Follow The Yellow Brick Road

In less than a week, we will be in Wamego, Kansas (population 4243) for my Grandfather's memorial service. While the reason for going is sad, I am very excited about seeing family.

For such a small town, Wamego has some interesting history. It is the birthplace of the man who founded Chrysler, and there are areas around town where you can still see the ruts from the wagons that passed through on the Oregon Trail. But in a stroke of genius, Wamego has promoted itself as the home of all things to do with "The Wizard Of Oz".

They are serious about this. The highway that runs through town was renamed "The Yellow BrickRoad". There is an Oz Museum with a collection of memorabilia related to the book and movie. There is a restaraunt in town called Toto's Tacoz. Tracy will not be going anywhere near "Flying Monkey Business" because the flying monkeys in Wizard Of Oz creep her out. But she is excited about the free tastings at the Oz Winery, which offers wines named "Witch In A Ditch" and "Run Toto Run".

I may have to go back for a visit in October for "Oztoberfest"........a celebration which features cameo appearances by some of the original Munchkins from the movie. Considering the movie came out in 1939, those Munchkins have to be in their 80s and 90s. I am not sure what the life expectency of a Munchkin is, but that is impressive. Of course, given my experience with midgets (read http://danrambling.blogspot.com/2008/10/blog-post.html ), I may want to be careful. Not sure I am up for being groped by a Munchkin!