KANSAS! Magazine | Summer 2018 by Kansas Magazine

SUMMER 2018

| VOL 74

ISSUE 2

KANSASMAG.COM

Summer

Pets & Animals Travel Issue!

munch with

giraffes Hit the Road with your dog or even your cat!)

KANSAS! MAGAZINE

contents

SUMMER 2018

Cat model Fozzie prepares for a Kansas road trip with his humans. Photograph by Brian Goodman

features 42 |

Travel with the Animal

53 |

A Kansas Safari

Family pets can be included in some of the best summer road trips across Kansas … and here’s how

A guide to seeing wild animals across the state

In This Issue

06 |

From the Editor

08 |

This Season

26 |

Wide Open Spaces

26 | HOME AT THE HORSE HOTEL A military couple create lodgings for horses and the people who care for them 30 | A GREAT BEND WEEKEND Outdoor enthusiasts and fans of interactive history should make this their travel destination 34 | TASTE OF KANSAS: HOT DIGGETY DOG Kansas chefs are topping up an American tradition

SUMMER 2018

| VOL 74

ISSUE 2

KANSASMAG.COM

Summer

Pets & Animals

59 |

KANSAS! Gallery: Summer

64 |

#KansasMag

Travel Issue!

munch with

giraffes Hit the Road with your dog or even your cat!!

ON THE COVER Red the bulldog, a Wichita resident, dines at Fetch Bistro. Photograph by Aaron Patton

03 SUMMER 2018

04 |

KANSAS! MAGAZINE

departments

A FEW OF RED’S FAVORITE THINGS

Wichita bulldog model Red gave us a few of his puppy preferences. ADOPTION DATE April 12, 2015 AGE Almost 7 (DOB is June 20, 2011) WEIGHT 70 pounds, but trying to lose a couple (which means no more sneaking cat food or knocking over the garbage for extra snacks) FAVORITE TREAT FLAVORS Will eat any treats, but I especially love people food: potatoes, peanut butter, and ice cream. I do not like carrots, however.

KANSAS! MAGAZINE

CHEW TOYS OR PLUSH TOYS? Mostly plush toys; my time in a puppy mill left me with worn-down and missing teeth. One of my favorite toys is a deflated football.

SUMMER 2018

DOG PARK OR LONG WALK? Dog park, but my favorite workout is playing with the neighbor dog, Penny. She’s a 1-year-old Great Pyrenees. Sometimes she hurdles me like a running back. CATS: FRIEND OR FOE? The first cat I met, Seamus, let me sniff him and didn’t get too mad when I accidentally ran over him in my exuberance. The new cat, Bullwinkle, is very much a foe.

issue BEND IT LIKE SERGEANT Our “Kansas Safari” story features a host of Sunflower State animals with unique personalities. One that didn’t make the story, but is still one of our favorites, is Sgt. Peppers—the soccer-playing giraffe at the Topeka Zoo.The male giraffe inherited a bouncy red ball from the zoo’s elephants after team pachyderm showed no interest in it and the zoo’s veterinarians safety-approved the ball for the giraffes. Sgt. Peppers will frequently practice his moves with the ball, picking it up with his teeth, flinging it in the air and kicking it around his habitat.

WHERE TO GO The following locations are represented in this issue of KANSAS! Magazine.

Pretty Horses Hotel

David Traylor Zoo

Boulevard Drive-In

WIDE OPEN SPACES Chapman

KANSAS SAFARI Emporia

12 DOG DESTINATIONS Kansas City

Lake Scott State Park 12 DOG DESTINATIONS Scott City

WHAT IS YOUR TONGUE ETIQUETTE FOR FINE DOGGY DINING. OUT THE LEFT SIDE OR OUT THE RIGHT SIDE? Left side ANY DOGGY TRAVEL TIPS? ARE YOU A NAPPER OR A NAVIGATOR? I’m more of a navigator -- it’s hard for me to relax in the car. I am known to aggressively fight for attention when we go through a drive-thru, and I’m really good at knowing when my humans are ordering takeout, even before they say “Wanna go for a ride?”

Lee Richardson Zoo

Pretty Prairie Rodeo

Little House on the Prairie Museum

REASONS WE LOVE KANSAS Garden City

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Pretty Prairie

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Independence

PHOTOGRAPHS (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) Aaron Patton, Shutterstock

IN THIS

BED & BREAKFAST

ASSOCIATION

SUMMER2018

www.kbba.com

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Andrea Etzel EDITOR

Jeff Colyer, M.D.

THE PHILIP HOUSTON HOUSE BED & BREAKFAST

GOVERNOR

Robin Jennison

KDWPT SECRETARY

WWW.SUNFLOWERPUB.COM LAWRENCE, KANSAS

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Bill Uhler PUBLISHER

Bob Cucciniello DIRECTOR

Shelly Bryant

HEDRICK’S B&B INN & EXOTIC ANIMAL FARM

Rexford, Kansas

Nickerson, Kansas

www.shepherdstaff.org

hedricks.com

785-687-2565

888-489-8039

SEASONS OF THE FOX

THE HISTORIC WOLF HOTEL

Lindsborg, Kansas

Ellinwood, KS

seasonsofthefox.com

historicwolfhotel.com

800-756-3596

620-617-6915

COUNTRY LAKES BED & BREAKFAST

MURPHY’S LANDING

WWW.MCAPRINT.COM WICHITA, KANSAS

PRINTER

Cindy Freeman ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Bill Pennington ACCOUNT MANAGER

DESIGNER/ART DIRECTOR

Kelly Gibson SECTION EDITOR

Nathan Pettengill SECTION EDITOR

Leslie Andres COPY EDITOR

Joanne Morgan

Periodical postage paid at Topeka, KS, and at additional mailing offices. Newsstand price $5 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.

Lyndon, Kansas

Stark, Kansas

countrylakesbandb.com

murphysatstark.com

620-754-3300

785-207-0212

SUMMER 2018

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.

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FROM THE

editor

SUMMER 2018

I became the proud pet parent of a rambunctious, always-ready-for-an-adventure beagle. Even before getting Amelia, a fitting name for a good Kansas girl, I pictured all the places we’d explore—hikes at state parks, swims in the lake, stops to the local brewery (yes, you read that right—see page 10!), and the list goes on. I can tell you her favorite place is Buffalo Track Canyon Nature Trail at Kanopolis State Park. I knew having a pet would change the way I travel, creating new challenges and new opportunities. How would she handle car rides? Would there be lodging that allowed pets at our destination? Where’s the coolest dog rest area in Kansas? The answers: she loves car rides but prefers backroads over highways; there are many lodging options for pets all over the state such as Grand Central Hotel in Cottonwood Falls; and, to the last question, it’s the Oasis Travel Plaza in Colby. As you’re planning your summer getaways, there is no shortage of fun and recreation for the whole family—even those with fur and four legs. Or, if you’re looking for something a bit more “wild,” leave the pets at home while you enjoy a Kansas safari to our many zoos, wildlife areas, and nature centers. Speaking of getaways, we’re in the final countdown for our readers’ choice “favorite weekend getaways.”Vote for your favorite at www.kansasmag.com or on Facebook through May 31st. I would love to hear about your pet adventures around Kansas. Send an email, write a letter or message us through Facebook or Instagram.

ANDREA ETZEL

EDITOR, KANSAS! MAGAZINE

facebook.com/KansasMagazine

@KANSASMag

KansasMagazine (get spotted; use #kansasmag to tag us)

PHOTOGRAPH Courtesy Andrea Etzel

KANSAS! MAGAZINE

TWO YEARS AGO,

10-4pm Wed-Sat | 1-5pm Sun

(785) 887-6148 | www.lecomptonkansas.com

Scott Bean Photography K A N S A S L A N D S C A P E A N D N AT U R E P H O T O G R A P H S

785-341-1047 | SCOTT@SCOTTBEANPHOTO.COM

www.scottbeanphoto.com

10 Eat

12 Sampler 15 Shop 17 Outside 18 Culture 20 Lens 22 Reasons We Love Kansas 25 Summer 2018 Events

WIDE OPEN SPACES 26 Home at the Horse Hotel 30 A Great Bend Weekend 34 Taste of Kansas: Hot Diggety Dog

KANSAS! MAGAZINE

Welcome to KANSAS! magazine’s “This Season.” Here we explore what’s new and buzzing throughout the state—from restaurants and shopping to cultural happenings and attractions.

09 SUMMER 2018

PHOTOGRAPHS (CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT) Courtesy Great Bend CVB, Justin Lister, Sarah Reeves, Courtesy Jan Hutchison (Prairie Quilt Guild)

SUMMER2018

eat. MURDER IN THE MINE:

FOOD ETC.

Mystery Dinner Theater

CUPCAKE CHALLENGE August 4 Wichita

August 17 Strataca, Hutchinson This regular fundraising event fuses a meal with mystery. Guests interact with actors to solve a mystery— set 650 feet below ground—as they enjoy a buffet-style dinner. Past shows have included “Who Killed the 80s?” and “The Spy Who Killed Me.”

KANSAS! MAGAZINE

WHERE IN KANSAS?

SUMMER 2018

Topeka Wichita Hutchinson

A Different Breed of Brew AS MUSES GO, THERE MIGHT BE FAIRER … but none more devoted and loyal. For that reason, when Eric Craver needed a name for his new brewery in Topeka, he looked no further than Gracie and Freckles, his sixyear-old basset hounds, and thus Happy Basset Brewing was born in 2016. Since then, Gracie and Freckles continue to influence Craver’s beer making, as Happy Basset serves up specialized brews with such names as Belly Rub Brown Ale and Rare Breed—an unfiltered American wheat. “One of our best-selling beers is named after Gracie,” Craver says.“It is called Gracie Strawberry Blonde. I also have a French-style saison that has been aging in Chardonnay and red-wine barrels for almost a year now that is getting soured with Brettanomyces and Pediococcus.

This beer is going to be called Freckles.” Crafting beers is what Craver, who continues as owner and brewer, loves doing best. “I pretty much love every style of beer out there,“ says Craver, who began brewing 11 years ago.“I started out on a stovetop, then went to building my own brewing system to where I am today.” As for Gracie and Freckles, they seem to be taking the success and fame in stride. “They both love taking naps and lying in the sun,”Craver says. “They also can get pretty rowdy sometimes, but that usually only lasts a half hour or so.They like to do their own thing when you try and call them or tell them something to do.” For more information about Happy Basset and its rotating beer menu, visit happybassetbrewingco.com.

HAPPY BASSET BREWING CO. Villa West Shopping Center 6044 SW 29th Street | Topeka, KS 66614 happybassetbrewingco.com

In its second year, CityArts’ Cupcake Challenge brings Wichita-area bakers to face off in one of the state’s most delicious baking challenges. Ticketholders can taste-test the cupcake creations (yes, there is a people’s choice award), and all proceeds benefit CityArts’ scholarship program, which provides art supplies to underserved populations in the community. wichita-cityarts. squarespace.com/ cupcake-challenge

THE

details

PHOTOGRAPH Shutterstock

this season

By Kelly Gibson

sampler.

