In this newsletter: and much more! |
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Latest from our world |
That's the sunset at Fancy Creek State Park, next to Tuttle Creek Lake in Kansas. I was pleasantly surprised when I woke up this morning to find we were literally the only ones here at this campground. We're hearing that many parks are packed with travelers, and even read one article about a National Park telling people to come another day because they were full. It's great to see everyone getting OUT of their home and back to nature.
Our travel agenda has fluctuated quite a bit, but one thing we wanted to attempt is the same route we originally planned in May 2020. A path through Northern Kansas into a small bit of Colorado, then back through parts of Nebraska and back into Kansas. Last year's trip was cut short when Kathy decided she needed an emergency Appendectomy. |
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While we were in Colby, Ks at the B-Hive Grill, I decided to update our selfie so y'all know we are real people. I guess I should've shaved, but that wouldn't be a true reflection of us traveling. ;) Luckily no medical emergencies this time, but we did find out we can't keep our normal pace in 100 F temps (38 Celsius). Especially in the humid Kansas summer.
We have a few stories from the trip up already (see what's new below), and will be adding more from our adventure soon.
This past Sunday was our 18th Anniversary on the Web. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for supporting our love of American History and travel destinations!
Dave 'See you on the Road' Alexander
Ps. Our new mascot Joey is traveling well with our Kaydee Dog. She loves the travel trailer, probably because Kaydee can't get away from her. Kaydee does not appear to be amused. |
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"Working with folks like Kathy and Dave makes our job of covering the country easier and enjoyable. Hopefully, you appreciate their Legends of America as much as we do. If you haven’t done so yet, listen for yourself how you can turn your next road trip into more than just a boring drive. With HearHere your next road trip will be an educational and entertaining journey through time." - HearHere |
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We have thousands of stories in the HearHere library and a question we often get is, “Where do those stories come from?” We have a team of travel enthusiasts who diligently research and write about the most interesting stories to entertain road trippers as they move through the towns, parks, lakes, and mountains of America.
But we also sometimes receive stories from friends. People like Kathy and Dave Alexander, two native Texans now based out of Missouri. They have a website called Legends of America, and they are also prolific writers telling the stories of this country. They call their website “A Travel Site for the Nostalgic & Historic Minded since 2003,” and it certainly is! |
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Download HearHere, Kevin Costner's location-based travel app from the App Store for iPhone. Get 5 free stories a month, or subscribe for unlimited access to thousands of stories while you travel. |
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Here are some of the recent additions since our last newsletter |
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Fort Hays – Protecting more than just the railroad – (From our Photo Travel Blog) We hit the road to explore more Kansas, and along the way made a re-visit to Fort Hays.
Walnut Grove Dam Disaster – A discussion about the research and subsequent book by Jim Liggett about the Walnut Grove Dam Disaster of 1890 that killed up to 100 people in Arizona. (Submission from Desert Roamer Press)
Fort de Chartres, Illinois – Fort de Chartres was the 18th Century center of the French civil and military government of the Illinois Country. The Fort de Chartres State Historic Site near Prairie du Rocher, Illinois marks the location of the last of three successive French forts named “de Chartres.”
Fort Sheridan, Illinois – Fort Sheridan, Illinois, was a U.S. Army post established in 1887 in Lake County. First called Camp Highwood, it was soon renamed for Civil War hero General Philip H. Sheridan, who died in 1888.
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Russell Springs, Kansas – On the Smoky Hill Trail – (From our Legends of Kansas pages) The town began in 1865 as the Eaton stop on the Butterfield Overland Despatch stage line. The line ran through rough Indian country along the Smoky Hill Trail that connected Fort Riley, Kansas, with the gold mines in Denver, Colorado.
Gem – Thomas County Ghost Town – (From our Legends of Kansas pages) The area was first called Gem Ranch when it was established on land owned by J.W. Ellsworth. However, when it received a post office on December 14, 1885, it was shortened to Gem.
Newton, Kansas – Rowdy Cowtown – (From our Legends of Kansas pages) Newton, Kansas, the county seat of Harvey County, got its start when the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad extended a main line from Emporia westward. It was a rowdy town at times, infamous for the Hyde Park Gunfight.
Daniel Wilder – Kansas Journalist and Author – (From our Legends of Kansas pages) He came to Kansas in 1857 and settled at Elwood the next year where he edited the Free Press and practiced law. He was one of the founders of the Republican Party in Kansas in 1859.
We've added over 15 new additions to our website since the last newsletter. |
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The Cherokee and Hitchiti author shares his knowledge of medicinal uses of plants and traditional Native root-doctoring techniques. Readers learn how to identify, honor, and select common wild plants and are given information about responsible harvesting versus cultivation. He also explains how to prepare liniments, lotions, oils, salves, teas, and tinctures, and recommends specific remedies for numerous ailments. A must for beginners as well as serious students of herbology. Illustrated and indexed by both plant name and medical topic.
