Feast of the Hunters Moon West Lafayette Indiana

If you live within 50 miles of central Indiana and you have not been to the Feast of the Hunters Moon you are so missing out on an authentic good time!  This is unlike any festival you've ever attended!  Home cooked food over open pits - Sorry No elephant ears here and other garbage as such.  Go to some townie commercial festival if that's what you seek.  Want homemade cornbread, pork and beans, fresh corn on the cob, homemade apple fritters, venison, and the list goes on....  endless ~ seriously!

courtesy of  IndyDiane

This is a reenactment of the annual fall gathering of the French and Native Americans which took place at Fort Ouiatenon, a fur-trading outpost in the mid - 1700s.   It's held annually in early autumn on the banks of the Wabash River, four miles southwest of West Lafayette, Indiana.

courtesy of MidKnightSun627's

Love it when the voyagers arrive!!!

courtesy of IndyStone

 

courtesy of MidKnightSun627's

 

 courtesy of MidKnightSun627's

42nd Highlanders with Rogers Rangers at the flank.

 

courtesy of MidKnightSun627's

Many of the vendors and enthusiast stay in actual canvas tents and camp through the whole weekend. 

FACES of the FEAST

I Love each and everyone of these beautiful faces and I so thank IndianaShutterBug  for capturing all their strength, character, warmth and their giving... to make this not only an Awesome but an Aspiring event.  Thank you so much to our Lafayette volunteers, vendors and contributors !  You do a fine job each and every year, even when the rain pours!

God Bless America.
Ps...Thank you for letting us have beer.

If your weekend is free, come see us at the 42nd Annual Feast!
October 10th and 11th, 2009 at Historic Fort Ouiatenon Park near West Lafayette, Indiana.
Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT, Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m

World's Longest Yardsale - 127 Corridor Sale

I've been trying to work on getting up the video - It's just not going to happen   The download with the audio to clip has just been Way too difficult to work with and I'm just not going to mess with any longer.  Sucks, cause we had some funny stuff going on.  Like when I kept asking "Are we there yet?" and Stan would reply "A Conestoga Wagon would be laughing at us!"  Or "How far is Greenville?"  50 miles, and at this rate we'll be there in 25 days.  And my Fav ~ "Oh look exercise equipment!"  We seriously had WAY too much FUN!  Stop and Go all the way!  Everyone was having a garage sale.  And this Goes all the way to Alabama!  Lordy be, I can't imagine.  There's seriously NO Way to get very far on this trip.  Next year we're taking a van with a trailer!  Speaking of trailers I talked with a guy from PA. who only had one measly motorcycle on it.  I said that's just wrong...could I rent some space?  He gave me that dazed husband look, and said "Oh, I so promise you my wife will have this filled before we get back to PA!"~Dratz!  Guess I'm not getting this dresser then...

 

Of course I consider this a project to refurb~cause it's like ugly as is~but it's got great Curves!

I like Curves!

I also saw another dresser at one of the Amish garage sales and my eyes just lit up.  The price just rocked and Stan looked at me "We are so Not strapping that to the roof of the car - just forget it!"

I sometimes forget that his mind reading ability is as good as mine!

Another one of those pass byes, cause Stan said we already have 2, and this ones too big.  Don't go in your car... seriously take a van, truck, Uhaul, Semi!  You're going to need it and you'll be kicking your self all the way home.

We actually didn't even get out of Indiana before I made my first stop in Rossville at a little antique store named Back Through Time Antique Mall.  Met the owner Michelle Stewart pictured above, she was a real sweetheart!  I'm sure I'll be back in the winter Michelle!

Our 1st stop in Celina Ohio, was at an antique dealers spot on the 127 corridor "THOSE GIRLS",  which which allowed other vendors to set up on her property.  Really cute store!  Julie and her sister ~Nice Gals!  Picked up some hammered aluminum for my collection, and a really cool feathered hat that we'll probably put in a up coming collection.  Think she likes hats as much as I use to before I sold my collection!~

If I can find pictures from one of parties where they played pass the KJ's hat collection, I'm going to post it, embarrassment and All, sorry folks.

O

This is a Packard Bell Key Chain, paid an outrageous price for this.  No kind sir there are NO skeleton keys attached to it.

And I leave you tonight with my Coolest Fab Find

the vintage Pinky Green Chippy Steel Cooler!

oops!  I haven't photographed it yet!  sorry, guess you'll have to come to auction and take a peek.

