We traveled over 400 miles yesterday from Colorado to the state of Kansas. Our first night was spent in St. Mary's, a charming town. We stayed in Topeka our second night, and tomorrow we will stay in Fort Scott, Kansas. From thunderstorms to historic museums, the state capital building, and the Fort, there was not enough time to see all that we wanted. Here are a few of the highlights.
Monroe Elementary School was one of 4 segregated schools in Topeka until Brown vs. Board of Education. This historic school has been converted to a National Historic Site.
This is a 2nd grade class at Monroe Elementary before Brown vs. Board declared segregated schools separate but not equal.
St. Mary's Kansas
The white blur at the bottom is the tip of a lightening bolt.
We were welcomed to Kansas by a spectacular thunder and lightening storm that began just as we pulled into our campground. It started with a dust/wind storm, then soaking rain, and then the show began. The sky looked like a twinkling Christmas tree with flashes of lightning everywhere we looked. The storm went on for about 2 hours with thunder so fierce it shook the trailer. We did not get much sleep! Kansas along with much of the midwest and east coast, is also experiencing the hottest temperatures in its history. It was 104 degrees today!
We stayed just outside of St. Mary's on our first night.
Please click to enlarge if you would like to read about the history of this town.
What a fun trip. I remember traveling through Kansas and seeing very old deserted homes and wondering about the families who lived there and where the ended up living after they abandoned their homes. My Dad and Granddad would even take us on walks around old properties. My Grandad was a plumber, so whenever I see a windmill I think of him. I even went with him once to drill a well for a windmill. Pretty cool when you are 10 years old to see this! Oh, I looked it up, Mahaska, KS is only 2 hrs and 46 minutes from Topeka. I have heard many stories of trips to the bigger cities by my Dad. Have a fun trip!! Wish we were there to enjoy the sights with you!!!
Reply
Julie
7/3/2012 10:07:42 am
You did it! You are now an official blogger.
Kansas is full of windmills but probably not the same kind you saw as a child. These are giant, white, futuristic looking contraptions. I didn't know what they were until a few years ago when I saw some on another trip.
Terry's mom also was born in Kansas, in Salina. What a coincidence. We didn't travel as far North as Mahaska, but have driven through many Kansas towns. My favorite was St. Mary's. I love the smaller towns and would have liked to stay there a while longer.....
I have sent something special for Mitchell to let him know I am thinking of him and his big day coming up. It will arrive by UPS, by the 9th (I hope).
Thanks for your comment. I hope to post a blog update every other day or so.
Julie
Reply
Lynda Teutsch
7/13/2012 11:02:34 am
Julie, What a fabulous trip. Your pictures and notations are wonderful!! I had no idea that dragoon soldiers even existed!! How cool. You are such a great teacher you are even doing it while on vacation!!! I have heard my Dad mention Salina on a number of times!!! Kansas seems big, but with so many small towns everybody seems to at least know of every other small town!! 4th of July in Branson!!!! We spent ours up the river with Mitchell's Grandad and Gram. Our dog is so much happier away from all of the noise. I sent you an email detailing Mitchell's surgery, but he is doing great!!!! He is so back to normal that we went on a bike ride today. Continue with the fun posts and the fabulous trip. I will continue to be in touch!!