These pictures/story are from our July trip to Wisconsin;
I just realized I hadn’t posted them yet.
It was early evening and Steve, Sarah and I had been on the road since early morning. As a result, all of us were suffering from a severe case of what Steve likes to call,”T.B.” (Tired Butt.)
As various road signs flashed by announcing food options, we were all trying to decide if we could stand to stare down one more fast food burger. The basic consensus was a pretty big negatory but there didn’t seem to be any other option.
But then, what to our wondering eyes should appear? A sign advertising a Bob Evans restaurant!
We started thinking about all the non-burger fare available–salads, breakfast foods, BLT’s, baked potatoes, chicken salad and soups. We were sold!
The sign said the restaurant was about a mile and a half off the road. As we took the exit and trundled along looking for the usual cookie-cutter restaurant tucked in between a dozen other cookie-cutter restaurants, we were taken aback to find ourselves out in the country, out in the middle of absolutely nowhere.
Where had Mr. Evans and his plates of fabulous food disappeared to? Our hungry stomachs weren’t really in the mood for a tour through the Ohio countryside, lovely as it was.
And then we rounded a bend on that winding country road and saw a sight we hadn’t expected.
Bob Evans. Written on a silo.
It turns out we had just stumbled upon the original Bob Evans restaurant location and the homestead where Mr. and Mrs. Evans had raised their six children.
In short, we had arrived at the Bob Evans Mother Ship.
Well. We three Smiths snatched our collective collection of T.B.’s right out of the car and stood and stretched, all the while luxuriating in the balmy, early evening weather, the wide open spaces, and the beauty abounding on all sides.
I went into the restaurant with Steve and Sarah to order and then quickly headed back out the door for fifteen minutes of glorious wandering.
I was immediately presented with a wandering conundrum when I noticed that this barn had been painted a purple camo design while everything around it was painted in traditional farm colors.
Since curiosity is the middle names of all Smiths, I had to look it up.
It turns out that the Bob Evans company had given a military foundation $200,000 and also announced a plan to serve 6,000 meals to U.S. military service men and women. The barn was painted to illustrate Bob Evans’ ongoing support of the military.
This is the view from the front porch of the house. (The house is now a museum.)
I especially loved seeing this old dinner bell out back. I could only imagine Jewel Evans ringing that bell and calling her husband and flock of children in to dinner from all corners of their property. I have no doubt that those six kids were very well fed.
I mean, after all, their dad was Bob Evans!
I continued to poke around a while, so happy to not be confined in a car rolling down an endless freeway.
As I finally went back into the restaurant to eat, I noticed this sign near our table.
I absolutely loved that sentiment; its one I want to remember when I have guests in my own home.
In a world where people are so distracted and distanced from each other, sometimes something as basic as a simple, shared meal is enough to turn strangers into friends into family.
I’m thankful we happened to take that spur-of-the-moment exit; it was truly a treasured snippet of my life. For just a few minutes on that summer night, the Smith family crossed paths with the Evans family and we left refreshed by the decades of hospitality that still inhabit every corner and crevices of that farm and welcome every stranger as family.
And since I’m on the subject of traveling, here’s a little something fun we can do.
I know I have asked you before to leave a comment saying where you are from, but let’s change it up a little. This time, leave a comment about where you’re from, but don’t mention its name–whether it’s a town, a state, or a country.
Here are some examples of what I’m talking about:
Queen City of the south
Miner 49er
Birthplace of Gone with the Wind
The original Home of Roddenberry Foods
Birthplace of Dr Pepper
If you see a description and you think you know where that place is, leave your guess under the comment.
(Edited to add: I had originally said to try and write down a location guess without looking it up on Google but I sure don’t want to squelch anyone’s curiosity! If you are dying to know, Google away! I just didn’t want to make things too easy! Also, if you want to pop back by in a day or two and write your location–if no one guessed–that would be fun, too!)
Enjoy!
Birthplace of Dr Pepper – Waco, TX I visited the Dr. Pepper Museum when working on a project at Baylor University
Queen City of the south – Charlotte, NC
John,
The Dr. Pepper Museum sounds like a tasty place to hang out!