By Bob Luder

this season

GET GOING PRAIRIE DAYS FESTIVAL Independence June 9, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

WHERE IN KANSAS?

Independence Junction City

Wichita

National Biplane

FLY-IN

KANSAS! MAGAZINE

Freeman Field, Junction City June 2, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

SUMMER 2018

The perfect event for antique plane enthusiasts, the National Biplane Flyin hosts pilots of the iconic aircraft from all over the country. For a $5 admission per carload, visitors can watch the biplanes land on Freeman Field’s grass runways. nationalbiplane flyin.com

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details

FOR THE PAST 83 YEARS, the National Baseball Congress (NBC) World Series has entertained and delighted baseball fans in Wichita and throughout Kansas and the Midwest with its unique brand of high-quality, competitive baseball. It’s hard to believe it all started with clowns and firemen. Back around 1930, Hap Dumont, a Wichita sporting goods salesman, conceived the idea of creating a National Baseball Congress State Tournament while watching a Sunday baseball game between circus clowns and local firemen played on an island field in the middle of the Arkansas River. This summer, the NBC will host its 84th edition of the NBC World Series, July 27–Aug. 11 at Wichita’s Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, where the national semi-pro tournament has been held since 1935.Thirty teams from across the U.S. will descend on the city for the two-week event, aiming to duplicate the feat of the Kansas Stars, which won the championship last year. Over the years, the NBC World Series has brought some of the greatest talent to ever play the game to Wichita. Perhaps the greatest played in the first

national tournament in ’35. Dumont paid the impressive sum of $1,000 to bring in Satchel Paige, considered the greatest pitcher of that era.And Paige certainly earned his keep, striking out 60 batters in four victories – a record that stands to this day. There are 62 players currently playing Major League Baseball who played in previous NBC World Series, including Kansas City Royals centerfielder Alex Gordon, former league MVP Albert Pujols and star pitcher Tim Lincecum. The NBC has been through ups and downs over eight decades, but endures largely because of a city that loves baseball and welcomes the tournament and players every summer. “You can’t sell baseball,” says Kevin Jenks, general manager and tournament director of the NBC for the past four years.“It’s earned its success by being the great American pastime. The NBC has been played every year in the same city in the same ballpark for 83 years, which we’re very proud of. “Wichita has taken ownership of the tournament.We have a great tradition here.”

84TH NATIONAL BASEBALL CONGRESS WORLD SERIES Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, Wichita July 27-Aug. 11 nbcbaseball.com

To celebrate one of Kansas’ key literary classics, the Little House on the Prairie Museum hosts its annual Prairie Days Festival and Celebration. Each year, visitors can expect pioneer games, crafts, a costume contest and festival food. In honor of the 15th annual celebration, Wendi Turnbaugh Lee, who played Baby Grace on the acclaimed television adaption of the beloved books, will speak about her life—from growing up as Baby Grace, to overcoming a brain tumor in 2015. Lee shared the role with her twin sister Brenda Turnbaugh. littlehouseonthe prairiemuseum.com

PHOTOGRAPH Shutterstock

Play Ball

CHISHOLM TRAIL MUSEUM From military items and artifacts from early local businesses to antique furniture and items brought to the area by early pioneer wagons and cowboys traveling the Chisholm Trail, there is truly something for everyone here at the Chisholm Trail Museum. Open May thru November Call for current days of operation. Hours: 1:00 to 5:00 PM

502 N Washington Wellington, KS 67152 620.326.3820 | www.facebook.com/ctmuseum www.chisholmtrailmuseum.us

SUMMER 2018

14 KANSAS! MAGAZINE

shop.

By Maria Childs

this season

SHOP ’TILL YOU DROP

WHERE IN KANSAS?

K-96 JUNE JAUNT June 1-3 Along K-96 in southwest Kansas K-96

Goddard

FOR MANY PEOPLE, KEEPING A PET IN THEIR LIFE IS A PRIORITY, EVEN AFTER DEATH. There are a few Kansas artists who help those who want an everlasting presence of their pet through artwork. Amanda Whitten is a carnivore keeper at Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Goddard but also does woodworking as a side job— specifically with images of animals. “I normally do animals because of my profession,” she says.“Immortalizing some of these animals that have made a huge impact on my life into wood is why I found a great way to keep them in my life even if they aren’t there physically.” To see Whitten’s creations, you can visit her Etsy online boutique, etsy.com/shop/WhittyWhittlings. Whitten is not the only artist who uses her skills to immortalize animals. Heathyr Shaw, owner and artist

at Meadowlark Ink in Lawrence, has seen an increase in the number of requests in animal paintings. She specializes in wedding paper goods as well as products for the home. “From me doing that, people started asking me to do pet portraits,” she says. For Shaw, getting to know people’s stories is the reason behind her art. She says it is gratifying to turn her relationship with a customer into something they will enjoy in their home. “Doing wedding work and custom paintings for people are two of my favorite things to do. I feel like I really get to know a lot about people’s lives, and I get to make my art like a reflection of their relationship or their home or some aspect of their life they are really passionate about,” Shaw says. To learn more about Shaw’s designs, visit meadowlarkink.com.

JUNK ‘N’ DONUTS SWAP MEETS Second Saturday of each month Louisburg Cider Mill, Louisburg 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grab your friends and head to the Louisburg Cider Mill to spend the day looking through arts, crafts and antiques vendor booths. A country store offers visitors a cold root beer and some of the mill’s famous cider donuts. Last year, this event hosted more than 50 vendors with antiques and new items. For more information, call (913) 837-5202.

“I feel like I really get to know a lot about people’s lives…” - HEATHYR SHAW, PET ARTIST

KANSAS! MAGAZINE

Animal Art

YOURS VS. MINE

15 SUMMER 2018

The first weekend in June in western Kansas brings the annual K-96 June Jaunt, featuring numerous activities in several towns along K-96. Communities include Tribune, Scott City, Dighton and Great Bend. Visitors can find deals and treasures at town-wide garage sales and flea markets. Families can enjoy a free movie screening of Big Hero 6 and play jumbo yard games. Take advantage of local cuisine as well as beer gardens and live music at this weekend-long event that boasts an “authentic rural America” experience. k96junejaunt.com

Louisburg

outside.

By Dave Zumbaugh

THE

details

SEEKING AN INEXPENSIVE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY? Look no further than an exciting trail experience in southeast Kansas. The Flint Hills Trail navigates travelers over a timeworn railroad bed, covering lands traversed by Native Americans, pioneers and Civil War soldiers. Plentiful fresh air is afforded even on a short hike. The Flint Hills Trail was originally developed as a regional Kansas railroad route and eventually became part of the Missouri Pacific line. Service on the line was discontinued in the 1980s, and in 1995 the national Rails-to-Trails Conservancy bought the corridor and deeded it to the Kanza RailTrails Conservancy. Since then, energized volunteers have been improving new sections for use while maintaining popular stretches for public recreation. This trail spans almost 120 miles, making it one of the longest in the country. Reaching from Herington in the west, to easternmost Miami County, the trail intersects various landscapes, especially Kansas’ own irreplaceable Flint Hills. Near Osawatomie, the trail meanders

alongside the Marais des Cygnes River, offering cool shade in the adjacent forested stream banks. From sunrise to sundown, the trail is open to hikers, bikers and equestrians, but not motorized vehicles. Leashed pets are welcome, too, as long as owners pick up after them. No hunting or camping opportunities are offered, but wildlife viewing abounds and the scenery is spectacular. There are about 15 trailheads, some with convenient parking and nearby access to lodging, food and other services. Day hikers should carry water and snacks. For trekkers wayfaring multiple miles, appropriate footwear is recommended. Bikers would be wise to pack necessary supplies to fix a flat as the trail is mostly gravel. Cyclists should practice common trail etiquette and yield to horses and pedestrians. Users should have a cell phone for emergencies as some stretches cross primitive expanses.Always let someone know your proposed start and end points and estimated times of arrival at those points. kanzatrails.org/flint-hillsnature-trail

FLINT HILLS TRAIL • Osawatomie to Herington • 117 miles • Open sunrise to sunset 365 days per year

WHERE IN KANSAS?

Flint Hills Trail

Topeka

Great Bend

LET’S PLAY SUNFLOWER STATE GAMES July 13-29 Kansas Expocentre, Topeka For the 29th year, the Sunflower State Games event will allow competitors to face off in activities ranging from baseball to dodgeball. Registration is required. sunflowergames.com

KANSAS! MAGAZINE

This event combines three awesome things: a bicycle ride, beer and barbeque. All in the name of supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Take part in one of three bike rides— either the 20-mile road ride, the 62mile road ride, or the 30-mile gravel ride— then celebrate your physical achievement with barbeque and Kansas-brewed beer. While the rides are not races, riders are welcome to a leisurely ride or friendly competition— whichever suits their interest. Riders must register to take part in the cycling event, but non-riders who would like to partake in the barbeque and craft beer expo can purchase a ticket separately. Tickets are available for purchase starting on June 6. bikebrewq.com

From Rail to Trail

17 SUMMER 2018

PHOTOGRAPH Shutterstock

BIKE BREW Q July 28, 6:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Great Bend Expo Complex, Great Bend

this season

GET OUTSIDE

RARE VERSES KANSAS COWBOY POETRY CONTEST June 8, Manhattan Listen to some of the state’s best cowboy poets at the Kansas Cowboy Poetry Contest that includes two regional competitions and culminates with the state finals at the Flint Hills Discovery Center. The statequalifying poetry contests are on April 27 in Ellsworth and May 11 in Fredonia. cowboypoetry contest.com (785) 532-8092

KANSAS! MAGAZINE

WHERE IN KANSAS?

SUMMER 2018

Manhattan

Butler County Abilene

Ode to the Cowboy WITH HIS LEATHER BOOTS FIRMLY PLANTED IN FRONT OF THE MICROPHONE, the rugged-looking man in a black ten-gallon hat clears his throat before weaving a rhyming tale about his horse and an angry mother cow squaring off in a pasture.The poet’s eyes are set on roping one of the prizes at the National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo Aug. 2-4 in Abilene. Cowboy poetry grew out of the tradition of cattle drive and ranch workers gathering around a campfire at night to share tales and folk songs about their daily lives. The men and women from across the country participating in this national contest typically have experienced this unique way of life that provides plenty of fodder for amusing and poignant stories. Just as in a stock rodeo, the poetry competition pits the skills of one cowboy poet against the others in rounds of both humorous and serious categories of either original work or the recitation of another’s poetry. “People who have traveled here for the event have told us it’s something really unique and different,” says Geff Dawson, National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo producer.“And, they like that it’s held during the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo and the Central Kansas Free Fair in Abilene, so there’s something for everybody.” The poetry competition is free to watch, as is an open-mic session.Tickets – GEFF DAWSON are needed for Saturday’s Western Music Matinee, during which the winning poets in each division are announced and recite their poetry between musical numbers by Geff and Dawn Dawson and other guest musicians. ncpr.us | (785) 456-4494

“…It’s something really unique and different.”

