If I had my way
John E. Peterson, Special to The Gazette
Thursday, September 4, 2008
YES, the four of us did go on a luncheon trip again. And I would tell you about it, if I had my way.
It has been a long time since I have written one of these columns about a luncheon trip. The last one was way back in November of 2007, about a year ago. That, of course, is because we just have not been going on luncheons as often as we used to in times past.
I have told you many times before why I speak of “the four of us.” I probably should refresh your mind on that, however. I do that because George and Mary Downing and Merle Peterson do not like having their names appear in these trivial columns. Therefore, I am obligated to simply refer to “the four of us.”
Now, to our recent luncheon trip. We are going to the Whistle Stop Cafe in Melvern. How many of you who are reading this have been to Melvern? It is not a place often visited, I think. In my 37 years of traipsing all over Kansas, I have only been there twice. It is just not on the way to most places and, therefore, takes a special effort to get there.
So, let us make that effort and get to Melvern. The four of us went up Kansas Highway 99 until we came to Kansas Highway 170. We headed east to Reading. Beautiful drive! A look around Reading is always fun, but it was getting late and we all were hungry. So, on down K-170 we went. We soon had the thrill of seeing a big flock of wild turkeys cross the road just ahead of us.
We passed the road to Lebo. We could have taken that across the end of Melvern Lake and then gone east on the south side of the lake to Olivet and the dam. But we chose to stay on the north side of the lake, so we continued east on 170 until we came to where it turned north to Osage City.
But we kept going east. It is blacktop, then gravel a few miles, then blacktop again on to US-75. We passed a scenic old farm with several buildings all falling down. And we passed Turkey Point Park and Eisenhower Park, both on the lake shore. We did not stop at either because we had been to both. And, as I said, we were hungry.
South on 75 past the lake dam and there is Kansas Highway 31 and a sign to Melvern. It was only three miles and there the four of us were in downtown Melvern and at the Whistle Stop Cafe.
It is a most interesting place. The food was good. I had a Reuben sandwich, onion rings, hot chocolate and peach pie. The other three had other things, but all four of us liked our food.
The cafe is an interesting place. The walls are covered with interesting things — lots of old baskets, antique kitchen utensils and photographs. There is a lovely banquet room adjacent to the cafe. It still had a Christmas tree in it.
Down a short hall to the back is a lovely corner sink. It is there because there is none in the tiny restrooms beside it — I only know about the one for men, of course. They are really tiny. Just big enough for a stool. But there are two interesting wall-hangings.
One says “Bathroom. Please be seated. But no loitering. And remember How long a minute is Depends upon which side of the the door you’re on.” The other had a picture of a teddy bear on a toilet and said “Bear bottoms. Welcome here. But please don’t leave this room UNBEARABLE.”
The Whistle Stop Cafe is an interesting place! It is worth a go for those of you who like luncheon trips. And Melvern is a fun, little country town to explore. Nothing special about it, mostly unpaved streets, no big scenic houses. At least we did not see any, but we did see a fairy ring of mushrooms in one yard.
So, after exploring Melvern, it is time to head for home. Our tentative plan had been to take K-31 to Waverly, have a look around town and go down old U.S. Highway 50 to Emporia. Our plan did not quite work out.
Out we went on K-31. Before long, it comes to Interstate 35 and joins it for a couple of miles. Then it goes south by itself again and into Waverly. However, the one of the four of us who was driving missed that turn onto the big highway, so we just continued on south. It was a nice scenic drive.
We will see Waverly another day. All four of us had been there several times before, so we decided not to back-track to it. And our lunch had been so late that the day was running out on us, too.
Down old U.S. 50 we went — all the way to Emporia. We passed Lebo, but did not turn off for a look around, as we often have done. Two of the four of us have always been especially keen about old 50. Lots of farms, country houses, lovely scenes to see. But it is a rough and bouncy drive — so at least one of the four of us thinks.
There , then, you have my account of our recent luncheon jaunt to Melvern. I recommend it to you, if you like luncheon trips away from home. The four of us enjoyed it very much. Some of you would certainly give it a try, if I had my way.
Comments
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Posted by madpoet (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If you want REALLY rough drive take old,old 50 (Road 170) next time. :) You'll pass Toad Hollow and some neat houses between the county line and Emporia. It turns into east 6th and spits you out on the east edge of town at Weaver.
Posted by Weltha (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 3:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have to agree with madpoet about old old 50. I love your metaphor on it "spitting you out at Weaver." That cracks my egg...LOL
Posted by madpoet (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Glad I made someone smile today.
Posted by Pollyanna (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess John thought it was interesting....
"It was a most interesting place"..
"The cafe is an interesting place. The walls are covered with interesting things"
"But there are two interesting wall-hangings."
"The Whistle Stop Cafe is an interesting place!"
No harm intended in this post...I just thought it was interesting...
Posted by create (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 8:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And your post tickled me to chuckling, Pollyanna. Sometimes redundancies are, well...for lack of a better word...nope, I'm not going to say it.
Posted by mfrederickson (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 10:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Next time you're at the Whistle Stop Cafe, take a closer look at the Christmas tree in the back room. You'll notice that this tree is actually a seasonal tree with the decorations changing each holiday. You'll find an Easter tree in April, a patriotic tree in July, a Halloween tree in October, and yes, a Christmas tree in December. I find it quite unique and fun!
Posted by jhamilton (anonymous) on September 17, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Apparently the drive is the main attraction of your luncheon trips, rather than the actual luncheon. Good food?!?! C'mon! They serve fabulous, tasteful, delicious, home-cooked meals! I must say, the reuben sandwich does not do the Whistle Stop the justice it deserves. The biscuits and gravy are to die for! Freshly baked biscuits made daily, and a sausage gravy made from scratch like you've never tasted. REAL mashed potatoes made every morning for the lunch crowd. There are daily specials, slow-cooked vegetables, meatloaf, juicy fresh hamburgers, and on Fridays, you had better come early because the Whistle Stop is infamous for its hot roast beef sandwiches and warm homemade peach cobbler. The ladies there make at least 2 pies from scratch every morning...also well-known for the most delectable of all delights...coconut cream pie. If you take a gander over there, please, take in the experience of your luncheon. Savor the flavors. Admire the walls adorning timeless photographs, and some of the most unique antique kitchen utensils and displays. And, if you happen to need to use the restroom....yes, they are small, but surely you are not there to loiter in the restroom. They are clean, creatively decorated, and there is a lovely corner sink for the ladies and gents to both wash their hands in. If your goal is to find a good lunch, and avoid the back roads...just take I-35 N from Emporia, exit on Hwy 75 at Beto Junction, travel North to Melvern Lake exit K-31 Hwy...from there you will be safely entering the quaint community of Melvern in just a few more short miles to the east. Turn right onto main street, you can't miss it...and if you do, ask the first person you see...they will point you in the right direction.
Posted by jhamilton (anonymous) on September 17, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I forgot to mention, I've been eating there for 13 years! It never gets old!
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