Two Thoughts For Tuesday
Thought #1 Parks are Fun
Every town has little parcels of land carved out for the use of the masses for the purpose of relaxing, playing, generally renewing oneself. The parks at the town and city level are some of the measure of what makes a town a great place to live. As we live nearly on the border line of Olathe and Overland Park, Kansas, we get the added bonus of two towns that have "outdone" themselves with great parks.
This week we took our grandsons to visit one of the parks that we enjoy. Deanna Rose Farmstead opened in 1978 as the Children's Farmstead but was renamed in 1985 to honor Deanna Sue Rose.
Deanna was an Overland Park police officer that died while trying to make an arrest. Officer Rose is the only police officer in the history of Overland Park and the first woman officer in the state of Kansas to die
in the line of duty.
The farmstead is designed to depict a turn-of-the-century family farm as well as a gold mining camp, a one room country school house, a general store, vintage bank and Indian village. There are fishing ponds, petting zoos, dairy barns and pony rides to name just a few of the things to do and see.
After going through the barn entrance the first place we have to go is to get out Popsicle at Alex & Emily's Ice Cream Parlor.
Once we have "sugar loaded" we are off to the playground.
After multiple trips down the slide we are off to talk to the animals.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixe0KINIvo4o-CbbdVkj3vPnRwOqL-k_DSSwW1Vwcec_Z4ezD1CER5CKH_a7slUxesll_IChnQLfVsxBM_ja-zW9B3-JtsWivkmtC-WS1mLSToA8JAtfgep1JQXJj15QrFkCOxuYUJf0g7/s320/SAM_0483.JPG) |
The Rabbit looks surprised to see us |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09VzVMNe9PlcPkQ9kL2dG7b63m87XmNVwMObNUU-3_YfWxQ76vSXM84eNGoT4mqgbD13LZBv-zqAqB9CIcct7WWC2CXACS8hmSZRLlWCQGYymOpP52f120tw1cLsHgQNH7QpKW5172loH/s320/P1010444.JPG) |
Feeding a couple of the little goats. G-boy #2 is strictly a
spectator while G-boy #1 is doling out goat chow |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXKP8em1DuUsj7uKL2utNO0lqapq9xmBRp5pXHlmuFdDGdy4be9wxn6zvPum7Qcm_mJta-QOQqQnrZilzmU7UndlxyjAcsVXM8zyFAtBacSxyfoigKyIBe_TjwWndgSNFKxl-Mh0GW0qg/s320/SAM_0491.JPG) |
The bigger goats want handfuls of food and they mean business |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC96r8GudfKyja6I5TBP_hH4XHIF1oH-tbKDClVUTUYcn-he3vZBNsOzQVyFdr8NXZmiQYc6QhRTqkecJgI4K_jPndlrATPIDihC50ZqO4tn0VfxzBhEPOvhQ36woDQWLaMREfGz6yFTOo/s320/SAM_0497.JPG) |
a prairie dog pops up to say hi |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmo4DUXtslnmpO76IN7Ktl-qRW9oV1eougBbBzzb-nkGzuQgJrM0xZsT4OGDI6XVXE4uKxu3pjvHmt6x5IySkCrJz1WM26Z6ETa9cEzRjZ7bCXfBLKjzOuT3XFcLCW-gk1UGmn_Ifmoc0/s320/SAM_0502.JPG) |
The Black Swans are chllin' in their pool |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQXRgM77S67kdXrqHqetJqtQC7tAaNfgzFiMIsFlZdw2DwMY3TBMlPnGNYe_-RoUg5aoJNLxED980sBYgghfqME69Wp_x9d9IeIEy4HjkYTUic2390Li3mrYRxo0DXuGn2gdZbjhsLzNo/s320/SAM_0505.JPG) |
Not even a hi from the buffalo. He is busy with supper. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfnpQWyDLcd0jKryy6tXIFax94dkngDXJIVkO7jas-l3jgnZgUgqLW-Eo8vM7g6IJzx539W08I6EYtdcNNLCybhAwqxvplSP1s2n0m81SUcFK2nLM5eDWw988uxenSH_duupgsO3xuQer/s320/P1010459.JPG) |
Mr. Eagle is eyeballing us and trying to look majestic. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaoA4Qnj2LLCg8OFpurVK-SVLZl6HwuotcxkDUVDLPRgQyaCeHZPRQVIvd-T2htUCscOu1sjfVuODdGob6owPp3oKbvCGr1Y2LJK6W0bKdfJFg9akwSFLh5B_-BvlM8iy0eh6qbOKpBVM/s320/SAM_0489.JPG) |
