Chimney Rock

We visited chimney rock today in western Nebraska. Well visited meaning drove down a dirt road next to it to get some cool pictures. Very unique and easy to tell why the pioneers used it as a landmark, because you can see it from far away and definately know its chimney rock!!! 

The Archway

We got a nice little history lesson at this unique museum!! The archway is a museum that arches over I-80. You walk around from room to room with a headset that picks up the new story whenever you walk somewhere new. Very cool and realistic exhibits!! Learned about pioneers traveling on the different trails like the Oregon and also the 49ers. It showed you history all the way until the 60s. Had lots of fun here!!! 

A window looking out over the highway.

Dad getting into the 50s!!

The Pony Express.

The outside of the museum. 

Brown v Board of Education

Brown v Board of Education is inside of an old elementary, Monroe elementary. The inside looks just like an elementary school from the posters on the wall, to the tiny water fountains to the bathrooms that say "boys" and "girls". Very good exhibit!!  

Fort Riley

We stopped by Fort Riley in Kansas. Very cool architecture and awesome US cavalry mueseum!! Home to the 1st infantry division the Big Red 1. 

Fort Larned

We stopped by Fort Larned in Larned, Kansas. It was very well preserved and had a bunch of supplies to look at. It really took you back to what it used to be like in the old military. We were the only people there on the whole site (other than rangers) so that added to the fun experience!

There was writing in the walls and we found this that said Helena!

Helena, Oklahoma

We made sure to stop by Helena, Oklahoma on our way to Kansas. There we learned about J-turning and to look out for signs!

Kansas Ain't Flat

The moment we got into Kansas I noticed all the color and beautiful hills. Definitely not what you would expect...

KANSAS!!!!

The Big, Scary, Smelly Well

Our next destination was in Greensburg, Kansas. It was the Big Well, the world's largest hand-dug well at a total of 109 feet deep. I got to (was forced to) walk down into the well. Basically you are walking down these stairs and it keeps getting darker as you go deeper along with the worsening odor. I made the trek down the stairs alone as my dad stood at the top of the well with his camera. When I got to the last step I noticed all the safety equipment which I assume is for if someone falls down into the well. I was down in a cold, dark, smelly well and I was scared. Pretty much after my dad took the pictured I sprinted back up the stairs.

Looking down into the well.

 

Last stop in Oklahoma

We started day two by going to "The Sod House" in Aline, Oklahoma. It's the last remaining sod house in Oklahoma. Sod, by the way, means dirt. Its basically a really old house made out of mud. Surprisingly, it was actually pretty big.

Inside one room of the sod house. The cloth on the ceiling is to make sure no snakes or bugs fall on you...

One side of the sod house.

Chisholm Trail

Today we also saw the Chisholm Trail. The trail was used so much the ground was worn down. There were cows!!!

Oklahoma City National Memorial and Muesuem

The moment we drove into Oklahoma I saw the red and orange leaves. It looked so beautiful and it actually looked like autumn! We drove and drove until we got to Oklahoma City. We went to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. This a memorial for all the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing. The memorial includes 168 chairs (see in pictures) for all of the victims which is called the Field of Empty Chairs. There are also two enormous gates. On the first one it says 9:01 and on the second it says 9:03. This is because the bombing occurred at 9:02, the first one represents the innocence of the city before the attack and the second one represents the moment Oklahoma (and the rest of the country) was changed forever. In the middle is a reflecting pool which sadly wasn't full due to maintenance. There was also a tree called the Survivor Tree which is a 90+ year old American Elm that survived the bombing. The memorial was overall really well put together. Inside the museum, you go through a timeline of what happened on April 19, 1995. It shows you maps of the buildings and some of the survivors stories.

a prayer painted on the side of a building buy a rescue team member

The Beginning

    My journey began today at 6:40 am. It was the moment my dad and I have been waiting for since summer. The maps were highlighted, the car was filled, and the travelers were filled with excitement. Our adventure was about to begin. It seemed surreal. 

In just a few days Marina will begin updating this blog with her photos, musings and observations of her carschooling trip across America.  I'm sure it will be very entertaining as well as informative...