I have lived in several places. Grew up in a city just north of Washington DC named after a fake mineral. Currently I live in a small town where the author of the book “Black Like Me” used to live. It is just south of where the TX Rangers and Dallas Cowboys have their home field and home of Six Flags.
Mary,
Since I am not up on my list of fake minerals, I could not offer even a semi-informed guess as to where you grew up! 🙂
And your current location is obviously Texas but beyond that, I’m clueless! I read “Black Like Me” several years ago. Outstanding book!
Mary, I’ve lived in Baltimore, MD for the past 7 years. I’m not incredibly familiar with the towns south of here, and north of DC, but I have driven the area numerous times. Always wanting to solve a puzzle, I looked at a map, but came up empty. I’m clueless, but curious! Can you help out?! I have much to do, and can’t be spending all of my time looking up these places mentioned on these blog comments!!!
Ann I grew up in Silver Spring MD. It was originally founded when someone fell off his horse near a spring. He thought it was full of silver on the bottom of the spring, then upon further investigation found it was only mica. I hope you enjoy Baltimore. I now live in TX and miss the trees and changing seasons of Md.
Ann,
We have all sure learned a lot about different area of the country in this post, haven’t we? Love it! Glad the mystery was solved.
Thanks for the answer, Mary! I was looking all over north of the 495 beltway. Duh! When you said “just north” you meant JUST north!! Funny how names come about! Thanks for sharing about Silver Spring AND Mansfield!! We are getting ready to go into the beautiful fall season here. I’ve never spent much time down south, and never time in Texas. What I do know is, when Texas gets even a bit of snow, it’s a BIG DEAL!!
I’m from central Ohio, originally. There’s a Mansfield, Ohio. I looked it up to see if it was named after a Mr. Man and a Mr. Field. Nope! It was named after some guy named Jared Mansfield. Maybe he had kin from your Texas town!
Geez. I need to dust and get off the internet!!
Interesting about Steve’s middle name, Becky! Great way to honor both his wonderful folks!
Ann,
Only problem is, the Internet is SO much more interesting than dusting! 🙂
I grew up in Silver Spring MD and currently live in Mansfield TX just south of Arlington TX. I replied to Ann on how Silver Spring got its name. Mansfield was started by two men, Mr Man and Mr. Field who started a mill on a creek. Now Mansfield is just another suburb of the Dallas Fort Worth area.
Mary,
What a fascinating way for a town to get its name!
Steve has a similar story. His middle name is Kever because his dad’s name is Ken and his mom’s name is Vernie. 🙂
Becky, cool way for Steve to get his middle name!
Mary,
I know, I love it! It’s especially nice that he has an unusual middle name since his first and last names are pretty common.
I live in the town there the library ball was at one time. And the state i it is is onr of the frist state of the 13.
I been following u post from day one before u even had the caringbrides pages when u where just sending out emails on sarah i ever miss a email or a caringbride post or a post on u page. I read every one of them.sarah is a true micale. She is a stogen women of God
Anna,
I think that probably makes you one of our longest-term followers, since you are from the e-mail days!
Thanks for your sweet, encouraging words.
Anna,
I’ve never heard of a libary ball before. Your state has sure been around along time!
I sorry i meat the bell
Since I live on a farm, when I was growing up thought it was in the middle of nowhere. Now I realize I’m in the middle of several metro areas, let’s just say I live in the “tall corn state”.
To Steve – there are so many different flavors of Spam, check out the museum website under “varieties” how can you not like Spam?
Karen,
Varieties of Spam? That’s a new one by me!
And I am guessing Iowa for you? (That’s where I was born, by the way.)
Iowa is correct. Think I’ll warm up a can of Teriyaki Spam for supper. LOL
Karen,
Teriyaki Spam? I have no words. 🙂
Joining in the fun a little bit late! I am from the hometown of one of your fellow Manteo-ians who passed away a few years ago. They have a festival each year to celebrate his hometown.
Donna,
I am guessing Mt. Airy, NC? (If that person you’re referring to is Andy Griffith.)
Yes good ole Mayberry! The Mayberry days weekend is even this weekend! Great guess!
Donna,
LOVE me some Andy Griffith!
