Yesterday was the 3rd annual Steam Day at Jeff's place, and I have to say, it was probably the best one yet. This is Chris's big deal - an opportunity to bring the Hudson (our 1909 car), the Peerless steam tractor, and his love of bluegrass together along with some good old-fashioned beans, cornbread and homemade ice cream. Throw Hayden and I in the mix, and I think it's fair to say all his favorite things were in one place. I'm not sure how he contained himself.
For those who haven't been exposed to Chris's "addictions", a Steam Day is an opportunity for all the boys and girls who play with old steam engines, tractors, hit and miss engines, old cars, antique machinery and all manner of rusted-out junk to get together, play with one another's toys, make a lot of noise and basically just have a big ol' time.
One of the big attractions is the saw mill, which is belt-driven and powered by one of the old steam engines. Scott, who is a sawyer by trade, comes to help run it, and they cut up a bunch of trees into boards. Then, there's a cut-off saw, usually powered by some manner of smaller gas engine, where they cut the boards and logs into smaller boards and logs. They they take these smaller pieces and use to fire up the big steam tractors, which they drive around the field, giving rides and blowing whistles.
In amongst all that fun, they have a big shed where everyone gathers to watch the festivities, jaw about the good ol' days, and eat some home cookin'. There's a pot of beans as big as the trunk of your car, mounds of cornbread and fried cornbread, fresh onions, hot pickled peppers and homemade pound cake.
While everyone eats, Chris, Poppie and crew take a break from the steam operations for a bit to crank up some bluegrass, and we have a little live entertainment. 
It is in honor of Jeff's granddad, Lewis, that we started these, for his birthday, and it's proved to be a great success every year. We have friends come from far and wide to visit, play and celebrate. Mom and Dad came this year again, as did our friends Carrie and Joel, to help with the musical goings-on, Chris's parents even stopped by for a bit, and even little Hayden had her first experience with Daddy's toys. She was, of course, all decked out for the event in her little overall dress, and we brought earplugs to help protect her ears.
Those didn't last long, but it was worth a shot. She actually wasn't too bothered by the whistles and steam pop-offs, and of course enjoyed all the attention she got from friends and family. She was as much an attraction this year as the tractors, I believe. And boy, did she sleep good Saturday night after all that fun!
For those who haven't been exposed to Chris's "addictions", a Steam Day is an opportunity for all the boys and girls who play with old steam engines, tractors, hit and miss engines, old cars, antique machinery and all manner of rusted-out junk to get together, play with one another's toys, make a lot of noise and basically just have a big ol' time.
One of the big attractions is the saw mill, which is belt-driven and powered by one of the old steam engines. Scott, who is a sawyer by trade, comes to help run it, and they cut up a bunch of trees into boards. Then, there's a cut-off saw, usually powered by some manner of smaller gas engine, where they cut the boards and logs into smaller boards and logs. They they take these smaller pieces and use to fire up the big steam tractors, which they drive around the field, giving rides and blowing whistles.
In amongst all that fun, they have a big shed where everyone gathers to watch the festivities, jaw about the good ol' days, and eat some home cookin'. There's a pot of beans as big as the trunk of your car, mounds of cornbread and fried cornbread, fresh onions, hot pickled peppers and homemade pound cake.
While everyone eats, Chris, Poppie and crew take a break from the steam operations for a bit to crank up some bluegrass, and we have a little live entertainment. It is in honor of Jeff's granddad, Lewis, that we started these, for his birthday, and it's proved to be a great success every year. We have friends come from far and wide to visit, play and celebrate. Mom and Dad came this year again, as did our friends Carrie and Joel, to help with the musical goings-on, Chris's parents even stopped by for a bit, and even little Hayden had her first experience with Daddy's toys. She was, of course, all decked out for the event in her little overall dress, and we brought earplugs to help protect her ears.
Those didn't last long, but it was worth a shot. She actually wasn't too bothered by the whistles and steam pop-offs, and of course enjoyed all the attention she got from friends and family. She was as much an attraction this year as the tractors, I believe. And boy, did she sleep good Saturday night after all that fun!
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