Big Olaf Ice Cream

I haven't seen this many trikes at Big Olaf in a long time. This is not even half of the bikes altogether. More came later.

Waiting until the line shrinks to get lined up for their ice cream. 

This is the beginning of the 4th of July weekend. The Pioneer Trails brought in a full busload.

Thursday Night's Sunset

 The sunset tonight at the Pinecraft Park.

It rained this afternoon. I don't know if those were the clouds that brought this beautiful sunset. 

David Bontrager

The water filter is in working order again. 

The Sunset

I think I am going overboard with the sunset tonight. But I couldn't get enough of this beautiful quiet evening. 

The western view at the Pinecraft Park.

The East from the Tourist Parking lot.

And the west from Big Olaf.

SandHill Cranes

My most welcome visitors. 

I don't know where they came from or where they went.

When I opened my door to take a photo, the Mister Sand Hill Crane took a few steps toward me out of curiosity. After looking me over they continues digging into the soft moist soil looking for tidbits. 

After the Storm

We had a Thunder Storm like we haven't had in a few years. It was a slow moving storm, so likely everyone in its path got their full share of thunder and lightening. Later this afternoon I decided to go for a bike ride but stayed within range for a quit dive for shelter in case we get more rain.

This was taken at the Pinecraft Park. The creek was fast flowing, although not overly high. 

These flowers took a good beating. Their heads are hanging low but they will rise again.

At the same time the roses kept their heads high because of having stronger stems. 

(The former Rube and Mary Smucker home.)

On the Dance Floor

"Will you marry me?" 

Ben Lapp

Ben takes his obligations seriously. Lapp's Bike Shop is closed until Labor Day. But Ben is on call whenever someone needs anything in the Bike Shop. Rachel Esh needed a bike and so Ben opened the shop and served her.   

In the meantime I needed a new inner tube, so I dropped in. 

My tire had a pin hole leak. Every few days it was low in air.

He also greased the bike.

And checked all the tires for air pressure. 

After making a few more adjustments my bike runs good as new. 

Thanks to Ben Lapp. 

Peter Rabbit

How many times did Peter Rabbit get his ears boxed and cut?

Pioneer Trails and Crossroad Buses Arrive

Today two buses came in. The Pioneer Trails came because it was a regular Summer run. 

Getting their contact number and making a call to be picked up.

A Crossroad bus came in from Indiana, with family, relatives and neighbors of Gladys Miller. Tomorrow is her funeral at the Tourist Mennonite Church.

Sold! The Post Office

The former post office is sold. 

Ann Michelle is the new owner.

Her plans are to turn this into a Coffee/Sandwich Shop.  

Phyllis Hornback Myers

Phyllis and I had been Facebook friends for a few years. We know some of the same people and both lived the Plain Life. Phyllis as a conservative German Baptist and I was born Amish. We had an interesting visit this afternoon. 

The Evening Clouds

The evening clouds from Good Avenue.

The sunset from the Pinecraft Park. 

This photo was taken about 45 minutes later.

Family

Out for the evening.

Every now and then I meet up with this father/daughter bike riding. 

A Day's Work

Pinecraft was a busy place. This tree on Yoder Avenue behind Eli Smucker's house came down bit by bit, one branch at a time until nothing was left.

Pushing dirt at Mervin Weaver's.

Making a patio at Linda Herschberger's apartment on the corner of Miller and Fry.

And the day ended with the soft evening clouds. We had lots of dark stormy looking clouds this afternoon but no rain.

Blue Evening

Tonight the glow was blue.

Even this house was more blue than normal. 

Price Reduced

This is on Birky Street, almost at Beneva.

The Beauty of Summer

This morning the Pinecraft Park had a beautiful carpet of tiny flowers.

A Palm Tree at the north end of the Pinecraft Park. Here I watched a young Blue Jay get flying lessons from an adult. I love the quietness of the park this time of the year.

These are in full bloom.

The sunset tonight.

In Memory of Marie Beachy

Marie Beachy planted these flowers and they continue to bloom year after year. 

The Little Children

Nathan, with Anna and Johnny going on a walk. 

Siblings, Alex and Sophia on the swings. 

The Pioneer Trails Bus

Today was the day Pioneer Trails came in. 

Martha came home and was the first passenger off the bus. 

Ervin and Clara Raber came earlier via train. Today grandchildren and their parents joined Ervin and Clara.

Cute little two year old.