A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO ROUTES, HIGHWAYS AND WHATEVER ELSE FLOATS THE BOAT: Chapter six THE VILLISCA AX MURDER HOUSE

- A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO LIFE AND EVERYTHING -

A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO ROUTES, HIGHWAYS AND WHATEVER ELSE FLOATS THE BOAT

- CHAPTER SIX-

(official website found here!! Click if you dare!)

THE VILLISCA AX MURDER HOUSE

So it is 12:30 in the morning, August 31st, 2018, and I've done published five chapters of THE GUIDE (the only guide you'll ever need!!! BUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!) and I have decided to write another entry.

The first entry; CHAPTER ONE : IOWA, has hit the feed as a published feed so, I decided to hit the Google and discover some more one on one tourist attractions that seem like they'd be cool places to visit while visiting the great state of Iowa.

The Villisca Ax Murder House jumped out at me from a list on a site.

I was trying to find some abandoned bridges or highways, a blog to go along with my still, at this time, unpublished blog on Route 66 and there it was.

June 10th, 1912 - Villisca Iowa - a house owned by J.B. and Sarah Moore sits quietly, but not too quietly, as on this evening, 8 people will be murdered - two adults and six children.

Six family members of the Moore family and two house guests were murdered; severe head wounds from an ax was the cause of death for all eight.

The murders are still unsolved.

(click on image for bigger version at Wikipedia. Click here for a ton more details on this murder)

As with any thing as violent, there is now the stories of bumps in the night, doors opening on their own and other ghostly activities as reported by visitors to the house.

If you are brave enough, you too can visit this home and maybe you will get to experience a visit by the spirits in an attempt to solve this horrendous case.

Address for this location: It can be found at 508 E 2nd St, Villisca, IA 50864 and tours can be done; check their website for details.

- MORE LINKS -

HISTORY OF THE VILLISCA AXE MURDER

AS STOLEN FROM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE = Go check them out for the whole story along with more facts then you can shake a stick at!!

June 10, 1912 Villisca, Iowa


On a quiet residential street in this small town sits an old white frame house. On a dark evening, the absence of lights and sounds are the first indication to visitors that this house is different from the other homes that surround it.

Upon closer inspection, you'll notice it's doors and windows are tightly closed and covered. An outhouse in the backyard suggests that this house does not occupy a place in the 21st century but somehow belongs in another era or another story.

A weather-beaten sign hanging from the decrepit front porch warns rather than welcomes.

It is the "Murder House"


The walls still protect the identity of the murderer or murderers who bludgeoned to death the entire family of Josiah Moore and two overnight guests on June 10,1912. Almost 97 years later, her secret continues to draw many visitors to her door.

To some, it seems to be speaking.

13 of Iowa's Most Haunted 

12 more stories of Iowa's most haunted. GO READ!!!!!

An interesting YouTube video about the murders

Villisca, Iowa - the town!

A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO ROUTES, HIGHWAYS AND WHATEVER ELSE FLOATS THE BOAT - CHAPTER FIVE- ROUTE 66

- A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO LIFE AND EVERYTHING -

A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO ROUTES, HIGHWAYS AND WHATEVER ELSE FLOATS THE BOAT

- CHAPTER FIVE-

ROUTE 66

I know what you're thinking!

"What the hell? Route 66??? That's not a state!!! That's a highway!!"

And welcome to the guide you didn't realize you needed till right now.

"The hell!!! But okay, we'll listen, you got us with the Nat King Cole song --- Route 66!!!" your wife says, settling down into the nice soft chair.

"So, what the hell is Route 66 and should I care?" Hubby asks.

"Give us the Wikipedia answer!!" Wifey says, knowing full well now the procedures of this travel guide.

And we are here not to disappoint!

AS STOLEN FROM THE WIKIPEDIA

U.S. Route 66 (US 66 or Route 66), also known as the Will Rogers Highway, the Main Street of America or the Mother Road, was one of the original highways within the U.S. Highway System. US 66 was established on November 11, 1926, with road signs erected the following year.^[4] The highway, which became one of the most famous roads in the United States, originally ran from Chicago, Illinois, through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona before ending in Santa Monica, California, near Los Angeles, covering a total of 2,448 miles (3,940 km).^[5] It was recognized in popular culture by both the hit song "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" and the Route 66 television show in the 1960s.
US 66 served as a primary route for those who migrated west, especially during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, and the road supported the economies of the communities through which it passed. People doing business along the route became prosperous due to the growing popularity of the highway, and those same people later fought to keep the highway alive in the face of the growing threat of being bypassed by the new Interstate Highway System.
US 66 underwent many improvements and realignments over its lifetime, and it was officially removed from the United States Highway System in 1985,^[2] after it had been replaced in its entirety by segments of the Interstate Highway System. Portions of the road that passed through Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico, and Arizona have been designated a National Scenic Byway of the name "Historic Route 66", which is returning to some maps.^[6][7] Several states have adopted significant bypassed sections of the former US 66 into the state road network as State Route 66.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66

