Wall Cloud...

A storm that had spawned a funnel cloud and a brief weak tornado south of us passed just south-east of us on the evening of Tuesday, June 8th. Our tornado sirens were activated to warn people of the potential tornado threat. I could see on my weather app that there was no rotation by the time it reached us, and so I was able to take a couple of photos of the weakening storm as it slowly made its way to the north-east. The wall cloud - from where a tornado could drop - was clearly visible!

The low-hanging wall cloud is visible in the centre of the shot.

The siren resounding across town.

Cycle to the Water Tower...

Eliza and I went for a cycle to find Washington's red-and-white striped water tower earlier this month. This tower is perched on one of Washington's highest ridges and a rough track winds its way up to the summit. I've often noticed this tower peeking out from behind trees in the distance, but this was my first time getting to see it up close. It was a fun adventure to get there with Eliza! :) 

The rough track to the water tower.

It reminds me of a great big lighthouse!

Heading back down the rocky path.

Relaxing Weekend...

We had a lovely weekend back in early June, complete with coffee on the front stoep, Jenga, badminton and swinging fun in the back garden, a cycle and a braai as well! It was great family time together!

Eliza enjoying my coffee on the front stoep.

Riaan swinging on his new swing.

Badminton fun with my lovely bride.

Yummy pork chops on the braai.

Toasted cheese and onion sarmies and pork chops. Yum!

Rusty also enjoyed the weekend. Here he is relaxing under the table! :)

Indiana Military Museum...

Riaan and I had a boys' afternoon out on Memorial Day, 31st May. Fittingly enough, we went to the Indiana Military Museum in Vincennes. There are lots of interesting displays covering the Revolutionary War all the way up to the present-day. 

They also have a huge selection of military planes and vehicles and even the sail of the USS Indianapolis, a nuclear-powered Los Angeles-class submarine. Riaan and I both had an amazing time exploring this fantastic museum!

The sail of USS Indianapolis (SSN-697) next to various military aircraft.

Riaan looks up at a Douglas C-47D Skytrain, dating from 1942. It is painted in its D-Day invasion markings.

F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Bell Huey helicopter.

Another view of USS Indianapolis' sail.

German field howitzer dating from 1898, but used extensively during WWI.

Horse wearing a gas mask.

Riaan in front of an M3 Stuart light tank.

USS Hornet, famous for launching the 'Doolittle Raid' on mainland Japan.

World War II-era toys.

British bicycles for WWII airborne troops.

There was a fantastic trench warfare exhibit.

Riaan and I walked through the trenches and saw the cramped quarters the soldiers lived in.

Skulls, rats and barbwire.

WWI French ambulance.

Brilliant mock-up of a bombed church.

Original WWII Higgins boat.

Wheatland Ride...

I cycled across the White River into Knox County on Memorial Day, Monday 31st May. I went and rode to Wheatland, about halfway between Washington and Vincennes. It was quite a nice 32 km cycle through scenic farmlands. :)

Much of the farmland near the White River is actually on a flood plain. It's great to see that some of it has been allowed to return to an original wetland area.

Wheatland water tower.

Fields of wheat at Wheatland. :)

Mining conveyor belts on the railway just east of Wheatland.

Black Eyed Susan...

We have a large black eyed susan plant that seeded itself from a wild flower seed packet that we sprinkled along our back fence last spring. The flowers are beautiful - and some have even joined together! The pollinator insects will be very happy!

Conjoined flower.

The black eyed susan bush at the back.

Togo Artwork...

These little paintings, that I bought from the ship shop on the Africa Mercy about a decade ago, had been sitting on a book shelf for years. They were made by an artist in Togo and are quite cute little snippets of life in West Africa. I recently put them onto a piece of wood and they now have a home on our Mercy Ships wall! :)

A close up of one of the little paintings.

Our Mercy Ships wall. :)

An Afternoon at Turkey Run State Park...

After completing the First Choice Solutions 5-km fun run, we drove up to Turkey Run State Park and spent the afternoon there. (Saturday, 22nd May.) Candace's parents were camping there for the weekend, and Riaan and Eliza stayed overnight with them. 

We had a lovely time exploring some trails (I even did a quick hike on my own) and enjoying the deep, winding canyons of central Indiana! We came back home and picked up the children from their house later on the Sunday. We love making memories naturally!

We got stopped by a 100-truck train on the drive up. It had four engines pulling it!

Playing games at the campsite.

View down to Sugar Creek on my solo hike.

Beautiful forest scenes.

Hiking in deep canyons.

The suspension bridge at Turkey Run State Park.

Walking across the bridge.

Sugar Creek on a gorgeous day!

Eliza and Riaan enjoying the outdoors.

Fault line crack in this rock face.

Sleepy Anya in the carrier.

Emerging after our little hike. :)