Bruce fell in love with Conner Prairie when he chaperoned Michael's 5th grade class a few years ago. He still talks about sleeping in the barn and getting a couple of boys literally out of their beds in the morning. Since then it seems we have made at least one trip to the Living History Museum every year.So it was no surprise yesterday when he suggested we go.
The weather was gorgeous.
We had to renew out membership and this gave us the opportunity to spend the afternoon with James and Bethany. They were going to have their Headless Horseman Hayride in the evening and we stuck around for the ride and upgraded our membership to allow 2 youths and 2 adult guests to come along.
Since the Museum closes at 5pm and the activity didn't start until 6pm, Bethany and I went to McDonald's to pick up something to eat while James and Bruce lined up on the "members" side.
There were three lines and when they finally let people in we were given Hayride tickets for the 6:30pm ride. It was still light outside. We waited for about 30 minutes before they led us to the "loading dock". Two tractor-pulled double-wagons filled with straw were waiting there with movable steps in front to help the riders climb in. Good thing because Bruce was struggling a bit with his bum knee and was using his cane more than usual.
As we were winding through the wooded areas we noticed two horses carrying tall figures hovering around the big farm, and Bruce even saw one going after the first party some way ahead of us. All along the paths, there were spooks. A never to be forgotten one was the skeleton sitting on the pot in an outhouse... Bruce said he had a smile on his face... I only noticed that 'he' was reading the paper!!!
They also had Ichabod Crane's grave along the road...
That's what Grandpa Brindle nicknamed James when he was a little baby... Why? Who knows??? I had never heard of Ichabod Crane until then. A few years later the Disney Channel began broadcasting and it was then that I discovered the story of Ichabod Crane, the teacher who was chased by the Headless Horseman in "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow".
Disney's character was tall and skinny, huge nose and ears... NO resemblance to our James, that's for sure!!!...
I found an excerpt on YouTube (part 1 of 6)
Anyway, the rider came after us twice during the hayride and chased us up to the covered bridge, waving his sword.
It was about 15 minutes long and we got back to the starting point where we disembarked.
I think it would have been more fun and more spooky had it been darker...
We made our way through the 'midway'. Bruce bought a cup of spiced apple cider and we went home. The wind was too strong for a lift in the air-balloon but maybe next week they will let it go up.
People were eating popcorn, caramel apples, tents with Halloween themes...
We have plans to go back next week-end with Mike and Mitchell and James and Bethany too.
This goes on for another 2 weeks so we might even be able to take Jon and Sarah, depending on whether Sarah has to work or not. We'll try getting a later ride...
I love Fall. The leaves have begun turning colors: a gorgeous display!
I wish it could be Fall all year long!!!
