Canadian Buffoon's Semi-EPIC Vacation - 10/29 - Link to new TR!

[pkondz]

Oh yikes. Just...yikes.

That's what I was thinking!

 

[Self_resqing_princz]

First: Here in Indiana we have 98 historic covered bridges. In fact, Parke County, Indiana is the "Covered Bridge Capital of the World" because there are SO MANY covered bridges in that county (and a couple other surrounding counties) they all hold the Covered Bridge Festival for a week and a half every year. During the festival the foliage is beautiful, there are SO MANY vendors selling homemade items- including food (OMG the Amish come and sell these hand pies that are TO.DIE.FOR!) that you could take two days just visiting the vendors at the two main sites (Mansfield and Rockville) and then a day on just the covered bridges. My favorite part of the festival is the artists who come from all over the world and set up shop by the various covered bridges to paint them surrounded by the foliage. You can sit and watch them paint on their easels and enjoy home made chicken and dumplings for an entire day! If you decide to come down for that, let me know and I will happily give you a guided tour of either- or both! I LOVE going when I can. The schools in Central Indiana actually moved their fall break to that time so the teachers could all attend and they wouldn't have to beg borrow and steal substitutes from Illinois (true story)!
https://traveltips.usatoday.com/indiana-covered-bridge-festival-109760.htmlSecond- Scott Dixon, nice guy. Met him when I worked at the tv station here in Indy and met most of the drivers for the 500 over the course of about 7 years.

 

[afwdwfan]

What's in Newton, Iowa?

Corn fields and Rusty Wallace's race track!

I don't normally post much about
those stops, but I did see this
at one of my stops in Omaha:

That's pretty cool!

Thought that was pretty cool.

Hey, we agree!

Did you know there's corn
in Nebraska... and in Iowa?

Um... yeah...

I didn't see anything else,
so that's all I can comment on.


Corn


Lots of corn

No soybeans?

Or take the plunge and drive fourteen
(round trip) miles out of my way.


I took the plunge.

Apparently the movie Cars taught you something about getting off the interstate and discovering those little towns.

I admired their persistence.


At this point, it was pretty
much a foregone conclusion
that I'd be going to the Danish Museum.

Their advertising methods clearly work well.

I asked him if he knew where
a particular covered bridge was.
He started to tell me, thought
better of it and instead said.
"How about if I take you there
and you follow me?"
I happily agreed.
Several minutes (and several turns) later,
he pulled into a parking lot.
"It's just over there." He gestured
in the direction of the nearby bridge.
"Hey." He continued. "If you want,
you can follow this road up the hill
and it will take you to a stone tower."
I thanked him, and he drove off.

Huh... nice! It's not always bad if the police roll up behind you!

It was scorching hot so I gratefully
accepted a shuttle ride in a golf
cart to the ticket office where I
exchanged my paddock pass voucher
for a wrist band.
I then took another golf cart
into the infield where the paddock
was located.

Well, apparently your VIP transportation privileges are honored in Iowa too.

I took this photo of one of my
favourite driver's garage.

Him? Really?

Ok, ok... I respect him. He's the ice man for a reason. All he does is win and run consistently near the top. He's a great driver and I have nothing but respect for him. I've just never been a big fan. I think partly because he always does so well and he just doesn't have the personality of some of the drivers I've liked over the years. Names like Andretti, Hinch, or to go to the wayback machine and give a shoutout to his mention in this update, Tracy.

1. The sky was a lot more ominous looking
then the photo really shows.
The sky wasn't just dark... it was dark green.

Green skies in the Midwest... never a good sign. Yikes!

Here's a screen capture I did
of the race that I'd tried to record:

Tried to record... funny you say that.

I took this photo once I was settled
into my grandstand seat.

Wow... what a view! Love that short track racing action!

I heard one announcer (Paul Tracy, if that
name means anything to you) say:
"Oh, no. You're kidding!"

