Category: Travel across the U.S. with HorseTail Legacy LLC Blog

Follow us as we travel across the U.S. with an American Quarter Horse named Irish. The journey will be a modern day version of the pioneers trek to discover this great country. What better way than to do it with America’s horse. Check in often to see all the great place we visit like National and State Parks as well as unique regional attraction.

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Things To Do Near Tulsa, Oklahoma

Giraffe at Tulsa Zoo

While visiting the Tulsa, Oklahoma area I was able to enjoy many of the cultural and historical attractions. Including: Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa Zoo, Oklahoma Aquarium, Heart of Route 66 Museum, and the Sapulpa Historical Museum.

 

Philbrook Museum of Art

The Philbrook Museum of Art is located in Tulsa, Ok opened to the public on October 25, 1939. . The historic 1920’s villa of Waite and Genevieve Phillips and its surrounding 25 acres of gardens are the perfect back drop to showcase the museum’s collections. Located in downtown Tulsa, OK there is a branch of the Philbrook Museum of Art which can be visited on the same day for one admission.

The Italian Renaissance villa is a work of art in and of itself. The main rooms of the house feature travertine and marble fireplaces, a double staircase with stained glass windows, ornate vaulted ceilings painted with Italian Renaissance designs and large windows looking out to the formal gardens.

The permanent collection includes European, American, Native American, Modern African, Asian pieces as well as antiquities.

There are formal and informal gardens that invite you to enjoy a relaxing stroll. Throughout the gardens there are sculptures and plantings that draw you through to keep discovering the beauty that is just around the bend.

The Philbrook Museum offers a varied collection of art in an architecturally interesting building that will please the serious art lover and the casual visitor. I personally enjoyed the building, gardens, sculptures and antiquities the most. http://philbrook.org/

 

Tulsa Zoo

Statue of Tigers at the Tulsa Zoo
Statue of Tigers at the Tulsa Zoo

The Tulsa Zoo focus has been on, family friendly recreation, natural sciences education and supporting the conservation of wildlife for the last 90 years. The zoo is located in Mohawk Park owned by the city of Tulsa and is one of the largest city parks in the United States.

The exhibits in the zoo are more than just the animals. They are the habitat and the kinds of animals that live there. Many of the exhibits contain multiple animals living together just as they would in the wild. In addition to that there are daily keeper talks about the animals that server to engage and educate the visitors. Truly, the animals are the main reason to visit the zoo so here are a few of the amazing and majestic animals that make the Tulsa Zoo home. https://tulsazoo.org

Oklahoma Aquarium

Is located on the banks of the Arkansas River in Jenks, OK. The Aquarium finally opened to the public on May 28, 2003 after 19 years of work to build support to bring Dr. P.R. Ramey and Doug Kemper idea to life. There are exhibits that focus on invertebrates, Oklahoma species, Ozark habitats, coral reefs, and sharks. Having an undergraduate degree in zoology with a focus on ocean invertebrates and their habits made a visit to the Oklahoma Aquarium like having a flash back to my college days when I studied on the coral reefs and the intertidal zones of the Atlantic Ocean. The mix of local species and ocean habit made the Oklahoma Aquarium a great spot to visit. https://www.okaquarium.org/

Heart of Route 66 Museum

Heart of Route 66 Museum was born on August of 2016 when a group of “car guys” combine with a Sapulpa, OK, located on the “Mother Road” known as Route 66 to create a car museum. In 2012 Richard Holmes and a group of car enthusiasts started the Tulsa Auto Museum Group, with the purpose of finding a location in Tulsa County for an antique car museum. After four years of searching they almost gave up on the dream when, Tim Dye, curator of the Pontiac Museum in Pontiac, IL called Richard Holmes telling him about the city of Sapulpa, OK old decommissioned armor. After looking at the space they determined it was what they were looking for and they changed their name to Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum.

Currently the museum has a rotating antique car collection. This is due to private collectors allowing their cars to be on display. They also have an exhibit that pays homage to Route 66 and what it meant in the past and what it means today. Before you even enter the museum the 66-foot-tall gas pump sits out in front, just asking you to stop and enjoy the all the amazing antique cars that are on display. https://www.heartofroute66.org/

Sapulpa Historical Museum

In 1968 a group of people wanted to preserve the history of the city that was once called “Crossroads of America”. It was given that distinction because the Highway 66 running east – west and Highway 75 running north – south intersected in Sapulpa, OK. Even before the highways were built, Sapulpa already had a firm place in U.S. history.  Sapulpa history started with the Louisiana Purchase Treaty, dated April 30, 1803. But the Indian Removal Act of 1830 followed by the relocation Native American tribes to the area in 1836 and 1837 brought with it an influx of people and traders. The city got its name from on Creek tribesman named Sapulpa.

In the early 1880s, the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad built a spur from Tulsa to the area to transport walnut logs to Eastern markets. Sapulpa befriended the railroad workers, and they began calling this village “Sapulpa Station.” In 1898 Sapulpa was chartered as a town.

