2 weeks of new experiences

My recent(sorta) trip with the Wissmann's was a fun one for many reasons, one of which is that I got to do/experience a lot of new things. I finally told Nathanael that he might want to stop asking me if "I'd seen this, or done that" because (in view of my past record) chances were that I hadn't:)

I seriously think that Grandpa Hager was convinced that I led a sheltered and deprived life, and that I lived in the middle of nowhere and have never done anything(worth mentioning)...I am not exactly sheltered and deprived...I just haven't traveled around in a bus for weeks on end, nor had I had the privilege of visiting Grandpa&Grandma's farm--but all that changed:).

So instead of telling you everything that went on during those 2 weeks, I thought I would make a list my "firsts", and that should give you a pretty good idea of what happened

So...here goes it...

• Staying at Grandma&Grandpa Hager's house for an entire week!
• Eating Grandma's food for that entire week (and I could not describe to you how good her cooking is...you just have to experience it.
• Driving a tractor

• Having the option of ice cream after ever single meal--Grandma probably would have let me eat some after breakfast...I never did...but I won't tell you I never thought about it:)
• Weaving on a real loom

• Riding an old double bike!
• Learning to flip off a swing
• Spending 4 days with Elizabeth and Nathanael at Grandpa and Grandma's farm
• Two hour walk on the railroad tracks

• Doing Hannah's hair--everyday that we were together:)
• Getting to wake up to a moving bus--no, that wasn't a first, but it is so wonderful I just had to mention it *smile*

• Getting stuck in the mud
• Being pulled out by the massive tractor pictured below

• Getting to work in Grandma & Grandpa's garden
• Digging potatoes
• Trying not to spear the poor potatoes, I wasn't too successful at that (but at least I was better then someone else...who shall remain nameless)

Feeling the soft dirt squish through my toes--this is another one of the "to-good-to-not-mention-even-though-it-wasn't-a-first"

• Digging potatoes
• Pulling onions

• Having a dirt clod land directly in my face...(I won't tell you if it was on purpose or not)

• Truly experiencing the quote "Dirt is more fun when you add water"

• Eating potato pancakes
• Canning peaches
• Eating cheese curds--I still don't think Grandpa can believe that one:)
• Eating a yellow raspberry

• Having warm raspberries on my ice cream
• Eating Grandma's cookies all day long:) Have you noticed that the word "eating" is mentioned a lot--oh the joys of visiting Grandma's house(even if she isn't your 'real' Grandma)
• Visting the fish hatchery
• Hiking around Dunning Springs

• Lake Itasca Family Bluegrass Festival
• Instrument workshops
• Kayaking
• Hearing Rachel's workshop on songwriting--it was excellent!

• Learning about Ira Sankey
• Narrating with 24 hr. notice--I loved it!

• Working in the snack shak making milkshakes and ice cream cones!
• Listening to the Wissmann's sing over a dozen times:)

• Listening to live Bluegrass music all day long

That is just a taste of what went on during those 2 weeks! Not to mention all the hours of talking, laughter, and traveling:)

A very big thank you to each member of the Wissmann family who made my trip so very special...and memorable! And I'm sure I forgot something...but there was just so many...lol