Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Monday, March 29, 2010


CIMG1666
Originally uploaded by jimsnyder1
The Snyder Travel Machine crossing country, here at the Eisenhower Library in Abilene, Kansas about noon. The day was beautiful and the museum an example of an American hero from World War II who probably had more to do with beating Hitler than any person on earth.

He later served eight years as President




We crossed into Kandsas at 8:45 A.M. Lots of wind and chilly on the drive to Abilene, Kansas-hometown of Dwight D. Eisenhower. Eaisenhauer- German spelling of their name; was born in Tyler, Texas then his parents moved to Abilene, Kansas when he was 2. He was 1 of 6 boys raised in that house which still stands today next to his Museum. His father worked for the MKT Railroad-Missouri, Kansas, Texas and they grew vegetables for just their family to eat.
At the time he graduated from high school there was only enough money for 1 boy to go to college. His brother chose Kansas Community college. Two yeards later it was Dwight's turn. He applied to the Naval Academy but he was 1 year too old. So he was accepted into West Point. Graduating with honors he was transferred to San Antonio, Texas, where he met Mamie, who was vacationing with her family family from Colorado. They were high society and it took a while for Dwight to feel comfortable with that. But on Feb. 14th they became engaged and married on July 1.They had a son nicknamed "Icky" who died at age 4 in Camp Meade, Md. from scarlet fever. He is buried between them in the chapel. They had another child a year later, John who married a Barbara Jean and then had 3 granddaughters and 1 grandson, David Dwight.
It has warmed up considerably- 2:15 P.M. 72 degrees and windy. We are off to Dodge City, Kansas. The drawer under the refrigerator fell out abd broke the runners. It needs to be fixed. Dodge City is a small town, very warm and we're staying at the "Gunsmoke" Travel Park. It looks like the movie set of Gunsmoke with a saloon, blacksmith shop, Chester's grave. The owner told us to eat at the Golden Pancake House. Time is 8 P.M. and the place closed at 2 P.M. This area is where a very large meat processing plant is with huge paddocks of beef awaiting slaughter. pROXAIR is also here making industrial gases. The air smells really bad; don't know which plant makes that smell.
We finally found an Applebees to eat at and then found a state owned casino- Boot Hill Casino- opened in December. Nice inside with all forms of gambling, good food, no smoke smell; and Jimmy won $200. in 30 minutes. They are building an addition that will triple their size. We wil visit Boot Hill where all of the gunslingers are buried with their boots sticking out of the ground tomorrow.

Monday, March 29, 2010

City Market, Kansas City Missouri


CIMG1655
Originally uploaded by jimsnyder1
This area of Kansas City is a public market much as in Baltimore, many restaurants. Jan bought asparagus, berries and lettuce. We also ate luch at a Chinese restaurant. Very good

CIMG1659


CIMG1659
Originally uploaded by jimsnyder1
Union Station in Kansas City, MO, completly retored and absolutly beautiful. March 28, 2010

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Sunday, March 28th, 2010



Today is our second day staying in Independence, Missouri, Our plan for today was to make it to a 1130Am church service at the Presbyterian Church about a mile away and then to go to the National Frontier Trails Museum which happens to be about a 1/2 mile away, then drive the 10 miles to Kansas City and go to the city market and eat lunch/dinner and then explore Kansas City sites that we want to see. Tomorrow morning we will leave at 0800 and head to Abilene, Kansas which is 165 miles and depending on how long we are in Abilene will go on to Dodge City, Kansas but that decision will be made tomorrow after we visit Abilene.

The campsite we are staying at here in Independence is owned by the Church and is really nice, concrete pads thus no mud and good cable TV. My satellite TV has worked great so far this trip but we will utilize the cable when the RV park offers it in the price. Generally the RV parks are costing about $30 a night. We really dont need to stay in a park every night because the RV is completly self contained and we can stay at a park or a Walmart parking lot with no problem. The generator gets run all night in this case because of the temperature and it burns a bout a gallon of diesel fuel every 2 hours. The RV is operating perfectly, the only problems have been ignorance by the owner. Jan's closet door handle broke but I was able to repair it. Each of the RV parks usually have a laundry and showers but we utilize the nice shower in the camper. The car gets filthy, as you might expect and we put it through a carwash today. The Magellan GPS is great and we are glad we invested the money in it. Jan will now go through some of the details of today's activities.



