Danie Boone, St. Charles County, Missouri

“Daniel Boone was a man. Yes a big man.

With an eye like and eagle and as tall as a mountain was he."

Those words probably sound familiar to you, provided you're about my age. Taken from a song written about the legendary Daniel Boone for a television show starring Fess Parker. Growing up Daniel Boone and Davey Crockett were my heroes. Today's children don't really have such heroes. I even had a coonskin cap I loved to wear. Not knowing then, as I do know that Daniel Boone never wore a coonskin cap. Boy was my bubble burst.
**click on picture to enlarge and to read captions

Daniel Boone most generally associated with Kentucky, fighting Indians, founding Boonesborough, and blazing the Wilderness Road through The Cumberland Cap spent his elder years in Missouri. St. Charles County. He moved there prior to Missouri becoming a part of The United States ( in 1804) . The territory was still Spanish Louisiana at the time. He left Kentucky frustrated after losing his legal battles and his land claims. The Spanish Governor gave him land and title in Missouri.

He was a Militia Officer in The American Revolution, a surveyor, merchant, and land speculator. Much of what is known about the man comes for folklore, some of it true some of it fabricated. He was captured by and adopted by The Shawnee Indians in 1778, but escaped and continued his fight against them. Perhaps it was during his stay with The Shawnee that he perfected his hunting skills for which is was famous?

He died at his home there in Missouri, was buried there without a marker with his wife Rebecca. The graves remained unmarked from his death in 1820 until 1830. Kentucky ultimately claimed he belonged back in Kentucky and exhumed the body in 1845-reburial took place in Frankfort, Kentucky were a memorial still stands. However, Missourians knew there had been an error made when the marker was placed in 1830, knew Kentuckians hadn't gotten Daniel Boone; and said nothing. At least that's what's been documented by friends and of family of Daniel Boone. Both states claiming a right to have his body, both claiming he belonged there. Then in 1983 a forensic anthropologist examined the remains in Kentucky and claimed the skull matched that of a black women. It is believed this was one of the slaves who had been buried in the family cemetery in Missouri. The conclusion being Daniel and his wife Rebecca are still buried together in their home in Missouri.

You can tour the entire village there in Missouri, St. Charles County and I highly recommend you do. The drive is beautiful, soft rolling hills as you make your way from St. Louis for an easy day trip. A wonderful gift shop so you can purchase a souvenir of your day exists. Picnic under the shade of tree, and take the guided tour it's very well done and quite educational.

**Some lesser known facts about Daniel Boone

• He was a Quaker, but due to his father being ousted by the church never again attended a service
• He was given his first rifle at the age of 12
• He never wore a coonskin cap
• He was elected to The Virginia General Assembly
• Two of his sibblings married non-Quakers, which is why his father was ousted when he stood up for them. One was a brother of Daniel's, and one a sister who not only married a non-Quaker, but was in the family way at the time she married.

You can purchase a ticket to tour either the home or the village or do a joint tour and see both. Boonefield Village is open all year long with special events throughout the year. Located at 1868 Highway F, Defiance, Missouri. Don't miss it.

St. Charles, Missouri

St. Charles, Missouri (Saint Charles, Missouri), you'll find it listed both ways. A beautiful little quaint village. Old shops to cruise, cafe's to enjoy a fabulous glass of local wine. Art, antiques and more. Peaceful little sleepy little village along the river.

St. Charles was founded in 1769 by Louis Blanchette, a French Canadian Fur Trader, The Rendezvous and jumping off point for The Lewis and Clark Expedition, first Capital of the State of Missouri in 1826, and home of Daniel Boone one of the first settlers who built a home in the area. It is the oldest settlement in northern Missouri and the third oldest in the state. Originally named for St. Charles Borromeo, Arch Bishop of Milan Italy. There is much history here to explore and enjoy. There were the French Fur Trappers, the Native Americans, an influx of German immigration in 1830, as well as Spanish influence in this beautiful little village.

San Carlos Borromeo was the name of the 2nd church built in the area. A beautiful statue of San Carlos Borromeo, Patron Saint of Learning sits on a hill over looking the village.

This plaques documents The mission given by President Thomas Jefferson to Lewis and Clark with a quote from Thomas Jefferson and a journal entry from William Clark.

