From Oshkosh, WI

Having started the morning in an area that Mark had fond memories of, we did a little sight seeing.

Normally, this is a working Danish windmill in Elk Horn, IA.

Normally, this is a working Danish windmill in Elk Horn, IA.

The blades and other parts are in need of repair.

The blades and other parts are in need of repair.

The community is trying to raise money for the necessary repairs.

The community is trying to raise money for the necessary repairs.

The whole reason for the Danish windmill being in Elk Horn was that a couple guys had a vision for it and got the community involved in raising $100,000 in 1976.  They sent someone to Denmark to locate and buy a windmill that was not in the best of condition in the first place.  Carpenters in Denmark painstakingly took it apart piece by piece and numbered each part.  Then carpenters in Elk Horn put it together and repaired it with the help of somewhere around three hundred volunteers.  Now the community is trying to raise $200,000 for some much needed repairs.  Their goal is to have it in working condition by the end of May, but the woman in the gift shop said the money isn’t there yet to finish it.

A bucolic scene

A bucolic scene

The road out of Elk Horn, IA

The road out of Elk Horn, IA

Plow in the Oak Park

Plow in the Oak Park

On our way back to the highway, Mark pulled into a little park and told me the legend of the Plow in the Oak.  He said that during WWII, a man leaned his plow up against an oak tree and went off to war.  He never returned from the war, and the oak tree engulfed the plow.

The plow blade sticking out of one side...

The plow blade sticking out of one side…

...and I suppose this would be the part the horse would be tethered to.

…and I suppose this would be the part the horse would be tethered to.  If anyone knows any different, let me know.

Mark says that more of the plow has been encased in the tree since the last time he saw it.

I have been seeing these grass-covered ridges on the hills in farm country for the last couple days.  At first I didn't know what they were, but I'm beginning to think they are like plateaus to keep the soil from eroding.

I have been seeing these grass-covered ridges on the hills in farm country for the last couple days. At first I didn’t know what they were, but I’m beginning to think they are like plateaus to keep the soil from eroding.

We got back on the highway around 10:00 AM and I read my devotions and then finished reading The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel to Mark.  There were a couple things Mark and I would have liked to see, but we decided to forego the pleasure due to our greater desire to get to Wisconsin.  For me, I would have liked to see the Amana Colonies.  We got within ten miles of them.  For Mark, it was being within sight of this:

We stopped and got gas and groceries right across the street from this museum, which he has always wanted to see, but he managed to steer back onto the highway.  We'll have to stop another time.

We stopped and got gas and groceries right across the street from this museum, which he has always wanted to see, but he managed to steer back onto the highway. We’ll have to stop another time.

The sacrifice was worth it.  We finally saw what we have been aiming for:

We gave a whoop when we entered our new home state!

We gave a whoop when we entered our new home state!

Our first sunset together in Wisconsin this year!

And as the sun sank slowly into the west, we found ourselves close to our stopping point for tonight, Oshkosh B’gosh!

 

 

One thought on “From Oshkosh, WI

  1. I really enjoyed our visit last week. Now, I’m thoroughly enjoying your trip. Pictures are great, as well.
    Love you kids!

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