Over the years, we have made many trips to the largest city in Kansas. While we usually focus on the downtown region, we recently took time to check out Wichita’s east side. This suburban region is filled with the residents who keep this city running, so we were anxious to sample some new finds. What …
Exploration Place is the perfect Wichita stop to act like kids again.
We find Christmas time to be a magical season. Everywhere we wander our views are filled with twinkling lights and brightly colored decorations. A day trip to Leavenworth, Kansas provided us with a special bonus. We missed the Carroll Mansion on our past visits, but fortunately this time we had time. They had recently finished …
100 years and 16 presidents ago, The Cozy Inn opened in Salina, Kansas. Bob Kinkel, the original owner, used his tiny space to whip up palm-sized bites of beef. He got the idea from White Castle, who had began operations one year earlier in Wichita. Churning out dozens of mini-burgers at a time, he would …
We are going to let you in on a little secret. There is gold in the Smoky Hills. It’s not be nuggets of the shiny substance that has been the reason for mass migrations. The precious treasure we are talking about is found in the local attractions found in a variety of towns and cities. …
Smoky Hill Museum – The Crossroads Of The Heartland Read More »
Who’s up for a little time traveling? A visit to Abilene, Kansas can take you back to the early 1900s just by touring the Seelye Mansion. This turn-of-the-century home has 25 rooms and more than a few fascinating features. One fact that surprised us was that the furnishings cost more than the home, which was …
Our trip to Abilene, Kansas would not be complete without a visit to the site that honors one of the most famous Kansans. The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Boyhood Home is a top destination for travelers from all over the country and the world. They come to Abilene to pay homage and learn more about the …
These days there are lots of restaurants vying for your attention. Wherever we roam, we have noticed that more eateries are finding unique ways to draw in a crowd. The Pennant, in downtown Topeka, has discovered a pleasing mix where food and fun collide. Our day of exploring was chugging along, but our need to …
American history is filled with events large and small, but some created a reverberation felt throughout the country. While the Civil War had legally brought an end to slavery, it did not prohibit the inequality of segregation. Black people were told they were free, but real life didn’t represent this change. Jim Crow laws had …
Leveling The Field – Brown Vs Board Of Education Read More »
Crossing through western Kansas, we can imagine herds of buffalo charging across the plains. Large numbers were roaming the territory when white settlers first arrived. The end of the Civil War brought expanded interest and development to Kansas. The “Border War” was fought on the eastern edge of the state, and seemed like a distant …
The more we explore the Midwest, the more we discover that it is filled with surprises. For instance, how often do you hear people say that Kansas is flat and devoid of any significant landscape features? To many, you must travel to the coast or the Rockies to find amazing sights. Reality shows that this …
The Kansas Badlands – Little Jerusalem State Park Read More »
Spending time with our grandkids has opened up opportunities to visit some fun destinations. Being able to share our love for zoos with them helps us build a stronger bond while learning more about the world we live in. A recent excursion had us going on safari to the Topeka Zoo for a morning filled …
How many of us remember that special friend we had when we were growing up? Wouldn’t it be great to have the opportunity to meet back up and join forces later in life? This is exactly what happened to a pair of kids who grew up in the middle of the Heartland. After going their …
It is fair to say that Evel Knievel is one of the most recognizable names in daredevil history. While there have been many before and after him, he set the bar for showmanship. With over 75 ramp-to-ramp jumps to his fame, he spent the bulk of his life creating the legend that many of us …
Picture a vast inland sea teeming with an abundance of prehistoric creatures. Along the edge of the water laid a vast swamp filled with an assortment of dinosaurs. Overhead, Pteranodons floated on the warm air currents, as they scanned the horizon for an easy meal. This is the scene that would have played out in …
It was an unexpectedly cold and wet day in the middle of Kansas. We arrived at Taco Shop for an early lunch with our new friend Janet Kuhn. Our visit to Hays was winding down to the last few hours, so this would be our last get together. It was fitting that our last meal …
The year is 1865 and the Civil War has just ended. While westward expansion had significantly slowed during the war, it did not take long for it to resume. As settlers pushed for new territories to be opened, it would spark a resurgence of the American Indian War. Out on the westerns front, in Kansas, …
It is no surprise that the pieces and parts of The Wizard of Oz have saturated our daily lives. Based on the children’s novel, written by L. Frank Baum, it has been declared as “America’s greatest and best-loved homegrown fairytale”. How many times have each of us uttered one of the familiar phrases that are …
