The Farmhouse at Parsons (KS)

Yesteryear Awaits

After sitting at the high-point of Arkansas for a week, we were again packing up and heading onward.  The northern departure route from Mount Magazine was not as harrowing as the southern accent route, and Hank was showing his appreciation as his engine purred through the curvy, downhill plateau.   

No trip to Paris is complete without a photo of the Eiffel Tower

In 2001 we celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary in Paris, France; in 2012 we visited Paris Texas; and now we found ourselves rolling through Paris, Arkansas.  Taking one's wife to Paris three times sets the bar pretty high on the "Great Husband Scale," and I apologize for putting any undue pressure on my male friends.

Miner statue at the Paris Logan County Coal Miner's Memorial

Paris is another quaint little town that is representative of Americana.  The town was built on hard work, and still values the sweat-equity that makes our society prosper.  On the southern edge of town is a static display of one of the most dangerous and demanding jobs in America--coal mining.  This display not only serves as an interactive site--complete with actual period machinery and coal--but also serves as a memorial to all the men who lost their lives while performing their trade.  The days of coal may be drawing to a close, but this town will remember the efforts put forth to bring commerce to their community.

Coal car on rail loaded with the fuel of the industrial age

We were headed northwest towards Kansas.  Considering our constant maneuvering away from severe weather, Kansas during the tornado season seemed like a fools folly.  No argument here.  Although the RV inspection during our departure from San Antonio gave Glory a clean bill of health, she needed fixing.  During our stay at the Lackland AFB FamCamp, we noticed that the galley tank would leak when it was nearly full.  After removing the underbelly and inspecting closer, I noticed stress fractures at the drain where the leak was originating.  With the underbelly exposed, I inspected the grey & black tanks, and saw the beginnings of similar stress fractures.  After a failed attempt to "chemically weld" a patch over the fracture sites, we called the manufacture and scheduled an appointment to have all the tanks replaced.  The appointment was nearly 2-months out, but it was a date...and Glory was headed home.

Our house would be in the shop (that just sounds crazy!), so we would need a place to kick-it for a few days.  Since we needed to empty out "the basement" to allow access to the holding tank plumbing, a motel wasn't going to cut it.  We did a cursory search for vacation homes for rent within a 1-hour drive of the NuWa factory in Chanute, and found the perfect spot.  

Situated 40-minutes south of Chanute, Kansas lies the small town of Parsons.  The terrain is relatively level, the roads straight, and the people very hospitable.  We knew we had arrived in small-town America, as we passed a girls (~12-14 year olds) softball game and the stands were packed.  Obviously more than just parents coming out to support these adolescent athletes.  

Glory resting in the company of farmhouse & fields

We continued down the blacktop road and turned onto a dirt road towards our bed-down site.  At the end of this dirt road sits an early 20th-Century farmhouse that has been painstakingly renovated into a vacation home.  The cozy one-story abode sits amongst trees and acreage, providing spacious privacy with views across the adjacent fields of tall grasses.  The hostess--Debra--met us at "The Farmhouse" to get us checked-in.  The folks here are really down-to-earth, and although we were technically in the middle of a lodging business transaction, it was like we were talking to our neighbors across the fence.  This was "Heartland hospitality" at its finest.

After unloading the basement contents in the smallish detached garage, we settled in and acquainted ourselves with The Farmhouse.  Growing up in a rural setting amongst older homes, I was instantly taken back in time.  The warm antiquated feel was like traveling to the country to visit Grandma...and yes, there were cookies waiting on the kitchen counter for us.  Nothing short of a hidden gem for the vacationer or traveler, we easily gave our highest praises for this tucked-away treasure in our on-line review.

Modern meets nostalgic in this charming little farmhouse that has been personally restored by the owner.  For anyone who has visited or lived in an early-1900's home, you will immediately feel the cozy layout that was typical of that era.  This two bedroom abode sits on secluded acreage, allowing solitude amongst the adjacent fields and wooded areas.  One can breathe-in the clean Kansas breeze while swinging under mature pecan trees, or sunbathe on the large back patio.

