Lately I have not done back-to-back posts, generally preferring bi-weekly updates. However, I will be in Colorado for a couple weeks and wanted to get a post published before I leave.
Topics this time include our local celebration, Elma Trail Days, and a trip north to attend my 55th class reunion. Read on!
Elma used to be a railroad town, with the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad having a large roundhouse here that repaired locomotives and rolling stock. After the railroad left, in the early ’80s, the road bed was converted to a hiking / biking path that connects with others trails in the area. Trail Days celebrates the town’s role in using these trails and is held the weekend following the 4th of July.
A parade is the centerpiece, along with a free concert, vendors, and other local events. Here are a few photos of the types of entries one will see in an Iowa small-town parade.
Old tractors are common.
Agricultural equipment is often showcased.
Classic cars, such as this early Thunderbird, are common.
Hoses and mules are always included.
Water cannons and thrown candy are a staple.
This year’s parade was one of the better ones we have seen. One thing we miss, however, is the absence of bands or musical groups. They just don’t show up in Elma.
We watch the parade from our front porch, as the route comes down Main Street, right in front of our house. The weather was very good with cooler than average temperatures and a light breeze that helped keep the bugs at bay. I enjoyed the morning’s event; Pam was in-an-out watching Grayce.
The other news of the week centered around my 55th class reunion. Held in conjunction with the class of ’68 and ’69, there was not a massive turn out. My class of ’70 was only about 63 people and the other classes had similar populations.
Held near Medford, Wisconsin, I drove up and stayed overnight. Of my classmates, I recognized only a few and had to guess or be re-introduced to others. The conversations were similar: Where do you live now, what was your occupation, have you kept in touch with so-and-so?
The event lasted about 3 hours (3:00 – 6:00 PM) and I enjoyed touching bases with the guys and girls with whom I had gone through high school. I was sorry to learn that many of my old friends have passed away or have very serious health issues. We are all getting old.
While I have no photos to post of the event, I do have a couple photos of odd (unusual?) things I saw on the way there and back. Take a look.
Keeping with the chainsaw theme, here is a collection presented in an unusual way.
There were several more posts in the lineup that I could not fit into the camera’s field of view. Me, I would have tried to restore these relics instead of turning them into yard art, but whatever floats your boat!
Another place had some interesting yard art, including this piece.
I guess one needs something to do during those long and cold northern Wisconsin winters.
In a few days I will be heading out to Colorado for a couple weeks so my next post will be somewhat delayed. I will be meeting up with a few friends near Westcliffe (in south central Colorado) before returning to The Lot. There happen to be several ATV trails in that area, all new to me, and I am looking forward to the trip.
A brief note: I have created a new Gallery consisting of photos from various ATV trips taken in Colorado and Utah. Please check it out!
That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!
Pam’s Penny
One objective for returning to the Midwest to live was reconnecting with people known while living here previously. This July has certainly been active in that regard – my brother’s visit, the funeral of Himself’s aunt, and the aforementioned class reunion. Added to these — one of Himself’s college friends recently read this blog and made a connection that had lapsed for over a decade.
Rock on.
Today’s Humor:
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