The Buck Stops Here

Yesterday, Monday the 17th, we drove to Independence, MO to see the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library. After Harry retired to Independence he took part in supervising the layout and planning of his library. He often would leave his office and talk to groups of children that had come to visit.

He spent about the last seven years of his life working in this office on site.

This is a copy of the Oval Office when Harry was President.

The grave site of Harry and Bess at the Presidential Library in the center courtyard.

Their daughter Margaret is also buried here (behind the photographer).

Next we visited the Harry S Truman National Historic Site visitors center in downtown Independence. Normally they give tours of the Truman house. We found out we were about two weeks too early. They have been renovating the home (heating, electrical, security, etc.) and are slated to reopen the house on Memorial Day weekend. Alas, I feel like this fellow, especially with the way Mother Nature has been treating us lately. While watching the news tonight we saw that we are in for more drenching rains.

Joe Bfstplk from Lil' Abner comics, oh so long ago.

While at the visitors center we engaged one of the 'Interpreters' (a Park Service employee) in conversation. He had been there about ten years and knew a great deal about the home and Harry's life. We talked for nearly 45 minutes and he told us anecdotes about Harry and people that had come to visit the home and related tales about Harry. We often times find these are the best moments of a tour.

This is the high rise section of downtown Independence.

This is a marker commemorating the Oregon Trail. It's on the Court House square.

We drove around for a while and looked at stuff. Wow, what a surprise to see something like this in the picture below. It is the Community of Christ International Headquarters. I wonder how they got this past the architectural review board.

We departed Independence and headed for Jefferson City, MO.

We have found that Missouri is a very likeable State. It is for the most part very clean and very, very green. They had 10 straight days of rain. It was nice on Monday and today, Tuesday, was beautiful. It was about 75 degrees and sunny. The forecast is for more rain the next few days. Think we may just hole up somewhere and wait it out!

To be continued...