Today the museum honors the history of the area and its people with interesting displays that depict life in Sapulpa, OK from the early days as a territory to present day. They do offer guided tours of the museum which is always a great way to learn about the exhibit and local area. http://www.sapulpahistoricalsociety.com/

I hope you enjoyed learning about Tulsa, OK and the surrounding cities. Be sure to share this post with all your friends on Facebook and Instagram.

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Things to Do in Northern Texas

Things to Do in Northern Texas

Dwight David Eisenhower’s Birth Place Denison, Texas

Eisenhower Birth Place Home
Eisenhower Birth Place Home

On October 14, 1890 in Denison, TX the 34th President of the United States was born to David Jacob and Ida Elizabeth Stover Eisenhower. Many years later, a local school principal named Jennie Jackson remembered those early days when President Eisenhower lived in Denison as a baby. She went about preserving the modest two-story home of one of the 20th century’s greatest Presidents.  The home is furnished with antiques that are representative of how people lived during that time period.

Eisenhower graduated from West Point in 1915 and soon after he married Mamie Doud. They had two sons Doud and John. During World War II he was appointed as the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. During the 1940s he was involved in many military actions oversea. From 1951-1952 he was the Supreme Commander of NATO.

In 1953, Eisenhower became the first Republican president to be elected in 20 years. His presidential term was from 1953 – 1961. He had many achievements during his time in office, but one of the most memorable was when he signed the Civil Rights Act of 1957. This was followed by Army troops being sent into Little Rock, Arkansas to enforce the federal court order that integrated schools.  As the United States entered the space race, Eisenhower established NASA to propel the country into the future.

During the cold war Eisenhower’s agreement to an armistice helped end the Korean War. He also authorized the CIA to take action to overthrow unfriendly governments. His national security policy of using strategic nuclear weapons to deter threats from the Warsaw Pact Nations helped preserve anti-communist governments.

The visitors center has many displays that chronicles Eisenhower’s amazing contributions to the country throughout his life. For more information click this link http://www.thc.texas.gov/historic-sites/eisenhower-birthplace-state-historic-site

Tales and Trails Museum Nocona, Texas

The Museum opened in 2010 and houses a regional collection of Native American and European trade goods donated by the Joe Benton family. The collection tells the story of the Montague County area of Texas. The early Indian tribes of the Taovayas, Kiowa, Wichita, Caddo, Pawnee, Nocona, and Comanche made the area home for many years before the arrival of the white man.

After the European settlers came to the area, the open prairie gave way to Texas Longhorns being driven to Kansas along the Chisholm Trail. The area’s agriculture was dominated by cotton until the boll weevil destroyed the crops. Cotton was replaced by wheat as the major cash crop for the area.

Once the railroad came to Nocona things really began to change. H.J. Justin started the Justin Boot Company. Later the company left the area and H.J. Justin’s daughter Enid started the Nocona Boot company.  Nocona Athletic Goods under the trademark “Nokona” invented the modern-day pointed-end football.

As with many areas of the country, the discovery of Oil in 1922 changed the very makeup of the area. The North Field is still producing oil today. With the discovery of the Barnett Shale formation the area has become a producer of natural gas.

The Tales and Trails Museum has a great collection, that truly depicts the changes that occurred to fabric and culture of Texas over the centuries. For more information click on this link http://www.talesntrails.org/about-us.html

Perrin Air Force Base Historical Museum Denison, Texas

Perrin Air Force Base was named after Lieutenant Colonel Elmer Daniel Perrin from Borne, TX.

The base was in operation from 1941 through 1971. During that time, it was used as a testing station for new ideas and the training of pilots by the United States Air Force. The aircrafts the pilots  trained on include: as B-13’s, AT-6’s, B-26’s, T-33’s, F-86’s (D’s and L’s) as well as the Delta Wing F-102 Delta Daggers and a few T106’s the Delta Dart

The goals set forth for the museum was to collect and preserve memorabilia from the time that Perrin Air Force Base was in operation. Maintaining fellowship and community outreach is also important to the group. The first museum was opened on February 14, 2004 with these simple goals in mind. They continue to expand and improve their collection of donated items.

When you first drive up to the museum you will see an F86 airplane that looks like it is taking to the skies. This only sets the stage for what is to come inside the museum. Any military history lover will be impressed with the extensive collection found in the Perrin Air Force Base Historical Museum.

For more information click on this link http://perrinafbhistoricalmuseum.org

Blue Ostrich Winery and Vineyard Saint Jo, Texas

The family owned winery and vineyard offers a picturesque setting to relax and enjoy tasting wine with the makers. They produce a nice range of red and white wines to suite the tasted of both the sweet and dry wine lovers. When visiting the tasting room and learning about the wines you can tell it truly is a labor of love for this farming family.

 

 

After the tasting we sat on the porch overlooking the vineyard before we took a stroll over to visit two of the seven ostriches that make the vineyard home. Grapes and wine making are enjoying an upturn in the Red River Valley of Texas and we are glad we got to experience it firsthand.