So if you're up for a Junking Adventure, I highly recommend the Worlds Longest Yard Sale!

Perhaps we'll see you there next year!

World's Longest Yardsale - 127 Corridor Sale - August 5 thru 8th

Game On!  New Caravan Tour going down August 5 to 8th.  Whoo hoo, I'm so excited I've never been to the 127 Corridor Sale before so it will be interesting to see what it's like.  Plus we could use a break, we've had weddings like every weekend, and need some fun.  Of course we're not doing the whole thing - duh, not even possible it extends from like the top of Ohio and goes down to end of Alabama.  We're just going to cut across to Celina and then go down to 70 and cut back over to Indianapolis and come home.

Mackinac Island

Lot's of history to explore at Mackinac Island.  Of course you know there are no motorized vehicles, except for the golf carts that the resort allows on the greens.  Don't think that's quite fair - Do you?

Views from Arch Rock

 

Views of the Grand Hotel - Where they filmed "Somewhere in Time" with Christoper Reeves and Jayne Seymour.  Est. in 1887 this a true delight.  Room rates start a $235.00.  These are tiny old rooms, such as they were back then.  Think Waldorf-Astoria or the Homestead.  Much character and charm, but tiny accommodations.  Not for the noisy crowd either - that would be us!

We had a nice beach front room.  Not that we got in the water.  Way too Cold!  Nice views of the lighthouses and the boats going back and forth.  Found these two lonely little yellow flowers just blooming where they were planted.  Of course there's the beach rats, which mom and Di find hilariously funny to feed.  I've been having this bird feeding problem with those two for the last twenty years.  If they spot a gull they feed em!  One of these days someone's gonna get their eye poked out or pooped on and it won't be funny then, Missy!

Lilac festival is around the 1st week in June, but you can enjoy them through mid month.  Like our tour guide said "Thank goodness for the lilac's - you get a whiff of them through one nostril to compensate for the pee-u whiff of the horse doo in the other!"  Little Stone Church and the Governor's mansion.

If you like antique you'll Love Mackinac.  These are some great old carriages and a fire engine carriage from day gone by.  Field of wild flowers that I just wanted to float on.

Fort Mackinac & lilacs in bloom

I took some shots of these old pictures with the horses pulling sleds full of supplies out to the island during the winter.  Thought it was absolutely fascinating!

Another photo shot of a barge delivery hay to the horsey's on the island

Found this in one of the shop windows!

It was really just an awesome trip to be able to spend with your closest family gal pals.  I'll treasure these memories for a lifetime - end that's all you have.

So that concludes the Early Summer JunkYard Gypsies Caravan Tour!  Who knows where we'll end up next year, or maybe this fall, or heck summers still here there's surely something on the horizon!

Ciao for now Caravan Cruisers!

Rhinelander Wisconsin - Home of the Hodag

Betcha don't know a Hodag - or maybe you do!  He's the scary guy in the picture, no not him, the green monster.  Contrived in 1893, he later became the mascot for Rhinelander Wisconsin.  They have a huge Hodag Country Music Festival there in July.  The beautiful dome is from the Rhinelander courthouse.  Just love Courthouses.  I always take pictures of them if I get the chance.  Oh, I  Almost forgot why we went up there.  To visit McNaughton Wisconsin and see where my grandfathers old cabin use to be.  It wouldn't have been a proper trip if we hadn't stopped at some of the watering holes while we there.  Not sure but I think we might have made the bartenders day.  Mom and Di had a blast visiting all the old place they vacationed at as little kids.  We even got to do some junking while we were there!  Di picked up a beautiful pair of Lefton wall Cherubs, you can check them out in her store if your interested.  

Back Home Again in Indiana

I’m Back!...........

Yep that’s me riding that Chippy Vintage Pink Elephant – go figure – I couldn’t resist!

It’s Good to be home, but I’m still floating like I could ride that pink elephant all day.  I so needed that break.  And I think it will be healthy for me to feel like this - ‘Whole Summer' Truly IS a Vacation! 
       

I love writing and blogging here, but I realized, as I sat down to tell about my VaCa that I’m probably not as good as some.  I don’t take a lot of pictures – I’m too busy laughing and yakking it up to remember to snap photos or run a video camera.  I did however manage to capture Aunt Di on video after 4 drinks.  It’s pretty darn funny.  I’m still debating on if my life worth posting it – lol

I also didn’t want to bore everyone with the blah, blah of all the details and stupid shots.  So I’ll try my best not to be too boring.  I’ve put some pic’s into collages so that it doesn’t drag on too much.  And although we did Junk up and back, I don’t have one shot of any of that.  I’m lucky I caught what I did!  I’m also lucky that they actually let me photograph them.

