After spending the next days in a flurry of unpacking and trying to get everything organized and feeling homey we were finally able to slow down just a little bit.
We needed to go to town to get some groceries. It was too far to use a horse and buggy and impractical as well since the only option to get to town involved around five miles of traveling on a four lane highway. There was an option to hire one of the local people who did taxi work for the Amish but since all the Amish in this community used their tractors for transportation during the week we did as well.
Most of them had an ugly trailer made out of an old pickup truck bed with some type of cobbled together top to hitch behind the tractor for the women and children to ride in. A few had a cargo trailer with a little window in one side and others had a cattle trailer.
We didn't want an ugly homemade type trailer, but since we hadn't bought a cargo trailer yet that left us with the last option of using our little cattle trailer. We weren't sure how this would seem but rather than spending money to pay someone to take us to town we decided to give it a try. LV swept the trailer out nicely and placed a comfortable recliner rocker in it for me to sit on and then we placed the children's carseats in it after we were all settled in LV jumped on the tractor and we were on our way.
The trailer was bumpy and the tractor was noisy as we bumped along the shoulder of the four lane all the way to town. Arriving at the place we wanted to do our shopping LV parked as far away from the store as possible and came back to open the trailer door for us to get out. We both had never felt so humiliated in our life. There is no way to feel dignified to have to step out of a cattle trailer in the middle of town to go shopping.
We did our shopping and hurried back home. We weren't sure we could repeat that scene anytime soon and decided that the next time we need to go to town we would hire someone to take us.
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ReplyDeleteAwwww!
ReplyDeleteWe have tractors like the one you described in our area. They go to the local Walmart frequently. Just the other day, an Amish tractor was going through our local McDonalds for a cup of coffee. It is a regular scene around here.
I adore how our local stores in this military town has horse hook-ups as well. The mixture of people makes it quite an interesting shopping experience.
We enjoy the local Amish produce stands that they set up.
Thanks for posting your memories. Blessings on your book.
Oh, I could just imagine how it felt to emerge from the trailer. Goodman gives the granddaughters rides around our pasture in a trailer time to time though, but that's hardly the same, lol. Truly, if a tractor is allowed then why not a nice plain car to transport the family and the groceries...
ReplyDeleteOur local Amish cannot travel with a tractor, but I'm amazed at how far they travel with horse and buggy! While they can usually avoid the busier highways, some of those back roads are pretty challenging. The main one they use from Palatine Bridge to Johnstown, NY has a steep, curving hill on a narrow road.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to learn how to drive a horse and carriage, but sharing the road with cars and trucks would be quite fearful for me.
When I moved to this community I was surprised to see the locals use their riding lawn mowers as regular transportation. Often we see several parked at a tavern down the road.
ReplyDeleteWhat seems degrading or silly to us may be usual, commonplace to people froma certain area.
awwwwww Hugs and praying for you all there, Barbara
ReplyDeleteBtw, I'm wondering if you have considered making a button for your blog. I'd be happy to put it on my blog to point others to your page. Please consider offering one. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh my I can almost feel your red faces. I think I would be embarressed too. but I would probably complicate it more by tripping off the trailer...(I am super clumsy) at least you didn't trip! Blessings, Joanne
ReplyDeleteAll I can think of is that when I was a child, I would have been all over that tractor ride into town.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure my mother would not.
@ Magnolia Tea Thanks for giving me the nudge I needed. I took a few minutes and created a blog button. You can grab it from the sidebar.
ReplyDeleteOh, I can just picture you in your rocker, riding along in the cattle trailer! Not quite the same as going for a "hayride" in someone's back 40. LOL Sounds like someone with a van could do a box-office business.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have wanted to do that again either. I bet the kids loved it though!
ReplyDeleteI've placed a button on my xanga blog too. Thanks for offering it! :0)
ReplyDeleteI've been sharing little stip-its of your story with my family. They're all so very intrigued at your story and continue to ask me if I've read any more.
Thank you for sharing your life!
Blessings,
Regina
Oh, my! I would think that was a hoot, but then I have an extroverted side that would be giggling all over the place, and embarassing my children to death.
ReplyDeleteThat just gave me a mighty big chuckle! How funny! I think I would have probably tried the same thing if it would save some money. I certainly would have looked around and made a quick exit when no-one was watching, though. :)
ReplyDelete-Lynell
I see the Mennonites aroung here all the time. LIke most of us I'm a bit curious. I have never laughed at anything they have done or their mode of transportation. I always marvel that they would continue in there ways when surrounded by so much convience. A trait to be admired, conviction.
ReplyDeleteI am very much interested in your story. I await the next chapter.
May the God lord bless and keep you !
I can't imagine the stares and the close calls with cars you had on that trip! I don't blame you for wanting a different mode of transportation the next time. :)
ReplyDeleteOh dear! I am almost blushing just thinking how embarrassing that must have been. Moooo! indeed!
ReplyDelete