From Springfield we traveled the Kansas City Expressway into Kansas City and then to our campground in Merriam, KS. Merriam is adjacent to Shawnee, KS where we did our grocery shopping, had breakfast etc. (They had a Hy-Vee store!).
Our first trip was to Independence, MO to see the Chicago & Alton Depot which was saved from the wrecking ball by HOURS! The equipment was in place and running when the citizens of Independence rallied and saved the historic depot. It was moved to another site, renovated over several years, and is now open for tours. It is unusual in that it is a 2-story depot, with living space above for the station master and his family. He was on call 24/7; his wife was frequently called upon to provide food for the travelers on the train. The last train through the depot was in April 1960. What Jack said would be a "20-30 minute visit" turned into a 1 1/2 hour tour!
From there we went across the parking lot and visited the National Frontier Trails Museum that follows the Oregon, Santa Fe, California and Mormon trails that originated in Independence. One story that really amazed me, was that of a gentleman who traveled to the gold fields, lost everything, and WALKED over 2500 miles on foot back home. About 1000 miles from home he happened upon a rocking chair discarded by a wagon heading west and carried it home to his family.
On Monday we drove to the Shoal Creek Living History Museum. It was established in 1975 with a group of 19th century historic buildings. Unfortunately all were closed, but it was a great place to walk! We met three volunteer gardeners sitting in the shade and had a nice visit. Next stop, Hallmark International Corporate building and their Visitor's Center.
Monday, June 19, 2017
Sunday, June 18, 2017
Springfield, MO June 7-9, 2017
After Jackson, TN we drove to Springfield, MO. I must say that Missouri is very lacking in rest stops along the way! I guess they put their money into the roads, as they tended to be very good. We ended up stopping and eating lunch in the parking lot of a small settlement in the Ozarks.
We really liked the KOA campground in Springfield. It was our return trip. We came to see a rail museum, but wouldn't you know it was only open on Saturdays from 2-4 and we were leaving that day. We drove to the site and looked at the engine through the chain link fence. It appears that the Frisco engine was in really remarkable shape. The display contained the engine, tender, baggage car and a coach.
Another site we visited was the Pythian Castle. In the mid 1800's the Pythians were started to tend to the widows and orphans resulting from the Civil War. It was a fraternal organization which remained active until the 1950's. The building at one point housed retired people in one wing and the orphans in the opposite wing. During the war the building was used by the US Army. After the war the building was in disrepair and finally a lady who renovates historic buildings bought the castle and now offers tours and has Halloween haunted house activities in October, events during the holidays and is open for tours.
While we were in Springfield we also drove to Carthage to see the Precious Moments Chapel built by Precious Moments Artist Sam Butcher. He built this chapel in thanksgiving for all the blessings he received from God. At one time the area was a bustling tourist stop, but since 2009 has had a downturn in visitors. It's a beautiful site, and for anyone heading down I-45 it would really be a wonderful place to stop. We really enjoyed our visit there.
We really liked the KOA campground in Springfield. It was our return trip. We came to see a rail museum, but wouldn't you know it was only open on Saturdays from 2-4 and we were leaving that day. We drove to the site and looked at the engine through the chain link fence. It appears that the Frisco engine was in really remarkable shape. The display contained the engine, tender, baggage car and a coach.
Another site we visited was the Pythian Castle. In the mid 1800's the Pythians were started to tend to the widows and orphans resulting from the Civil War. It was a fraternal organization which remained active until the 1950's. The building at one point housed retired people in one wing and the orphans in the opposite wing. During the war the building was used by the US Army. After the war the building was in disrepair and finally a lady who renovates historic buildings bought the castle and now offers tours and has Halloween haunted house activities in October, events during the holidays and is open for tours.
While we were in Springfield we also drove to Carthage to see the Precious Moments Chapel built by Precious Moments Artist Sam Butcher. He built this chapel in thanksgiving for all the blessings he received from God. At one time the area was a bustling tourist stop, but since 2009 has had a downturn in visitors. It's a beautiful site, and for anyone heading down I-45 it would really be a wonderful place to stop. We really enjoyed our visit there.