That might be the cleanest off air statement I've ever seen him given credit for!

The race turned out to be a good one.

So I hear. Not that I could see it since my DVR didn't compensate for that 4 hour delay.

 

[lvcourtneyy]

An F-5 fighter jet came roaring
out of nowhere and passed
right over our heads!!!!

Cool!

And Elle cried out and started
saying over and over...
"I want to go home! I want to go home!"

Oh no.

They don't allow glass in the park.

AH panic!

When the security officer said
"I'll let it go this time."

Whew.

Immediately after, one of them
asked. "Want a ride?"
I'd never taken a Main St. conveyance!

Cool! They're definitely a fun ride down main street.

Elle decided that this is what
she wanted to do for a living.
I asked her why she was getting
an Education degree then?
She wisely replied that this would
be her summer job.

See she's got it all planned out.

And...
Did you see it in this chapter?

Even martians want to go into MK.

What's in Newton, Iowa?

You read my mind.

A hundred and forty-six now, for those
of you who've been asking.)

Wow.

The bridge is 3,000 feet long
and spans the Missouri river
connecting Nebraska to Iowa.

Oo pretty.

And...
That's not the museum.
I thought it was, but...

Wow. Never would've thought that.

Too bad it was a different woman.
Apparently, Terry was on a break.

My first ever covered bridge.

Interesting!

It was hot with no shade and
I made the executive decision,
once I'd seen everything I wanted to see,
to head back to the hotel and cool down.

Good choice.

I arrived back at the track and parked
the car. I was walking back to the track
when a loudspeaker announced that
lightning had been detected within
twenty miles of the track and all
spectators were to return to their
vehicles.

Oh no.

For the next four hours, I huddled in my car
as Extreme Storm warnings blared out
from a tower mounted loudspeaker.
The storm was... impressive.
Here's a screen capture I did
of the race that I'd tried to record:

WOW. 4 hours?! That's dedication for sure.

I got back to the hotel sometime after 2:00am.

Wow. Long day but an experience for sure.

 

[pkondz]

First: Here in Indiana we have 98 historic covered bridges. In fact, Parke County, Indiana is the "Covered Bridge Capital of the World" because there are SO MANY covered bridges in that county (and a couple other surrounding counties) they all hold the Covered Bridge Festival for a week and a half every year. During the festival the foliage is beautiful, there are SO MANY vendors selling homemade items- including food (OMG the Amish come and sell these hand pies that are TO.DIE.FOR!) that you could take two days just visiting the vendors at the two main sites (Mansfield and Rockville) and then a day on just the covered bridges. My favorite part of the festival is the artists who come from all over the world and set up shop by the various covered bridges to paint them surrounded by the foliage. You can sit and watch them paint on their easels and enjoy home made chicken and dumplings for an entire day! If you decide to come down for that, let me know and I will happily give you a guided tour of either- or both! I LOVE going when I can. The schools in Central Indiana actually moved their fall break to that time so the teachers could all attend and they wouldn't have to beg borrow and steal substitutes from Illinois (true story)!

That sounds... pretty cool!
I may take you up on that...
I'm going to have to check on how
much leave I have left and if any is available.
Don't hold your breath, but....

Mid October is problematic
for other reasons, but...

You never know!

Second- Scott Dixon, nice guy. Met him when I worked at the tv station here in Indy and met most of the drivers for the 500 over the course of about 7 years.

I remember you telling me that.
Sure was happy to see his results
the last two races.

 

[Self_resqing_princz]

Well, we'll be in Disney Oct. 5-13 this year, so, we would miss the first few days, but I could do the next week. Let me know.

 

[Creatingpeace]

I just joined your journey! As a girl who grew up with a Dad who was such an unengaged, disinterested ***, I am such a big fan of this trip! While planning my secodn trip for my son, I hope I can be as engaged as you are with your daughter. Elle looks like a super fun travel partner! Can't wait to watch the rest of it...

