Sunday night found Zac camping in Larned, Kansas, reconnecting with his travelling friends from the past week. The winds continue making the biking very difficult. The wind makes it necessary for the Fort Larned State Park personnel to change the flags every three months due to shredding.
Fort Larned was built to protect the Santa Fe Trail. The Santa Fe Trail was essential for commerce from Missouri to then Mexican city of Santa Fe. It also served the Oregon Trail. Kansas was the gathering point for the wagon trains for the Oregon Trail It is estimated that 300,000 people travelled to the West Coast during the 20 years after the first caravan in 1841. The Oregon Trail started in Independence, MO and entered Kansas. It was a 2,000 miles journey, either going west and north to end in the Columbus River Valley of Oregon or going west and south to the gold fields in California.
Zac called in "live" for an 11 A.M. interview with Liz Hill on WAGT, NBC Augusta for an update on his journey. We were not sure that Zac would have a cell signal so I had to go in my ZAC ATTACK T-shirt and be interviewed. I could not hear what Zac was saying to Liz so I had to wing my comments. They have been so very supportive of Zac's "Sea to Shining Sea" ride.
Today, I also picked up a copy of the VERGE magazine, a Augusta monthly publication. Katie McGuire wrote an article about Zac's biking venture and it was released on June 6th. The VERGE appears to centered on the downtown Augusta community. Thank you.
We leave Zac peddling against the wind in Kansas again. He has gone about 1800 miles of his 4100 mile journey.
Tomorrow is the last day of school for the Sunset Park Elementary School students and we wish them all the best for their summer vacation. You are all the best and we are still amazed by you all.
*posted by Zac's mom again.... Go Zac!*
Monday, June 9, 2008
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Day 36 Wind and more Wind
Zac is in Windy Kansas... Every other sentence he speaks has the word "WIND" in it which has made biking very difficult...Zac made it to windy Hutchinson yesterday and was able to get repairs and supplies at a bike shop that opened in 1922 and one of their employees just retired after 48 years of service. Zac continues on the windy TransAmerica trail. There are many churches and community centers along this designated trail that offer their hospitality to the bikers. Zac was staying at one of these, the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church,enjoying a warm bed and community kitchen. He had grocery shopped before he stopped and was amazed with how much the cost of groceries have escalated since his biking trip last summer.
Hutchinson is 39 windy miles NW of Wichita on the Arkansas River. It is home of the Prairie Dunes County Club, founded in 1930. It is frequently ranked among the best golf courses in the US and has hosted several USGA national champinship tournaments.
"Hutch" is also known as the "Salt City". It was discovered in 1887 and the first salt processing plant was built west of the Mississippi. They also built the WORLD'S longest grain elevator in 1961- that fact will come in handy, I am sure.
Anita Coursaut, the late actress known as Helen Crump of the Andy Griffith Show was born here and "Hutch" is also the home of Murry Wilson, the father of the Willson brothers of the Beach Boys.. Who knew?
Zac will leave windy Hutchinson, and peddling to some very small windy town in Kansas.. against the Wind......
Thank you all for asking about Zac, sending us notes and he appreciates all the kind donations. He has been amazed at everyone's involvement and generosity, This helps so very much when you are peddling, against the Wind....
*posted by Zac's mom who sends all her love to the students of Sunset Park Elementary School*
Hutchinson is 39 windy miles NW of Wichita on the Arkansas River. It is home of the Prairie Dunes County Club, founded in 1930. It is frequently ranked among the best golf courses in the US and has hosted several USGA national champinship tournaments.
"Hutch" is also known as the "Salt City". It was discovered in 1887 and the first salt processing plant was built west of the Mississippi. They also built the WORLD'S longest grain elevator in 1961- that fact will come in handy, I am sure.
Anita Coursaut, the late actress known as Helen Crump of the Andy Griffith Show was born here and "Hutch" is also the home of Murry Wilson, the father of the Willson brothers of the Beach Boys.. Who knew?
