WW1 Museum

 Saturday, June 26th found us traveling back to Kansas City to visit the museum. A nice museum with a lot of detail and exhibits. Learned a lot of things probably should have already known.

 Second floor provided a nice overlook of downtown Kansas City. Perfect place for a photo op and so I did.

 This brings a close to our stay in Hamilton Missouri. We both have enjoyed the visit in ways we could not have predicted.

 She came,

 she saw,

 she conquered!

carpe diem

Missouri Quilt Museum

  

 Visited the relatively new but interesting Missouri quilt museum. A good selection of quilts and other items. I am fascinated with the talent some ladies display in their quilts.

Photo does not show the level of detail in this quilt. From subtle color changes to quilting pattern depicting facial lines. Amazing detail and craftsmanship.

You can not see the very fine net/lace that creates the wing texture on this peacock.

Mary made a bedspread when we were first married that this quilt reminded us of. Sadly that bedspread was destroyed.

Quilts line the hallway plus some of the many, many old sewing machines on display.

Mary's first machine was like the one above.

 As part of the museum there was also a large collection of toy sewing machines.

 So what does a guy do with his time? Multiple options...

recliners for husbands to wait comfortably...

more yet to come...

carpe diem

Hamilton, aka Quiltown USA

  

 For a small town, population 1500 or so, Hamilton has a lot to say. The rags to riches story of Missouri Star quilt would be enough for most. It is also the boyhood home of James Cash Penney. You probably guessed, or at least wondered if that might be THE  JCPenney. That would be a correct guess.

 In a little over a day we have done our share for the local economy of Hamilton. Mary at the myriad of quilt/sewing related stores, myself at the local craft brewery pub house. (more on that later).

 We are being cursed by some rough weather but are enjoying our stay here. Damage locally should be done by tomorrow so Saturday brings a trip back down 35 to Kansas City. Destination is the WW1 museum located there. We have been to the WW2 museum located in New Orleans and other smaller ones. Can not recall one dedicated to WW1

 More tales and photographic evidence to follow

"...gather ye rosebuds while ye may..."

El Dorado State Park and the promised land

  On Tuesday morning, June 22 we left Foss state park. It was a beautiful day and hated to leave. But other stops awaited us.

 It was a long day covering 300 miles but seemed twice that long. We found our spot and settled in for the night. Not much about this park this time as it was a short quick stay. Plans call for us to stay 3 nights at the same park on our homeward leg so more info then.

we were in site 801 on this visit

 Wednesday June 23rd had us driving 232 miles to Hamilton Missouri. If Elk City stop was for me, Hamilton most definitely is for Mary. It is the home of Missouri Star quilt company. Interesting story about that company. Read how it started HERE

 We are here for 4 days so more to come form this stop in our travels.

carpe diem

Elk City Oklahoma

 

 On Sunday June 20th we lifted our jacks and began the drive to Foss State Park. A nice state park between Elk City and Clinton. Elk City being our true target destination.

 The heat Sunday was nearly unbearable. Been in plenty of warm weather and the temp was 100 but boy it felt hotter. Forecast called for cooler temps on Monday. When it is that hot and you forecast cooler weather rain has to be involved. Late Sunday night the wind howled and we awoke to cooler temps and cloudy skies but little rain. That all soon changed as it poured all morning. It seemed the museums we (I) had planned on would be a washout. Luckily the sky cleared up about noon and we made the short drive to Elk City.

 This town sits on the old mother road route 66. Makes sense they would have a museum about it. Combined with the museum was a gathering of old buildings called "old town". They also included a farm and ranch building. All together made a nice collection of memorabilia.

 I know you have seen the classic film "Grapes of Wrath" so you can appreciate the "donor" of the old truck above.

love old tools...

 Tuesday morning we began the 300 mile trip to El Dorado state park in Kansas. It is just a one night stop on our journey north.

gather ye rosebuds while ye may...

Jacksboro

  On Friday, June 18th our summer trip finally began. We left home at 9am on our 276 mile trip to Jacksboro. Why Jacksboro? A state park exactly on our route that would also facilitate something else we wanted to do.

 A lot of history to be found at this state park. We had visited once before some 25 years ago.

 We were in site 105 which turned out to be a very nice site.

 As it turned out we picked a perfect day that allowed us to view a little different history.

 Not everyday you get to see Model A's on the road. A special treat. Speaking of special treats, being in the area allowed us to visit a favorite spot. When we lived in the area we were frequent visitors to Casa Torres. Food was as tasty as we remembered.

 To maintain that special treat theme we capped off the day with some more tasty treats. First we had had in years.

 Tomorrow brings a 200 mile or so drive to Foss State Park in Foss Oklahoma. The state park is not the main attraction but it is close to Elk City where some museums are that we hope to visit.

carpe diem

Getting closer

 Let the countdown begin. Several things to take care of but it appears we are cleared for takeoff. Friday, June 18th we depart on our summer travels. Total time about 48 days, roaming the midwest from just south of Canadian border to the Mexican border. Check back for total mileage. Very anxious to get back on the road.

 On a ;lighter note school is out for the summer. We will have front row seats for the graduation ceremonies from our front porch. 75 young people ending one chapter of their lives and embarking on a new one. I miss the sounds of life from the school already...

carpe diem