DATELINE: Wednesday, July 14, 2010

We spent the night in Pratt, Kansas last night.  No, Pratt isn't necessarily a vacation destination unless, like me, your wonderful Uncle Royal happens to live there.  We had a great visit with Uncle Royal and Aunt Shirley and headed westward toward home with vacation fun coming to a close. 

We screamed past the World's Largest Hand-Dug Well and Meteorite.  I yelped a little but after the whole debacle at Elizabethtown, Kentucky I didn't have much fight in me.  You ever heard that old saying, "what goes around, comes around?", well it did.  Sooner or later the RV is going to need gas and sooner or later the gas station is going to be within walking distance of an attraction and sooner or later you will be able to shame the driver into some semblance of tourism compliance.

Below you will find the series of pictures taken when we toured the Over the Rainbow Shrine and County Museum in Liberal, Kansas.

Yes, for real and truly folks here we are in the Land of OZ!!!  Liberal Kansas has declared itself - or rather their Governor on a hand lettered wooden sign has declared Liberal Kansas the Gateway of "Ahhhs and OZ...."  All righty then.

That's Beth standing with the wooden cut-out of Dorothy and her little dog Toto in front of what Liberal Kansas swears is an authentic recreation of the the Gale home from the movie.  Can you see that I'm standing on the yellow brick road - actually dozens of pavers painted yellow and inscribed with sponsors names.  You too could have a yellow brick with your name on it simply by making a small donation to the Liberal Kansas historical (some might say "hysterical") Society.  The replica is so complete they even had the cellar doors:

Auntie Em! Auntie Em!  Where are you Auntie Em?

Well readers, it isn't my intent to change the world here or even shatter any closely held beliefs systems, but in case you've ever wondered -- sooner or later things do even out.  Don't ask what I had to promise, don't even think about the public humiliation he may have to endure but get a load of the following pictures -- They are my very favorite of the whole trip:

Yes, children that is your father - swept away in the enthusiasm of The Land of OZ.  In case you're wondering, it is always good to compromise on road trip stops....

Just in case anyone is really disturbed by Barry's apparent complete loss of decorum -- there was no one else present and I propped the camera on a garbage can to take the pictures.  It just involved a small amount of pleading and running.