"the old car in the barn"

A few days ago I was on a secluded ranch to take care of some business. It was the kind of place you get too by taking some winding gravel (muddy this time) roads that follow a creek a couple of miles or so. Passing under some low hanging tree limbs after crossing a very dangerous looking old bridge you suddenly come to the ranch entrance. It is one of those types of entry ways that has a cattle guard which means there is a grate made from pipe that you can drive across but cows cannot walk across. The driveway is long and narrow and winds it's way around some big hills with lots of exposed limestone overlooking a very nice meadow of grassland along the creek. Very scenic and private. Must be a peaceful place to live with lots of deer and wild turkeys. Anyway the old stone farm house and barn soon came into view and I liked the looks of the old barn even though it is listing to one side somewhat.....

I drove on up to the ranch house which is very old and totally restored after sitting empty for many years. It looked like a museum inside and I loved it...

There is a new addition on the back side that is very rustic and fits into the style of the original home just right. I left some medical equipment for the man of the house for him to use when he gets home from the hospital. His wife is someone I had known from a few years ago and we had a good visit after showing me her beautiful home that she is so proud of. It is all 1880's era inside and is perfect. 

Soon it was time for me to go and the lady of the house suddenly asked me if I knew anyone who wanted to buy her "old car in the barn". I said that I would like to see it right quick so we walked out to have a look.We were accompanied by the ranch dog, a nice Weimaraner named "Hazel" Not far away in yet another barn that was listing to one side was our destination to see the old car that her and her late first husband had dated in.....and his aunt had bought the car new. Here is the old barn....

As soon as I walked inside I saw some hand painted old gas station signs that I really liked.

And there in the back of the barn was the 1939 Ford tudor sedan with flathead V8 engine. It was a solid bodied, unrestored, original car that needs everything.................

I tried to envision the car with a lowered stance, a new interior, and the rumble of a rebuilt flathead under the hood coming from new dual exhaust. Would it need to be repainted or would the old paint shine up to a vintage patina that might look ok? And I took some more photos.....

I was impressed with the lack of rust on the old car but the truth is....it would take alot of money and labor to bring this car back. And it is not a popular model like the coupe would be. Anyway, she told me the price she had in mind and I told her I would pass the word to anyone looking for a car like this......and then we walked out into the sunlight where I took a couple more photos of the other barn.

By now my time was up and I had to move on.............I drove away thinking about all the barns I see each day and wondering what lurks inside them. It was a nice winter day and I enjoyed the drive thru the Kansas Flint Hills region and once I got on the county blacktop road I saw another barn. This one was well built and standing up straight like it was supposed to. 

And not too far away was this old concrete silo for storing ensilage (fermented and chopped corn and the like) that is sitting abandoned like an icon from the past....

As always I had a good time driving thru the countryside and some time later I passed by an old rural school that is sitting there like time has just stood still.....

And speaking of time standing still I soon entered a small ghost town where this old farm implement store that would have sold tractors and equipment was sitting near the center of town. It looks like it might be used for storage now so I assume it has a good roof on it yet which is a very good thing.

And there you have it.....another day in the life a Mid West wanderer who travels the back roads looking for vanishing Americana while it still exists......thanks for riding along with me.