 

[pkondz]

Corn fields and Rusty Wallace's race track!

That's pretty cool!

Right?
I've seen some interesting bikes
at some of the (now) 146 Harley
stores I've been to, but...
That was a new one!

Hey, we agree!

A first!!

No soybeans?

If there were any, I wouldn't
recognize them.
Corn's easy...
But no clue what a crop of
soybeans looks like.

But... there was a lot of corn.

Apparently the movie Cars taught you something about getting off the interstate and discovering those little towns.

Everything I know,
I learned from Disney.

Circle of life, ya know.

Their advertising methods clearly work well.

It was pretty much:
see the danish museum

See the Danish museum


See the Danish museum


See the Danish museum


See the Danish museum

SEE THE DANISH MUSEUM

Huh... nice! It's not always bad if the police roll up behind you!

Just... usually.

Well, apparently your VIP transportation privileges are honored in Iowa too.

I hadn't thought of that!

Ok, ok... I respect him. He's the ice man for a reason. All he does is win and run consistently near the top. He's a great driver and I have nothing but respect for him. I've just never been a big fan. I think partly because he always does so well and he just doesn't have the personality of some of the drivers I've liked over the years. Names like Andretti, Hinch, or to go to the wayback machine and give a shoutout to his mention in this update, Tracy.

I've always liked his mannerism.
Plus the fact that... well...
he's the Iceman for a reason.
Did you see Mid-Ohio last weekend?

Green skies in the Midwest... never a good sign. Yikes!

Nope! Learned that the hard way.

Tried to record... funny you say that.

Yeah...

Wow... what a view! Love that short track racing action!

It was fun!
But... hard to follow, live.

That might be the cleanest off air statement I've ever seen him given credit for!

So I hear. Not that I could see it since my DVR didn't compensate for that 4 hour delay.

I added (always do) a two hour
delay in case of weather.
It wasn't enough.
I caught the first 15-20 minutes.

 

[pkondz]

Oh no.

Yeah...

AH panic!

I kinda did!
My mind went completely blank.
Well... more blank than usual.

Cool! They're definitely a fun ride down main street.

I didn't even know you could!

See she's got it all planned out.

She's a smart kid.

Even martians want to go into MK.

He may be weird, but even
he want's to go to Disneyworld.

You read my mind.

Martian.
It's part of their makeup.

Oo pretty.

It is!
I guess they have more room
in the design phase for pedestrian
bridges.
Less weight and wear and tear?

Wow. Never would've thought that.

I mean... you'd expect the museum
to be in a windmill, wouldn't you???

Good choice.

It was sooooo hot!

WOW. 4 hours?! That's dedication for sure.

I wasn't coming all the way to Iowa,
just to leave after a couple (or four)
hours of rain delay!

Wow. Long day but an experience for sure.

I'm not gonna forget that one
any time soon!

 

[pkondz]

Well, we'll be in Disney Oct. 5-13 this year, so, we would miss the first few days, but I could do the next week. Let me know.

Okay. I'll see what's what and
go from there.
I've already seen that it would
be 15.5 hours of driving to get there.

 

[pkondz]

I just joined your journey!

Hi! to the TR!

As a girl who grew up with a Dad who was such an unengaged, disinterested ***, I am such a big fan of this trip!

I'm sorry to hear that.
To be honest, I'm worried that
due to the amount I work that
my girls will think the same of me.
I try to be a good dad, but...

While planning my secodn trip for my son, I hope I can be as engaged as you are with your daughter.

How old is your son?
And I think if you're planning
a trip with him... then you're engaged.

Elle looks like a super fun travel partner! Can't wait to watch the rest of it...

She's a good travel buddy.
Both girls are, really.
In their own way.
I have other Daddy/Daughter TRs
in my siggie.

 

[Creatingpeace]

Hi! to the TR!


