A busy rest day here in the boonies of Kansas. Fred and Mary Ellen sold their house in Overland Park just this last week so he had one more trip to make to move out last minute stuff. Of course, being the grunt laborer I am, I helped him. We had a heavy walnut table and a 4×8 piece of plywood that was heavier than normal because it was a work of art. Plus lots of small stuff. When we got home, which is now on a farm in the boonies near Baldwin City, of course, we had to unload it all. By then, the temps had risen onto the 80’s and I was suffering from the heat.
Cleaned my bike and did some food shopping for the next day or so. Fred is going to drive me to the start of the Rock Island Spur of the Katy trail tomorrow morning.
Yesterday and today, while driving from here and there, Fred was a wealth of information about the history of the area. So the picture above is of the oldest active library in the state of Kansas in the little burg of Vinland. Note the notice on the door about the hours. The village has two churches, an airport and a few houses. And the cool thing, there were two picnic tables right beside the grass runway. Also, there is a company right there beside the runway that makes parts for antique airplanes.
Also, Nai Smith, was the preacher in one of the churches and invented the game of basketball in 1891. He was the first basketball coach at KS Univ and the only one with a losing record.
Like a said, Fred was a veritable fountain of information. He took me all over Douglas County and gave me the rural tour. Thank you, Fred.
Mary Ellen’s claim to fame was her smoked ribs. Certainly did not go hungry these two days. Thank you.
BikerAl Across America 2018 
Glad you traveled Douglas County.
South DG is where I grew up. Know Vinland well. Graduated from Baldwin High.
Continue on! Good Luck!
Irv
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