NATIONAL COWBOY POETRY RODEO Shockey & Landes Building, Abilene August 2-4 Admission is free

JOIN ’EM SYMPHONY IN THE FLINT HILLS STORY CIRCLE June 9, Rosalia Ranch in Butler County Stay after the symphony music ends to hear champions of the Kansas Cowboy Poetry Contest perform their winning poetry as well as other original work and recitation while you sit on hay bales under the stars at the Story Circle. Cowboy musicians also perform original compositions between poetry recitations. This year’s theme for the Symphony in the Flint Hills signature event is water, and will include an art installation courtesy of the Smithsonian Institute exploring cultural, natural and structural elements of water. The Kansas City Symphony will be joined by esteemed vocal performer Aoife O’Donovan for the annual concert portion of the event. Visitors can also enjoy prairie walks, wagon rides, food, drinks and an afterconcert party and dance as part of the daylong celebration. symphonyinthe flinthills.org (620) 273-8955

THE

details

PHOTOGRAPHS Shutterstock

culture. this season

By Cecilia Harris

The Woodward Inns on Fillmore

one GoThIc mansIon + Three sTaTely execuTIve Inns + Three FamIly Inns =

Topeka’s Luxury Lodging/Party Destination Block

Newly Renovated Extended Stay Hotel Apartments at The Woodward Wisteria and The Woodward Row Houses - Economical to Luxury

The WoodWard Inns on FIllmore Chosen Best of the Midwest Travel 2014, 2015 and 2016 by Midwest Living Magazine 1272 SW Fillmore Street, Topeka, KS 66604 • (785) 354-7111 • www.TheWoodward.com

A conversation with KANSAS! photographers about their lives in photography AARON PATTON IS A COMMERCIAL AND PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER IN WICHITA, KANSAS. He primarily works for companies and magazines, meeting people from all different industries and telling their stories through images. Photography is his work and his hobby, as he constantly pursues personal projects in his off-time. From his art series “Shapes” to his landscape/travel work, Aaron believes in leading with work and letting inspiration follow. He and his wife, Christina, each run their own photography business and share a studio in the historic Kress building in downtown Wichita.

lens. this season

Aaron Patton

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAMERA? WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT IT? The first camera I remember using was a Pentax K-1000. I was four or five years old and I liked watching the light meter move up and down in the viewfinder. WHAT ARE SOME UNCOMMON OBJECTS THAT YOU LIKE TO PHOTOGRAPH? Mona Lisa smiles. I like photographing expressions that leave the viewer wondering just a little.

WHERE IN KANSAS?

Wichita – This city has been the heart and soul of my career. Lawrence – I don’t spend much time there, but we can all be thankful for Free State. St. Mark’s – Growing up in a rural area, I was incredibly fortunate to have had the teachers I did as a kid. They stoked my desire for learning, encouraged curiosity, and shaped me (against my will, most days) into a hard worker. Thanks, Mrs. Wolf et al. WHO WOULD YOU NAME AS AN “HONORARY KANSAN” FOR THEIR PHOTOGRAPHY? WHY? Travis Heying. He was born in South Dakota, but he’s been a Wichita Eagle photographer for over 20 years. The work he’s done as a photojournalist is absolutely incredible. I’m constantly inspired by what he shoots.

St. Mark’s

Wichita

I’m a Kansan through and through. Born in Wichita, raised in St. Mark’s, and now living and working back where I started.

WHAT WAS THE MOMENT YOU WANTED TO BECOME A PHOTOGRAPHER? HOW OLD WERE YOU AT THE TIME? I started getting really interested in photography in my late teens, but shortly after getting married, my wife and I decided we’d make the leap to “be photographers.” Three days later, I had all the paperwork filed to start a business, and nine months after that it was my full-time job.

A good photographer knows when to experience a moment rather than to photograph it,and to never think you’re done learning.

KANSAS! MAGAZINE

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BEST CHANCE PHOTO TAKEN IN KANSAS. WHERE WAS IT? HOW DID IT COME ABOUT? I was working with a client, Dean Lauterbach, on his family ranch just outside of Zenda. We’d had the shoot planned for weeks, and it was a beautiful day as I drove down there. Just as we were getting started, storm clouds started to gather in the distance, threatening to cut our day short. As they rolled in, I was able to get one of my favorite photographs of my career that I call “Ready for the Storm” – an unintimidated rancher standing tall in the face of the impending weather.

PINPOINT THREE KANSAS LOCATIONS (TOWNS/CITIES) THAT HAVE SIGNIFICANCE FOR YOU OR YOUR CAREER. WHAT ARE THEY?

21 SUMMER 2018

PHOTOGRAPHS Aaron Patton

IF YOU HAD TO DESCRIBE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHIC STYLE IN TERMS OF A FAMILY TREE, WHO IS YOUR “MOTHER”? YOUR “FATHER”? YOUR “BROTHER” OR “SISTER”? If I could be the photo-child of Annie Liebovitz and Irving Penn, I’d spend my career seeking their approval. Clay Cook and Russell James would be the older siblings I’d annoy by trying to be their copycat little brother.

this season

reasons.

By Cecilia Harris

REASONS we love Kansas

KANSAS! MAGAZINE

Summer brings several animalthemed, familyfriendly events

SUMMER 2018

GONE FISHIN’ Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, Overland Park Youngsters catch (and release) bluegills at Grandpa Bob’s fishing pool on the grounds of Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead.Two late night fishing events, one on May 29 and the other on June 12, provide kids with old-fashioned cane fishing poles and corn kernel bait for free, but the pond is open for kids to fish at an additional fee during regular summer hours as well. artsandrec-op.org | (913) 897-2360

PARTY TIME Sunset Zoo, Manhattan

Children get to “play judge” and award blue ribbons at a county fair during the Children’s Farms Festival: County Fair event July 21 at the Sedgwick County Zoo. After learning the standards by which domestic animals are judged, kids carefully look at a pig, draft horse, cow, goat or other animal and award a ribbon placing for each. Other activities include animal demonstrations, such as oxen wagon-pulling, and old-fashioned games such as horseshoes. scz.org (316) 660-9453

While enjoying the zoo and its unique sounds in the evening, animal enthusiasts sip wine, dine on heavy hors d’oeuvres, and listen to live music during Wine in the Wild on June 2 at Sunset Zoo. Prefer beer? Brew in the Zoo is scheduled for Aug. 18 and includes samples from local breweries along with food and musical entertainment. Proceeds from the two events support the zoo’s projects and conservation efforts. sunsetzoo.com (785) 587-2737

REASONS

we love Kansas

STROLL AND SHOW David Traylor Zoo, Emporia

SWIMMINGLY POPULAR Tanganyika Wildlife Center, Goddard

Emporia’s small but grand zoo hosts its annual Stroll and Show on June 1.The free family event invites visitors to tour the grounds at twilight and enjoy the animals’ calls at dusk while listening to educational presentations and activities about animals.As the skies darken, the zoo begins an outdoor showing of Dolphin Tale. emporiazoo.org (620) 341-4365

For a wildly different experience, put on a wetsuit and splash around with penguins at Tanganyika Wildlife Center, one of the few places in the country that offers this unique opportunity.A keeper discusses the species while assisting with the up-close encounter that might include playing ball with and petting the African black-footed penguins.Appointments can be made online or by phone. twpark.com (316) 794-8954

A ZOOKEEPER’S LIFE Lee Richardson Zoo, Garden City During Junior Zookeeper Camp, seventh- and eighth-grade students work alongside the zookeeper and the education staff at the Lee Richardson Zoo to learn about its animals, including their diet, daily care, veterinary needs, and the specially designed enrichment activities that keep their minds and bodies active.The session, July 23–27, is part of the zoo’s Edventures, where elementary schoolchildren are divided by grade levels for week-long summer camps that include animal encounters and age-appropriate educational activities. leerichardsonzoo.org (620) 276-1250

Send your “Reasons We Love Kansas” to ksreasons@sunflowerpub.com or to Reasons, KANSAS!, 1020 S. Kansas Ave., Suite 200, Topeka, KS 66612.

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BLUE RIBBON WINNER Sedgwick County Zoo, Wichita

reasons.

23 SUMMER 2018

PHOTOGRAPHS (CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT) Courtesy City of Overland Park, Shutterstock (2), Courtesy Lee Richardson Zoo, Dave Leiker, Shutterstock

this season

GLORY DAYS OF IRON TRACTOR SHOW June 1 / Louisburg Tractor and old-time gas-engine show with live music, skillet-tossing contest and more

15TH ANNUAL PRAIRIE DAYS FESTIVAL June 9 / Little House on the Prairie Museum, Independence Wendi Lee, who played baby Grace on the television series Little House on the Prairie, attends as guest of honor at Kansas site where Laura Ingalls Wilder’s family homesteaded Littlehouseontheprairiemuseum.com

PHOTOGRAPH Courtesy Dee Dunlap (Prairie Quilt Guild)

TUMBLEWEED MUSIC FESTIVAL June 14-16 / La Cygne Reservoir Robert Earl Keene and other country stars headline lakeside music festival tumbleweedcountry.com

MIDSUMMER’S FESTIVAL June 16 / Lindsborg Traditional Swedish festival celebrated with music, folk-dancing and culinary treats Lindsborgcity.org

COMMON THREADS QUILT SHOW June 21-23 / Wichita Large regional quilt show including Kansas state champion quilt and a showing of 80 quilts inspired by Van Gogh wichitaquiltshow.com

events. this season

LIBERTYFEST June 30 / North Lake Park, Lake Garnett City of Garnett hosts music, food and free fireworks display simplygarnett.com

BROTHERS OF THE THIRD WHEEL July 8-15 / Dodge City National organization of trikers (threewheeled motorcycles) gathers for a week of music and activities btw-trikers.org

PRETTY PRAIRIE RODEO July 18-22 / Pretty Prairie Kansas’ nighttime rodeo celebrates 80+ years of competition pprodeo.com

DAM MUSIC FESTIVAL July 27-28 / El Dorado Lake, Walnut River Beach Two days of music and beach events eldoks.com

KANSAS’ BIGGEST RODEO August 2-4 / Phillipsburg Some 15,000 visitors descend on the small town of Phillipsburg for muttonbusting, roping, bull-riding and more kansasbiggestrodeo.com

HUTCHINSON EMANCIPATION August 2-8 / Hutchinson Community-wide celebration of arts, dance, choral music, ice cream socials and more that has existed since 1889 to celebrate and honor the local black community

FIND MORE EVENTS AT TRAVELKS.COM Because all events are subject to change, please confirm with organizers before finalizing plans.

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NATIONAL BIPLANE FLY-IN May 31- June 2 / Freeman Field Airport, Junction City Gathering of small and old-time biplanes from across the nation with music, vendors and pancake feed nationalbiplaneflyin.com

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EVENTS

summer 2018

KANSAS! MAGAZINE

wide open spaces

SUMMER 2018

Home Horse Hotel at the

A military couple create lodgings for horses and the people who care for them

Julie and Wayne Darsow own and operate the Pretty-Horses Motel.

By Patricia E.Ackerman

Photography by Justin Lister

Guests at Pretty-Horses take care of their own horses, but Julie maintains the barn and facilities.

