Midwest Wanderer Podcast Episode 1 – July 3, 2024
Welcome to the Midwest Wanderer Podcast Episode 1. In the inaugural episode of our weekly podcast, we start with a talk about weather preparedness. Then, we chat about our recent visits to Chicago Southland’s Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park and Hannibal, Missouri.
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We planned a quick outing to visit sculpture parks in three Chicago suburbs. Instead, we spent the entire day exploring public art and Lake Katherine in Palos Heights, Illinois.
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A while back, the folks at Visit Kenosha asked if Skip and I would like to go on a Kenosha Charter Boat Association fishing excursion on Lake Michigan. My answer was, it sounds like fun but I haven’t fished since I was in high school. Even then, someone else baited the hook. They assured me I needed no experience at all. So, yeah, sign me up!
Watch the video or our adventure or read the transcript.
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When the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail launched last year, we couldn’t wait to experience it. The trail is made up of four Kansas cities that were mentioned often in the old radio and television Gunsmoke series— Wichita, Dodge City, Hays, and Abilene—and includes lots of Old West-related attractions.
Our latest Midwest Wanderer Explores e-zine issue, “Kansas Gunsmoke Trail,” includes twelve articles about our experiences on the trail, plus links to related blog posts we’ve published in the past.
…and so much more.
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Old West history… The oldest operating C.W. Parker carousel… An Extensive Telephone Exhibit… These are three things that stood out to me at the Dickinson County Heritage Center and Museum in Abilene, Kansas.
We arrived as the museum was opening for the day, and the first thing I did was to practically run through the building and out the back to where the carousel stands. I scored a private ride on the carousel, and staff member Wade Needham related the history the C.W. Parker carousel company.
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The United State established Fort Hays (originally called Fort Fletcher) as a U.S. Army post in 1865. The fort’s function, like other frontier forts, was to protect railroad workers and settlers as they traveled west. They were also tasked with enforcing treaties with Indian tribes.
The fort grounds included 7,650 acres of land, but its 45 buildings were situated on just 65 of those acres. Today only four buildings remain, as well as a visitor center, on a fraction of the original fort property.
Honestly, when we first saw the property, we thought it would be a quick visit. But, besides the four buildings, there are several foundations that outline other former buildings. Those foundations, together with signage throughout the property and exhibits inside the existing buildings, make a great self-guided tour. We ended up spending several hours exploring Historic Fort Hays.
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