Zac will leave windy Hutchinson, and peddling to some very small windy town in Kansas.. against the Wind......
Thank you all for asking about Zac, sending us notes and he appreciates all the kind donations. He has been amazed at everyone's involvement and generosity, This helps so very much when you are peddling, against the Wind....
*posted by Zac's mom who sends all her love to the students of Sunset Park Elementary School*
Friday, June 6, 2008
Day 35 S.P.T.A.C. YOU ROCK!
There is not a satisfactory way to thank the Students and the Teaching Staff of Sunset Park Elementary. My words cannot tell you what an incredible job the Sunset Park Trojans Attack Cancer group did to quickly organize one of the most amazing events for the L&L Society. Pictures cannot show you the students' enthusiasm and the staff enthusiasm for this afternoon's event in the 100 degree heat. Kay Brohl went with me this morning, bearing SPTAC personalized water bottles for all and the prize of the dirt bike and helmet. Zac's dad, sister Erin ,and her boyfriend Chris also drove up for the event and gratefully so. The day began early with Cassie and 12 teachers bravely biking a 6-mile route to school and being met by all the cheering students.
Zac was able to call from "somewhere" in Kansas,spoke to the kids and did the count down for the biking and the dancing to begin.
Ms. Cagle and her staff had roped off the dancing area and the track for the bikers Their individual activities continued for 60 minutes, cut short by a few minutes due to the excessive heat and the popsicle treats. The participants were watered frequently and supervised by the school nurse.
Today was also the last day of the Coin Races, the Dollar Day.
The Honor balloons were released as the names of loved ones and friends were read.
An Honor board also listed the names of those affected by cancer in the school family.
The media attended with the Herald reporters there and the reporters of the local TV stations.
The TOTAL raised for SPTAC....$3100.00 -- THREE times the goal that they had set!
There are many aspects of this fundraiser that stand out. The idea was the students' when Ms. Cagle told them of their family friend following the same Oregon trail as the one mentioned in their textbooks. The students decided to raise funds for Zac and his journey for the LLS. A trio of students spearheaded the efforts, the 4th grade submitted proposals and ideas for fundraising, and involved the entire elementary school of 350 students. The teaching staff with Ms. Cagle were all involved and happily so. Their energy was limitless. Their attitude inspiring. They were so proud and so happy to do what they did and attacked it with such vigor that it would put most adults to shame. There were smiles everywhere despite the heat and humidity.
$3100 for an incredible cause and the Sunset Park Trojans, grades 1-5 only spoke of all the people that they would help. One mother was a lymphoma survivor.
How could not one walk away unaffected by this unselfish, generous and huge effort.
In leaving the Sunset Park Elementary School, we discussed how well behaved, friendly and mannerly the students were... Hats off to the entire teaching staff and Ms. Cassie Cagle. We appreciate Barbara and Pansy from the District office also showing up and dancing in that heat..
As soon as I remember how to transfer pictures on the blog, we have some great pictures.......... What an impressive day!
*posted by Zac's mom who wishes that Zac could have been there to see what he inspired and then to be inspired by the entire student body* Unbelievable....*
Zac was able to call from "somewhere" in Kansas,spoke to the kids and did the count down for the biking and the dancing to begin.
Ms. Cagle and her staff had roped off the dancing area and the track for the bikers Their individual activities continued for 60 minutes, cut short by a few minutes due to the excessive heat and the popsicle treats. The participants were watered frequently and supervised by the school nurse.
Today was also the last day of the Coin Races, the Dollar Day.
The Honor balloons were released as the names of loved ones and friends were read.
An Honor board also listed the names of those affected by cancer in the school family.
The media attended with the Herald reporters there and the reporters of the local TV stations.
The TOTAL raised for SPTAC....$3100.00 -- THREE times the goal that they had set!