I told you we were going to stay at that old retro motel well I absolutely adored their sign.

Is that not 30’s perfection?

I didn’t photo the inside because it was nothing special to write home about.  Mom wanted her own bed so we ordered a roll away for me.  Now I was a bit leery of this thing, expecting musty ghosts from 30 years ago and today wasn’t going to be a good night for me!  But it smelled so fresh and clean like they had taken the upmost care with this bed.  I was so impressed.  And Comfy too!

Our first stop in the Dells was to the Lost Canyon.  We were very well behaved as we walked up to purchase our tickets.  Quiet, no giggling, when our tour guide for the ride walked up, took one look at us and said “Oh no, there’s trouble!”  And my mother the consummate comedian, who kept trying to one up the funny, hysterical tour guide – said “Gosh how did you know!”  She made sure to keep his keen observation intact through the whole trip.  I hope everyone else on the tour enjoyed our personal ride through the Lost Canyon with ‘Our’ personal tour guide.  Same thing happened in Mackinaw – you can’t take these girls anywhere!

Yes, that's primarily what we looked at, two horsey behinds, as we made our way through the canyon.  The other horses ___, oh I meant, our cool tour guide, is pictured too.  Don’t ask me his name I don’t remember.  Be sure to visit this place if you go to the Wisconsin Dells.  They are privately owned, and maintain this beautiful ravine so that you can enjoy it.  The city is trying to take it away so they can build condos and hotels, and people will no longer be able to enjoy it’s breathtaking view and history.

Of course we did a little shopping

Have no idea what’s so fascinating

And We ate, We ate some more ...  Ok, we ate A LOT

Yummm, chocolate!!!

Couldn't miss doing the Jet Boats with the 360 spins!  Diane shouldn’t have drunk the rest of her beer before we left.  No she didn’t pee her pants, but it was sounding like a good alternative the longer we were out there. (Boy she's starting to sound like a real lush and the poor girl doesn't even drink!)  This tour guide must have known they were the mouthy ones cause he put them right up front under the windshield, where they were Sure to get Wet!  

Make sure you go to Capt. Ron’s Jet Boats.  The are a bit further out, but well worth the drive (10mins).  They have a little bar with an outside covered patio, but wait that’s not all they also have a bar boat on the river!  They are also a family owned business.

We also did the classic Tommy Bartlett Water Ski Show

The other pictures are of other acts, like magicians, the crazy horn guy – he has a website – he kept telling us, but I’ve since forgotten.  And these crazy Russians who actually walk on the outside of this contraption as it spins around.  I think he likes to pretend to slip just to make you have a heart attack!  They were the best part of the show.  If you're not five you won't get ski show.  Actually you could go across the river to some restaurant - sit out on their deck and watch the whole thing for free! 

And of course when in

 

This say's Rome, of course you can't read it on here.  Kind of ruins the whole effect!

do as the Romans do

 

Doesn't it look like he wants to punch me?

And go to the Casino!  We went to the Ho-Chunk.  We didn’t stay long, cause they managed to take the Whole Chunk while we were there.

Trip was too long to cover in one post.  Next time Mackinaw!

Ciao!

Vintage Fraction Cards in the box from Chicago Somerset Co. 1903

Ok, one last post before I have to get organized around here.  Then I really do need to start packing and getting things straightened out before I leave.  I've always said sometimes it's almost not worth it (vacations) for the amount of work you have to do before you leave and the catching up you have to do when you get back!

So here are some treasures from last weekend.

 

I have a great project in mind for that AweSome Green Monogrammed hand towel.

Also,Unexpectedly found that the Oil lamp still had oil in it - that was a treat!  Thank goodness it didn't get on the hand towel

More great Rose Moss Chintz patterns on the Fingertip Oil Lamp, personal ashtrays and bell.  Check everything thoroughly, before you purchase.  As I was cleaning the ashtrays I discovered one was broken in two with a chip missing.  I searched the box and the floor and everywhere imaginable, so I know it had to have been that way when I purchased, but I didn't lift them all out to inspect each one.  So be it.  Live and learn!

