We went to Wisconsin recently. Actually, it was on palindrome day - 3.23.23. We really hadn't intended to sight-see in Kansas initially, but decided "Why not?" We did have plans for the next day to see the Milton House, an underground railroad station in Milton, Wisconsin.
Of course we stopped in Hillsboro first.
We always pick up some Dale's sausage at the grocer's for the kids. Nothing like it. They really miss it.
I LOVE driving through the Flint Hills!
It is good for the soul!
If you've never been to Council Grove, you must go! Much history here!
Jesse James has eaten at that restaurant.
The city was first named Weeks. But in 1886 it was named after the St. Louis Brown's catcher Albert "Doc" Bushong. The Browns had been victorious in the World Series and the railroad chose to honour several of the players on the team by naming some of the depots after them. Bushong is the only town still carrying its name. Bushong also is the location of the first nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile during the Cold War. There is one also close to where Al grew up.
Maple Hill was founded in 1882. Named after a grove of maple trees growing on a hill (Kansas is not flat, people). There are around 600 people who live here.
The Union Pacific train
It looked like we were leaving the town when Allen spied the big building. It was the future home of the Immaculata.
Since it was dark, we couldn't look outside at the scenery, although we did keep a watch out for deer.
"From 1825-1847, Santa Fe Trail travelers left messages in a cache at the foot of this tree, said to be used as a “post office.” Trail travelers left notes to inform others of the trail conditions, giving it it’s name “Post Office Oak” The tree died in 1990 and the stump has been preserved on this site."
Normally when we go through Council Grove, we continue north on 177, but this time we took 56 east.
On 56, we passed close to a village of Bushong, population about 27. Such an odd name. I had to find out about that.
Next along Highway 56 came the small town of Allen, population about 160. Of course we had to take a picture of Allen by Allen.
Right after Allen, we turned north on 99. We came into the town of Eskridge, population a little over 400. I love this old historic picture of it!
Shall we keep going straight?
99 turned into 4. GPS wanted us to keep on 4 after Keene, but we kept going straight north.
As we were coming into Maple Hill, we saw this sign. "Let's go check it out" Al said. I was rather surprised as it is usually me who says "Turn here!!" It was a dirt road but we decided that if we didn't come upon an old stone church after a bit, we'd turn around.
Look what we found!!
This is where the farmers would knock off the mud from their boots before entering church.
Deweys. Wonder if they are relatives to our friends?
The Kansas River
We were coming into St. Mary's, a city with a population under 3,000. We wondered what that large building was. We decided we'd try to find out.
St. Mary's is home to Saint Mary's Academy and College.
Bison north of town.
Al: "How fast shall I take this curve?" He loves to scare me!
Havensville, population 119, started in 1878. Named after Paul Havens, a railroad employee. This is the old historic school. Abandoned. Too bad.
Corning, population 212 in 2020 census, but perhaps less now? Founded in 1857, named after Erastus Corning of New York, mayor of Albany 1834-1837 and later served in the House of Representatives.
I'd love to get a walk-through of this home!
White pelicans
At Seneca, we turned on 36 into Missouri and onto I-35, driving north toward Des Moines. There were so many deer!! We figured we saw between 70 to 80, and those were the ones that hadn't been hit!! We sure were hoping they didn't dart in front of us!
As we were going north of Des Moines on 330, we stopped at a Git Go to fill up with gas.
Across the street there was a Kum and Go. I got a chuckle out of that.
We enjoyed listening to the oldies until we got to our lodging.
I started feeling nauseus. I had heard that some people were getting some kind of bug. Oh NO! I hoped I wasn't getting sick. Wouldn't want to take a virus to our kids. But maybe I'm getting car sick?? That doesn't happen to me. If I end up getting car sickness, my travels will come to an end!! Then we will have to have the kids come to see us!
Well, it was a delightful day seeing lots of new places!! I hope I can continue to travel!
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