Second week of freetime travelling

This week we travelled back roads in Kansas and Missouri on our way back eastward.  It was equally fast but a lot less traffic and more beautiful views.

We stopped just south of Kansas City but travelled a short distance north to see Harry Truman's Farm Home which is a National Historic Site.  The family farm was about 160 acres but most was sold for commercial development in the 60's.

House from the front.

House from the side.

That's it folks.  Save some gas.  You have now seen all there is to see at the Truman Family Farm.

The last few days in Kansas were incredibly windy as only the prairie can be.  Our  RV antenna was a victim of the winds so we located a Camping World east of Kansas City to get a new head.  Nearby was this neat little County Park (4000 acres) and in the middle was this little prairie town reconstruction called Missouri Town 1855.  All buildings were from the era and moved to this location.  Very quiet hidden away little village that was a joy to discover.  Enjoy the stroll past some sample pictures of the "town"

The Tavern

Jodi could not resist calling folks to dine at the Tavern.

A shortcut back to the entrance.

Next we headed south to Springfield, Mo and then east to Mansfield, Mo. to visit the home of Laura Ingalls Wilder, author the "Little House" series.

When Laura and Almanzo left her family in South Dakota, they travelled south to Missouri by covered wagon with their daughter Rose and another family to find a better way to make a living. They bought 160 acre farm and set up housekeeping in a little log house.  The farm was called Rocky Ridge Farm.

The small 1 story section on the right was that log house.  Over the years, Almanzo added on several times.

The two story section at this end was the final piece.

Their daughter Rose  later financed and built a house on the back of the property which she was giving to her parents as a retirement home.  This is where Laura began her writing career.

This is the Sears house that was built at Rose's design and direction.  Laura and Almanzo lived in this house for only 7 years.  Rose moved abroad and Mom and Dad grew homesick for their old house so they sold this house and moved back to the white house they had built over the years.

That's the touring for this week.  Now we have launday to take care of and grocery shopping and tomorrow we'll head on to Branson.

Free time travelling

The week since we left Minnesota has been quite busy.  First stop was Mason City, Iowa and a visit to The Music Man Square.

The next stop was Des Moines, Iowa and a visit to Living History Farms.

Next, we headed west across Iowa towared Nebraska

Our first stop in Nebraska was a quick stop at the Mormon Trail Center.

Next stop was in Grand Island, Nebraska and a surprise awaited at the Nebraska State Fair.

Then we moved on to the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island which is another Historical depiction on life in the prairie at various times.

This house is the boyhood home of Henry Fonda, native of the area.

Then it's on down the road on Lincoln Hwy, Nebraska style

Then out across the highway appears this Museum called the Archway which spans I-80

Inside are depictions of the travel westbound on the Oregon Trail and other trails through time.

Jodi decides to help this pioneer get up the hill.

Across the street is a replica of a Pawnee Mound home.

On down the road again with beautiful views westbound in Nebraska.

 Next stop is The Golden Spike Tower in North Platt, Nebraska

After a total change of direction, we head south to Hays, Kansas and a visit to the Sternberg Natural History Museum.  Among other things there are many fossils and some live animals to compare.

A live tortise.

A fossil of a tortise.

Mammoth fossil

Replicas of flying dinosaurs and other beasts.

Then it's off eastbound along Kansas Highways

Next stop is Abilene, Kansas.  First, the old Abilene and the 150th celebration of the Chisholm Trail.

Then, Next door, a visit to "IKE's" Presidential Library and Museum.

Sometime, we may post some of the several hundred pictures we have of these wonderful stops.  For now, let this be our weekly update.