We are not in Kansas anymore but ....

…we saw lots of interesting things there.  People who drive thru Kansas and complain how flat it is did not see the Kansas we did.  After a couple days in the center part of the state we drove to Abilene and saw President Eisenhower's boyhood home and library.  It was nicely done but the library did not have the audio visuals you’ve come to expect in newer museums.  It was impressive though to see the humble beginnings that Ike had to over come.
Arrived in Topeka to be taken under the wing of Gayle and Alice Vernon (how my brother had the good sense to marry into this family is still one of life’s mysteries).  The Vernon’s set up a private tour of the state Capitol building which had been recently renovated and was really a showplace.  We got a good dose of Kansas history which was interesting as Kansas was in the center of civil war politics and the Indian wars.  We then drove to the Tall Grass Prairie Preserve, one of the few pieces of prairie lands left.  Saw lots of birds that were unusual for us, but no prairie chickens or buffalo.  Lunch in a small Kansas town (Cottonwood Falls) where the hamburgers are all ½ pound and delicious.   We then took a scenic drive (dirt road) through some ranch country.  A full day for sure, Carole and I were done in but the Vernons did not even break a sweat!  Dinner with Susan and Steve and Gayle and Alice, tours of the camper for everyone and then packing up as we head to St. Louis!