We enjoy exploring our state and often like to take day trips to do just that.
We have several travel books but on this day we decided to follow the one called "83,000 Square Miles No lines, No Waiting. Kansas Day Trips" by Steve Harper. Also used a Kansas map. Yes, we still use paper maps!
We picked Waubaunsee County as the destination for the day. We left town on 1st street and headed toward Cassoday. On the way, we pulled over at Elbing to see the construction on the school our kids attended many years ago.
At Cassoday, we turned north on 177.
I love these fences made of flint rock!
Oh, if only houses could talk!
This is a 100-year-old barn on Spring Hill Ranch north of Strong City. We stopped there a few years back at this Tallgrass National Prairie Preserve and took a ride in the Flint Hills. They give tours of the land and of the historic home and barn.
Cottonwood Falls
The Chase county courthouse was built of native limestone and walnut in 1873 in a French Renaissance style. We didn't go inside since we've been there before. The 3-story spiral staircase is spectacular! When you climb to the top, there is an old jail you can step into! So worth the stop! Isn't it beautiful? I wish architecture was still like this!
As we were driving into Council Grove, I saw a sign for this monument. We decided to check it out. We have never been there. It marks the site where Father Juan Padilla was killed in 1542.
We found a place where we could drive into the pasture where this monument was located.
The monument was at the top of a tall hill but there was no road up to it.
We did not take the time to climb it this day.
Alta Vista - A town of about 400. Come on, those of you who live in huge, hectic cities like New York, doesn't this look so much better?! Everyone knows everyone (and their business), neighbors help neighbors.
The book told us to bear right and we followed this road.
Yes, this a ball of barbed wire. I guess it's a thing. The largest ball of barbed wire is in Denton, Tx. We once visited a barbed wire museum in LaCrosse, Ks.
About 5 miles from Alta Vista, you will see an old school house, circa 1906.
At Volland, which is pretty much a ghost town now, the book said to turn left.
Kratzer Bros. General Merchant store, that looks to have been an important store in its day.
We arrived at Alma. There is a cheese factory there that we have stopped at before, but today we were driving on through.
We stayed here for awhile, just enjoying the wind, the sounds of meadowlarks, the quiet and solitude of this place. If you are feeling the stress of this world, this is a place to come!!
Next we drove north to the historic town of Wabaunsee that was colonized by abolitionists from Conneticut. This town became known as a "damned abolitionist nest" by pro-slavers (forgive the cussing).
Rev. Ward Beecher moved here from New Haven and in 1862 built this church, now known as the Beecher Bible and Rifle church. Rifles were smuggled west from Conneticut under the label "Beecher's Bibles". The church still meets weekly. That would be fun to go some Sunday morning!
We had to stop in Abilene for some good home fried chicken! You can read about the beginning of their history in 1870's here. We had eaten at the Brookville Hotel years ago when it was located in Brookville, southwest of Salina.
Well, what a day it was! We love these day trips as well as long ones.
“I will guide you along the best pathway for your life,
I will advise you and watch over you.”
Psalm 32:8 (NLT)