Hannibal, Missouri

 Last week I was in Hannibal, MO, and visited the boyhood home of Samuel Clemons (Mark Twain). Twain lived in the house behind this fence from the time he was about four years old until he was 17. I did not pay to whitewash the fence!!

Davenport, Iowa

 I went for a bike ride today along the Mississippi River in Davenport, Iowa, with cousins Jim and Pat. This tug boat and barges were near the bank, waiting to go through the locks.
I had a great time in Dubuque the last few days, meeting many of Jim's classmates from the class of 1963 at Loras College.
Warmest regards, Gus

Amish Country in Iowa

Today I spent some time in the Oelwein, Iowa, area, and visited the Amish country. They seem to take good care of their horses.
Warmest regards, Gus

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.