Author Tis Mal Crow also worked internationally with indigenous healers and herbal groups to promote the medicinal uses of herbs and the conservation of the wild habitat needed to sustain the growth of medicinal herbs.
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Happy Birthday America - 245 Years! |
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..the true patriotism, the only rational patriotism, is loyalty to the Nation ALL the time, loyalty to the Government when it deserves it. — Mark Twain, American writer (from The Czar’s Soliloquy, 1905)
Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility. For the person who is unwilling to grow up, the person who does not want to carry his own weight, this is a frightening prospect. -- Eleanor Roosevelt, diplomat, humanitarian, and wife of Franklin D. Roosevelt
My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy! — Thomas Jefferson, 3rd US President and Author of the Declaration of Independence |
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Nathan Hale - The Patriot Spy |
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by Inez Nellie Canfield McFee in 1913 After his defeat in the battle of Long Island, New York August 27, 1776, George Washington was greatly troubled as to what he should do. He had withdrawn his forces to New York City, but he knew not whether it was wiser to stay and defend the city or to fly to a place of greater security. The outlook was dark indeed. A fourth of the army was sick; a third had no tents; and a large number, chiefly new recruits, were short of clothing, shoes, and blankets. Altogether the patriot army numbered only 14,000 men fit for duty, and these were scattered along a distance of twelve or more miles. |
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Navigate America's Mother Road |
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This is the ultimate guide for finding and exploring the Route driving from the WEST or the EAST. Its maps and directions are comprehensive yet easy to follow. The spiral-bound guide stays open to the pages you are reading while you are driving or riding. Also includes attractions, tips, other sources, and games. Convenient 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", 216 page, paperback format.
Free Shipping in the U.S. (Media Mail), or choose between First Class and Priority Mail. |
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Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia |
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Williamsburg, Virginia was the thriving capital of the commonwealth when the dream of American freedom and independence was taking shape. Serving as Virginia’s capitol from 1699 to 1780, Williamsburg was the center of government, education, and culture, where important figures such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, James Monroe, James Madison, George Wythe, Peyton Randolph, and others worked first for the British government and later to form the new United States.
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In case you missed it, here are some of the articles that have been popular on our Facebook Fan Pages recently. |
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Lacrosse, Rooted in Tribal Tradition - One thing that sets this sport apart from many others is its origins in Native American culture and is one of the oldest team sports originating in North America. |
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The Battle of Little Bighorn, Montana - The most famous of all of the Indian Wars, the remarkable victory for the Lakota and Northern Cheyenne occurred over two days on June 25-26, 1876, near the Little Bighorn River in eastern Montana Territory. |
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Our website and newsletter are supported by some mighty fine readers. Yeah, we're talking about YOU Friend! We just can't thank you enough! Be sure to check out our General Store and Photo Print Shop, helping keep our content free of charge since 2003. And as a loyal reader, you can always save 10% at either. Just use coupon code NEWS10 in 'cart view' at our General Store, or during checkout on our Photo Print Shop. |
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What our Readers are saying: |
The article was exceptionally well done. I Drove through Cairo today. The size and architecture of the many buildings let you know the town was once thriving and significant. Now the town looks abandoned, decayed, and post-apocalyptic. Geneo (Ref: Cairo, Illinois – Death by Racism)
I love hearing about these stories and history. A lot went down in Arizona back in the day. J (Ref: Arizona’s Pleasant Valley War)
I cried reading this article. I visited Chief Menonomee’s site near Plymouth Indiana. The “small park” was well kept & statue beautiful. It was noted about the governor. No one was there…just me. As I reflected all this a huge hawk circled above. Rest in peace I thought to all who lost their freedom & lives on the Trail of Death. So wrong. So very wrong & sad to me…even today. God help us ALL. Sandy (Ref: Potawatomi Trail of Death)
Thanks for all the work you do on this. My wife was born in the old Paris springs store, it was her grandmother that delivered her before the doctor got there. I worked in the old Paris Springs garage and would go and pick up broken-down cars on route 66. I pumped gas of the evening for Dot Mason at the old log cabin station. Wilson (Ref: Paris Springs, Missouri - Revival on the Mother Road)
Ben Lilly was a distant relative of mine. As a kid, I remember stories from my great aunt of Ben visiting them. This may be true of not, but I always enjoyed thinking of Ben and his pack of dogs lounging under a tree in the front yard of my aunt’s house in Louisiana. I enjoyed the narrative I just read. Robert (Ref: Ben Lilly: Bears, Blades & Contradictions)
Thank you for sharing the details of this very special man. I just finished working at the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo in Las Vegas…and his story completed an incredible day of watching rodeo greats! Sharon (Ref: William “Bill” Pickett – Texas Bull-Dogger)
I just discovered your site today while I was researching something else and it was the find of the year. Great research and stories and as a person who cannot get enough of American History your site is a treasure. Karl |
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or comment on any of our articles. |
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