August 2024
The day I stopped the museum and other buildings were closed but I was able to walk around the cemetery. There is a lot of history there. A couple of the buildings I was able to look inside and this appears to be an interesting stop. Hopefully, I’ll be able to stop again and the buildings will be open.
You can see a few of my photos on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571357578836&sk
White Tail and Old Kate Loop
August 3, 2024
This is a very popular trail so I arrived early at sunrise and was able to cover almost all of the trail without seeing many people. It is rated an easy trail and I would agree. There are parts of the White Tail trail that will be hills and rocks but it is easily transversed.
Upon arriving, there is a flower bed, picnic tables, and an old jail to see. There are restrooms somewhere but I didn’t find them. I traveled the trail by going to the left or counter clockwise. Shortly into the hike, you will come to the waterfall. When I was there, it did have a little water flowing. You are able to walk up and around to the top and come down on the opposite side. It can be a little steep and rocky doing this. Along the trail, there are benches to sit and enjoy the scenery, animals, or peace and quiet. There aren’t many signs to help guide along the path but you should be able to figure out which way to go.
I did see some racoons and was able to get pretty close to a family of deer. A buck, doe, and two fawns. There is also the Blue Bird Trail that is another easy path to follow. It will intersect with the Old Kate Loop.
All in all and very nice easy trail to enjoy.
You can see more of my photos from my visit on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571357578836
Mindenmines, Kansas
September 11, 2021
Today I participated in a guided hike to see the bison, or as most people call them buffalo, at Prairie State Park. The guide was very informative and the hike very short so when we reached the bison and the guide turned back to the visitor center, I and a few others continued on down the trail.
I did not get close to the bison as that can be very dangerous but I kept them in sight and continued on the path that went to the west and curved around and came up north of the visitor center. Eventually I came to a road which lead back to the parking lot.
This is mostly a grass trail and during the rainy season could be very wet and possibly be tick infested. I would rate the trails as easy.
Overall, it was a nice day to get outside and enjoy nature and see bison in the wild.
You can see more of my photos from the day on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571357578836&sk
January 31, 2025
Today, I visited my Kansas State Representative, Dale Helwig at the Kansas State Capitol Building. Dale was able to give me a personalized tour of the capitol building. It is a very beautiful building. I have driven passed the capitol several times but never gone inside. There is so much Kansas history throughout the entire building. I did do the guided tour to the dome and the group leader mentioned that recent renovations had uncovered more paintings that no one seems to have record of. The paintings may be from the 1800’s. That area is still under construction so I’m not sure what paintings were discovered.
There are so many murals painted on the walls throughout the capitol and I’m sure I did not see them all. There are also many artifacts or replicas throughout and so much history.
I was able to visit the House of Representatives where Dale spends some of his time. The podium is called the “well”. There are beautiful murals on the ceilings and the room overall is very dramatic and beautiful.
I was able to visit the old Supreme Court Room which was very impressive as well. This room had photos of past Justices on the walls. This room is now used for other functions as the Supreme Court now convenes in a different building.
The library has recently been renovated and was very majestic as well. The floors in the library were originally made from glass as this helped light to come through as lighting was limited.
I was able to complete the entire dome tour. The tour guide said there were 296 steps. This tour begins on the 5th floor of the building. At each level, you are able to stop and circle the dome. The final level going to the top and to the outside is almost straight up and the very top is a spiral. I’m not one for heights so this was a great accomplishment for me and I’m so very glad that I completed it. I was hanging on for dear life while climbing the stairs and when walking around outside the dome I was hugging the dome but the view was incredible! This is a free tour and if you have time, I would highly recommend it. (If it is very hot outside, the tour will not run as near the top, there is no air conditioning and the heat can be unbearable.)
It seems like some type of construction is always happening at the capitol and today was no exception. But I was able to walk around most of the block and see the various statues and memorials. In the sidewalk, there are Kansas shaped blocks that have different people’s names in them. Much like the Hollywood Stars.
If you have a couple of hours to spend, you can do a self-guided tour or there are also guided tours. The architecture is so very beautiful and impressive. Today is a Friday and the capitol was busy but not overwhelming like Monday through Thursday can be. I had a very enjoyable day.
There are more photographs of my visit on my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571357578836
