clark Expedition Map

Lewis and Clark Expedition Map

Our destination was Weston Bend State Park on the bluffs of the Missouri River. Sarah Tucker, the editor of Cool Tears magazine had recommended the Weston area for its scenic beauty overlooking the Missouri River. The river and the region’s rich soil attracted many Native American tribes including the Iowa, Kansa and Fox. On their expedition to explore the West, Lewis and Clark reached the Weston area in 1804. Their journals detail a Kansa village on the river. Upon their return visit two years later, they described the many fur traders traveling up the river.

The tobacco industry had flourished in the area in the mid-19th century and five tobacco barns are located within the park. The McCormick Distillery that began operations in 1858 east of Weston claims to be the oldest continuously operating distillery in the country.

photo of our camp at Weston Bend

Camp Weston Bend

Weston Bend is little gem of a park, on 1,133 acres with only 37 campsites. We found the campground host and checked in. I have always liked meeting the hosts at each of the campgrounds and have fanaticized about trying the host’s role in the future.

As in many of our camping experiences, we met the neighbors, Steve and Chris Hutoron of Phoenix from the site next door and enjoyed several conversations. As we hiked on one of the many trails, we met other hikers Tony & Maggie with Yadi and Chenielle and their friendly dogs. The highlight of the hike was when we caught a glimpse of the Missouri River at the scenic overlook where Lewis & Clark had seen it.

The next morning, we would set out to explore the historic village of Weston, Missouri.

photo of Historic Missouri River Overlook

Historic Missouri River Overlook

photo of Tour of the Miniature Dutch Village with Doug Heerema

Back in Time – Visiting the Pella Historical Village

Teardrop log: June 19, 2017

Located just across the street from the Royal Amsterdam Hotelon the Molengracht Plaza where we have been staying, is the Pella Historical Village. It offers a look at how early Pella pioneers lived after they left Holland in the 1840’s.

On the grounds, we found the Sod House, a replica of the housing during Pella’s early years. We learned how wooden shoes were made at the Werkplaats. Among the buildings, is the boyhood home of Wyatt Earp, one of the most famous or infamous characters of the Old West, still standing in the historical village.

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Doug Heerema, our tour guide took us through the enchanting Miniature Dutch Village. It was begun by George Heernan in 1938, as a work study project for students in Pella’s schools and Central College, as part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Many of the original structures were created at 1/24 scale and restored in 1978. New buildings have been added. The village is populated with dolls that reflect authentic daily life in a Dutch village. All four seasons are portrayed with a boy flying a kite, flower sellers, farmers gathering hay and ice skaters on frozen canals.

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Having been in the museum business, I always check out the gift shop when we visit a museum. This one was amazing! One source observed that it had every type of Dutch gift you could want from dishes to wooden shoes. I bought a bag of flour produced at the mill and a Pella cookbook to go with it.

We enjoyed exploring historic Pella. There was not enough time so see everything on the list. We will definitely put this magic place in the list for future trips on the Teardrop Trail!

photo of the Pella Cookbook and Windmill Flour

Pella Cookbook and Windmill Flour

photo of Public Square Park

Exploring Pella

Teardrop Trail Log: June 18, 2017

On Monday, after breakfast at the hotel, we strolled down Franklin Street and explored the Dutch heritage of the village. We started by walking around the Public Square Park, looking at all the shops, businesses, gardens and parks. There were many famed, significant buildings including the Scholte house, built by Pella’s founder in 1847, now a museum.

After exploring we were ready for lunch. The Windmill Café (709 Franklin) a bustling but friendly place just off Public Square Park.

photo of the interior of the Smokey Row Coffee Shop

Smokey Row Coffee Shop

Jim goes in search of his customary mocha every afternoon and today was no exception. As we proceeded up Franklin street, we found the Smokey Row Coffee Shop. A Mocha success! We passed the Klokkenspel.

photo of The Klokkenspel

The Klokkenspel

This carillon was created for Pella with 147 bell chimes and eight animated, mechanical characters from Pella’s history that perform daily. It is one of a handful animated musical clocks in the United States, and can be viewed from both Franklin Street and on the courtyard side.

That evening we dined at George’s Pizza and Steak House, located in an historic building just across from the Klokkenspel. A tasty way to end the day’s Pella adventure!

photo of the Klokkenspel Courtyard

Klokkenspel Courtyard

photo of the Royal Amsterdam Hotel in Pella

Arriving in Pella

Teardrop Trail Log: June 17, 2017

We like to see the sights around the state where the Red Power Roundup takes place. In April as we were planning our trip to Iowa, I put out a request to members of a number of tear drop trailer pages on Facebook asking for suggestions of what we should see while visiting Iowa. I was amazed at the number of responses from the members of the Heartland Tearjerkers.

Love the trailer community. We were even invited to join a small trailer gathering at Rock Creek State Park, east of Des Moines. Suggestions ranged from the Bridges of Madison County to Pella, Iowa.

photo of the Vermeer Windmill and Historic Village

Vermeer Windmill and Historic Village

Most people know the town for the windows that are manufactured nearby and the annual tulip festival. Pella was founded by the Dutch who settled in the rich farmland of Iowa in 1874 and founded the quaint village. Persecuted for being dissenters from the state Reformed church, they named their new home Pella, taken from a biblical city of refuge.The village offers old world charm, awesome scenery, great shopping and excellent Dutch bakeries!

We arrived on Sunday June 17, and checked into the Royal Amsterdam Hotel located on The Molengracht, which means “mill canal,” built to replicate a Dutch-style canal in the historic downtown area. That evening, we had a wonderful dinner at Monarchs Restaurant in the hotel. I had a fabulous butternut squash ravioli and Jim had lasagna. We shared a delicious chocolate cake.

photo of chocolate cake

It was as good as it looke!

