KANSAS! Magazine | Spring 2012

kansasmag.com

spring 2012 volume 68 issue 1

enjoying spring’s $4.99

outdoor wonders

Outd edi

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$4.99

t i o or n

contents features

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Reasons We Love Kansas

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Surpassing the Limits

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Happy Trails

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Kayak Kansas

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The Farm Tour

The season’s rejuvenating colors, scenes and offerings make spring a delightful time of year in Kansas Written by Gloria Gale

Kansas Adventure Racers bike, paddle and run for the finish line Written by Vince Meserko

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Discover diverse and scenic routes for equestrian trail riding Written by Carolyn Kaberline

Paddle your way around the Sunflower State Written by Susan Kraus

Agritourism is (re)introducing the public to agriculture life Written by Amber Brejcha Fraley

on the cover

Kevin Burke

in Douglas County Photograph by Jason Dailey

KANSAS!

Send your story ideas to ksmagazine@sunflowerpub.com or to KANSAS!, 1020 S. Kansas Ave., Suite 200, Topeka, KS 66612.

Surpassing the Limits from the editor

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always look forward to our spring issue for the promise of color returning to the landscape, warmer temperatures and the opportunity to go outdoors.

We’re confident this edition will give you outdoor adventure fever.

From roasting marshmallows by the flames of a campfire or to a spike in your adrenaline, we cover the gamut.

Learn more about the colorful and peaceful ride along trails atop a horse, or the easy and exhilarating ride in a kayak. Get the whole family out this season with one of the great activities we’ve highlighted in Tour Kansas. Or turn your outdoor excursions into educational ones with a visit to one of these Agritourism destinations. Not sure what Agritourism is, flip to page 48.

As you and yours leave the winter lifestyle behind, share your outdoor adventures with us on Facebook and Twitter. Thank you for reading.

Jennifer Haugh, Editor find us on facebook: facebook.com/kansasMagazine follow us on twitter: @kansasMag

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the making of

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Outd edi

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Tour Kansas: For the Family departments

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The Making of KANSAS!

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Letters

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Our Town: WaKeeney Celebrating the past and present of the Western High Plains Written by Sarah Hawbaker

Tour Kansas: For the Family Attractions for the whole gang abound this spring Written by Liz Weslander

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Gallery

Paddle Kansas’ challenging rivers and lakes

Kansas Trails Map

Stay hydrated in the great outdoors

Hit the trails for a jog (editor’s shoes!)

Snacks are essential for hikes, rides and paddles

Compact utensils for camp

Sturdy boots for long hikes (photographer’s shoes!)

Rope and carabineer for Kansas’ rocky destinations Safety first

The delightful s’more

Hybrid tires for Kansas’ various terrains

Chapstick and sunscreen to protect against burns

Taste of Kansas: The Campfire

Milestone: 5.4.7 Arts Center

Coffee for the early risers

In this issue kansas city wabaunsee jefferson johnson county county county manhattan linwood salina topeka 70 council douglas grove lawrence county wakeeney 135 overbrook larned emporia wellsville sedgwick ft. scott county kinsley 35 Chase mccune wichita County Greensburg route 66 norwich Belle labette county Plaine Nicodemus

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Berni Beeler Brown I can’t wait to get my new [KANSAS! magazine] calendar! The photo on the cover is absolutely stunning.

Kendra Elrod McBroom The best subscription I have! The most bang for my buck all year long.

Mary Jo Whitaker Swietek

Received my KANSAS! magazine and calendar, I love the cover, as I am part Cherokee and very proud of it. Love the magazine and calendar.

Warm hat for cool spring nights

Hook, line, sinker

word wizards The best kind of trophy

Good gear for long rides

reference

rolla

A bright-colored handkerchief for four-legged hikers

what they are saying

Swiss army knife, just in case

The best cooking gigs take place in the great outdoors Written by Katherine Dinsdale

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covering the great outdoors

One of our cover concepts was to incorporate most everything “outdoors” into a stylized, graphic cover. It was a test in patience and inventiveness.

GO MOBILE! Scan our QR code with your smartphone for the latest from KANSAS! magazine.

Stylish shades for optimal protection

[Items provided by Sunflower Outdoor and Bike, photographer Jason Dailey, art director Shelly Bryant and editor Katy Ibsen]

something borrowed

Schlitterbahn (n): A fictitious German word that translates loosely to “slippery road” and the namesake of Kansas City’s newest waterpark.

For our “Taste of Kansas: The Campfire” story, we borrowed three cast-iron Dutch ovens, campfire cooking utensils and one Dutch oven cookbook from local camping enthusiast Kristin Walker. Thank you!

(Flames courtesy of our crafty editor.)

Vince Meserko author of “Surpassing the Limits” I was pretty amazed at the mental toughness and strategy required to do this kind of race. Even more so, I was surprised that some of these contestants actually considered the mental part more demanding than the physical part.

I know I could never do something like this. I’d start crying and want to quit ... about 2 miles in.

Katherine Dinsdale author of “Taste of Kansas: The Campfire” Every person I interviewed confirmed that the most important ingredients for a perfect campfire meal are double helpings of friends, family and time together.

People behind the scenes 8 Freelance Writers

3 Contributing Photographers

9 Gallery Photographers

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letters Beautiful ballet

Intriguing content

A Kansas friend offered me a subscription to your magazine. It’s a pleasure to see the nice pictures of Kansas landscapes by reading your review. I am French, living in Paris and a ballet addict. I go each year to several performances at the Paris Opera. I saw the Nutcracker several times. I find very nice that you appreciate this masterpiece of classic ballet, which is among my favorite ballets with the Swan Lake. I find also very creative that you adapted it by creating a prairie version. Long life to your ballet!

I really enjoyed the last two issues of KANSAS! The Food Edition (fall 2011) was great, making me miss food back home even more.

Also, the most recent “Of Kansas Cultures” was a great reminder of some of the various cultures in Kansas. I would like to see more on the various cultures of Kansas in some future issues. And the calendar is lovely—some of my Thai co-workers are intrigued by how different the landscape (and flora and fauna) are back home.

Craig Purdon Bangok, Thailand

Nadine Magaud Paris, France

spring issue 2012 Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Jennifer T. Haugh editor

Sam Brownback governor

Becky Blake

Director, tourism division

www.sunflowerpub.com lawrence, kansas

design & production

Katy Ibsen

managing editor

Shelly Bryant

Designer/art director

Jason Dailey photographer

twitter Home sweet home I will be moving back as soon as my home is sold here in Silicon Valley. Loved the words of Eileen [Robertson], “living in the wrong place and missing the values of Kansas—the friendliness, the faith, the strong work ethic.”

Wonderful article in the winter 2011 issue of @KANSASMag on Sen. Bob Dole, along with many other great stories of Kansas’ cultures. @DoleInstitute The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics

Linda Houston Saratoga, California

send your letters to: Editor, KANSAS!, 1020 S. Kansas Ave., Suite 200, Topeka, KS 66612 or e-mail ksmagazine@sunflowerpub.com

corrections: In our winter issue we misspelled the name of gallery contributor Bruce Hogle and contributing writer Suzanne Heck. We also missed the opportunity to credit photographer Aaron East for his work on “Ballet Classic with a Kansas Twist,” and photographers Jed and Lisa Jeter for their work on “Taste of Kansas: Valentine’s Diners.”

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Bert Hull

general manager

KANSAS! (ISSN 0022-8435) is published quarterly by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism 1020 S. Kansas Ave., Suite 200 Topeka, KS 66612; (785) 296-3479; TTY Hearing Impaired: (785) 296-3487.

Periodical postage paid at Topeka, KS, and at additional mailing offices.

Newsstand price $4.99 per issue; subscription price $18 per year; international subscription price $22 per year.

All prices include all applicable sales tax.

Please address subscription inquiries to: Toll-free: (800) 678-6424 KANSAS!, P.O. Box 146 Topeka, KS 66601-0146 e-mail: ksmagazine@sunflowerpub.com Website: www.KansasMag.com POSTMASTER: Send address change to: KANSAS! P.O. Box 146, Topeka, KS 66601-0146.

Please mail all editorial inquiries to: KANSAS!, 1020 S. Kansas Ave., Suite 200, Topeka, KS 66612 e-mail: ksmagazine@sunflowerpub.com The articles and photographs that appear in KANSAS! magazine may not be broadcast, published or otherwise reproduced without the express written consent of Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism or the appropriate copyright owner. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Additional restrictions may apply.

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Calling all Wookiees

Reasons we ❤ KANSAS

Written by Gloria Gale

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1 Ask Karen and John Pendleton why they enjoy producing asparagus in Kansas, on their family farm located just east of Lawrence, and they’ll likely say, “The people!” The corridor of Douglas and Johnson counties has long supported their “locally grown,” “pick-your-own” farm. Pendleton’s Country Market produces 35 acres of vegetables, flowers and herbs that are commonly found on family dinner tables and just as common at special events and weddings. pendletons.com Facebook: Pendletons-Country-Market Like the Pendletons, Bruce and Marianne Curtis are eager to have you visit Fieldstone Orchard in Overbook.

