Welcome to Cranky Puppy Farm!

This blog belongs to two Gen X-er's smackdab in downtown Kansas City where we've been renovating and decorating two old Victorians built in the 1890's. Our life is filled with 3 demanding Pomeranians (1 of them cranky, of course), honking cars, noisy neighbors and the hustle and bustle of city life but we dream of the day when we can move to our 40-acre farm and hear nothing but the wind and the cows next door. Until then, we're chronicling our triumphs and mishaps here as we try to garden and preserve on 2 city lots, raise chickens, and learn all those things we should have learned from our grandparents. Welcome to our world - we hope you'll stay awhile!

Old Trucks and New Friends

Saturday, July 14, 2012



I met some amazing people today and it was purely by chance. 

This morning, the plan was to head to Eudora, which is about 35 minutes southwest (mostly west) of Kansas City.  During that quilting class I took earlier this Spring, I kept hearing about this amazing quilt shop called Quilting Bits and Pieces.  The class instructor worked there (and her mom used to as well), and a friend of mine at work was doing block of the month there.   Since it is hotter than tarnation and it's not likely that we'll be able to get anything done outside, today was the perfect day to go.

Eudora has a quaint little downtown and the shop was adorable.  I spent way too much time in there and the ladies were really sweet and helpful.  Before I headed home, I wanted to snap a picture of an old truck that I had seen on the way home from visiting another shop up in Leavenworth, which is north of I-70.  What a perfect excuse to hit some of the backroads in search of some old barns.  But, instead, I found a field with hay bales as far as the eye could see.



I'd say those folks have been busy, wouldn't you?

Driving up highway 73 with the AC barely keeping up with the heat from the sun beating down on the roof of the Jeep, I realized I couldn't quite remember where I had seen that old truck.  So, of course, I ended up passing it and had to do a U-turn.  Growing up, my grandfather taught me that you don't walk onto someone's property without their permission, so I turned in the driveway to ask if the owners minded if I took a photo of their truck.

That's when I met Carrie, one of the owners of Faircrest Farm, and her family.  Not only did they let me take pictures of the truck, but she even drove me into the field in her own Jeep to spare mine from any scratches.  (Yes, my Wrangler is a bit of a prima donna and a city driver.  In all fairness, I haven't had it all that long.)

We chatted for a bit and she explained that they were getting ready to open their produce market on Sunday.  Then we talked a bit about her family and she mentioned that her dad liked to collect old trucks.  Well, stop the presses!  If there's anything I love more than old tractors, its old trucks. 

An old year-unknown GMC with a tree growing out of the engine compartment is still cool.

The next truck on our Old Truck Tour was definitely in better shape.  Behold the restored 1947 Chevy pickup.  I was raised to be a Ford gal because my grandpa always drove Fords, but when we rounded the corner and saw this, it was love at first sight.

I couldn't help but envision the back filled with produce and Carrie told me they fill it with pumpkins when they have their big Pumpkin Patch every year.  I may have to beg her to let me get a picture of that, because I bet that's something else to behold.  You can see a picture of the truck loaded with hay on their website


J. says I'm part magpie because I love shiny things.  This grill?  It's right up my alley.

After I drooled on her truck, Carrie whisked me off past her barn and 14 horses (one of them a rescued black Percheron!) and their extensive garden....


.... to see some more of her dad's truck collection.  Here's a late 40's GMC:


Carrie affectionately referred to the truck on the right as "the marshmallow" and told me that, when she was a young girl, her dad drove her family to Alaska in it at roughly 40 miles per hour the whole way.  That brings a whole new meaning to the age-old kid question "Are we there YET?"

An aging firetruck found its resting spot here.  This rusty beauty was one of about 30 old trucks lining the road through the property.  Lots of old Chevy's and Diamond T's.   Her dad was quite the collector.  And  Carrie said there were more in the barn, including her mom's 1936 Cord convertible. 

When we got back to the barn, Carrie introduced me to her neighbor, Bruce, and her mother, Gladys.  They were weighing produce and getting ready to open up the market.  In fact, while I was there, four other Jeep owners showed up to buy produce and we had a little Jeep Jamboree right there on the gravel.  That is, until the heat forced us back inside.

After Gladys offered me some incredible, fresh canteloupe slices, I relieved them of some gigantic Beefsteak tomatoes and jalapenos that were freshly picked from their garden and headed off down the road with a wave.