Birthplace of Elvis!
Jenny,
I’m going to guess Memphis but maybe he just lived there and wasn’t actually born there? Not quite sure.
He moved to Memphis when he was 13, but he was born in Tupelo, Mississippi – just like me!
Jenny,
I thought I had heard something about him not being native to Memphis; glad my memory was right for a change. 🙂
As a word person, I had to look up such an unusual sounding word. It means, “a North American or Asian tree of damp and swampy habitats that yields useful timber.” Learned something!
I live two miles down the road from Paisley Park.
Heather,
I don’t know where Paisley Park is but I love any sort of clothes with paisley so I think I would love living there! 🙂
Fill us in on the location!
LOL! Paisley Park is Prince’s private estate and production complex in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Sounds like you and Prince have two things in common, love of paisley & music. ? I wasn’t a huge Prince fan, but did think it was neat having a celebrity in my community. His estate is now open to the pubic for guided tours.
Heather,
Well, since I wasn’t allowing myself to use Google while guessing, I had no clue that Paisley Park was connected to Prince. I love learning all this new stuff! 🙂
It IS cool having a celebrity in your community. Prince was a very gifted artist; it would be interesting to tour the estate.
This looks like a fun game!
I’m originally from the “Palm Springs of Washington” or so says the famous song. For the last 14 years though the city I call home instantly makes people think of putting a bird on it. 🙂
JKB,
Totally. No. Clue.
Palm Springs of Washington and putting a bird on it? I will be very interested to know the answer.:-)
Palm Springs of Washington = Yakima, WA and there is a sign not song 🙂
Putting a bird on it refers to the show Portlandia which is a show that pokes fun at Portland, OR 🙂
Jennie,
I had to Google that sign to see what all the fuss is about. Sounds like it is quite the fun and iconic sight in that area.
And I’ve never heard of Portlandia but I do know that TV shows can create lots of famous quotations and sayings that make perfect sense in context of the show.
I’ve learned a lot! 🙂
I’m from Southern California, and believe it or not, my dad’s name was Bob Evans!
Beth,
That is too funny! You fit right in around here–especially in Monday’s post. 🙂
I live in Paul Bunyan country 🙂 My state also has the Spam factory, Mayo hospital and clinic, General Mills, 3M company. We had the first wearable pace maker 🙂
Wendy,
Hmmm. I am going to guess Rochester, MN.
And Steve is so famous for hating Spam that he gets teased about it; he’s even been given Spam gifts! He would love to tour that Spam factory!
Spam Factory! I’m so sorry. You have my pity.
Wendy,
I told you Steve is famous for his feelings about Spam! 🙂
Beginning it’s life as “Pig’s Eye, it is now the State Capitol beating out it’s twin. It is known as the most livable town “This Side of Paradise”. If you are “Snoopy”, check out the park that is older than NYC’s Central Park. Saints and Sinners, (well gangsters really) have all called this home.
Deb,
Well, you have earned a prize for having one of the most descriptive descriptions! I have absolutely NO clue. Can’t help but wonder why a place would be called Pig’s Eye!
Becky, I believe you have been here. I know for sure you have been in it’s twin who celebrates the best of summer while we celebrate the best of winter!
Deb,
I went back and read your orginal clues and absolutely cannot think of anyplace I have been that fits those clues. You’re going to have to fill me in!
I am assuming it is midwest since I have been there a lot and it celebrates the best of winter. Only idea I can come up with. (Don’t ever mistake me for Sherlock!)
It is St. Paul, MN. Pierre “Pig’s Eye Parrant was the first settler of European descent to settle here. F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote “this Side of Paradise” while living here and Charles Schultz who created “Snoopy” grew up here. In fact, my Dad and his Dad both had Barbershops within a block of each and were well acquainted. We celebrate winter with the Winter Carnival (we even have had family members as Royalty and Vulcans, the ones who defeat winter), the largest in the country while Minneapolis (together known as the Twin Cities) celebrates all things summer with The Aquatennial. And thus, your history lesson today. Thanks for all of your blogging. I have enjoyed it for many years from the Caringbridge days to now. I have cried with you and cheered with you as well as sharing a good laugh!. Blessings to all!