Harry met Bess in 1894 at the First Presbyterian Church around the corner from her childhood home. We went to their 11:30 church service on Sunday since we are Presbyterian and the people were so friendly. The church is rather small, but really beautiful with walnut ceilings laid out in a wainscotting effect similar to hardwood floors, stained glass windows on all sides, a 100 year old brass chandelier and a Baptismal font made from shell casings from WWII by a Korean. They have a new minister who had to read his notes. We forget how great Kevin is! This minister was not long winded though. We were out of church in 45 minutes.
We were at the National Trails End Museum when they opened. This was the point of embarcation for the pioneers going west on 1 of 3 trails, the Sante Fe, the Oregan, and the California. The pioneers gathered together to form the wagon trains going west. There is a stream here that was much larger then than now, in which the wagons, horses and cattle were washed before they left.It was 900 miles to Sante Fe and 2000 mles to Oregan. Thomas Jerfferson made the policy "Manifest Destiny" which was we had the destiny to cover the whole continent with democracy. The route was the Ohio River to the Mississippi to the Missouri to the town of Independence to the Blue River to the Platte to the Sweetwater to the Continental Divide to the Big Sandy to the Valley Green to the Snake River to the Columbia to Oregan. This was a long trip. I can't even imagine how it was in a wagon! no a/c, no cell phone, no bathrooms, no tv! So we are on our way to the Sante Fe Trail.
On the trail west the pioneers met a large Indian tribe called the Kansa or the Kaw. Thereby, the name Kansas became its name. We drove to Kansas City to see Union Station which has many stores open inside; great use of a beautiful building. The City Market is an ecletic mix of unusual shops and a farmer's market. I bought a container of strawberries that would have cost 2.50 minimum at Publix for 1.00. A 10# bag of potatoes was 2.00. I bought a huge head of romaine for 1.00, the strawberries and a bunch of asparagus for 1.00. And all of it just off the farm. Inside the market was a new shop called Bloom Baking Company, a cottage industry with the best baked goods. We bought an old fashioned iced oatmeal cookie and a bar cookie made of a rice krispie base with a peanut butter fudge layer then a dark chocolate layer. Very rich!
On the way home we stopped at movie theatre . Didn't know any of the movies and just bought a ticket for "Crazies" It was actually a very good movie.

test teswt tewt




Saturday, March 27, 2010

The day started with getting the RV unhooked and departing from our spot in downtown St. Louis. We departed at 0815 which is pretty good and Jan is getting used to the routine of getting out early so we have a full day at the other end. We are averaging about 200-250 miles each time we drive and do about 65 mph and stop at rest stops for exercise and nature and to get diesel. The diesel fuel was $2.77 a gallon in Missouri.


In Missouri 70 west is rolling hills of crops and pastures with evergreen trees as wind barriers. At 0959 it is 42 degrees with showers and 12 mph winds. We passed a pickup truck with a tarp covering the bed and Daddy called it a "covered wagon" heading west. Our destination is Independence, Missouri just outside Kansas City. Independence was the jump off spot for the families going west in the covered wagons and the three main trails were the Oregon trail, California trail and Sante Fe trail, we will visit several of the spots tomorrow that try to characterize the life and times of this period in our history.

Once we found Truman's Library we rode around the parking lot to find the spaces RVs are allowed to park. Harry Truman grew up in Independence, Missouri alongside of Bess Wallace. She was born into a prominent family that were part owners of the Queen Pantry Flour Company and lived in a large house at 219 N. Delaware Street which her Grandfather Gates built around the time Lincoln was assassinated. It is very Victorian-looking with the gingerbread trim around the porches. But Harry was born into a farming family. He had extremely bad vision so he avoided the playground to prevent his glasses from breaking. Instead he spent that time at the library reading biographies and history books.


At graduation Harry's family had no money for college, so he worked on the family farm for at least 11 years. His first job outside of the farm was in Clinton's Drug store where he made $3.00 a week. We walked in this drug store and signed our names in their book, added a thumb tac for the city we live in and bought ice cream cones. Next to this is a store called, "Wild about Harry" which had ecletic paraphenalia, antiques and trinkets about Truman. The owner remembered attending Harry Truman's funeral. He said Harry and Bess still lived in the same house even when they left the White House and were still down to earth unpretentious people. He walked all over the town and didn't want the Secret Service around him. When WWI broke out he entered the Army and to his surprise he did really well as an artillery captain. Once the war was over Harry and his friend, Jacob, from Kansas City opened a dry goods font made from shell casings from WWII by a Korean.






On arrival in Independence, Mo the first thing we did was go to the Truman Library. Truman was a very important president in our history and many of the decisions he made still impact our lives today. We spent over 3 hours looking at his exhibits and films on his life because this is his story and his body is buried in the courtyard.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Friday, March 26, 2010.





9:25 A.M. We crossed the Mississippi River and the Missouri state line. It is an industrial area, a green metal bridge, ugly. and depressing. Everything around here for miles has been flooded not only from yesterday's rain, but the snow melting from further north and flowing down the Mississippi. We found the RV campground and it's nice- all concrete, no mud. The people are nice too. This site is located in downtown St. Louis about 1 mile from the Arch.





