Westward Hoooo the Wagons

These RV's are moving west. Excitment builds every mile we log that moves us closer to Alaska. Seeing signs for areas I have never visited before and for me that is exciting.

Historical markers along the way give us great information about the areas we are in. I will let you read and enjoy some information about Kansas. Our heritage.

Highway 36 that we took across the northern park of Kasas was the old pony express mail route. We found markers along the way for the stations of the pony express.

We have now entered the squirrel city. In the park that we stayed in there were red squirrels and black squirrels.  Just think at one time they were probably used for dinner.

Black Squirrel

Then in Marysville I found my dream home. Yep a sod home to call my own. Now you just know I would be happy here.

The furnishings inside were all the newest household items. This is just perfect. Then about the number of miles these items were brought in a wagon to this location...

Oh an a modern stove. A beautiful wooden stove, with a kettle and a fry pan. Wow who could want for more? Notice there are wooden wall boards added to make it more homey and cozy.

From the outside you can see this is quality sod. Will last us for years.

The school is right next door. So not children will be out in the cold winter long on their way to school

The classrooms have the most modern desks available. Every child will have an opportunity to learn. At least through the 6th grade, then they must join us in the fields at planting and harvesting time.

Things are looking up in town, we now have an iron horse, train most people call it. It is suppose to move the crops to market and people west. It is suppose to do this faster than the horse and buggy.  HA!! we will have to see that to believe it.

This is the iron horse or train engine. It runs across the pararie on tracks and belches out smoke and cinders. Blows a horn that can be heard for miles.

Of course with that iron horse they had to build a station house. People go here to wait so they can ride that train. What is the world coming to?

You know I always thought we would really making progress when we got the pony express to deliver our mail Shucks you could send a letter for only 2 cents, now that seems rather pricey but the letter sure got there.

After the train a lot of changes come into town. We have a Mexican restaurant. Whoever heard of going out to eat and paying someone for the meal. This is a whole new concept to me.

Of all things they are using Miss Mary's house. Just gives me the vapors. She always kept that house so nice.

But things are changing, we now have brick streets, can you imagine, of course it does keep the skirt hem from getting muddy when it rains.

Always thought our down main street buildings were just beautiful

Now with all this modern stuff, they also came out with some fancy cars. In 1955 there was the Thunderbird.  I of course still perfer my horse and buggy, but to each his own.

Inside of this car is all fancy with white leather upholstery and that big old blue steering wheel, think the reins on my horse work quite well.

The pony express riders were always flying through town taking mail someplace....ooo what a memory.

A woman was always washing and sewing.

They developed this new washing machine, helped a mite... and you were always in proper dress.

Now they have these specialty places where you can go wash your clothes read a book while they wash and dry.  Mitch and Liz are checking to see if that washer really ate those socks. Mitch replied "yep think it ate it this time".

What's the world coming to?

The day got even better, the Mayor heard there were 4 wild women in his town heading to Alaska, so he came to meet and greet. Told me he was the meanest man in town and I just informed him quickly I was the sweetest, gosh he had no say after that.

But the day wasn't complete yet, the 1949 ford truck and tin can that we saw last year on the Blue Ridge pulled in.  We got a real good look inside. He and his wife are from Cross Creek, Florida.

 

The days is done, we will spend one more night in Marysville, City Park and then westward we go again for more adventures.

Bear and I are on the road to Alaska. We have Spring (another Min Pin) traveling with us. We are having a great time. Started out at 7:30 on Tuesday the 8tho  of May. Drove to Perry, Fl and stopped in a Walmart parking lot for the night.  Left early the next morning and met my daughter at Panama City Beach. We camped together for 2 nights and I was off heading on through Alabama making my way to Illinois.

The drive along 98 into Panama City Beach is so beautiful

Another view of the drive along 98.

 In Alabama we are heading north of course...

On into Alabama, stopping at a road side rest area for the night.

Spring has selected the passenger seat to ride along on. She is checking to make sure we are still moving north.

After about 300 miles on the drive after leaving Tuscaloosa, Alabama, I stopped at at nice campground . The manager of this campground was from Florida. He said he felt at home when he saw my gator tag.

After a good night's sleep, I headed on toward Illinois to catch up with Liz.  Making progress I am in Missouri.

Had seen a sign for Lamberts Tossed rolls cafe, so thought I might get breakfast...but they were not open. So took a picture and moved on.

Would love to have seen them throw these rolls.

The country is beginning to get hilly. Long long road.

They were yellow but sure looked gold.

s,

The river here is active with river boats, ferries. Beautiful area.

Wish I had had time to stop and explore this cave. On the right you see a red wing tip. This was a creature that filled the folklore in the area, part bird, part beast, part man.

Spring is enjoying the trip.

Bear keeps checking to be sure I am still there driving, with an are we there yet?

We did arrive at the park, saw Liz on a high ridge on her bike as we were heading to the park entry. Got to the park, set up and grabbed the bike and off we went for a short tour. Mitch arrived the next morning and we were off again. We left Illinois and headed back in to Missouri and headed west.

Nan and Bear on the Road for Thanksgiving

We left on Tuesday before Thanksgiving and headed to West Palm. My son drove so it made it a nice trip for me to sit back and enjoy the trip.

The first mornings sunrise was beautiful in the cloudy sky.

We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner with all the trimmings. A beautiful table to sit down to.

On Saturday we went to the Turtle recovery center. They had beautiful fish for us to see.

A scene to show how the turtle hatch and head for the ocean.

The turtle below is believed to have had an encounter with a shark. Notice a portion of the left flipper is missing. When he was found, he was underweight, but is back to 174.5 pounds now.

This turtle had a lot of crustations on his back. He was nursed back to health and I saw a news announcement that he was released on Monday of this week.

This turtle was just brought in and they were setting up the IV tube for meds. He is missing a part of the top part of his shell. They have crafted a shell in place, so now he needs to heal.

It was on to the pier and watching the waves and the surfers.

Birds were out, they were watching for any piece of fish that might be available from the fishermen on the wharf.

This fisherman caught a small crab that was desparately trying to get away.

The parasails were busy. A beautiful sight to watch.

Bear and I stayed at John Prince Park County Campground. This is one of the beautiful trees on the lake in the park.

We drove down through West Palm Beach to see how the other half lives. Gucci purchases anyone?

Then we visited the location of one of Donald Trumps home on the beach. This is the back of the house. Can't park in the front.

You can see the Trump towers in the distance.

Donald Trump doesn't like the planes flying over his house.

The city didn't like the size of his flag so made him put up a smaller one.

At Boynton Beach inlet the boats have to show their skill as they shoot through an opening and down the inlet. Looked dangerous to me, but they all seem to handle it quite well.

Look how rapid the water is that is shooting through this inlet.

Birds were out here too, looking for the fisherman's morsel.

One of the fishermen caught a drum fish. He said it was good eating.

As the sun set on another beautiful day in West Palm, we headed to a restaurant for some good seafood.

Boats heading into the sunset for the day.

Come back and join us for our safari.