September 12, 2007

Today Bill gave us a tour of the buildings so we could see some of his treasures. He has several antique cars and trucks at various stages in the restoration process. Some are yet to be started and a few are completed. He shared some of the special techniques he uses to bring these old vehicles back to life.

Here Bill is demonstrating how he tests the coil boxes for his Model T engines.

This is his wall of fame. He puts some of his more unusual collectables here.

This is in the barn where some of the bigger pieces are stored. It is amazing to me how he can keep track of everything. He knows everything he has and where he keeps it stored in several buildings.

Next we visited the La Porte County Historical Society Museum. What a wonderful place. The Museum contains the W. A. Jones Gun Collection, Dr. Peter Kessling’s Antique Car Collection, Victorian Rooms, a display on the local Allis Chalmers Manufacturing Plant and other local businesses, lots of toys and many more interesting items.

This doll collection is “The Ladies and Official Hostesses of The White House” created by Ernestine Bayer.

Here Bill is telling us about one of the cars.

Richard is reading about La Porte County’s infamous murderer Belle Gunness.

This is a collection of turn of the century tools.

Here are some of the many cars in Dr. Peter Kessling’s collection.

This different car has two front ends and no regular back end.

This is the Door Prairie barn on Dr. Kessling’s farm.

Bill is the keeper of the fire. Here he is showing us how to build a fire. He and Jeanette are very good at this task. The fire was always going at various levels for all three days.

In the afternoon we all went for a bike ride at Bluhm County Park that is nearby. We put the bicycles on Bill’s restored truck for transport to the park. Bill is very proud of his big boy toys and loves to use them regularly.

At the Park, we rode on an asphalt trail with only a few hills. This was the first time Char and I had been on bikes in a long time. Though I am not in as good of shape as I once was, we had a great time.

This is Vera leading the pack back to the truck.

After the bike ride, we had some fun at the playground. There was a little bowl on a pole that could turn completely around in a circle. Everyone but me took a turn and ended a little dizzy. We all had a good laugh.

See Vera’s big smile.

Hang on Jeanette.

Richard may be having too much fun.

Bill loves this thing

Here are Richard and Vera enjoying the swings.

Like a lot of the farms in the area, there are several cats that live in Bill’s barn. They help control the mouse population. Most of them hide from everyone and like to be left alone. There are three friendly kittens that love attention thanks to Bill and Jeanette’s grand children. When they come to visit, they play and hold the kittens and now the kittens think everyone should do the same.

It was a little cool and windy so they were more comfortable inside my jacket.

Later, Jeanette once again exhibited her talents by fixing steaks and baked potatoes on the open fire. The steak was cooked perfectly and extremely delicious. I am very glad Jeanette is part of our family.