Oh my, I need to catch up - 4

Santa Fe Trail - October 9 - 12
  I didn't travel far each day because I stopped at monuments, statues, and museums.  I had a glorious time learning the history of the SFT and envisioning the travels of the merchants and, later, the settlers.  I was off the interstate and driving through prairies and towns that were significant to the SFT for some reason.  Some of the forts, which had protected the travelers, were closed because of the government shut-down.  I got to see plenty, though.  There were areas where wagon ruts and swales could be seen. I was able to have dinner in an inn and tour houses that still exist.  I arrived at Santa Fe.  There was no fanfare, but I had a feeling of accomplishment.  I have pictures of the monuments that mark the beginning and the end of the trail (and about 200 of everything in between).

Oh my, I need to catch up - 3

Independence, MO
     I left the Omaha area and went to my brother's.  I had visited here in the spring, also, but since I was fairly close, he asked me to help with a 3-day yard sale.  During that time, our sister also came for a visit. I stayed for a week, because, while not doing the yard sale, I wanted to visit historic sights along the Santa Fe Trail.  The beginning of the SFT is east of Independence.  Using a guide, I chose the sights I wanted to see and my brother drove me in his covered wagon- the Rav4.  The Trail also went through  Independence and the Kansas City area.  For three days we saw the sights and then I headed out in my own covered wagon - Sunseeker (Sunny).

Oh my, I need to catch up - 2

Nebraska
      After the family history tour, I traveled for three days to Nebraska.  One evening I stopped in the Flying J truckstop in Davenport, IA.  I was able to have dinner that night with a young man from my church in PA.  It was a very pleasant time to learn about his new job with John Deere.
      From there I made it to the church camp outside Omaha, NE, at which I had volunteered in the spring.  My daughter came on Amtrak to meet me there.  We enjoyed the camp's several activities.  We tried the nine acre corn maze several times, once in the dark.  We jumped on the jumping pillow and even.......did the zipline.  Yep,  I was terrified, but I did it and lived to tell about it.
     We then met my brother in Omaha for a chance to visit and then be closer to Amtrak for the 5:00am departure.   What another great time!
     

Oh my, I need to catch up. 1

Ohio - September 20
     I went to Gurnsey County Ohio to participate in a family reunion.  It was a family history tour set up by my cousin.  My sister has done extensive research into our geneogly and my cousin caught the 'bug' and has worked on it also.  The two created a great glimpse into the history of my mother's father's line of ancestry.   The dozen of us went to the gravesite of the immigrant to America along that line and then visited areas and houses in which the decendents of that man lived.  We heard stories about the ancestors and learned some family trivia.  There was even an unexpected 'find' along the way.  We were invited to see the actual deed to the land one ancestor was issued in 1829, signed by Andrew Jackson.  It had been found in the house near where we visited.  The present owner (not related to us)  had found it in the wall when they renovated.  They invited us to see it and even showed us the remaining foundation of the original home.
     It was a wonderful weekend with the opportunity to see each other and to learn more about our roots.