STATES THAT ROUTE 66 MADE ITS WAY THROUGH (and some of it can still be traveled nowadays all the way, including some states (as noted with links) already covered by this wonderful and grand guide!!) Some notes are stolen from the Wikipedia entry about Route 66 and can be found above at the link provided!

I've used the famous 'Quote' function of Blogger to note these stolen sections.  ENJOY!!!

California

(The sign of US 66's western terminus at the Santa Monica Pier)

California probably will not make THE GUIDE as a separate entry but that may change or individual tourist spots that some people do not know about maybe entered as case by case (aka The Blogger discovers that Fresno, California has a sub sandwich shop that just makes you want to travel to Fresno, California for a sub!!

US 66 had its western terminus in California, and covered 315 miles (507 km) in the state.^[55] The terminus was located at the Pacific Coast Highway, then US 101 Alternate and now SR 1, in Santa Monica, California. The highway ran through major cities such as Santa Monica, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino. San Bernardino also contains one of the two surviving Wigwam Motels along US 66. The highway had major intersections with US 101 in Hollywood, I-5 in Los Angeles, I-15, and I-40 in Barstow, and US 95 in Needles. It also ran concurrent to I-40 at California's very eastern end.^[56]

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66_in_California

 Arizona

(US 66 marker on the corner of Navajo Boulevard and Hopi Drive in Holbrook, AZ)

Another possible entry into THE GUIDE unless The Blogger decides not to because his ADD made him spend the lot of his time in New Jersey which as we all know, is highly possible!!

In Arizona, the highway originally covered 401 miles (645 km) in the state. Along much of the way, US 66 paralleled I-40. It entered across the Topock Gorge, passing through the ghost town of Oatman along the way to Kingman.^[57] Between Kingman and Seligman, the route is still signed as SR 66. Notably, just between Seligman and Flagstaff, Williams was the last point on US 66 to be bypassed by an Interstate. Holbrook also contains one of the two surviving Wigwam Motels on the route.^[58]

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66_in_Arizona

New Mexico

(Old Route 66 westbound near I-40 exit 104)

Added to the possible states to be included in full details of future entries to THE GUIDE.  Highly probably as a state entry on its own because well, it's New Mexico and I feel it needs an entry!! 

US 66 covered 380 miles (610 km) in the state and passed through many Indian reservations in the western half of New Mexico.^[59] East of those reservations, the highway passed through Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Vegas. As in Arizona, in New Mexico, U.S. 66 paralleled I-40.^[60]

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66_in_New_Mexico 

Texas

(The Midpoint Café in Adrian, TX, at the midpoint of the route)

Probably will not be added to THE GUIDE except as a mention here. Everyone knows Texas is a whole different country even though it's a state. This refusal to give Texas its own entry in the guide may be reversed by future council meetings of The Great Guide Council of Fort Wayne, Indiana!

Okay, we may do an entry for such wonders as Paris, Texas as well as any other cities and spots we discover on our travels through time and space known as the Internet!!

US 66 covered 178 miles (286 km) in the Texas Panhandle, travelling in an east–west line between Glenrio, New Mexico and Texas and Texola, Oklahoma.^[61] Adrian, in the western Panhandle, was notable as the midpoint of the route. East of there, the highway passed through Amarillo, famous for the Cadillac Ranch, Conway, Groom, and Shamrock.

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66_in_Texas

Oklahoma

(Pavement markings indicating the historic alignment of Route 66)

Entry already scheduled to be published on September 2nd, 2018. Oklahoma definitely rocks!!

(Note - Wikipedia puts Oklahoma and Kansas together as Kansas only had three cities on the Route!)

The highway covered 267 miles (430 km) in Oklahoma. Today, it is marked by I-40 west of Oklahoma City, and SH-66 east of there. After entering at Texola, US 66 passed through Sayre, and Elk City before entering Oklahoma City.^[62] Beyond Oklahoma City, the highway passed through Edmond on its way to Tulsa. Past there, US 66 passed through northeastern Oklahoma before entering Kansas where it covered only 13.2 miles (21.2 km).^[63] Only three towns are located on the route in Kansas: Galena, Riverton and Baxter Springs.