We spent a very enjoyable day here and I look forward to a return visit. A short car ride from St. Louis, it's easy to make a day trip. Though it might be fun to lodge there next time in one of the historic bed and breakfast locations.

**Will explore Daniel Boone's house in Defiance in a few days, don't miss it.
***Still have a couple of weeks to vote, I do truly appreciate your voting for my blog.

St Louis Botanical Gardens

**click on picture to enlarge**

Henry Shaw's dream lives on 150 years later. This year, 2009 marks The Sesquicentennial of The St. Louis Botanical Gardens. The words, awesome, incredible, magnificent, beautiful, and wow all come to mind when I think of the visits we've had there. An Englishman, Henry Shaw felt there was more then just beauty to flowers and plants. He understood their importance and felt the science of, the study of to be necessary. His home was the beginning of this dream. He had an exotic orchid collection.

The St. Louis Botanical Gardens covers 79 acres, is opened all seasons with a wide variety of activities for all, regardless of age and interest. You can purchase your tickets on line, park free and rent a motorized scooter if walking presents a problem. The entire garden acreage is disability friendly, accessible for all to enjoy. Ticket prices vary based on age, whether or not you're a member, and a St. Louis county or city resident.

The list of activities to enjoy there is long. You can walk for exercise from 7-9 am, tour on your own, join a guided tour, line up a birthday party, take an educational class, experience special festivals; or summer evening concerts.

Every year 100,000 new specimens arrive at the gardens. The scientific exploration, preservation, and identification that Henry Shaw started so long ago has grown to a global effort. A temperature controlled vault and complete catalog of plant species is something the casual visitors doesn't see, but one that carries forward the importance of Shaw's dream. Plants and flowers provide more than just beauty for our eyes to behold, they improve the air quality we breath, provide medications, keep our soil from eroding. They sustain us in many ways.

I encourage everyone to put this on their list of things to do. I plan to return again, and again.

**pssssssss, did you vote for me? There's still time, click on the badge at the top of the post, and Thanks!

Marion, Ohio

President Warren G. Harding's Memorial. I know I have other pictures; but am in need of organizing. Lost thousands of photo's that were on my computer at this time yesterday. So, please bare with me as I post things as I find them. I must reload from memory stick, and CD's and get organized. Painful. However, that doesn't lessen the fun I had as a child here at this Memorial. I lived within walking distance, and biking distance. The grounds are gorgeous, a bit hilly and an awesome place to play, to run, to roll down hills. All things we did there as kids. We enjoyed sledding there in winter. Plus, there's a park right across the street. Not to diminish showing proper respect for this man, who was our President; but this would be a good outing for people of all ages. History for Mom and Dad to enjoy, a park for the children and the pets to stretch their legs. Plan a picnic with the park right there.
Facts and items of interest:

• He was born during the Civil War (1865)
• He became President after WWI with a campaign slogan of "return to Normalcy"
• He came from a large family
• His Mother was a midwife who later received her medical license
• His Father was a teacher
• There has been speculation that his great grandmother may have been or had African-American Blood, some records indicate that was a rumor made to discredit him during the election.
• He died of a heart attack/stroke
• Was in The Ohio Senate, served as Lt. Governor, served as US Senator
• Republican
• Won with the largest popular vote landslide
  
• Was a Darkhorse during the convention
• Owned and operated the Marion Daily Star Newspaper
• Like to play poker

He wanted a simple grave, to be buried outside under the stars and trees. He loved nature. At one time a tree adorned the memorial; but was hit by lightening. His simple grave was altered, funding in part by huge donations of dimes from school age children. Though he did get his wish to be out in the stars. The memorial was restored in 1980. It's 103 feet in diameter and stands 53 feet in height. One can wind around the columns which is great fun for children.

His house can be toured and is 1.5 miles from the memorial. It was from this front porch that he often spoke, and thus became known for the front porch campaign.

Local's spread the rumor that his dog, Laddie Boy was buried there with he and his wife, Florence; but documentation indicates that is not the case.

**On a personal note, my great grandfather, Charles Frederick Mader played in a band with President Harding. In fact he taught music, and taught him to play the cornet. That was before he was President, naturally. My great grandfather was a band director.

Marion is 50 miles north of the state capital, Columbus.

The Many Faces of Vegas

Vegas has many faces, though I think the first word that comes to mind is gambling, there are other things to do there. This is my collage to show some of the different faces I saw while in Vegas.

