July 28, 2007
As I write tonight we are at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Estes Park, CO. Our view from our campground could not be more spectacular.
But we need to tell you the events that led us here. We arrived in Abilene, KS on July 21, 2007 with a one track sniff…to be at the Greyhound Hall of Fame and the home of the National Greyhound Association.
This was a return trip for us. Our initial trip was in 2003 and we were greyhound-less. This first trip sealed the deal for us and we returned home to open our home and hearts to these wonderful pets. Greyhound racing is big business! There are impressive plaques and trophies displayed. Three resident greys live there and two of these were there in 2003 when we first visited. However, Trixie and Libby did not meet these three as they are very possessive of their home and must be confined to their comfortable beds in the office when other dogs arrive. Trixie and Libby wore their Therapy Dog vests to demonstrate their “position” in the working world.
We learned more of greyhound puppy-dom. There are many greyhound farms around the area and they are raised in small dog houses with long runs. Twice a year they are taken to the National Greyhound Association’s track and buyers come in, make their purchases based on predicted winners and these lovely animals are loaded into dog trailers and vans and hauled off to make rich betters richer. This is just the way they begin their lives that hopefully will land them in forever homes like Trixie and Libby have.
We planned two nights in Abilene and this time we investigated the very impressive Eisenhower Center directly across the street. The Center was planned around Ike’s boyhood home and you could feel the presence of Mother Eisenhower as she raised her boys. On the large acreage are the Library, Museum, the home, an information center, and The Peace Chapel where Ike and Mamie and a son are buried. There is a very life like bronze statue of the Commander with hands on his hips “commanding” those who stop to reflect. For us Ike was the first presidential campaign we remember.
Our campground was just three blocks from the Hall of Fame and Eisenhower Center and each of us took our dog friends and walked to both places each morning. Days were just oppressively hot so we could only ride in the car or stay home. But evenings were cool enough to bike to town, gaze at the fascinating architecture and reflect on the town of Abilene.
Before the turn of the century some wise person suggested that Abilene become a stockyard and arranged for cattle to be driven from Texas to Abilene along the Chisholm Trail for a train ride to the east that was starved for beef following the war. The town became a railroad hub with at least 5 major lines running through to pick up cattle. Each built their own depot and these architectural feasts are still standing. Some have become information centers. One large depot became a museum and the focal point for the creation of Old Abilene Town. This small town of 6500 has done an impressive job of bringing in old buildings, a school and its outhouse and filling the museum. We should mention that Abilene also became a place of renegades, bars and brawls between cowboys. Wild Bill Hickok sprang into action to rid the rouges.
We left Abilene with a great appreciation of the town that molded Dwight D Eisenhower and continues quietly and kindly to go about life.
We spent one night in Denver at Cummins Rocky Mountain Diesel getting a reluctant generator to work.
As I mentioned we are nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Estes Park, CO. We have driven a 40 mile loop much of which is a dirt road and one way. How amazing to ascend and view the ice in the mountains personally. Estes Park is full of log structures catering to the tourist with shops and motels. However, because people make this their home life includes schools, hospital, and a large fairground. We were delighted to find two large dog parks and our three girls raced happily around off leash meeting other canine friends. Elk roam freely in town. As we went to the dog park today we encountered about a dozen of them leisurely plodding across the street. We waited and the camera snapped away.
Estes Park has wonderful concrete trails. One follows Estes Lake where we floated the kayak. We have one more day and night before moving on July 30. We still hope to bike a trail.
So the saying is true…”Go West Young Man…and old folks.”….and we are on our way. Our next destination will be Salt Lake City for a 3 night visit. It is our desire to see the Mormon Tabernacle. The Internet tells us that the choir is away, however.
It is always fun to hear from you. Thanks for “going” with us.
As I write tonight we are at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Estes Park, CO. Our view from our campground could not be more spectacular.
But we need to tell you the events that led us here. We arrived in Abilene, KS on July 21, 2007 with a one track sniff…to be at the Greyhound Hall of Fame and the home of the National Greyhound Association.
This was a return trip for us. Our initial trip was in 2003 and we were greyhound-less. This first trip sealed the deal for us and we returned home to open our home and hearts to these wonderful pets. Greyhound racing is big business! There are impressive plaques and trophies displayed. Three resident greys live there and two of these were there in 2003 when we first visited. However, Trixie and Libby did not meet these three as they are very possessive of their home and must be confined to their comfortable beds in the office when other dogs arrive. Trixie and Libby wore their Therapy Dog vests to demonstrate their “position” in the working world.
We learned more of greyhound puppy-dom. There are many greyhound farms around the area and they are raised in small dog houses with long runs. Twice a year they are taken to the National Greyhound Association’s track and buyers come in, make their purchases based on predicted winners and these lovely animals are loaded into dog trailers and vans and hauled off to make rich betters richer. This is just the way they begin their lives that hopefully will land them in forever homes like Trixie and Libby have.
We planned two nights in Abilene and this time we investigated the very impressive Eisenhower Center directly across the street. The Center was planned around Ike’s boyhood home and you could feel the presence of Mother Eisenhower as she raised her boys. On the large acreage are the Library, Museum, the home, an information center, and The Peace Chapel where Ike and Mamie and a son are buried. There is a very life like bronze statue of the Commander with hands on his hips “commanding” those who stop to reflect. For us Ike was the first presidential campaign we remember.
Our campground was just three blocks from the Hall of Fame and Eisenhower Center and each of us took our dog friends and walked to both places each morning. Days were just oppressively hot so we could only ride in the car or stay home. But evenings were cool enough to bike to town, gaze at the fascinating architecture and reflect on the town of Abilene.
Before the turn of the century some wise person suggested that Abilene become a stockyard and arranged for cattle to be driven from Texas to Abilene along the Chisholm Trail for a train ride to the east that was starved for beef following the war. The town became a railroad hub with at least 5 major lines running through to pick up cattle. Each built their own depot and these architectural feasts are still standing. Some have become information centers. One large depot became a museum and the focal point for the creation of Old Abilene Town. This small town of 6500 has done an impressive job of bringing in old buildings, a school and its outhouse and filling the museum. We should mention that Abilene also became a place of renegades, bars and brawls between cowboys. Wild Bill Hickok sprang into action to rid the rouges.
We left Abilene with a great appreciation of the town that molded Dwight D Eisenhower and continues quietly and kindly to go about life.
We spent one night in Denver at Cummins Rocky Mountain Diesel getting a reluctant generator to work.
As I mentioned we are nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Estes Park, CO. We have driven a 40 mile loop much of which is a dirt road and one way. How amazing to ascend and view the ice in the mountains personally. Estes Park is full of log structures catering to the tourist with shops and motels. However, because people make this their home life includes schools, hospital, and a large fairground. We were delighted to find two large dog parks and our three girls raced happily around off leash meeting other canine friends. Elk roam freely in town. As we went to the dog park today we encountered about a dozen of them leisurely plodding across the street. We waited and the camera snapped away.
Estes Park has wonderful concrete trails. One follows Estes Lake where we floated the kayak. We have one more day and night before moving on July 30. We still hope to bike a trail.
So the saying is true…”Go West Young Man…and old folks.”….and we are on our way. Our next destination will be Salt Lake City for a 3 night visit. It is our desire to see the Mormon Tabernacle. The Internet tells us that the choir is away, however.
It is always fun to hear from you. Thanks for “going” with us.
