The Bower's Express

**GUEST BLOGGER**

~ Eric Hendrickson ~ (my husband)

On July 12th, we went back to Olpe for the Olpe Downhome Days.  One event at the Downhome Days is the parade.  This year, as I did a few years ago, I drove the "Bower's Express" in the parade.  The "Bower's Express" is a train built by my grandfather, George Bowers, back when I was in highschool.  My grandpa, George, was a good machinist and carpenter.  This train was custom built around an old wheelhorse mower and is really an impressive design and machine.

As we did a few years ago, the girls rode in the train cars, which you can see are converted 55 gallon barrels, and my grandma, Dorothy, and my wife along with Silas rode in the caboose together.  Silas was in mommy's tummy the last time we had the train out and drove it in the Downhome Days parade (two years ago).

The girls had their water bottles in their train cars with them because it was hot. 

The train rode great this year.  There is a funny story from two years ago.  The train used to have trouble starting.  Not thinking, I turned the motor off when we arrived at the parade and got in line.  Once the parade started and it was our turn to go, the train would not start.  I tried and tried for several minutes to start it.  My grandmother was in the caboose, obviously upset with me.  I knew that if I did not get the train started, my grandma would be extremely embarrassed and would never let me forget it.  I decided to pray and give it full gas knowing it would either flood it or start it.  Finally, it started and we were in the parade line, not near the start where we were supposed to go, but not at the very end either.  God gave me a lesson in patience.

You would never know my grandma is in her 80s.  She stays very active and is in great shape.  The girls love their great grandma.

Maybe in a few years we will let you drive it Sarah.

Maybe in a few years you will be ready to ride by yourself Silas.

Grandpa George passed a few years after I graduated  from high school.  I still remember him driving the train in parades and while driving in parades he would always drive in a big circle in the main intersection of downtown Olpe.  As I did that big circle this year, I thought of my grandpa and how much I miss him.  We miss you Grandpa.  Thank you "Bower's Express" for the great memory of my dearly loved grandpa.