Tractor Museum

When I was just a little girl, I used to live in a splendid little house in a cul-de-sac on Felicita Lane in Vista, California.

The neighborhood was pleasant, lots of kids running around, but the best part of it was the view from my backyard...

Acres and acres of grass and fields.

So much so that I remember my mother always telling me to stay out of that area because of the coyotes and strangers that would walk in the field.

True story: I once found a crazy man with a knife on our chicken coop. How he got into our yard... of course through the field.

Anyhow, not to get off topic, at the bottom of the field was the Old Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum.

If you grew up in Vista, or even anywhere near it, you've been here on a elementary school field trip. I know I did, SEVERAL times.

 

I didn't think much of it then, nor did I appreciate the history and story it had to offer, so recently I went back with Wes and our kids.

Needless to say, we were all in awe... well not so much for Sunday, but she still had fun.

Finn's favorites were the tractors

Getting to sit on one is any boy's dream come true.

He was so excited he couldn't resist giving his sister a big hug.

My favorite was the old cars. 

Each had it's own story.
Where they had been. The earth they had seen. The people they had met.

And Sunday's favorite was playing on the gigantic wheels.

I remember this blacksmith building. When we came here for field trips there would be men working in the building... striking the iron, loud noises, hot air... putting every child in intrigue.

In the little town we saw this old gas station. This is a real pump donated from Valley Center. Yes, that says 20 cents a gallon and yes, Wes is doing a double take to see if it really does say that.

While the boys "oooh-ed and ahhh-ed" there was only so much tractor looking us girls could do. So Sunday and I took a little break, that is until they found this...

 

A 1948 Studebaker.
For Wes this car reminded him of his late grandfather Carl.
According to him, HE. LOVED. THIS. CAR.
The entire time we were at the museum, Wes kept saying "Carl would love this place."
So to see this, Wes couldn't have been more excited.
 He just had to get a picture of it to send to Carl's wife, Cynthia.

We wished Papa Big Truck could see this car, but I know he does from where he is and the best part is that he gets to also see his great grand daughter whom he never got to meet, Sunday Drew.
We miss you Papa BT!