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"Oh. It's going to happen," John Turgasen thought to himself.
He changed his clothes, and about 30 minutes later met President Bush and first lady Laura Bush at the farm's entrance. Also there were four generations of Turgasen's family — parents Frank and Mary Turgasen; wife Connie Turgasen; son and daughter-in-law Mark and Rachel Turgasen; and 15-month-old grandson Logan Turgasen.
After brief introductions and a "zillion" photos snapped by press members, John Turgasen said, he and the president took a walk through the barn and had a minute alone to talk about deer and wild turkeys.
"He was just easy to talk to, common," Turgasen said of President Bush. "It was like visiting with your next door neighbor, except I referred to him as Mr. President and sir."
A low-flying security helicopter scared heifers during the visit. Turgasen said he notified the Secret Service of the problem, and the helicopter was asked to "please vacate."
While John Turgasen was visiting with the president, Connie Turgasen had an opportunity to chat with Laura Bush.
"She's just a very cordial lady," Connie Turgasen said. "I asked her about her daughters, and she said they really enjoy campaigning."
For Connie Turgasen, a highlight of the day's event was the kiss on the cheek she received from the president as he departed.
Mark Turgasen didn't want to get his hopes up too high, but when he walked down the driveway with his dad it really sank in.
"It was very exciting," he said, "a really big high."
The family learned of the possible visit Tuesday evening, when they were notified by a local business owner and officials that the president was looking for a dairy farm to stop at between La Crosse and Richland Center if he had time, John Turgasen said.
He said he didn't sleep that night. He was worried about questions — about saying something stupid to the press corps, something that could be misinterpreted.
As Turgasen and Bush walked back from the barn, a reporter asked Bush whether he was going to get some dairy cows for his Texas ranch.
"That's what he needs, some dairy cows," Turgasen said.
"Another reason to get rid of the death tax," Bush said as White House staff shooed away the press. "Fourth generatioin on this farm."
Autumn Grooms can be reached at (608) 782-9710, ext. 357, or agrooms@lacrossetribune.com.
