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Heading South from Central Canada
Buffalo in Custer State Park
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Heading South from Central Canada
Deadwood, SD - Saloon #10, where Wild Bill Hickok was shot
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Heading South from Central Canada
Eisenhower Presidential Library
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Heading South from Central Canada
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve headquarters
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Heading South from Central Canada
Wurstfest at the Wurstfest Festival Grounds in New Braunfels, TX
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Heading South from Central Canada
Wurstfest at the Wurstfest Festival Grounds in New Braunfels, TX
By Perry Mack
From the Wild West to the Moon - Our Favourite Stops on the Route South from Central Canada
Snowbirds heading from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba southward to winter destinations across the central part the United States have a wide range of scenic and historical sites to explore, from the Wild West to Aerospace Museums, and Presidential Homes to Oktoberfest. Journey with us through South Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Kansas on the way to Texas.
The Annual Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival at Custer State Park in Custer, SD: During this event you can feel the thunder as cowboys and cowgirls round up approximately 1,300 buffalo. The buffalo roundup starts at 9:30 a.m. and ends around noon on Friday, Sept. 30, 2016 and Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. This year’s arts festival is scheduled from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 and will feature up to 150 vendors. http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/custer/events/buffalo-roundup/
Deadwood, SD: The discovery of gold in 1874 in the Black Hills of South Dakota led to the establishment of Deadwood as well as one of the last big gold rushes in the U.S. Wild Bill Hickok, a well known gambler and gunslinger, arrived in Deadwood with Colorado Charlie Utter and Calamity Jane in July of 1876. Hickok was shot from behind while playing poker at Saloon #10, which showcases the chair where Hickok was sitting when he was shot. According to historical accounts, Hickok was holding a pair of aces and eights when he was shot from behind, prompting poker players around the world to call this series of cards the “Dead Man’s Hand.”
Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park and State Recreation Area in North Platte, NB: This is the home of the famed Pony Express rider, Army scout and buffalo hunter turned showman who was the force behind “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show” in the late 1800s. These narrated outdoor shows, which became famous across the U.S. and Europe, dramatized life in the Wild West, with roping and sharpshooting demonstrations and simulated attacks on wagon trains. http://outdoornebraska.gov/buffalobillranch/
Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum in Ashland, NB: Established in 1959, this museum showcases the history of the Strategic Air Command, the Cold War as well as scientific exploration of outer space and technological innovations. Numerous historical aircraft, space vehicles and missiles are included among the exhibits, including an SR-71 Blackbird, the spy plane that is still considered to be the world’s fastest aircraft, and a satellite from the VELA Satellite Program, which was designed in the 1950s to monitor compliance with the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. www.sacmuseum.org
Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, Abilene, KS: This historical site features 8.9 ha (22 ac) of landscaped grounds and five buildings, including the two story wood framed house where former President Eisenhower’s parents raised him and his five brothers. The museum contains memorabilia from Eisenhower’s youth to his post-presidential years. The site is also the final resting place for Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower and a son, Doud Dwight, who died in childhood. www.eisenhower.archives.gov
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Strong City, KS: Tallgrass prairie used to cover over 688000 sq km (170 million ac) of North American land. Today, only 4 percent of tallgrass prairie remains. But you can see it here, along with a wild bison herd. www.nps.gov/tapr/index.htm
Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, OK: This museum houses the most comprehensive collection of fine art, artifacts and archives that tell the story of the American West. The museum contains 250,000 specimens of prehistoric and historic archeological and ethnographic materials from the Native American, Hispanic and Anglo-American traditions. The museum also features 13,000 works of art spanning 400 years, including art from Canada and Mexico. Its library contains nearly 100,000 books, photos, maps and manuscripts. www.gilcrease.org
Linde Oktoberfest Tulsa at River West Festival Park in Tulsa, OK: This annual event, now in its 37th year, is considered the fifth largest Oktoberfest celebration in the U.S., according to Orbitz. Scheduled for Oct. 20 - 23, it features nationally known German bands, European foods, including bratwurst, German beers and Bavarian cheesecake. www.tulsaoktoberfest.org
Poteau Balloon Fest at the LeFlore County Fairgrounds in Poteau, OK: This annual hot air balloon festival, set for Oct. 14-15, features hot air balloon rides, tethered balloon rides, arts and crafts and a Rumble on the River Mud Race. www.poteauchamber.com/poteauballoonfest
Wurstfest at the Wurstfest Festival Grounds in New Braunfels, TX: This annual event, now in its 53rd year, celebrates German culture. Initially established as a sausage festival, Wurstfest has grown to include German, Texan and domestic beer, Alpine and Bavarian style music, and dancing as well as carnival rides. www.wurstfest.com
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