Kansas Adventures, May; Part 2

Leaving Manhattan, we continued north on 77 toward Blue Rapids.
Waterfall #4, Alcove Springs and waterfall

We were on the Oregon Trail and going to a spot that the pioneers used to stop at. They would rest up before crossing the Big Blue to continue their journey west.

The Big Blue River

After you drive through the town of Blue Rapids, continue north on 77, you will see a big gypsum plant on the left and just before the plant, turn off on a gravel road that takes you to Alcove Spring Park (a few miles).

There is a guest book to sign in and it was interesting to find so many had visited this out of the way destination; people from all over the US and overseas (we saw one from Australia) just in the past few days.

We walked on a well kept path to these springs (about 3 minutes). Fresh water bubbling out of the ground.

" The Lord will guide you always;
He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail."
Isaiah 58:11

A pioneer had etched his name and date onto the rock.

The falls were bone dry. There was a picture with the water gushing over and pioneers taking a "shower" underneath it. Well, not today. But still so interesting to know the history that had taken place here!

Here was where the pioneers "parked" their wagons.

Hard to see perhaps in the pictures, but we could see the swells in the ground made by the many wagon trains that passed here.

Such interesting history.

On the way out, Al spotted a deer. When he saw our car, he plopped himself down in the wheat field. See his ears poking out?

We waited and finally, he got tired of waiting for us to leave and he got up and ran off.
The Weaver Hotel in Waterville, Ks is a landmark of the old railroad days. It is in use today and would have been a fun overnight stop! But we didn't know about it, just saw it from the road as we were driving by.

Waterfall #5, Geary Lake Falls at Geary State Fishing Lake

Staying on Highway 77, just south of Junction City 6 miles, we came to State Lake Road. Not marked real well. We went on that road for about 2000 feet to a sign that is easy to miss (we did and went further and had to backtrack). We parked by the dam.

We walked across the dam and took the path off to the right.
Wow!

Getting to the bottom of the falls was a steep climb. There were 2 ways down, a steep but well marked trail, or climb the rocks down. We took the path down and climbed up the rocks.

We were disappointed that there was quite a bit of trash. If anyone reading this goes, take along a garbage sack and help pick up the litter there. Besides that, it was really a beautiful falls!

Last - and I should say, the least,(truthfully!)

Waterfalls #6,Brown park Waterfall, Abilene
We drove south ofAbilene a couple of miles, over the Smoky River bridge to the Brown Memorial Park. We drove around this beautiful park and had to ask where there were some falls.

can you even call these falls?? Perhaps a 4 inch drop?
These used to be more impressive and there was a waterwheel in use at one time. The river has been diverted somewhat and there is more of a falls but it is on private property now we were told. These weren't worth going to but we didn't know that until we got there.

The property these falls are on is very nice though! A mansion that is now a retirement home is in this park area. This land was originally donated by Cleyson L. Brown, who founded the company which evolved into the Sprint Corporation.

We had hoped to eat here at the end of the day, but we arrived at 8:00 and they quit serving at 7;30. So sad. We will have to go back!

What a wonderful day, driving to see Kansas waterfalls! Who would have known Kansas to have such wondrous falls!