Kaden McWhorter, a Chapman high school senior, works part time at Pretty-Horses.

HORSE LODGING IN KANSAS

(listings include Kansas locations with designated lodging for horses and humans) BERINGER FARMS Fontana | (816) 462-3320 BRANDED 5 STABLE Hays | (785) 623-9566 HARMONY HORSEMAN Hiawatha | (785) 741-0201 harmonyhorseman.com HEARTLAND RANCH Wakarusa | (785) 969-9139 HOME ON THE RANGE Colby | (785) 462-3600 tin-acres.com PRETTY-HORSES B&B HORSE MOTEL Chapman | (785) 761-5900 pretty-horses.com SLIDEONINN HORSE HOTEL Edson | (785) 821-0199

together, but such places were few and far between. During their travels the family frequently discussed what an ideal horse and human lodging facility might look like. In their vision, such a facility would not replicate their experiences where a horse that had been in a trailer all day would then be transferred into “a little box stall” for the night. When Wayne neared military retirement, the couple selected Fort Riley as their final duty station. Both grew up on Midwest farms (Wayne is from Minnesota and Julie is from South Dakota) and “wanted to be back here, in the Midwest.” The move would also give the family, which includes son Jacob, then age 12, the chance to realize their dream of opening a horseand-human hotel. While Julie and Jacob were still in Maryland, Wayne began searching for a location convenient for both horse and human travelers. Eventually, the family purchased a home and 17 acres of land along I-70 in Dickinson County. They added a barn, stables, parking, and landscaping before opening the Pretty-Horses Motel in 2002. Just outside of Chapman, the motel features two turn-out pens, eight runs with shelters, and two indoor stalls for horses. While Wayne completed his final deployment in Iraq (2005–2006), Julie and Jacob renovated the first floor of their house

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amilies face obstacles and opportunities each time their work or family obligations require them to pack up and move across the country. And when members of a family include horses, the process of moving takes on special challenges. Such was the case for Wayne and Julie Darsow, who have created a horse and human hotel in the middle of Kansas to help others move across the nation with their horses. Each time the U.S. Army transferred the Darsows from one location to another, including Maryland, Texas and Colorado, the family required special planning and accommodation to safely relocate their beloved horses. Most often, they would find separate facilities in which to board their horses overnight. After feeding and exercising the horses, the family would travel farther on to find human accommodations. In the morning, they would travel back to the stable, feed and exercise their horses, then load them back into the trailer for another day of travel. “It was a long process just to get in a place overnight and back out the next morning. It took up a lot of time,” recalls Julie. “It was difficult finding a place on a main route and a place where people could stay, as well as horses.” Occasionally, the family found places where both horses and owners could lodge

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High-Socks Sonny, or “Scout,” is Julie’s personal horse who was born and raised at Pretty-Horses.

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CLOCKWISE FROM UPPER RIGHT Julie cleans the human portion of the horse hotel; Kaden cares for a guest horse, “Hoot;” Julie holds a book about the 2007 tornado that came near Chapman.

into a two-bedroom guest quarters for horse owners to enjoy some relaxing downtime with their horses nearby. Guests feed and care for their own horses and are able to continue along their journey with both humans and horses wellrested. The Darsows take care of the rest. “Our job is to clean up the pens after guests leave and provide clean, sanitized feed and water containers,” says Julie. “I also sanitize the horse lodgings between appointments and check each horse’s health papers. “We rarely have guests for more than one night. Most of our customers are people traveling with their horses,” Julie explains. “Our largest group of clientele are casual riders who are either passing through for trail riding events or to cross-country destinations. Our second largest group includes people moving across the country. We also have guests who are traveling to horse clinics across the country and snowbirds traveling between their winter and summer homes. We don’t see too many rodeo folks since they usually bring their own travel trailers and stay with their horses at local fairgrounds.” The Darsows enjoy meeting people who care about horses as much as they do. Their guests have included Pat Parelli, a national

horsemanship trainer from Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and Cindy Roher, owner/operator of Chariots for Hire on the East Coast. Rohrer transports large draft horses to competitions across the country, in which her children do vaulting on horseback. The Darsows have also hosted groups with polo ponies passing through for events in Denver and Aspen. While winter is their slow season, they typically host 8–10 guests per month during the summer. Occasionally, they host horseback hunters during the fall hunting season. The horse hotel is only part of the Darsows’ lives. While helping Julie run the hotel, Wayne continues to work full-time as a public health nurse practitioner at Fort Riley, and Jacob studies biology at Kansas State. Recently the Darsows expanded their business to include long-term horse boarding. In order not to use up guest lodging spaces for boarding, they constructed a new barn, runs, a yard, turn-out pens and an arena. The boarding stalls have brought in some new residents, such as the palomino paint Solar Cat and the buckskin Velvet Firefighter, who share the grassland and barn with Julie’s loudcolored paint, High Socks Sonny. It’s home for horses and for the humans who care for them—just as the Darsows intended.

WELCOME TO CLAY COUNTY, KANSAS

COME EXPERIENCE Zoo Museums Rodeos Festivals Milford Lake Water parks Hunting Shopping

claycokansas.com | claycenterchamber@gmail.com | 785.632.5674

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Great Bend Weekend A

KANSAS! MAGAZINE

Outdoor enthusiasts and fans of interactive history should make this their travel destination

SUMMER 2018

Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area

By Cecilia Harris

Photography courtesy of the Great Bend CVB

Visitors enjoy Zoo Boo, a Halloween tradition at Brit Spaugh Zoo.

From lions to insects, the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo offers ample opportunity to learn about creatures big and small. Visitors can spot deer at Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area.

8 A.M. Start your day at Mitchell’s Bakery, known for its apple fritters; the cinnamon rolls and cinnamon twists are yummy favorites, too. You’ll be working up an appetite, so consider stashing a bag of chocolate chip or sugar cookies to snack on later in the day. 9 A.M. A great place to walk off breakfast is the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo, home to reptiles, mammals, birds and insects from all seven continents. Visitors can also enjoy an aquarium housing different species of fish from all over the world. You even might have the opportunity to watch an operation on an injured bird through a one-way mirror in the Raptor Center, where a wing span chart, an eagle’s nest, and a raptor’s

Whatever your pleasure, spending the weekend in Great Bend is the ideal way to get back to nature.

11:30 A.M. At Great Bend Coffee, bite into a brick-oven-baked hot sandwich or pizza and wash it down with an Italian Cream Soda or the popular Tall-Paul, a breve with caramel and hazelnut. The Wildcat sandwich, with chicken, artichoke and sun-dried tomatoes, and the Torino sandwich, of smoked lean turkey and cheese, are favored by customers and are served with thick kettle chips and a crisp dill pickle. If you prefer brick-ovenbaked pizza, order the popular Milano, with mild Italian sausage and mushrooms, or create your own combination of toppings. 1 P.M. The city’s Stone Lake and Veteran’s Memorial Park Lake both allow fishing with a state fishing license. Limited boating is allowed on both lakes (see greatbendks.net for more information). You also may put your kayak or canoe in the Arkansas River at Stone Lake and paddle away. If you prefer, don your bathing suit and cool off at the Wetlands Waterpark, with its tipping bucket, water slides for all ages, spray park, zero depth splash pool, and numerous colorful shade structures. 3:30 P.M. Download walking tour brochures from visitgreatbend.com, and take a leisurely stroll through downtown. The Birdhouse Tour pamphlet lists the artist’s descriptions of more

KANSAS! MAGAZINE

SATURDAY

eye view of the zoo are among the exhibits. While here, make sure the kids purchase fish-food bags and then head out to the pond to feed the catfish and watch the turtles, geese, swans and ducks.

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other Nature beckons us to step outside during the summer months, and Great Bend offers numerous ways to enjoy her bounty from dawn to dusk. Animal lovers view the world’s unique wild creatures at the zoo. Water enthusiasts canoe the Arkansas River or boat on a city lake. Birdwatchers spot Canada geese and black-crowned night heron at nearby Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, the largest inland marsh in the country. Without binoculars, stargazers see meteors and the Milky Way in the vast dark sky. Whatever your pleasure, spending the weekend in Great Bend is the ideal way to get back to nature.

wide open spaces

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than 70 uniquely-decorated three- to five-foot-tall birdhouses perched in front of businesses. The Kansas Quilt Walk and Great Bend Mural Project guide describes the historic quilt blocks painted on the sidewalks surrounding the courthouse square; the oldest block featured is “The Rocky Road to Kansas” dating to the Santa Fe Trail, on which the historic courthouse was built. Murals painted by professional and amateur artists depict the city’s past and present on more than a dozen business buildings. When you need a break from the sun, step inside the quaint boutiques and other shops to pick up a souvenir.

SUMMER 2018

5:30 P.M. While perusing the dinner menu, sip Kansasmade Rosewood wine or Tallgrass beer at The Page, an American Bistro. A customer favorite, the prime rib is only served on Saturdays. Other popular entrees include the steaks, encrusted with a five-peppercorn blend and topped with butter, and the chicken parmesan, a hand-breaded chicken-fried chicken served on a bed of spaghetti noodles smothered with house-made marinara or alfredo sauce and topped with mozzarella. Or, dine at Kiowa Kitchen, a Barton County tradition for more than 30 years, where you’ll feast on Mexican food such as cheese enchiladas and chile rellenos.

are provided. Or, for some friendly competition, check out Walnut Bowl and Mini-Golf to see who scores the highest while bowling or the lowest number of golf strokes. OVERNIGHT If you like to rough it in the great outdoors, reserve a spot in the primitive camping area at Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area a short drive away. Other campgrounds and RV parks, some including full amenities, also are available. Prefer comfort? Sleep in luxury on a memory foam mattress at the recently remodeled Baltzell Lodge, a locally-owned establishment featuring the nostalgia of a 1950s exterior and modern day conveniences inside, or stay at one of the several other motels. SUNDAY 7 A.M. Rise, shine and grab a filling breakfast to sustain you for the busy Sunday ahead. The home-made buttermilk pancakes cover a dinner plate at Granny’s Kitchen, where the build-your-own omelet is another popular item. Most customers add the maple bacon as a side.

7 P.M. Sample the locally-produced, award-winning signature Blackberry Cabernet Sauvignon and other wines at the Rosewood Wine Cellar. Feel free to browse the store filled with, among other items, jellies, honey and crackers, marshmallows, cowboy candy, s’mores, bath products and candles that are Rosewood Creations products made by client-employees with developmental disabilities.

8 A.M. Put on your hiking boots or hop on your bike and follow the seven-mile paved levee trail that runs along the Arkansas River; hikers and off-road bicyclists also can explore the river bed along unpaved paths. Maps of paved and non-paved routes and trails can be downloaded from visitgreatbend.com or greatbendks.net. The city’s Veteran’s Memorial Park has walking and fitness trails, a lake with a sand beach, an 18-hole disc golf course, sand volleyball, playground equipment, a tot play area, and even a dog park if you bring Fido along. A lighted skateboard area, BMX track, horseshoe pits, and playground all are available at Brit Spaugh Park.