This “U-Pick” farm features 150 acres of fruit and vegetables surrounded by 2,000 trees. Their three “hoop houses” will eventually foster fruits and veggies year round. “As new owners, our goal is to farm organic for all of our fruits and vegetables. We’re currently amending our soil for this purpose,” says Marianne. The Curtises welcome all to come mid-April and start the season with fresh asparagus. fieldstoneorchard.com

Facebook: Fieldstone-Orchard

The season’s rejuvenating colors, scenes and offerings make spring a delightful time of year in Kansas. Share your reasons to love Kansas (see page 13).

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Photographs: (top and bottom at left) Courtesy of Pendleton’s Country Market (2), (Clockwise from top right) Kenny Felt, ©2011 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved, Courtesy 88 Records

Stalks of devotion

Our unsung heroes

The Lowell Milken Center, located in Fort Scott, showcases history projects celebrating unsung heroes. Included in these exhibits is the internationally acclaimed student project Life in a Jar/the Irena Sendler Project; see and hear the story of Irena Sendler, a notable activist during the Holocaust. Plus see the great new projects on people such as Frances Williams, Ralph Lazo and Father Emil Kapaun. These individuals have not only impacted history, but also the students who have researched their lives. Since its creation, the Lowell Milken Center has discovered, developed and communicated the remarkable stories of unsung heroes who have changed the world. These inspiring projects have reached over 300,000 students and over 4,000 schools in all 50 states. lowellmilkencenter.org Facebook: LowellMilkenCenter

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Wichita’s Exploration Place will host its biggest traveling exhibition featuring Yoda, the Jedi plus 80 other artifacts when “Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination” opens Memorial Day 2012. Sure to be a draw, many of the costumes, props and models are displayed from all six films. “But the focus is learning about the science behind the fantasy technologies in Star Wars and the current research that may lead to real-life versions of these technologies,” says Christina Bluml, Exploration Place marketing director. Activities encourage visitors to defy gravity, manipulate robots and engineer droids. After examining Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder, for example, visitors find out how things move without touching the ground in the real world, from models of flying cars to commercial spacecraft. exploration.org Facebook: TheExplorationPlace Twitter: @DiscoverAtEP

Twitter: @lowellmilkenctr

Bluesville

“Whatever you need to do, whatever change you need to make to find the life that’s true to you–do it now,” says Kelley Hunt. Pretty strong stuff, but it’s what the powerhouse singer/songwriter conveys in her new album Gravity Loves You. Hunt’s a polished performer who grafts her bluesy soul onto 12 new songs.

Grab this collection and set your toes tapping. kelleyhunt.com Facebook: Kelley-Hunt

Twitter: @KelleyHuntMusic

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Kid moves

Did you know that Kansas isn’t all that flat, with some regions climbing almost a mile above sea level? That’s just one of the many facts kids will find in Kid’s Kansas, a 44-page full-color activity book published by the Kansas Historical Society in Topeka. The book is a colorful mix of games, puzzles, stories, pull-outs and pictures to help kids discover and connect with their Kansas heritage. Teachers will find it an invaluable resource for their classroom.

Kansas Historical Society single copies, $8.95. kshs.org

Just west of Topeka, Jim and Mary Ingwerson are perfuming the air. The Ingwersons cultivate lavender ­—a crop generally associated with fields in Provence. Tending to their often-fussy plants with loving care, the Ingwersons’ farm produces lavender honey, dream pillows, wands, sachets, shoe fresheners, even pillows for your pet. Handmade products are a rare commodity these days, so stop by and breathe in! kansaslavender.com

The Hills are alive

Facebook: Kansas-Lavender

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Shopper’s paradise

Nestled in the heart of downtown Council Grove is a treasure of trends.

March through December, the Saturday Morning Boutique offers candles, women’s clothing, handmade crafts, jewelry, sunglasses, gourmet coffee, potions, lotions and more. Everything is featured in a delightful setting all under one roof. Stop by Wednesday-Saturday to see the latest arrivals. saturdaymorningboutique.com Facebook: Saturday-Morning-Boutique

8 Secret Garden Trees flower, birds sing and Robin Macy, former schoolteacher, radio-show host and performer, is enamored with Bartlett Arboretum, her majestic 20-acre garden in Belle Plaine.

Macy’s calling is to share the century-old Arboretum’s natural bounty, but she realizes it takes time and money. Entertaining all ideas to sustain the property, she hosts Tree-House Concerts beginning in April lasting through the end of July. Experience Macy’s work in her lush garden as ballads and bluegrass take center stage throughout spring and summer afternoons.

Art at the Arb, April 14-15, is where 25,000 blooming tulips share the spotlight with visual artists and musical performances from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. ($5 at the gate). Check the website for concert listings. bartlettarboretum.com Facebook: Bartlett-Arboretum

Reasons we ❤ KANSAS

Photographs: (Clockwise from top left) Kansas Historical Society, Shutterstock, Rebekah Morse, John D. Morrison, Courtesy of Saturday Morning Boutique

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Reasons we ❤ KANSAS

The color purple

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The Flint Hills is a treasured landscape. Annually, the Kansas City Symphony celebrates the tallgrass prairie and plains heritage with a spring concert that draws thousands. Students from the Elliott School of Communication at Wichita State University captured the essence of the 2010 Symphony in the Flint Hills, producing a half-hour documentary titled Prairie Music: Symphony in the Flint Hills that aired on KPTS last May. Students also produced a 130-page magazine covering the 2011 event and the communities that host the event. Symphony in the Flint Hills Executive Director Emily Hunter acknowledges, “We’re looking forward to collaborating with WSU students once again on the upcoming 2012 concert, Seasons and Rhythms. The 2012 event will take place Saturday, June 9, in Lyon County. Not only is the concert a celebration of music and nature, but we’re thrilled to be working with the communications students who enthusiastically showcase the extraordinary qualities of the tallgrass prairie.” Ticket and magazine information: symphonyintheflinthills.org Facebook: Symphony-in-the-Flint-Hills Twitter: @SITFHs

Cheryl Unruh is a winner. She loves being a child of the prairie. The slower pace of Kansas’ vast Midwest expanse fascinates this creative writer. She writes a weekly column about Kansas topics for the Emporia Gazette, and some of her essays occasionally air on Kansas Public Radio. Each year the Kansas Center for the Book at the State Library recognizes the 15 best new books culled from 150 entries written by Kansans. Unruh is one of the 2011 Kansas Notable Book award winners, authoring Flyover People: Life on the Ground in a Rectangular State, composed of 80 of her essays. “I was very honored to accept a medal for my book and receive the award from Kansas First Lady Mary Brownback last September,” says Unruh. If you’re a proud Kansan or know someone who is, Unruh’s book and delightful blog will enchant. flyoverpeople.net

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Spring flour

Abilene’s rich agricultural heritage is the inspiration behind the family-focused Flour Power Family Fun Fest May 18-19, 2012.

The annual fundraiser for Memorial Health Foundation was established in 2008 with a full roster of fun-filled activities, including: all-day musical entertainment, Motor Mania Car Show, Motorcycle Stunt Show, Commercial and Craft Vendors, BBQ Grill Off and the always amusing Wiener Dog Jog. The event takes place on the Abilene Fairgrounds.

Most events are free of charge. mhsks.org/flour

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Give it a shot

Here’s your chance to show the world your photographic talent!

You don’t even have to say “cheese”—just snap, explain and post your favorite candid images from your Kansas travels on the TravelKS Photoblog. The Kansas Tourism Division is eager to see what you’ve found. travelks.com/s/photo_blog

Seasons

Kansas is quintessential for viewing all four seasons. After the long winter, there is nothing more enjoyable than watching the states’ colors bloom and the skies fill with beautiful sunsets and outstanding storm clouds.

Spring marks the renewal of another year among Kansas’ seasons.

Facebook: caringforyou

Reasons we ❤ KANSAS

Facebook: TravelKS

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Twitter: @Travelks

Start your engines Photographs: (Clockwise from top left) Dave Leiker (2), shutterstock, Courtesy of the Kansas Speedway, Screenshot, shutterstock, Courtesy of Flour Power Family Fun Fest

Bravo!

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Kansas City, Kansas, is on track. It has been ever since 2001 when gates opened at the Kansas Speedway and racing fans flooded in to watch Jeff Gordon win the first-ever Winston Cup Series race at the facility. NASCAR’s Spring Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck series races continue to draw huge crowds from around the country.

The Kansas Speedway features a 1.5-mile tri-oval that is scheduled for a repave to the current racing surface in 2012, along with the additions of a road course. The 73,000-plus-seat speedway offers fans not only an exciting opportunity to view car racing, but the Sprint FanWalk, where a limited number of guests have the opportunity to get autographs, view inspection and have their picture taken in Victory Lane. Come to watch world-class teams race on one the circuit’s most highly acclaimed tracks. kansasspeedway.com

Facebook: Kansas Speedway

Twitter: @kansasspeedway

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Kicks on Route 66

Route 66 just got a little more recognition.

