Ready to go!
Marcia and I did a grocery store run and then followed them along the way.
The first part of the ride went through the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge which is located in south-central Kansas within the transitional zone of the Great Plains. The refuge has over 22,000 acres of wetlands and prairies. There are different plant types and the Big and Little Salt Marshes which attract over 300 species of birds. During the fall the area is supposed to attract up to 800,000 ducks and Canada geese as they migrate to the Gulf Coast and Mexico!
Marcia and I stopped at one of the hiking areas and walked about a little more than a mile. We saw a few birds, but nothing we could readily identify. When we reached an open field, we turned around and headed back.
A few miles down the road we met up with the fellas at one of the overlook areas.
They had some interesting signage about the history of the area, as well as the plant and animal life in the area. We also noted how windy it was by watching the clouds as they were flying by!
They had some interesting signage about the history of the area, as well as the plant and animal life in the area. We also noted how windy it was by watching the clouds as they were flying by!
Tobey saw this painting on one a farm house as they were going by. Pretty fun.
We stopped at Highway 281 where the route turns north into Great Bend to have lunch and a rest break. It was turning hot, but the wind was still gusting and rocking the guys and the RV. The headwind made it slow going for them, and we waited almost two hours before following them on the last 15 miles of their ride today. Phil ended up loading his bike about 6 miles outside of town but Tobey trudged on.
Just on the south side of Great Bend, Tobey spotted The Barton County Historical Village and told me to meet him there. He rested while I toured the museum. It has a very impressive “village” set up with several buildings on site to tour.
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church from near Albert, Kansas were moved to the site. It was built in 1898, but it wasn’t open today to tour. There is a school house that was from 1876 and post office from 1871 that was moved from Castleton, Kansas.
I especially liked the little Rock House, the Dodge Homestead which was built by the E.J. Dodge family in 1873. It was moved, stone by stone from its original site in 1976-77! They had eight children!
Inside the main museum building were several rooms filled with displays relating the history of the area. It is quite a treasure to see and a bargain at $5.00 admission!
After the museum, Tobey finished his ride into the First Congregational Church where we are spending the night. Tobey rode 50 brutal miles today. After a short rest, we needed gas so Tobey and I took a little tour of the downtown area of Great Bend and stopped at the courthouse where they have a “quilt walk.” It wasn’t exactly what I expected, but it was interesting. The “quilts” are patterns in the concrete on the sidewalk surrounding the courthouse.
The first one is the “Kansas Star” pattern and the second one is “Kansas Troubles.” There are seven designs all together.
I did like the bike rider ironwork I saw on the walk.
I visited with Pastor Mike when we got back before we settled in for the night. The weather is definitely changing – after the last few days of extreme heat, a cold front is settling in and we have changed into jeans and sweatshirts! The forecast is for rain starting tonight and tomorrow’s forecast is a high of 59.
We stopped at Highway 281 where the route turns north into Great Bend to have lunch and a rest break. It was turning hot, but the wind was still gusting and rocking the guys and the RV. The headwind made it slow going for them, and we waited almost two hours before following them on the last 15 miles of their ride today. Phil ended up loading his bike about 6 miles outside of town but Tobey trudged on.
Just on the south side of Great Bend, Tobey spotted The Barton County Historical Village and told me to meet him there. He rested while I toured the museum. It has a very impressive “village” set up with several buildings on site to tour.
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church from near Albert, Kansas were moved to the site. It was built in 1898, but it wasn’t open today to tour. There is a school house that was from 1876 and post office from 1871 that was moved from Castleton, Kansas.
I especially liked the little Rock House, the Dodge Homestead which was built by the E.J. Dodge family in 1873. It was moved, stone by stone from its original site in 1976-77! They had eight children!
Inside the main museum building were several rooms filled with displays relating the history of the area. It is quite a treasure to see and a bargain at $5.00 admission!
After the museum, Tobey finished his ride into the First Congregational Church where we are spending the night. Tobey rode 50 brutal miles today. After a short rest, we needed gas so Tobey and I took a little tour of the downtown area of Great Bend and stopped at the courthouse where they have a “quilt walk.” It wasn’t exactly what I expected, but it was interesting. The “quilts” are patterns in the concrete on the sidewalk surrounding the courthouse.
The first one is the “Kansas Star” pattern and the second one is “Kansas Troubles.” There are seven designs all together.
I did like the bike rider ironwork I saw on the walk.
I visited with Pastor Mike when we got back before we settled in for the night. The weather is definitely changing – after the last few days of extreme heat, a cold front is settling in and we have changed into jeans and sweatshirts! The forecast is for rain starting tonight and tomorrow’s forecast is a high of 59.
1 comment:
That wind can be horrible. Love the carpenter shop, thanks for the pictures.
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