I'm sorry to hear that.
To be honest, I'm worried that
due to the amount I work that
my girls will think the same of me.
I try to be a good dad, but...

How old is your son?
And I think if you're planning
a trip with him... then you're engaged.

She's a good travel buddy.
Both girls are, really.
In their own way.
I have other Daddy/Daughter TRs
in my siggie.

Awe thanks!

You are defo a good dad, evidenced by the fact that your daughters want to travel and spend time with you!

My son is 7. we did our first WDW last Nov and had a blast but I did feel like it was a lot of pulling him around the parks on my agenda. Hence why I hope to be a little bit more engaged with him this-time. Don't get me wrong he had a blast and is psyched to be returning. But I hope for it to be more about him. Although I did get a Boma and Story book dining in there for me

I too am Canadian which is what drew me to your TR.

Looking forward to hearing more!

 

[buzzrelly]

I was really stoked because a B2 bomber...
(similar to the one in this photo)

...would be doing a fly-over.

That's a cool looking plane…and for a minute, I thought you took that photo! I'm like, "what's he complaining about? That's a great vantage point!"

And Elle cried out and started
saying over and over...
"I want to go home! I want to go home!"



Well. I'm certainly not going to
make her stay.
I picked her up and hustled back
to the car. (Parking paid for.)

And as I drove away, in my rear-view
mirror... I caught a glimpse of the B2
as it flew manoeuvres in front of
the (presumably) spell-bound audience.

Still haven't forgiven her for that one.

I'm sure she'll never live that down. We took my DS to his first fireworks show when he was about since months old. The first BOOM, and he started screaming crying. We couldn't get out of there fast enough and he was terrified!

We went through the metal
detector and a friendly face
suddenly appeared at my side
and said "Hi!"
Ariana (@Pluto0809) with
Jackie (@missjackiemcg) in tow,
had spotted us in the crowd.
We said our hellos and said
we'd meet again later on.
(We had a planned DISmeet for later.)

How funny!

We grabbed a locker to stow
our illegal contraband
and Elle took the opportunity
to mail off some postcards.

She's weird like that.
Who sends postcards?
Old people and my kid
apparently.

That's neat! I didn't even know you could do that!

Up ahead, I saw a familiar head of hair.
We caught up and it was my turn
to say "Hi!" to Ariana.
It turned out the four of us were all
heading in the same direction;
Space Mountain!
While Elle had finally ridden it,
we wanted to ride it twice.

We walked on with zero wait
and Jackie and Ariana were
in the car just in front of us.

We still had a meet planned for later.

Stop! Too funny!

Okay! Let's see how they...

Okay... photo coming up in 3...2...1...

Oh, COME ON!!!

Elle decided that this is what
she wanted to do for a living.

I'm with Elle, that's my next job too

I walked in and saw a woman
at the front desk.
"Hi Terry!" I said. "How are you?"

Bummer that Terry was on a break, that would have been awesome!

But (for me) the real prize came in
this discovery:

That piano has certainly gotten around! I love that it even has a CT connection

Well... that doesn't sound great.
As I walked back to the car,
I took this photo:

A couple of comments.
1. The sky was a lot more ominous looking
then the photo really shows.
The sky wasn't just dark... it was dark green.

Yikes!

I drove back to the hotel and shortly
after leaving the track, drove through
heavy rain showers.
They'd got the race finished just in time!

I got back to the hotel sometime after 2:00am.

I'm surprised they even raced with that crazy weather happening!

 

[pkondz]

Awe thanks!

You are defo a good dad, evidenced by the fact that your daughters want to travel and spend time with you!

That's a good point!
I'm glad you said that!

My son is 7. we did our first WDW last Nov and had a blast but I did feel like it was a lot of pulling him around the parks on my agenda. Hence why I hope to be a little bit more engaged with him this-time. Don't get me wrong he had a blast and is psyched to be returning. But I hope for it to be more about him.