Deb,
Wow! This is so interesting to me on many levels but especially since my parents were married in Minneapolis, I lived there awhile when I was young, and my brother and his family live in Roseville, a suburb of the Twin Cities.
I loved that your dad and Charles Schultz’s dad had barber shops near each other and knew each other. How fun is that?
And I never knew that two cities so close to each other would each be famous for celebrating opposite seasons. So cool! (literally and figuratively.)
Thanks so much for the fascinating history lesson and thanks especially for being a long time blog reader. My long time readers are special to me!
I’m from the birthplace of the 777.
Danielle,
Well, I think that plane is made by Boeing but I have no earthly idea what city/state was that plane’s birtplace!
I was going to take a couple guesses but I really have no clue. 🙂
Everett, WA
Danielle,
For some reason, one of my guesses was going to be Seattle. At least I got the right state!
I imagine Boeing is a HUGE employer there.
My niece’s name is Danielle she lives in Everett, Wa!
Jenna,
What a fun coincidence!
Salt city with the record fort the most snowfall
Michele,
I’m assuming Salt City refers to the salt on the roads following those snowfalls?
Is it Buffalo?
I’m from a small town that was once home to the largest hardwood sawmill in the world; the state is Wild & Wonderful.
Sue Ellen,
That’s GOT to be West Virginia! 🙂 Had never heard of the largest hardwood sawmill in the world. How interesting!
The state IS West Virginia. The largest hardwood lumber mill was the Meadow River Lumber Company in the tiny town of Rainelle – named for the Raines brothers who founded both the town and the mill. The mill is gone now, but I remember touring it in its waning years as a very young child, and receiving a wooden high heel used on ladies shoes. How I wish I still had that heel.
Sue Ellen,
Amazing that such a huge lumber mill was built in such a tiny town. The Raines brothers must have had a lot of vision and drive to create something so “out of proportion” like that.
And I know that as a little girl you were thrilled to be given a wooden high heel. What a sweet memory.
Yes, the Raines brothers literally built the town. If not for them, there would be no Rainelle. They also built the church I grew up in, Rainelle United Methodist Church, which is thought to be the largest building in the world constructed entirely of now extinct American Chestnut lumber.
SueEllen,
Interesting that the church and town are called Rainelle and not Raines. Wonder the reason for that.
And a church built entirely of extinct lumber? I just had to look up a photo on Google. Gorgeous!!
Rockfish Capital of the World. Would you believe we were at the same restaurant last Thursday evening and Friday morning. Loved it! Wanted to post a picture but could not figure out how.
Ann,
A Rockfish Capital would need to be near some significant body of water but I have no clue where it is!
I wish there was a way to attach pictures in the comments, too; that would be so fun. Thanks for texting me the pictures you took; they were so great! It was funny that you had just been to place I blogged about!
Weldon, NC, is where I went to school and Roanoke Rapids where I live meet at I – 95 just about a fourth of a mile from my house. The Roanoke River is where the rock fish come at a certain time of the year.
Ann,
How interesting about the rock fish only coming at a certain time of the year; I didn’t know that.
And of course, I have been to Roanoke Rapids! It only makes sense that Roanoke River would be nearby. 🙂
Home of Heinz Ketchup.
Hey, I live in that same city!
Linda,
That’s funny that you found a fellow Heinz Ketchup-er admist the commenters. 🙂
Yes, Becky, Pittsburgh truly is the birthplace of Heinz Ketchup. In fact, I used to work for Heinz. I didn’t want to give the answer away, so I didn’t sign my comment with my usual “Linda in Pittsburgh” 🙂
Linda,
Ahhh. Aren’t you the sneaky one? 🙂
Martha,
Mmmm. I love ketchup. 🙂
I had never even thought of Heinz Ketchup having a “home” but I guess every product needs one. I’m assuming that is the place where the corporate headquarters and/or main factory is? No idea what state that would be.
becky, It’s Pittsburgh, PA! I didn’t want to say “Home of the Steelers,” then that would have been too easy. (Go Steelers!!)