A very heart-felt thank you to Carrie, Gladys, Bruce and the other folks at Faircrest Farm for the warm welcome and for being so friendly despite the fact that I interrupted their busy morning.  If you ever find yourself in Basehor, please stop in and see Carrie and Gladys and snag some healthy, organically home grown fruits and veggies along with some recipes from Gladys. You'll be glad you did!

Faircrest Farm can be found at 22261 North 139th St on the west side of 7 Highway between Bonner Springs and Lansing, Kansas.  It's just a stone's throw from Kansas City.  According to Carrie, they're open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

DISCLAIMER:   I am not affiliated in any way with Faircrest Farm,nor was I paid for this post.  I just thought they were really cool, down-to-earth Midwestern good people.


Shared with my friends at thsi week's Weekly Top Shot,Ole' Saturday Homesteading Trading Post, Simple Things Sunday, Shoot.Edit.Submit, Sunday SnapshotYour Sunday Best, the Homestead Barn HopBarn Charm and Green Day.

27 comments:

  1. What a terrific adventure - great pictures, wonderful story! (Love the trucks.) They're haying in my area, but not at the scale you pictured.

    Visiting from Weekly Top Shot.

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    1. And I thought I was up late! Thanks for visiting, Kay.

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  2. How nice to make new friends and get some gorgeous photos!

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  3. I love your photos, but more, I am in love with this post and your willingness to get out and get involved in your photography. You really need to do more of this because you are really good at it!

    Thanks for sharing at YSB this week. xo

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  4. sounds like a lovely experience - yes, midwesterners are the best!

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  5. I love old trucks, cars and tractors too. I used to own a 1961 Ford Falcon which I paid $125.00 for. Lol I drove it in high school and sold it for $250 A couple years later I had a1964 Ford pickup I painted candy apple red. Loved that truck but like the falcon, it had issues.

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  6. Oh, I love old vehicles and have a small collection of shots of them. Those green and rust trucks are marvelous. Aren't you glad that you stopped there!

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  7. Wow, what a fun opportunity, all just because you asked :)
    Enjoyed checking out your blog... thanks for linking your Sunday Snapshot this week!

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  8. Old trucks are neat to photograph. They usually have rusty colors and parts to make them interesting. The overhauled red truck looks like a fun ride.

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  9. I have seen some great old trucks and farm equipment while driving around and always wanted to photograph them but never got the nerve to actually get out of the car to do it. I love how yours turned out! I may just have to stop next time and try it for myself!

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  10. I always love hearing about your adventures! I especially
    I've te old truck pics! thanks or linking up to "the oe Saturday homesteading trading post" blog hop this week!

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  11. LOVE the shot of the truck in the field of flowers!!! What a find!!!

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  12. Love this series of shots... my favorite is the red Chevy... Thank you for sharing on Weekly Top Shot #39!

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  13. Great story. Love the Marshmallow!

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  14. I love the trucks, I also passed the farm info along to my KC, MO friends via Facebook-

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  15. oh, wow ... i can decide what i enjoy more ... barns, old trucks or the hay bales. such great views. i'm going now to look around more on your blog. take care... Beth (:

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  16. oh wow, i loved this post and your photos...i'm so happy you stopped by to ask if you could photograph the truck! i bet that red truck looks awesome filled with orange pumpkins...you will definitely need to go back!

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  17. What a wonderful day...and great pics too. I just love meeting friendly people like that.

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  18. That is a nice big barn, but I really love that truck! Nice photos!

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  19. love your photos...I'm swooning over those old trucks! i'd love to feature one of your photos this weekend in my simple things roundup! :)

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  20. It always pays to ask! You certainly hit the gold mine with this one--a great barn, some fresh produce, and so many lovely old trucks. I know just how far it is to Alaska from Kansas City as we drove from Alaska to KC and back a few years ago. The marshmallow must have been a sight to see on the Alcan, where you're apt to see almost any kind of rig. There must have been lots of "Are we there yet?"

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  21. Aren't you glad you stopped to ask. How fun to find all those cool old trucks. Love the photos of them.
    Visiting from Barn Charm.

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  22. Greetings from Ireland

    Fantastic photos.

    Thanks so much for linking up with Raindrops and Daisies Green Day.
    It was lovely to have you participate.

    Wishing you a great weekend.

    Fiona

    ps following you now!

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  23. Nice photos ! Remind other seasons.
    Olympia

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  24. Ein ganz toller Bericht, gefällt mir sehr gut...

    Lieben Gruß und Sonne im Herzen
    CL

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  25. Great nostagic view, lovely trucks ;)

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