For more information click on this link http://www.blueostrich.net/index.php

Dallas Heritage Village at Old City Park

“The mission of Dallas Heritage Village is to collect, preserve, and teach the history of Dallas and North Central Texas. Located in historic Old City Park, the museum uses its collections of historic buildings and furnishings, representing the period 1840-1910, to sponsor research, publications, and exhibits, and to present educational programs and special events for diverse audiences of children, families, and adults.”

 

 

 

The living history museum was started in 1969 when the Millermore House was moved to the City Park in an effort to give the Old City Park a chance at a new life.

Since that time the village has acquired 21 buildings as well as memorabilia from the Dallas area. The village offers a unique experience to its visitors. As you walk around you are transported to an earlier time in Dallas history. You can see how people lived and worked and see the growth of the area once the railroad came. We were able to talk to the black smith and the gardener as well as other volunteers that are stationed in different buildings throughout the park. I would say a visit to the Dallas Heritage Village at Old City Park is a must do for anyone visiting the Dallas area. For more information click on this link  http://www.dallasheritagevillage.org/

Perot Museum of Nature and Science

The museum provides children and adults with a wide range of hands- on activities, films and live science demonstrations that are designed to inspire and amaze. The goal of the museum is to inspire the next generation of explorers and scientists with the permanent and special exhibits throughout the museum. There is so much to see and do you will be amazed by how much your children can learn about science, math and technology while having fun doing it.

While we were at the museum we visited:

  • The Rees-Jones Foundation Dynamic Earth Hall. Here we experienced an earthquake. We also were able to learn about weather patterns and how they are affected by the earth, air and water.
  • The Discovering Life Hall takes you on a tour of how the earth ecosystems support and transform life.
  • The Being Human Hall has many interactive exhibits that allow you to see how the human body works.
  • Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hall has a wide verity of crystals and minerals with its largest being that of Alien Eye fluorites know as “The Eyes of Africa”
  • Boone Pickens Life Then and Now Hall contains dinosaurs, fossils, and paleo-habitats to inspire the next generation of archeologists.
  • Texas Instruments Engineering and Innovation Hall has many interactive exhibits from programing 3D animation to robot racing. Every station is designed to allow the visitor to see real life examples of engineering.

For more information click on this link http://www.perotmuseum.org/

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Ohio and Its Heritage

Ohio and Its Heritage

Honda Heritage Center

Honda Motor Company was founded by Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa in 1949 as a motorbike company.

It wasn’t until the 1960’s that the company started producing small cars. With the development of the Civic in 1973 Honda solidly enter the auto market.

The Honda Heritage Center located in Marysville, OH showcases the company’s history, as well as the challenges it has overcome to make a positive impact on the automotive industry. Over the years Honda has strived to make their vehicles more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly. They have worked by the motto “We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children.” https://ohio.honda.com/our-planet

A tour of the Honda Heritage Center takes you through the timeline of some of the vehicles that have made Honda a leader in the industry. Through it all the underlying focus has been to build a better engine to meet the needs of their customer and the environment. Honda had its start in motorbikes and racing but continues to set its sights on the future of not only the automobile but every aspect of transportation including flight.

Even if you are not a car buff, a visit to the Honda Heritage Center is must if you are in the Marysville, OH area.

Union County Ohio Courthouse

The Italianate and Second Empire architectural style building was designed by David W. Gibbs and was dedicated as the courthouse in Marysville, OH on January 27, 1883. The outside of the building is impressive with its brick and stone facade sitting up on a hill. There are also areas around the building that honor the men and women that served their country and community. The interior of the building is quite plain compared to the exterior but has be restored to preserve the history of the building. This is a nice stop if you like history and architecture.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_County,_Ohio

Nash House in Delaware, OH

The Italianate brick home was first owned by Thomas and Mina Slattery in 1878. After Mina Slattery death, the home was sold to William Henry and Emiline Nash in 1885. The home remained in the Nash family for 70 years until Paulina Nash donated the building to The Delaware County Historical Society. Today the home and adjoining building house a collections of home furnishings, period pieces and accessories that belonged to the Nash family during the time they lived in the home.

There is also a research area for people to use to learn more about the history of Delaware County and its residents. One of the volunteers gave us a guided tour of the home and pointed out many of the locally made furnishings throughout the home. If you love antiques a visit to the Nash house is a real treat. http://www.delawareohiohistory.org/?page_id=49

Myers Inn Museum in Sunbury, OH

Myers Inn
Myers Inn

The Myers Inn was the one room home of Lawrence Myers from around 1816. By 1820 he had added a two-story stage coach inn to the building. The buildings were enclosed into one building in 1825. A balcony was added by Jeduthan Skeels in 1870. Around the turn of the century Hosea Hopkins purchased the property and it became known as the Hopkins House. In 1974 the property was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today the building is owned by the Big Walnut Area Historical Society.