Martha,
Really?! I had no idea Pittsburgh was the birthplace of Heinz ketchup. You’re right–the Steelers line would have definitely given it away! Heinz ketchup is much more “mysterious.” 🙂
Beautiful pictures – really enjoy the restaurant –
Home of the world famous harness racing horse – Dan Patch!
Sharyn,
My first guess would be Kentucky but I don’t guess every racing horse has to come from there so I actually have no idea. 🙂
But that IS a very famous horse–nice to be known as his home town!
I live in a town where the incandescent light bulb was perfected and sound was first recorded.
Our motto: “Let there be light”
Curious, what did the restaurant look like inside? Was it modern?
Robyn,
Light bulb perfected and sound first recorded? Those are two HUGE things to come out of the same place!
The restaurant on the inside looked just like any other Bob Evans restaurant. I did read however, that when the restaurant first started out in that location, it had just a dozen stools.
Do I get 3 guesses? It’s either West Orange, Menlo Park or Edison.
Janet,
You get at LEAST three guesses! 🙂
My guess would be Menlo Park, too.
My town was originally called Menlo Park, but was renamed in honor of the inventor Thomas Edison. Edison’s main laboratory was located in the Menlo Park section.
It was in his Menlo Park laboratory that Edison came up with the phonograph and a commercially viable incandescent light bulb filament. Christie Street (not too far from where I live) was the first street in the world to use electric lights for illumination.
Robyn,
Just learned something. I had no idea Menlo Park had been changed to Edison; the perfect way to honor such an amazing man. I can’t begin to imagine how smart he was . . . and in addition to the brains, he seemed to have an extra dose of creativity to “see” things that hadn’t been created yet.
I am sure it is an honor to live so close to where such great inventions took place!
The town I am from is home to a market house built by Thomas Tresham that was left unfinished for 300 years with no roof. It is in the shape of a cross as Tresham encoded symbols of his Catholic faith into all of his (somewhat unusual) buildings. He spent a long time in prison for his beliefs. Work started in 1577 so it is an extremely old building and still functions as a place for the town Council to gather today (and is also a Help the Heroes charity shop)
Rebecca,
Oh how I would LOVE to get my camera in (and around) that building; I LOVE old architecutre. And the fact that it is also a thrift store? Be still my heart.
I can’t imagine how it could survive 300 years without a roof and I’m also thcurious as to why no one put a roof on it! Off to Google I go to research this builder.
Thanks for sharing such interesting facts.
The queen city . Two-thirds of the American population live within a one-day drive of here.
Margie,
I’m going to guess Charlotte?
Whether that answer is right or not, it’s an interesting statistic about how many people live within a day’s drive!
I always think of the Queen City as Charlotte also.
SueEllen,
Yeah, I hadn’t realized till these comments that there are several Queen Cities!
Cincinnati! (I lived in both Canton and Columbus for about 4 years each!)
Lisa,
I have to admit I went and Googled this one because I had always heard of Charlotte being the Queen City. Turns out both Cincinatti AND Charlotte bear that nickname. Go figure! I did just read that sometimes Charlotte is called Queen City of the South, so I guess that’s the difference between them.
Learn something every day! 🙂
And Springfield, Missouri is the Queen City of the Ozarks
Phyllis,
I did not know that!
I’m originally from a small town in the Show Me State. It’s name translated from Spanish means The Golden Springs. It was founded near a natural spring that some people thought had medicinal powers. For those not from the town, they think the water tastes awful. Having grown up there, I think it tastes good.
Now I live in the land of sunflowers or Oz after 13 years in the Sunshine State and 3 years in the Bluegrass State in the Kentucky Derby town.
Phyllis,
Wow–you have such interesting facts about each of the places you have lived in!
I know the Show Me state is Missouri. No clue about what where “The Golden Springs” would be! I think it’s funny that the water tastes good to the residents and bad to outsiders. I guess it’s whatever a person grows up with!
I don’t know where the land of sunflowers is but I love the whimsical beauty of sunflowers. It’s got to be a lovely place where you are!
The Golden Springs is El Dorado Springs, town of less than 4,000 people. Hometown of Miss Missouri 2011.
