Day 41 June 23 Tues

Well it was worth the detour to Beatrice, NB yesterday. It's Bee-at-res by the way. Although we were at the garage getting tires rotated and balanced until about noon, we were at least in an air conditioned room watching tv.

Then the good stuff. The Homestead National Monument of America. It's a relatively new park. Great video that was very sympathetic to the Indians who were displaced when the Homestead Act was created in 1853. The first person, Freeman, picked this spot right after midnight on Jan 1 when the law was enacted and then hurried back to his unit in the Union army so that his family could begin to build a house etc. The last homesteader under the act was a a VietNam vet who staked out a claim in Alaska in 1974. The act was repealed shortly after. I didn't realize so many states were included in the Homestead Act including FL. See map showing the area of FL that was homesteaded. In all, the government gave away 270 million acres in 30 states. Of course the Indians say it was not theirs to give. Great museum. Life was very hard. The tall grass had roots that were 15 ft long, so just imagine trying to cultivate that land - and digging for water.

The Homestead Act is considered one of the most important pieces of legislation in the development of the country. I guess I have to agree. 93 million people are descendents of homesteaders - from freed slaves, northern European immigrants, and easterners wanting a fresh start. Also, many women took advantage of the opportunity - widowers and single women who started the schools, newspapers, etc. Would like to read more about that.

They also had a viewing window so you could see into their storage vault. It explained all of the climate/light control things they do and damage that is caused if things are not preserved. I think in another life I could have gotten into this history museum/preservation stuff.

As my mother always said about traveling, it would be nice to know what crops we are passing. I suggested to the park ranger that the National Park Service should put together some kind of reference so people like me knew that they were looking at sorghum or alfalfa, etc. She got so excited and went right to the computer. May be she sent the idea on.

Left Beatrice taking the back way to Omaha. We are in a great state park right next to the Strategic Air Command Museum we will see tomorrow. That may be it because it is so hot. Want to see Boys Town though. It will be on to Iowa on Thursday or so. Still playing it by ear. There is a big lodge in the park. Going there for dinner tonight.