#4 Across Kansas

HOT, the temperature on our thermometer reached 111F. The ones we saw in towns were at 107F, still a bit warm. The A/C was working overtime. It was also very windy, with the wind speed at about 40-45 mph. However the humidity is low at about 30% We stayed quite cool this morning 650 feet below ground in a salt mine. The mine has been in continuous operation since 1921 and has about 21 miles of tunnels. It was quite interesting to see the way that salt mining has changed over the years.

We also visited a space museum in the same town (thanks Paul) It showed the growth of rocketry and space travel from the Nazi V1 up to man walking on the moon.

Sadly the batteries in my camera went dead just after we got there. guess I should carry spares. Continuing west tomorrow, have booked a trip up Pike's peak on the cog railway tomorrow afternoon (Friday July 1)

HAPPY CANADA DAY EVERYONE

#3 Indiana to Kansas

Typical Kansas countryside

The Heaven wall at Precious Moments Chapel

Chapel at Evangel University

Ceiling of Precious Moments chapel

Greetings from Yates Centre, Kansas, the self proclaimed HAY capital of the world. 'nuff said.

After leaving out friends with the four wheelers we drove to Upland IN home of Taylor University, Ivanhoe's Ice Cream shop and also home of our former pastors in Windsor ON now retired and living the good life near Upland. It sure was nice to reminisce, relive and catch up the past twenty years or so.Thanks for the good meals Joy and enjoy the gentleman farmer life Ken but stay away from the Poison Ivy.

On Monday we headed south west through Indiana and across Illinois and into Missouri. On Tues we went to the musical NOAH, at a theatre renowned at bring Bible stories to the big stage. It was very well done and we are still wondering how they got that 400 foot ark on that stage.

We had seen number of billboards ads for the Precious Moments , Chapel Museum and showroom. so stopped to take a look, The chapel was amazing with paintings on every wall and ceiling, the end wall was 20 feet wide and 32 feet high and was called the heaven wall and was painted with the precious moments kids but everyone represented a person the painted had known in life, It was very moving. The gardens were nicely done and lovely pathways throughout. Diane had no problem keeping the sales clerks busy for some time.

We later visited Fort Scott a civil war fort that was built in 1842, it was completely restored in the same layout with all buildings in the same location.

Driving across central Kansas we saw mile after mile of grassland and thousands of cattle waiting to become steaks and hamburgers.

The temperature at 9:00am was 80F by 5:30 it reached 101F . The park ranger told us that it will get hotter as we get into July.

Heading towards Colorado, the mountains and cooler weather.

#2 June24

FOUR WHEELING FUN

CAR MUSEUM

Have spent the last few days visiting friends in Indiana. Kokomo area has a number of interesting things to see and do. It was news to me that the first car made in the US was made in Kokomo, The Hayes automobile was made in 1894. We were able to tour the former home of Mr. Hayes that is now a museum. We also toured a glass making factory that has been in continual operation since 1888 and still manufactures glass the same way. This company has made the glass for Tiffany's for over a century.
Leaving the Kokomo area we went north to the town of Knox in Starke county. We were taken on a tour of Culver Military Academy A school that attracts students from all over the world and prepares students for military college as well as many other career choices.
Good friends and good food at both places. Thanks Bonnie, Joe, Evelyn,Fred, Wilma, Ray, Patty and Dave.
Back south tomorrow to visit other friends for the weekend.

ON THE ROAD TO ALASKA 2011

Here we are day one June 18 our 45th wedding anniversary, and we are on the road. First stop will be Cincinnati Ohio for a wedding and then westward to visit friends and family, see a bit of the NW US before we turn north . Will be back at you when we get going after the wedding.