I always tell people to put the kids first.
Remember it's why you're there.
I once rode Magic Carpets seven times
in a row because the kids wanted to.
I canceled a Le Cellier (when it was the
hottest ADR in Disney), because they
wanted to go to MK instead that day...
Only to immediately tell me they'd changed
their minds because they wanted to ride "Figment"
again. (No park hoppers that trip.)

They never once had a melt down.

Although I did get a Boma and Story book dining in there for me

Okay... have some fun for you too.

I too am Canadian which is what drew me to your TR.

Oh! Howdy fellow Canuck!
Where abouts are you from?
(If you feel like sharing.
No worries if you don't.)

Looking forward to hearing more!

Should start typing soon.
All the photos are loaded.

 

[pkondz]

That's a cool looking plane…and for a minute, I thought you took that photo! I'm like, "what's he complaining about? That's a great vantage point!"

No, I didn't get above it!

I'm sure she'll never live that down. We took my DS to his first fireworks show when he was about since months old. The first BOOM, and he started screaming crying. We couldn't get out of there fast enough and he was terrified!

Awww... poor guy.
I made the mistake of taking
my dog once.
She's terrified of thunder now.

How funny!

More fun.

That's neat! I didn't even know you could do that!

Stop! Too funny!

Well, we still had a meet planned!

I'm with Elle, that's my next job too

You guys should get together
and pitch it to Disney.

Bummer that Terry was on a break, that would have been awesome!

Yeah, but... the look of confusion
on the other woman's face was
almost as good.

That piano has certainly gotten around! I love that it even has a CT connection

Yikes!

Not a very friendly looking sky.

I'm surprised they even raced with that crazy weather happening!

Well, they waited until the storm passed
and they completely dried the track.

 

[disneyAndi14]

Haha you have informed me there is more than corn in Iowa!!

I live in the state above Iowa and I have never been

Cool old covered bridge, I did read the Bridges of Madison County, again liked it but not enough to visit Iowa

The race track visit looks cool! The skies looked very nasty for your drive!

I love your response about doing things at Disney for the kids, so true, I’m still doing it with my adult daughter I love how happy she is at Disney!

 

[Kiotzu]

Welcome back!
I believe you when you say you've been busy!

I'm almost to a little bit of a break. Exams are next week and then I have 3 and a half weeks of no school.

How's the new(ish) job? Still waiting for the transfer?

It's good, training ended up being 13 days so I am just hitting the floor...well I did last week but it is very good. I will have to wait 3 months to transfer though

The bridge is 3,000 feet long
and spans the Missouri river
connecting Nebraska to Iowa.

That is incredible, the construction effort fascinates me.

 

[pkondz]

Haha you have informed me there is more than corn in Iowa!!

According to Andy,
there might be soybeans too!

I live in the state above Iowa and I have never been

I've been to Minnesota
more times than I can count!

Cool old covered bridge, I did read the Bridges of Madison County, again liked it but not enough to visit Iowa

It was good, just not that good.

The race track visit looks cool! The skies looked very nasty for your drive!

The track and race was cool!
I'd go again in a heartbeat.

Except that weather made my
heart skip a beat or two.

I love your response about doing things at Disney for the kids, so true, I’m still doing it with my adult daughter I love how happy she is at Disney!

I think that's key.
If you let them enjoy it
and be happy...
You'll have a person who
wants to go again.
And again and again and again.

 

[pkondz]

I'm almost to a little bit of a break. Exams are next week and then I have 3 and a half weeks of no school.

Good luck with the exams!
And... yesss. Break!

It's good, training ended up being 13 days so I am just hitting the floor...well I did last week but it is very good. I will have to wait 3 months to transfer though

3 months?
That'll go by in a flasth.

That is incredible, the construction effort fascinates me.

And boy I was tired after
building it!!

 

[orangecats2]

You didn’t say where you’re staying next month.
Can I come?