Abraham Lincoln Birthplace.

Former Colts running back Edgerin James has a talented daughter that sang the National Anthem. He was there when Eyahna sang a beautiful rendition of the song. The best part for me was when the flag bearers started waving the huge flag when she sang “does that star spangled banner yet wave.”

Sophie had help from Lawson blowing out candles. But how about that beautiful cookie 🍪 cake that Heidi made!?!

Although the dessert was a highlight, the main course of T-bones and ribeyes 🥩, baked potatoes 🥔 and corn 🌽 was fantastic , just too busy with babies to take pictures of all that.

The Outlaw 🍔 is a dandy sandwich consisting of. Half pound beef patty, BBQ sauce, 🥓 bacon, cheddar cheese, and an onion 🧅 ring. The 🥩 steak knife 🔪 like a dagger through the awesome bun added to the presentation!

On the side I had sweet potato 🍠 waffle fries with marshmallow dip. The entire package was way above average!

If you show Ken Hackman the above picture he would want the mini barn in focus. He did an outstanding job refurbishing it for us. (or maybe even show more of the dog fence he put up while visiting over Memorial Day.)

However, let’s start with the half 🥓 bacon half beef burgers from Darlage Custom Meats. They were seasoned with garlic salt and applewood 🍎 rub and then grilled on indirect heat on my Weber Grill over charcoal and smoking 💨 applewood 🍎 from an old apple tree that blew over in the parsonage yard in Wegan, Indiana.

I did the burgers while Heidi did the corn and zucchini and we, along with Liam, were all very satisfied with the outcome.

Fresh garden vegetables make any meal both rewarding and delicious!!!

On a Jeep ride with Jeff and Connie Stahl to Brown County; after a hike at Brown County State Park, we dined at the Sycamore Saloon and it was outstanding!!!

And how about that plump and juicy blackberry on that beer! Btw, Hog Molly is a brewery out of Columbus, Indiana.

Jeep with friends ✅

🥾 Hiking ✅

Great food ✅

We arrived in Berlin tonight and our 🥘 dinner was at Hasir, a wonderful Turkish restaurant. While we were dining the European Cup game ⚽️ between Turkey 🇹🇷 And Georgia 🇬🇪 was being played. We often heard the cheers from the staff and patrons as Turkey gained the victory.

Raki is the national drink of Turkey. 🇹🇷 Our bus driver, Norbert, bought me a round. Next thing you know, everyone needs a shot.

After dinner we hit the subway and I had a “Wiezen My Ass” at the Brauhaus which is made up of shipping containers. Cool spot. We sat outside in the Biergarten for an enjoyable time.

Shipping container turned into a stairway.

Someone said something about The Frog 🐸 👑 Prince and I was pretty sure we were going to a bar… Turns out, we are going to an extended train station to see a crowned 👑 frog monument. Imagine my disappointment.

Night 1 in Berlin was a huge success. We are on to the Berlin Wall site and learning about the Cold War and How East and West Germany 🇩🇪 became unified… Walt Wintin, Life Long Learner! (That’s for you, Stephanie!)

In Venne today there was a unified outdoor church service of three Lutheran congregations. Of course it was in German, however, also unique in that there was a 19 piece brass band providing the music.

Maybe serving beers and brats after church might boost attendance!!!

Tomorrow we head to Bremen.

While roaming the Venne countryside in 🇩🇪 Germany, we came upon the Restaurant Trentmann in Hunteburg. Tonight’s specialty was a German delicacy, White Asparagus, along with schnitzel, pork 🐽 , 🐓 chicken, potatoes and of all things, scrambled eggs.

We spent the day traveling around Venne and stopping at old farms and home towns of Jackson County ancestors. Old home places of the Melloncamps, Stuckwisches, Darlages, Schaffstalls, etc.

RaeAnn turned 35 on May 31 and we celebrated tonight with grilled 🐓 chicken, asparagus, baked 🥔 potatoes, homemade ice cream and Heidi knocked it our of the park ⚾️ with the strawberry 🍓 Bundt cake.

The cake was super moist and had a homemade icing as well.

The food and camaraderie were first rate.

Now, on how to eat this cake and ice cream; the best way is to put the cake in a bowl and then top it with ice cream. But don’t stop there. You need to mix it up until is is a bit soupy. Excellent!