There are many aspects of this fundraiser that stand out. The idea was the students' when Ms. Cagle told them of their family friend following the same Oregon trail as the one mentioned in their textbooks. The students decided to raise funds for Zac and his journey for the LLS. A trio of students spearheaded the efforts, the 4th grade submitted proposals and ideas for fundraising, and involved the entire elementary school of 350 students. The teaching staff with Ms. Cagle were all involved and happily so. Their energy was limitless. Their attitude inspiring. They were so proud and so happy to do what they did and attacked it with such vigor that it would put most adults to shame. There were smiles everywhere despite the heat and humidity.
$3100 for an incredible cause and the Sunset Park Trojans, grades 1-5 only spoke of all the people that they would help. One mother was a lymphoma survivor.
How could not one walk away unaffected by this unselfish, generous and huge effort.
In leaving the Sunset Park Elementary School, we discussed how well behaved, friendly and mannerly the students were... Hats off to the entire teaching staff and Ms. Cassie Cagle. We appreciate Barbara and Pansy from the District office also showing up and dancing in that heat..
As soon as I remember how to transfer pictures on the blog, we have some great pictures.......... What an impressive day!
*posted by Zac's mom who wishes that Zac could have been there to see what he inspired and then to be inspired by the entire student body* Unbelievable....*
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Eureka! KS is where I am.
Hey everyone, I thought that I would first post pics with descriptions and then post a state to state synopsis.
This is the crossing from Hunting Island, SC to Beaufort. This was on my first dsy of riding.
This was the typical South Carolina road all the way up to Clemson. I did not have any hills until right before Barnwell SC. 110 miles from the coast. Thanks Barnwell.
These nice folk are Pastor Aaron and his wife, Chrissy, from Calhoun Falls, SC. I rode up to their house from Aiken. My trip was a total of 93 miles. On the way, my friend Joel, passed me on his way back to Clemson. We chilled out and talked for a minute while I enjoyed the AC in his car. Aaron and Chrissy had dinner waiting for me on the kitchen table. That dinner was as good as gold to me. They were so friendly and we had a good time talking and eating. I did a lot of both. It's hospitality like this that makes you realize that there are a whole lot of really great people out there. No matter what FOX news says.
From Clemson, I went through GA, to NC all in one day. I climbed for three hours straight up to Highlands NC and then I went 18 miles down hill to Franklin......the whole way.....faster than the cars........it was rad. Here's some pics from that day.
The mountain I climbed is the big'n behind me.
Great view from the top!
I did not have a camera from TN to the end of MO which really stinks. I lost it....like I do with everything I own. Here are my pics from KS with my new camera.
Here I am crossing the border into KS from MO with my friends Menno, Tjoan, Wayne, and Dianne. Menno and Tjoan are from the Netherlands. They are riding recumbent bicycles. They look funny but they are super comfy and can go super fast downhill. They can go 60 downhill. I can only get up to 45. They are great. Dianne and Wayne are from Virginia. They are way older than I am and I have trouble keeping up with them. We all ride together or separate when we are going through the same areas. Sometimes I see their bikes parked out in front of a store and I stop to check in with them. It leads to a lot of spontaneous group lunches and story swapping.
Well those are my pics. I have more that I will post. They are on other peoples' cameras. Now its time for a state to state recap.
SC- As many of you know this was the first state I travelled through. I left from Beaufort. I know a lot of people here so I only had to camp my first night in SC. I spent a couple of days at the rents house. I stayed with the afformentioned couple from Calhoun Falls. I love yal! I stayed with my buddy Joel the night before I ascended into NC via GA. The only difficulty I encountered in SC was too much weight on my bike and not being totally conditioned to riding with that much weight. Before my climb into NC, i lightened my load my taking off aerobars, my front rack and bags.
NC- I was only in NC for two days. Both days had excellent climbing and descents. The people were nice, as they often are in the South. The scenery was scenic and all was well with the cosmos. A lovely lady named Pam Forshee sponsored me by putting me up in a hotel room in Franklin, NC. I didn't even ask her and she just offered. Once again the niceness of people is shocking. I got through NC pretty quick.