 

 

 

Inside the Myers Inn Museum is a wide collection of items depicting the history of Sunbury, OH. There is a display of civil war items as well as the information about General William S. Rosecrans a native of Delaware County Ohio. Rosecrans graduated from West Point Military Academy in 1842 and later returned there as a professor of engineering. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Rosecrans

The original section of the home is now restored to how it must have looked when Lawrence Myers first moved in. On the second floor, there are additional displays about how people came to lived and worked in the area. Sunbury, OH was founded by people leaving the taxation practices of the State of Pennsylvania. The town was a stage coach stop and the center of life in and around Delaware County Ohio. The area was also the first place to have R.D.F postal delivery in the United State. We were fortunate to have a guided tour of the building and the collection by one of the volunteers that works at the museum. The Big Walnut Area Historical Society have done a great job restoring the Myers Inn and preserving the history of Sunbury, OH. http://www.bigwalnuthistory.org/

I hope you have enjoyed this post about Ohio and will share it with your friends.

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Iowa and The Mississippi River

Things to do in Iowa Along the Mississippi River

The Quad City region along the Mississippi River is made up of four counties located in Northwest Illinois and Southeastern Iowa. The area is rich with the history of life along the river as the area grew and changed to match the economic and cultural need of the people that made it home.

Davenport, Iowa

Davenport, Iowa is a metropolitan city with an urban center surrounded by clusters of residential communities. Davenport is the largest city bordering the Mississippi that does not have any permanent flood walls or levees. The open access to the parks and river are preferred over flood control. Davenport’s Skybridge located next to the river and is 50 feet high 575 feet long was completed in 2005 to connect LeClaire Park to Rhythm City Casino. At night, the bridge is lit with multicolored lights. From the Skybridge there is a great view of Centennial Bridge and Lock and Dam No.15. that crossing over the Mississippi River. http://www.cityofdavenportiowa.com/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davenport,_Iowa

Vander Veer Botanical Park

Vander Veer Botanical Park was established in 1885 and is located on 33 acres in the Vander Veer section of Davenport. The park offers walking paths, gardens, play grounds and the conservancy. A nonprofit organization currently maintains the park and conservatory. The seasonally rotating display and the greenhouses are open to the public. The park is a relaxing oasis in the heart of the city. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vander_Veer_Botanical_Park

LeClaire, Iowa

Northeast of Davenport is the historic town of LeClaire, Iowa on the banks of the Mississippi River. The town’s motto is “It’s all there … In LeClaire”. LeClaire is the birth place of William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) and currently the home of Antique Archaeology, of the History Channel’s American Pickers fame. Like many small towns LeClaire has seen its ups and downs. Like the ever-changing flow of the Mississippi, LeClaire as continued to change to meet the needs of residents and visitor alike. Along the main street, music from speakers create an inviting feel as you walk past the small shops, restaurants, Green Tree Brewery, and Wide River Winery. We had a great day enjoying all this small town has to offer. http://www.visitleclaire.com/

Buffalo Bill Museum LeClaire, Iowa

The Buffalo Bill Museum is located right on the Mississippi River and house a unique collection of local artifacts depicting the heritage of the region.

Among the collection is a cross section of the “Green Tree Hotel” which really is the largest Rock Elm tree on record before the over 200-year-old tree had to be cut down in 1964 due to Dutch Elm Disease. The Lone Star Wooden Hull Steam-powered Paddle Wheel Riverboat Pilot, built in 1890 is on display. Professor James Ryan, the inventor of the flight recorder, seat belt, and crash bumpers for cars is from LeClaire is honored with a display. A model of the iron clad ships built by James Buchanan Eads, used in the civil war by the Union Army is on display. A stop here gives the visitor a real look back into life along the Mississippi River from days gone by. http://buffalobillmuseumleclaire.com/

John Deere Pavilion

Located across the river in Moline, IL is the John Deere Pavilion. In 1837 a blacksmith named John Deere saw the need for a better plow to cut through the hard-sticky soil of the area. To that end, he fabricated the first of the companies many agricultural, construction and forestry products. On display, are vintage tractors, concept machines, as well as state-of-the-art simulators for visitors to enjoy as they explore the pavilion. John Deere and his company have a never-ending drive to improve how we manage our natural resources in the best way possible. It is truly amazing how one man’s wish to make a better plow has led to giant combines that are guided by GPS.  https://www.deere.com/en/connect-with-john-deere/visit-john-deere/pavilion/

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South Dakota’s National Treasures

Things to Do in South Dakota

Mount Rushmore National MemorialMount Rushmore National Memorial Sign

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is located in the southwestern part of the Black Hills of South Dakota. Gutzon Borglum was the sculptor that designed the 60-foot-tall granite sculpture of the four presidents. From 1927 – 1941 there were 400 men and women working on the sculpture. Dynamite was used to carve 90% of the mountain. The remaining work was done by drilling holes close together in a honeycomb to weaken the granite so the carvers would use hand facers and bumper tools to even out the granite and create a smooth surface.

 

Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Mount Rushmore National Memorial

The four presidents in the memorial were chosen to represent important events in U.S. history. George Washington was father of the country and laid the foundation of American democracy. Thomas Jefferson represented the growth of the United States. Abraham Lincoln represented the preservation of the United States. Theodore Roosevelt represent the development of the United States.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is one of the places that represents America and what it stands for. From the simply elegant Avenue of Flags with all the state flags waving in the breeze. To the Grand Viewing Terrace on top of the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Cente,r a visit to Mount Rushmore is truly an American Treasure. https://www.nps.gov/moru/index.htm

Crazy Horse Memorial

Crazy Horse Memorial
Crazy Horse Memorial

Crazy Horse Memorial is located in the southwestern part of South Dakota’s Black Hills. The 6,532-foot pegmatite granite mountain was selected by Korczak Ziolkowski and Chief Henry Standing Bear as the site for the massive sculpture to be carved. Korczak arrived in the Black Hills on May 3, 1947 and continued to work on the project until his death on October 20, 1982.

