New roads in Kansas; delightful discoveries!

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.

"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.

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.

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?

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 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.

The Union Pacific train

St. Mary's is home to Saint Mary's Academy and College.

It looked like we were leaving the town when Allen spied the big building.  It was the future home of the Immaculata.  

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!

South Fork Nemaha River

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.

Since it was dark, we couldn't look outside at the scenery, although we did keep a watch out for deer.  

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!

A visit from our Colorado kids

I had just been in Colorado and now the kids were coming this way!  How great to see them twice in the month!  

We had lots of fun playing.  But they also helped us with some house chores.  Time to put out the purple martin house!  They would arrive soon!

Getting ready to watch the KU game!  Rock Chalk!

Tenley (and Mindy!) is enjoying the farm set.  

We got it for Josh for his first Christmas!  A well-loved toy!

Kaia cheered them on, but KU lost.  I actually had them losing.  Shame on me, huh?  BUT, tooting my horn here - I actually won the Graber Bracket Challenge bracket!!  I have never ever done that, and quite frankly it was sheer luck.  

Tenley helped Papa rake up some leaves.

They loaded up the pickup and took the leaves and branches to the burn pile.

Taking a walk around the lake.

I sure do love being a Nana!

Kaia smiles so much!!

Tenley was "talking" her own language.  

Tried to record it but didn't get it!

But I did get Kaia making some new noises while they were here.

Ha!  Maybe not yet, Papa.  But one day you may drool also!

There was some Cocomelon-watching going on.  

Even the guys got wrapped up in it!

We watched our son-in-law preach on-line, then I took Tenley to Sunday School.

BOOM!

We forgot to tell Papa to smile!  Mindy thought Papa's unsmiling face needed some editing!

While we were having fun with Mindy's family, Jill's family was enjoying Chicago!  A green river for St. Patty's Day!

And our Arkansas grandson is about to grow taller than his sister, who is 2 years older.  They are both taller than I am.  

I remember when my younger brother grew taller than me!

Next time we go see these kids, I get to pick up the Graber Bracket Challenge trophey from Josh!!

Dwell together in unity

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"              Psalm 133:1  

Another version says "How delightfully good when brothers live together in harmony."  (Of course this means, mankind, both men and women.)  

We used to sing this verse as a chorus.  I looked for it on-line and found quite a few songs with various tunes.  The one I found that was the one I learned was in Hebrew as well as English.  I believe we did this for aerobic dance back in the 80's.

I am so very grateful for the dear friends and family that have enriched my lives.  In this world that is full of hate and fighting (all over the globe!!) I praise the Lord for His gift of friendships.  I just heard a quote this past week from CS Lewis: "Battles are ugly when women fight."  Of course, it is ugly no matter who is fighting!

Our friend and retired pastor spoke on the Sunday after we returned from Colorado.  A good charge on living our lives.

Our small group met and shared pictures of our grandkids!  We missed a few of our group.

I love my little friends in my Awana Cubbies.  There are 12 in my class.   They bring me such joy!

One of them brought me some "flowers"!

I met one of my friends to say "good-bye" for now.  Hopefully we can visit her in Japan someday!

She introduced me to Paris Baguette!

And I had lunch with a couple of my friends in Hutch at a new place too. Koi Ramen.

A friend posted this.  I laughed!  If that is you, consider making friends!

I went to a funeral for a friend who had been so encouraging to me.  It happened so fast and I was sad that a get well card sent to the hospital as soon as I found out she was there was returned as she was no longer there.  She had gone....to heaven, with Jesus!  Didn't get to say "good-bye".  But I'll be able to say "Hello!" one day!!  And she'll say "Debby, you're here!!"

Another joy was that Mindy's family was coming to "dwell" with us for a few days!

   

Yay!!!  The girls did so well on the 8 hour trip to Kansas!  (Next post!)