Riding the Back Roads

Today we rode our Honda Goldwing about 100 miles on back roads around the lake. The weather was beautiful!  We crossed the water many times and marveled at the lack of boats on the lake. But it is a week day.

Having lived in Johnson County, Kansas over 30 years, I'm used to strict restrictions regarding home size, roofing material, siding colors, fences, storage buildings, even what can be parked in your own driveway.  With little or no building restrictions or Home Owner Association regulations, diversity and individualism comes through loud and strong in our area.

I saw a vintage 10' x 50' aqua and white trailer just down the road from an all brick 5 or 6 bedroom home with 4 car garage.  Their out buildings were larger than our entire home.  

Some of the smallest homes sported the most cultivated and manicured yards that had taken years of planting, pruning and love to develop. Tulips, irises, peonies, lilacs, roses and annuals surrounding porches, bird baths, mail boxes and beautiful mature trees. Others were completely overgrown filled with rusted vehicles, tractors, trash, and weeds.

Pride of home ownership was so obvious in some areas where acres were  mowed right up to the blacktop, while others barely had a clear path to the driveway.

We stopped at a little "General Store" in a wide place in the road for a cold drink and to stretch our legs.  The public restrooms were across the road on the outside of the laundry-mat (ran by the store owners).  The store stocked the basics with groceries, snacks, T-Shirts, caps, carved black bear items, small yard statuaries, etc. but the surprise was in the quality and quantity of some additional items.  Beautifully detailed sterling silver charms of every type displayed in vintage glass counters, Native American feathers, bead work, dolls, and dream catchers AND beads!  With no Hobby Lobby type store within 100 miles, this little general store had found a niche carrying beads, needles, cording, jewelry fasteners, etc.  

The private home beside the General Store had a "Hummingbird Crossing" sign attached to her front porch.  Flocking around a dozen or more feeders were the most hummingbirds we had ever seen gathered in one location!  Beautiful, multi-colored little flyers speeding from one feeder to the next.  

Lastly we stopped for lunch at "Maxine's". Mom and Pop owned little local diner serving a country buffet of home cooked fried chicken, mashed potatoes, white gravy, green beans, corn, hot rolls and full salad bar for $4.95 a person!

Love being retired and having the freedom to enjoy such a great day with my Hubby.