Kansas Byways announced, in late 2011, that the Kansas portion of Route 66, located in Cherokee County, would be designated a historic byway, marking it the 11th of Kansas’ byways. Sites along the byway include museums, collections and murals. Not to mention the red tow truck that inspired the character “Mater” from the movie Cars. Delight in stories of Native American history, Civil War battles and much more. ksbyways.org Facebook: KSByways

Twitter: @ksbyways

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Reasons we ❤ KANSAS

Buzzing around

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Jim Rowan always loved bees. As he grew, so did his hobby. Along with his wife, Sharon (who gingerly adopted her husband’s pursuit), the couple’s hives grew until they decided it was time to open Rowan’s Honey Shop in Norwich. Today the Rowan’s 100-plus hives continue to thrive, generating enough raw honey for numerous products, including soaps, cosmetics, sauces and mustards sold in their Norwich shop. 218 N. Main St. (620) 478-2275

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nps.gov/tapr/index.htm

Twist and shout

If it’s a dark and stormy night ... or day, there’s a slew of folks giving storms a chase. The Kansas Storm Chasers Association and KS Storm Chasers are a highoctane bunch that spot and document twisters all over the state. From the moment a wall cloud develops, these fiesty field scouts are ready, filming their adventures with live chase cams and posting detailed storm information on their website. ksstormchaser.com, kschaserassociation.com Facebook: KDRMedia Twitter: @kschaser

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Throughout the country, peaks, coasts and deserts claim most National Park fame, but lesser-known parks flourish, including five right here in Kansas.

Fort Larned National Historic Site survives as one of the best-preserved examples of Indian Wars-period forts from 1859 to 1878. The Fort was primarily established to protect U.S. interests along the Santa Fe Trail. nps.gov/fols/index.htm Fort Scott National Historic Site is a historical area in Bourbon County, once a frontier outpost. The current site protects 20 historic structures, a parade ground and 5 acres of restored tallgrass prairie inside the city of Fort Scott. nps.gov/fosc Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, located in the Flint Hills, protects a nationally significant example of the oncevast tallgrass prairie ecosystem.

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Nicodemus National Historic Site in Graham County represents the involvement of African-Americans in the western expansion and settlement of the Great Plains.

It is the oldest and only remaining all-black town west of the Mississippi River. nps.gov/nico/index.htm

Brown v. the Board of Education National Historic Site was established in Topeka on October 26, 1992, by Congress to commemorate the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision aimed at ending racial segregation in public schools. (785) 354-4273

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Kicking it way up, celeb chef, restaurateur and cookbook author Aarón Sánchez has opened Mestizo Mexican restaurant in Leawood’s Park Place. Sánchez presents authentic recipes, including fiery salsa, freshly made tortillas, ceviche and muddled mojitos in this two-story restaurant that hums with a Latin vibe. When the Food Network star isn’t filming elsewhere, expect Sanchez to be dishing in his new flagship establishment. mestizoleawood.com

Facebook: mestizoleawood

Twitter: @MestizoLeawood

REASONS WE LOVE KANSAS Send your “Reasons We Love Kansas” to ksreasons@sunflowerpub.com

or to Reasons, KANSAS!, 1020 S. Kansas Ave., Suite 200, Topeka, KS 66612.

Photographs: (Clockwise from top left) Sharon Rowan (2), Courtesy of Fort Larned, J. Robert Schraeder, Courtesy of Good Company, Inc., shutterstock

A walk in the park

Hot Shot

20 Homespun happiness May you always find yourself in good company is a motto Saundra McGraw and Jennifer Gleason admire.

Eight years ago the mother-and-daughter team started designing serving utensils embellished with glass gems and stainless steel as Christmas gifts. People loved the duo’s handiwork, making Good Company Inc. an overwhelming success.

Dress up your tabletop with artisan flatware found in their Kinsley shop or online. goodcompanyinc.com Facebook: Good-Company-Inc.

spring 2012 KANSAS EVENTS Mozart & More

Masked Marvels & Wondertales

TOPEKA February 11 Mozart & More is a unique performance by the Topeka Symphony at White Concert Hall featuring guitarist Nicholas Ciraldo performing “Concerto Antico” by Richard Harvey. Begins at 7:30 p.m. topekasymphony.org

JUNCTION CITY March 3 Performed at the historic C.L. Hoover Opera House, Masked Marvels & Wondertales is a show for all ages, sure to capture hearts and stimulate imaginations.

Begins at 7:30 p.m. jcoperahouse.org

MAMMA MIA! LAWRENCE February 14 The smash hit musical Mamma Mia!, based on the songs of ABBA, is performed at the Lied Center. Begins at 7:30 p.m. lied.ku.edu

spring 2012 KANSAS EVENTS

St. Patrick’s Parade

Chanute Farmers Market

EMPORIA March 17 Annual St. Patrick’s parade celebrating the Irish in downtown along Commercial Street. Begins at 1 p.m. emporiamainstreet.com

CHANUTE April 28 The Chanute Farmers Market kicks off another year in Santa Fe Park. Saturdays 8-11 a.m. and Wednesdays 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Organic Gardening

My Dark Nights of the Soul

GREAT BEND March 20 and 29 Hands-on learning of organic farming methods. Presentations are from 7-9 p.m. at Heartland Farm in Pawnee Rock. visitgreatbend.com

TOPeka April 29 My Dark Nights of the Soul performed by poet Robert Hayden at Memorial Student Union. Begins at 3 p.m.

chanutechamber.com

http://brownvboard.org

K-State Equestrian

KBA Winter Bluegrass Festival

MANHATTAN March 30 Cheer on the Cats at the Big XII Championship event.

WICHITA February 17-18 This 23rd annual show features workshops and some of your favorite bands that are part of the Kansas Bluegrass Association.

http://www.kstatesports.com/sports/w-equest/

find more events

sched/ksu-w-equest-sched.html

at travelks.com

kansasbluegrass.org

Tulip Time

Lincoln Reenactment

TOPEKA April 7-23 Celebrate spring with more than 100,000 tulips and daffodils blooming at picturesque locations throughout Topeka.

LINCOLN February 17-18 Downtown Lincoln honors its namesake, our 16th president, with historic reenactments. Events kick off at Lincoln Jr. and Sr. High School with an assembly presented by Steve Alexander, portraying George Armstrong Custer. villagelines.com

Arlo Guthrie Boys Night Out HUTCHINSON April 26 Three generations of the Guthrie boys will appear at the Historic Fox Theatre. Begins at 7:30 p.m. hutchinsonfox.com

visittopeka.com

Flames in the Flint Hills CEDAR POINT April 14 Guests have the opportunity to light and manage prairie fire; then enjoy a chuck wagon dinner, music and wagon ride.

Events begin at 2:30 p.m.

International Pancake Day Festival

Atchison Art Walk ATCHISON April 27 You’re invited to explore historic Atchison through art. Begins at 5 p.m. atchisonkansas.net

flinthillsflyingw.com

Funny Girl

pancakeday.net

Emma Chase Biker Breakfast

Sand and Sage Collector Show GARDEN CITY February 25-26 The area’s premier gun and collectors show. Events begin at 9 a.m. each day. finneycounty.org/fairgrounds

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An Evening of Romance with Jim Brickman HAYS March 10 Fort Hays State University Encore Series brings world-class entertainment to the area with An Evening of Romance. Begins at 7:30 p.m. http://bigcat.fhsu.edu/perf_arts/

COTTONWOOD FALLS April 15-October 21 Biker Breakfast the third Sunday of the month at the Emma Chase Cafe in the Kansas Flint Hills. emmachasecafe.com

Photographs: shutterstock

LIBERAL February 18-21 Festival featuring a friendly competition between Liberal and Olney, England.

MANHATTAN April 27-29, May 3-6 Manhattan Arts Center Theatre performs the classic production Funny Girl, directed by Fred Burrack.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. manhattanarts.org

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Kansas Adventure Racers bike, paddle and run for the finish line Photography by Tim Sigle

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To some, the thought of paddling in frigid water with strangers in the early morning across unfamiliar terrain might seem torturous—the kind of thing that bad dreams are made of—but Charmion Harris sees it differently.

“The teams that usually have the best race are skilled at navigation, strategy and teamwork. The ability to handle these mental challenges improves their physical performance.” – Charmion Harris

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PREVIOUS PAGE The team Already Lost gets through the bike leg of the Psycho 43 Adventure Race of 45 miles.

TOP RIGHT Joe Vohs, left, and Chris Love, who have competed in many races, and Cynthia Twibell comprise team Already Lost from Linwood.

Harris is a competitive adventure racer who owns Lake Adventures Racing in Kansas. She believes the experience of team adventure racing is embraced and cherished for the challenges that each expedition poses.

The concept of adventure racing may seem foreign to the unfamiliar. Competitive racer Joe Vohs says, “It’s a team event where there are a fixed number of checkpoints set up on the course that have specific modes of transportation that you have to get to them—foot, bike or kayak. You navigate using a compass and map. No GPS. Eighty percent of it is navigation. If you make a wrong turn, it costs you time. It costs you energy.”

It may seem intuitive to assume that such a race would require rugged, mountainous terrain—features that are not natural to the Kansas landscape where these races take place. However, Vohs explains that Kansas is particularly conducive to such a race and even offers challenges that other race locations lack.

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Bike repair kit

Helmet

Mountain bike

First aid kit

UTM ruler (map tool)

Compass

A whistle

Decent running shoes (that will get dirty)

Synthetic clothing layers (no cotton)

Hydration pack

Backpack (simple, light)

“I can assure you if you pedal up a gravel road on a mountain bike in a 30mile headwind in the Flint Hills, it is plenty of a challenge for you,” Vohs says.

