Saturday, August 14, 2010

Backing up, getting here from Wisconsin

This was our welcome to Kirksville, Mo. We lived here in 1960-1962 (I think)

To get to Kirksville, we left Wisconsin in a rain and wind storm. Most of the driving was in the rain.
It cleared up some so we could see the beautiful farm land. I liked this Barn Sherry caught. Typical barn, Why was a lot of barns RED?

We crossed the Mississippi River into Iowa.

Again the weather cleared for awhile so we could see the lush farm lands of Iowa. Fields, hundreds of acres, of corn.

Then we headed South into Missouri and the land became more wooded and pasture land. More Haying is done here, eventhough they still plant a whold lot of grain. This is US63 it is a good road most of the way. The first fifty miles were a little rough but the rest was great. We had one detour, but we got to see the little town that way.





This was a treasure for us. Catching the Amish after church on Sunday having their time of fun and fellowship. I learned something here. I always pictured the horses still hitched to the wagons and buggies during church services. They weren't. Allthe horses were unharnessed and staked. I guess the horses got to fellowship also.


This was typical land we drove through to reach Missouri.





US63 Still straight ahead.




An Amish buggy, they have already dismissed and heading home from another church service.


After pulling into Greentop, Mo. This was our eening show. a Beautiful sky.





One of the first places we went after touring Kirksville, was the small town of Novinger. This was my first intro duction to a mid western town 50 yrs ago. It had a saloon and wooden board walks.





The town has deteriorated more than any we saw. This was the Saloon. You can barely read it on the window.


The red building was a neat small white church we attended for awhile.




This is just across the street from the red building. Looks pitiful, what a difference a short 50 yrs makes, huh?




Then back to Kirksville, This is the hospital where Sherry gave birth to Mark our youngest. It is being Razed, we caught it just in time. The part where Mark was born has already been hauled off. I was going to go in to see if they took returns, shoot. Anyway this spot is in the middle of the Truman University Campus. So, Mark can say he was born on a University Campus.


We are now gone from Kirksville, we could not find our old Trailer Park. A new electronics manufacturing business is in the area now. It was hard to re adjust to the changes in such a short time. haha.

7 comments:

Lucy said...

Wow, you really get around. Changed a little huh. You must be getting good reception now.

Ally Lifewithally said...

Lovely entry and I enjoyed looking at your photographs each one tells a story ~ thanks for letting me ride along with you both ~ Ally x

Fred Alton said...

Jack, the old red barns were painted at first with red because that was the cheapest paint available! Other advantages were that red paint had ferrous oxide (rust) in it which cured the wood and made it water-resistant and added that rust-red color. (If that is not true, I still think it makes sense.)

You KNOW Mark is too valuable for the hospital trade-back program anyhow! They could not come up with enough money to suit you.

I loved that picture of Novinger! It so reminded me of what Lacoochee, FL looked like about 60 years ago.

Woody said...

I have to agree with Fred Alton on why Barns are Red, A lot of the Red Pigment for the barn paint came from Pennsylvania.
You didn't make any mention about being in the Great Cheese State or if you taste tested any cheese's!! Still following yer travels.
Keep er between the Fence Posts!
Take Care
Gary & Anna Mae

Paula said...

Humm now we know why barns were usually painted red. I love blogging because I learn things.

shirl72 said...

Paula is right we learn things from reading
blogs. Glad you made it to Missouri. If they
will take a trade I will see If I can ship
Mark by UPS. Hope he does not read this blog
or he will be mad as all of us. This will be
a chance for him to travel. Glad you are having
fun being with old friends.

Shirl

Rose said...

I often wondered why all barns were painted red and now I know. So, why are all or most churches painted white? Purity comes to mind but I'd like your view.

Loved the photos........amazing country! I feel like I'm sitting in the back seat with you guys traveling all over the place. Thanks!

Hugs, Rose