TN- I had a rough ride into Chattanooga and then I took some rest days at my friend Reese's apt. He is awesome. We just hung out, ate, and he watched me pass out after each meal. I have never felt so "bonked" for so long. It was at this point that my body finally got into gear for weighted bicycle touring. THanks Reese. After Chattanooga, I rode to Winchester, TN where Steve and Connie Young put me up in their B and B called the Antebellum Inn. They even let me sleep in a King Size bed with a bathroom you could run laps around! What awesome folk! I rode several days of monotonous Hwy 64 until I ran out of inner tubes 40 mi outside of Memphis. My broham Jacob picked me up and then let me chill at his house for a number of days. We threw a party and then went to another one. It was great. I loved seeing all of my Memphis friends. After Memphis, six friends and I rode up the Mississippi River Trail to Fort Pillow St. Park. It was right at 100 miles and I thought it was supposed to be 85. 3 of them returned to Memphis for work the next day. Roger and Isaiah stayed with me until Reelfoot Lake, TN near the KY border.
KY- The ferry I planned to take across the river was closed so I had to continue a days ride northward into KY. Instead of crossing into MO from KY I had to ride to MO via IL. I did this all in a day.
IL- Nice!
MO- I dont think that I am a fan of Missouri. I finally got westbound after connecting to the east to west Trans AM route. This is basically the A.T. of bicycle touring. The Ozarks were the hardest part of the ride that I have encountered. The hills and the people were mean. The hills did not let you continue any momentum and the people would stare at you from a distance of five feet. They would not even respond to a "Howdy" or "How are you doin?" This part of MO seemed like they wanted to be a part of the South but lacked the hospitality. The scenery was nice. One night two friends and I camped out beside the crystal clear current river. It was real camping. We marched our bikes and stuff down to a beach where we went for a nice swim, shower. The stars were great that night and the babbling stream lent itself to a relaxing time. I lost track of Jesse and Charlie, those two guys. I doubt I will catch up to them.
KS- This is where I am now. KS is hard. The winds are relentless. You sometimes have to exert yourself twice as hard to go the same distance. It is not all flat. Gradual hills exacerbated by the winds can take it out of you. Tornados are in season and that is another consideration. Today I have to take a rest day bc of the impending doom. Tonight they are supposed to have super cell activity. The people here are sooooooo nice. I feel at home. Everyone is helpful and they give me plenty of room on the road. I am taking a much needed rest day in Eureka. I have only been in KS three days. After my rest day. I will do mega miles. Keep you posted. I am out. The library is about to close.
This is the crossing from Hunting Island, SC to Beaufort. This was on my first dsy of riding.
This was the typical South Carolina road all the way up to Clemson. I did not have any hills until right before Barnwell SC. 110 miles from the coast. Thanks Barnwell.
These nice folk are Pastor Aaron and his wife, Chrissy, from Calhoun Falls, SC. I rode up to their house from Aiken. My trip was a total of 93 miles. On the way, my friend Joel, passed me on his way back to Clemson. We chilled out and talked for a minute while I enjoyed the AC in his car. Aaron and Chrissy had dinner waiting for me on the kitchen table. That dinner was as good as gold to me. They were so friendly and we had a good time talking and eating. I did a lot of both. It's hospitality like this that makes you realize that there are a whole lot of really great people out there. No matter what FOX news says.
From Clemson, I went through GA, to NC all in one day. I climbed for three hours straight up to Highlands NC and then I went 18 miles down hill to Franklin......the whole way.....faster than the cars........it was rad. Here's some pics from that day.
The mountain I climbed is the big'n behind me.
Great view from the top!
I did not have a camera from TN to the end of MO which really stinks. I lost it....like I do with everything I own. Here are my pics from KS with my new camera.