“I think quite frankly that sometimes flatter terrain, being more subtle, makes it even more difficult to navigate because you don’t have any giant landmarks.

There’s plenty of good terrain in Kansas. The stuff that Charmion does out in the Flint Hills is fantastic.”

A person does not have to be in peak physical condition to compete. Teams can usually choose to train and race from two to three different distances based on their ability level. Harris teaches navigation classes, designs routes and hosts several races each year around Manhattan, Milford, Junction City, Fort Riley and Wakefield, varying in length from 12-mile routes to an epic 85-mile course.

Races occur between March and October.

“Similar to a marathon, you have to create a training program. You have to train for your nutrition and your fluids because you can’t carry everything on your back,” Harris says.

One racer, Ben Sigle of Manhattan, has competed in seven adventure races.

A former collegiate long-distance runner at Oklahoma State University, Sigle has no problem with the running portion of the race. It’s the rest that’s the hard part.

“If you want to be a really good adventure racer, you need to spend time kayaking, canoeing, hitting the gym. For me, I get my fitness from running,” says Sigle.

He takes the competition seriously, but he also competes mainly for enjoyment. “If you’re just going out to have fun, then the biggest part is just training yourself to get through the race and have fun doing it.”

Lest anyone confuse adventure racing with a conventional marathon or 5K run, Harris and Sigle both point out that adventure racing demands racers be skilled strategists and able to withstand the mental challenges that come with such an uncommonly demanding sport.

“The whole thing that makes adventure races different is that it involves navigation,” says Harris. “You get a map before the race starts that has all the coordinates where the checkpoints are. Teams determine how they get there as long as they follow the rule of that checkpoint. You can figure out the fastest way to travel. It involves a lot of strategy.”

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Navigation and finding checkpoints as a team is a large component of adventure racing. Legs can include running, cycling, repelling and kayaking.

BASIC GEAR

getting started For more information on getting involved in adventure racing visit Lake Adventure Racing. adventureracekansas.com/ARInfo.html

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sprint course*

Easier navigation

long course*

Predominantly using navigation

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 paddling

paddling

trekking

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 trekking

mountain biking

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 mountain biking

30 31 32 33 34 35 *Graph represented in miles. A course is NEVER a relay!

Every team member completes every stage.

As can be expected from a former collegiate athlete, Sigle was initially drawn to adventure racing because it provided a competitive venue after his running career at OSU. It was the mental component, however, that really drew in Sigle.

“With adventure racing, there’s a lot of problem solving. There are problems that arise that you have to work through. That’s what intrigued me,” he says.

Sigle admits that he embraces the mental challenges with a degree of trepidation. Strategy and mental preparation make the sport fun, but more so than breaking down physically, they are the things most likely to make a team unravel and wilt under pressure.

During a November adventure race in Milford, Sigle eventually had the type of mental breakdown that holds so many teams back. In fact, his team did not even finish the race after being delayed two hours for missing a checkpoint on a downhill bike route.

“I was demoralized after that. Mentally, I was just done. We probably should have gone ahead and finished it out, but mentally and physically we were just done,” he says. “I was completely beat. I didn’t have the will. If you go mentally, then you’re done.”

Looking back on it now, he is kicking himself for making so many strategic errors.

“I was just mentally wiped out, and that was the other part of it. The wind was just relentless that day. I can’t wait to do another one for being so weak on that race,” Sigle says. “For us it was a letdown because we didn’t get close to where we think we should have been.”

Despite the unusual obstacles these racers must overcome, they are all quick to reiterate that racing is a rewarding experience that is fun to participate in, a point Harris seconds.

“The best part of my job is seeing the teams’ highs and lows and how they struggle through those things; and they all look happy even though they have hard times physically and mentally,” she says. “The overall attitude of teams in adventure racing is amazing.

They’re always able to surpass their limits.”

Lawrence writer Vince Meserko is currently a second-year Ph.D. student at the University of Kansas in communication studies, where he also is a graduate teaching assistant for public speaking—not adventure racing.

It’s important to keep a sense of humor about the grueling competition.

Discover diverse and scenic routes for equestrian trail riding

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Photography by Jason Dailey

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The five riders file through the narrow opening between the trees on either side of the well-worn path, following it as they climb upward. Soon the trees give way to a meadow speckled with wildflowers, and they move their mounts into an easy jog to cross it.

A quail flutters upward from a clump of bluestem grass as the horses pass by, and meadowlarks call from across the field. Soon the group stops and takes in the view of Lake Perry before resuming its ride.

The equestrian trails on the west side of Lake Perry, in Jefferson County, are a popular destination for riders of any age. Traversing land of the Army Corps of Engineers and Perry State Park, the trails together consist of more than 34 miles.

On any given day it is not uncommon to find several horse trailers parked at the trailhead while their riders explore the varied terrain and enjoy the outdoors.

Riders at Lake Perry are not alone in their enthusiasm for seeing Kansas from the back of a horse. Trail riding is not only the fastestgrowing segment of the equine industry as a whole, it’s also a fastgrowing recreational activity in Kansas. Currently the state offers at least 24 public-use areas with more than 300 miles of trails and facilities for horseback riding, according to Jim Thomas, chairman of the Kansas Horse Council Trails Development Committee. Trails are available on public lands that include Pomona Lake, Tuttle Creek Lake, Milford Lake, Clinton Lake and Melvern Lake in addition to Perry Lake (find a complete listing on the Kansas Horse Council website or the Equestrian Trails in Kansas booklet).

“These facilities situated in Kansas state parks and on federal reservoir land range from just trails to totally equipped equestrian camps with hookups for living-quarters horse trailers, corrals, shower houses and shelter houses,” Thomas says.

Those riding the trails do so for a variety of reasons. For some, like Kate Fowler of Topeka, it’s a lifetime activity.

“From the time I was a little girl, trail riding has been a way of life for me,” Fowler says. “I got my first horse when I was 5 years old. My friends and I would be on a horse all day, just lovin’ life. Fifty-some years later, I enjoy trail riding with my friends, the bond with my horse, the sounds of nature and the gentle walk down the path—it just doesn’t get any better than that.”

For others it’s a change from other equestrian endeavors.

Jo Turner of Meriden, who along with her husband, Dewayne Burgess, owns Roy Frey Western, used to be an avid barrel racer.

However, when she won a vacation package for a sales award, she selected the Hole in the Wall Trail Ride in Lander, Wyoming, for the two of them; she came away hooked on trail riding.

“We rode their horses across beautiful vistas, stayed in tents and cooked out,” she says. “When we came home, we started trail riding around the state lakes. Now we have a living-quarters horse trailer and have ridden in several different states. My barrel horses are seasoned trail horses. It just doesn’t get any better than enjoying the beautiful American countryside from the back of your horse.”

Burgess agrees. “I had horses as a younger man but began to detest

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Trail Riding

Need more information on specific trails or other equine activities? Check out the Kansas Horse Council website at kansashorsecouncil.com.

Equestrian Trails in Kansas, is a 64-page booklet published by the Kansas Horse Council. It is available at many tack and feed stores across the state and the Kansas Horse Council for $3. This booklet contains

maps of the trails available at each of the 24 public-use areas open to equestrian activities as well as information on camping facilities, trailer hook-ups, corrals and other amenities.

Riders are urged to contact the Kansas Horse Council or park management, at their favorite equestrian public use area, for more information on volunteer activities.

Trail riding in Kansas has become a popular hobby among equestrian enthusiasts. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism has been instrumental in creating trails at many state parks.

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going to the horse shows and waiting for Jo’s events,” he says. “Now we have horses we can enjoy to ride together. I like the peace and quiet and getting off the highway to see the countryside and wildlife others don’t see.”

Turner adds that trail riding is good for socializing. “It’s also a way for 60-somethings to play cowboys and Indians,” she says.

Betty Kirchner, of Topeka, became interested in trail riding when she grew tired of showing in pleasure classes and “going in circles.” Now she enjoys trail riding and heads out two or three times a week; there are “always new things to see, the changing of the leaves, the roaring creeks, the wildlife, the rock formation, the flowers, sometimes the food that we bring, but most of all the friendships I have developed with some fantastic people,” she says.

Others turn to trail riding later in life. Such is the case for Jerry Atkins of Berryton. He had mainly used horses for ranch work and showing earlier in his life, but when his children grew up and moved out, he turned to trail riding. It’s become a trend recognized by several equine associations and publications.

Not only does trail riding allow people to enjoy the outdoors, Turner adds that “it crosses all disciplines, breeds and ages of both riders and horses.”

While the majority of trail riders use Western-type horses, Fowler sometimes rides Miss Jill, her registered Clydesdale. “She’s a very good trail horse, and I take her quite often,” Fowler says. “Width is sometimes a problem, but I can always get her through.”

While trail riding can bring hours of enjoyment to those involved, it also has a significant economic impact on the state. “Horse owners purchase horse trailers, trucks, tack, feed and veterinary services. As we load up our horses and head down the highway to these public use areas, we purchase fuel, groceries, fast food and camping supplies. Many of these expenditures are taking place in the small communities near the state parks and reservoirs,” Thomas says.

