Melissa & Marks – Dixon, MO – Spring 2024
We arrived at Melissa and Mark's on April 6th in 75 degree sunshine. Their farm looked a lot different from last time. They had cleared most of the brush around the perimeter of their yard.
They also had a lot more animals. Now they have three pigs, two goats, five dogs (including a livestock guard dog), six barn cats, 12 Guinea hens and over 60 chickens. They are getting about 30 eggs a day. Donating a lot of them.
On April 7th, we made the two-hour drive down to the Tulip Festival in Mansfield. It was such a fun event! We ate delicious cinnamon rolls from the bakery, drank some fabulous hibiscus lemonade, visited the various booths, enjoyed the blooming tulips and listened to some Bluegrass music.
Karen and I made a last minute decision to bring our trailer down to the Tulip Festival, so that we could stay in West Plains, a small town in the path of the eclipse that was to occur the next day on the April 8th.
The eclipse was way more impactful than we had imagined! The photos don't do it justice.
Tegen was working a lot for Door Dash, so we didn't get to see him as much, but still had a great time with him when we were together. Since Tegen has base access, he does really well because most Door Dash Deliverers don't have access.
During our time there we also:
- Watched a Cardinals/Phillies game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis
- Visited Uranus, Missouri, the capital city of inuendo, so to speak
- Attended the Father/Daughter/Grandfather dance with Mark, Evelyn and Piper
- Built a mobile chicken coop with Mark
- Taught Piper how to knit
- Went for some long walks in the countryside
- Learned the names of their cats: Ghost, Oki, Jelly Bean, Maverick, Ziggy
- Interacted with their dogs: Bandit, Rooster, Tiki, Goose and Daisy
- Played golf with Tegen and Mark and Oak Hills Golf Course in Dixon
- Had a great lunch at a Korean restaurant
- Watched Evelyn's first softball practice
- Played catch with Evelyn and Piper
- Kicked a soccer ball with Piper
- Went to Scruggs Lumber to check out some windows and doors for Melissa and Mark's farmhouse renovation
- Ate delicious Gyros at a local Greek Restaurant
- Checked out the local thrift shops
- Planted some cuttings from my parents house, figs, plums, olives and grapes
- Played games like cribbage and Mexican Train dominoes
- Went to Dickey Bubs for some ammo
- Celebrated Melissa's 40th birthday in Springfield with a Pho lunch, a Thai dinner and a fun, memorable, experience at the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium
We had such a wonderful time. Just wish we could visit more often. But, we will try!
