Wind, Earth, and Sky; Colorado

As we headed for Colorado we encountered high winds, plush green plains and beautiful blue skies. Kansas is beautiful but the stinkiest state ever. The stock yards there are just awful in both Kansas and the western part of Colorado. I think we found the new "Loneliest Highway"" is US 36 across Northern boarder of Kansas, only a few miles from Nebraska. Not Many pictures today but the weather was beautiful as we left the bad stuff behind us. This is our entire group. Stopped on the Road due to road construction.

This is our entire group, Left to Right Bev, Bob, Gloria, Ron, Becky and Philip

Tomorrow we will enter the Rocky Mountain National Park. Should have great pictures tomorrow night. Stayed tuned.

Riders in the Storm

Man what a day. The storms rolling through Oklahoma and Kansas  really caught up with us. We waited an additional two hours this morning hoping the weather would break . Still we were caught in some heavy downpours as we make our way from Chillocothe, Missouri and into Kansas. After dodging one more thunderstorm we finally stopped in  Smith Center Kansas. Not many pictures today.

We stopped at a American Legion Post to wait out one of the storms. The people there invited us in to set out storm. Very nice people.

Day two from Springfield Illinois

We started day two by visiting the home and grave of Abraham Lincoln. Considering he was born in a one room cabin in Hodgensville Kentucky he had come a long way by the time he left Springfield for the White house. He had become a wealthy upper class citizen while living in Springfield and owned a very nice house. The furniture in the pictures below are the real thing.

We sat through a 30 minute video about Lincolns' time in Springfield then took a guided tour through his home. Again, we learned so much about him that we didn't know and now have a much better understanding of what a great man and president he was. This is a copy of his farewell speech before leaving for the White house.

His Grave is about 3 miles from his home. Did you know that thieves tried to steal his body twice. He is now buried 10 feet deep with a large granite stone on top. Also he was buried twice, once in a temporary crypt. Pictures below.

The memorial is huge, but in the beginning you could only see the crypt from the door below.

We are in Chillocothe Missouri waiting for the weather to break. Hopefully will have most of Kansas behind by this time tomorrow night.

Springfield Ill., Start of West USA Trip

We started our trip out west on a cautionary note. We were sure we were going to get rained on. Good news, we ran into very little rain but  were hit by some unbelievable wind gusts. The first stop was in Vincinnes Indiana at the George Rodgers Clark Historic Park. Watched a 30 minute video, visited the memorials there. We are a little ashamed of the fact that neither of us had any idea who he was and the importance of his contribution to our country's history. You can GTS to find out more. This memorial is one of the largest in the country.

Next stop is the hotel on route 66. Last year on our trip we joined the group after this stop in Rolla Mo. These images should be added to our Route 66 trip last year.

Original home of the corn dog on Route 66.

New Toys at Grandaddy and Grammy's House.

The grandkids came over Sat. afternoon. Had some new toys, think they liked them.

Getting ready for our trip out west.

Rode to Lincoln City Indiana to pickup our Annual Park Pass and Passport book.

Yes, I know I put the stamp in upside down. Hopefully won't do that again.