He explains that it’s not just those riders living in areas near the trails who take advantage of them. Equestrian camps along the interstates are becoming popular stopover places for people traveling across Kansas on their way to other destinations.

Many riders will stay a day or two and enjoy the trails to their fullest.

Thomas says, “People from Nebraska and Missouri use Kansas trails as a destination spot. Horse people want diversity.”

Having ridden many trails on her quarter horses, Topeka writer Carolyn Kaberline is a firm believer that the worst day on a horse is better than the best day of doing anything else.

F oakley

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A - Scott State Park B - Cimarron National Grassland C - Pawnee Prairie Park

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D - Kanopolis Lake E - Milford Lake F - Tuttle Creek Lake G - Perry Lake

Deciding to go trail riding is the easy part; it’s knowing what to take along that can be difficult. Jo Turner, coowner of Roy Frey Western in Topeka and an experienced trail rider, gives KANSAS! magazine the scoop.

There is plenty to see and do in Lindsborg. Be sure to call ahead for complete directions.

Wear comfortable clothing. You’ll be in the saddle for several hours, so comfort is a must.

However don’t trade safety for comfort, you’ll need to wear boots so your feet won’t slide through the stirrups and a hat to protect your face from the sun.

As for a Western hat, Turner recommends a stampede string to keep the hat from blowing off and spooking other horses, or she also suggests wearing a helmet.

Lindsborg Convention & Visitors Bureau • Tours • Family Renuions • Meeting Facilities

www.visitlindsborg.com For all travel questions

888-227-2227

Take a raincoat. Storms can come up suddenly, and there may be some distance to get back to your trailer.

Outback’s Packables—rain jackets that fold into their own carrying case and have snap-open gusseted back vents meant for riding—are a good choice. If you’ll be riding in brushy area, a pair of short chaps will help protect your legs and provide a secure seat.

Bring a cantle, horn or saddlebag to carry other necessities for the trail. Turner says the type of bag depends on personal preference and what the rider wants to bring. She suggests a camera for taking photos of the scenery, wildlife or good times with friends; a water bottle; a hoof pick; a halter and lead for tying on the trail; and extra supplies such as a knife and strips of leather for quick tack repairs. She also suggests a GPS device when traveling in unfamiliar areas.

Paintings, Glass Art, Jewelry, Photography, Pottery, Wood Carving, Wheat Weaving and more.

125 N. Main St. • Lindsborg, KS 67456 785-227-3007 • www.courtyardgallery.com

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ediscover the simple joys of rural life in the American heartland

ELIZABETH

Fresh Cut Flowers

handwoven artwear

GIFT SHOP

• Jackets • Capes • Scarves • Vests & More • Special Orders Welcome!

The Swedish Country Inn 112 W. Lincoln | Lindsborg, KS 785.227.2985

Mon-Fri: 8:30-5:30 Sat: 9-5 Closed Sun

Becky Anderson, innkeeper

785.227.2202 www.bouquest-shoppe.com

swedishcountryinn.com

110 North Main Street Lindsborg, KS • 785.227.2757 www.elizabethshandwoven.com

burlington

C Garden City

Saddle up

H - Clinton Lake I - Pomona J - Melvern Lake K - Elk City Lake

Turner stresses the horse’s comfort, too.

Make sure your saddle fits and use a saddle pad that conforms to your horse. Consider a breast collar to help hold the saddle in place when riding in rough terrain. Fly sprays, either in wipe or roll-on form, will be appreciated by your mount during fly season.

Home of National Geographic photographer Jim Richardson

Gallery hours 10-5 M-S | 11:30-4 Sunday www.smallworldgallery.net

lindsborG, Ks

our town

WaKeeney

★

As the festival draws to a start, the sound of a bagpipe is heard. The chill in the air is a reminder of the long, dark winter, yet the warmth of the sun is proof that spring has arrived.

Families gather. Children play. Strength and bravery will be tested.

Welcome to Th’ Gatherin’ Ancient Festival O’Beltane, just one of the many things that makes WaKeeney a special place to live and visit. Pastor Randy Gibbs, who serves on the festival’s committee, says the early Celtics found reason to celebrate the end of the winter months and the beginning of new life in the spring—all with the lighting of the Beltane fire.

Celebrated the first Saturday in May and held on Th’ Gatherin’ grounds near Cedar Bluff State Park, this free event includes highland game competitions, vendors, camping, fellowship, feasting, music and more.

Th’ Gatherin’ is just one of WaKeeney’s many hospitable attractions. From history to Main Street shopping, a scenic byway to outdoor adventure, it’s a community that has become the quintessential place to explore in western Kansas.

Celebrating the past and present of the Western High Plains

Did you know?

Adding to its whimsy, WaKeeney was founded in 1878 when land spectators Albert Warren and James Keeney colonized the land and named it by combining their surnames.

Photography by Larry Harwood

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TOP A trail guidepost near WaKeeney marks the Butterfield Overland Despatch freight and passenger trail.

ABOVE A kiosk offers roadside attractions along the Smoky Valley Scenic Byway on Highway 283. The byway is a picturesque 60-mile loop.

LEFT The antique windmill along the Main Street Nature Trail serves as a landmark for visitors.

Among the hills Cathy Albert, director of WaKeeney Travel and Tourism, says there are plenty of places to visit in the city, but to find those hidden treasures, you must hit the side roads in order to truly experience the area’s beauty.

Prepare to explore via the country drive along the Smoky Valley Scenic Byway, which begins in WaKeeney at Interstate 70 and ends at Ogallah on Highway 147. This picturesque, 60-mile loop provides visitors with a first-hand experience of the Smoky Hill River Valley.

Mary Hendricks, chairman of the Smoky Valley Scenic Byway Committee, says the byway “gives visitors an opportunity to enjoy several historic sites, Cedar Bluff State Park and Reservoir, and the natural beauty of the mid-grass prairie.”

Hendricks, along with her husband, had the light bulb moment to create a scenic byway in Western Kansas at a Kansas Sampler sponsored meeting. “It was just one more thing that we could give our visitors to Western Kansas the opportunity to enjoy.”

Historic points of interest pepper the byway.

The Butterfield Overland Despatch, established in 1865, was the shortest, yet most dangerous freight delivery route from Atchison to Denver. Today, a limestone marker indicates where the trail crosses the Scenic Byway on Highway 147.

Near Cedar Bluff State Park is Threshing Machine Canyon, which tells the story of a wagon train that was ambushed by Native Americans. Also found on this route is the Wilcox School, an old one-room schoolhouse; two churches and endless miles of pasture and prairie dotted with windmills, wildlife and limestone bluffs.

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our town Hendricks thinks it is the wildflowers that bring the Byway to life. “The scenery and wildflowers are constantly changing from year to year and season to season,” Hendricks says.

Western Kansas Saloon and Grill (right) is sure to please hungry visitors. Located in an old hardware store, this steak and seafood restaurant pleases many area diners. With historic art adorning the walls and a Christmas tree in the front window during the holidays, this “Saloon” fills a quintessential experience out west.

Notables from

WaKeeney

(785) 743-2050

Charles Harris Garrigues, journalist

EAT

Steve Gotsche, former PGA golfer Andrew J. Harlan, U.S. representative from Indiana Orrin Upshaw, U.S. Olympic tug-of-war athlete

shop

Antiques abound in WaKeeney with specific items highly sought by collectors.

Visit these unique retailers: Joyce’s House of Glass, 220 S. First St., (785) 743-2311 Boeves Coins & Antiques, Interstate 70 & Highway 283, (785) 743-2116 Pfeifer Antique Tractors & More, 24096 Old 40 Highway, (785) 743-2400

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family fun WaKeeney offers a variety of activities for the whole family.

Outdoorsmen can hunt for wild game or white bass and catfish at Cedar Bluff State Park and Reservoir, which also makes for an ideal location to camp or hike.

Located in Eisenhower Park, one of four city parks, is an F-14 fighter jet for kids and adults to see.

The community also boasts the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, one of the newest in the state. Here, staff members give tours and flag-folding demonstrations.

Special services are planned for Memorial Day and Veterans Day. According to Albert, the community’s support of veterans is also seen at the Iwo Jima Memorial, which was designed and built by local veterans as a way to promote the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery prior to its groundbreaking.

Young and old alike will also enjoy an evening at the races. Pick from the WaKeeney Mini Speedway, which features go-kart races on an oval, clay track or, for a little more speed, catch the stock cars and modifieds at the WaKeeney Speedway.

Downtown Visitors will find the newly landscaped WaKeeney Main Street Nature Trail to be an unusual opportunity to experience downtown. Native wildflowers, trees and shrubs, an antique windmill and park benches surround the railroad tracks and invite visitors to take a stroll or simply sit and enjoy a spring afternoon.

Travel north on Main Street to find the Western Kansas Saloon and Grill. Pressed-tin ceiling tiles add an antique ambiance, while original hardwood floors, skylight and a freight elevator provide an oldfashioned feel.

Just east off of Main Street sits the historic Trego County Courthouse, built in 1889 from local limestone.

