I didn't know if I wanted to travel anywhere more than an hour on Sunday, the day after the wedding and reception. The next two days would be long travel days. I'm not the road warrior I once was.
But thankfully, I was convinced to go to Stockton and Mt Vernon. In hindsight, it became the only opportunity in 2025 to do so. I had dreams that we would visit in August 2025 but those dreams never came true. Maybe next year.
Leaving from Great Bend gave us the opportunity to take a different highway, at least on the way up. We took 281 north to Russell - I hadn't been in downtown Russell for years. After stopping to pick up some postcards, we drove north on 281 to Osborne. I forgot how much beauty was on that drive - it had been at least 40 years since I last traveled that stretch.
When we got to Osborne, we turned west on 24. I was thinking about Cawker City but thought the better of it - maybe next year.
We did drive past Alton - my mom was born there. Both sides of her family are buried near Alton but in separate cemeteries. One family on the east side and the other family on the west side. If you blink your eye, you'll probably miss seeing the entirety of Alton, Kansas. But a lot of family history there.
I do like the brick main street of Stockton. Thankfully, so far, the brick has been retained as it is highway 24 through town.
I read the Stockton newspaper - and by reading the past news sections, I discovered that I was awarded prizes on two occasions for the best costume: one at school and one at the VFW. My mom was creative on the sewing machine!
I wasn't sure how the roads would be west of Stockton with all of the rain. But no concern - it didn't rain west of Stockton the night before. We took old highway 24 and drove up and down hills. We drove past the old farm. What a wide valley that is. Nothing is the same as far as buildings and such but the Ash Creek valley remains the same.
And then we came to Mt Vernon to visit gravesites. I have so many relatives buried there - from both paternal branches of the family. It's like we can't visit them all. But we did visit mom and dad. Mom's gravesite still more dirt than grass despite 18 months of weather.
Paid our respects to other family members - grandparents, uncles, aunt. And a couple of great grandparents.
Well my sister surprised us with an invitation for dinner. So we rushed back to Great Bend after driving by an exceptionally low Webster Lake. Highway 18 to 183 to Interstate 70 back to 281. Webster - Zurich - Plainville - Hays - Russell - Great Bend. Felt like driving through my past and into long forgotten homes and memories.
We had a great supper with sister, brother-in-law, and the new bride! I had some delicious potato pancakes - reminded me of mom's cooking.
Peace and love.
Dwight
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