 

 

 

 

“The Mission of Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation is to protect and preserve the culture, tradition and living heritage of the North American Indians. The Foundation demonstrates its commitment to this endeavor by following these objectives:

  • Continuing the progress on the world’s largest sculptural undertaking by carving a Memorial of Lakota leader Crazy Horse;
  • Providing educational and cultural programming to encourage harmony and reconciliation among all people and nations;
  • Acting as a repository for Native American artifacts, arts and crafts through the INDIAN MUSEUM OF NORTH AMERICA® and the NATIVE AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL & CULTURAL CENTER®;
  • Establishing and operating the INDIAN UNIVERSITY OF NORTH AMERICA®, and when practical, a medical training center for American Indians.” https://crazyhorsememorial.org/

 

Chief Henry Standing Bear was the Native American elder that saw the need for a memorial to honor the living heritage of the North American Indians. To that end, Chief Standing Bear enlisted the help of Korczak Ziolkowskie, an award-winning sculpture to bring the memorial to life.  Korczak arrived at Thunderhead Mountain to start the project that he would spend the next 36 years working on.

Chief Crazy Horse the Lakota warrior was chosen as the subject for the memorial because of how he defended his people and their way of life. In 1876, he and his Lakota warriors fought against Custer’s Seventh U.S. Cavalry in the battle of the Little Bit Horn and won. Than in 1877 under a flag of truce Crazy Horse was killed at Fort Robinson.

The mountain sculpture is the world’s largest with the face of Crazy Horse being 87.5 feet tall and the horse’s head being 219 feet tall. The memorial is more than the sculpture alone.

Planned Mountain Dimensions – geology of rock could be responsible for adjustments.

  • Entire Carving – 641 feet long
  • Entire Carving – 563 feet high
  • Crazy Horse’s Face – 87 feet, 6 inches (completed June 3, 1998)
  • Outstretched Arm – 263 feet
  • Opening under arm – 70 feet wide and 100 feet high
  • Hand – 25 feet high
  • Finger – 29 1/2 feet long
  • Horse’s Head – 219 feet high (22 stories)
  • Horse’s Mane – 62 feet high
  • Horse’s Ears – 54 feet long
  • Horse’s Eyes – 20 feet wide; 15 feet high
  • Horse’s Nostrils – 26-foot diameter

There is a large collection of Native American artifact in the museum. There is the sculptures studio and Native American cultural center. The privately funded Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation has created a place that not only honors the Native American people but also is a testament to the drive and perseverance of these truly visionary men.

Corn Palace

The world’s only Corn Palace is located in downtown Mitchell, SD. Since 1892 there has been three versions of the Corn Palace built to serve as a representation of the South Dakota’s healthy agricultural climate. The building serves as a gathering place for residents and is used to celebrate the harvest.

Every year the exterior murals are redesigned with a new theme. The murals are decorated with 13 different naturally colored corn as well as grains and native grasses to reflect that year’s theme.

The interior corn murals are never changed and tell the story of how the white man and Native Americans came to coexist on the plains of South Dakota. Not being from an agricultural background I had no idea what to expect before I went to the Corn Place. This one building was a unique combination of auditorium, art gallery and child discovery center. The Corn Palace is a place you never thought you would go to but once you have you are glad you experienced it. http://www.cornpalace.com/

 

Dakota Discovery Museum Mitchell, South Dakota

The Dakota Discovery Museum mission is to “preserve the past and inform the present by uniquely combining art and artifact to tell the story of this region in a manner that contributes to building the future of the people of the Dakotas.” This museum combines a history gallery, an art gallery, and a historic village into a comprehensive picture of life in the Dakotas.

The history gallery is full of displays that chronicle the history of the Dakotas from the Plains Indians to the 1930’s and the Great Depression.

There are three art Galleries that display art from Charles Hargens Jr. Oscar Howe and other displays of Great Plains art.

The historic village contains buildings such as the Dimock Railway Depot, the Farwell Methodist Church, the Sheldon Country School and the Beckwith House. All of these buildings have been moved to the property to preserve them. The Beckwith House is on the National Register of Historic Places and was once the home to one of the co-founders of the Corn Palace. The Dakota Discovery Museum does a great job of presenting all aspects of life on the plains of the Dakotas. https://www.dakotadiscovery.com/

Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home

The Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society is located in De Smet, SD. Aubrey Sherwood, Alice Kirchmeier, and Vera MCCaskell formed the society in 1957 to honor their friend Laura Ingalls Wilder. Since that time, they have been collecting Ingalls’ family belongings. With additional funding and support the organization acquired the Surveryors’ House, the House that Pa built and the first school that Laura attended.