Though the building has undergone many updates, original woodwork, court furniture, vaults and even some jail cells remain.

center-stage in the middle of Main Street. It’s no wonder the community is known as the Christmas City of the High Plains.

In the meantime, stop in and stay awhile. Albert says in WaKeeney, “It is still common practice to wave at everyone you meet, so don’t be surprised if the locals wave at you when you’re exploring our community.”

Sarah Hawbaker is a Salina-based writer. She is a stay-at-homemom of three and wife to Riley, a professional firefighter.

Eisenhower Park

The Butterfield Trail Bunkhouse is the destination for history buffs looking to indulge in a slice of life among the Western High Plains.

Located on the Butterfield Overland Despatch Trail, this bunkhouse offers the creature comforts of a bed and breakfast. butterfieldtrailbunkhouse.com

sleep Victory Fire Bell

See&do Smoky Valley Scenic Byway

http://ksbyways.org/smoky_valley

Cedar Bluff State Park

kdwpt.state.ks.us/news /State-Parks/Locations/Cedar-Bluff

Butterfield Overland Despatch/ Smoky Hill Trail smokyhilltrail.com

Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery kcva.org/cp/cem_ wakeeney.shtml

WaKeeney Speedway wakeeneyspeedway.com

WaKeeney Mini Speedway wakeeneyminispeedway.com

Cheerful spirit Holidays abound in WaKeeney. After Thanksgiving, the city is decorated with thousands of Christmas lights, complete with a tree that takes

WaKeeney Travel and Tourism wakeeney.org

Th’ Gatherin’

http://www.thgatherin.com/

kayak

Paddle your way around the Sunflower State Photography by Jason Dailey

Kayaking Resources Friends of the Kaw:

Kansas River canoe and kayak float trips and conservation, kansasriver.org

Arkansas River Coalition:

float trips and conservation, arkriver.org

Kansas Canoe and Kayak Association:

promotes paddling and conservation, kansascanoe.org

Rivermiles:

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While kayaking there is a sense of being part of the river or lake, gliding through, not over, the water. Perspective shifts as land is viewed from the water. Paddling a kayak is different from paddling a canoe; the center of gravity is lower as your body is partially below the water line.

For novices, connecting with a local organization that promotes kayaking is the best way to get a feel for the sport. Many groups sponsor “float trips” for beginners, often providing kayaks or canoes, as well as making all transportation arrangements. Floats are no-risk opportunities for individuals, couples or entire families to experience paddling a river.

“The floats are like a mini-vacation,” says Russ Icke, president of the Arkansas River Coalition. “We paddle or drift for about two hours and then have a picnic lunch on a sandbar. After lunch, we paddle another one to two hours to the landing site and are home in time for supper.”

Kayaking is a sport one can start at any age. Lee Cantrell, a 63-year-old retired teacher from Olsburg, got hooked just last year after the first time he tried kayaking. Since he enjoys being outside and the peace of paddling, it was a natural fit. “It’s a quiet sport, with no motors, no noise, a total immersion in nature,” he says.

For Lee, the exercise benefits were an added bonus. “Kayaking is excellent for torso, shoulders and arms. I can paddle for an hour without realizing how much time has passed.”

Kayaking is also easy on the budget. Many rivers and lakes are free, and a kayak is light enough to lift and can fit on top of most cars with an appropriate rack. “I found my kayak on Craigslist,” says Lee. “I did some research first to decide what sort of kayak I wanted and found one pretty quickly with a car rack and paddle.”

While many kayakers will paddle on anything bigger than a puddle, some have preferences for either rivers or lakes. One difference is access: River kayaking requires more advance planning, as one generally starts and ends at different access points, and the water’s current is a factor as far as time.

On lakes, one can explore, paddle across greater distances but return to the same entry point.

Larry Storer, from Wabaunsee, gravitates toward lakes, generally Tuttle Creek, Wilson or Council Grove. He started kayaking about 13 years ago and

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On-Ramps to the Rivers?

Dave Murphy’s practical and detailed book, Paddling Kansas: 61 Great Trips by Canoe and Kayak, provides mile-by-mile guidance for those starting out.

Unlike its neighbors (Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Colorado), Kansas has laws that restrict public access to all but three rivers: the Kansas (Kaw), Missouri and Arkansas. Kansas remains one of the only states in the U.S. with no state system of public access. On many Kansas rivers, paddling without the permission of the landowners could be considered trespassing.

TOP Kevin Burke kayaks the rapids at the Wakarusa River near the Clinton Lake outlet.

CENTER Novice kayakers join Up A Creek Canoe and Kayak rental, based in Lawrence, for a float down the Kansas River.

has taught it for nine years. In 2007, he completed a “Ten Lakes Tour,” a 480-plus-mile, bike-and-paddle across Kansas. “I use Council Grove Lake to teach my classes in the summer because of the water clarity, nice sand beaches and the size, just right to foster kayak skills,” he says.

For those who require some aspect of competition, there are races such as the annual Kawnivore, 100 miles from Manhattan to Lawrence, and the more manageable “Kawlloween,” a 20-mile Manhattan to Wamego.

It’s hard to kayak and not become invested in preserving Kansas’ rivers. The Friends of the Kaw is a not-for-profit organization founded 20 years ago to protect and preserve the Kansas River for future generations.

Laura Calwell has a unique position as the Kansas Riverkeeper.

“I’m an advocate, teacher, scientist, investigator, mediator and spokesperson for a 173-mile-long public park,” she says.

Part of the mission is to create access ramps, usually in parks, to foster public use, and Mike Calwell, Laura’s husband, has worked tirelessly with local communities to create 13 points of access between Junction City and Kansas City, 11 built and two in the planning.

“Everyone who uses the river becomes an advocate, and we end up with cleaner, more protected, rivers,” says Calwell.

Kayaking can be a solo or social experience, a lazy drift with a river current or an energetic paddle across open water. Always an immersion in nature, it is good for the body, but, more importantly, kayaking is good for the soul.

In recent years, Kansas travel writer Susan Kraus has kayaked a bayou in Louisiana and spring-fed streams in Florida, but has only now come to appreciate the kayak options in her own backyard.

Tour Kansas

For the Family

Attractions for the whole gang abound this spring

With spring break around the corner and summer vacation looming in the distance, the season for planning family excursions is here. Consider adding these Kansas family-fun destinations for playing, learning and chowing down to your next itinerary.

Tip: Keep your eye on the panorama’s prairie dog mound.

Tip:

Schlitterbahn (n): A fictitious German word that translates loosely to “slippery road” and the namesake of Kansas City’s newest waterpark. Opened in summer 2009, Schlitterbahn Kansas City Waterpark has an uphill water coaster, three mammoth tubing rivers, including the world’s longest “tidal wave” river and the Midwest’s longest rapids river, surfing ride, six slides, three chutes, 13 mini-slides for little ones, four relaxing beach areas, private cabanas and a giant hot tub with a swim-up refreshment bar for mom and dad.

The park’s mainstay is the long and winding “Torrent River,” which supplies continuous swells that toss patrons along a culvert snaking throughout the park as the world’s longest tidal wave river. The budget-conscious will appreciate free parking and the fact that the park welcomes picnics and coolers. schlitterbahn/kc

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Photographs this page: (Top to bottom) Courtesy Schlitterbahn Waterparks (2) Photographs opposite page: (Clockwise from left) Jason Dailey (2), Adam Hofmann (2), Jason Dailey

Avoid the park’s long lines by visiting on weekdays and by arriving when the park opens at 10 a.m. most days.

The University of Kansas’ Natural History Museum, a classic field trip destination in the Lawrence area, welcomes young paleontologists with a 45-foot hanging mosasaur skeleton in the main lobby. Bone and reptile enthusiasts may want to head straight to the museum’s numerous other Cretaceous period fossils or to the small collection of live snakes. However, just beyond the lobby awaits the museum’s perennially popular panorama of North American plant and animal life, where you can (gently) high-five a (taxidermic) polar bear. http://naturalhistory.ku.edu

K-state Insect zoo KU Natural History museum

martinelli’s little italy

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A sign at the entrance of the Kansas State University Insect Zoo states the zoo’s two simple rules: Don’t tap on the cages, and don’t try to scare your friends. “We don’t want it to be like Fear Factor,” says Zoo Coordinator Kiffnie Holt. “We want people to leave here happy or having learned something.” With a play area for young children, an enlightening display on local insects of Kansas (who knew both scorpions and tarantulas live in Kansas?) and numerous live specimens of tropical spiders, scorpions and other arthropods, the zoo does well at achieving its goal. For the really brave, there is also an opportunity to hold a millipede and a hissing cockroach. k-state.edu/butterfly

Although Boss Hawgs’ official tagline is “Horrifying vegetarians since 1995,” this familyowned Topeka barbeque joint is also well-known for welcoming families over the years. The restaurant has an ample kids’ menu that includes classic favorites like chicken fingers and PB&J, as well as brisket and babyback ribs. Children eat for $2 every Sunday. If the crayons and coloring pages don’t keep the kids entertained before the meal, perhaps the complimentary plates of warm cornbread will. bosshawgsbbq.com

Tip: Call a week in advance to schedule an entomologistled tour.

Tip: Save room for ice cream, which comes with all kids’ menu items.

