Joe's Retirement Travels

What a difference a day makes in the weather!   The day broke with a fantastic sunrise, similar to the picture I shared with you when driving in New Mexico en route to Roswell.   Instead of taking I-35 on a diagonal to Wichita I opted for a right angle path.  Started South on Hwy.7.     This route closely follows a couple of historic trails.   One was the Potawatomi Trail of Death, a forced relocation march of the tribe from Indiana to the Osage River near Osawatomie.   The other was the military road from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Scott and Fort Gibson in Oklahoma. Stopped in Louisburg, noted for their apples and cider mill.   Apples were bobbing down a watered conveyor system and being processed, it smelled great! Stopped in Osawatomie to visit the John Brown Museum -but- I was too early, so I walked around the park and read several signs describing the confrontation of John Brown led anti-slavery forces ag...

Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas.   This was my Dad's last Army base assignment.   My sisters and I and my brother grew up as Army 'brats' on bases in .. New Jersey, Japan, Germany, Texas, and Massachusetts.  Then we moved out to the 'wild west' of .. KANSAS !   I met Mary at Kansas State Univ., married her at Ada in Kackley, Kansas with Bev and Andy standing up with us.   I whisked her away on the Oregon Trail to Astoria, Oregon. They have a great Army Frontier museum, well worth spending time to get credentials and a pass to enter the active base.   Lot of history to see. The Buffalo Soldiers were members of an all-black regiment in the US Army.  The 10th Cavalry was formed in 1866 at Ft. Leavenworth and was the regiment that the Indians first called "buffalo soldiers". If you are a wayward soul, you may end up in one of three major prisons here.   The US Federal Penitentiary and maximum security US Disciplinar...

I sure needed that 'fall back' hour of sleep this morning!  Felt great.  It was going to be another FULL day!    We took three dogs for a hike in the conservation area adjoining Charlotte's and Tom's 13-acres.   Brisk damp morning.   Walking poles in hand, we ventured down the FoxHole and Victoria's Secret trails (don't ask ..!) Similar to taking everyone and dogs to the ranger station at Timothy Lake!   Dog Pandemonium! We then cleaned up and took off to Springfield in separate cars to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.    Here we are with the Lincoln family : We first sat through two theater presentations, a look into the library in the Holavision theater, and a Disney-style of vibration/strobe/smoke type of Civil War years presentation in a 2nd theater.   Well done.  We then strolled through the 'Lincoln Early Years' part of the museum.   After hugs and thanks,  I bi...

Hi!  from the Land of Lincoln!  and.. Charlotte's and Tom's beautiful home.  Wow!  What a neat home!  Also ..  Hi!   from their exuberant dogs :  Abby, Mr.T, Jake, and Mike. Here's  Abby and Mike helping me draft this post : Decatur - founded in 1823,  was the first home in Illinois of Abraham Lincoln.   At 21, he gave his first political speech in Decatur.    The town is named after  ..   War of 1812 naval war hero  Commodore  Stephen Decatur.   Charlotte gave me quite a tour in the morning.      Ready for a tour?   .. pssst  .. Marty was born here.    Where should I start?   Let's start with a look at interesting homes, buildings and murals.   Here's some Frank Lloyd Wright (inspired?) homes : LarryJo, on the way downtown, I think you pumped gas from one of these stations, didn't you ? The Wabas...