Here I am crossing the border into KS from MO with my friends Menno, Tjoan, Wayne, and Dianne. Menno and Tjoan are from the Netherlands. They are riding recumbent bicycles. They look funny but they are super comfy and can go super fast downhill. They can go 60 downhill. I can only get up to 45. They are great. Dianne and Wayne are from Virginia. They are way older than I am and I have trouble keeping up with them. We all ride together or separate when we are going through the same areas. Sometimes I see their bikes parked out in front of a store and I stop to check in with them. It leads to a lot of spontaneous group lunches and story swapping.
Well those are my pics. I have more that I will post. They are on other peoples' cameras. Now its time for a state to state recap.
SC- As many of you know this was the first state I travelled through. I left from Beaufort. I know a lot of people here so I only had to camp my first night in SC. I spent a couple of days at the rents house. I stayed with the afformentioned couple from Calhoun Falls. I love yal! I stayed with my buddy Joel the night before I ascended into NC via GA. The only difficulty I encountered in SC was too much weight on my bike and not being totally conditioned to riding with that much weight. Before my climb into NC, i lightened my load my taking off aerobars, my front rack and bags.
NC- I was only in NC for two days. Both days had excellent climbing and descents. The people were nice, as they often are in the South. The scenery was scenic and all was well with the cosmos. A lovely lady named Pam Forshee sponsored me by putting me up in a hotel room in Franklin, NC. I didn't even ask her and she just offered. Once again the niceness of people is shocking. I got through NC pretty quick.
TN- I had a rough ride into Chattanooga and then I took some rest days at my friend Reese's apt. He is awesome. We just hung out, ate, and he watched me pass out after each meal. I have never felt so "bonked" for so long. It was at this point that my body finally got into gear for weighted bicycle touring. THanks Reese. After Chattanooga, I rode to Winchester, TN where Steve and Connie Young put me up in their B and B called the Antebellum Inn. They even let me sleep in a King Size bed with a bathroom you could run laps around! What awesome folk! I rode several days of monotonous Hwy 64 until I ran out of inner tubes 40 mi outside of Memphis. My broham Jacob picked me up and then let me chill at his house for a number of days. We threw a party and then went to another one. It was great. I loved seeing all of my Memphis friends. After Memphis, six friends and I rode up the Mississippi River Trail to Fort Pillow St. Park. It was right at 100 miles and I thought it was supposed to be 85. 3 of them returned to Memphis for work the next day. Roger and Isaiah stayed with me until Reelfoot Lake, TN near the KY border.
KY- The ferry I planned to take across the river was closed so I had to continue a days ride northward into KY. Instead of crossing into MO from KY I had to ride to MO via IL. I did this all in a day.
IL- Nice!
MO- I dont think that I am a fan of Missouri. I finally got westbound after connecting to the east to west Trans AM route. This is basically the A.T. of bicycle touring. The Ozarks were the hardest part of the ride that I have encountered. The hills and the people were mean. The hills did not let you continue any momentum and the people would stare at you from a distance of five feet. They would not even respond to a "Howdy" or "How are you doin?" This part of MO seemed like they wanted to be a part of the South but lacked the hospitality. The scenery was nice. One night two friends and I camped out beside the crystal clear current river. It was real camping. We marched our bikes and stuff down to a beach where we went for a nice swim, shower. The stars were great that night and the babbling stream lent itself to a relaxing time. I lost track of Jesse and Charlie, those two guys. I doubt I will catch up to them.
KS- This is where I am now. KS is hard. The winds are relentless. You sometimes have to exert yourself twice as hard to go the same distance. It is not all flat. Gradual hills exacerbated by the winds can take it out of you. Tornados are in season and that is another consideration. Today I have to take a rest day bc of the impending doom. Tonight they are supposed to have super cell activity. The people here are sooooooo nice. I feel at home. Everyone is helpful and they give me plenty of room on the road. I am taking a much needed rest day in Eureka. I have only been in KS three days. After my rest day. I will do mega miles. Keep you posted. I am out. The library is about to close.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
UPDATE ON S.P.T.A.C. ..........Amazing!