Pictures
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| Bryson City Steam Engine |
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| Jack in front of the Bryson Engine |
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| At the Lynnville Train Museum |
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| In case we forgot where we were |
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| Main street - Soda Pop Junction - best burgers in TN! |
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| Replica of Casey Jones #382 in Jackon, TN |
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| Camping in Lexington, TN |
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| At Shiloh National Military Battlefield |
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| The National Cemetery at Shiloh |
Sunday, June 11, 2017
Casey Jones and Shiloh National Battlefield
Casey Jones is considered a hero in railroading circles as the engineer on Engin #382. An engine similar to the original #382 is housed at the Casey Jones Home and Museum in Jackson, TN. Casey is remembered in song and in movies as the engineer who always arrived on time. On one fateful evening as he was on his way home he ran into a parked train on a siding which was not completely off his track. He managed to save everyone aboard but in the process he was killed in the crash of his engine. He left a widow with three small children in Jackson. The house is also on the site, and it was built in the late 1800's. We were able to walk through the house, but while it has period furniture, none of it is original to the family.
After lunch we drove south about 45 miles to the Shiloh National Military Park and Cemetery. After a 45 minute film on the battle of Shiloh, we drove through the park and visited the book store. The fighting here resulted in over 24,000 soldiers being killed or injured in the battle. After the battle, General P.G.T. Beauregard asked permission to remove the Confederate dead from the Shiloh battlefield. General Grant politely replied that the dead from both armies had been buried immediately. When Shiloh became a national park, battle veterans chose to preserve the burial sites of the Confederate dead in place, identifying and honoring 5 mass graves with memorials. It was an honor to be there on June 6.
After lunch we drove south about 45 miles to the Shiloh National Military Park and Cemetery. After a 45 minute film on the battle of Shiloh, we drove through the park and visited the book store. The fighting here resulted in over 24,000 soldiers being killed or injured in the battle. After the battle, General P.G.T. Beauregard asked permission to remove the Confederate dead from the Shiloh battlefield. General Grant politely replied that the dead from both armies had been buried immediately. When Shiloh became a national park, battle veterans chose to preserve the burial sites of the Confederate dead in place, identifying and honoring 5 mass graves with memorials. It was an honor to be there on June 6.
Cornersville/Lynnville, TN
From Bryson City we drove over to Cornersville, TN to the Texas T Campground. It sits between the towns of Louisburg and Lynneville so was perfect for us. The owners of the campground were super hosts.
We drove to the Lynneville Train Depot on Sunday afternoon. The town built a new depot to use as a museum in hopes of attracting tourism to their little town. The depot museum was self guided, and contained railroad artifacts, a ticket counter, and a telegraph station. Outside we could climb on the engine and go through the coach. I believe the museum opened in 1997, and I'm afraid it hasn't done anything to increase tourism in Lynneville. The only stores I saw were a sheriff's office, the Soda Pop Junction that serves "the best hamburgers in TN!" And great ice cream, and a leather shop. According to the owners of the campground the store makes boots, belts, guitar straps etc. and has quite a clientele from Nashville, 60 miles to the north. Later that afternoon we were treated to some heavy rain.
ON Monday we drove to Lexington, TN to the Beech Lake Family Campground. We had an awesome camp site right on the lake shore. The next morning we checked our GPS for a McD's for breakfast and the first site it took us to was a $400,000 home in a very exclusive housing area. OOOPS, I don't think they serve breakfast! We finally got to the McD's and then after breakfast headed to Jackson, TN to see Casey Jones. More on that in my next post.