Land of Sunflowers or Oz is Kansas – Dorothy in Wizard of Oz was from Kansas. “I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore Toto”. The wild sunflower is the state flower of Kansas. There is a field of sunflowers about an hour from me that people flock to around the first of September each year. I went the day after Labor Day and took MANY pictures. They were beautiful!
Phyllis,
I would LOVE to see a field of sunflowers. I can imagine (especially in the right light) they would be absolutely gorgeous–as you and your camera have already proved!
I love hearing stories of beauty queens coming from small towns. Makes me smile!
I live in the city that is famous for the dairy cow named “Springbank Snow Countess” and in fact we have a statue of it. We a few different high schools in our city and the one high school’s colours are blue and gold. Every year in Sept when school started, the statue’s hooves would get painted gold by some high school students. The city would approach the school and tell them that this was unwelcome and let everyone know the they could be charged for vandalism. The hooves would then be painted black again and usually stayed like this until the next September when it would happen all over again. This has been happening since I moved here in 1979. Old traditions die hard.
By the way, we love Bob Evans and stop every year we go to the Nascar race in Michigan. We do not get shredded hashbrowns in Canada so it is a real treat to have their breakfast, even if we are there for lunch. Have a great week.
Mel,
A cow named “Springbank Snow Countess?” Oh my. There has got to be an amazing story behind that! I loved the hoof-painting story and especially love that it has been going on since 1979. Doesn’t sounds like the city is too bent out of shape over this “act of vandalism.” 🙂
Don’t you just love restaurants that serve breakfast all day? I’m glad you get your hashbrown fix occasionally!
Hi Becky – She held the record for butterfat production from a cow for 21 years.
Mel,
Impressive!! 🙂
Woodstock, Ontario, Canada.
I also have a quick question. My niece’s wedding was this past weekend and during the wedding Lokadia and Joel did “The Braiding Ceremony”. I have been to many weddings but have never seen this before. Did Nathan and Megan do this as their wedding”. I tried to look back in your Wedding Wednesday posts but I can’t find them.
Mel,
No, Nathan and Meagan didn’t do that ceremony. I had never heard of it so I Googled it. It looks like a wonderful addition to a ceremony; beautiful symbolism!
Just so you know, all the wedding posts are on my earlier blog; link below. 🙂
Smithellaneous Classic
City With a Heart
Mary,
Hmmmm. I don’t know where that is but it sounds like a place I would love to live!
A little town in northwest Iowa called Hartley, “The City With A Heart”
Mary,
My heart got its own start in Cedar Rapid. I love that there is ANOTHER Iowa city with a heart. 🙂
I am from the Birthplace of Grover Cleveland (22nd and 24th President).
Dale,
I don’t know many people who are from a city where a president was born!
Caldwell, New Jersey, named after the fighting parson from the Revolutionary War, James Caldwell
Dale,
A town named after a fighting parson. That is so cool!
I love hearing about your travels! And I want to live at Bob Evans house! It’s so quiet and serene looking!
I live in the 2nd coldest place in the USA.
Krista,
I know. That house and grounds just made me want to stay forever. Such a lovely spot.
As a person who does not do well with cold, I think I may have a hard time living where you live. I’m going to guess that it is one of the Dakotas?
You are right. Grand Forks, ND.
Krista,
Hooray! 🙂
The City with Soul in the Hospitality State
I think the birthplace of Dr. Pepper is Abilene, TX
Elizabeth,
Another commenter said they were were from the City With a Heart so it looks like we have BOTH heart and soul covered in this lineup.
The only states I can guess for a hospitality state would Hawaii (because of giving visitors leis) or South Carolina because I think that they advertise a pineapple as their symbol of hospitality. I may be wrong on both counts but hey, we’re guessin’ here!
Jackson (City with Soul), Mississippi (The Hospitality State) is the correct answer. We actually live outside of Jackson, but our little city doesn’t have a descriptor.
Elizabeth,
Aha! Just learned something. That’s what I love about the comments area!
I think Dr. Pepper was actually born in Waco, TX. They have a museum with an old fashioned soda fountain.
Actually Dr Pepper is from Stephenville TX
Mary,
You got my curiosity up so I did some Googling of the whole Dr. Pepper story. Interesting stuff!
