Back on the road, for Neenah, Wisconsin

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John's Journal

Day Twentysix

Mileage - 364

Route- I-65 North, I-80/94 West, Hwy 41 North

Good-byes are hard sometimes, especially when your Mother is standing there waving goodbye. I had already said "goodbye " to my Dad, since he had to go to work, so it was just Mom watching me pack up, put on my riding suit, start the bike and roll away. I was very sad to leave. I actually enjoy my folks, they are fun people. And as they get older I am more aware that I do not live close enough sometimes.

All these thoughts and more occupied my brain for many miles up the road toward Chicago and beyond. I had some light rain as I left Indy and for another hour and a half. It was not much to be a pain, just some light sprinkles. I put on an extra layer of clothing today, knowing that it would only get a bit colder as I headed to Wisconsin to see my Aunt Kassie.

The highway from Indy to Chicago is nice in spots (except for the 34 miles of construction!) with fields stretching out on all sides. Being so flat, you can see for a long distance. Clusters of trees break up the rows of fields. A slight hill helps to give a glimpse a bit further into the distance. Some people would not really check this scenery out as they whisk by in a car, but the motorcycle helps me to remember to look around. It really is pretty, honest.

Made it through Chicago, almost went right in town just to drive down Lake Shore or Michigan Avenue on the motorcycle. But, decided to go near, just not mess with all the traffic downtown. I love driving by Chicago seeing the skyline standing up very tall. It is really cool at night with all the lights, but I am happy for the daylight view without rain.

I pulled into Neenah, Wisconsin around 6 pm. This is the town I was born in, but moved from when only 2 years old (I always joke that I moved when I was 2, my parents came a year later). I have been back several times over the years, but it has been a long time. It is great to come back to check out even earlier roots than, say Cincinnati or Indianapolis. Plus, my family lived here for many years. I am staying with my Aunt Kassie whose daughter, Anne, I stayed with in Mobile.

There, now that you are caught up on Henkel family history...say, why don?t I have a Henkel Family Tree page? [ Ed: Here's a start, John! ] Maybe when I get back I can work on that. It was great to drive in to my Aunt's house. I do remember coming here as a child from Indy. I remember the house, there was always a gathering around the piano in the living room, I probably played the snare drum at a few wild parties. My memories were that my Uncle Jack (my Dad's brother, who is my namesake, his real name is John, too, born on the same day, different year) and Aunt Kassie were real fun people.

My Aunt had a great home-cooked meal all ready for us. Before that was a welcome Leinenkugel's beer (sound familiar, Brad?). Then she drove me around town to see the house I was born in and the fabulous house my family lived in before I was born. Man, you should see this huge house, they called it the Brown House, on Wisconsin Avenue. It is huge! I think they said it had 3 fireplaces. It still looks great, I am sure people have kept it looking great. I wish I lived there. But both houses were very close to a great park and the lake. That's lake Winnebago, thank you. There are some great Henkel family movies (regular 8mm, I still have the camera and projector, anyone have any film??) of parties in the park, ice skating, a huge toboggan run, sailing, etc. Really nice town to be a kid in, I would think. It was great to see the town with a very qualified tour guide. It really looks beautiful and well kept up, not run down like many small towns.

We perused some pictures from some of their travels. They really got around! More than I in the last 2 years, even. It was a nice way to end the day and really end the portion of my trip to be spent with friends and family. You see, for the most part I will be on my own for this last part of the trip, only stopping in Nevada City to see my sister, brother-in-law and nephew and perhaps entice some friends from SF to come up and meet me in a state park or something before I return home. However, i still will have half of the day tomorrow, too, with my Aunt, before I take off for Door County.