Page 52 - KCRPCA MarApr 2020

plant was placed on partial standby. In March 1947, the contract with Hercules Powder Company expired. Peace time has its own costs. The plant was placed on complete standby in June 1948 and the government took over maintenance and security. The plant opened and closed again through the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Ammunition was made in the plant up until the late ‘90s. Now? I don’t know. I do know they don’t like you taking pictures in front of their guard gate. Time to keep moving. Lexington Road wound through De Soto, KS and Cedar Junction, finally becoming 83rd street. I was north of home. No problem. Prairie Star Parkway had seven (yes seven) roundabouts calling my name. A quick blast up Canyon Creek, past another waterfall, and I was home. It was a good day and a good drive. Do I wish I could have driven the mountainous Stelvio Pass or twisty Pacific Coast Highway? Sure. Did I find some roads less traveled? You bet. And according to Robert Frost, that makes all the difference. - Stan 52 Der Sportwagen