Leaving Manhattan, KS near Fort Riley, we spent one night in Marysville, at a free city park with just four RV sites with water and electric. The limit is five nights, but we only stayed one. There is a city pool in the park, with a wonderful water slide that would appeal to children and adventurous adults. As it was 94 degrees, the pool was a big attraction for me.
Marysville was a Pony Express main transfer stop and the site of the first barn on the Pony Express route; the original barn is now a museum. The fabled mail service only lasted from April 1860 to October 1861 but the legend endures thanks to riders who braved thieves and hostile Indians. The museum was small with a few good exhibits that could have been presented better; and all were covered with a thick coat of dust. A good cleaning is certainly needed. I am sure we will see other Pony Express sites on our trip west.
While in Marysville, we drove back south about nine miles on a dusty gravel road, then hiked about ½ mile in 95 degree heat to visit historic Alcove Springs. Pioneers on the Oregon Trail would stop here; many carved their names and dates into the soft limestone walls around the springs, including the ill-fated Donner party. The names and dates are very worn and hard to read. Although the spring has never dried up, it was very small and a little disappointing. We didn’t stay long.