The interior decor is warm and welcoming.  A plush leather couch immediately welcomes the traveler upon entry through the original front door.  The kitchen boasts a full-sized refrigerator and glass-top range; both nestled amongst the original custom cabinetry that has witnessed decades of home-cooked meals.  The bedrooms are light and airy, with each providing a countryside view through updated windows.  The bath was our favorite upgrade, with a generously sized walk-in shower that rivals those we've encountered in upscale hotels during our world travels.

Our hostess Debra was very accommodating, readily available, quick to respond, and always pleasant in conversation.  She has meticulously selected appropriate period items to keep the "feel" of the farmhouse; seamlessly blending them amongst the modern amenities (flat-screen TV, Wi-Fi, etc.) that travelers expect.

We had never visited Kansas before; but should we return, this taste of Americana will be part of our travel plans.                   - W. Walker

After a great nights sleep, Hank and I were taking "The Homecoming Queen" back to her place of birth.  We headed north, passing miles of agricultural scenery.  The drive was like an interactive exhibit on how to feed a nation.  Croplands stretching into the horizon, bordered by silos and dated railways to move their botanical bounty.  Long straight highways that were speckled with grain carriers, as well as the occasional tractor making its way to the next endless field. 

I was 10-minutes early for the 0700 drop-off, and the service manager--Wayne--was waiting for me with clipboard in hand.  The old military adage of "if you're not 15-minutes early, you're late" must have been created here.  He greeted me by name, gave me a quick confirmation of the work I had requested, and showed me where to unhook Glory.  Nothing like a rock-solid work ethic and service to give your customers confidence in your product.  

I was badly needing coffee, and was actually quite hungry.  I headed into the "downtown" section of Chanute to see if I could find some breakfast vittles.  I didn't know where to go, so I looked for a restaurant with a lot of cars parked out front.  I didn't find the cars, but I found a restaurant with a lot of work trucks.  Jackpot! 

The Grain Bin is a throw-back cafe that has been part of this community for decades.  The walls are adorned with a variety of nostalgic oddities, from certificates of completion in "window dressing," to farming tools which have long been replaced by modern mechanized processes.  There is a small counter--complete with a half-dozen stools--and the remainder of the seating comprised of naugahyde covered booths.  I can only imagine how many Naugas gave their lives to decorate the dining area. 

The Grain Bin: Eggs any way you like...anytime you like!

The menu is working-class cuisine.  Eggs...any way you can cook 'em. Bacon...crispy. Coffee...strong.  It also comes at a working-class price, with most gut-filling plates under $5 (unless you throw a steak or chop on the side). 

Hearty Heartland Sunrise Vittles

The breakfast club gathering is mostly comprised of blue-collar workers about to hit the day running, and work longer than the sun shines.  The conversations are prudent, but don't include global warming, European monetary issues, or defining marriage or gender status.  These folks talk weather, crops, fixing equipment, fishing, and local sports.  When the apocalypse hits, the subjects won't likely change.

I headed back to The Farmhouse to spend a few days relaxing under the shade trees and exploring the local venues.  Two days later we were contacted by the folks at NuWa telling us Glory was ready to go.  We all loaded up and headed back to Chanute to pick-up our house.  Since the folks at NuWa had finished the job a day early (see customer confidence remark above), we spent it doing some general maintenance, to include washing...well...everyone.  

The few days at The Farmhouse confirmed our vision of owning a farm one day.  We really fell into an uber-relaxed mode and talked about how much we missed working in the dirt.  The stay served as a re-charge and re-inspiration.  We said our farewells to our hostess--exchanging contact info--and rumbled down the straight, level rural roadways. 

It had been a month since we last broke bread with our friends in San Antonio.  We were about to have another reunion; one that has been in the making for 17-years.  We set our sights northward--towards Kansas City.

wWw