It's 7.23 pm, dusk on a misty evening we're traveling from Paducah to Winamac Indiana.
We hope to be in Winamac in about 3 hours. We've encountered 100's of semi's and trucks.
Interstate 70 begins in San Francisco and runs to Washington DC. An Interstate is a major highway that runs from one point to another with no stops. To get to a town you need to exit the Interstate. However, a freeway (like we have at home) actually goes through the towns. With the amount of traffic on the roads here I can see how valuable the Interstate is.
Today we began our trip at about 1.30 driving through tree lined streets of downtown Paducah. It's been a gem of a day, 80 deg and a a caressing breeze. We began our day with a huge mug of hot coffee in downtown Paducah. The quilting gals were out in full. I have to admit to having a very small strawberry shortcake to accompany the coffee.
This is the most amazing place. Every shop has a sign in it welcoming quilters. The bank, the bookshop, and antique mall. Temporary shops selling quilting associated goods open and small stalls selling food appear in doorways and on pavements. Di, Della and I wandered into one shop after another. The antique malls were the most fascinating. I could have taken home a dozen antique quilt bargains however, a 1930's feedsack top for $29 and some hearts made from cutters (cut up quilts)will have to suffice.
We visited for some time with a local police officer on a push bike and the lady in the pie shop. 100's of quilters in quilting garb... walked the pavements. A gal dressed from head to toe in decorated and patched garments passed us on one occasion... I mentioned to Di that we can sure tell she is a quilter.. and lo and behold she turned around and passed us the other way... passing comment by saying... "I can tell your'e a quilter..." I looked down and had my antique quilt top peeking out of my bag... OK Pam a lesson......
We drove to view other parts of Paducah... The houses are gracious and embellished with porch swings, rocking chairs and terracotta pots bursting with colour. Flags salute the passers by and the front doors are festooned with wreaths and country decorations. Di and I walked the streets for a short time with Della following along in the car like a chauffeur..
Next stop was a quilt show put on by the local Rotary club. It was just lovely. Several dozen vendors displayed their wares... and Bobbie Aug showed her collection of antique double wedding ring quilts... they were just lovely. I bumped into friends and was also able to get more fabric for the big project from the Cherrywood booth.
I love this fabric with a passion. I have used it in almost all my major quilts... and the next one is no exception...
Time to get on the road again and I go back to the beginning of this blog... a warm sunny day, traveling on Interstate 70 through Kentucky, Illinois and on to Indiana..
The sky got darker and darker, in fact almost as if it was night... the radio flashed tornado warnings... but still the quilters drove through... suddenly the heavens opened and a wall of water hit us... Lightning lit the sky and we were pushed from side to side by by huge winds... the visibility was almost zero and the temperature dropped from 80 to 45....My goodness what a change..
After stopping to re-fuel the car and ourselves... we drove on for another 4 hours and arrived very tired in Winamac Indiana.