8 P.M. Up N Rollin Skate Center is the perfect place for kids of all ages to burn off energy; as at most rinks, roller skates

ALTERNATIVE Pack your own lunch and follow the Wetlands and Wildlife Scenic Byway, a 77-mile-long drive through wetlands and

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11:30 A.M. Grab brunch at The Rack Billiard Café, where the kids can play on one of eight pool tables while you linger over coffee after savoring the popular breakfast burrito or steak and eggs. Cheeseburgers and the 8-ounce rib eye are favored lunch items. 1 P.M. Arrive at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center (admission is free) and sign up for one of the guided van tours of Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area. We suggest a 2:30 p.m. tour, which will give you ample time to look at interpretive displays, natural history collections, and historical and cultural artifacts explaining the importance of the wetlands, identifying the animals and plants living here, and describing the geological formation of the area. Be sure to take in the panoramic view of the marsh and look through the available binoculars or spotting scope to get a closer look at wildlife on the water’s edge; then, step outside and walk to the observation point, where you might see little blue herons or mallards. *Note: When planning your trip, be sure to check the Center’s website, wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu, as an exhibit renovation is being planned during which tours will be available, but the Center may be closed. 2:30 P.M. The 30-minute Get To Know Cheyenne Bottoms Tour stops at the observation tower, gives a glimpse into the pool systems, and provides a history of Cheyenne Bottoms. The 90-minute Deluxe Tour provides a complete, interpretive view

of Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area and nearby Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve, focusing on bird and wildlife identification, and includes a stop at the Highway 4 overlook. During both tours, binoculars and bird field guides are available to help you spot birds and wildlife pointed out by the guide. Upon your return, ask for a map, a self-guided driving tour guide, and flora and fauna checklist before leaving the Center, or download them from the Center’s website. Then embark on the George Stumps Nature Trail for a walk through the woods to see great horned owls, white-tailed deer, orioles, and other wildlife. House wrens, eastern bluebirds, and tree swallows use the nest boxes along the half-mile-long trail. 5 P.M. Wetland birds are most active in the late evening or early morning, so this is a good time to strike out on your own using the Center’s resources you’ve collected. Look for wading birds such as herons, egrets, ibis, avocets, and stilts as well as pelicans, cormorants, and perhaps ducks; and, watch for grassland nesting birds as you drive by upland prairie. Feel free to stretch your legs with a brisk walk along the dikes and be sure to climb the observation tower or stop at the Kansas Highway 4 overlook, as both provide a great view of the wetlands at sunset. AFTERDARK Look up. The Milky Way appears like a band of light across the galaxy, with summer constellations including Libra, Scorpius, and Sagittarius for those who enjoy astronomy. No binoculars are needed to see the Perseid meteor shower that typically peaks around Aug. 12. The Kansas Wetlands Education Center will host a Perseid meteor shower viewing party at 9 p.m. on Aug. 10 near the picnic shelter. The night will include activities focusing on meteors, constellations, and other astronomy-related topics.

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mixed grass prairie filled with an abundance of wildlife and topped by an immense blue sky. The Byway connects two of the world’s most significant natural wetlands, Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, that each year host millions of migrating birds, including waterfowl and shorebirds. End your adventure at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, where you can enjoy your lunch under a picnic shelter before stepping inside.

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CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE TOP LEFT Ample parks throughout town offer family fun. Each summer, visitors can take part in Party in the Park, which includes an obstacle race, an eating contest and fireworks. To mark the end of summer, the Great Bend Wetland’s Waterpark invites dogs to take a swim at Bark at the Waterpark. Rosewood Wine Cellar is the perfect place to enjoy gorgeous views and homegrown wine. Pelicans enjoy a snack at Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area. Visitors enjoy the annual car show in downtown Great Bend.

taste of Kansas By Cecilia Harris Photography by Sarah Reeves and Bill Stephens

Kansas chefs are topping up an American tradition

Overland Park’s Wiener Kitchen owners Jessica Rush and Dave Derr serve up unique topping combinations on mouthwatering sausage links.

OVERLAND PARK’S WIENER KITCHEN At Wiener Kitchen in Overland Park, the husband-wife team of Dave Derr and Jessica Rush hand-crafts artisan sausages and serves them from their Wiener Wagon food truck. “We’ve gone through 50 to 60 varieties of sausage, and we’re always coming up with something new,” Derr says. One unique combination is the turducken sausage, blending turkey, chicken and duck with onion, celery, sage and parsley. Their signature hot dog is a brisket Wagyu frank; the Wagyu Japanese cattle

GARLIC PORK SAUSAGE From Wiener Kitchen’s Dave Derr and Jessica Rush INGREDIENTS • 5 pounds pork shoulder (70% lean/30% fat), cubed and chilled • 1 2/3 ounces kosher salt • 1 tablespoon black pepper • 1½ ounces minced garlic • 1 cup ice water • 10 to 12 feet of hog casings INSTRUCTIONS 1 Toss chilled meat, fat, salt, pepper and garlic in a bowl. 2 Grind mixture through a fine grinder die into an electric mixer bowl over an ice bath. 3 Fit the mixer with a paddle and mix for about 1 minute, gradually adding water, until fully incorporated. 4 Sauté a small test patty and adjust seasonings if desired. 5 At this point, the mixture may be stored in bulk form, pattied, or stuffed into casings. 6 Grill, roast or sauté the sausage to an internal temperature of 165º.

breed provides tender brisket that is chopped and sent through a meat grinder, then placed in a natural sheep casing. Hungry customers favor it smothered with country-style sausage gravy, an egg, and hot sauce—a concoction called the bacon sausage. “Our chili cheese dog has become a major player in the menu mix,” adds Derr. “We take our Mexican style pork chorizo as the meat base of our chili, and we use black beans, onions, tomatoes and peppers, so it’s got a little heat to it, a little pop of spiciness.” The chili smothers the beef frankfurter, which is finished with cheddar cheese, onion and extra hot sauce. The husband-and-wife team offers menus to accommodate diet preferences or restrictions, including a chicken sausage and pork wurst. Don’t want a bun? The chorizo rojo is a hot dog with an onionjalapeño relish and a cilantro-lime aioli served with hot sauce in a house-made tortilla. Prefer not to eat meat? The vegan consists of a cauliflower, walnut, wild rice and spice link topped with Brussels kraut, relish, and whole grain Dijon mustard. TOPEKA’S TOP DOG Top Dog in Topeka unleashes 10 different house-made sauces and 30 toppings from which to create a build-yourown hot dog. It also offers several specialty combinations. Located in a bright red

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hen it comes to a favored summertime food, wieners in a bun are always one of the top dogs. We relish them at baseball games and summer festivals and order them from street carts, food trucks and diners at lunchtime. Collectively, Americans sink our teeth into over 7 billion hot dogs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, according to the American Meat Institute’s National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. But we don’t all eat them the same— and new, original approaches to garnishing a hot dog have kept the all-American dish relevant, fun and tasty for a new generation. In Kansas, hot dog chefs craft pedigree gourmet dogs by dressing frankfurters with unique artisan toppings.

KANSAS! MAGAZINE

The Chorizo Rojo is a house specialty at Wiener Kitchen in Overland Park and features cheddar cheese, onion-jalapeño relish, and cilantro-lime aioli atop a chorizo link, all nestled inside a tortilla.

taste of Kansas

KEEVIN HUNT’S

TOP TEN

TOPPING SUGGESTIONS ONE.BACON

SIX.CREAM CHEESE

TWO.AVOCADO

SEVEN.GRAVY

THREE.LETTUCE

EIGHT.PINEAPPLE

FOUR.BEANS

NINE.PICO DE GALLO

FIVE.COLESLAW

TEN.PULLED PORK

HOT DOG ETIQUETTE

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DO ... Apply condiments in the following order: wet condiments like mustard and chili are applied first, followed by chunky condiments like relish, onions and sauerkraut, followed by shredded cheese, followed by spices like celery salt or pepper.

SUMMER 2018

DON’T ... Put hot dog toppings between the hot dog and the bun. Always “dress the dog,” not the bun. DO ... Serve sesame seed, poppy seed and plain buns with hot dogs. DON’T … Serve with sun-dried tomato buns or basil buns; these are considered gauche with franks. DO ... Eat hot dogs on buns with your hands.

DON’T … Go for utensils. They should not touch hotdogs on buns. DO … Pour on the ketchup, if you are under age 18. DON’T ... Dare use ketchup as an adult. Go for mustard, relish, onions, cheese and chili. DO ... Compliment the grill master or cook. DON’T ... Send a thank you note following a hot dog cookout. It would not be in keeping with the unceremonial nature of hot dogs. DO … Bring beer, soda, lemonade, iced tea or water to a hot dog cookout. DON’T ... Pair a wine with a hot dog.

Courtesy the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council

and yellow 1950s-era drive-in restaurant, Top Dog brings the Americana nostalgia effect with a cozy diner space and outdoor picnic-table settings. That summertime outdoor dining is particularly popular with customers and their pets. “During the summertime, we have people who show up and bring their dogs with them,” says Keevin Hunt, who owns the restaurant with his father, Bill. “They sit outside and we give their dog a (hot) dog and they eat theirs.” Despite being located in a former hamburger joint, Top Dog serves only hot dogs and sides. “We decided we were going to do one thing and we’re going to be really good at the one thing we do,” Hunt says, adding the perfect hot dog begins with a quality 100-percent beef, six-inch, quarter-pound sausage—or for bigger appetites, a whopping 1/3-pound, foot-long sausage—that the fatherson team hand-selected. The duo continually creates new hot dog topping combinations that are either rotated on (or eliminated from) the menu depending –KEEVIN HUNT on their popularity. The ongoing menu lists the more common Sloppy Dog, Kraut Dog, and the Chicago Dog, which has yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, chopped white onions, tomatoes, pickled sport peppers, a dill pickle spear and a dash of celery salt on the hot dog in a poppy seed bun. “The one that gets the most talked about is definitely our Elvis Dog; it’s got peanut butter, bananas and crushed corn flakes on it, and if you want we will put chocolate syrup and whipped cream on it,” Hunt says. Bacon, lettuce and tomato cover the Top Dog, which comes with a secret housemade sauce. “It’s a mayonnaise-based sauce that’s a little bit spicy,” describes Hunt.

“A lot of people come in and say they would like to see this or that, so we give it a try.”

taste of Kansas

TOP Jessica Rush serves up homemade sausage to a few regular customers. BOTTOM (From left) Wiener Kitchenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brisket Wagyu Frank, Chorizo Rojo, Chili Cheese Dog, and The Vegan

taste of Kansas

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Topekaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top Dog is a no-fuss hotdog shop serving up classic franks alongside unique toppings. Dogs, clockwise from top left, are the Pig Pen, the Elvis Dog, the foot-long Royal and the Pizza Dog. Bill Hunt poses with a few specialty dogs in front of the restaurantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature graffiti.

taste of Kansas

TOP DOG

HOT-2-TROT GOURMET HOT DOGS

From Adam Bussey, Hot-2-Trot Gourmet Hot Dogs

HATCH CHILE RELISH INGREDIENTS • 10 hot roasted Hatch chiles, chopped small • 1 large red onion, diced • 1 tomato, diced fine • 1 small jar of diced pimento, drained • 1 cup of vinegar (or as required) • 1/3 cup sugar • 1 tsp salt INSTRUCTIONS Place vegetables in a pot on medium heat and cover with vinegar. Once vinegar is almost reduced, add sugar and salt; heat until desired consistency. Put into canning jars and refrigerate.

