Old Trucks and New Friends

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 Snapshot, Your Sunday Best, the Homestead Barn Hop, Barn Charm and Green Day.