Kansas

Feeling a little late?, we enjoyed the Kansas Plains

 mostly through our windshield.

We did visit Monument Rocks in the west.

Climbed around the formations.

And posed.

 We stayed in Oakley, home of Buffalo Bill.

  Not named after Annie Oakley but fortunate for the town.

Buffalo Bill and (first name?) Comstock had a contest to see who

 could kill the most buffalo from their horses. 

 A herd was found near the rail line, tourist were brought in,

and the two split the head and started shooting! 

Bill killed 48 and Comstock 36.

As beautiful as the statue was, it represents slaughter.

As beautiful as the plains were, we tried to imagine thousands

 of roaming buffalo as we drove.

DO NOT get the chili cheeseburger! 

 Your stomach will pay for it later.

Fort Wallace, KS.  A rest area and terrific museum

 and a barb-wire buffalo.

Fort Wallace Cemetery.  Notice the rock fence posts.

This was our second visit to Mt. Sunflower.

(because we were close, that's why)

It is a serene place to sit and contemplate

 the "emptiness" of the plains.

The 4-H county fair was just starting.

 We watched the sheep judging for a bit,

 then walked through the exhibits until we found this.

  It was the highlight of the day!

Illinois and Missouri

Mt. Vernon, IL was just an overnight stop until I found a

 Lincoln site to visit. 

]Here is the welcome center and the standard pose.

This courtroom is the only courtroom still operating as a courtroom.

 where Abe argued a case.

First stop in Missouri--nice museum.

A two day stay in Owensville, MO at an ROD park.

No, I don't!

We are stuck in a rest area near Boonville, MO. 

A broken starter is the diagnosis.

Waiting for the part brought time to tour.

  Here we are at the farm for the Budweiser's Clydesdales.

A beautiful place.

And on the Santa Fe Trail.

Downtown Boonville.

In Arrow Rock, on the Santa Fe and Lewis and Clark trails.

 

Arrow rock was the home of Dr. Sappington. 

 He developed quinine for the relief of malaria. 

 

Arch Rock state park near Columbia, MO.

In the Devil's Icebox. 

 It is an entry to a large network of under ground streams and caves.

In the entrance.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the starter

 has arrived and is being installed.

We were "camped" here for four days.

  It is a long story of mishaps, mistakes, heat, and storms. 

But, finally, here we come Kansas!

Indiana Plus

We spent nearly all of our time here visiting friends and family.

The Heinze reunion (Judy's side of the family) was a big part.

Plenty of food, cards, and re-acquainting.

We did a little history too.

In Salem, IN.

Judy's big sister, Juanita and her husband Al.

Of course the girls beat us at euchre.

A Paul happy hour at a local pub.  Melissa (sister),

Martha (sister-in-law), Eric (brother),

and granddaughter Brie.

Nephew Cory and his son Lincoln.

Niece Susan, sister-in-law Kathy, sister-in-law Brenda on left,

 brother Chris on right, and the rest of the gang.

We visited my aunt Irene in a nursing home in Corydon.

Then tried to visit her son (my cousin)

 at his ice cream shop.  Closed:(

I found this picture of my great grandfather Hillary's family

 in October of 1896.

The house and fence today!

I stopped to give a copy of the picture to the new owner of the house

 and discovered that Hillary was also his great grandfather.

  He had bought the farm several years ago

 and re-did the fence.

A short trip across the Ohio to Louisville gets us to a

 riverside park and a presidential site.

During his stay in the Louisville area,

 Lincoln formed opinions regarding slavery.

We strolled the old Big Four (railroad) bridge from IN to KY. 

 It is now a pedestrian walkway with great views

 of both sides of the Ohio River.

OOPS!  Lots of rain and a tow truck!

And a great mess.

Thanks for the stay Catherine and Lauren.

After a weekend visit with long time friends,

 Jim and Lynda we are westward bound.