A little garden in the middle of the park |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgje_uOMtAb1fCA0REBLAYC3EJj3MVzvXcGmGYQu4ZegV9U7lqx80BrVvC_bKH3l4xKyldU78zLC15Hvb_btxjTxcGHm4FiUQm9AlNTFXKyc1h3M99Tobb-zMJ2mFKZBIzx0__7SUWQu38l/s320/SAM_0501.JPG) |
G-boy #1 is doing some soil testing |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-FCZ6aiz9_igV74cPphQopL8bvUjqzm8dBR_nuUYKLli8FvsJfIiHahFnGclpJIll_0Xn_CruxUqph708-nrFjdQRhvFObpovQV_O3kDYMwahqwBHs5sWfP98lEltWZxovrOLihqyJKj/s320/SAM_0504.JPG) |
pretty little English gardens to look at native plants |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbqwrj63QfyfQPvrVjGQyzOSIiExoKkfwbtAzQmBZNYLEIPafITxITWzDJ48GOiIyHyfiR6ZC2yy66hLxRXCgOF5i0KiDllgxW-R3z-4hyphenhyphenHKPcbTyDe088krl7cMwqU1J-XcZsn32WzOT/s320/SAM_0149.JPG) |
We can't leave the garden until we step on the stepping stones |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxw4fmKoSeZ0YoKYqBszerKA8gbTPbuhCwNwtylV0fp7vF0cWaviloAqAs1Eu8lWVwvihztNMltwWCZL_GCSWQon7hqtGnn0zEBBdSGylxrxrZXNpq1i0Qy3H4k-3cQuII5ZZtCAsg5beU/s320/SAM_0494.JPG) |
Leaving the garden and heading for the Nature Trail |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEI1qc3ekxlnxvkqlTwHrknyI8elQ_zNOzN2zVZwjyTdlJJTxasyemLLi62ol-hxPMZuLCEVGsSyl3pt0TPHvzg77S3uRaQVuUcC-ji0uAN86KuNizsadeyxPloBBz971xDv5vIOgSN_6/s320/SAM_0507.JPG) |
The trail entrance leads us to the Butterfly Garden |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJBbYjPdAs0xVADfX5Bt5-zwSBiHNdv4ssLSA9H-egY99kar3pwBNlkCxFhQleoHxAIqiEYaxkRbG2yNML6ZRXuoBwrlj1-tFqRjxKMAb3N4wZ46vyuJAoCcLXrLKUDoC3rLUTRjzcrfd/s320/SAM_0509.JPG) |
I don't see the butterflies but I see a fairy. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILxH8ColaQQzhFmgTLRefaO6mXOv5Jl1rVDUg8TSo0DNiWW973OOWGCx06aTk4EI3MzGJwOurjc-nbgDtMx-39xd7v5uMk3pXKoP_SmvSVQKS1pEaOXrSxRWJoG3VAWZkNs54XcKRWdpk/s320/SAM_0512.JPG) |
Grandpa and Grandson are sizing up the big wind chime. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSL3jCSL8yUHVtF2Lc9HmwSDgx4No72SuIXqMI1H9REkTbjjBfhrwOUquTp9v38b4jNfJVfYz1jthGzm_7DKeg0B2CLr7QyH9w48K6rP9wk6nMEmjPualCcKST_JBU1v4EHDaeYqbeWcYf/s320/SAM_0514.JPG) |
The wind chime doesn't have wind so we have to help it make music |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_d5-HUnSRUuio3E5Q3xt5V3WhpVGR7o-x-c83j8bm5ND_j9ehyk_WTcrEY8BYkXSempgxega_zKS__trI6Uj6h8K9TOZTqyWGN-mvkzmkOoM9cqqp3ieq_QbIh0D8_RUxalSGBkojnzF1/s320/SAM_0494.JPG) |
Almost time for the park to close so we are we are heading back to the front of the park |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQv0iKeUJqaHp3ImoX-K75aWmmhr2I2OOCfi18Ae6WqhkStidFVv3AV5MtqzdbrSpvRwFYSvXS7Nw0fhnOd4OkSb-Fe9tWhffQHh4gdC4qodpSgVm76SGDWwHReFrl3S6OarJ77c0csYkX/s320/SAM_0518.JPG) |
Looks like he is saying "call me" but that can't be as what 3 year old is taking calls? |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriqVWJIrZtQsRsycqa9MyIpJ3rJgZ7yGnoYPh7i2Oz214dn_W3djkU3ECtIVZv4Ix58OuD9NApIURUNscAPQjae0ZD4puAgxf6GMJCr0b7cTpCBtPqXR1RAgI-iNMEUx4QAF68TIF2cyW/s320/SAM_0523.JPG) |
Sad to be leaving |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1iHSTy1Odu6oTQwg_UDmOeLXXDCwIC3-bkV1XjaCQ0B6mcMggztJOuz8zel5-8MD0ff9c4aAgxFnXvsh6oPEfRyY0FvGr2NhIFLP0R2gjIDaTiCWHCxlTfOdFhdU0hx6BEa8fdaBqE2O/s320/SAM_0525.JPG) |
Heading to the car |
Thought #2 Parks are more fun with Kids....especially Grandkids
The Good for the Day.... A nice day for the park
The Bad for the Day...Deanna Rose was attempting to arrest a drunk driver when he knocked her to the ground unconscious and then ran over her. She was 27 years old.