Left to right:

1. The architecture is fabulous, both inside and out. The buildings are beautiful. Some representing buildings/places that exist around the country, some represent locations around the world, such as The Eiffel Tower.
2. Hoover Dam, not far from Vegas has a fabulous tour you can take and learn all about the building of the Dam. The views from that area are a photo must.
3. Art. Art in many forms abounds; but my favorite would have been The Chihuly glass pieces.
4. The flowers inside and out are breath takingly beautiful, and always in bloom. You never see a dead flower, or plant in need of pruning.
5. The lights, the nightlife, the water fountains, and water shows are awesome.
6. The pretend skies make you forget you're not outside. The view shown is in a shopping mall. The ski actually changes with the time of day to look and feel realistic. I'm not a shopper, but for those that are...bring your wallet! All the high end designers have wares here and the shopping malls are gorgeous.
   

There was a period of time when they tried to make Vegas a family place with rides and entertainment for young children; that was a big mistake in my opinion. It is indeed a very adult location. Entertainment is adult, the gambling is for adults, and the mix of people you see in various stages of dress or undress is most definitely adult. I'm not a prude, but I would not recommend this as a family vacation location. Save this trip for you and your adult friends.

Vegas is fun, though can be pricey depending on where you stay, and where you eat, and how much you gamble. I'm not a gambler and spent less than $50.00 while there for 4 days gambling. I enjoyed watching the people, and seeing the sites. The pools are spectacular if you want some down time. In my opinion, 3 or 4 days in Vegas is about the right amount of time. If you're wanting to take a weeks vacation add other locations to your itinerary.

**Thanks to all who took the time to follow my link and read my memorial post to my parents.
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Traveling down Memory Lane/ a Dedication

Today, I'm asking you all to travel with me down memory lane. Today would be my parents 62nd Wedding Anniversary. After much difficulty due to compatibility issues between my new computer and my photo's and scanner, I finally have a memory post. Please, please visit me here to help me on this special day.

Click on the word here above or click on the badge on my side bar, Sandy's Space.

Many thanks.

Monticello, Virginia

Monticello, in a word; BEAUTIFUL! A house 40 years in the making. Take a drive and see how fast houses go up these days, quite different indeed. Thomas Jefferson's house was continuous. He designed it, began building and constantly added to and made alterations; and thus it was 40 years in the making. You can tour the inside and the grounds surrounding the house. Various ticket prices are available based on whether you buy on line ahead of time, the day of, or purchase a combination ticket. March through October the visiting hours are Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm with reduced hours the other months. A statesmen, a farmer, a President, an inventor. Many of his inventions still exist in some form today. He loved books, visiting his library is a must. The most interesting thing to me were the separate book shelves. Each shelf was made independent of those it sat on or under. Because Thomas Jefferson traveled a great deal and always wanted to take books with him, each shelf was separate so it could be picked up and packed as a separate unit.
You'll see extensive and beautiful gardens throughout the property. Jefferson believed plants, be it The Grove, Orchard, Vineyards, vegetable or flower gardens were a botanical laboratory.
Visit Mulberry Row, now a long line of much needed shade trees; a beautiful lane as you learn about the slaves who lived and worked the land in the 1700 and 1800's. This small spot measures 20 1/2 feet by 12, is listed as stop #3. This is one of 5 cabins that stood on Mulberry Row, built with logs on a foundation of stone, with an earthen floor and chimney. These small quarters were inhabited by slaves.

Jefferson's Memorial is among many in this locked family burial ground. One can't get even a frontal view of the monument which marks the graves of Thomas Jefferson, his wife, his two daughters, and his son-in-law Governor Randolph. The monument we see is not the one designed by Jefferson himself; but one the US government placed here in 1883. Jefferson's school mate and friend Dabney Carr was the first burial in this graveyard. The two friends had a pack to be buried here under a large oak at the top of the hill.
A plague shows the graveyard layout, and lists who's buried where. This historic home is well worth the time to tour. It's beautiful, educational, and most enjoyable. Inside tours probably not well suited for little ones; but they can sure run and enjoy the outdoor areas. From this hill top you have panoramic views of Charlottesville, The University of Virginia, and the surrounding forests.

**hubby and I would like to return and spend more time here.
****Click here to read about The University of Virginia.