The reason that we are staying more than a month at our camp site at Suncatcher Lake is to spend time with our son, daughter-in-law and their two adorable children. But we also did a little road touring. Our campground is in the country, about 7 miles southwest of the town of Leavenworth, Kansas. So we're claiming this as our new home town.
Leavenworth is situated right along the Missouri River. While our address is in Kansas, the state of Missouri is on the other side of that wide river. We walked the trail in Leavenworth's River Park more than once. We're glad to report that we feel good enough to go a couple miles--without elevation--and at a slower pace than we are accustomed. But it's good to be hiking again!
We've followed this river before, and always have enjoyed learning about Lewis and Clark's experience on the Missouri River in 1804. They followed this muddy river on their expedition to find the easiest route to the west coast of this great land. A sign post describes the day they spent in this area rowing against the current. William Clark journaled that the water they drank from the Missouri River contained "a half a wine glass of ooze or mud to every pint." That's why it's still called the "Big Muddy."
We walked through the Leavenworth city campground, with sites right on the Missouri River. It was closed, so we're not sure if that is because of the time of year, or because of a rampant virus that is changing life for us.
Leavenworth is a military town, with an army base not far from the river. That is probably why it was selected to host a National Veteran's Cemetery.
The trees were at their peak color when we first arrived, as we looked down the hill to the solemn sight of acres of white tomb stones.
From the top of the hill, we could see that the Veteran's Cemetery is right beside the grounds of the VA hospital, so this town is centered on its military presence.
It's also known for its federal prison. We saw a grand domed building as we came into town, and we were a little disappointed that such an impressive building was the entrance of a prison! No pictures, because it didn't feel like an appropriate tourist stop. Instead, the most photogenic parts of town seem to be the beautiful trees that were turning glorious fall colors when we arrived in late October.
Leavenworth is also home to the C. W. Parker Carousel Museum. Denisa is a sucker for a good merry-go-round ride, so we made a drive into town on the weekend when the museum is open. This was also a learning experience, as we found that the word "carousel" is a shortened version of "carry us all."
This carry-us-all was made in 1913 here in Leavenworth, and restored back here almost 100 years later. For $1.50 Denisa got a private ride on one of the highest velocity carousel rides ever! The picture is a bit blurred because her horse is trotting by at record speeds in the picture below.
This museum also repairs and builds carousel animals. As Denisa trotted by at full speed, she snapped this picture of a couple steed in the paint shop.
Visitors can also see this primitive carousel, which may be the oldest operating wooden carousel in the world. It is hand-cranked, and can be demonstrated--but not ridden.
Besides those carousel horses, our only wildlife picture is this animal on the banks of the Missouri River. If we were in the mountains, we would call him a marmot. But here in the plains he is called a groundhog or woodchuck. If we were here in the spring, we would be asking him if it was going to get warmer or stay cold. But here in the fall we are fearful that it's only going to get colder.
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