Traveling for Thanksgiving, 1

Our daughter was going to spend their first Thanksgiving back in Wisconsin by their "lonesomes".  As Al was able to take the time off, we decided to go there this year. 

We got up before sunrise.  I had found out just the night before that one of our favorite bakeries was going to be open in Florence at 6.  And since we would be going right by that small town, it was an opportunity to grab breakfast there!

 The Claassen family told us that they were in the midst of baking over 90 pies for Thanksgiving!

The sun began to rise as we were on highway 77 north of Florence. 

As our custom, we were going to be taking another route to Wisconsin on roads we had never been before.  We have been on this stretch but never north of Manhattan.

We love seeing new territory, but also, this being the day before Thanksgiving, the busiest travel day, we knew we would want the road less traveled!  We would let others be stressed and hassled with plane delays and bumper to bumper traffic; we would zip along on nearly empty highways!

And see our beautiful country!

 North of Manhattan we came upon Fort Riley.  We are grateful to our military for our protection.   

                          

 Tuttle Creek spreads out over a long distance.

 I wonder about the story of this old house, built of flint rock.

 'Tis the season...    although personally, I think they should wait until AFTER Thanksgiving.

 

On interstate highways, you bypass small towns.  Of course, you are in a hurry usually.  One of the joys (or frustrations if you are in a hurry, in which case, you should not be on these roads) is seeing the uniqueness of these towns.

One such town is Marysville, Kansas along the Oregon and California Trail. 

 

The original station for the pony express that came through town.

It was still too early in the morning and the museum was not open yet.  Another time.  When Al is retired, we would like to take 2-3 days to travel to see the kids and take tours inside places like this.  

They had painted squirrels around the town too.

Trip to Wisconsin to be continued...