Dwight David Eisenhower was born in Denison TX, but his family moved to Abilene KS when he was one year old. Ike always considered Abilene his home and lived here until he moved to attend West Point.
From Wikipedia:
"Eisenhower championed and signed the bill that authorized the Interstate Highway System in 1956. He justified the project through the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 as essential to American security during the Cold War.
Eisenhower's goal to create improved highways was influenced by his involvement in the Army's 1919 Transcontinental Motor Convoy. He was assigned as an observer for the mission, which involved sending a convoy of Army vehicles coast to coast. His subsequent experience with the German autobahn convinced him of the benefits of an Interstate Highway System. The system could also be used as a runway for airplanes, which would be beneficial to war efforts. Franklin D. Roosevelt put this system into place with the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1944. He thought that an interstate highway system would be beneficial for military operations and would support continued economic growth. The legislation initially stalled in Congress over the issuance of bonds to finance the project, but the legislative effort was renewed and Eisenhower signed the law in June 1956."
From Wikipedia:
"Throughout his presidency, Eisenhower adhered to a political philosophy of dynamic conservatism. He described himself as a "progressive conservative" and used terms such as "progressive moderate" and "dynamic conservatism" to describe his approach. He continued all the major New Deal programs still in operation, especially Social Security. He expanded its programs and rolled them into the new Cabinet-level agency of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, while extending benefits to an additional ten million workers. He implemented racial integration in the Armed Services in two years, which had not been completed under Truman."
“Some men are considered great because they lead great armies or they lead powerful nations. For eight years now, Dwight Eisenhower has neither commanded an army nor led a nation; and yet he remained through his final days the world’s most admired and respected man, truly the first citizen of the world.”
President Richard Nixon at Eisenhower's funeral in 1969
 |
| The final resting place of Ike and Mamie |
 |
| "NUTS!!!!!" No wait, I think that was actually Brig. Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe! |
By 1:00 we were on the road again, westbound on I-70. We topped off with about 60 gallons of diesel at Oakley KS and observed a huge thunderstorm on the western horizon. At this point we had the choice of staying on I-70 or bearing south on US 40, which was a little more direct route to Colorado Springs, our next destination. Our GPS suggested the southerly route, and the storms seemed to look worse to the north, so we struck off on US 40. I don't know if this choice actually minimized our impact from the storm. I just know we drove through the most wind and rain that I can ever remember. I guess its was good that we were driving on a relatively remote highway with little traffic vs. a major interstate. We elected not to stop, mainly because there was nowhere to safely pull over, and proceeded slowly with flashers going, until the storm subsided.
By the time the storm subsided it was late afternoon and Dorcas began scouting for a home for the night. She discovered Fort Wallace RV Sites, a small city park in Wallace KS, that had positive on-line reviews and was inexpensive. Before proceeding to the camp we stopped at the Fort Wallace Museum, which also served as the town visitor center. We arrived just before closing and inquired about the RV park in town. The lady managing the museum said that after the recent storm, the sites might be muddy. We asked if it would be OK to park in the museum parking lot overnight instead, and she said "Sure!" So, free camping on dry pavement. Life is good! The site seemed very safe and secure. I don't think more than 3 cars drove by us on the highway all night, and not a single one pulled into the museum parking lot.
 |
| Note that the buffalo sculpture above is formed with barbed wire |
During the evening there was a forecast for strong winds, as the front came through following the storm. Expecting 70 mph winds, we elected to not extend our slide outs. I had put an orange safety cone out when we parked. The next morning it was gone. After a short search I found it in the ditch beside the highway.
 |
| Our home at Fort Wallace Museum |
We knew there was construction ahead on US 40 involving a short detour, however as we approached, we learned that the highway was now closed entirely. This necessitated a 30 mile zig dead north back to I-70. I guess we should have gone that way to begin with.
We finally crossed the border into Colorado, with blue skies and sunny weather.
