Heartland History

Tonight, I'm posting from the banks of the Missouri River near Nebraska City, Nebraska. It's been twenty years since I traveled much of this route. The cities are much larger today, surrounded by concentric beltways that a generation ago were little more than wishful thinking on the part of city boosters. The most significant change I've noted is the proliferation of brown signs, indicators of recreational or other leisure activities. It seems that history has become a major tourist attraction across much of the heartland. From hamlets to county seats to state capitals, everyone seems to have "hung out a shingle" to capture attention and dollars. In all, I'd say this a great development for the study and enjoyment of popular history. On the other hand, having hundreds of choices requires discretion and preparation; otherwise, a trip could become overwhelming in short order.

More changes are evident along the Midwest's blue highways and interstates, particularly in rural areas and small towns. In the countryside, abandoned businesses and farms reflect the changing patterns of work and life in the United States. If anything, the abandonment appears to have accelerated. The larger towns - 10,000 persons or more - seem to have escaped the decline entirely, actually thriving in spite of the national recession.

Some thing never change. That wonderful sky dome still provides the colorful sunrises and sunsets. Mid morning brings on a refreshing wind that lasts into dark. Late summer wildflowers paint the prairie and every hawk finds a high perch.

To be continued.