We found our way easily down to the Gateway Arch to the West quite easily. Either the town is efficiently laid out or the new Magellan makes it easy. The Arch is not golden, but silver colored metal, 630 ft tall and you can ride to the top to view St. Louis. We are surprised at its height! It's real name is the Jefferson National Westward Expansion Monument.





Spending the whole day here was easy. Below the Arch there was a museum with artifacts and history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the events leading up to that era and the historical events that occurred because of it; an hour movie about the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1806 narrated by Jeff Bridges; a replica of a general store of the 1800's called LeveE Mercantile Store which was quite informative. Before we took the tram to the top of the Arch we watched a discovery movie that explains exactly how, where and why it was built. It encompasses Thomas Jefferson's policy of westward expansion of our country, is built on the spot where Lewis and Clark embarked on their journey, and it matches the wonder of the cantilever bridge which Eads built over the Mississippi River with its 3 arches. That was a marvel in its time and the bridge is still in service!





When it was time to take the tram we realized how very small the car was where we were to ride. Jimmy is claustophobic and this thing was quite tight to fit 5 people; literally a four foot square . So I went up by myself and took the pictures. It really wasn't as great as the Empire State Building. It led to a small hallway with tiny windows on both sides. No telescopes to see far away; nothing marking which way is north, south, east or west, no identifications of the buildings you are viewing. Pretty unimpressive. Jimmy didn't miss a thing. Check out the pictures.





We left and drove to Union Station which is the old train station refurbished in a downtown area somewhat like Jax Landing or the Inner Harbor with unique shops and restaurants. We ate at Houlihan's and it was delicious. Apparently when the railroads became important in the 1800's, St. Louis was at a loss because they were left out of the loop due to no railroad bridges over the Mississippi and the Indian Mounds were so numerous and high it was too costly. When they finally were able to acquire them, they really value them.





As we were driving around St. Louis we realized the Basketball Sweet Sixteen is being held here this weekend. That's why there are so many tourists; thought the town would be relatively empty in the cold weather. The Loop is an ecletic collection of restaurants, pubs, cafes, unique shops and nightclubs on Delmar Blvd. One is called "Blueberry Hill". Outside of town is Ulysees S. Grant's Farm which he actually farmed himself, but is now owned by the Busch Family. They house their 35 Clydesdales there along with other farm and zoo animals. We won't be able to visit there since it doesn't open until April 15th. But we learned in the museum the Sante Fe Trail starts at Independence, Missouri where we will be tomorrow. We are also stopping at the Truman house.

March 25, 2010

6:00 A.M. it's pouring cats and dogs and Jimmy has to unhook the RV from the electric and water and hook up the car to the tow bar. He got soaked and it took all day for his coat to dry.
7:35 St. Louis here we come to see the Gateway Arch to the West and the Mississippi River.
8:41 Kentucky line and the roads are terrible. For over an hour now the RV has been shaking really bad! Found out it was our levelers in the RV, so we learned something else and how to avoid it from occurring again. The RV is now riding smoothly. Now the only problem is the deluge of rain.
12:51 We are driving down the streets of Paducah, Kentucky instead of the expressway. On 615 Jefferson Street they have the National Quilt Museum, a three floor collection of the most unimaginable quilts. The talents of the creators are amazing. Jan, dream away! While Daddy ate tuna fish, I walked 1 1/2 blocks in the rain to the Quilt Alley, a store that sells all quilt supplies and other sewing paraphernalia. What a great way to de-stress!
1:11 crossed the state line to Illinois, the Ohio River and casinos. We are 1 1/2 hours(supposedly) from St. Louis and the wind is blowing us all over the highway. The gusts must be 30 - 40 miles per hour.
3:34 Just passing Shiloh and a pick-up truck with a cannon in the truck bed.

6:38 pulled into the campground in East St. Louis- full of mud and it's still raining! There was some confusion about the map and where we should pull in. The woman is yelling at us from her car. Daddy told her "I don't like you or your services. Refund my money!"

7:00 we are pulling into WalMart shopping center. We're staying here for the night;at least it isn't muddy. It's 36 and raining and very windy outside. Talk about cold! But at least we can stop driving. The highlight of the day is the casserole I put in the oven from Costco. Delicious! Oh! On the very bumpy ride one of the bottles of merlot wrapped inside the quilt under the bed broke. Now the carpet and quilt are purple and the bedroom smells like merlot! We clean it up and now will wash the quilt at a later time. IT was the good Cuvaison Merlot that we bought in Napa maybe 6 years ago that broke, what a shame such a good bottle of wine is gone.
The RV generator kept the RV nice and warm all night, we tuned in the satellite TV and watched "Criminal Minds" but Jan was very tired and went to bed early. It was a long day with all of the weather and the wind blowing the trucks and our RV back and forth put us both on edge. Glad that drive is over.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

March 24, 2010

Belle Meade Plantation was built in 1807 to breed racing horses. At that time it was 5400 acres way out in the country. Now it has been assimilated into the city of Nashville. The house is a 2 story Grecian style with stucco covering the original brick to produce the effect of limestone rock. Inside, it is decorated with 30% of its original furnishings and the rest originals of its time period. Nothing is reproductions. This horse farm has the bloodlines for Secretariat, Seabiscuit, Funny Cide, Smarty Jones, Giacomo and Barbarro!

