Harry Truman's Excellent Adventure

What better way to start preparing for our road trip inspired by presidents than reading about a president's road trip.  And not just any president, one of my favorites - the bespectacled Missourian Harry S Truman!  He's one of the most misunderstood presidents because he was overshadowed by his predecessor, FDR and remembered mostly for his unlikely (who are we kidding, FDR was sick and old...) rise to the presidency and his decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan.  Beyond connecting his name with the bombs, few people know anything about Truman.  While I'm sure I have future ramblings about Truman and his decision to drop the bomb, this blog is dedicated to his excellent adventure!!

In 1953, Harry and Bess did something no other President and First Lady, before or since, had ever done. They took a road trip across America.  And they did it without Secret Service protection, which wasn't provided for ex-presidents until 1965.  Harry and Bess were gone for 19 days and traveled from Independence, Missouri to Washington D.C.and New York and back to Independence.  They packed their bags into Truman's brand new black Chrysler New Yorker and headed out of town.  Truman loved to drive - so much so that he would pay off the people he got into fender benders with so that Bess wouldn't find out.  He had a lead foot, which Bess tried to reign-in on their road trip.  She made him promise to drive no faster than 55 before she would agree to the road trip.

As much as they tried to travel incognito, it was to no avail.  At every diner, fill station, and motel they stopped at, someone would recognize the dapper gentleman in his double-breasted suit, panama hat, and trademark glasses.  He and Bess created a sensation at every stop.  The locals would ask for autographs and photographs, and with all the patience and modesty one would hope from a president, Truman would oblige.  Only a few times on their road trip did Harry and Bess drop off the radar and truly travel as two normal, unassuming Americans.

 In addition to the tale of the Trumans' trip, the book Harry Truman's Excellent Adventure provided numerous random tidbits.  My favorite is that Truman was an avid walker.  Decked out in his suit, he would take off for his "morning constitutional" every morning.  He walked 120 steps per minute and could cover city blocks in a matter of a minute or two.  Even on his road trip, Truman enjoyed his early morning constitutional, often accompanied by a gaggle of local press, law enforcement, and admirers.  I've decided that from now on, Brinkley and I's morning walk will be dubbed our "morning constitutional."

A few other fun facts...Truman was the first president to have a television in the White House.  It cost $1800, and he plopped the massive TV in the Oval Office next to his desk.   Coincidentally, he was also the first president to have his inauguration televised.  With over 10 million viewers, his inauguration had more viewers than all previous inaugurations combined!!!  His plane, only the second for a president, was called Independence.  For some time he traveled in FDR's plane, nicknamed Sacred Cow.  He enjoyed using the onboard toilet which discharged into the cold air outside.  He especially liked using the toilet over Ohio, the home state of his "nemesis in the Senate, Robert Taft."

Once Brent and I hit the road in September, I doubt will go as slow as 55, but maybe we'll get the chance to view Truman's massive television that decorated his Oval Office when he visit Truman's Presidential Library and Museum in Independence, MO.  We won't get to see his '53 Chrysler.  Truman upgraded to a '55.  His original '53 New Yorker is still out there somewhere - in a junkyard, in a garage, nobody knows.  I'll keep my eyes open for it as we travel our 2,000 miles!!