We love finding cities that have recaptured the magic of their downtown corridor. For decades this nation has seen the urban flight, which has left the inner cores of our cities empty. With all of the existing infrastructure still in place, these areas are ripe for redevelopment, like what we found in Hays, Kansas. During …
When we visit a new destination, one of our goals is to learn about its unique past. Every city and town has its own stories to tell, it just requires finding the right storyteller. To learn about the early days of hays, we tapped into the knowledge of Katie Annett, from the Ellis County Historical …
The Early Days Of Hays – Ellis County Historical Museum Read More »
Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day, especially when traveling. It sets the tone for the entire day and provides the start needed to fuel a morning of exploration. While many newer restaurants are focusing on Instagram worthy plates, there is still much to be said for good old-fashioned breakfasts. On …
Family Friendly Feasting – Pheasant Run Pancake House Read More »
It may be hard to believe, but millions of years ago Kansas was part of a huge inland sea. Traveling across the western half of the state, it is not an ocean that comes to mind. It takes excursions off of the interstate to expose the true history of the region. We made a visit …
Like most college cities, the mascot can penetrate almost every aspect of life. As we rolled into Hays, Kansas, we expected to see the gratuitous display of Tiger memorabilia. After all, Fort Hays State University has used the tiger mascot since 1914. We always welcome this deep-seated local love and embrace the pride that each …
You have probably heard people refer to Kansas as “flat as a pancake”. To many along the coasts, our fly-over state is bereft of any tourism value. Fortunately, we know better. Scattered across our home state is a slew of unique oddities and interesting stories. The drive along I-70 opens up a lot of possibilities …
The Chalk Pyramids – Monument Rocks National Landmark Read More »
If you Google Marysville, Kansas you will find that it is listed as a city in Marshall County with about 3300 residents. While these statistics seem commonplace, they do little to tell the city’s story. To truly understand the dynamics of this historic town you have to experience it firsthand. Our short jaunt from Kansas …
Our style of travel can certainly make a body weary. Since many of our trips are designed to gather as much research as possible, we can find ourselves worn out by the end of each day. Fortunately, there is always a place nearby to lay our heads. In Marysville, Kansas we had planned an action-packed …
Feeling At Home In Marysville – Trailhead Suites Read More »
With a trail of dust in their wake, Pony Express riders sped across the prairie on their journey toward California. After leaving St. Joseph, they would find a fresh horse waiting for them about every ten miles. A quick stop allowed them to trade mounts and in a flash, they were back on the route. …
Imagine life 100 years after the United States had won its independence. The year is 1876 and things are changing rapidly in America. Alexander Graham Bell has just invented the telephone. Heinz Ketchup and Budweiser beer make their debut. Here in Kansas, Wyatt Earp is hired to work in Dodge City. The Pony Express had …
Koester House Museum – Capturing A Moment In Time Read More »
One of our favorite parts of exploring new destinations is sampling the local cuisine options. When we roll into a new city, we like to keep our eyes open to dining choices that are loved by the locals. Marysville, Kansas has plenty of those, but with just over 24 hours to explore, we realized we …
Exploring new destinations is always an eye-opening experience. One of our first stops is usually the local history museum. This helps us learn the background stories that are found in every community. That is how we landed at the Marshall County Museum in Marysville, Kansas. Pulling up in front of the 1891 courthouse had our …
Have you ever seen a black squirrel? When we started planning our visit to Marysville, we discovered that this Kansas town has an unexpected mascot. It seems that sometime in the past, black squirrels were introduced to this environment. Now they have proliferated throughout the community and have achieved somewhat of celebrity status. While our …
Too many travelers find Kansas to be just another “fly-over” state. To us, that term also refers to those that just cruise along I-70 on their way to some other place. What many of them do not realize is that by getting off of the interstate, they have an opportunity to enjoy a truly cultural …
Calling Kansas Explorers – Check Out Little Sweden USA Read More »
For many of us married folk, dinner and a show is the makings of a great date night. Even when we are on a blogging excursion, we try to make sure our activities are good options for other couples or families. When we planned out our Lindsborg visit, they surprised us with the addition of …
To this day, we are still amazed at how many fun stories we find in each new destination. A good example of this is Ol Stuga, in Lindsborg, Kansas. From the outside, it looks like just another bar and grill type place. Even the name, which is Swedish for Ale House, suggests that it is …