Laura Ingalls Wilder was born in Wisconsin on February 7, 1867 and died in Missouri on February 10, 1957. The Little House books written by her chronicle the life and struggles of the Ingalls family as they try to make a home for themselves as homesteaders on the frontier. It wasn’t until 1932 that the first book “Little House in the Big Woods” was published.

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of the grounds and buildings owned by the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society. The tour guide was very informative and the collection of items and building served to further transport you into Laura Ingalls Wilders life. http://www.discoverlaura.org/welcome.html

Mitchell Prehistoric Indian VillageMitchell Prehistoric Indian Village

The Prehistoric Indian Village was discovered in 1910 by a student from Dakota Wesleyan University. It wasn’t until 1975 that the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village Preservation Society was formed. That same year the site was listed as a National Historic Landmark. The mission of the society is to “promote an understanding of the first people to inhabit in this region by developing, preserving and exhibiting a significant collection and archaeological site; by taking a leadership role in research and scholarship; by engaging and providing access for audiences from all nations; and by delivering innovative programs of benefit to the general public and community.” http://www.mitchellindianvillage.org/

The excavation that takes place in the Thomsen Center Archeodome have allowed researcher to learn about the people that lived in the area 1,100 years ago. They have found evidence of bison hunting, farming and earthen lodges built on a bluff overlooking the creek. It is believed that the people left the area once they no longer could find enough natural resources to sustain life in area. This active archaeological site was informative and served to show that basic human needs have not changed over time.

George and Eleanor McGovern Library

McGovern Library
McGovern Library

On the campus of Dakota Wesleyan University, the George and Eleanor McGovern Library was built in 2006. The building houses an exhibit that chronicles George and Eleanor McGovern’s’ lives from childhood through their years in public office. They both attended Dakota Wesleyan University and later George became a history professor. By 1956 George was elected to U.S. House of Representatives and in 1962 he was elected to U.S. Senate. In 1972, he was the Democratic Party’s’ presidential nominee against Richard Nixon. It was interesting to learn about a man that dedicated his life to benefiting others throughout his political career. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_McGovern https://www.librarything.com/venue/6098/George-and-Eleanor-McGovern-Library-Dakota-Wesleyan-University

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Wyoming, Discover All It Has to Offer

Things to do in Wyoming

Devils Tower National Monument 

Devils Tower National Monument
Devils Tower National Monument

Devils Tower National Monument is located in the Bear Lodge Mountains of northeastern Wyoming. The tower and the surrounding 1,153 acres was designated as the first national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt on September 24, 1906. Even before entering the park the tower is visible as it projects up from the relatively flat plains surrounding it. Devils Tower has inspired many people including explores, geologist, climbers, movie makers and Native Americans with its majestic presence.

There are three main geologic theories as to how Devils Tower was formed but all agree that the laccolithic butte was formed by intrusion of igneous material between other rock formations. Over time the tower was exposed by erosion of the surrounding sedimentary rock by wind and water. There are no other know formation like Devils Tower on the planet which adds to the overall significance of the tower and the surrounding area.

 

 

Prairie dog at Devils Tower
Prairie Dog

The plains area adjacent to the Belle Furche River is home to the parks’ Prairie Dog Town. The small light-brown rodents live in family groups called coterie. The coterie normally consists of one adult male multiple adult females and their offspring. They burrow into the ground creating an interconnecting network of tunnels over approximately an acre. Their primary food sources are grasses and flowering plants.

 

 

 

 

Many of the Native American tribes in the Great Plains and Black Hills regions view the tower as a secret place. The stories of how the tower came to be have been passed down throughout history. The area is still used for spiritual and traditional ceremonies.  The evidence of which can be seen by the many colorful prayer cloths and prayer bundles attached to trees around the park.

It wasn’t until June 28, 1937 that Devils Tower was climbed using traditional climbing techniques. Fritz Wiessner, Lawrence Coveney and William House were the first three people to make the climb. Today, the park averages 5,000 people a year that climb the tower. Some extreme climbers have even done the climb without ropes. While we were there we saw a few climbers on the face of the tower. However, we contented ourselves with the walking path at the base of the tower. https://www.nps.gov/deto/index.htm

Eagle Butte Coal Mine

Eagle Butte Coal Mine is located just north of Gillette, WY. This mine is currently operated by Alpha Natural Resources. The mine is an open pit, which means the coal is mined with trucks and shovels. In one year this mine produces 20 – 25 million tons of coal which is used primarily for domestic energy generation. The Eagle Butte Mine has received awards for its mining and reclamation efforts. We only went to the overlook to watch the massive trucks and shovels dig and transport the coal from the mine to the train loading operations. There are tours available that take you to the mine and explain the operations, we were unable to schedule a tour.   https://www.visitgillettewright.com/business/eagle-butte-coal-mine-overlook/

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle_Butte_Mine

Rockpile Museum Gillette, WY 

Since 1974 the Rockpile Museums’ mission is to serve as the local history center for residents and visitors to Campbell County Wyoming. After seeing the collections housed there I would say they are doing a great job fulfilling their mission. The collection is well organized and truly gives you a sense of Campbell County as it developed from a homesteading railway town to the current day coal mining producer. There are many exhibits depicting life in the area such as print shops, medical equipment, saddle making, homesteading, coal mining and the general workings of the area. We could have spent even more time than we did touring the museums’ collection but we ran out of time. https://www.ccgov.net/317/Rockpile-Museum

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Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National ParkYellowstone National Park Sign

Yellowstone National Park covers 3,468.4 square miles in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. On March 1, 1872 President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act that formally established the world’s first national park. It took the efforts of many explorers, writers and artists to convey the need to preserve the natural wonder of Yellowstone for the generations to come. The history of Yellowstone is preserved in the Albright Visitors Center near Mammoth Hot Springs and Fort Yellowstone.