Tour Kansas Just west of Salina, there is an engaging natural history museum and a hospitable zoo all rolled into one convenient family destination. The Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure is the place for animal-loving families. The 60-acre zoo includes more than 100 species, and the zoo staff takes pride in sharing their knowledge about the animals with visitors. The RHWA Museum provides a unique, narrated journey through seven regions of the world. The rich monologues of the museum’s animatronic human robots shed light on the relationships of animals and humans to the natural world and draw visitors into the setting. The price of admission gets visitors into both the zoo and museum. rollinghillswildlife.com

KANSAS museums

Tip: Take the time to listen to each animatronic’s narrative. The scriptwriters were clever.

Manhattan Abilene El Dorado Wichita

Topeka Lecompton

Historical Lecompton Civil War Birthplace

Visit Constitution Hall & Territorial Capital Museum

If you’re traveling with kids, everyone’s probably hungry again.

Family-owned Martinelli’s Little Italy in the heart of downtown Salina prides itself on good service, prices and atmosphere.

It is a favorite for locals and travelers alike. Sorcha HylandSidener, of Lawrence, has dined at Martinelli’s on several occasions with her husband and his extended family, who are from the Salina area. “The atmosphere is always buzzing and welcoming,” says Hyland-Sidener. “It is also very inexpensive and the best place we have found in Salina to take a family.” martinellisonline.com

Tip: This place is popular— make a reservation.

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Lawrence writer Liz Weslander loves traveling both near and far with her husband and two daughters.

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Martinelli owners Jonathan and Tony Dong

Photographs: (Clockwise from top left) Courtesy of Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure (2), Lisa Eastman

10-5 pm Wed-Sat • 1-5 pm Sun Tours (785) 887-6148 www.lecomptonkansas.com

Find us on Facebook

advertise

in KANSAS! Magazine For details contact Bert Hull (888) 497-8668 sunpubads@sunflowerpub.com

There is plenty to see and do in Kansas.

Be sure to call ahead for complete directions.

gallery

Spring’s colorful hues

Spring welcomes a renewed spirit featuring Kansas’ landscapes, beautiful sunsets and blissful blooms.

(Opposite)

Sunset Over University of Kansas Dick Herpich, Douglas County (From top)

Sunset for Spring Marciana Vequist, Douglas County Sunrise Cow Brad Neff, Shawnee County

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(Above)

Fox Creek School Bruce Hogle, Chase County (Opposite, from top)

Tulip Layers Brynn Burns, Johnson County Sunny Day Tiffany Whisler, Sedgwick County

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(Opposite, from top)

May Storm at Lake Perry Jason Soden, Jefferson County Stormy Skies Lou Stine, Labette County (From top)

renewed Harland J. Schuster, Chase County Spring Shadows Brad Neff, Wabaunsee County

gallery

Send your scenic photos to or to Gallery, KANSAS!, 1020 S. Kansas Ave., Suite 200, Topeka, KS 66612.

Visit kansasmag.com for submission guidelines and deadlines. ksgallery@sunflowerpub.com

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I usually have a few oldtimers who share stories about the way things were on their farm—and then they tell their kids how things used to be.” ­

—Robin Dunn

Agri t (re) ourism intr is the oducin pub g agri l cult ic to ure life

Photographs: (From left) Courtesy of River Creek Farms, Erica May Short

Fine dining on the farm At River Creek Farms near Manhattan, Mary Mertz wanted a unique way to draw the public out to her family’s multigenerational farm. Here they produce Simmental cattle, sheep, corn and soybeans. She knew that the dynamics of their farming operation would not accommodate the more typical agritourism ventures such as a pumpkin patch or corn maze, so the family worked to develop an upscale dinning experience that occurs twice a year.

The event welcomes foodies and agriculture enthusiasts to wine and dine among the crops. “We are now hosting what we call Feast of the Fields, held in June and October,” says Mary. “We feature foods grown in the Flint Hills region and Kansas wines.”

The 2011 Feast of the Fields’ menus were developed and executed by chef Scott Benjamin of the 4 Olives Restaurant and Wine Bar in Manhattan. The multicourse gourmet meal

Farm Tour

In just a few short years Kansans have gone from selecting pumpkins at the grocery store to picking them fresh off the vine at a local farm. All around the state, agritourism experiences range from the extremely elegant to the slightly sweaty to the splendidly sublime.

Perhaps most importantly, agritourism is reintroducing the public to the idea of farm to table.

the

A

gritourism is fast becoming part of the fabric that is Kansas farm life. Familyowned operations and ranches have put out the welcome mat to supplement their incomes as well as educate the public about rural life.

The weather vane atop the barn at Dunn’s Landing welcomes guests to the authentic farm and event space in Wellsville.

LEFT Diners gather in an old limestone barn at River Creek Farms for the gourmet event, Feast of the Fields, near Manhattan.

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Family farm fun Ruth and Steve Zimmerman, of Hickory Creek Farms in McCune, fell into agritourism by accident. About 15 years ago, Steve began growing pumpkins—just for fun. They set the extras out on the road with a moneybox so others could enjoy the pumpkins. Before long people were stopping at the farm to ask questions, and the Zimmermans found themselves hosting school field trips. Eventually they opened the farm up to the public on weekends in the fall.

“We didn’t even know what the word agritourism meant,” says Ruth.

Today Hickory Creek Farms’ main source of income is from its small cattle operation and the agritourism, which is aimed at families with young children. There’s a pumpkin patch, a train made from plastic barrels for the kids to ride, a playground, a metal bull for kids to lasso, pig races and a “critter corral” with a variety of baby farm animals for kids to watch.

The farm also has a corn maze cut by the Zimmermans.

When the agritourism season, the end of September through October, is over, the family cuts down the maze and feeds the corn to their cattle or harvest it to sell. This fall they also added chicken, duck and pig races.

“There’s just such a thrill that goes through me every time it starts,” says Ruth. “We love our farm, and we love the people that come here. It gives people a chance to slow down, spread out and really enjoy themselves.”

Just as at River Creek Farms and Dunn’s Landing, visitors to Hickory Creek Farm receive a little education along with their entertainment.

“If a white cow gives white milk, do you think a black cow gives chocolate milk?” Ruth often asks her school-aged visitors. “They think about it, and they all agree it must be true, but I try to teach them along the way.”

Writer Amber Brejcha Fraley is a former editor and stay-at-home mom living in Lawrence. She’s also somewhat of a foodie—as well as a big fan of Kansas farms—who is loving the recent local food revolution.

Photographs: (Clockwise from top) Erica May Short, River Creek Farms (2)

Farming row crops—and memories Robin Dunn, of Dunn’s Landing in Wellsville, has figured out the formula for creating memorable weddings and receptions, unforgettable reunions and unique birthday parties—host them within the context of an old-fashioned Kansas farm. Dunn is the fourth generation to farm her family’s land. With the success of her row-crop operation, as well as her bustling event facility, she’s found success in agritourism.

A dairy barn built in the 1800s serves as Dunn’s Landing’s event facility, and a historic farmhouse welcomes guests, which Robin has converted to a bed-and-breakfast.

A happy couple can take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage or choose to “get hitched” in the orchard, on an island in the middle of the Dunn farm pond or in the vineyard.

In addition to special events, Dunn also welcomes a variety of guests for educational tours. “The International Visitors Council of Greater Kansas City sends out people from all over,” she says. Children from Johnson County take buses to the farm and “we teach them about commodities, the animals—anything we can teach them about farms.”

In addition to being a modern working farm with all the accompanying machinery, Dunn’s Landing has much of the old horse-drawn equipment; that way, Robin is able to show

folks how food used to be raised as compared with how it’s done today.

“When it comes to farm tours, I teach the adults as much as the kids. When it comes to the weddings and receptions, I usually have a few old-timers who share stories about the way things were on their farm—and then they tell their kids how things used to be,” says Dunn.

Agritourism: (noun)

A concept that blends agriculture and tourism

Disc ov dest er more kan ination agritou sasa s r grit by visit ism ouri i n g sm. com .

includes locally and regionally produced wine, fruits and vegetables, bison and honey. The lamb comes directly from the Mertzes’ farm, and Mary hopes that in the near future it will include their beef. “We don’t raise the vegetables, but there are plenty of local growers in this area who do,” says Mary.

Feast of the Fields takes place either in the Mertzes’ corn field or the family’s historic limestone barn built in 1876, and the whole Mertz clan—including extended family—helps bring the event to fruition. Live dinner music is provided by accomplished musicians, most recently by music professors from Kansas State University. The wait staff and event planning is provided by students from the Restaurant and Hotel Management Department at K-State, while one local high school’s culinary class assists with the desserts, making the event truly communal.

Mary explains that it’s become important to the family to share what they do with the public. “There’s so much misinformation out there about agriculture; if our guests leave feeling positive about Kansas farms and what we do, to me that’s worth putting on the whole event,” she says.

Mary’s husband, Bob, sees Feast of the Fields as a chance to show people how big agriculture and small family farms work in concert to put food on peoples’ tables. “Regardless of the size of farm, whether a traditional family operation like ours or small organic farm, we’re all in this food business together,” he says.

TOP Inside the old dairy barn, tables are set for a wedding event at Dunn’s Landing.