One of the best things about visiting a new destination is the chance to immerse yourself in the history of the community. Lindsborg, Kansas has an interesting history tied to the Swedish immigrants who arrived here in the spring of 1869. Even today, around thirty percent of the local population can tie their lineage back …
For our visit to Lindsborg, Kansas, we scheduled our arrival on a Friday evening. After driving for a couple of hours, we were really in the mood for dinner. Fortunately, there are plenty of good options located in “Little Sweden USA”. As we scoped out the lay of the land, we decided to start right …
First Tastes of Lindsborg – Farley’s Bar & Grill Read More »
Perhaps you have seen the little red horses and wondered where they come from. Many years ago, we traveled to Lindsborg, Kansas with our children. During this visit, we stopped at Hemslöjd to check out these fun looking figures. Fast forward to the present, and we once again found ourselves in this quaint Swedish city. …
We enjoy finding businesses that have re-purposed buildings but still retained a tie with the past. In Lindsborg, Kansas, we had an opportunity to enjoy a breakfast stop at Blacksmith Coffee. This homey city, referred to as “Little Sweden”, was founded in 1869. In the early days, it was the task of blacksmiths to keep …
One of the key goals of Our Changing Lives is to showcase places that are often overlooked as potential destinations. Some are sites that are hidden gems inside of major cities. Others, like Lucas, Kansas, are smaller towns that hold some unique sights that are less known. While many people have never heard of this …
Lucas, Kansas – Journey To Grassroots Art Central Read More »
We are pretty sure that most of you have heard of the Garden of Eden, but did you know there is one in Lucas, Kansas? When we first found out about this uniquely Kansas attraction, we knew a visit was in store. Samuel Dinsmoor, the creator of this site, built his masterpiece at an age …
“I have to go to the bathroom!” It’s amazing the amount of dread that these seven words can create in a parent. How many road trips are interrupted in a mad pursuit of an acceptably clean public restroom? In Lucas, Kansas, the influx of tourists wanting to view the “Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas” created …
Taking Bathroom Selfies To Another Level At Bowl Plaza Read More »
We are betting that many of you have heard of the TV show Rare Visions & Roadside Revelations, which airs on public television. The dynamic trio searches out unique sights across the nation, but in Lucas, Kansas we found a collection that was the subject of one of their stops. At The World’s Largest Collection of …
Our first knowledge of Lucas revolved around how artsy this Central Kansas town is known to be. With only this in mind, we began planning our visit. A “must see” we discovered is the Grassroots Art Center, which is located on Main Street. Opened in 1999, this unique attraction occupies the space of three historic …
Grassroots Art Center Draws The Folk To Folk Art Read More »
Most everyone enjoys a vacation, but only has the opportunity to take a handful at most per year. In between these longer trips, it is fun to have a few day trip options in your back pocket. We have lots of small to medium size towns and cities within a two to three hour drive …
Sweets, Treats, and Surprises In Chanute, Kansas Read More »
What would a day trip be without at least one meal away from home? While in Chanute, Kansas we planned our lunch break to coincide with being near Playmakers Sports Bar & Grill in the downtown area. Our schedule had kept us busy not just through the morning, but also the first half of the …
Filling Our Tanks At Playmakers Sports Bar & Grill Read More »
Throughout our lives we learn so many important historic names, but our guess is that most of you are unfamiliar with Octave Chanute. When we planned our visit to Chanute, Kansas it never occurred to us how the town had picked its name. A visit to the Chanute Historical Society Museum would help us better …
We both enjoy watching nature programs and seeing animals in their native environments. Like most people, the only time we see many of these creatures in real life is at a zoo. A visit to Chanute, Kansas opened our eyes to the Martin & Osa Johnson Safari Museum. It’s fun to consider the experience of an …
Untold Adventure Awaits At The Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum Read More »
If we had a dollar for every time we have heard people remark that there is nothing to see in the middle of the country, we would be rich. While we will usually rebuke their claim, there are times we almost want to keep all of these special places to ourselves. What many don’t realize …
When we first started the planning for our Dodge City visit, our heads were filled with pictures of gunfighters, cattle drives, and other Wild West scenes. Even though we live in the 21st Century, we were hopeful to have a chance to see some nostalgic recreations. The opportunity to time our visit during Dodge City …
A stop at a restaurant can just be an opportunity to refuel for more exploring, but there are those times when it turns into something special. Our visit to Casey’s Cowtown Club, in Dodge City, Kansas was one of those special occasions. From the outside it looks like a restaurant one might find along Route …
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