Well, Sunset Park Trojans Attack Cancer report today by Ms. Cassie Cagle is amazing.......
The Winners of the Coin Races are as follows:
Monday......PENNY DAY.........1st Grade (Yinopoulous)
Tuesday.....NICKEL DAY........2nd Grade (Nowell)
Wednesday...DIME DAY .........4th Grade (Smalls)
And the overall total today raised thus far.......$1200.00 raised for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.....
Is this not Incredible? Congratulations to the Students and Staff of Sunset Park!
The Winners of the Coin Races are as follows:
Monday......PENNY DAY.........1st Grade (Yinopoulous)
Tuesday.....NICKEL DAY........2nd Grade (Nowell)
Wednesday...DIME DAY .........4th Grade (Smalls)
And the overall total today raised thus far.......$1200.00 raised for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.....
Is this not Incredible? Congratulations to the Students and Staff of Sunset Park!
Days 32 & 33 Blown around in Kansas
Zac just called in from Toronto, KS, population 312 persons... #311 and #312 were talking to him while he was trying to talk to me. I did hear that he camped out at a campsite last night and had to watch the most incredible night storms. The winds were about 50 mph and the storms were surrounding him 360 degrees. The lighting all around him was so frequent and so bright that it was as light as daylight at times. Those of you who know the family, know that we are alittle uneasy with lighting since 2002!! He had to take his tent down at one point in a hurry, and in repacking, his cooking fluid got all over his DromLight bag.... I have just found out that that is a 6-liter water bladder and kerosene does not wash out completely. I have found one to send to him at the next town, along with the needed Dr. Bonner's all purpose soap. I choose "Eucalyptus" which I am sure will thrill Zac! Won't he smell refreshed through Kansas!
Zac is apparently in the valley of the Verdigris River, about 50-60 miles out of Wichita Falls.
The local newspaper today says "Thursday could bring a tornado outbreak to the Great Plains, according to local meteorologists who are warning residents to pay attention to the weather.
Computer forecasting models for the day bear striking similarities to the conditions present on June 8, 1974, when 39 tornadoes touched down in the southern Plains and killed 22 people -- including six in Emporia." I have warned Zac and he is going to stay in the lower floor of some motel, hopefully.
The two young men that Zac was biking with had continued on while he had to stay back and do some business and phone calling. They are thinking that they will reconnect at some point on the trail ahead.
Zac is tired today and not doing the usual daily mileage. He is going to try to get to Eureka, the "Racing Capital of Kansas" They have a quarterhorse race track. The town, population 3,000, got its name when an early pioneer shouted "Eureka", after discovering a spring of water that is now known as the Fall River.. I could not make this up....
So we leave Zac peddling towards Eureka, in the Kansas wind.. I think he has tried to click his heels together many times but has not worked.. Perhaps if he had red biking shoes!
The students of Sunset Park...SPTAC.. have exceeded their goal of $1,000 yesterday. We need to find out what grade won the Nickel Day coin races and the Ice Cream Party. They are getting geared for the big day on Friday, June 6th...
*posted by Zac's mom who is learning more than she ever thought from this bike ride*
Zac is apparently in the valley of the Verdigris River, about 50-60 miles out of Wichita Falls.
The local newspaper today says "Thursday could bring a tornado outbreak to the Great Plains, according to local meteorologists who are warning residents to pay attention to the weather.
Computer forecasting models for the day bear striking similarities to the conditions present on June 8, 1974, when 39 tornadoes touched down in the southern Plains and killed 22 people -- including six in Emporia." I have warned Zac and he is going to stay in the lower floor of some motel, hopefully.
The two young men that Zac was biking with had continued on while he had to stay back and do some business and phone calling. They are thinking that they will reconnect at some point on the trail ahead.
Zac is tired today and not doing the usual daily mileage. He is going to try to get to Eureka, the "Racing Capital of Kansas" They have a quarterhorse race track. The town, population 3,000, got its name when an early pioneer shouted "Eureka", after discovering a spring of water that is now known as the Fall River.. I could not make this up....
