Cuba, MO

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

We have thought about going to Cuba so decided today would be the day.  Oh did I mention it is Cuba, MO.  Ha Ha

Cuba is on the original Route 66 and is also known as the Mural City.

Next I'll be showing many of the murals around town.

Amelia Earhart made a forced emergency landing in Cuba on September 4, 1928.
 

 A.J. Barnett, The first cashier and President of Peoples Bank from 1920-1959, is depicted in this mural cranking the first Model T Ford in Cuba.

The Millworks recreates the look of the 1948 Roberts-Judson Lumber Co Millworks Building. "Measure twice, cut once," was very much the rule when employee of 54 years Francis Nixon worked here.

Both the mural above and below are on the same building corner. In the 1900s, Prosperity Corner drew citizens to meet, do business, and pass the time of day at H.H. Tieman's General Merchandise Store.  Today, Hayes Shoe Store stands on the original site of Prosperity Corner and reflects scenes from this period.

This is a new mural about the apple orchards that used to be here.  A local historian told us an extremely severe hail storm came through and destroyed the trees. The apple orchards were never replaced.
 

This mural and the following 4 murals are Cuba's Civil War murals. 

They depict conflicts between the troops of Confederate General Sterling Price and Union General Thomas Ewing in September 1864.

The battles started at Fort Davidson near Pilot Knob, MO ..... 

...and ended with the rescue of the Union Troops in Leasburg, MO.
 

The mural above reflects the time then Senator Harry Truman came into Cuba campaigning in 1940 for his re-election.  Truman was standing on the steps of the house below (reflected in upper left corner of above mural).  He only had 2 people listening to him.  He noticed many people walking on past. He learned they were going to the Homecoming Fair.  He picked up his Coca-Cola box and went to the Homecoming Fair. Less than 5 years later Truman (a native Missourian) became our 33rd President.

I did not find any details on this mural.  It was on the side of a Mexican Food Restaurant in Cuba.
 

4 miles outside of Cuba was the world's largest rocker. It held the Guinness record from 2008-2016. It just lost its record this year.

Can you see Tic on the left rocker?  He looks pretty small, doesn't he?

The Red Rocker is just next to the Fanning Outpost General Store, which was mentioned as a must see.  Unfortunately it is out of business now.
 

This mural is on the side of the Fanning Outpost General Store.

  

Lost Valley Lake Resort near Owensville, MO

Tuesday, September 27. 2016

Today we move to Lost Valley Lake Resort near Owensville, MO.  We have not been in this part of Missouri before. 

Beautiful entrance. This made us anticipate a beautiful resort.

This is our site.  It is really narrow and right on a curve.  Good news is it is plenty long for us, mostly level and FHU with 50 amp. Also there are not many people in the park so it feels like we have more room.

 

 We took a walk around the park.  This is one of several fishing ponds in the park.

This bear is just outside the club house close to us.  This park is large and has several club houses.  The laundry room is just behind the bear.  2 washers & 2 dryers and each is only $0.75.
 

This building was called the Lodge.  The upstairs is not finished, but the downstairs is open.  Apparently it has been under construction for at least 3 years.  The view from the upper porch is beautiful.  

 

This walkway is across another fishing pond.  We were told that they stocked the ponds in the spring.

 

 Above and below are near the registration office.

Above and below are the boat house front and back.  You can rent flat bottom boats, paddle boats and kayaks during the season.  It is closed now.

As you can tell, this is a beautiful park. We are looking forward to our week here.

 

Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm, Kansas City, MO

Saturday, Sept 24, 2016

For our second adventure of the day we went to the "Old West Days" at the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm. This event was supposed to cost us $5 each.  However we followed the directions on their website to the free shuttle.  It turns out the directions were not clear and we were in the wrong place.  After waiting 45 mins we finally discovered where we were supposed to be.  So at the admissions desk we strongly suggested they put some signs out for people not familiar with the area. We explained we waited 45 mins before we figured out where we were supposed to be.  They gave us free admission for our inconvenience.  That was nice.

When we first walked into the farm area we saw these "cows".  However the sign said "oxen".  So I had to ask, "what is the difference between cows and oxen?"  I was told education.  Cows are trained about 4 years learning all the voice commands used in work on the farm.  I guess they are slow learners.  Hee Hee! Once they obey all the voice commands they graduate to oxen.  

This is one of the Buffalo Soldiers displays. Buffalo Soldiers originally were members of the U.S. 10th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army, formed on September 21, 1866 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. This nickname was given to the "Negro Cavalry" by the Native American tribes they fought in the Indian Wars.

There was a chuckwagon cook-off that we got to participate in for free.  Everyone there got to sample the cooking of 4 different chuckwagons and vote.  Each wagon served beef, potatoes, beans, biscuits and dessert.  We voted on each item and on best overall.
 

Above and below are a couple of the chuckwagons.

There were also lots of activities the kids could participate in at a small additional cost.
 

Here is the Mahaffie's blacksmith barn. Kids got to shape some iron.
 

Mahaffie's barn.  It was filled with old equipment and horse stalls.  
 

The Mahaffie's house.  We got to tour the inside, but could not get pictures. The woodwork was still so beautiful!
 

The stagecoach was held up.  We missed getting the bad cowboys riding in from one direction.  Then the sheriff and deputies rode in from the other direction.  Kids enjoyed it.

 There were 2 sometimes 3 stagecoaches giving rides.

We rode in this one.  We were told stagecoaches travelled 24 hours a day with stops about every 3 hours to change the horses.  The drivers had a 12 hour shifts then a change of driver. Passengers were unloaded during the change of horses which took about 20 minutes. Seems that would be a hard way to travel.
 

Beatty and Lucinda Mahaffie.  They owned over 500 acres and considered the second wealthiest in the area.  Very interesting history in this little museum.

Kansas City Car Show

Saturday, Sept 24, 2016

Today we plan two very different adventures.  So I will be posting them separately.  

First we went to one of several car shows happening in Kansas City.
I'm including some of our favorites.

This all aluminum cobra was pretty.  It is so shiny that the clouds in the sky are reflected on the car.

1955 Chevy

 

 Ford - Can't remember the year

 1950 Mercury

 This 1940 LaSalle facinated me because I'd not heard of a LaSalle before.  Read below to learn more about the LaSalle.

1957 Chevy.  Below is the engine, but notice the air horn.  I would have loved to hear it.  I'm sure it was loud.

 If I remember correctly this fire truck was a 1979.  It was restored to original including hoses.

This 1947 Buick fascinated me.  I liked that the hood opened sideways and it has an in-line 8 cylinder.

This 1979 Beetle convertible was in excellent condition.  Cool.

We had fun.  Best part was that it was free. Time to move on to our next adventure.  See next post.