Saturday September 6 (Black Swamp Arts Festival)

It was a cloudy morning as we left for Bowling Green and the Black Swamp Arts Festival. Lisa was driving her vehicle (a very good thing as you will see later!!) and we picked up her friend Shirley on the way. There was some rain but it was not very heavy or long lasting.

Our first stop was at a garage sale that Shirley likes to visit as she usually picks up cheap items for the Day Care she runs. She came away with a child sized truck, a tricycle and some other cheap goodies so she was pleased,

When  we arrived in Bowling Green we had to cruise round a wee bit but finally an early bird left and we found a good parking spot. Our first challenge was to find a rest room somewhere and the local library looked a likely place. Well, they were having a sale of books that the library wanted to replace. There was a room with rows and rows of books and really cheap!! So we all spent quite a bit of time browsing!!

We then went out into the street to view the stalls which were set up along three or four blocks of the main street. 

There were many lovely items ranging from paintings to jewellery to wooden items along with many other beautiful items. They were however, very expensive as one might expect. The artists were not just local as there was one from CA. There was also an artist who was making pendants form scrabble tiles, for one moment I wondered if it was the Two Loons, but no such luck.

We then went to a bar, Becketts, and had a drink and some food. Shirley had a Bloody Mary and I have never seen one like it before, it was a meal in itself with a long pickle, Pepperjack cheese, cucumber, bacon and olives, LOL!! Once we were refreshed we headed back out to wander the stalls. 

By this time the sky was starting to brighten up and the sun was making its way out!

I found a stall where the artist was selling Bugs made of glass and metal, they had small hooks that meant they would hang on a screen door or window. I bought a couple for Lisa. I then left the other two to wander around and finally settled down in a cafe with a coffee! I nursed this for some while as I sent some time on my IPad on the free WiFi.

I saw a policewoman and she had so much gear on her belt I wondered how she managed, Coming from New Zealand, I am so not used to see police carrying guns and tasers!! Her taser was on the front of her belt!

We met up later to go across the road where all the food stalls were set up, Fair Food again! 

I had to try a Funnel cake this time round and, although it was quite nice, I prefer the Elephants ear! I also managed to find an ATM that did not charge for a cash withdrawal, much to my delight!!

Lisa and Shirley both purchased items at an Antiques store and Lisa went to get the car for us to pack it up. This required a re-arrangement of the rear of the car so we could get everything in. At one stage it looked as if I might have to be strapped to the roof for the drive home, but things could be moved once we had everything on board, phew!!!

After an ice cream at Dairy Queen we headed home. Our first stop was at Shirley's where most of the contents of the car were unloaded. Then we arrived home tired but happy after a great day out!