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Traveling the country, United States

Wednesday, June 01, 2011

Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum

Wednesday, June 1

Up early, have breakfast, take a "Navy" shower (we don't have sewers at our site so we have to conserve), get dressed and head into Abilene, KS.  Our destination today is the Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home of Dwight D Eisenhower. We are camped about 15-20 miles east of Abilene.  The campgrounds in Abilene didn't get good reviews so we decided to stay here.  Anyway, the drive was short and we were able to quickly locate the Library.  Abilene isn't a really big city so we basically just got off the Interstate and headed south. 

When you first arrive it is recommended that you first visit the Visitor's Center and gift shop.  They play a movie that we missed viewing.  We paid to visit the Boyhood Home and the Museum.  Wednesday is a special rate of $5 per person for the Museum and the House is $2.  Everything in the house is original to the family.  Since nobody other than the family has lived there everything inside was theirs. 


I was surprised to see that the Master bedroom had twin beds in it. 



Tours are no longer given of the second story.  I didn't ask why but I assume it has to do with safety. 

When we left the house it was raining really hard so we walked quickly across the grounds to the Museum.  Inside is info on Eisenhower's military career as well as his time in the White House and his life after the Presidency.  We spent a few hours in here looking at the various exhibits.  You cannot use flash so some of the pictures I took are a little blurry.  This table is the actual one used to plan the D-Day invasion. 



When we left the Museum the rain had stopped but it was warm and muggy.  Across the way was the Library.  This building is where people can access the Presidential papers, do research and hold meetings. 

The last building on the grounds is the Place of Meditation.  This is the final resting place of Dwight D, Mamie and their first born son Doud Dwight Eisenhower.  It is a peaceful place. 


When we finished we were hungry as it was after 2:00 PM.  I asked in the Visitor's Center where they recommended for a late lunch, early dinner.  We were given directions to Joe Snuffy's Old Fashion Grill.  The building looked like an old bar but once inside it was more attractive.  We were both saying, "well, the locals recommended it" as we walked in.  As with other places we have been, 2:00 PM seems to be a closing time for restaurants.  Anyway, the food was good and we enjoyed it.  Bill had a hot roast beef sandwich that he said was really good.  It had chunks of roast beef instead of fine slices.  I had chicken fried chicken and it was tasty.  They didn't really have anything grilled or broiled.  I think that is going to be a problem as we travel.  (I am still losing weight though). 

After we finished our meal we decided to drive over to Fort Riley to try and find Custer House.  At one time it was thought this was the actual house George A Custer lived in while stationed here but it was later discovered that he lived in a nearby house that was not preserved.   The base doesn't have very good signage as we never did find it.  We did find the Exchange and I purchased a new camera.  We did a little grocery shopping at the Walmart between the base and the campground then went home. 

We did have a little excitement tonight.  We were watching the lightening and thunder when there was a knock at our door.  Turns out we were in the middle of a tornado warning.  Oh fun!  We got our shoes on and grabbed a jacket and headed to the shower house.  There we met up with the campground workers and another family that was camping in one of the other loops.  Luckily the warning was soon cancelled and we were able to return to our rig.  We will have rain and possible hail for the rest of the night.   So far all we have seen is rain.  We are keeping an eye on the weather and an ear tuned to the radio.  We will be fine. 

Updated the next morning -
I have one thing to say - GET ME THE HECK OUT OF KANSAS!  Around midnight last night I woke up to strong winds and rain.  After checking the NOAA website and listening to the radio we discovered we were in a strong thunderstorm and flash flood.  They were advising people in mobile homes to go somewhere else so we got up, put some clothes on and drove back to the shower house.  The winds were being forcast at 70mph but we never saw any of those.  The camp host came by and told us it had passed.  So much for getting a good nights sleep tonight.  I think I prefer earthquakes to this weather.  We are fine, no damage, just a little waterlogged.  Today we move into Independance, MO.  I hope the weather is better.



So that is all for now.  Enjoy the pictures. 


1 comment:

Rose L said...

Didn't I say tornados?!!!! Isn't this the season for them back there???? Camp close to places to go to in case....