Bureau of Land Management Maps For Land Patents

Copyright 2014, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

So, the Bureau of Land Management has maps in their Land Patent section of the web site.

Who knew??  Well, I didn't.  Sweet stumble.  I'm busy!

The maps can be made with more or less detail.  I'll be comparing where these Lashbrook's properties are located in relation with each other.  I know these are all related and I know the relationships, but, there is ONE in Nebraska in Harlan County that I am most anxious to compare.  Maybe a hint?  Maybe not.

So, did you know the BLM had these lovely maps/tools??  If so, why didn't you tell me!  (Just kidding!)




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THE Trip, Nebraska to Amana Colonies, Iowa,The HEAT Continues

Copyright 2012, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

After the Nebraska MOC Rally Man and I headed east once more, we are closing in on SE Michigan and home, but, we eek out a few more stops.

We drove about 270 miles on I -80 from Greenwood Nebraska to near Amana Colonies Iowa.  And, if we thought it was HOT in Nebraska, well, it was even more so in Iowa.  In fact, this might have been the hottest day we have ever driven in or experienced.  This was killer heat.  When we stopped for rest breaks we had to take the dogs with us.  One of us would stand outside in the shade, IF we could find a tree, and the other would go into the rest rooms.  I almost burned my leg by simply leaning against the running boards and door frame of Big Butt.  The heat factor was at least 120 degrees F.

Little did we know but, Big Butt was keeping us alive, and we are not sure how. The next morning when we started BB up we lost 1 quart of oil in less than 5 miles.  We realized with a sense of dread and fear that if we had been driving in that 120 heat factor mess that if BB had blown oil, we might not known it until we blew the engine.  The thought of being stranded on the side of the road in that heat really set us back a bit, ok, set us back a LOT!  But, our Maker and Big Butt watched over us and we thank them both.

When we got to our campsite it was 96 to 98 degrees in Tana, it took HOURS and HOURS for the air conditioner to cool the unit down.  I worried about the fur kids in that kind of heat, the boys are both older and have health issues.

Whew, I would be happy to never experience that kind of heat again and we surely thanked our Maker for keeping us safe.

We would spent parts of the next several days visiting the Amana Colonies, before we headed east one more time.

I promised some of you some more Nebraska sunsets, so, here are 3 more photos, all that heat and humidity sure made for some beautiful sunsets.

I liked the first one because of the 2 birds:

Two nights later, watch as we go from orange to orange-red.  First:

I did not digitally edit this one much, just a sharpening the edges type of thing and resizing. Isn't this color amazing??

Hot sunsets for hot days,

HOT!!


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THE Trip, Threshers, The Gals Tools

Copyright 2012, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

So, I have shared with you the boys toys from the 35th Annual Camp Creek Machinery and Threshing Show.  Now, gals, it is your turn to ooo and ahhh over the antiques.  Some I so love, and others, frankly, I am SOOO glad I don't have to use!  LOL

First, this washing machine reminds me of my grandmother's machine.

This lady had a wonderful collection of old soap boxes, and yes, I recognize some of those boxes.

Here is a washer that I have NO interest in trying out.  According to the sign, this is a 1893 Sunshine Wooden washing machine.  I snooped around a bit in Google Patents looking for something similar, and could not find anything with this wooden 4 legged swisher thingy on the top of this machine.  (How's that for a techy description??)  Oh, yea, after looking at some of those patents, I am so happy with my little Spendide combo washer/dryer!  See image below.

That said, I would sooooo take this display of clothes pins and hang it as a piece of art in my home.

So, ladies, anyone want to travel back and time and try doing your laundry with some of these, mmm, relics??  No???  Really??  Snicker!



*  My Spendide washer/dryer combo in Tana.  See me smile!  WOOT!!

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THE Trip, Threshers, The Boy Toys

Copyright 2012, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

July 16, 2011, while at the Nebraska MOC Regional Rally one of the local attractions was the 35th Annual Camp Creek Macinery and Threshing Show held in Waverly Nebraska.  You may remember I mentioned that I had no intentions of attending this little local event (which was not SO little, by the way).  But, wires got crossed, confusion reigned in my old heat suffering brain and Man and I found ourselves on the way, ill prepared as we were with no hats and not much water.  DUHHH.  Like I said, I was confused, I won't speak for Man!  LOL

Despite the confusion, we had a blast!  MOC friend turned guide extraordinaire, Jan, shared her wealth of knowledge of all this farm stuff with us.  I don't remember a lot, but, it was fascinating.  I think I enjoyed her telling of the stories almost as much as I did taking almost 100 photos.

Today, the boy toys:

Below this is a 1925 Model T Ford, per the sign.  Let me tell you, all this equipment was very well loved and cared for.  Beautiful to behold!

Below, OK, I am glad we don't have to cool the engines of our modern day vehicles this way:

The ultimate boy toy!  A train!

Jan can tell you about this, all I know is it is a lot of machinery, belts, a sight to behold.

Look at the size of that belt!

Moments after I snapped this photo that belt also snapped.  WOW.  Don't want to be in the way of that, quite dangerous, dudes, you could really get hurt with that!

Next, I'll show you the lady's tools.  You may worship your current household tools when you see this stuff.  I know I do!




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THE Trip, MOC Nebraska Rally, HOT Stuff

Copyright 2012, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Still HOT in Nebraska.  Five days of MOC Rally.  Our regional rallies are smaller and more intimate.  They are fully enjoyed.  There was, as, always, GREAT food, lots of telling of lies, laughter, stories, more food, and a few local activities.  First there was a Meet N Greet, with, mmm, of course, food.

One of our side trips was to Baker's Candies.

YUM, and this is just a small sampling of their offerings:

Did I happen to mention it was HOT???

Another of our outings we went to a local eatery, yummy!  We celebrated an anniversary  (nope, not for Man and I):

One day the side trips were to see the Missouri River flooding that so devastated the area and to a Threshers Show. I had not intended on going out in the heat to see the Threshers show, but, I have to say, I am so glad I did. I almost melted and wilted, but, our MOC friend Jan, who grew up on a farm, took us under her wing and gave us an education. It was fascinating. I'll bring you a few photos in another post, ladies you just HAVE to see some of these displays. Yes, LADIES!

The afternoon was spent in air conditioned trucks and cars driving to see the flooded Missouri River.  Where we crossed from Nebraska into Iowa there was a 2 lane road, and no where to pull off, so, I put Sony to work capturing the scene the best we could.  So much water, so much - -

There was a road there.  The sign just broke my heart, it said it all:

Sitting in water:

Don't need this equipment, there are no crops to water, and there is too much water anyway!

Our local MOC host and hostesses went out of their way to show us a HOT time!  No, seriously, in spite of the heat a good time was had, friendships renewed and begun, and we all survived to brag that we had been HOT in Nebraska!  The sunsets were HOT too - - -

Beautifully HOT!

Thanks to our MOC Rally Hosts and to Nebraska, it was a great regional rally, did I say, it was HOT??  OH, I did.  Well, it was!



*  Rally was held mid July, 2011.

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