Look who I met! – Its Amelia, the doll, just like me.
We met yesterday on the big event. We talked quite a lot about our experiences. Later, she suggested to show me around a bit in Atchison and the environments. Sure, I want! – Being in the footsteps of Amelia Earhart just up to 12 years is a very good idea, I find.
We agreed to start with the International Forest of Friendship: “The International Forest of Friendship was a gift to America for her 200th birthday in 1976 as a living memorial to the world history of aerospace and aviation. The Forest was donated by the City of Atchison, The Ninety-Nines (International Organization of Women Pilots), and the Kansas State University Forestry Extension. The Forest was officially dedicated in 1976 on July 24—Amelia Earhart’s birthday. … The Forest shows off its beauty by displaying trees from 38 territories and countries where there are honorees, and it is home to a tree from all 50 states of the United States! ”
Its really an amazing site. We spend the whole day here as there is so much to see.
Some sights are:
The “Moon Tree” – “This tree was grown from a seed carried to the Moon and back on Apollp XIV by Astronaut Stuart Roosa, the pilot of the Command Module ‘Kitty Hawk’, January 31- February 9,1971. Pkanted April 1976, rededicated in May 2003 by the students of Camas, Evergreen and La Center School Districts Clark Country, Washington”
The “Space Shuttle Columbia monument” – “The Space Shuttle Columbia disaster was a fatal incident in the United States space program that occurred on February 1, 2003, when the Space Shuttle Columbia (OV-102) disintegrated as it reentered the atmosphere, killing all seven crew members. The disaster was the second fatal accident in the Space Shuttle program, after the 1986 breakup of Challenger soon after liftoff.” (see Wikipedia)
The “Amelia Earhart Bronze Statue” – “This statue of Earhart stands on the grounds, and is an exact replica of the statue of her that stands on the Commercial Street Mall a few miles away in downtown Atchison.
The statue appears to be slightly larger than life-size. Earhart is depicted as if she has just stepped out of her plane. Upon further reflection, Blasters wonder if this statue is a reproduction of a famous photograph of Earhart from the 1930s.
Earhart’s hair, worn short, is mussed as if from wind. She wears a flyers leather jacket of the era, with two snap-flap pockets on the front. Her jacket is unzipped nearly to the waist, revealing her shirt and knotted aviator’s scarf underneath. Her right arm hangs at her side, and her left hand rests at her waist, in a confident pose.
Earhart wears her trademark cuffed slacks and laced shoes. It was somewhat shocking in the 1930s that a woman would wear slacks, but who wants to climb in and out of a plane in a skirt? duh!
Around the round bronze base of the staue, these words are cast in a circle:
“LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH AND LET IT BEGIN WITH ME” (see Waymarking)
At the end of the day, Amelia and me, we are pretty tired but happy! We have learned and seen so much that we need a little rest. But apart from all the experiences of today, I am really happy: I have found a wonderful friend with whom I can share lots of things.
Can’t wait for tomorrow 🙂
This entry was posted in Amelia Earhart, USA