Well, friends here we
are on day 15 of the
challenge. We are past
the midway mark. I truly
hope that you have enjoyed
these posts.
Today is O day. We are back
in Kansas looking for it and
we have found Overland
Park.
This city is the next one over
from the city we live in, so we
feel like we live there too.
I work in "OP" and the school
building that I work in is
named Overland Park
Elementary.
It is the 2nd most populated
city in Kansas and is the
largest suburb in the Kansas
City Metro Area.
Overland Park was founded by
William B Strang Jr. a railroad
magnate in 1905. Mr Strang's
view for the community was
a "park-like", self sustaining
and and well planned areas.
He felt that commerce needed
to be strong as did education,
there needed to be vibrant
places to live, places for
recreation and convenient
transportation.
Mr. Strang sponsored the first
airplane flight west of the Miss-
issippi in 1909.
My school building is located
just east of Downtown OP and
this is an area that has a history
with flight.
In 1960, the city population was
21,110 and in 2012 it was around
178,919 people running around the
city.
There are three school districts in
"OP." The district I work in has 5
high schools the other two have 4
and 5. Each district has many
elementaries and middle schools.
there is one community college
which is the largest undergrad
institution of higher education in
Kansas.
Visitor's coming to Overland
Park may enjoy:
~~Overland Park Arboretum
and Botanical Gardens. There
are over 300 acres of nature
to walk through here.
~~Deanna Rose Children's
Farmstead. It is a 12 acre
park offering over 200
animals, hayrides, a fishing
pond and much more to do
and see. It is a popular
destination for visitors and
residents alike on a weekend
day.
~~Historic Downtown Overland
Park is where it all began. You
will find a variety of shops, rest-
aurants and on Saturdays in the
spring and then also on
Wednesday's in the summer you
will find a spectacular Farmer's
Market!
~~The Nerman Museum-located
on the campus of the community
college. It is a nice size museum
full of great art. They also have a
wonderful cafe.
I/we have been to all of these
places, each has offerings for all
ages. So if you find yourself in
"OP" let me know and we'll make
a day of it.
Tomorrow we are off to find P.
~Keep on Dreaming~
Good Afternoon!
It is another fiercely
windy day today so
hold on tight because
we are headed south
for N. As you can see
we are off to Noel,
Mo.
The map shows us that
Noel is located in the
south-western part of
the state, it is on the
Missouri and Arkansas
border along the Elk
river.
Noel is a small town, the
census in 2012 showed
that the population was
1,824.
It was named after two
stockmen and owners of
a sawmill. CW and WJ Noel.
Each year tens of thousands
of Christmas cards and letters
are sent to the Noel post office
to be stamped "Noel, Mo 'The
Christmas city in the Ozark
Vacation Land.' "
Visitors to Noel will find plenty
of camping and canoeing also.
It is a short drive to Branson
and Eureka Springs in Arkansas
from Noel.
Back to Kansas we go to find
O tomorrow.
~Keep on Dreaming~
Over the border we go back
to Kansas. We are on the hunt
for M. Down the road we will
go to "The Little Apple" or
Manhattan, Kansas.
Located in the northwestern
part of the state at the junction
of the Kansas and Big Blue Rivers
in the Flint Hills region. The Flint
Hills are continious rolling hills
with tall grass. Visitors will find
the Flint Hills Discovery Center.
The city was founded by the New
England Emigrant Aid Company.
Best known as the home to
Kansas State University.
One of the things Kansas
is known for is tornados.
Manhattan lies in "Torndao
Alley." The last tornado was
in 2008. Lots of damage,
especially to K-State but no
loss of life.
On a personal note. If you ever
have the oppotunity to visit the
Flint Hills DO IT! It is a beautiful
and peaceful area. We went to the
hills on a summer day several years
ago to hear the Kansas City Symphony
play. What an awewome experience!
Tomorrow will be N in Missouri.
~Keep on Dreaming~
We are staying in Missouri and
going down the roadway a piece
for L as in Lexington. It is
located in the western part of the
state on the bluffs of the Missouri
River. Lexington is about 40 miles
from Kansas City going east.
The Battle of Lexington State
Historic Site is located here.
It was established in 1958 to
preserve the site of the American
Civil War battle. The battle was
between the Confederate Troops
and the Federal Troops in 1861.
During the first battle a cannon-
ball got lodged in a pillar of the
courthouse. Visitor's can see it
today. There was a second battle
later in 1864. As always for more
historic battle information check
out Google.
Lexington is also home to the
Wentworth Military Academy
and College.
This is a four year college prep
high school and junior college.
It is the oldest military school
school west of the Mississippi
River.
The campus is on the National
Register of Historic Places.
Founded in 1880 by Stephen
Wentworth after the battle of
Lexington took place.
Seeing that there were several
girl and young women's schools
in the area but none for boys
or young men he started
Wentworth. It was a memorial
to his late son.
Moving many years ahead,
with enrollment struggling
1993 saw the first women
cadets on campus. Today
they make up about 25%
of the corps.
Wentworth offers many
programs and activities
for their students. Grads
are not obligated to
military service though.
Lexington offers many
things to see and do.
Antique stores
A variety of dining
options
Wineries/Orchards
Gift stores
Bed and Breakfast Accomm-
odations
Camping
If you are in the are stop in,
I'll bet you will find something
that will pique your interest.
Tomorrow is M.
~Keep on Dreaming~
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