I am a motorcoach…

. . . Two Seven Zero, traveling west and into the past. My purpose is destination – a word implying the future. But mirrors are the soul of the motorcoach. They are rear-view, all about the past, what is behind, where we have been that continuously diminishes while moving forward. My mirrors are context, informing me of my place in the world, on the road amid other vehicles. Yet, by the time I’ve noticed them, change has made the details of where I am and who is around me facts of the past. So mirrors collect the data of experience I convert into skills and decisions resulting in travel.

Current travel focuses on a historical tour of northwestern Missouri, histories that impacted the country and the world.

Selfies

(which by definition means I’m in them . . . though you might have to look for me)

In Sibley, Missouri stands a replica of Fort Osage, built under the direction of William Clark, who originally made note of the location as ideal for a fort when passing by boat through the area with the Corps of Discovery in 1804. The location was ideal because of its high position above the Missouri River and an elevated limestone bed making the Missouri especially shallow here. It was here at Fort Osage In 1808 that the Osage Indians signed a treaty with the U.S. ceding over 52 million acres of its territory (now known as Missouri). In exchange, the Osage received promised protection and trade, and nominal monetary and material compensation. The idea would have been laughable a few years earlier, when the Osage ruled a vast territory (much of present-day Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansans, and Texas). But encroachment by tribes forced out of eastern territories became motivation for alliance. In the distance beyond my mirror, and built upon the elevated limestone bed, a railroad bridge stands symbolic of developments that would minimize the value of river-ways as trade routes and further reshape the continent.

This small road in Independence, Missouri marks the eastern border of an estate once owned by notable politician and artist, George Caleb Bingham. It also lies upon what was once a rutted dirt path called the Santa Fe Trail. The trail’s historical beginning was 1821. Its geographic beginning was outside the Jackson County Courthouse a few blocks away.

Independence, Missouri was the eastern terminus of the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon trails, upon which many dreams were forged and crushed. Circus-like hoopla filled the town square surrounding this courthouse as great caravans assembled and prepared for departure. Some made it no more than a few miles before experiencing their first wagon casualty – abandoned to axel-deep mud.

Circling the Independence town square, this remnant of the momentous trail era also serves as reminder that up until a century ago (literal) horse-power is how folks got around.

The interior of the Mitchell Antique Auto Museum in Booneville, Missouri is a showcase of the dramatic changes in transportation between the 19th and early 20th centuries. But it’s the exterior (in the humble opinion of this motorcoach) that tells the impressive story of how far transportation has come since then.

My passengers are not the only ones appreciative of the evolution of roadways and modes of transportation. Ever wonder what is being hauled next to you on the highway? This truck (belonging to Lay’s Mining Service Inc.) is hauling equipment for the mining industry: a 4¾” steel cable guide (foreground) and a steel cable winding drum. Try moving that cross-country by wagon on dirt roads . . .

MEETING THE NEWS on the roadways of America, first-hand, real time, real world news—going out and discovering the news . . .

NEWS OF WORLD IMPACT: Having previous failings in agriculture and mining, a young Harry Truman found success as a leader on the French battlefields of World War I. Following the war he continued the momentum of success in conquest by marrying his long-pursued love, Bess Wallace. He also continued his non-military career struggles. But appointment to his first political office rescued Harry S Truman from a failed effort in retail haberdashery (men’s apparel). As to how those political endeavors turned out . . . the first Presidential Museum in the U.S. was built to tell the story. It includes a replica of the Harry S Truman Oval Office, and this Flame of Freedom memorial.

COMMEMORATION NEWS: Trails ushering along the westward movement crossed twelve states east to west. A Madonna of the Trail statue was placed along a trail route in each state by the Daughters of the American Revolution. The statues celebrate the strength, sacrifice, and accomplishments of the frontier women who traveled the trails. This one, located along the Santa Fe Trail was officially dedicated in 1928 by then Jackson County Judge, Harry S Truman. It is the only one of the twelve that remains in its original location.

NEWS OF THE CONTEST: Week three of the first motorcoachblog.com contest! The winner will receive a mounted, signed and numbered art print, “EPIC!” – the story of the St. Louis Cardinals’ 2011 World Series victory as reflected in the glossy surface of the World Series trophy ($380 value; see detail image below). Here’s how to participate: 1 – The contest is open only to passengers (subscribers) of motorcoachblog.com (just sign up by name and email as directed at the end of the blog). 2 – Over the next three weeks an official contest question will be posted in the blog. Send an email to mc268@motorcoachblog.com answering the question. Whoever answers the most questions correctly will be the winner. If more than one participant correctly answers the questions for all three weeks, their names will go into a drawing to be held on Friday, June 24th (I apologize for the formerly misstated drawing date).

The third and final contest question is from a former Must Sees photo:  What are the remaining four lines in the stone inscription beginning, IN HONOR OF GENERAL LYONS AND THE HUNDREDS . . . ?

(Unlike selfies, these are not about me, but about places you’ll want to visit.)

Crane’s Country Store is a stone’s throw off of highway 70 on Old US 40 in Williamsburg, Missouri. If you’re in need of refreshment: ice cream and soda varieties abound. But the real reason to stop in is 100 years of pristine Americana!

A bit west of Crane’s on 70 is Booneville. There you will find one of the best kept secrets in Missouri: Mitchell Antique Auto Museum. In my worldview, this is where it all started. From the premium long-distance chuck wagon, to the beginnings of the luxury motorcoach, this is worth going way out of your way to check out.

Quote Of The Day samples

“There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know.” ― Harry S Truman

“No man should be in public office who can’t make more money in private life.” ― Thomas E. Dewey

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