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66_in_Oklahoma 

 Kansas

(Brush Creek rainbow bridge)

Entry already scheduled to be published on September 1st, 2018. Another rocking state!

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66_in_Kansas

Missouri

(A 1949 drive-in cinema entertained viewers before the 1953 arrival of local TV stations to Joplin-Springfield)

We sooooooo want to add this state to THE GUIDE in probably all likelihood we will. Why?

Because we can!!

US 66 covered 292 miles (470 km) in Missouri. Upon entering from Galena, Kansas, the highway passed through Joplin. From there, it passed through Carthage, Springfield, where Red's Giant Hamburg, the world's first drive-thru stands, Waynesville, Devils Elbow, and Rolla before passing through St. Louis.^[64]

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66_in_Missouri 

Illinois

(US 66 sign, Adams Street, Chicago)

Everyone knows Chicago but Illinois is more than just that so it definitely will be entered into THE GUILD.  Because well, it just seems like a rocking place to go and hide a body, oops, I mean, travel to for a tourist destination.

US 66 covered 301 miles (484 km) in Illinois. It entered Illinois in East St. Louis after crossing the Mississippi River. Near there, it passed by Cahokia Mounds, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The highway then passed through Hamel, Springfield, passing by the Illinois State Capitol, Bloomington-Normal, Pontiac, and Gardner.^[65] It then entered the Chicago area. After passing through the suburbs, U.S. 66 entered Chicago itself, where it terminated at Lake Shore Drive.^[66]

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66_in_Illinois 

So we made it through the Mother Road, and you know what, WE FEEL FINE!!!

So until next time, keep traveling and we'll keep a light on!!!

A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO STATES YOU WOULDN'T THINK OF VACATIONING TO: CHAPTER FOUR - OKLAHOMA

- A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO LIFE AND EVERYTHING -

A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO STATES YOU WOULDN'T THINK OF VACATIONING TO

- CHAPTER FOUR-

OKLAHOMA

STATE MOTTO: Labor omnia vincit. This Latin phrase means 'labor conquers all things.'

Here we are, you weary travelers, our fourth state in those states you wouldn't think you'd hit as a tourist spot but maybe a business trip or a sing a long!!

OKLAHOMA!!!!!

"Oklahoma?? Really???" your wifey doubts the greatness which is the blogger's suggestion.

"Come on honey, he was right about those other states so lets listen to his pitch about this state!"

Of course, we all know that the citizens of Oklahoma stand around and sing the song "Oklahoma" every day while dressed in their best clothes and why not, Oklahoma is that great!!

Oklahoma where you can kill a fish, a bison or an old car.  We kid, there's no killing old cars, unless you want to!

"Can you cut and paste some information from Wikipedia so I don't have to?" your wifey says cackling with glee.

I sure can!!!

WHAT DOES WIKIPEDIA SAY ABOUT OKLAHOMA?

Oklahoma (/ˌoʊkləˈhoʊmə/ ( listen);^[26] Pawnee: Uukuhuúwa,^[27] Cayuga: Gahnawiyoˀgeh)^[28] is a state in the South Central region of the United States.^[29] It is the 20th-most extensive and the 28th-most populous of the fifty United States. The state's name is derived from the Choctaw words okla and humma, meaning "red people".^[30] It is also known informally by its nickname, "The Sooner State", in reference to the non-Native settlers who staked their claims on land before the official opening date of lands in the western Oklahoma Territory or before the Indian Appropriations Act of 1889, which dramatically increased European-American settlement in the eastern Indian Territory. Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory were merged into the State of Oklahoma when it became the 46th state to enter the union on November 16, 1907. Its residents are known as Oklahomans (or colloquially, "Okies"), and its capital and largest city is Oklahoma City.
A major producer of natural gas, oil, and agricultural products, Oklahoma relies on an economic base of aviation, energy, telecommunications, and biotechnology.^[31] Both Oklahoma City and Tulsa serve as Oklahoma's primary economic anchors, with nearly two thirds of Oklahomans living within their metropolitan statistical areas.^[32]With ancient mountain ranges, prairie, mesas, and eastern forests, most of Oklahoma lies in the Great Plains, Cross Timbers, and the U.S. Interior Highlands, a region prone mainly to severe weather.^[33] More than 25 Native American languages are spoken in Oklahoma,^[34] ranking third behind Alaska and California.
Oklahoma is on a confluence of three major American cultural regions and historically served as a route for cattle drives, a destination for Southern settlers, and a government-sanctioned territory for Native Americans.

