WE'RE BAAACK!!

We arrived back in Waukon from the south on Tuesday evening.  Whoever made the sign "Welcome Back, Fools!" was right.  Good travel conditions until we reached good ole' northeast Iowa, and then we had to fight wind blowing snow across the roads causing near blinding conditions at times.  Thanks to Dennis, the trike is now safely tucked away in his shed since getting to my shed in the backyard won't be until July!

On our way back we had a couple of interesting stops; one tourist attraction and two unique dining experiences.  The first dining experience was at the Old Country Store in Lorman, Mississippi, on our way from Vicksburg north to Jackson, TN.  We were following one of the routes that General Grant and his troops used to gain access to Vicksburg when we came across this little "gem".  They have shelves full of old items that I'm not sure anyone would want to buy, and it is certainly set up like the old country stores.  As you will see they even still have the old sliding ladders to reach items on the top shelves.  However, it's not the merchandise that makes this place famous, it's the food, particularly the fried chicken.  It's the best I've ever eaten (sorry Josh and Dave)!  The other unique feature about this place, as you will notice in the photos, is that one entire wall, the back room and bathroom walls are all covered with business cards.  There are literally thousands of them placed there by patrons who ate there at some time or another.  I looked some of them over, and they are from all over the U.S.  It was raining, so this trip was made in the truck.

ROLLING LADDER AND BUSINESS CARDS

After leaving Loran, we ventured north to Jackson, TN.  We pass through Jackson on our way down and back from Florida.  Jackson is the home town of Casey Jones and there is a museum (actually a small village) named after him.  We've always been curious but never stopped there before.  This year, with no hurry to get back, and me being somewhat of a rail head, we decided to pay Casey a visit.  Here's some photos from that venture.

A MODEL OF CASEY'S ENGINE

WNR  "CASEY" ROTACH RINGING THE ENGINE BELL

After leaving Jackson, our final stop was Sikeston, MO., a town about 140 miles south of St. Louis.  We spent the night there before trekking on into Waukon.  But before we left, we ate supper at Lambert's Cafe.  This place was recommended to me by one of my Gold Wing contacts and it did not disappoint.  The food was plentiful and delicious, but what the cafe is actually famous for is it's "throwed rolls".  Yes, as you will see, there is a waiter who comes around with a tray of freshly baked rolls and actually tosses (throws) them to waiting patrons.  You can have as many as you want.  I caught three for our table.  They also have what they call "pass arounds".  Waiters pass through the restaurant and offer customers fried okra, macaroni and tomatoes, apple butter or sorghum, black-eyed peas, and fried potatoes and onions.  They will just put the "pass arounds" on your plate with no charge.  At Lambert's instead of business cards, their walls are covered with license plates from all over the country.

ANOTHER FAMOUS IOWAN WAS THERE TOO

ALONG WITH THIS OTHER FAMOUS IOWAN

We are "home" now and it seems like it's going to be a long time before we can break out the bikes and convertibles, so keep the evening  of March 27th open for our MPS get-together.  If you're important enough, you'll get an invitation in the mail.  If you don't, come anyway!