So we leave Zac peddling towards Eureka, in the Kansas wind.. I think he has tried to click his heels together many times but has not worked.. Perhaps if he had red biking shoes!
The students of Sunset Park...SPTAC.. have exceeded their goal of $1,000 yesterday. We need to find out what grade won the Nickel Day coin races and the Ice Cream Party. They are getting geared for the big day on Friday, June 6th...
*posted by Zac's mom who is learning more than she ever thought from this bike ride*
Monday, June 2, 2008
Days 30 & 31 Thru 7 States, 5 more to Go!
Zac continues to bike with Jessie from New York and Charlie from Pittsburgh and making good time. They met two Dutch riders in recumbent bicycles who are crossing America as well,but at a different pace. They were much older...40ish! Zac and the other two men tried to get a motel room at the only one in the rural area but the woman would not let them rent the one room. She allowed them to camp under the tin roof to stay dry. Only one of the three is not sporting facial hair but Zac did not think that this made any significant difference... There were thoughts of prank calling this woman all the way to the west coast but their good raisin' by their mamas came through. The people in Missouri, except for Ruth, have not impressed Zac with their overall friendliness and helpfulness.. Our new friend Ruth was the only one that excelled in points.
Zac's mid morning meal was at Lamar, MO, the birthplace of our 33rd President of the United States, Harry Truman. The birthplace is now a historic State Park. He is known for many things, the most common was ending the war with the release of the atomic bomb. He returned to Independence, MO to retire.
Zac crossed over... into the state of Kansas. mid day, and they were to stay tonight at Chanute, KS, population 9500. Chanute is named after Octave Chanute, a French born railroad engineer and aviation pioneer.
Chanute was responsible for designing and constructing the country's two biggest stockyards, Chicago(1865) and Kansas City(1871). He designed the first bridge to cross the Missouri River. He also invented the system for pressure treating railroad ties and telephone poles with creosote to preserve them. He also designed the system of dating railroad nails for the railroad companies to develop maintenance patterns.
When he retired from engineering, he became interested in and organized data in aviation. He took the early design of hang gliders and worked with others to test them since he was too old to attempt to fly them himself. He provided the Wright Brothers with help and advice, and helped publicise their flying experiments...
Zac is enjoying the travelling companions for this short time. He is concerned about Dr. Durrett and his recent health problems and has been calling frequently to check on our dear friend.
So we leave Zac in Kansas....Zac is passing on a hello to the kids of Sunset Park!
*posted by Zac's mom and so glad he has his new phone*
Zac's mid morning meal was at Lamar, MO, the birthplace of our 33rd President of the United States, Harry Truman. The birthplace is now a historic State Park. He is known for many things, the most common was ending the war with the release of the atomic bomb. He returned to Independence, MO to retire.
Zac crossed over... into the state of Kansas. mid day, and they were to stay tonight at Chanute, KS, population 9500. Chanute is named after Octave Chanute, a French born railroad engineer and aviation pioneer.
Chanute was responsible for designing and constructing the country's two biggest stockyards, Chicago(1865) and Kansas City(1871). He designed the first bridge to cross the Missouri River. He also invented the system for pressure treating railroad ties and telephone poles with creosote to preserve them. He also designed the system of dating railroad nails for the railroad companies to develop maintenance patterns.
When he retired from engineering, he became interested in and organized data in aviation. He took the early design of hang gliders and worked with others to test them since he was too old to attempt to fly them himself. He provided the Wright Brothers with help and advice, and helped publicise their flying experiments...
Zac is enjoying the travelling companions for this short time. He is concerned about Dr. Durrett and his recent health problems and has been calling frequently to check on our dear friend.
So we leave Zac in Kansas....Zac is passing on a hello to the kids of Sunset Park!
*posted by Zac's mom and so glad he has his new phone*
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)