Deep Roots and New Growth

Friday, 08/08/08 Our drive across Kansas was gorgeous. Notable sights included wild sunflowers, oil drills working in the fields, a wind farm, and a herd of buffalo. We also saw a sign for the Oz Museum, but it was too far off our path toward Colorado. We did stop for gas in Wilson, which we found out is the Czech capital of Kansas. There we met Joyce, a lady at the gift shop, who gave us information on the Czech Festival that happens each July. We purchased a painting from a local artist, Kapka Belton, who also paints hollow eggs in traditional Bohemian patterns. This was endearing to us since Dan’s heritage is of Czechoslovakian descent. His dad’s father came here from the Land of the Bohemian Crown and settled as a coal miner in Pennsylvania. Many immigrants from Czechoslovakia that originally settled in Pennsylvania moved to Wilson, Kansas when the government offered free land in the west.

We made our way to Fountain, CO by dinner. We were excited because we had made plans to stay with Dan’s step brother, Eric and his fiancé Shawna. Their neighborhood is so new, Gladys did not recognize the address, so Eric met us at his buddy’s house and lead us in. Eric and Shawna share the home with General Omar Nelson Bradley, an English Bulldog, Mack, a tabby cat, and a newly adopted Painted Turtle which was found and collected from the street on a recent trip to Virginia. They were so welcoming and hospitable, and they prepared us a delicious dinner. We had a great time talking and laughing and very much enjoyed their company. After dinner, Shawna, a professional photographer, helped Melody take night photos of the lights of Fort Carson from a tripod on the back steps. Fort Carson is where Eric is currently stationed. He is a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army who has just returned from his third tour in Iraq. We are grateful for his service. After a restful night of sleep and delicious Breakfast Burritos, we watched a bit of the Olympics (women’s fencing and volleyball). It was hard to say goodbye since we were having so much fun, but we had to keep going. After pictures and hugs, we made plans to return and spend more time together.