A Visit to Caldwell, Kansas

On Saturday April 28, I made an afternoon trip to Caldwell in Sumner County, Kansas. While I had stopped briefly before, I was determined this time to more fully experience the town. I found a town that embraces it's Cowtown past, yet seems to have a core group of businesses and services to keep the town healthy. The people I met and talked with were friendly and willing to share when I asked questions, but this was no surprise since I find this true all around Kansas.

As I drove around town, I found at least 8 churches, a full range of schools, an active COOP, many historic buildings, and a well stocked grocery store, which seemed to be the hub of activity that afternoon. I also noticed a medical clinic, hospital, Carnegie Library, and several restaurants, which I did not get the opportunity to sample.

I also found several examples of art including the Heritage Mural in the downtown park, the "Cowboys Chasing Cattle" mural in the Post Office, the Coca Cola sign, the 'Ghost Riders of the Chisholm Trail" silhouette south of town, and even a silhouette of a bank robber escaping down a rope on the bank building.

My favorite part of the afternoon was parking along Main Street and spending nearly an hour walking both sides of the 4 block long former Cowtown district. They have placed about 20 signs with historic information about events and businesses / buildings that operated during the Cowtown days. This is certainly one of the best examples of a self-guided tour I have yet found around Kansas.

Finally, after spending at least 2 hours in town, I made a hurried trip home to Wichita because of impending thunderstorms. I took about 170 photos - you may see an online gallery of some of these at the link below.

Links:

Caldwell Home Page: http://caldwellkansas.com/

My photo gallery: http://ke2013.smugmug.com/gallery/8021753_R5Vjq#521823161_fYHxi

My Favorite Barbeque Meal

This is a photo of my absolute favorite barbeque meal. In case you haven't yet figured it out, it is a smoked turkey breast dinner at Roy's Hickory Pit BBQ in Hutchinson, Kansas.

The dinners come with two slices of freshly grilled Texas toast, the ranch style beans, and a trip to the salad bar. As you can see, I also picked up a bottle of Roy's sauce to take home with me.

Roy's slightly sweet, vinegar based sauce mates perfectly with the turkey, especially when warmed as they serve it in the restaurant.

While the food is terrific, the atmosphere at Roy's is also special. You are always greeted with a friendly Hello! at the counter and there is likely to be a line, sometimes out the door. People there to eat will welcome you to their table if you need a spot to sit and eat since it is a very cozy restaurant.

Roy's is a family run business that has been in operation since 1982 and they have won numerous awards. They are open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch only from 11:00 AM til 3:00 PM, or until the food is gone.

Roy's is currently nominated for the "8 Wonders of Kansas Cuisine" contest sponsered by the Kansas Sampler Foundation. If they make the cut to the 24 finalists, I will certainly vote for them. Give them a try!

Roy's Hickory Pit BBQ

1018 West Fifth Ave

Hutchinson, KS

620-663-7421

Hodgeman County "Dare to do Dirt"

On Saturday April 4, 2009 I made a day trip to Hodgeman County and completed a 128 mile loop exploring the county.

After a lunch in Burdett in western Pawnee County at the Burdett Cafe on K-156, I entered Hodgeman County. First, I stopped at the stone arch bridge over Dry Creek northeast of Hanston, then travelled north to the historic Duncan's Ford crossing of the Pawnee River in the northeast part of the county.

I then explored the architecture in Hanston and Jetmore. Both towns have some historic limestone buildings. The courthouse square in Jetmore is very beautiful, as well as the Methodist church. I enjoyed the Sawlog Creek / Point of Rocks mural in downtown Jetmore.

Then I went north and west of Jetmore to the beautiful Stoecker bridge, a WPA double stone arch bridge over Cottonwood Creek. From there, I went west to see a concrete arch bridge over Hackberry Creek in the northwest corner of the county.

Travelling south again, I visited the remote Kidderville Cemetery, then stopped for a view of the construction of Horsethief Reservoir west of Jetmore.

Finally, I headed east across the southern part of the county, first stopping to take several photos of the Point of Rocks landmark, then on to the southeast corner to look at the limestone St Marys Church.

Finally, I left Hodgeman County, had supper at Romano's Pizza in Kinsley and headed home to Wichita.

Links:

Map of my route: http://mapshare.delorme.com/Consumer/V.aspx?p=7xzzfbjr

Stoecker Bridge story: http://www.hodgemancountyks.com/bridgestory.pdf

Hodgeman County Blue Skyways page: http://skyways.lib.ks.us/counties/HG/

My 2 photo galleries of Hodgeman County: http://ke2013.smugmug.com/gallery/7810450_TZxXY#505724203_eF2aU

http://ke2013.smugmug.com/gallery/7829840_xUoYh#507181834_nnVPh

WeKan Conference

On Tuesday March 24, I had the privilege of attending the WeKan Conference in Salina.

I volunteered to help people who had technical questions about digital cameras, computers and the like. Another Kansas Explorer, Frank Thompson, from Overland Park worked with me throughout the day, and it was a pleasure getting to know Frank. I found Frank to also be a passionate photographer.

WeKan is a network group of rural tourism leaders supported by the Kansas Sampler Foundation. The conference is held every 2 years. I found this group to be motivated and energetic about keeping their communities alive.

For more information about the WeKan network see the following link to the Kansas Sampler Foundation website:

http://www.kansassampler.org/wekan/

I'm enclosing a photo and video of the parade of signs at the conference. The music heard in the video is a new theme song recently created.