The farm doubles as an event space, hosting guests in an agricultural setting.

BOTTOM Feast of the Fields serves local wine and food, all prepared by a local chef, to add to the unique experience.

taste of kansas

The Campfire The best cooking gigs take place in the great outdoors Photography by Jason Dailey

recipe Joshua Martin knows plenty about being a chef, but he prefers the view from a makeshift “kitchen” that he uses during camping trips.

The water, trees, breeze, the smell and snap of a campfire, and best of all, a wide circle of friends and family sets the scene for the best cooking gig Martin can imagine. “There are no distractions,” says Martin, whose day job is as the production chef for the Burger Stand at the Casbah in Lawrence. “When I am cooking outside the work is never a chore. I’m never rushed.”

Martin’s packing list for camp cooking always includes plenty of heavy-duty aluminum foil, a Coleman stove, a sauté pan and a stockpot or camp Dutch oven.

“Some of the best meals I’ve ever had have been cooked on a campfire.

I love steaks seasoned and seared in a cast-iron skillet,” he says. Martin deglazes and sauces his steaks with CocaCola and turns on some jazz by John Coltrane to complete the ambiance. “It’s all so simple, but the atmosphere and the flavor is awesome,” he says.

Martin’s best camp breakfast begins with a cast-iron skillet he coats with vegetable oil.

“Butter would burn,” he warns.

“Cut up some potatoes and get them going until they’re colored in the pan. Whisk together some eggs and milk and just before they’re done, just as they’re beginning to congeal, add some cheese and some cooked bacon.

You might even use the bacon to make a smiley face on top, depending on your crowd. Or, if you’d rather, layer the potatoes and the scrambled eggs with tortillas and bake it all in a Dutch oven with cheddar cheese and sautéed onions, peppers and mushrooms. The sky is the limit,” says Martin.

Precise recipes and procedures aren’t common with camp-side chefs.

Common ingredients are likely to be “a little of this and a bit of that” along with a strong admonition to “keep it simple.”

One pot is often enough or skip the pot and use a sturdy foil packet; don’t forget to observe fire hazard warnings.

Make sure to bring along an early riser. Morning arrives quickly at most

Joshua Martin Recipes R e d P o tat o - R o s e m a r y H o b o Pa c k s 10-12 medium sized red potatoes;

dice these if they are large 1 small yellow onion, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 tablespoons rosemary, chopped 2 tablespoons butter Salt and pepper to taste Using heavy-duty aluminum foil, make an envelope large enough to include all ingredients and 25 percent extra room. Cook on a grill or directly on a campfire. Check frequently.

Serves 6-8.

Pot O’ Sausage 10 fresh, pork bratwurst 2 yellow onion, cut into strips 2 bell peppers, cut in to strips 6 cloves garlic, minced 2 tablespoons creamy Dijon mustard 2 pints Free State Ad Astra Ale

Fake fires may not melt marshmallows, but they will prevent forest fires.

Be sure to check the burn ban before your next campout with friends.

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In a stockpot, bring the onions, garlic, peppers, mustard and beer to simmer. Meanwhile, grill the bratwurst so it has nice grill marks. Add to the pot of vegetables. Allow to simmer for at least 15 minutes. Serve over vegetarian brown rice. Serves 10. find More recipes online at kansasmag.com

ka n sas m a g . c o m •

kansas!

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taste of kansas

KANSAS galleries PENROSE DESIGNS “Chunkie Ocean Bracelet”

campsites; someone needs to make sure java perks along with the sunrise.

Lenexa’s Larry Hadley, best-known as “The BBQ Dude” for his grilling and smoking skills and as a Certified Master Judge for the Kansas City Barbecue Society, has worked as Crew Chef several times for the Continental Divide Trail Alliance (CDTA). Hadley is paid by the CDTA to plan meals, shop and cook for crews of as many as 20 to 30 volunteers who work several days at a stretch to maintain and build trails along 3,100 miles of the Continental Divide spanning from Canada to Mexico.

“The volunteers work hard and deserve to eat well,” Hadley says. Once breakfast is ready—he begins preparations at 5 a.m. for a 7 a.m. chow time— the pancakes, bacon, eggs, biscuits and gravy are a happy and delicious sight to behold.

Hadley’s favorite camping fare?

Fresh fried fish, caught and cooked onsite. “I love being out there, next to nature. It’s all so real. Everything is handson. I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything.”

Martin and Hadley both mention the importance and joy of introducing children to camping. Martin’s own son is 5 years old, just about the right age for an overnight campout and a few s’mores.

Martin hopes to begin camping traditions early with his son.

“I think people are forgetting how to camp and cook outdoors,” Martin says.

“People get so wrapped up in what they have to do everyday, they don’t take time to appreciate the great outdoor world.”

Katherine Dinsdale is a Lawrence writer who likes campfire-roasted foil packets of veggies and chicken followed closely by blackened marshmallows and plenty of chocolate.

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Manhattan

Wamego Wichita

Photo By: Ralph Gabriner

Topeka

There is plenty to see and do in Kansas.

Be sure to call ahead for complete directions.

Humboldt Lawrence

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Come Grow with us in Marion County

5.4.7. Arts Center Greensburg, Kansas

This May will mark five years since Greensburg was rocked by the destruction of an EF5 tornado. As the community has spent every day since rebuilding, they have focused on sustainability, constructing all city buildings under LEED-certified standards—making it uniquely green.

The 5.4.7 Arts Center is just one of these distinctive structures, but it is also a testament to the life-changing event by incorporating the date into its name. Open to the community, the center has become a destination for raising awareness of the arts in Greensburg, both visual and performing.

Built in 2008 by Studio 804, a nonprofit organization of graduate architecture students from the University of Kansas, 5.4.7 was the first public building to rise in the city. Providing education, exhibits and events, the center has come to foster more than just the arts; it’s created hope.

hen you find yourself in Marion County you will discover communities enriched with deep heritage that are dedicated to preserving the past and embracing the future.

Photograph courtesy of 5.4.7 Arts Center

milestone

Marion County has 12 communities offering special events, shopping, museums and plenty of history. With over 25 restaurants and more than 10 bed-and-breakfasts and inns, visitors can explore main street offerings, swim at the Marion County Park and Lake, boat at the Marion County Reservoir, indulge in a delicious meal and settle in with a beautiful sunset before calling it a day.

Sunflower AntiqueS

My Kansas

• Coca-Cola, Dolls

“A Photographic Journey Across the Sunflower State”

• Small Town Treasures • Wildlife Wonders • Roads to Discovery • Classic Flavors

• Fenton & Carnival Glass Historic

Elgin Hotel B&B

The Historic Elgin Hotel B&B is a fully restored 1886 hotel in Marion, Kansas. We offer a elegant ballroom ideal for wedding receptions, dances, and parties. Our conference room is perfect for group meetings or small gatherings. Our Bed & Breakfast located on the second floor has eight rooms, a parlor, dining room, and kitchen - all restored and decorated in the 1800’s era with the comforts of today.

www.marionelgin.com | 620.382.3200 115 North 3rd Street | Marion, KS

• Elbow Room • Kansas Legacies • Cowboy Country

Order online at TravelKS.com

200 S. 3rd, Suite 4 | Marion, KS 66861 620-382-8830 | www.growmarioncounty.com

Doyle Creek Ranch Bunkhouse

Mercantile

Walking Trails Stocked Fishing Pond Working Cattle Ranch

Steak nights once a month Home Decor Canned Goods Clothing and more...

Open Thursday-Saturday 10-5

This is the perfect place to hang your hat and renew your spirits, while enjoying the beautiful prairies of the Flint Hills of Kansas.

doylecreekranch.com 2702 110th, Florence, KS 66851 620-878-4294 or 620-382-4228

547artscenter.org

To compile the 156-page book, the Kansas Travel & Tourism Division staff worked closely with local and national photographers, who spent five years taking thousands of photos as they crisscrossed the state. The book captures the stories and images behind these compelling themes:

Marion County Economic Development

• Vintage China

A Unique Shopping Experience

510 Main, Florence, KS 66851 620-878-4567

Gallery 101 of the Flint Hills is unique to Central Kansas and is dedicated to showcase the many talented artists of Kansas. An eclectic range of various mediums such as painting, photography, drawing, pottery, sculpture, blown glass and printmaking with a wide range of styles and subjects are displayed.

• Collectible Toys, Belt Buckles, Pocket Watches, Decoys • Frankcoma & Roseville Pottery

Tues-Sat: 10-5:30 | Sunday: 1-5 329 E. Main, Marion | 620-382-2822

Central Park Antiques Machine Quilting, fabric, notions and embroidery supplies Unique Quilt Designing from your fabrics, t-shirts or jeans.

• Home & Garden Decor • Primative Bird Houses • Scented Candles • Antiques • And so much more!

Open Wed.-Sat. 10 am-4 pm

112 S. Main, Hillsboro, KS 620-947-3138

330 E. Main Street, Marion KS 620-381-3483

Floral • GiFts Clothing • Jewelry • Purses Floral & Home Decor www.auntbeesmarionks.com Fully stocked greenhouse during growing season Monday - Friday 9 - 5:30 saturday 9 - 5 & Closed sunday

1201 E. Main, Marion, KS

620-382-3030