Marysville, Kansas

 On Tuesday, I visited the Pony Express Home Station in Marysville, KS, This was the first station west of St. Joseph, MO, where a rider could get some sleep while passing the mail onto another rider who would continue the journey. The young rider had already changed horses about 10 times. In ten days, the mail would make it to Sacramento, CA by horseback and then by boat to San Francisco.
The Pony Express operation only lasted 18 months, as the transcontinental telegraph was completed by late 1961, soon to be followed by the transcontinental railroad.
The Pony Express charged $5 per half-ounce in 1860, about $85 in today's money. That sure makes our current postage seem like a real bargain. 
 Warmest regards, Gus

Oberlin, Kansas

 Last weekend, I was in Oberlin, KS, a nice little County Seat in Northwestern Kansas. We had planned to stay one or two nights, but decided to stay longer when I learned there was going to be an antique tractor and car show.
In this first picture, the farmers are using an old tractor to power the corn sheller.
In the next picture, Dana allowed me to sit in her 1967 Chevy Impala. She and her father own a number of Impalas and Steudebakers. They win many awards at the car shows.
I also got to ride the train that runs around the fairgrounds.
As a bonus for the weekend, there was a 400-mile long Treasure Hunt (yard sale) across U.S. Highway 36 in Kansas.

 Warmest regards, Gus

Rafters on the Arkansas Rive

 Yesterday on the train ride, I saw many rafters taking advantage of a beautiful day on the Arkansas River.
Warmest Regards, Gus

Fire Damage at Royal Gorge

 This is extent of the fire damage that is visible from the train in the Royal Gorge. The fire, however, did extensive damage to the area, and has had a major economic impact on the tourist season in Canon City and surrounding areas.
Warmest regards, Gus
P.S. I met some very nice people from Indiana on the train yesterday; I hope they had a safe trip after the weekend.

Royal Gorge Railroad

 Yesterday I rode the Royal Gorge Railroad from Canon City along the Arkansas River and under the Royal Gorge Bridge. In this first picture, you can see the bridge overhead as viewed from the train. The fire this summer caused a little bit of damage to the bridge and we could see some of the burn damage to vegetation on top of the canyon walls.
In the second picture, I am relaxing in the coach on the return trip to Canon City.
Warmest regards, Gus