Saturday, after Kevin's and Dale's bike ride all over Van Buren County, we all (Dale, Lori, Andrew, Makenna, Kevin, and myself) went around to the little shops and did some sight seeing. That corner of Iowa is very scenic. Lots of trees and hills, historic sites. But not touristy.


We went to this shop called "Iron and Lace". The wife is a potter and sells her wares. She's at the potter's wheel a good share of the day. Almost all (if not all) her wares have a Queen Anne's lace (wild flower that grows in the Midwest) that is placed over the glaze on the pieces and then fired on.




Kevin in the loft of the store. It was hot up there...no a/c





Looking down from the loft





Out back is the "iron" part of the Iron and Lace. The husband is a blacksmith and has many iron creations. Also has many antique tools of the trade.




Here he is explaining a huge old belt-driven drill press. We are his captive audience.






Ah, Sunday morning. The guys headed out in a drizzle...was cloudy and cold and windy.
They thought they'd give it a go. But as Lori and I were later enjoying a relaxing breakfast, the guys called. They had ridden 9 miles. The rain was a downpour and there was lightning. Time to quit and be safe.




Later, we went to Greef's General Store. They house antiques for sale, and many artifacts in glass cases.









This gentleman is quite the artisan. The display cases are made from many varieties of wood from trees that grow locally. He has so many artifacts, especially arrowheads that he has found and has generously put on display for public viewing. He is an interesting individual.

Here we come, Van Buren County.
(See posting further down). Dale and Kevin were already on their bike ride in the county. Lori, Andrew, Makenna, and I followed a few hours later. Check-in for our hotel wasn't until 4:00, so we had time to kill.


It was lunch time and there weren't many eating spots to choose from. This one had a menu taped to the window. After looking it over, we decided to give it a try. But they weren't serving lunch. The next spot, we went in and sat down, but the tables looked a little grungy, so we left. The 3rd place proved to be pretty good. We were all glad we settled on that cafe.




Andrew dropped us women off when he left to go be the guys' support for the ride.
We girls did some sight seeing. Makenna and Lori under a long line of lilacs.




Me, too.






The guys arrived right about check in time. They rode 64 miles.




This is Kevin's happy post-bike-ride smile.




Checking in to the Bonaparte Hotel.




The lobby. This hotel used to be a glove/mitten and pant factory.
The 3rd (top) floor is a reception hall now.




Bringing in the bikes to be stored safely overnight in the basement of the hotel.
(Kevin)




(Dale)




Since the top floor was not being rented out this weekend, the staff gave us permission to go upstairs and see it.




Do you see the imprints from where the employees stood year after year after year?




This was a sewing station. The half print is from the heel, while the foot pressed on the treadle of the machine all day long.





The dining/sitting room of the inn. The long table on the left remained when the building was bought.




H'our dourves served at 4:00 to guests





Relaxing at the table after eating the delicious h'our douvres.




We then drove around town. This is the Hancock House built 1847. I like that the original glass panes were still in the windows. They do have a certain look to them.




After supper at the Fire Station (dinner for the bikers for a donation), we got some ice cream. Can you believe this huge ice cream waffle cone was only $1.40??? And, it was delicious.

Even though we were out of town last weekend, we did go to church on Sunday.
(We went to Van Buren county with Lori and Dale, Makenna and Andrew. Kevin and Dale did the VB County bike ride.)

This is the Bentonsport Presbyterian Church. Services are no longer held here, but it is open to the public May through October. So we went it.




Makenna tried in vain to ring this bell....




But Andrew succeeded. We wondered why all the townspeople came rushing to find out what the emergency was. (Not really...no one questioned why the church bell was being rung.)




Looking down on the sanctuary from the little balcony. I believe the window panes are original.



Dale decided to step up to the pulpit.




But his daughter and wife were obviously not paying attention to what was being said.
Talking in church...I don't believe Mom and Dad ever allowed that.

Feeding frenzy on the lake...


Kevin and I took our kayaks to the lake yesterday. I wanted to get to the water lilies for a photo op feeding frenzy. At least that's what it felt like. The opportunity was there, and it will be gone soon.




Gorgeous with the sun reflecting off the water and through the yellow petals of the flowers.




The lily's center, which actually becomes prettier as it opens more in a day or 2.




The lily pads are water repellent, so the water just beads up. When the sun reflects on the water beads, they look like diamonds. Notice the center of the pad...looks like a little bug.





Underneath the pads that actually rise higher than the water surface




Slogging my way through was a challenge.




And what's this? It's my patient husband waiting for me as I finish my feeding frenzy. (Of course, he did go for a not-distant paddle while I was taking photos.) It was windy and the water was a little choppy. Made for difficult shooting. The boat is cradled by waves and continues to push me out of the way when I find a great photo op. Still...got some good shots, so I was satisfied.




After moving out onto clear water, we paddled across the choppy waters to the other side where it would be shielded from the wind. We always see these blue herons (or are they cranes? Can't think at this moment).




How cool to have a barn that backs up to the lake





I handed the camera to Kevin to take a picture of me for this blog because I never post pics of myself...and what happens during that 1 minute he has the camera, and I do not? I miss a photo op. A beautiful delicate, bright blue dragonfly lit on the strap of my yellow boat directly in front of me...not more than a foot away.






But another dragonfly exactly like the one that lit on my boat, lands on a strap on Kevin's boat in front of him while he has the camera. He took this photo...it's a great shot.




Enjoying the scenery and sounds. Hardly anyone else was on the lake because it wasn't the weekend. It was great having it all to ourselves.




After being out on the water for almost 2 hours, I found a more comfortable position for my back and legs, to paddle back to the ramp. Was actually very relaxing.

A day with friends at the lake


Kevin and Rémi carrying the kayak to the water. There's a little person in the cockpit.




On the beach; Inès and Sophie waiting for the rest of us to catch up to them.




The girls sat in the kayaks on the beach




Sophie coming in




and Rémi




Kevin put the girls in the boats just off the beach and we glided them across the water back and forth between us.




Apolline












Time to go back to our place for dinner. But Apolline and Inès wanted to stay in the boats.




While we adults were packing up everything to take back to the cars, Apolline and Inès had other plans. They tried with all their might to push those kayaks back to the water. But, they would not budge.




Inès et Papa




Back at the house....Sophie made this French bing cherry (with almond flour) tarte. It was delicious.




After dinner we all went out back to play. It was so very hot and humid. The French are not used to using air conditioning, so they were fine. Kevin and I acclimated. Wasn't too bad in the shade. Inès loves to ride le chavel (the horse) when they come to our house.




Apolline likes to ride, too.




Mama watching her girls enjoy the outdoors.




The girls were great about taking turns riding the Wonder Horse.





Her face is beet red from the heat, but she was not one for slowing down. She made the most of this day.




Their family photographer.




Sophie brought out their badmitten game.









It was a good day. We look forward to another day of fun with this family.