Wabaunsee County Exploring, Part 3

On Monday March 23, I left Salina intent on another exploring day in Wabaunsee County. First though, I drove 100 miles east to Topeka to pick up another accessory for my digital SLR at Wolfe's Camera Shop. I picked up an Expo Disc white balance adjusting tool. More about this in a later blog when I learn how to use and have some experience with it.






I entered Wabaunsee County near Dover and travelled the back roads up to the Maple Hill area. Here, I found the Old Stone Church and cemetery and also the twin bridges over Mill Creek, with an Iron Truss auto bridge and steel railroad bridge.





Leaving Maple Hill, I zig zagged across the northern part of the county near the Kansas River (the northern border). I stopped at the beautiful Immanuel Church of Christ and cemetery, then headed southwest to the town of Wabaunsee. I visited the Wabaunsee Cemetery east of town with elegant stone entrance gate.






Entering Wabaunsee, I visited the Beecher Bible and Rifle Church, dating back to 1862, and the memorial plaque in town. Then, I headed south thru the hills to I-70 and on back to Salina for the night. I fought 50 mph wind gusts all day and a couple of thunderstorms on my way back, but had a great day.









In three (3) trips to Wabaunsee County this year, I logged 157 miles in the county, most on unpaved roads. I visited seven (7) cemeteries and the towns of Alta Vista, Alma, Maple Hill, Volland, and Wabaunsee. I did not get to explore the southeastern part of the county near Eskridge and Harveyville, but I'm sure to return at a later date.



Links:


Wabaunsee County: http://www.wabaunsee.com/

Beecher Bible & Rifle Church: http://www.wamego.org/beecher.htm

My photo gallery of Wabaunsee County: http://ke2013.smugmug.com/gallery/7428748_fYUea#478843009_WGWR2

Cowley County Geocaching & Crabby Patty's

On Saturday March 14, I spent the afternoon in Cowley County, always one of my favorite places to visit. First, though, I went to the city of Douglas in southern Butler County, where I enjoyed a good lunch of roast pork and dressing, mashed potatoes, corn and tossed salad at the Triangle M Restaurant. I also had a piece of sugar free chocolate cream pie that tasted every bit as good as regular pie.

Then it was on to northern Cowley County,where I located geocaches at two (2) stone bridges in the Rock area. After that, I travelled south to the Floral area. I found a geocache in the cemetery there and another at the stone bridge over Timber Creek just south of town.

Next, I went on southwest to the area just north of Winfield. I found a geocache at the beautiful McKnab pony truss bridge over Cedar Creek, then drove 1/4 mile west to find the geocache at the Elrod stone arch bridge over Timber Creek. The Elrod bridge is nearly abandoned, and the last section of "road" back to it from the east is only suitable for high clearance vehicles, and then only in dry conditions.

I finished my geocaching for the day by travelling east to the Timber Creek stone bridge southeast of Atlanta.

Having some daylight left, I determined to head to eastern Cowley County into an area I had not yet explored. I headed east across the Fox stone bridge over Grouse Creek on 62nd Rd into the ranch lands near the Ferguson Ranch. The winter grasses were golden in color with the low sun behind me. I then turned south for a look at the Grand Summit railroad depot area just north of US160 near the Elk County border. In it's heyday, Grand Summit was a busy livestock shipping area.

Finally, I travelled back southwest to Dexter for supper at Crabby Patty's, the town gas station, grill & deli, grocery, bait shop, etc on K-15. This place is currently featured as a special support project of the Kansas Sampler Foundation. The goal is to have at least 1000 people go there and spend at least $5.00. I had a good cheeseburger and really enjoyed chatting with both the owners and the local people who had come in that evening.

Then I had a pleasant evening drive back home to Wichita. Another memorable day!

Links:

Triangle M Restaurant

326 S. Forrest

Douglass, KS

746-2071

Crabby Patty's

K-15 in Dexter

2 Galleries of my photos of Cowley County:

http://ke2013.smugmug.com/gallery/2679160_CsG2e#141826040_mo9Nf

http://ke2013.smugmug.com/gallery/238464_4PxH6#9284151_bLKHX

Shopping at Wolfe's Cameras - Exploring Wabaunsee County

On Saturday Feb 21, 2008, I had a fun afternoon shopping and exploring.

I headed to downtown Topeka, to make my first trip to Wolfe's Cameras , and it most certainly will not be my last. I had been looking for a good tripod for sometime to replace one that was stolen a few years ago.

I looked at Wolfe's online store to get some ideas. When I got to the store, I found a great selection of tripods. The sales person spent 15-20 minutes working with me, and I finally decided on a Manfrotto leg assembly, Promaster 3 way head, and Promaster bag to carry it in. I was very pleased with the whole experience and was truly amazed at the variety of photo, computer, and camcorder equipment along with photo finishing, frames, and more in this store.

Wolfe's has been in the retail photo business since 1947.

Wolfe's Cameras

635 S Kansas Ave

Topeka, KS 66603

785-235-1386

Open 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM Daily, Thursday till 8:00 PM

Closed Sundays

http://www.wolfes.com/

I left Topeka on K-4 heading southwest thru Dover and stopped at the Echo Cliff area. It appears as though the pony truss bridge over Mission Creek will not be there much longer as the concrete bridge is almost finished. The cliff was illuminated in the late afternoon sun.

From Echo Cliff, I headed west and south passing thru the Nehring Creek valley, then south thru Hessdale and ending up at the Lake Wabaunsee area just as the sun was setting. I headed south on K-99 for dinner in Emporia at La Hacienda, one of my favorite Mexican Restaurants. They serve great Tacos de Carne Asada.

Finally, I drove back to Wichita on the Kansas Turnpike. Driving thru the Flint Hills at night is always an enjoyable experience.