North to Newton Kansas, Easter with Friends

After farewell hugs and a great breakfast, we left Grand Isle and drove to Marshall, Texas. It was a long drive for us, over four hundred miles, but there were storm warnings and we hoped to drive through one of the two fronts. After tornado warnings and heavy, but brief rain we next drove to Perry, Oklahoma. Along the way we passed through another front but thankfully not more storm warnings.

We reached Newton Kansas and arrived at our friend’s house, where we hoped to spend four days before heading for Montana. Its always a great time there as we were greeted with more smiles and hugs at Nancy and Bob’s beautiful house.

They invited us to join them at Nancy’s sister’s house, Patties, for Easter dinner. Nancy also suggested that while there we could visit the Dyck Arboretum and tour the Warkenton Mansion and Museum. She added several day trips, one to the Karg Glass works and The Carriage Factory Art gallery

We had previously visited the Dyck Arboretum but this year we were too early. We met a birder, as we started to stroll around the paths, who saw my Grand Isle Bird Festival tee shirt and told us of the birds he had spotted. It was early, the trees had just started to open their buds, and so we only spotted a few. < >A cardinal greeted us with his song and posed as they often do. Other bird were not so obliging but we did spot several blue jays, one of which got close enough for a fair picture. The flowers were just starting to bloom and were limited to a few daffodils and iris. IT was a nice sunny day, so we had a picnic on one of the patios, where large rocks provided seats and a table.

The next day we headed to the Warkenton Museum, but it was not open. Disappointed Nancy and Bob took us to the Carriage Factory Art Gallery. It features local artists and while the curator said I could take pictures I had to promise to use them just for the blog.

It was an enjoyable place with many artists using mixed mediums. It reminded us of our work as we use stone and wire to make our one-of-a-kind wearable art. Our next stop of the day was at the Karg Glass Works.

It was a Saturday, and the furnaces and cooling ovens were all cold, but the gallery was spectacular’ The glass art works were mixed with a rainbow of colors, a kaleidoscope really, and they did also sell kaleidoscopes.

I bought some of the blue fused glass, which I plan to wrap them in gold and silver. Glass blowing classes are offered there, along with classes that allow you to make your own glass piece. It is definitely a class we plan to take during our next visit!

Easter arrived and we gathered with Nancy and Bob’s family. We were blessed to meet them again, and it was an excellent meal with great conversations on genealogy research, golf, their travels, and retirements benefits! Thanks so much for the wonderful time! Clear skies