Photo of the author meeting with a faithful fan

Meeting the Faithful — Signing Books at Red Power Roundup

Teardrop Trail Log: June 17, 2017

In my past, as the director of the Vail Valley Arts Council, I organized numerous meet-and-greet
book signings for visiting artists, photographers, scholars and collectors as part of various receptions, talks and events. I had enjoyed getting to know each author and providing an opportunity for members of the local community to meet these very special people and share a moment to connect as the author signs the book and includes a personalized dedication.

After the publication of Canning, Pickling and Freezing with Irma Harding, it was time for me to switch to the other side of the table. It was helpful that I had picked up some of the tricks from the masters. Armed with my favorite pen, I have enjoyed getting to know many of the people who have purchased the book. The Red Power Roundups have provided a special opportunity to engage and share fond memories with many of the faithful fans of Irma Harding.

This Red Power Roundup at the Iowa State Fairgrounds was no exception. I love chatting with the folks who stop by the table. A lovely woman, who was a farm wife shared that she was planning a couple of events for a national organization that learns about history and antiques as well as for her sorority meeting. She had found about Irma and even owned an International Harvester stove. We exchanged emails and I shared many of the sources I had used to find out about Irma. In December, she reported that both events were very successful and shared photos. It feels good to have helped share the Irma love.

Photo of Marilyn personalizing a book

Personalizing a book

photo of Downtown Des Moines

The Octane Press Party

graphic of Court Avenue Brewing Co. Logo

Court Avenue Brewing Co. Logo

Teardrop Trail Log: June15, 2017

Lee Klancher, of Octane Press had hosted a meet-and-greet in conjunction with Red Power Roundup in Racine the previous year. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet some of the other authors and many of the people I had worked with to publish Canning, Pickling and Freezing with Irma Harding. This year, the gathering was in downtown Des Moines at the Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Company. It is located in the historic Saddlery Building, built in 1881by J. Rubelman of Muscatine, Iowa who decided that Des Moines with its two rivers and 13 railways would be a good setting for his saddlery company. The building had housed many different businesses but after the flood of 1993, the building was filled with 19 feet of water and was vacant until 1996 when the Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Company began to move its brewing equipment in. The décor and beer labels celebrate the history of the building and brewing in Iowa. The walls are adorned with pictures, posters, signs and bottles from old-time Iowa breweries.

The room was buzzing with energy. The food was delicious and the beer memorable. It was a great opportunity to see old friends like Sally Jacobs from the McCormick International Harvester Collection and meet new friends.

photo of presenter and Irma Harding

Femineering, My Irma Harding Presentation

Teardrop Trail Log: June 15, 2017

graphic of Irma Harding with "They're Femineered"

They’re Femineered

I can still remember meeting Lee Klancher from Octane Press and discussing food and cookbooks. Sometimes the universe can create amazing opportunities. I was delighted when Lee introduced me to Irma Harding and invited me to write Canning, Pickling and Freezing with Irma Harding. It was a great project that has put me in touch with so many wonderful people. Octane Press has hosted book signings and my presentations at each of the Red Power Round Ups. I always love to meet Irma’s fans and enjoy hearing people share their personal family stories about relatives who canned as well as how they started preserving food.

It has been fun being “Irma’s ghost writer” and telling her stories as well as the stories of the home economists who took Irma’s message to the women of the Mid-West farm county and taught them how to freeze food. This year’s topic was Femineering, a term developed by International Harvester to highlight and honor the unique contributions of the women who helped develop the refrigerators and freezers. One of the old newsletters describes how the “feminine eye continued watching, spot-checking the production lines and testing performance under laboratory conditions.”

It was nice to see several friends from previous presentations. I had met Marsha Corbin, the Executive Director at the Old Trails Region in West Central Missouri at a past Red Power Roundup. She had invited me to share one of my Irma Harding presentations for the Missouri Cattle Women. After the presentation ended, Travis Loschen and his wife Meghan stopped to say hi. They had seen several of the Irma presentations at the last few Red Power Roundups. They have an incredible Irma Harding Collection in the garage of their home in Royal, Illinois. Check out the video. Irma’s fans are a dedicated group!

photo of presenter and Irma Harding

Femineering in action

photo of One of the consessions and the Sky Glider in the distance

Checking in at Red Power Round Up

Teardrop Trail Log: June 15, 2017

On the first morning in the campground, we decided that it would be best to head down to the main part of the fairgrounds and get breakfast rather than cook in camp. We had been able to explore a bit as we drove in, but the sheer size of the fairgrounds was challenging. We ventured down the campground’s rolling hills taking in the sights. It’s always fun to see the trailers, tents and other rigs and how people set up camp.

photo of Breakfast at Red Power

Breakfast at Red Power

As we walked though the fairgrounds, I began imagining what it would be like when the Fair was in full swing. Over a million people from around the world attend the fair during its 11-day run. We went by the various buildings, exhibition halls, the Sky Glider, Giant Slide, rides, and other popular attractions. Over 70 types of food on-a-stick are available during the Fair, I was imagining all the tastes and smells but sadly those concessions were shuttered.

Tractors began to appear from all directions, heading for the start of daily parade. We found the Varied Industries Building where many of the events and exhibitions were being held. The booth for Octane Press, the publisher of my cookbook, Canning, Pickling and Freezing with Irma Harding was in that building. We checked in with everyone and then went off in search of breakfast. At Barksdale, next to the famous chocolate chip cookies, we found an amazing breakfast croissant, with bacon and egg. For a few seconds, I thought about cookies for breakfast. Yum! A great way to start the day.

photo of the Octane Press at Red Power 2017

Octane Press at Red Power 2017