On the Way – August 29-30, 2018

On the way to Missouri, we stopped in Omaha, Nebraska for one of those overnight stops that only serve to get you from point A to point B.  After dinner, we decided to find the Old Town in Omaha and this is one of those gems you find accidentally.  This old industrial area has been taken over by the young, hep generation of Millenniums with good jobs and salaries, and expensive diverse interests and tastes.

Cobblestone streets and sidewalks

It was a picture of contrasts with the tall brick warehouse type structures bearing names like “Fidelity Rug and Flooring” and “Capitol Paper” with first floor restaurants with patio dining on the street side filled with blue and purple haired waitstaff.  Several of the buildings are converted into condos and others are being worked on to become condos.  The streets were cobble stone and there were flower beds everywhere.  Jim was surprised to hear me say if I were young and single I could totally live in a place like this.  It just had a community vibe.

Shops and restaurants along street

An Alley way between warehouses turned into a nice outdoor area for several restaurants

Flowers everywhere, even on the rooftops

Later, we tracked down the Lewis and Clark Landing Park where the Missouri River had flooded three times; 1881, 1952 and more recently in 2011.  The flooding is generally caused by extremely heavy snowfalls when they melt coming out of the mountains in the Dakota. Obviously it doesn’t happen every year but when it does it is major.

Missouri River in Omaha, NE  –  Statues on left side of picture is of iron workers

Today we arrived in Kansas City, Missouri and picked the Harry S. Truman National Historic Site in Independence, MO to visit this afternoon.  This is the home that Truman lived in from 1919 when he married his beloved Bess until the day he died in 1972, except for the time he spent in Washington as a Senator, Vice President and President.  This is where he returned to when he left Washington requiring the Secret Service to install the iron fence to protect the house from tourist trying to take souvenirs and damaging the house.  What does that say about some Americans?

The house was originally owned by Bess’ family built in 1865 and added to in 1867.  President and Mrs. Truman did little to change the home except change flooring and wall paper but they lived very modestly never letting his position as President make him prideful or extravagant.

When Bess died in 1982 the home was willed to the government which included most of the furnishings as you would see it today.  Even their daughter, Margaret, left most of their things in the home to be viewed by the people who chose to visit.  We were not permitted to take pictures but I really wish we could have.  To think this family came out of the White House with all its many perks, pomp, and grandeur and returned to this humble home shows a portion of their character that may be missing in today’s political elite.

Garage behind house with a 1972 Chrysler Newport….Truman’s last car

Close up of car on jacks in garage and the license plate #5745 date of German surrender 

House across the street from Truman’s home which was owned by his aunt

Tomorrow will be sightseeing in Kansas City.