Avon, Colorado

We left Warren on July 17 and drove to Columbia, Missouri.  The next day we drove to Hays, Kansas with two stops along the way.  The first stop was at Harry Truman National Historic Site in Independence, Missouri.  We went to the visitor center first and got our ticket for a tour through the house.  He was the last president to live such an open “hometown” life after the presidency.  The house we toured was the house that Bess grew up in.  When they married Harry moved into the house with her family and it wasn’t until after the White House that he ever owned any property which was after Bess’s family died.  The house contained the furnishings as they were when Bess died.  It was comfortable but not a showcase, just a home.

The second stop was Brown vs. Board of Education in Topeka, KS.  It is located in one of the 4 Negro elementary schools.  We found it an extremely interesting stop and learned so much about the history which led up to the case.  We were both young at the time and both of us lived in a free State so really didn’t know the full history.  It is an amazing site to visit.

On Friday, July 19 we drove north from Hays so that we could go to Nicodemus NHS.  This western town was settled in 1877 by African Americans.  There are five historic buildings left.  Today there is only about 30 residents in the town but once a year on the weekend close to the date of the Emancipation Proclamation they have a big celebration and folks come from all across the country who trace their roots back to this town.

First Baptist Church

 

We arrived in Avon, Colorado to stay at Sheraton Mountain Vista.  We stayed in a one bedroom unit on the 5^th floor.  

 We worshiped on Sunday morning at Trinity Church in Beaver Creek.  It was in a beautiful chapel up the mountain. 

 We were able to spend 2 afternoons with Phil and Susan who were staying in Vail the same week.  It was great to see them and do some catching up as well as playing a couple of games. 

 

We took a day trip to Black Canyon of the Gunnison.  We were gone about 11 hours but it was worth the drive.  The canyon was beautiful, long, deep and narrow.  We drove along the rim and stopped at a few of the scenic areas.  It was very hot and each area was a hike so we only did about 4 of them.

We had a picnic and even found a table in the shade.  The squirrel and birds really wanted our lunch.

 We did try to walk most of the mornings but not quite a far as usual due to the difference in the altitude.  And we drank lots of water.