Sentimental Sunday - Trip to the Farm Site of Arthur T. Johnson

Sunscreen, long pants, old shoes, long socks, camera..., Ready to go!
That's right! It's summer, a time to climb over barbed-wire fences and explore the old homesteads and farms! 

Our first stop of the day was my paternal grandparents' barn, just to the northwest of McPherson, Kansas - all that's left of the farm that I spent much of my childhood exploring.


My cousin and I prepared for hiking through freshly cut wheat fields. After a discussion about which path had the least poison ivy, we stepped through the Osage Orange trees that form the hedge around the land.


The barn looks south from a grove of trees that have grown up around it. I walked to about where the old farmhouse would have stood to take the shot. From there, I could see that the roof is in good condition with no signs of caving in.

I wonder how old the red paint on the siding is. I was hoping there would be a little piece of the barn laying around for me to take with me, but it's still very much intact. 

What I remember most about this barn is the smell of oats wafting through from the small hatches with wooden latches (still in place).

As we stood in the doorway, there was a sudden noise from above, and out swooped a large barn owl - white with gray spots - from the door of the loft. It flew a few inches above our heads, close enough to feel the breeze from its large wings, and out the door of the barn. What a nice surprise!




I'm thankful that this barn is still standing. My sisters, cousins and I spent many hours playing in it as children (1960's) and our parents (1930's), most likely, before us.