The plantation was fully supporting growing its own corn, hunting and the horse trade bringing in the wealth. It housed 136 slaves that were given their own gun to hunt and a carriage to borrow when they turned 25. On the present day land is the original cabin, the mansion, dairy, one of the slave cabins, the mausoleum(that originally had 23 Harding-Jacksons buried),the gardeners house, smokehouse, carriage house and stables, the dollhouse that was a playhouse for the young children and a winery.

The mansion is huge with a fireplace in every room, all antiques throughout, bathrooms with hot and cold running water in the 1880's , which is definitely the top upper class. The chandeliers which are electric now were lit with methane gas made from manure-which they had lots of. It is 3 full floors with a basement and the kitchen is housed in a building next to it connected by a breezeway.

Belle Meade Plantation provided each horse with its own 20 acre paddock and when it died, it was buried in its paddock. Since Belle Meade Plantation is only 30 acres now, most of these paddocks are under housing developments. Therefore, some people have horses buried in their yards. There were a couple favorite horses that were given honors-Bonny Scotland- their first horse which died in 1880, Iroquois, the first American-born and bred to ever win the English Derby, who died in 1896, and Enquirer, who has a monument(larger than our cemetery gravestones) erected to him outside the stables. When Iroquois died General Billy Jackson was so devastated he cut off his hooves, sent them to Tiffany's in New York to be mounted in silver and placed them on his desk where they remained until he died. They are now in the bookcase in his library for all to see. No pictures were allowed inside the house but you can see all of the others I took.

Tonight we go to Nashville Nightlife Theatre dinner show presenting songs from Hank Williams Sr, Patsy Cline, Conway Twitty, Shania Twain and Garth Brooks.

March 23, 2010.

Nashville, Tennessee, here we come! Left Chattanooga at 11:30 A.M. and drove around Lookout Mountain several times to go over it crossing Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama several times. The roads here are a 5% grade and the diesel hums right over those mountains. "It ain't seen nothing yet!" I'm glad Jimmy"s driving at this point.
Middle Tennessee is full of bright green rolling hills on both side of the highway with daffodils blooming everywhere! The grass in even growing inside the woods. We are 30 miles outside of Nashville and the road is a newly paved 4 lane highway each way. Forsythia is in full bloom. Our campsite is #128 in Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park. It's 70 outside and found a
Costco in a new Target shopping center on the west side of town that is huge!
Tonight at the Grand Ole Opry we saw Jimmy Dickens, Jack Green, Trace Adkins and 3 new groups that were handed their awards for the best new groups- Luke Bryan with 'Do You?', Joey and Rory with a bluegrass flavor to their music, and Glorianna-an extremely young hip group.

March 22, 2010.

Getting ready to take a road trip from St. Johns, Florida to Emigrant, Montana is equivalent to packing up your house to move. Lots of items are needed for the next 5 months of travel. Clothing needs encompass winter, spring and summer. The car and the RV both need service checks before traveling these long distances. The tires only had 75 # of air pressure and needed 110#! No wonder it was a little hard to handle.
5:30 A.M. feels like the middle of the night! Neither of us slept well because of sore muscles from loading the RV. Both of us had trouble falling asleep due to our minds being in "the checklist" mode, mentally checking off our embarkation list ensuring we haven't forgotten anything.
0 miles at 6:28 A.M.- Emigrant, Montana we're on our way! First stop is Chattanooga, Tennessee. It's been a slow chilly rain most of the day. The Welcome Center for Georgia just south of Valdosta was a walking break . 80 miles later it's green grass and huge dogwood trees in full bloom! They certainly do not grow St. Augustine grass because it would be dead! We stopped at Smyrna, Ga to fill up on diesel, get coffees and change to warmer clothes. These are the foothills of the Appalachians with lots of dogwoods blooming in the woods. Lookout Mountain KOA is actually in Ringgold, Ga not Tennessee and is literally 300 yards off the interstate. It's a nice campground; don't hear the highway, but there's a large doberman in the Phaeton RV beside us barking all of the time! Chattanooga has a well kept National Cemetary with WWI, WWII, Korean, Vietnam and Persian War casualties. Just beside this is a James R. Mapp State Office Building.
James R. Mapp used to also work for the railroad. Warehouse Row has an old Knitting Mill turned into an Antique store. We bought 2 old books.
It is now "early to bed, early to rise" to get on the road again.