This was another overlook on my part.  I was so taken with these colors and the design that I failed to note the fine line crazing on the top of the sugar bowl.  If you set it up eye level you'd never know, so it doesn't really make a difference.  I would have still gotten them anyway.  Just little things that you learn along the way.

This one is my Crazy Cool Fab Find.  These vintage fraction cards in/with the box.  Copyright is 1903 from Chicago.  Love Em!

Ok, you won't hear from me til Mid June, after I return from our JunkYard Gypsies Caravan Tour!

Ciao!

Junking at Antique Stores in Indiana

Today was road trip day.  Stan & I were heading north to visit family and decided to hit a few shops along the way to Valparaiso.  He knew of some really cool ones to go scope out.  Being a piano tuner he's been all over the state, but I think this knowledge stems from him being an old JunkYard dog.

At our 1st stop 
I spotted these two girls hanging out together.

Normally on the double rag doll both of the heads are made of material but this one had an actual doll head.  The one to the right was one of those story book dolls, where the story is printed out on the front of the bib.

Orange Tin Cake Pan

but this one's different - it's small, for an 8 inch cake.  Just a wee baby tin!  Be great for taking one of those small personalized cakes to a friend for her birthday.

Looked at this Fisher Price Cash Register

But they don't seem to be moving well, and this was a bit more beat up than some I've seen.  Some of these still have their coins!  I think they'd make a really neat addition for a 'Cool' kids boho room.

Here's a few more items I should have picked up.

 

  

Next Road Trip, If they're still there (doubt that) their Mine!

Me leaving with all my Treasures!

You'll have to wait to see what's inside.  Maybe for quite awhile.

I have to get home and pack for VaCa!!!

JunkYard Gypsies Caravan Tour Scheduled for June!

Just got word today that the Spring JunkYard Gypsies Caravan Tour is scheduled for June!  My mother, Aunt and my Aunt's daughter and I are taking 12 days on the road to do a little Junking, a whole lot of Eating and of course taking in the Sites.  The 1st purpose of the trip is to go to McNaughton Wisconsin to see what use to be my Grandfathers old cabin and property on the river.  Di is Sooo looking forward to that.  So were heading up to Wisconsin Dells and staying at a really old funky Inn.  It's one of those real old motels that use to be really swank in the day.  You tell by the old house and the property (like in nice big sprawling lawns) - Not by the rooms mind you - they usually are Very clean and Extremely Old.  Truly cottage rooms and usually dark wood paneling or knotty pine and dank.  Not what most are use to these days.
We'll stay there for 3 days, then we're off to McNaughton to reminice, and check on the locals.  After that a long drive up to Mackinaw Island.  Looking at trying to hit the Lilac Festival at the 1st of the month.  No we're not staying at the Grand.  Too pricey.  We have a place on the water with a little beach area.  Not that we'll be swimming mind you.  Wee bit Cold in June.  Heck it's a wee bit cold in the height of summer!  Then not sure.  Maybe hit a harbor town, Holland Michigan or who knows.  They are still working out the details of the last leg.  Can't wait to go make some memories and do some Junking!


Ciao, for now caravan cruisers!

The Trip that made it Happen - Metamora, Indiana

It truly IS Indiana's best kept secret.

What an awesome town, What an awesome time!  Metamora not only holds great antique stores, but an ancient relic (well relatively speaking), the Worlds oldest and ONLY Wood Aqueduct that still works.  Old Ben Franklin, along with Bonnie & Clyde will take you down the Whitewater Canal.

Stay in Connersville and ride the Steam Locomotive into Metamora for the day.  We went in October for the festival, but they have other activities during the summer as well.  You can check those out at  their website at: http://www.metamoraindiana.com

 

The train lets you off right smack dab in the center of town next the where you board the Ben Franklin, an outstanding reproduction of a canal boat from the 1800's

 

  

Hurry aboard folks, the train is leaving!

Bonnie & Clyde are the muscle behind your canal tour

View of the town's October Festival from the canal ride

 

Horsey's Stable

Stop and tell them Thank You for all their hard work

View of boat going down the canal.  Tiny red shelter between the trees is the aqueduct

Working grist mill

Fresh stone ground flour and cornmeal

So go get your best guy or girl and go discover your own Metamora!  Do some great junking, explore a bit of history, enjoy the great weather and make memories with your Loved Ones!

Ciao Caravan Cruiser!