 

The newly restored Albright Visitors Center has informative displays that chronicles the history of Yellowstone and the people that discovered the area and fought to preserve its beauty. The ongoing poaching and vandalism of the natural resources made it necessary for the US Army to take control of the park to restore order. Once the area was stabilized it was apparent that there was a need for an organization to manage the land and to educate the public about the national parks. So, President Woodrow Wilson passed the National Park Service Organic Act, thereby creating the National Park Service on August 25, 1916.

Also located in the Albright Visitors Center is a small habitat display of some of the animals that make Yellowstone National Park home.

Within the borders of Yellowstone is the largest concentration of mammals in the continental United States. The complex predator-prey relationship provides a link between climate change and ecological management of Yellowstone National Park and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Wildlife Facts:

  • 67 different mammals live here, including many small mammals.
  • As of 2016, 690 grizzlies were estimated in Greater Yellowstone.
  • Black bears are common.
  • Gray wolves were restored in 1995. As of December 2016, there were at least 108 wolves living mostly in the park.
  • Wolverine and lynx, which require large expanses of undisturbed habitat, live here.
  • Seven native ungulate species—elk, mule deer, bison, moose, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and white-tailed deer—live here.
  • Nonnative mountain goats have colonized northern portions of the park.

https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/mammals.htm

Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth Hot Springs terraces are located just past the historic buildings of Fort Yellowstone. The multihued travertine terraces are formed when the heated water from the deep volcanic activity dissolves the limestone and releases carbon dioxide along with calcium carbonate at the surface. The superheated water flows down the terraces created a glyncining sheen over the travertine. Within the pooling water thermophilic algae in shades of brown, orange, red and green flourish.

Undine Falls

Undine Falls
Undine Falls

A few miles past the hot springs is Undine Falls. The 60-foot three step water falls is fed by the Lave Creek. The falls can be easily seen from a short walking path just off the road. Undine is just one of the hundreds of water falls found throughout Yellowstone. All the water falls are fed by seven rivers that flow from the Continental Divide on their way to the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of California and the Gulf of Mexico. As the water moves through the park it provides much needed water and habit for the inhabitants of Yellowstone.

Petrified Forest

Petrified Tree
Petrified Tree

Yellowstone National Park has one of the world’s largest petrified forests. Volcanic eruptions millions of years ago buried trees with ash. Over time the organic material of the trees was replaced by silica from the groundwater. The end result is what scientists call petrified wood. The shape of the trees are made up of almost solid quartz. One example of this is located in the northeast section of the park between Mammoth Hot Springs and the Lamar Valley.

A visit to Yellowstone National Park is like submerging yourself into the wilderness. The combination of lush grasslands, tall trees, cascading waterfalls and volcanic activity makes you feel like you are right in the middle of the forces that formed the continent. The abundant wild life only adds to the magnificent beauty of Yellowstone. After a visit to Yellowstone it is easy to see why so many people strived to preserve its wildness and how it inspired the formation of the National Park Service.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowstone_National_Park

 

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Things to do in Idaho

Things to do in Idaho

The State Capital of Idaho

Idaho State Capitol Building
Idaho State Capitol Building

The capitol building for Idaho is located in Boise. The sandstone building’s architectural style is that of Renaissance Revival with a central dome raising 208 feet into the skyline. Architects John E. Tourtellotte and Charles Hummel designed the structure. The central section was the first portion to be built and was completed in 1912. The second phase was the building of the east and west wings to house the legislature and was completed in 1920. A major renovation and addition of two underground wings was completed in 2010.

 

 

The State Of Idaho Seal In Mosaic Tile
The State Of Idaho Seal
In Mosaic Tile

The garden level of the capitol building houses the legislature in the new underground wings. The center hall on this floor has a large mosaic inlay of the great seal of the state of Idaho designed by Emma Edwards Green in 1891. Idaho is the only state to have its seal designed by a woman. Surrounding the seal is an informative display that documents events in Idaho’s history. This includes the signing of a bill by President Abraham Lincoln on March 4, 1863 creating the Idaho territory. Information about the early days in Idaho included the gold rush followed by an economy based in extracting natural resources. Idaho also addressed the importance of water rights early on and established the “first in time” were “first in right” as a basis for determining access to water. The 1980’s brought a change to the economy with the development of engineering and technology products becoming the main source of employment in Idaho.

