Auf Wiedersehen Mick . . .

Today we said auf wiedersehen to our German friend Mick.  The group of exchange students left bright and early for Atlanta and from there they were to travel home to Germany.  While he was only here about two or so weeks, it certainly was action packed.

Some of the places he visited here with the Fife clan or with his group included: Mammoth Cave, the Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science, Lincoln's Birthplace and Boyhood Home, the Bardstown Civil War Museum, Old Talbott Tavern, the Louisville Slugger Museum, the Kentucky Derby Museum, the Corvette Plant, CNN, Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site, the World of Coca-Cola, and Mane and Pa's in Capitol Hill, Ky.

While at Mane and Pa's we had Mick "cooter up" in full uniform and go through some basic drills and such.

I think he really enjoyed it, as you might can guess Germany is a tad bit more strict with their gun laws.

This was the first time Mick held a gun, let alone fire one (albeit just powder).

I also want to share with you a couple of our favorite questions that were posed to Mick while he visited Malcolm's school (now remember, these kids are in high school).  One asked him if Germany was a part of the United States, and another asked him if they drove here or flew.

Mick was telling Malc about the nearby Roman ruins and the abundance of half-timbered buildings in his region of Germany . . . as if he needed any other incentives to want to travel to Europe!  

Guard d̶u̶t̶y̶ doodie . . .

We went to Evansville specifically to visit Angel Mounds, but it was closed . . . I assume because it was election day.  It would have been nice if that had posted that on the webpage!

Halloween 2014

Poe and our German friend Mick . . .

Happy Dies Natalis Solis Invictus

Charlie Chaplin . . . Halloween 2013

Dudeboy is growing up, but not all the way.  He chose not to go out and trick-or-treat this year, but stayed home to pass out candy.  However, as you can see, he still felt the need to dress up.

New Home for Old House

This past weekend Scott and Ann finally fulfilled their dream of moving the old Top Simmons home to a more secure property with hopes of stabilizing the structure. Top was my gr-gr grandfather (Dudeboy's gr-gr-gr), and the home has always been an important connection to our past. Hopefully, Scott and Ann can restore it to a usable condition. It would be great to have some family gatherings in the old place.  

 Original site of the Top Simmons home . . . obviously, after the move.

Mobile home.

Pa overseeing the end of the move.

Final (?) resting place for the Top Simmons home.

Mane giving an inspection.

Scott and his "new" old home.

Lucky 13

Hail of a day

". . . and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Bowling Green."

Happy Holidays from the Kingdom of Fife

Must have been a good kid this year . . . 

War of 1812 Road Trip . . . Along the Way, part 1

The last couple of War of 1812 Road Trip entries will cover the other places we visited which did not pertain to the war.  Dr. J has great tolerance, but even she has her limits . . . throw in a couple covered bridges, etc., here and there, and she was a happy camper.  Whilst we were in Vincennes for Harrison's house, we made another visit to George Rogers Clark National Historic Park.

Inside the rotunda of the George Rogers Clark memorial.

While driving the backroads in Indiana, I spied a historical marker than made me come to a stop . . . the burial place of Jane Todd Crawford!  Above, to the chagrin of Dudeboy, Dr. J is portraying the pain Crawford must have experienced when Ephraim McDowell performed the world's first ovariotomy in Danville, Ky.  The removed tumor weighed a total of 22 1/2 pounds!  And this was done without the use of any anesthesia.  Dudeboy and I visited the McDowell house a few years ago.

The Home of Eugene V. Debs in Terre Haute, In.  Unfortunately, it was closed.  The marker states: 

Debs (1855-1926) was leading pioneer in industrial unionism, social reformer, and peace advocate. Founded American Railway Union, 1893; cofounded American Socialist Party, 1900; and ran five times for United States presidency. Home built in 1890; declared National Historic Landmark, 1966.

Mecca Covered Bridge, located near Mecca, Parke County, In . . . 1873.  

Parke County, In. proclaims itself to be the "Covered Bridge Capital of the World."  There are 31 covered bridges located in the county.

Sim Smith Covered Bridge, located near Montezuma, Parke County, In . . . 1883.

Phillips Covered Bridge, located near Montezuma, Parke County, In . . . 1909.

The Narrows Covered Bridge, located in Turkey Run State Park, Parke County, In. . . . 1882.

The suspension bridge that crosses Sugar Creek in Turkey Run State Park.

Rocky Hollow Canyon in Turkey Run State Park.

The Cox Ford Covered Bridge located on the western edge of Turkey Run State Park, Parke County, In. . . . 1913.

The Wilkins Mill Covered Bridge located near Rockville, Parke County, In. . . . 1906.

Historic Prophetstown (located in Prophetstown State Park and near the original site of Tecumseh's village) represents a working 1920's farm.  Our favorite attraction was the replica Sears Roebuck and Company catalog farmhouse. 

Miami Indian Cemetery near the Mississinewa Battlefield.  A nearby historical marker states that this is:

The largest Indian cemetery in Indiana. Few graves are marked. The Indians buried here are largely descendants of Chief Metocinya and include Meshingomesia and his family. The first burial was probably in 1873. Burial was contrary to Indian tradition and reflects Christian influence. An Indian Baptist Church and an Indian school were located here. Otto Winger taught at the school 1895-1898. This land is part of the last Indian reservation in Indiana. The site of the battle of Mississinewa (1812) may be seen along the Mississinewa River to the southwest.  

Statue of Edith Hamilton at the Headwaters Park in Fort Wayne, In.  

Fallen Timbers Battlefield, Maumee, Ohio.

Turkey Foot Rock . . .

On this rock according to tradition, Chief Turkey Foot of the Ottawa Indians rallied his warriors during the Battle of Fallen Timbers. Here he was killed and for many years tribesmen made offerings of tobacco on the rock to appease the Great Spirit.

And on the monument in the back . . . "In memory of all the American Indians who gave their lives at this place, including members of the following tribes: Chippewa, Ottawa, Delaware, Potawatami, Miami, Shawnee, Mingo, Wyandot"

The Fallen Timbers Battlefield Monument . . .

To General Anthony Wayne who organized the “Legion of the United States” by order of President Washington and defeated Chief Little Turtle’s warriors here at Fallen Timbers August 20, 1794. This victory led to the Treaty of Greenville, August 3, 1795. Which opened much of the present state of Ohio to white settlers.

Elsewhere on the same monument it also states, "In memory of the white settlers massacred 1783-1794."  And on the back it states, "To Chief Little Turtle and his brave Indian warriors."

Lake Erie at Maumee Bay State Park . . . our home away from home for most of the trip.