A Jaunt Through Converse

[Julie (Cramer) Pulley]

I decided to visit my mom in Sweetser today and while I'd been to her
house many times since we've moved (early May), I went a different
route based on her advice that the corn was getting too tall on the
back roads.

Since I live north of Indianapolis off of State Road 31, I headed north
as usual, then east. The trick came when I decided to take HER route
and go 213 through Converse. Once you get to Greentown, 213 ends. If
you go down the road a bit apparently it picks up again but I didn't
know that. I just knew that 213 had ended even though it did not show
that on my map. The next sign I saw was "Hainlen Orchards" which I
knew was by Converse so I went thatta way. It turns out that there are
several signs and roads that lead you to Hainlens but nothing to show
you that you're headed to Converse as well. Those of you who grew up
there know that, but I've only been on Converse a few times when
Carol lived there and I don't know squat. Plus keep in mind that
I'm the queen of getting lost. And so it went as I headed to the
orchard. I followed the signs faithfully until I eventually went past
the orchard. "OK" I thought, "Now we're getting somewhere".
There was what looked to be a major road up ahead (3 trucks were
driving down it so it had to be something right?) and so I turned
there. Again no signs to Converse or any other highway but I was at
least headed north.

I continued on not seeing signs of a town nearby, but I did pass two
big dogs sitting down in a pasture. I looked over and the mere look
generated an evil snarl by the larger dog. I yelled, "Where is
Converse?" and he frothed at the mouth ready to rip my tires off. I
briefly wondered if Cujo and his pal were the same "teenage" dogs
that tried to run Jerry down that one time. I believe you now, Jerry.

Eventually I did get into town and found the 4-way stoplight mom
mentioned. And I drove happily through it, right over the RR tracks
past the Essen Haus. Yes THE Essen Haus. I felt like stopping in to
see if there was a ruckus going on, given what Jay told us about last
time he visited. But I digress. I continued driving north, oblivious
to the fact that I forgot to turn onto 13 or 18 or whichever one takes
you directly to Sweetser. I had my eye on this old geezer in red
shorts riding his bike down the middle of town, with helmet of course.
Momentarily sidetracked by the thought I might be interrupting the Tour
De France, I quickly drove onward.

As I got to the back roads north of Converse, it occurred to me that I
was lost. A dilapidated car came heading my way going south and the
driver had long hippie hair and a bandana across the top of it.
Thinking it might be Tim Highley or Chris Kimmel, I thought about
asking for directions but something made me drive on. Go figure.

Finally I arrived near the reservoir and I saw a teeny tiny sign
directing me to State Road 13. Turning south, I ended up going past
our high school of course, memories of fun times ran through my mind
(you know who you are) and I smiled going around the curve, finally
arriving in Sweetser. Mom quickly told me that she had taken the
same road to Hainlens after leaving my house last week so I didn't
feel as bad. Then again should I be taking after a 70-year-old woman?
Hmmm

After a long talk Mom wanted to take me to a place in Converse that she
was raving over. I could go home from there. The entire distance from
Sweetser to Converse took 5 minutes, and that was while following my
mom. Oy vey.

During our visit at the Big Dipper, she mentioned that some man was
"lollygagging" over her at my step-dad's funeral a few weeks
back. I asked her to define lollygagging as I had heard of it, but
never used it in a sentence before. Apparently it has to do with
trying to take advantage of a new widow by giving her too many smooches
and hugs. I was trying to hide my laughter as Mom grimaced.

At the same time I was looking around at all these people my age,
wondering if I went to school with them cuz you know, some people
change in looks. I went to the 20th reunion and was amazed at some of
the changes. I won't say more than that. The Big Dipper is across
from Norris Insurance and I think Steve P told me that that was
Chris's place. Then I saw some man get into a car right in front of
the building, wearing a shirt that said Git-R-Done. Home sweet home.

The elderly biker dude in the red shorts was still riding around and I
guessed he was as lost as I was a few hours ago. Poor thing. It was
time to leave and this time I found my way out of town heading south on
18. Perfect, just where I needed to be. Suddenly there was a sign
saying that there was a detour for 18 South because the road was closed
ahead. NOOO!!!! Did I mention I get lost? Geez Louise. I followed 19
North for a while until I decided it was ridiculous to be heading in
that direction. I got out my map and found that if I just headed west,
I'd eventually end up on 31. So I did that. Meandering that back
roads of this area brought me in contact with Maconaquah school system.
Where was Gary Horner when I needed him? Anyway I DID end up on 31
but only after being followed by a white pickup truck for a ways,
worrying that I could hear the Dueling Banjos song from Deliverance in
my head. Get me OUTTA here!

I did make it to Kokomo and then turned south, finding my way back
home. My journey through Converse brought me many sights and thoughts
today. I only wish you the best of luck if you should ever return to
her gates.

The End

[Jerry Hall]

Julie,

Great to hear from you.  Now that was a tale.   However, I am totally confused (not that this an uncommon state) do you mean 513 instead of 213?  Now, I just want to know more about those "sights and thoughts."  I have trouble imagining Deliverance in Converse now that there is a resident vintner.

Hope to hear more from you soon,

Jerry

[Julie01961]

My mom just called me an hour ago to make sure I made it home safe.  Seems I turned west instead of south.  That explains why I had the detour.  Who knows what I mean.  I was more losted than I thought.

[Jay]

Julie,

Well when you finally got to 13 going to Sweetser you were within 2
miles of my house and 1 mile mile of the old Merry Mchenry Manor. For
Jerry 213 comes off of 37 and dead ends into 22. Runn 22 east and
pick up 513 to run you into Converse. That trivial info is something I
take for granted. Ain't nothing like you big city folk deal with.
Jules old boy on bike rides around because like Sammy Hagar he can't
drive Dui ... Nope the song was I cant drive 55. Are you gonna join
us at the great reunion?

Jay

[Jerry Hall]

Geesh, I think I've run on that road but it doesn't have a number on my Google map.  I guess I'll have to look at a real map.  

Sure, the old fella is out for his health and doesn't like the noise of cars. 

Jerry

[Jay]

Trust not in Google but a in a native. Yeah I am sure health isn't
what he is in it for. As he makes his way from business to business
stopping daily to visit and have a smoke. Much like a traveling piano
man.

Jay