HATCH CHILE BEER MUSTARD INGREDIENTS • 1/2 cup brown mustard seeds • 2/3 cup yellow mustard seeds • 1 1/2 cup local beer • 3/4 cup vinegar • 5–10 medium roasted Hatch chiles INSTRUCTIONS Soak seeds in beer and vinegar overnight. Blend all ingredients in high speed blender to desired texture. Add salt to taste. May also add more or less beer and/or vinegar to desired taste and consistency.

KANSAS! MAGAZINE

WIENER WAGON

TOPPING RECIPES

39 SUMMER 2018

Among others usually offered are a Pizza Dog featuring marinara sauce, black olives, bell peppers, mozzarella, pepperoni and onions, and a Mexico Dog with lettuce, drunken beans, bacon, colby jack cheese, tomato, jalapeños, pico de gallo and avocado, with hot salsa on the side. Seasonal items “keep things interesting” for loyal customers, Hunt says. “Probably our most popular nontraditional dog is our Pig Pen, and it has pulled pork, onion, coleslaw and barbecue sauce on it. We also have a Pineapple Express that has cream cheese, bacon, and pineapple, and then we put a jalapeño raspberry sauce on top of it.” Chicken, onion, tomato, Colby jack cheese and green chile sauce make up the Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Dog. Crushed tortilla chips, nacho cheese and jalapeños top the Nacho Dog. “A lot of people come in and say they would like to see this or that, so we give it a try,” Hunt says, adding the Barnyard Dog was created with hash browns, scrambled eggs, sausage and gravy after customers asked for a breakfast hot dog. “And, of course, we will 9645 W 87th St. make anything you want.” Overland Park (913) 296-8023 WICHITA’S HOT-2-TROT wienerwagonkc.com Hot-2-Trot Gourmet Hotdogs offers hot dogs, spicier hot links, and homemade sauerkraut from three hot dog pushcarts on Wichita 4140 SW Huntoon streets during the lunch hour and Topeka at festivals across central Kansas. (785) 286-6391 One of their most popular facebook.com/pg/ toppings is the signature Hot-2-Trot topdogtopcity Slaw, which owner Adam Bussey describes “a little to the sweet side, it’s not spicy at all.” A dozen condiments and toppings, including sriracha, Buffalo sauce and a made-from-scratch stone brown mustard, round out the toppings. (316) 299-3584 Bussey fetches unusual facebook.com/ topping combinations on hot dogs hot2trotgourmethotdogs throughout the year, such as a taco dog with homemade cream and homemade cabbage-based Mexican slaw. He also puts together a Hatch chile dog with homemade Hatch chile relish, Hatch chile beer mustard and Hatch chile cheese. “We use a mild Hatch chile pepper, so it’s not overly spicy; it’s mostly for flavor and has a real earthy tone,” Bussey says. No matter whether you call it a hot dog, frankfurter, wiener or bratwurst, or what you top it with, plan to order one on National Hot Dog Day, July 18, to celebrate this iconic American—and Kansan—food.

42 | Travel with the Animal

53 | A Kansas Safari A guide to seeing wild animals across the state

KANSAS! MAGAZINE

Family pets can be included in some of the best summer road trips across Kansas … and here’s how

PHOTOGRAPH Aaron Patton

SUMMER 2018

42 KANSAS! MAGAZINE

travel with the animal

43 SUMMER 2018

family vacation is meant to be for the entire family, right? And if your family happens to include an animal, then you might want to create an itinerary that allows them to join you. Not every outing. Not every destination. But it’s possible— and rewarding—to experience togetherness on the road and away from home. Here’s our suggestions for locations, safety tips and more to travel with all your family members across Kansas.

KANSAS! MAGAZINE

Family pets can be included in some of the best summer road trips across Kansas … and here’s how

i am dog.

KANSAS! MAGAZINE

A personal essay on the joys and obstacles of traveling Kansas with dogs

SUMMER 2018

Essay by Katy Ibsen Photo by Justin Lister

will (might) travel.

he first time I traveled with Flint was a day trip to Milford Lake to watch an Adventure Race. He was still under a year old, and I figured, sure, he’ll love this chance to see Kansas and sleep in the front seat next me—he’ll be the official co-pilot. I packed the essentials: treats, a blanket, and a full bottle of water for his small, collapsible dish (which he refuses to use). Flint, for the most part, didn’t mind the trip, but he didn’t like the front seat. It was as if he needed to be in my lap—which is dangerous in and of itself while driving—but when the culprit is a lanky, inflexible whippet, it becomes a new, unsafe challenge. Then again, I never asked his opinion on route or destination. Flint’s attempts to drive taught me that the back seat would be the best location for the dog, so it became the norm. We went from co-pilots to my driving Miss Daisy. After my husband and I met, we took a spring camping trip to Cross Timbers State Park with Flint. As we have learned, Kansas offers many perks for dogfriendly families who want to travel and experience the outdoors. By this time, Flint had adjusted to car travel in the backseat just as long as he had his bed (one cannot expect a whippet to travel without comfort). The jury, however, was still out on whether his definition of comfort would include roughing it in the woods. It was this opportunity that illustrated for me the happiness of having your dog along for the ride. Our dogs are family members, so embarking on adventures without them almost feels like betrayal. Sad puppy-dog eyes are a real thing. And often leaving your dog behind may mean an added expense of boarding or hiring a pet sitter—it just didn’t seem fair. Amid the budding trees and glistening lake of the state park, Flint flounced. Squirrels, birds, woodland friends, other traveling dogs—the whole cast was there. His senses experienced an entirely new world, and he was a puppy again. As night fell, Flint stretched out by the fire to stay warm. The temps dropped below 40 that night and keeping the dog and ourselves warm was important. We bundled him in not one, but two dog coats before I pulled him into my sleeping bag. Waking up to a spooning skinny hound was a reminder to know a dog’s limits when traveling. How long can they go without a potty break? What pet restrictions are associated with your destination? Be prepared for injuries or emergencies—no one wants a dreamy weekend journey to turn into a nightmare.

After we added Milo to the pack, things got weird. Milo, who vomited all over the car on his first trip home, had now turned into a leaky faucet of drool that covered any surface in his vicinity during car rides. The seats, the floor, the door, the window, Flint, his leash, and so forth. At first we thought it was just him being a puppy, but soon we realized this was just part of his travel personality—a soggy dripping drool known as carsickness. We were steadfast; this would not prevent Reminder! us from traveling (never mind the copious amounts of training Milo still needed to behave In Kansas, pets at a campsite—that would must always come later). be restrained I researched “dogs plus drooling plus car” to see what by a camper, I could learn. Google provided cage, handmany tips to help curb canine held leash, or carsickness: place them in the back seat, face them forward, tethered chain consult your vet, and so on. But no longer than buried in the results was one 10 feet. They winning trick from the show dog circuit—give them a little sugar are not allowed candy (visions of Best in Show on swimming filled my mind). The candy can beaches or calm an upset stomach and you swimming know what, it worked! Gummy bears (not sugar-free due to the areas that are dangerous ingredient Xylitol) are delineated by now always on hand when we travel (and yes, Flint gets one too buoys or other because he’s a good boy). markers or in Our state-wide car travels public buildings now have a formula. Before or structures. we take off, we load up dog beds and blankets to make a couch-like environment for Flint and Milo. They get an early breakfast at least an hour before departure. And Milo gets a couple of gummy bears. All this for them to basically nap in the car; they never take in the sights. Traveling across the state will inevitably require pit stops for us and the dogs. Most of Kansas’ rest areas have grassy areas for dogs, or in some cases a specific area for dogs. Leashes in hand, we give the dogs a chance to stretch their legs and breathe a little fresh air—meanwhile, we scoop the poop. For us, the luggage may not entirely fit in the car, but the precious cargo in the back is always worth having along for the ride.

Fetch Bistro Wichita

Billed as “a place for people and pets,” this restaurant considers people and dogs as equal dining patrons. Owners Greg and Pamela Buss serve made-from-scratch meals for people and pets. When placing your order, you can add something for your canine off the menu’s Doggie Treats section that includes house-made Pawsitively Pumpkin biscuits and the Bon Appetit, featuring steak, brown rice, green beans and carrots. There’s even a photo booth for pictures and an on-site off-leash play area. fetchbistro.com | (316) 927-2227

dog destinations

NightHawk Winery / Miami County You and your dog can walk through more than four acres of vineyard and delight in the butterfly garden at NightHawk Winery, located along a gravel road in the rolling hills of Miami County. As you listen to live music and sip wine made from grapes grown on-site or on other small, local vineyards, your canine family member can loll by you on the winery’s patio or at a table in the lush grass under the shade of a century-old walnut grove. nighthawkwines.com | (913) 544-9549 Bark Park / Great Bend Agility training puts your dog’s natural instincts to work, keeping him happy, healthy and smart; it also builds a bond between you and your pet. Bark Park offers several training structures, including an up-andover A-frame, ramps, a 27-inch-high platform, and a canine castle featuring a three-tiered platform with stairs and a small tube. There’s also a watering station and, when your work is done, a shaded picnic table where you can relax and offer plenty of praise. greatbendks.net | (620) 793-4111 Timber Trails Ranch / Elk City Canines run and play at this working cattle ranch that offers trails through pasture and wooded areas where birdwatchers spot numerous species. With your pet by your side, you can fish at two ponds or take the boat out on the 13-acre private lake after exploring the water’s edge. And yes, your dog is allowed in the water and can dry off by the fire pit before retiring for the night in the guesthouse. timbertrailsranchks.com | (620) 627-2133 Shawnee Mission Dog Beach / Shawnee This park just might be considered dog heaven. Its 53 acres of off-leash grounds include a lake with a designated beach for dogs to fetch a stick, swim and splash. There are also numerous trails through grassland and wooded areas and a dog-height water fountain. Other fun dog-friendly parks in Johnson

County include Thomas S. Stoll Memorial Park in Overland Park, and Kill Creek Park and Heritage Park, both in Olathe. jcprd.com | (913) 686-6220 Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve / Strong City Leashed four-legged friends are allowed on three nature trails, in picnic areas, and on the grounds surrounding the historic buildings at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. If you and your furry companion like to hike distances, the national park’s three-mile-long Fox Creek Trail offers more shade and runs along a stream. Shorter, less-shaded trails include the one-mile Southwind Nature Trail winding through prairie, and the wheelchair accessible Bottomland Nature Trail offering ½-mile and ¾-mile loops. Dogs must remain outdoors on the park grounds. Nps.gov | (620) 273-8494

