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Gilbert Lodge   Since 2004

                 Gilbert Lodge Blog
         The life and times of Mark and Paula Persons

May 17, 2010:  We (Mark and Paula) went to Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI.  It is a theme park about American invention and was built starting in the 1920s by Henry Ford.  This was long before Walt Disney created Disneyland and Disney World. 

Also in the park are actual buildings that Thomas Edison worked in.  As Edison said, "Inventions are one part inspiration and nine parts perspiration." 

This Ford Model T thee foot-pedals on the floor for the driver.  The one on the left is a clutch of sorts that engages the first gear, then it is let back to allow the high speed to kick in.  The one in the middle is for reverse.  The one on the right is the brake.  A throttle lever is on the steering wheel along with spark advance lever.  A little complicated to operate, but it worked well with a 20-horse 4-cylinder engine and ran the car up to 45 miles per hour.  Back then, the roads were so bad that more speed was impractical. 

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We traveled by coal/steam train around the park to get an idea of its immense size and to get the general layout.       

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We even took a horse drawn bus.  The horses are named Abe and Lincoln.  They are Percherons with large hoofs.     

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After all that, it was time for lunch at the Eagle Tavern where recipes from the 1850's came to life.  Waiter Mark and proprietor Calvin Wood looked after us during the meal. 

Paula ordered Chicken Pie, which was excellent.  Mark ordered Fine Pork Sausages with Walnut Ketchup.  It just doesn't get any better than that...all by candle light.  We highly recommend stopping there if you travel to Dearborn and Greenfield Village.             

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The original Wright Brothers family home was transported to Greenfield Village where historian/actors portray the story of the Wright family and the first flight.          

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An historian inside related more details about the first flight with great enthusiasm.

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Then it was time for a ride on a genuine 100-year old carousel.  Being a cat person, Paula is riding a large cat.          

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Mark went on a tour the of the Ford assembly plant where pickup trucks were being made.    

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What Ford display would be complete without a 1960s Ford Mustang?

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A statue outside of Henry Ford, described as the "Father of Industrial Education," offering advice to a young person.  Great stuff.

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May 17, 2010 e-mail:  Ann and I just finished and enjoyed the latest chapters in the life and times of Mark and Paula Persons on the Gilbert Lodge Blog.  Jim in Fosston, Minnesota.

Quote of the day:  Greenfield Village and the Ford Assembly plant are great stuff.  Mark