We drove to the Lynneville Train Depot on Sunday afternoon. The town built a new depot to use as a museum in hopes of attracting tourism to their little town. The depot museum was self guided, and contained railroad artifacts, a ticket counter, and a telegraph station. Outside we could climb on the engine and go through the coach. I believe the museum opened in 1997, and I'm afraid it hasn't done anything to increase tourism in Lynneville. The only stores I saw were a sheriff's office, the Soda Pop Junction that serves "the best hamburgers in TN!" And great ice cream, and a leather shop. According to the owners of the campground the store makes boots, belts, guitar straps etc. and has quite a clientele from Nashville, 60 miles to the north. Later that afternoon we were treated to some heavy rain.
ON Monday we drove to Lexington, TN to the Beech Lake Family Campground. We had an awesome camp site right on the lake shore. The next morning we checked our GPS for a McD's for breakfast and the first site it took us to was a $400,000 home in a very exclusive housing area. OOOPS, I don't think they serve breakfast! We finally got to the McD's and then after breakfast headed to Jackson, TN to see Casey Jones. More on that in my next post.
Friday, June 2, 2017
Sylva and Bryson City, NC
We arrived at the Fort Tatham RV Resort outside Sylva, NC about 2:00 p.m. Our campsite backs up to the Tatham Creek. The campground has great wifi, but no tv. Guess how we're spending our time....reading, listening to the radio and we did go into Sylva last night for a DQ after supper. Today (Friday) we drove to Bryson City to see the steam engine and the model railroad museum. The train depot was quite busy with people picking up or buying tickets for the morning run. We had decided NOT to ride this train, as we plan to ride when we get further west. The model train museum is awesome. It's quite a big building with the walls lined with cases containing all manner of model trains. It was interesting that each piece had year made, who the operating company was, and when the actual rolling stock was retired. It also listed current value of the model (but I'm not sure what year it was "current"). There was also a wonderful train layout in the center of the room. Jack took pictures, so once he gets them off the camera, I'll post them. On my bucket list was getting my National Park Passport book stamped with the Great Smokey Mountain National Park stamp. I've visited the NP from both the TN and the NC sides, and so stopped at the Visitor's Center to get the book stamped! WOOHOO
Next stop, Tennessee!
Next stop, Tennessee!
Sunday, May 28, 2017
2017 Itinerary
It's almost time to leave, so I have added our itinerary as far as we have it laid out.
The weather forecast for Raleigh is thunderstorms over the next three days, so we have our fingers crossed that we don't get so much rain that we can't pull the trailer out of the backyard.
My plan is to add comments and pictures as we travel this summer. Hope you will "check in" occasionally to see where we are.
Jack and Jean
Itinerary:
June 1-2 Bryson City, NC
Campground:
Fort Tatham RV Resort &
Campground
175 Tatham Creek Rd. 828-586-6662
Sylva, NC 28779
June 3-4 Lynville, TN
Texas T Campground
2499 Lynnville Hwy
Cornersville TN 931-293-2500
(Exit 27 from 65 S)
June 5-6 Jackson, TN
Beech Lake Family Campground and Resort
495Beech Lake Camp Ground Rd.
Lexington, TN 38351 731-9689542
Directions
From Jct of I-40 & Hwy 22 (exit 108), S 6
mi on Hwy 22 to Crazy Doe Rd, W 2 mi (L)
June 7-9 Springfield, MO
Springfield KOA
5775 W. Farm Rd 140
Springfield, MO 417-831-3645
June 10-12 Kansa City, MO
Walnut Grove RV Park
10218 Johnson Dr.
Merriam, KS 913-262-3023
June 13-14 Atchison, KS
Bass Wood Resort
15880 Interurban Rd.
Platt City, MO 816-858-8556
June 15-17 Kearney, NE
Kearney RV Park and Campground
140 E. First St.
Kearney, NE 308-237-7275
June 18-20 North Platt, NE
Holiday
RV Park and Campground
601
Halligen Dr.
North
Platte, NE 69101 308-534-2265
June 21-24 Cheyenne, WY
Cheyenne KOA
8800 Hutchins Dr.
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