Central States Trails

WINTERSET IOWA

WINTERSET - As the autumn leaves begin to paint the landscape with hues of red, orange, and gold, it’s the perfect time to embark on a weekend getaway to explore the six covered bridges in Madison County. A two-day festival slated for Oct. 14-15 features oldtime craft demonstrations, over 140 food and arts & craft vendors, live music and entertainment, family-friendly activities, an antique car show, a parade and much more! With a modest admission fee of $3 per person or two for $5, and free entry for those aged 11 and under, this festival promises an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.

The Madison County Covered Bridge Festival has become a hallmark of the fall season, drawing visitors from far and wide to immerse themselves in the nostalgia of a bygone era. The festival proudly showcases the county’s cherished covered bridges, each a testament to the architectural marvels of the past.

The Winterset Rotary Club hosts bus tours of the covered bridges on Saturday from 10am to 3pm and Sunday from 10am to Noon. The price is $15 per person, and the tour is approximately two hours long. With a knowledgeable step-on guide full of covered bridge history and lore, you’ll visit Roseman, Hogback, and Cutler-Donahoe bridges, in addition to the North River Schoolhouse. tours depart from 1st Ave. and Washington St.

For those seeking more than just a stroll through history, the Madison County Covered Bridge Festival offers a variety of engaging activities. Car enthusiasts will delight in the car show. There will be a marketplace with several vendors, demonstrations and live entertainment.

A Kids Zone at the Covered Bridge Festival includes free face painting from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday. There will be local kids’ artwork on display, disc golf, axe throwing, and the Blank Park Zoo.

No trip to the festival is complete without a visit to the Madison County Historical Complex. Step into the past as you wander through restored buildings and learn about the lives of those who shaped the county’s history. From pioneer cabins to charming schoolhouses, the complex offers an immersive journey into the past.

For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit online at https://www.madisoncounty. com/covered-bridge-festival-2/

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Kansas, Gunsmoke Trail

The following cities had a role in Gunsmoke, the Emmy award-winning primetime Western that entertained audiences for 20 years. Reruns of the show continue to this day. Gunsmoke” is the longest-running western in television history,

DODGE CITY

The Dodge City Trail of Fame, Inc. is part of the Historic Dodge City Walking Tour. This portion of the trail is marked with sidewalk medallions and statuaries to commemorate the many famous and infamous denizens of historic Dodge City. Additionally, many medallions are dedicated to notable movie and television stars that have portrayed famous Dodge Citians.

HAYS

Discover where history walked the streets of old Hays City on the Bricks in Downtown Hays. Bronze plaques mark the route of this self-guided tour and tell the stories behind the sites of former saloons, general stores, and more. Start at 10th and Main Street.

The Historic Fort Hays Site was home to the 7th U.S. Cavalry commanded by Lt. Colonel George A. Custer. A visitors center and four of the original structures – the stone block house, guardhouse, and two officer’s quarters – are open for guided tours. Admission is free!

WICHITA

Fun fact: Gunsmoke writer Mary Kathlene Hite was born in Wichita, Kansas. She graduated from Wichita State University, majoring in journalism and history. Many think Kathlene Hite was the best writer Gunsmoke ever had. Wichita is featured in Season 9, Episode 23: After some horsing around, Festus breaks some of Quint’s equipment. To repair or get anew, they travel to Wichita and meet a saloon girl who tells them she needs to get away from town but her jealous boyfriend is now hot on their trail. The Old Cowtown Museum is an outdoor living history museum featuring more than 50 historic buildings from the late 1800s including a saloon, blacksmith shop, and sheriff’s office.

ABILENE

Featured in the very first episode of Season 4, Sheriff Wild Bill Hickok arrives from the cowtown to defend his friend, Marshal Dillon accused of killing an innocent man. Visit Old Abilene Town and dine at Hitching Post Restaurant.

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Michigan

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Minnesota

Treetop Trail at the Zoo

APPLE VALLEY/PRNewswire/ -- The Minnesota Zoo Treetop Trail, the world’s longest elevated pedestrian loop, is now officially open to the public. The 1.25-mile Treetop Trail takes guests to new heights – up to 32 feet above the ground - as they travel into the trees and gain new perspectives of many Zoo animals, including tigers, moose, bison, and camels. The Treetop Trail will be open yearround for guests to experience Minnesota’s four seasons.

In his opening remarks, Minnesota Zoo Director John Frawley proclaimed that the Treetop Trail is a gift for Minnesotans. “The Treetop Trail will provide an accessible and immersive pathway to nature for all ages, abilities, backgrounds, and communities.

“For the last 45 years, the Zoo has done a tremendous job connecting people and animals. The Treetop Trail allows us to reimagine the traditional zoo experience and further the connection between people and the natural world,” said Frawley.

The Treetop Trail gives guests year-round access to hundreds of acres of hardwood forest, ponds and marshes, and the diverse wildlife that calls Minnesota home. And, of course, a bird’s eye view for bird watchers. It adds more than 70,000 square feet to the Zoo and includes 22 bump-out overlooks to enhance the viewing experience while walking the trail.

The Zoo contracted with award-winning Snow Kreilich Architects; engineering firm Buro Happold (known for its work on the High Line in New York City); TEN x TEN Landscape Architecture and Urbanism; and construction partner, PCL. Together, they have been committed to minimizing disruptions to the Zoo’s animals and guests before, during, and after construction of the trail.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Online tickets are required. Adults are $21.95, ages 3-12 and 65+ are $15.95 To learn more about the Minnesota Zoo’s Treetop Trail, please visit mnzoo.org/treetoptrail.

For more information on Minnesota, see the next article in this issue by Tim Trudell.