These Kansas locations will wag tails and create memories

Capital City KOA / Topeka With leashes on, dogs can join people in exploring trails through a wooded area and around fishing ponds. Capital City KOA also has a fenced-in, grassy playground where your canine companion can play on a teeter-totter and in a log cabin or just run free. A shaded seating area is the perfect spot to relax and watch your pet stretch his legs after traveling all day. koa.com/campgrounds/topeka | (785) 862-5267 Chisholm Creek Pet Resort Pup Park / Wichita A 10-acre pooch paradise with a swimming pond, agility equipment, shade trees, walking paths, sand hills, and wide-open spaces, Chisholm Creek Pet Resort Pup Park offers day passes during the week for a flat fee. Dogs also can board overnight in suites with indoor-outdoor access and be pampered with a canine massage for an additional cost. Lodging in multi-level condos is available for cats. You can pay for a staff member to provide your pet individual playtime or a walk during overnight stays. chisholmcreekpetresort.com | (316) 744-0191 Kansas State Parks Kansas boasts more than 25 diverse state parks with a wide range of outdoor activities. Pets are allowed, but they must be restrained by a camper, cage, hand-held leash, or tethered chain no longer than 10 feet. Dogs are not allowed in any public building or structure, on swimming beaches, or in the designated swimming areas. These restrictions do not apply to dogs assisting the visually- or hearing-impaired. Many of the cabins available for rent in state parks are pet-friendly, but an additional pet fee is charged. ksoutdoors.com | (620) 672-5911

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Boulevard Drive-In Theatre / Kansas City There’s nothing like watching a good movie with your best friend by your side. It’s even better if it’s at a historic drive-in theater with a colorful marquee and vintage car-stand speakers. Leashed dogs are welcome to watch the movies with you as well as to browse the Swap ’n’ Shop flea market held on the theater’s grounds on Saturday and Sunday mornings throughout the year, weather permitting. Boulevarddrivein.com | (913) 262.2414

47 SUMMER 2018

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By Cecilia Harris Photo by Aaron Patton

KANSAS! MAGAZINE SUMMER 2018

Be Prepared Vaccinations

Make sure your cat is current on vaccinations. Even if you are traveling inside the Kansas state limits, it’s a good idea to keep your cat’s shots up-to-date just in case someone gets a scratch or bite, or there’s a confrontation with another animal. If you’re moving to Kansas, you will need a certificate of veterinary inspection and proof of a current rabies vaccination.

d o w n

s open fields passed by my car’s windows, I kept asking my traveling companion—also known as Mom—to check on our other car-mate—also known as my twelve-year-old cat, CJ. Mom turned to look in the back seat and then reported, “She’s still lying in the litter box.” Eight years ago, I made the move from New Hampshire to my new home in Kansas. The three-day drive was the first time I’d traveled with my cat. The only other times she had been with me in the car were trips to the vet. So, this was a new adventure for both of us. I’d always wanted to take her on journeys with me. When I’d go on vacation, I’d spend part of my time worrying about how she was doing alone in my apartment in Concord. Friends checked on her once in a while, but I still wondered if she was meowing for me and bothering the neighbors. Was she waiting for me by the door like she did each day when I came home from work? Was she missing me as much as I was missing her? The answer always seemed to be, “No.” When I would come home from my trips, CJ would greet me like it was any other day. She’d purr and do that cute little drool thing she does when she purrs a lot. She’d head to the food dish for her dinner and then curl up next to me to snooze while I read or watched TV. Just a regular day. Dr. Susan Nelson, clinical professor at Kansas State University Veterinary Health Center, says CJ’s comfort with being left at home is normal for most cats. “Cats tend to like routine and are sensitive to changes in their environment, which makes many of them, but not all, less keen on traveling. Unlike dogs, who tend to want to be around their owners 24-7, the majority of cats are okay staying at home and having their alone time.” Nelson doesn’t totally discourage traveling with a cat. She notes if your cat doesn’t seem bothered by change and has a mellow, out-going personality, then travel may not bother them much. “Many people would refer to them as cats who act more like dogs,” she says. Of course, in this case, I wasn’t leaving CJ behind, so she had to travel. But CJ had always adapted well to change. When I brought her home from the shelter, she only hid for about half an hour before emerging to scope out her new home, so I was hopeful she would be okay with the journey to Kansas. On the first day of the drive, I covered the back seat of my car with CJ’s favorite blanket. Then I put her in the cat carrier and set it on the seat but left its door open. Her litter box was stored on the floor for easy access. CJ spent the first hours of our long trip inside the carrier. Once in a while she would meow her

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displeasure. At one rest stop, I climbed into the backseat and took her out to give her some loving attention. I set her in the litter box so she would understand it was there, just in case. Then I put her back into the carrier, but she immediately climbed out and jumped into the litter box. She lay down—and there she stayed. I had researched pet-friendly hotels along our route. When we stopped for the night, I brought in CJ and all her stuff. She slowly came out of the carrier, used the litter box for its intended purpose, ate her dinner, and jumped up onto the bed, purring away and happy to be out of the car. This routine was repeated for the rest of the trip—lie in the freshly cleaned litter box while traveling and relax in that night’s hotel room. But it would have gone better if I had known these tips from Dr. Nelson for traveling with my favorite feline:

Cats are usually content to stay home, but when the journey calls, there are ways to keep backseat kitties purring along

Start taking your cat out for short car trips. Keep the carrier out at all times so they learn it is not a scary contraption that only takes them on trips to the veterinarian. Use pheromone sprays on blankets and inside the carrier to help to minimize stress. Make sure there is a lot of absorbent bedding in the carrier in case of accidents. If your cat is stressed by travel or experiences motion sickness, speak to your veterinarian about prescription and nonprescription medication options.

KANSAS! MAGAZINE

o n

Make sure your cat has some type of identification. Ideally, both tags and a microchip.

Check ahead for pet-friendly hotels.

SUMMER 2018

meow

Make sure your family or friends are ok with you and your cat staying with them. Make sure the carrier is secured in your vehicle by a seat belt so it doesn’t get bounced around, or worse yet, become a projectile if the car is involved in a collision. I plan to follow these suggestions when I take CJ on short trips. After all, she is now an experienced traveler who made it to our new Kansas home just fine. Having my purring friend with me was a real comfort as I started my new life in the Sunflower State, so I have no regrets about forcing her to take the trip. Even if she spent most of it in the litter box.

By Linda A. Ditch Photo by Brian Goodman

travel tips The state’s official safety dog breaks down the essentials of traveling with your pet

straight from Fred

ummer is traditionally the time when families take off on vacation, some with a family pet along for the journey. We thought it was important to check in with an expert for tips on traveling with a family pet, and fortunately Kansas has a resident expert—Fred the Preparedness Dog. In his official capacity, Fred regularly travels across the state with his associate, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s deputy director of preparedness, Mike McNulty. Here is Fred’s advice (dictated to and transcribed by McNulty).

KANSAS! MAGAZINE

KANSAS: What are some of the most important things to remember when traveling with a pet? Fred: First of all, wherever you plan to travel, you need to make sure your pet will be accepted. Hotel pet policies vary; some hotels have size limitations; others charge a pet fee. If we stay at a hotel, Mike usually asks for a first-floor room so I don’t have to take the elevator or stairs. But wherever we stay, we always abide by their policies. KANSAS: What kind of things should people take along for their pets? Fred: Definitely make sure to take plenty of water and something their dog can drink from. Also make sure to take enough food along for your dog in case stores along the way don’t have the type your pet is used to. Since we travel so much, I have my own bucket in our vehicle, but Mike has to stop often and check my water. I also carry a folding dish with me.

SUMMER 2018

Interview by Carolyn Kaberline Photo by Bill Stephens

KANSAS: Water and food—essentials. Anything else? Fred: Be sure to take some toys along if it’s a long trip. Try to find some quiet ones your dog likes so you don’t have to listen to squeaky noises for hours at a time. Luckily, I love to chew on tennis balls, so Mike always makes sure I have some of those along.

KANSAS: So you wear a bright purple collar with an identification tag. Are there any other travel documents you need? Fred: I have a microchip too. Every dog–especially those traveling—needs to have identification tags on their collars and should be microchipped. I hate to think of getting lost, but I know if I do, these will help me get back to Mike. KANSAS: We know you are used to traveling, but do you have suggestions for owners whose dogs don’t travel much? Fred: Yes. Make sure they are used to the car— even let them get into it just while it’s sitting in the driveway or go for some short trips. I love to travel and don’t have any problems, but some dogs get carsick. If yours is one of them, check with your veterinarian for some medicine for motion sickness. But do this in advance. KANSAS: What are some other safety essentials? Of course, everyone knows not to leave a dog or a child in a hot car, but we hear of this happening every year. Fred: Unfortunately, we do. Children and dogs should never be left in a hot car—or a cold one either. Hypothermia can be just as big of a problem. Also, be sure to take lots of rest breaks; they are good for you as well as for your dog. Be sure your dog is up to date on shots. And it’s a good idea to take a medical record with you. There are also several apps, even one from the Red Cross, that offer first aid tips for your pet. You might want to put your dog in a carrier or possibly one of the restraints made for dogs so your dog doesn’t hinder your driving. Always be mindful of safety, but enjoy your trip and have fun!

A sas n

a k A guide to seeing wild animals across the state

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Kansas zoos offer a chance to visit our primate cousins in their natural surroundings STORY BY AMBER FRALEY

umans share a special bond with primates. We are part of the family of great apes, which also includes orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees and bonobos, and share most of our DNA in common. We’re a little farther removed from our cousins the monkeys and lemurs, but still close. If you haven’t visited your distant relatives in a while, it’s definitely time to check out these stellar Kansas facilities and some of their residents.

JUNE 2

SAFARI BREAKFAST AT ROLLING HILLS ZOO

ROLLING HILLS ZOO SALINA

Ape Roster Lowland gorillas, Sumatran orangutans and chimpanzees

Ape Roster Chimpanzees and Sumatran orangutans “Millie, our only female chimpanzee, is our diva artist who chooses her own paint colors, brushes and what she wants to paint on,” says marketing director Linda Henderson.“She also runs the show over our male chimpanzees.”

Monkey Roster Colobus monkeys and squirrel monkeys Prosimian Roster Ring-tailed lemurs Star Primate Mulia, the baby orangutan The zoo welcomed its newest orangutan, baby Mulia, on January 18, 2018.“She’s the most photographed animal in the zoo right now,” says Jennica King, marketing manager for the Sedgwick County Zoo. Mulia is cared for by her mother, Tao. On the other end of the age spectrum is 48-year-old Audra the chimpanzee, the oldest mammal in the zoo. Unusual feature The Ape Watchers The Ape Watchers are a volunteer group of people who regularly watch the apes in the zoo and report any concerns to the keepers. This can be a challenge as the apes are often in natural surroundings. The chimpanzee habitat, added in 1996, allows zoo visitors to watch natural behaviors in a multi-level viewing structure consisting of outdoor and indoor areas. There, the orangutans and chimpanzees live separately from each other, and neither group adheres to family units. The gorillas reside in the Downing Gorilla Forest.“It’s not just a zoo path,” emphasizes King.“It’s as if visitors are immersed in an African jungle setting, with 180-degree views of the gorillas’ indoor and outdoor habitats. There are two family groups that reside in the gorilla forest. One consists of a male, three adult females and two babies. Then there’s a bachelor group consisting of three young males, two of whom are brothers.” Primates will be highlighted during this tram-ride and breakfast buffet event that repeats each summer month, but with different animals highlighted.

