katsup

April 14, 2010

We did our final reading in La Plata this morning. The group was larger than yesterday, we were expecting a few distractions. The kids were perfect. I’m starting to think it is something in the Missouri water. We got lots of hugs, especially Kahuna. Leaving left us a little sad. In three short days we developed a true fondness for the community and its people. We both agreed it is a place we would like to re-visit. Maria Snodgrass and her staff at the Depot Inn did a fabulous job of steering the storytelling event. They made all of the arrangements for us as well as the school children.

We set our GPS for Topeka, Kansas but agreed we would keep an eye peeled for special attractions along the way. I’m starting to feel like the spirit of Charles Kerault (from the 70’s On The Road series) has crept into our motorhome.

A few miles down the road we started seeing signs for “Marceline,” Walt Disney’s Hometown. We took the exit and three miles off the main highway we came across the charming town of Marceline. My first impression was “This looks like the movie set for the movie ‘Back To The Future.” It seemed to be frozen in time from a period where Main Street in small town America was the heart beat of every community. It is complete with a 50’s café, hardware store in the middle of town (not a sprawling Home Depot miles from the historic area) an ice cream shop serving homemade ice cream, and an old theatre that still has the 1956 movie “The Great Train Chase” plastered across it’s marquise.

In its prime Marceline boosted eight-thousand people. Then the railroads quit stopping at their depot and RR men moved to other locations. Now the town consists of 2,500 citizens who are determined to show community pride at every opportunity.

We pulled across from the museum dedicated to Walt Disney and I was thrilled to see the museum had made its nest in the town’s historic railroad station. It is a beautiful two-story brick building with a grass and garden area that lets you know immediately this place is maintained by people who care.

Inside we were greeted by Deanna Lisac one of the museum’s volunteers. Deanna is a walking encyclopedia of Disney history. Having grown up as a mouseketeer I thought I had a pretty good handle on my Disney stuff, but I soon learned there are loads of things about Disney and his family that I did’t know. A large portion of the museum is dedicated to train memorabilia. I did know that Walt Disney was a train nut and I even read recently were the ¼ scale train from his back yard is now being displayed in the California Bay Area.

Half way through our tour we were joined by another volunteer Inez Johnson. Inez is one of those people I mentioned above that keeps the heart of the community beating to a healthy rhythm. Disney kept an ongoing relationship with his hometown up until his death, making contributions to the town and the town boasting Walt’s name at every opportunity. I loved Inez’s story of how Walt stayed at their house during one of his early visits. No hotels were available in town and Inez had the only home with air conditioning. Being a new house it hadn’t been properly furnished. The entire town got involved bringing in furniture, silver ware, and china; they even hired a chef from the train to do the cooking. Inez chuckled and said it wasn’t necessary, Walt was as common as the rest of us. His favorite dish was chili. Inez maintained a personal relationship with Walt and his brother Roy until both brothers passed. My guess is that Inez along with the rest of the town grew to love the Disney’s so much they were determined to keep the memory alive. The memory as told in Marceline is far different than the Hollywood Disney legend.

So, when Charles Kerault creeps into your subconscious, don’t fight it when you find yourself taking that exit off Hwy 36 into Marceline. Come early and stay late.

Evening April 14th.

After leaving Marceline we set the GPS for Independence, Mo. Home of Harry Truman. I read where they have a railroad depot. Anyway, thirty miles shy of our destination we pulled off at the exit for Wallace State Park. What a treat! I think this is our first State Park experience. Their official season starts tomorrow, but we were allowed to register and check in tonight. RV sites are nestled in the woods with miles of hiking paths and a small lake that belongs on a post card. We headed out with Kahuna and Roxie for a hike around the lake. Both dogs love to chase squirrels, ducks and geese. Fortunately they never catch them. Roxie is now four-months old and still a little clumsy. Along the way Roxie decided to get a drink from the lake. She leaned over a little to far and her back end went over her front end. The good news is; we now know she can swim. (Roxie is traveling with us until she gets her new home with Cherie, Micki's sister)

Next we get to the other side of the lake and Kahuna spots two Canadian Geese (I could tell by the accents they were Canadian). Kahuna hates water, but loves Geese. Reeds and grass were growing in the water and my guess is Kahuna thought it might be a little damp, but not over his head. He saw the geese walk from the shore and continue through the reeds. Without hesitating Kahuna flew after the geese and within seconds was a good twenty feet into the lake and had to paddle back to shore. He got a bath in the lake and a shower when we got home. Not a good day for a dog that hates water.

April 15th

Arrived in Topeka this afternoon. On the way we stopped at the large and beautiful Union Station in Kansas City, MO. The building is great but was a huge disappointment as far as train memorabilia. Many of the small towns we’ve visited have done a far better job of preserving history for their communities. The best part of Union Station is the Fred Harvey Restaurant that still projects the look and feel that Fred built in reputation on.
In Topeka we took a drive by the depot where we will do readings and book signings on Sunday. I can’t speak yet to the rest of the building, but it is the most beautiful train depot we have seen to date.

4/17 (I think) Saturday

No Internet service for three days so I cut and pasted to catch up. It looks like the daily events come up backwards....

This was a free day. We drove to Abilene and photographed a couple of cabooses. Didn't know it until we got there, but their train doesn't start running until May. O' well, nice drive. Abilene is the home of Dwight Eisenhower and the Greyhound Dog Museum. Few old towns can rival Abilene when it comes to community pride. Lots of restored mansions from the turn of the century and the old downtown district still has a shine. The main streets are filled with mom and pop stores that appear to be holding their own. My only complaint is their lay-out. The town is divided into four quadrants. I was looking for 500 5th St. You can find 5th street in four locations. They should at least leave markers or drop bread crumbs to mark the way.

Tomorrow is a big day at the Great Overland Station here in Topeka. Their phone answearing machine has been touting us for a couple of weeks. When kids show up we seem to always have fun. Micki has been warming up Kahuna for his part in the show.