 

Going up to the next levels in the capitol building you will see the inside of the central dome surrounded by multistory columns. Inside the dome are 13 larger stars to represent the original colonies and 43 smaller stars to represent Idaho status as the 43rd state in the union.  The columns are constructed of steel, brick and concrete and coated in scafliola, a faux marble technique using selenite, white animal glue, and pigments.

The house and senate chambers are located in the east and west wings off the central hall. The chambers ceilings each have a beautiful dome and a balcony for gallery seating.

Statuary Hall is on the top floor and has a rotating display of the state’s art collection. Two statues flank the opening of Statuary Hall, one is a plaster replica of the Winged Victory ca 1949. The statue was a gift to Idaho from Paris as a thank you to the U.S. for liberating France from Germany during World War II. The other statue is of George Washington mounted on a horse. Charles L. Ostner carved the gold glided statue from yellow pine in 1869.

Inside the hall are carvings made from the historic trees that were cut down during the renovation. Representative Max C. Black spearheaded the reuse project by gathering 50 carvers from around the state to contribute to the collection.

We enjoyed our visit to the Idaho state capitol building and are happy to say that it was the third capitol building we visited as we traveled across the U.S. Be sure to visit the Idaho State Capitol website to learn even more about the state and its capitol building. https://capitolcommission.idaho.gov/about/history.html

 

World Center for Birds of Prey

The Peregrine Fund was founded in 1970 to restore the Peregrine Falcon to the wild. Since that time the organization has expanded its focus to the conservation of raptors worldwide. Their mission includes restoring rare species through captive breeding and release programs, improving local conservation of habitat, conducting research, and environmental education.  Through the monitoring of a cornerstone species such as birds of prey the overall stability of the environment can be determined.

 

 

 

A visit to the centers’ indoor and outdoor exhibits brings you up close to many live birds of prey. The volunteers also bring the birds out of their enclosures during scheduled presentations so visitors can learn even more about the birds housed at the center.

There are also informative displays about the birds throughout the Velma Morrison Interpretive Center. Currently the largest captive and release breeding program for California Condors is located at the center. The information learned by this breeding program has been used to help other birds of prey like the Aplomaho Falcon to come back from near extinction.

Adjacent to the interpretive center is the Archives of Falconry. This building houses the most comprehensive English-language falconry library in the world. In addition to the library there are artifacts from ancient and modern falconry. The Sheikh Zayed Arab Heritage Wing depicts the importance of falconry in the lives of the nomadic Arab Bedouin. The World Center for Birds of Prey provides its visitor a truly remarkable look into the fantastic world of these magnificent birds.

Please visit the World Center for Birds of Preys’ website for even more information http://www.peregrinefund.org/visit

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Glacier National Park

Glacier National ParkGlacier National Park Sign

Glacier National Park is located in northern Montana on the board of the United States and Canada. Glacier was officially designated a National Park on May 11, 1910. As the name suggest the area was formed by the forces of advancing and retreating glaciers. The park is 1 million acres in size and is traversed by the Continental Divide. The elevations in Glacier creates ecosystems that range from prairie to tundra.

Glaciers are made up of ice, snow, water, rock and sediment that move under the influence of gravity. The land is carved into U-shaped valleys as the glaciers advance and retreat over time. As the ice melts, the rock and sediment left behind form moraines. The moraine serves to the trap the glacial water resulting in the formation of lakes. The largest lake is Lake McDonald. This lake is 9.4 miles long and 464 feet deep. The cold water in the lake supports very little plankton growth which results in incredibly clear water.

The water from Glacier National Park has far-reaching effects as it makes its way to the Pacific Ocean, Hudson Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Triple Divide Peak marks the point at which the water’s path is determined. That is why this area is considered the apex of the North American continent.

The ecosystems of Glacier have stayed virtually unchanged over time. Almost all of the historically know plants and animals that have lived in the area remain. This unique habit provides researchers with an intact ecosystem to study as they determine the effect of climate change over time. The lack of pollutions allows them to detect the smallest changes that occur in the environment and helps to preserver this pristine beauty of Glacier.

Glacier has been attracting tourist since the early 1900’s. To accommodate the travelers the Lake McDonald Lodge was built along with many chalets throughout the park. By 1932 the Going-to-the-Sun Road was completed allowing people to go completely across the park by car. Until the road the only way to travel was by train, boat and trails.

We visited Glacier National Park in early May. Because the many of the roads were still snow-covered we were not able to travel the full length of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. By entering the western side of the park, we saw Lake McDonald and the Lodge. The clear waters of the lake reflected the majestic mountains surrounding it like a giant mirror. Than we drove around the outside of the park to eastern entrance and visited Two Medicine Lake and St. Mary’s Lake. Two Medicine Lake still had large pieces of ice floating on the surface which only served to remind you just how cold the water is. From the shores of St. Mary’s Lake, we could see to top of Triple Divide Peak of in the distance. The serenity surrounding these calm cold lakes and the snow-covered mountains entice you to sit and contemplate the beauty of the nature around you. Glacier National Park truly represents the wild America the park service strives to preserve.

Two Medicine Lake
Two Medicine Lake

https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacier_National_Park_(U.S.)

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