Monkey Roster Brown-tufted capuchins, mandrills and cotton-top tamarins Prosimian Roster Ring-tailed lemurs Star Primate Millie, the chimpanzee Unusual feature In addition to hosting Millie, Salina boasts the state’s only regular painting monkey, Frank, a mandrill whose finger-painting is very distinctive.

TOPEKA ZOO AND CONSERVATION CENTER Ape Roster Bornean orangutans Monkey Roster Lion tamarins Prosimian Roster Black-and-white ruffed lemurs Star Primate Lena the kissy-face orangutan “Visitors love Lena. She makes kissy faces at them, claps at them, and sits by the window and watches the people,” says Simpson. Unusual feature Close encounters “Our zoo is a medium-sized zoo that is very easy for people of all ages to walk around. Our guests can get close to the animals and feel immersed in their habitats,” says Simpson.The black-and-white ruffed lemurs can be found in the Animals and Man building, and the tamarins live in the Tropical Rainforest building.The orangutans live in the Disappearing Apes habitat of the zoo. It first opened in 1981, and improvements over the years mean that visitors may view the orangutans at tree-top level, as well as from a walk-through exhibit tunnel. A seasonal outdoor habitat was added in 2003.

event in which guests can learn more about apes in JUNE 8-9 Athetwo-day wild and what humans can do to protect their environment.

APE AWARENESS The biggest threats to orangutans are palm oil plantations, and palm oil is an ingredient used in everything from food items AT SEDGWICK to health and beauty products. The zoo’s monkeys also lend a COUNTY ZOO hand, donating painted canvases and other items for sale.

PHOTOGRAPHS (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) Courtesy Sedgwick County Zoo, Shutterstock, Courtesy Rolling Hills Zoo, Dave Leiker (2)

Primate Family Reunion

SEDGWICK COUNTY ZOO WICHITA

“Many of our zoo guests and community members visited Susie when they were children and now bring their children to see her as well.” –RACHEL HERROD

TANGANYIKA WILDLIFE PARK GODDARD Monkey Roster DeBrazza monkeys, spot-nosed guenons, colobus monkeys, mandrills and Javan lutungs Ape Roster Siamangs Prosimian Roster Various lemurs

LEE RICHARDSON ZOO

SUNSET ZOO MANHATTAN

GARDEN CITY Ape Roster Chimpanzees

GREAT BEND ZOO GREAT BEND Monkey Roster Grivet monkeys and spider monkeys Prosimian Roster Ring-tailed lemurs

Star Primate Susie, the 64-year-old chimpanzee “Susie is the oldest living chimpanzee in captivity in the United States,” says Rachel Herrod, the organization’s marketing and development officer. “Many of our zoo guests and community members visited Susie when they were children and now bring their children to see her as well.” Unusual feature: Gibbons exhibit The zoo opened the John Woodard Memorial Gibbons Exhibit in two phases, 2012 and 2014, revitalizing a historic limestone exhibit and guest-viewing plaza. Last year, the exhibit celebrated as gibbon couple Leslie and Dempsey gave birth to baby Tucker, all of whom still live at the zoo.

DAVID TRAYLOR ZOO EMPORIA Monkey Roster Cotton-top tamarins Prosimian Roster Black and white ruffed lemur, redcollared lemur and ringtailed lemur

TUESDAYS MAY-AUG

ORANGUTAN SNACKS AT TOPEKA ZOO

At 1:00 pm, the zoo’s orangutan keepers feed the orangutans and speak with the public about the apes’ lives, habits and habitats. The zoo also holds special events for World Orangutan Day on August 19.

SEPT 15

The works of chimpanzee artist ART GONE WILD Millie and mandrill artist Frank are AT ROLLING highlighted at this HILLS ZOO benefit auction.

KANSAS! MAGAZINE

Prosimian Roster Red ruffed lemurs

Monkey Roster White-handed gibbons, Bolivian reed titi monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys

55 SUMMER 2018

Monkey Roster Goeldi’s monkey, pygmy slow lori, siamang and spider monkey

Beyond the yellow brick road cameo, new generations of these three predators thrive in the care of dedicated Kansas facilities STORY BY FALLY AFANI

ll spring they have prepared for their debut—and now, this summer, two baby lion cubs are expected to greet visitors at the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita. The cubs are some of the most recent additions—but possibly not the latest by the time you read this article—to the family of crowd-favorite predators, the lions, tigers and bears of Kansas zoos. Caring for these animals requires expertise—but not because of their potential deadly force. Most of the special care for these animals (as for any animal in a zoo) is related to creating habitats that match their needs and protecting them from conditions that vary from their native habitat. Fortunately, the Wichita cubs, for example, have the unusual pedigree of a father who was born in and continues to live in the same facility and a mother who has been on the grounds for two years. In short, they have adult lions around them who are very familiar with their surroundings and can teach them to thrive in it. Some lessons, however, need to be reinforced through the keepers, explains zoo spokesperson Jennica King. For example, the Kansas spring weather was not too cold for the mother lion to spend overnight outside, but it would have been too cold for her cubs. On these chilly nights, keepers had to coax the mother to sleep inside; once they had the mother inside, the cubs would follow and thus be safe from the freezing temperatures. The North American bears and Siberian tigers tend to thrive in the Kansas winters

SEDGWICK ROLLING COUNTY HILLS ZOO ZOO

5555 W Zoo Blvd Wichita

625 N Hedville Rd Salina

WHO YOU’LL SEE • African lions • Amur tigers • Grizzly bear • Black bear

WHO YOU’LL SEE • African lion • Amur tigers • Andean bear • Sloth bear

TOPEKA ZOO 635 SW Zoo Pkwy Topeka

WHO YOU’LL SEE • Mountain lions • Sumatran tigers • Black bears

while also being able to handle Kansas summers. But even here, the nurturing role of zoo parents and keepers can make a difference. This is the hope for the baby Siberian tigers expected to be born at the Rolling Hills Zoo in Salina. Bob Jenkins, the zoo’s executive director, says the new tiger cubs wouldn’t inherit from their parents any genetic pass-along about zoo life, but they are greatly helped by having been born into the zoo environment, engaging with the keepers and a parent from birth. Jenkins notes that the parents’ impact is less extensive for tigers, who don’t spend many years in a family unit, but is more influential for lions since they grow up in prides and receive long-term nurturing and instruction from other lions. In both cases, the lion cubs and tiger cubs debuting this summer will become “culturally adapted,” to the zoo, a term Jenkins explains with a comparison to a human from a large city having an easier time adapting to another large city than to a rural environment. By being born into the zoo and learning zoo behaviors from their first day, the cubs will hopefully thrive and greet visitors for many years to come.

PHOTOGRAPHS (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) Courtesy Lee Richardson Zoo, Courtesy Great Bend CVB, KDWPT (2)

off to see lions, tigers and bears

LEE GREAT BEND SUNSET ZOO RICHARDSON ZOO 2333 Oak St., Manhattan ZOO WHO YOU’LL SEE

312 E Finnup Dr Garden City

2123 Main St. Great Bend

WHO YOU’LL SEE • African lions • Sloth bear

WHO YOU’LL SEE • African lions • Bengal tiger • Black bear • Grizzly bear

• Malayan Tiger

TANGANYIKA WILDLIFE PARK 1000 S Hawkins Ln., Goddard WHO YOU’LL SEE • White tigers

Birds of Prey Interact with eagles, owls and other raptors at the Eagle Valley Raptor Center STORY BY SARAH KELLY SHANNON

ne of south-central Kansas’ hidden outdoor gems is the Eagle Valley Raptor Center, located near Cheney in Sedgwick County. Owner Ken Lockwood has been caring for injured birds of prey since the 1990s, giving up his career with the U.S. Postal Service in 1999 to pursue working with animals full-time. “It’s either that or work with humans,” Lockwood says. ”I’d rather work with animals and birds.” He opened Eagle Valley in 2003 and has since rescued thousands of eagles, owls, hawks and vultures. Today the center boasts the largest collection of birds of prey in Kansas. Lockwood says he rehabilitates and releases about 150 birds back into the wild each year. At the beginning of 2018, Lockwood released a golden eagle back into its natural habitat near Tribune after it had flown into barbed wire and badly damaged its wings. The bird’s rehabilitation took six months. “I’m the only one in the state that has a big enough area for eagles to fly and exercise,” Lockwood says. “We set a date and Fish and Wildlife came and put a band on her, and then we released her. It’s pretty neat feeling when you do that.” Eleven birds have made their permanent homes at Eagle Valley. They’re deemed “unreleasable” because their injuries won’t allow them to hunt in the wild. Lockwood, with the help of his wife and Charlie Scheidler, a retired railroad conductor who’s been volunteering there for a decade, uses the unreleasable birds to educate people about raptors. “We teach all about the birds and we teach [visitors] about their importance for us—how they help us as humans,” Lockwood says. Owls hunt mice to control the spread of rabies, for example, and Lockwood calls turkey vultures “highway recyclers” because they clean up roadkill. “It would be devastating to the farmers’ crops if we didn’t have birds that keep the rodent population under control,” Lockwood says. A guided tour of the raptor center lasts about two hours and includes up-close encounters with birds the average person never encounters in the wild, such as a bald eagle or great horned owl. Eagle Valley Raptor Center gives tours by appointment, recommending a $5 donation per person for groups of eight or more. To schedule a tour, call the center at (316) 393-0710.

ison are part of our state’s proud history, and today visitors and residents alike can get an up-close encounter of their own. Here’s our list of a few spots to find a bison herd.

SANDSAGE BISON RANGE AND WILDLIFE AREA GARDEN CITY This wildlife area is divided into three large pastures that are home to more than 100 bison. In fact, these bison are the oldest publicly owned herd in Kansas. Call ahead to arrange a bison tour. naturalkansas.org/sandsage

PLUMLEE RANCH ALMA Bison on Plumlee’s 400 acres are raised from calves, making them calm and ready for photo ops. Reserve a spot on a four-wheel drive ranch tour, especially during spring when the calves are born. plumleeranch.com

TALLGRASS PRAIRIE NATIONAL PRESERVE STRONG CITY Get your bison fix at Windmill Pasture or West Traps Pasture. It’s possible to see bison from the bisecting hiking trails, but make sure you keep a safe distance. Free guided bus tours are available April through October. nps.gov/tapr

MAXWELL WILDLIFE REFUGE CANTON Home to one of the nation’s few surviving wild buffalo herds, the refuge offers covered wagon tours, horseback trails and an observation tower where you can spot up to 20 buffalo. maxwellwildliferefuge.com

where the buffalo roam Here are some of the best places in Kansas to spot these giant, majestic creatures. Who knows—you might even spot some deer and antelope at play. STORY BY MEGAN SAUNDERS

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