Wow!!!

Now that already sounds exciting!!!

Are you excited now?

**Sounds of cricket**

Alright, I know, you want to see what there is to see in the great state of Oklahoma!

Well, first off there's prostitutes!!

Just kidding.

(Well, you know, there's prostitutes in every state!)

(Click here for much more to see and do in Oklahoma ----- https://www.travelok.com/things-to-do )

AMERICAN INDIAN CULTURE

(Stolen from travelok.com)

Oklahoma has been home to 67 American Indian tribes. Learn about these native cultures at Oklahoma's museums, heritage centers and events that help celebrate and maintain Oklahoma's unique Native American heritage. Share in the sacred traditions of Oklahoma's American Indian tribes by attending an authentic celebration or powwow. Feel the rhythm of powwow drums, become awed by amazingly detailed native regalia and be swept away by American Indian fancy or jingle-dress dancing.
In Oklahoma, there are many opportunities to immerse yourself in tribal history, songs, art and culture. Attend the Red Earth Festival, held each summer in Oklahoma City, to witness over 100 Indian tribes from across North America compete in a breathtaking, elite dance competition and exhibit works from today's most celebrated Native American artists. Explore the history of the Five Civilized Tribes who were relocated to Indian Territory, or discover the culture of the American Indian tribes whose headquarters are in Oklahoma.
Order our free guide to Oklahoma's Indian Country to discover the top American Indian attractions and learn about the state's tribes. Travel to Oklahoma to experience the richness of American Indian culture firsthand.

https://www.travelok.com/american_indian_culture 

CABINS

(Again stolen from Travelok.com)

Oklahoma cabins allow visitors to enjoy the great outdoors in comfort and are ideal for family vacations or getaways with friends. Oklahoma's cabins range from rustic and historic structures in our state parks to luxurious vacation rentals. Stay in a quaint cottage in a peaceful forest or a luxury cabin where you can soak by candlelight in a Jacuzzi or relax in a private hot tub on your deck with a view. 
Several of the state parks in Oklahoma offer rental cabins to help you enjoy the unique outdoor recreation areas of our diverse state parks. Stay in an eco-friendly cabin at Great Salt Plains State Park, pick an historic cabin built by the CCC and WPA at Greenleaf State Park, or enjoy the view from the deck of a riverfront cabin at Beavers Bend State Park. 
There are also a wide variety of privately-owned cabins waiting to host your vacation in Oklahoma. From upscale luxury log cabins with every imaginable amenity to simple cabins that allow you to enjoy nature while getting away from it all, you're sure to find your cozy cabin escape here in Oklahoma.

https://www.travelok.com/cabins

ART DISTRICTS

(One more time, stolen from travelok.com!!!)

Spend the day mingling with the creative and chic in one of Oklahoma's innovative arts districts. Home to lively works of art and performance pieces, Oklahoma's varied arts districts beckon art lovers to come and stay awhile. Enjoy trendy restaurants, live entertainment, artist demonstrations, cutting-edge galleries and works ranging from blown glass and works on canvas to pottery and unique, hand-crafted jewelry. 
Immerse yourself in the thriving Oklahoma art scene and gain inspiration from some of Oklahoma's finest artists with a visit to two of the state's premier, established arts districts: Oklahoma City's Paseo Arts District and the Tulsa Arts District. It is here that you'll be granted a backstage pass and ushered into the colorful world of the hip and visionary artisans who call Oklahoma home. From modern to Western, traditional to the bizarre, Oklahoma's arts districts are ready to delight, inspire and entertain.

https://www.travelok.com/arts_district

There's so much else to see and do in Oklahoma --- go check out https://www.travelok.com and do what the blogger did, REQUEST SOME BROCHURES AND OTHER TRAVEL GUIDES!!!

And then plan that trip, straight through the heart of America, see Route 66, take a glimpse into the history of the 1st Nations and then come back and do it again, FOR AMERICA!!!!

Until next time, keep traveling and we'll keep a light on!!

A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO STATES YOU WOULDN'T THINK OF VACATIONING TO: CHAPTER THREE - KANSAS

- A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO LIFE AND EVERYTHING -

A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO STATES YOU WOULDN'T THINK OF VACATIONING TO

- CHAPTER THREE-

KANSAS

STATE MOTTO: Per aspera ad astra a Latin phrase meaning "through hardships to the stars"

So here we are, our third state on our journey to find the best of those states people don't realize have a tourist industry!

