We like Ike!

Day off in Abilene! Quintessential small town farming community. AND boyhood home of Dwight D Eisenhower. His presidential library, museum, boyhood house, and tomb are all located on a nicely manicured campus in town. Thought I'd only spend a couple hours here but the museum and story of his life and accomplishments were really absorbing. So much so that I cancelled my haircut appointment later in the day. I realized I just wouldn't be able to make it back to the hotel on time. Well worth the time and trip.

What struck me most about Ike's story was how a humble a man he was. He saw it as his duty to serve and give his talents to not just the country but to the world when we were facing the darkest of times. The two decades spanning planning and executing the D-Day invasion through his terms as President were times unlike what we've seen before. From commanding the joint allied forces to overseeing post war America including building the interstate highway system and endorsing our fledgling space program, Ike was there. A great day getting acquainted with the man. I didn't know that both Democrats and Republicans wanted him at the top of their ticket. Are there men/women like that today? Rather sad to think about it.

Spent remainder of day walking thru small town and having lunch at great lunch and trinket shop. Got the tip and directions on this place from Betty at the hardware store. On the way there a loud siren blasted away for a minute or more. Learned later in the day was that it was the first Tuesday of the month test of their Tornado Warning System. Whoa. Different set of issues and priorities here.

The girl who took our order at our lunch stop was no older than 14. "Johnny" was helping her mom at the shop now that school was out for the summer. Leaving our luncheon and walking the tree lined streets back to the hotel, we realized it started feeling like summer. Tomorrow's 105 mile ride to Topeka will be a change from the cool rides we've become accustomed to. I see 90's in our future...

Capped off the day with a trolley ride to the Farm Table just on the outskirts of town. Great place. Old farmhouse now restaurant. Favorite of Ike's when he came back to town. We treated our driver and his wife to dinner there.

Ike's final resting place

The tree lined grounds

Trolley ride it the Farm Table for dinner

Ike sat here...signed underside of chair at the restaurant. 

Chicken Fried Steak and Country Gravy was a hit. 

So were the home made pies.

Make mine Lemon Meringue! Awesome!