April 13, 2009

• Today was the Achevez! bus trip, and it was a trip indeed. ;^)

  My sister-in-law, Mary, and I were part of the group that went to Heritage Homestead, about an hour and a half south of Fort Worth, and it was very interesting and instructive.

  It was also very windy and cooler than I'd anticipated, so I spent a fair amount of the time being cold.  That'll learn me.  Mary dressed sensibly. Mom would have taken a wrap. But me?  Nope.

  We were divided into three groups of eleven, and the one Mary and I were in was one of two that went first on an old-fashioned hay ride.  And when I say "old-fashioned", I mean it.  Every hay ride I've been on that I can recall has been pulled by a tractor.  Sometimes there's actual hay.  Sometimes there's not.   Not this one.  Not only were there bales of hay, it was pulled by two big horses (I forget what they're called...some French word starting with "c":

  

  

  As can be seen in the top photo, there were steps provided to aid in getting on and off the wagon.  Imagine almost two dozen middle-aged or older women on that thing.  Not our normal mode of transport!  But fun.  Here's a rare photo of me, which Mary took with my phone so I could send it to Dmitry.  I swiftly got a reply from him:  "Where are you?"

  

  We'd been given bandannas and it wasn't a huge help against the chilled wind, but was better than nothing.  It was taken at the bluff where the hay-ride went.  Lovely view!  As I noted, Mary was more suitably attired:

  

  Here she is in front of the deli/bakery:

  

  Tell you what one of my favorite spots was on the tour, and that was the blacksmith.  Not only was it fascinating, there was a blessedly warm fire!

  

  This is not for show, BTW.  They produce beautiful work, some available in their gift shop, most is custom-ordered.  The chandelier in the Driscoll hotel?  They did that (very proud of it, and justifiably so).

  We also saw a woodworking demonstration with a young man deftly showing how, using hand tools, to make a dovetail joint.  There's a six-day woodworking class going on.  There are classes held in all the various trades, etc. that are part of the homestead.  Sewing?  Candle-making?  Gardening?  Pottery?  They've got it.

  After Heritage Homestead we stopped in West, where I bought cherry kolaches and a loaf of bread at one of its local bakeries. 

  It was a lot of fun, and I'd really like to take Dmitry, his friends, and the various children to the homestead.  Maybe this fall after Alex and his family are back? 

   

  • 10:14 pm
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