Your wife has decided that since Nebraska and Iowa were pretty nifty recommendations from Mr. Blogger, she will allow him and hubby to live, for at least one more state.

"But if it turns out Kansas sucks, I will kill you both and not even bother to hide the bodies!!" she leers at both of us!

Welcome to Kansas!!

I have some friends who live in the State of Kansas and they seemingly like it.

"It doesn't smell!! Most days..." one of them says.

"This isn't going very well sir!!" Hubby says, trying to find a place to hide.

We hit the Google so you don't have to and discover, KANSAS ROCKS!!!!!

KANSAS - HAVE YOU EVER KILLED A MAN WITH YOUR BARE HANDS? WOULD YOU LIKE TO!? VISIT KANSAS!! PLEASE!!!!!!

So what the heck is there to do in Kansas??

"Yea! What IS there to do in Kansas?"

Well, lets find out!!

First off, lets discover a bit about Kansas - remember the line THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME in the Wizard of Oz?

Welcome to Kansas!! 

There's no place like it!!

"Really?"

YES!!!

"Look ma, we's in Kansas!!"

About Kansas as cut and pasted from Wikipedia!!!

Kansas /ˈkænzəs/ ( listen) is a U.S. state in the Midwestern United States.^[10] Its capital is Topeka and its largest city is Wichita. Kansas is named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area.^[11] The tribe's name (natively kką:ze) is often said to mean "people of the (south) wind" although this was probably not the term's original meaning.^[12][13] For thousands of years, what is now Kansas was home to numerous and diverse Native American tribes. Tribes in the eastern part of the state generally lived in villages along the river valleys. Tribes in the western part of the state were semi-nomadic and hunted large herds of bison.
Kansas was first settled by European Americans in 1812, in what is now Bonner Springs,^[14] but the pace of settlement accelerated in the 1850s, in the midst of political wars over the slavery debate. When it was officially opened to settlement by the U.S. government in 1854 with the Kansas–Nebraska Act, abolitionist Free-Staters from New England and pro-slavery settlers from neighboring Missourirushed to the territory to determine whether Kansas would become a free state or a slave state. Thus, the area was a hotbed of violence and chaos in its early days as these forces collided, and was known as Bleeding Kansas. The abolitionists prevailed, and on January 29, 1861,^[15][16] Kansas entered the Union as a free state. After the Civil War, the population of Kansas grew rapidly when waves of immigrants turned the prairie into farmland.
By 2015, Kansas was one of the most productive agricultural states, producing high yields of wheat, corn, sorghum, and soybeans.^[17]Kansas, which has an area of 82,278 square miles (213,100 square kilometers) is the 15th-largest state by area and is the 34th most-populous of the 50 states with a population of 2,911,641. Residents of Kansas are called Kansans. Mount Sunflower is Kansas's highest point at 4,041 feet (1,232 meters).^[18]

"Alright!!! Mount Sunflower, here we come!!" everyone sings out rushing out to the car!!

But before we go, we should look at some other things to do in Kansas!!!

MONUMENT ROCKS NATIONAL LANDMARK

FROM TRAVEL KANSAS WEBSITE ----

One of the 8 Wonders of Kansas. Cretaceous chalk formations, Chalk Rock Towers, Butterfield Trail marker. No services available, and road is impassable in inclement weather. Please adhere to property signs as this landmark is on private land: No Camping, No Climbing, No Littering.
(785) 671-1000
GOVE 16, OAKLEY, KS 67748
Website - http://www.westernvistashistoricbyway.com/monument-rocks/

KANSAS WATERFALLS 

Check out some of the waterfalls in Kansas and your wife smiles about killing you under one of them!

Check out THE TOP 10 KANSAS WATERFALLS!!!

And so many more!!!

Come check out THINGS TO DO IN KANSAS by clicking here and enjoy!!!

Of course, what would a blog about Kansas be without -------

KANSAS - CARRY ON MY WAYWARD SON!!!

So until next time, keep traveling where very few travel to cause they're hitting those tourist trap states, with their "touted" about beauty and things to do.

Every state has beauty and stuff to do!!

(And yes, we'll make it to New Jersey at some point, just keep reading!!!!)

We're OUTTA HERE!!!!! (Got a new tag line!!!)