The Weird for the Day.. I think this tree is staring at us
![](http://www.blogdumps.com/images/ourbutons/1onbd.gif)
Come Join Top Sites Tuesday and be #1 on BlogDumps!
The purpose of this Meme is to encourage
Networking between bloggers and to have fun while doing it!
Make sure to visit all the other participants and leave comments
21 comments:
Oh!! What a fantastically beautiful day!! These photos are precious!
Looks like you and the grandkids had a great time! What a beautiful park. Such a shame about Officer Rose, though.
What a great day with the grand kids! Your park looks absolutely amazing! What an amazing combination of nature, gardening, playgrounds, and animals - I think Wolfbernz and his grandson would have a total blast visiting a place as cool as that.
Oh, and what cute grandsons you have!
Clicks!
--Trina
Hi Cheryl
I always love a good day at the park :) this one looks especially nice.
Great photos of you all having a wonderful day too.
You're right I think the tree is staring at us... LOL
Clicks
Wolf
What gorgeous pictures! You have some amazing parks near you! I might have to take the kids on a little road trip to your neck of the woods. You up for two more toddlers underfoot for a while? ;)
Yes, as much as Muri and I love "our park" here in Socal, every time we go past the playgrounds ... particularly if there are little kids there ... we really miss our grandkids. Great pictures.
Click, Bud
P.S. You've been invited to the 7 Links Challenge. Stop by at Seven Links Challenge to see what that means.
What a treasure Deanna Rose park is......lot's of wonderful memories for our family! Love the pics of the boys
Thank you Meleah, It was a beautiful day for us. Always fun to hang with the little grandsons.
That is a sad story about Officer Rose. I was really surprised that she is the only officer ever killed in the line of duty in Overland Park. OP is a fairly large city and part of a nearly 3 million people population center. While that is really a great thing, I was still surprised.
That park just keeps getting better and better. Every year or so they add a new component to it. I wish I would have had the time to show some of the Indian Village, fishing lake or the dairy barns.
It is a great place to hang out with the little guys. Enough variety to keep their interest. The popcicle, of course, helps.
Your kids would adore this park but you have such interesting things around you. From a kid's perspective it looks like you provide them with plenty of fun. They are adorable, by the way.
If you ever get to KC, I would love to meet you. Who could ever have too many toddlers around? Not me...the more the merrier.
I think I saw a talking tree way back when, but I'd just had some magic mushrooms so then again, maybe not.
I can relate to missing the grandkids. We moved to KC to be near them. In our world today, I think it is hard to live near your extended families. Jobs are so transient for one thing.
I will get over to the 7 Links Challenge to see what that is.
It would be hard to mess up a picture of your little guys as the are ADORABLE. They get that from their mommy and daddy.
Oh, BB you are too funny. Did the tree talk to you?
Your grandkids are so stinkin cute! What a fun park, we have a sculpture park near by that we like to take Haley to, they have lots of big musical instruments outside and hammers to play them with. What a fun day!!!
Big musical instruments...how fun does that sound? Our little guy (the 4 year old) would love that. Isn't it fun to have grandkids?
Grandkids are the most fun, and I love how their little minds work, they say some pretty funny stuff.
I finally found your blog! I bet they don't have anything like this in Walnut Ridge! I enjoyed and didn't know Deanna's story. Thanks...
Ginger, what a treat to see your name here. I suspect that poor Walnut Ridge wouldn't have the tax base to pay for a beautiful park. A shame when that part of the world is so naturally pretty. There is a blogger that has taken a lot of photos of that area. You can see a couple of her pics on my post called A Little Bit of Heaven. It was written in June and you can click on it in the right hand column. That may be a really poor area but so very beautiful, huh?
Post a Comment