Saturday, September 21, 2013

Southwest Tour, Tuesday Again


                                             Wind farm--note Kansas sky!
 
We pointed ourselves to the Kansas route for going home. We stopped at Liberal to visit the Air Museum there. It is a good one but this was our third time. I passed on going in, but DH enjoyed himself once more. I read and waited patiently, shopped in their little gift shop.
 

Then it was on to Meade, Kansas. We had been through this town several times and never hit it right for visiting the Dalton Gang hideout. This time things were just right to enjoy this a highlight, and the experience was enhanced by visiting with the Cowboy curator, Mark Ferguson. The house was built by John and Eva Whipple in the late 1890s. She was the Daltons' sister. There was a secret tunnel dug from inside the small house down to the horse barn for a fast get away. Eventually the locals began to suspect the Whipples of helping the gang and so the couple left the area. Of course, the Daltons met their end in Coffeyville, Kansas.
                             Tunnel from Dalton house to barn.
 
Dalton Hideout Curator Mark Ferguson
 
We went out of our way a tad to check out Dodge City. I had a bad image of modern Dodge, and while it has some shortcomings, the town does have a pretty and clean downtown area.                  

We drove on to Pratt for the night, then into Wichita, made the only antique mall stop of the trip, had lunch with my niece and supper with our son before going on the next day to visit our parents before arriving that night at our own welcomed bed. It was nearly 3000 miles...a longer than normal road trip!
                          Autumn shaded pottery bought at Earl's, Gallup

 

 

 

7 comments:

Sioux Roslawski said...

Claudia--It's great to travel, but to sleep in one's own bed is such a comfort...

Marylin Warner said...

I was familiar with everything but the Dalton gangs' house in Meade. Wonderful details, Claudia. I'm glad you've had a good trip and are posting again. I've missed seeing Kansas through your eyes!

Linda O'Connell said...

I am so thrilled to have taken this trip "with" you. I loved seeing the house with the tunnel. You do such interesting things!

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

Thanks for the info about the Dalton House. That's so cool! No I must Google to supplement my meager knowledge of the gang. :)

Mary Horner said...

Thanks for sharing this wonderful trip. I love this part of the country and really enjoyed reading about your adventures. I too, am going to read up on the Dalton House!

Donna Volkenannt said...

Your posts about your travels are so vivid. Thanks for being so generous sharing your travel experiences with those of us who wish we were there.

Susan said...

Nice that you had dinner with loved ones, Claudia. That must have been a fun part of the trip. Susan