Yesterday's motorcycle ride

Cliff had big plans of seeding our pasture this weekend.  Unfortunately, he forgot that MFA isn't open on Saturday until after Labor Day, and then only while harvest lasts; so we didn't get the seed bought. Rather than brood about it, he decided it was time for a ride, and asked me to suggest a destination.  I threw a few at him:  My cousin in Cameron?  That isn't a very fun, or very long, motorcycle ride, but it's a ride.  Cliff's cousin at Barnett?  That's a good ride, and scenic.  But at 11 A.M., it was a little late to head off so far.  
"How about riding to Sedalia, to window-shop at Menard's?" I suggested.  And that's where we went  
First we made stops in Higginsville at two tractor dealers and an auto parts place to get oil filters for two tractors and the car.  
As we neared Sedalia, Cliff asked if I had any idea where we should picnic.  I first suggested the picnic area at Bothwell Lodge, but he informed me that's on Highway 65; we were on 50.  Oops.  
I told him we could picnic outside the railroad museum in Sedalia, or at the Highway gardens on the State Fair grounds.  Or, we could go to Liberty park, where we've picnicked many times before.  That's where we ended up going.  

And then, on to Menard's.  I only saw one thing I wished I could buy; good thing we were on the motorcycle, because I would probably have robbed money out of the "fun" envelope and bought this raised-off-the-ground, easily-moved fire pit for $49.  

We got off the beaten track on our way home and passed through Concordia.  

There's a strong Lutheran influence in Concordia; isn't that a grand old church? There's a Lutheran school, St. Paul's, in the town.  

Can anybody tell me why my husband was so excited to see this car?  It just looks like an old car to me.

We kept talking about the fact that the corn looks ready to harvest, in some places. 

We passed by this farm and saw a fleet of tractors standing by, ready to go.

The combines are all set, too.  Do you have any idea how much money is sunk into farm machinery on this place?  I'll guarantee it's enough to buy a fancy house on a corner lot.  And then some.

More corn, just waiting.

We absolutely love driving up and down highway 24.  There are orchards and wineries and farmer's markets.  It's just downright scenic.  We've probably ridden the motorcycle on that road as much as all others combined, and never tire of it.  The building above is a new addition near Waverly, Missouri:  Hilltop Farm and greenhouse.  We passed it up, but I asked Cliff to turn around because they might have the garden seeds I've been unable to find anywhere.  And guess what?  They did!  So now I've planted carrots and lettuce in my fall garden.  I came home and "friended" them on Facebook. 

This is another small town we passed through on Highway 24.

Not so far from home, we finally caught a combine in action.
It was a great day for a ride, temperatures just right and not windy at all.  When we got home, Cliff sat down in his recliner and slept for over an hour while I made stuffed peppers and stir-fried vegetables for our supper.