Wandering Wednesday - Kansas

Wandering Wednesday (This post was compiled while listening to music from the band Kansas, now Carry on my Wayward Son)

State: Kansas
Capital: Topeka
Entered the Union: January 29, 1861 (34th state)
Facts: The name Kansas was taken from a Sioux word meaning “people of the south wind” State Song: Home on the range, State Flower Sunflower, Acquired as part of the Louisiana purchase.
One of the 8 states that Route 66 crosses through
Dodge City Kansas is the windiest city in the U.S.
Helium was discovered in 1905 at the University of Kansas
Kansas was the first state to ratify the 15th amendment which gave African American men the right to vote.
In 1909 the Helicopter was invented in Kansas
The first Pizza Hut was opened in Wichita in 1958
The Geodetic Center of North America is about 40 miles south of Lebanon at Meade's Ranch. It is the beginning point of reference for land surveying in North America meaning when a surveyor checks a property line, he is checking the position of property in relation to Meade's Ranch in northwest Kansas.
Famous people born in Kansas: Amelia Earhart, Buster Keaton

Driving from West to East once I entered Kansas I can see why people say it is so flat.

My drive by Kansas City, KS

Route 66 - Kansas
There are only about 13 miles (some say 12.8 others 13.2) of Route 66 that pass through Kansas. They were the first state to pave all of its Route 66 portion. The only Route 66 state completely bypassed by the interstate.

4 Women on the Route restored an old KanOtex station and have a 1951 International boom truck next to the station which inspired the "Tow Mater" character in the movie Cars.
Do note my Route 66 travelling car next to "Tow Mater" I like to believe they are swapping travelling tales.

 The buildings of Galena are said to be one of the inspirations for the buildings in Radiator Springs from the Cars movie.

Brush Creek Bridge is the only remaining example of a fixed Marsh Rainbow Arch bridge left on Kansas Route 66.

My favorite route 66 sight was seeing older cars driving the old road.

A little off the route you can get to the three state corner: the point where Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma meet.

Wandering Wednesday - Iowa

State: Iowa
Capital: Des Moines
Entered the Union: Dec 28, 1846 (29th state)
Facts: The word Iowa is derived from an Indian word meaning “this is the place” or “the beautiful land”. Part of The Louisiana purchase. Winnebago's are manufactured in Winnebago County.

They say all there is to see in Iowa is corn which isn't true but they are the nations number one producer of corn and soybeans. You can visit the home that was used in the famous painting American Gothic.

Birthplace of John Wayne and Johnny Carson

The Capitol building:

Dome:

These are all mosaic pieces

 Archway mosaic close-up. I'm always impressed when little pieces are put together to make something so beautiful and detailed.

Spiral staircase in the library

Collection of dolls in the likeness of the first ladies wearing their inaugural dress.

Squirrel Cage Jail Cell - It is a wedge shape with toilet at the end of the wedge.

A Squirrel cage jail is on a crank rotation. If a prisoner needed to leave the cell the whole system had to be rotated to where the open bars are. problem - people would put their arm through the bars to break it and get sent up to the hospital ward. Also it was deemed a fire hazard.

Squirrel park

American Gothic house

They have clothing so you can recreate the painting

Avoca, Iowa with the Bug Spider

Wandering Wednesday - Indiana

Wandering Wednesday

State: Indiana
Capital: Indianapolis
Entered the Union: Dec 11, 1816 (19th state)
Facts: While researching why it is called “Hoosier” state it turns out that no one really knows. It was term referring to people in Indiana used about 150 years ago in a poem. Their motto is “crossroads of America” which is about accurate as Indiana has more Interstate Highway miles per square mile than any other state.

They are one of the great lake states with only 40 miles bordering Lake Michigan.

Wabash was the first US city to have electric street lights. Since 1914 Santa Claus Indiana has received letters from children around the world, the 'elves' try to send hand written letters back, they also have a great amusement park – Holiday World.

One of 7 states whose state bird is the Cardinal I guess there weren't enough native birds to go around...

I actually haven't spent much time in Indiana. It has been more of a drive through state. 

 Corn is the biggest crop

Wandering Wednesday Illinois

Wandering Wednesday
State: Illinois
Capital: Springfield
Entered the Union: Dec 3, 1818 (21st state)
Facts: Algonquin for “tribe of superior men”, Route 66 starts in Chicago, The Willis tower (use to be Sears tower) was the tallest building in the US, Joliet is the birthplace of Dairy Queen (1940), The world's skyscrapper was built in Chicago in 1885 (the home insurance building 10 stories high, 138 feet), Des Plaines is home to the first McDonald's
Lincoln is the only U.S. Town named after Lincoln BEFORE he became president.

Also In Lincoln there is a life-size slice of watermelon. The story goes that then Lawyer Lincoln christened his namesake town with watermelon juice.

and Lincoln driving a large covered wagon

The Capital Building:

 It was closed when we got there

Chicago is the start of Route 66

Joilet has the Blues Brothers dancing atop an ice cream shop.

A Michelin man in space gear with a rocket

 and one with a giant hotdog!

 The Henry Rabbit ranch has some Rabbits...