"Need for speed"

Last Saturday I was fortunate to be invited to tour the American Museum of Speed in Lincoln, NE and was allowed to bring the cast of characters who hang out with me from time to time. We arrived just before 9 am and tried to acclimate ourselves with the minus 5 degree temperature.  And since that didn't work too good we hurried inside the huge building that houses the Smith Collection...

As soon as we entered the doors I spotted my good friends Grouchy Frank and his lovely wife Swap Meet Cindy who were collecting money. They were in charge and it was their car club who was hosting the tours we took on this day. 

This was my 3rd time to see this world class display of every man's desire but for the rest of my gang it was the first time...

And as an engine guy I headed right for the Miller display to see the most beautiful Indy car powerplants from the 1920's and beyond. Unbelievable design and proven winners these represent the best of the best from their time in history...

While in this area I took the opportunity to photograph the 3 Scanlan boys who were with me while they were posed in such a nice backdrop...these guys are my buddies as well as family relation...

and speaking of buddies, I quickly saw my pals Matt and his Dad Larry who live in Lincoln and run in the same circles as me throughout the year at car shows and swap meets in both regional and national events. These guys are always ready for fun and today was no exception...

and then there were race cars, and lots of them...I would say that every era and every segment of the sport is truly represented here...

I was pleased that my trusty sidekick "Cuzzin Deke" was with me on this trip. He taught me almost everything I know about hot rods and old cars. And speaking of fun, he is always ready for that. 

We looked thru the glass panes of the engine room that held some of the world's most rare and sought after motors...

Soon we saw the well known Posies' "Extremeliner" car that has been the feature of so many magazine articles....

and then I saw my pal Ron looking under the deck lid of one beautiful 48 Tucker. I have seen quite of few of the rare Tucker cars but this one is of the best color and quality in my opinion...

and like any serious car collector you prefer to have an extra engine laying around just in case you need one....never mind it is among the world's most rare...

and then we saw a regal example of a late 20's Duesenberg sedan and it was nice to see this and the Tucker up close and personal with no ropes to keep us away in spite the millions of dollars each that they are likely worth in replacement value...

and speaking of "rare" how about a spare engine for the Duesenberg still in it's factory shipping crate. I was in awe...

I peered into a machine shop are where they do some of the restoration work and could not get too close as it was roped off. But check out this ultra rare all aluminum Ford Flathead V8 aircraft engine.....

then I moved on to another part of the museum where I found a great display of true Americana....the All American Soap Box Derby racer where dreams of speed have begun in the lives of youngsters over a span of many generations...

and also from Lincoln, NE is the former Cushman Scooter Corporation and there was a display for this group as well...

And even though I didn't picture them on this trip there is also the world's largest pedal car collection, lunch pail collection, and a fantastic guitar and record album display in this museum. Something for everyone as they say...
I'm going to stop here for now. We will call this "part one" so please watch for "part two" and stay tuned my friends...

"Paradise found"

It was a cold gray day of winter and after a long time on the road I needed to stretch my legs. I pulled off the highway at Paradise, KS to take a few photos of the small ghost town's beautiful limestone water tower and sign.

Even though I have passed by this many times over the years I had never taken to time to have a close up look till now. 

The water tower itself sits on a hill at the entrance of the town and can be seen from a long distance. Built in 1938 as a WPA project during the Great Depression. A real beauty....

But wait....the door was ajar and open so I walked in for a look around.

Very cool and has been upgraded with new stainless steel water pipe. I just love to see that. 

Isn't it great to see history preserved even if it is in the middle of nowhere? I am glad they care enough to restore this structure.

This yard area shows an example of fence post cut from the same local limestone as the blocks in the water tower. This is what was available to early settlers of KS as there were no big trees to cut for lumber nor were there any nearby steel mills. These folks had to use what they could find or bring in more costly building materials by railroad....

Soon, it was time to climb back in my work truck and continue my journey on the roads less traveled. It was to be a long day full of new memories....

As I left I was glad I took the time to "stop and smell the roses"

as my late great friend Betty used to urge me to do.....

Thanks for riding along and Happy Valentine's Day from Mr. Poverty Flats in KS.

--Ghost Town Deluxe--

It was a Sunday and time for a country drive. Mrs. PF and I headed out to places unknown and after some time we ended up in Manchester, KS.....one of my favorite ghost towns. It is home to perhaps 100 people but there are no businesses at all nor are there any services other than a water district office. But at one time around the turn of the century it was a busy place. A quick internet search told me this:
Manchester, an incorporated city of the third class in Dickinson county, is located in Flora township on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe R. R., 14 miles north of Abilene, the county seat. It has a bank, a weekly newspaper (the News), a hotel, a number of general stores, telegraph and express offices, and a money order postoffice with two rural routes. The population in 1910 was 250.
I have also read that it had a big railroad shop and roundhouse and also a Ford car dealership or garage as they were called back then.
Things look pretty rough here now...

I do believe this was a hardware store and the family is still in business in other towns in Kansas. The tin work on this wood and block building is very ornate and well thought out. Being a tinsmith was a very honorable career to be involved in. I think it is an art medium that needs to be revived...

Next up was this old building that I think was the hotel upstairs and a general store below but am not sure of that. I did not have a chance to talk with any local folks as none were out and about on this winter day...

And I thought this might be an old post office but not sure...

and this is possibly the old Ford garage but I am just guessing here...

and sitting back from the street was the old town jail...
I am going to go out on a limb here and say the crime rate was low since no one would ever want to be kept here...

and lots of old abandoned houses like this one were to be found...

and even an old tractor or two...

and an old trailer made from a pickup truck bed...

and an old truck too...

and the old school made from native stone is now used as a home...

and the newer school made from brick is also a home now with the gym being used as a garage for the cars...

and finally....last but not least was this garage. 
The S.S. Garage---

Not just your average run of the mill car repair shop....this place  offered much more. Think blacksmith repair and welding, windmills for water, cistern systems to catch run off water from rain, and even windmill charging systems to power the family 6 volt battery for your radio listening pleasure...

I just love old signage featuring lettering from local artists of the day and that person's talent gave this building tons of character along with the old stone construction....

And with that...I bid you farewell. Thanks for riding along as we explore the back roads of vanishing Americana. 
:-)