Birthplace of Noah Webster. We would have been neighbors (about 250 years ago).
Linda,
May I just say that Sarah and I are incredibly jealous about you being (almost) neighbors with Noah Webster. I’m thinking maybe New England somewhere?
West Hartford, CT
Linda,
Oh, goody! At least I guessed the right region of the country but beyond that, I had no idea.
Thanks for clueing us in!
Wow, I can’t help but want to google all the clues of places mentioned so far in the comments!!
I grew up in the same state as Bob Evans, but north of there, near the birthplace of William Tecumseh Sherman. My high school would go to band camp in Rio Grande, Ohio, and would see the the farm, but never went. It is such a beautiful area, rolling hills, and all!!
After I finished college in the mid 1980’s, I was substitute teaching at an elementary school in my hometown, and the class was going on a field trip to the local Bob Evans restaurant. And who happened to be there, checking out his restaurant?? Yep, Bob Evans himself!! He took time to talk to me about one of his kids or grandkids, and how they were a teacher. He was so nice to take the time to encourage this youngster (well, used to be youngster!) So fitting to see his motto. Yes, he made me feel like a friend, and to this day, I remember his kindness.
Great post Becky!
Ann,
After reading your comment, I edited the post to say, “Google away!” I just didn’t want to make it TOO easy. 🙂
I’m so glad you told us all the story of actually meeting Bob Evans. How amazing is that? I’m glad to hear that he was as nice in real life as he seems to be in all the publicity.
It’s also fun to know that you have seen the farm that I blogged about. It is a beautiful piece of country.
What a fun post, and I’m glad folks are chiming in with answers to their clues! (Thanks for the reminder to do so in your newest post, Becky!) I didn’t really want to spend hours looking up all the places, but was curious!
Ann,
You and me, both. Curiosity MUST be satisfied! 🙂
I feel your hospitality through your blog. My city has North America’s longest stretch of connected parks, 22X the size of Central Park.
Jenna,
Those words made me smile. I am so glad you feel that way about my blog; makes me happy.
Connected parks twenty-two times the size of Central Park? How cool is that? In a world filled with increasing amounts of steel and concrete, your city has done a great thing.
Thanks Becky! Edmonton, Alberta (Canada).
Jenna,
Love my Candadian friends!
We live in the birthplace of Kool-Aid! Every August we have Kool-Aid Days for a whole weekend and a record-setting humongous Kool-Aid stand where samples of every flavor of Kool-Aid can be had!
LeeAnne,
The birthplace of Kool-Aid. That is too funny! I guess one never thinks of where Kool-Aid was born!
I wonder how many flavors of Kool-Aid there are?
Kool-Aid was born in Hastings, Nebraska and matured in Chicago. I have no idea how many flavors there are now. There were 6 originally. I tried to Google it but couldn’t find an answer.
Ok…I went to Wikipedia and found that between the original 6, the sugar-free and other flavors worldwide or previously available, the number is 72!!! Wow!! That is definitely information to store away for your next trivia game. 😀
LeeAnne,
I can’t even begin to imagine what those 72 flavors would encompass?! Definitely a handy and surprising bit of trivia!
LeeAnne,
Kool-Aid in Hastings and Chicago. Who knew?
Being from Canada we can not even buy Kool-Aid. At least not in Ontario. When I visit my friends in Ohio or when we go to Michigan I have to stock up on it. When we could get it in the grocery stores we only had the basic flavours of cherry, grape, lime, orange, sometimes Lemonade and sparkleberry. I am amazed at the flavour selection the US has.
Mel,
Really? That is so surprising to me. I would have thought Kool-Aid would have very wide distribution! Thankfully, it has a long shelf life so buying it up when you’re in the States is a very workable workaround! I haven’t drunk Kool-Aid in years; its taste remind me of childhood. 🙂
I’ve seen that exit and never realized there was an actual restaurant there. Thought it was just their farm.
Home of the Sunsphere!
Buff,
Next time you see the exit, pull on in! Such a cool place.
Home of the Sunsphere. Hmmm. No clue WHAT a sunsphere is but it sounds fascinating. May have to resort to Google.