Looking Ahead to 2011...

Best wishes to all my Kansas Journeys 
readers for a happy, prosperous, 

and most of all - a blessed 2011!

In case you've wondered, my recent sabbatical* from Kansas Journeys postings does not signal an end to my sunflower state wanderings or an end to my series of blogs. I will be back in 2011. Whether it's better than ever remains to be seen, but there will be a multitude of places and events to visit, and plenty of things to write about. I'm hoping that trusty old Isuzu Rodeo will continue to serve me well o'er many a back road, but I have my doubts.

My readers outside of the KC Metro are mostly aware that in the new year, Kansas will celebrate its sesquicentennial (150 years of statehood), but east of Topeka, Lecompton, and Lawrence, there has been no publicity that I have seen or heard. None. Nada. Zilch.** Of course most of the local media is Missouri-based, but even they know the importance of their Kansas constituents' buying power. I suspect they would give coverage if informed. 

In my own grassroots efforts to spread the word, I've found that my acquaintances had been completely unaware of that fact, but each expressed interest and asked what kinds of celebrations are planned. I'm glad they asked. One of my major goals for this space in the new year will be to publicize some of the more interesting events and to report on those which I am able to participate.

Celebrations? The vast majority planned are of a local grassroots nature. Cities, counties, and organizations of all types will be staging events, some large, some small. There will be parades, rodeos, art exhibits, lectures, bean feeds, concerts, just about any kind of appropriate entertainment imaginable. The State of Kansas has made a decision, prudent to my way of thinking, to not sacrifice dwindling finances for a grand and glorious public celebration, but to devote what resources it has at its disposal to assist in the coordination and publicizing of local events.

Kansas Day is January 29. It's unfortunate Kansas was admitted to the Union in mid-winter rather than on a sunny day in June. However, surrounded by the turmoil and bloodshed leading up to the War of Rebellion (some call it the Civil War though it was quite uncivil), politicos of the day were not in a mood to consider how we might wish to celebrate our birthday and century and a half later. There will be a ceremony at the capitol building, and events at the State Museum of History. More on that in a later posting.

Don't hesitate to get in touch with me if you have any questions regarding Kansas travel, or if you have comments or suggestions regarding my Kansas Travel blog. My email address: kansasexplorer3128@gmail.com

I'm closing out the year by of showing the wonderful family with which I've been blessed

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*Sabbatical - Nancy and I spent five weeks exploring Italy in the fall, and since that time, I have been totally absorbed in editing the resulting four thousand photo images and compiling a photo memory book for publication. All the while we've been taking time out to play with our three beautiful granddaughters, two of whom were born this year.

** New Year's Day Update - This morning's KC Star ran a full-page feature of eleven things to look for to in '11. First is the opening of the Kauffman Performing Arts Center. Second is sesquicentennial year, Kansas' 150th anniversary and the same for the War of Rebellion (Civil War). Good - that is a start.

Link of Interest: http://ks150.kansas.gov

Scott State Park

From the archives -

I am reaching into my photo archives to bring you this Kansas Journey report. The recent heat and humidity stifled any desires I might have had to load up the Rodeo and hit the road. (And there is an upcoming "trip of a lifetime" to save money for, but that is another story, as they say.)

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Nancy and I traveled to Scott State Park in October, 2007, long before I began doing a Kansas Journeys blog. Although I have made only the one visit, Scott is still a favorite place, one I like to tell people about.

Scott State Park was a major surprise to me - one of the most pleasant surprises in my Kansas travels. Certainly I have been to places equally scenic, and to other beautiful places with rugged landscapes that unknowing masses would not associate with a state that is "flat as a pancake." But none of those have exceeded my expectations as did Scott State Park.

Oasis is a word commonly used to describe the setting of this state park, one that is quite fitting in my opinion. Located on the short grass prairies of western Kansas, its 100-acre springfed lake, wooded canyons and craggy bluffs provide a stark contrast to the surrounding landscape. Wildlife is found in abundance at this oasis: deer (whitetails and mule-deer), bobcats, wild turkey, foxes, and numerous types of reptiles.

The golden color of the cottonwood trees in these photos provides evidence that we were there in the autumn - October to be exact. It was lovely! The few campers and fishermen there at the time were enjoying the beautiful surroundings and the pleasant weather.

I think it would be interesting to view the lake and its shoreline by canoe, available at park, as are paddle boats, but wonder if I would dare take one of my high-end cameras in a canoe? Probably not.

This is a "full-service" park, with numerous camp sites (primitive or with facilities) and shower buildings, a playground and beach, nature trails for hikers or horseback riders, a horse camp, and a concession stand. The web site of the state parks (link below) indicates that Scott is one of the sites at which cabins are being built. [I certainly welcome the addition of cabins to our state parks, and hope to check out some of these cabins in the future.]

El Quartelejo (El Cuartelejo) Pueblo Ruins

Within the park grounds is one of Kansas' most significant archeological finds - the excavated foundations of an Indian pueblo dating to 1664, the northeasternmost such pueblo established. According to historians, Taos Indians fled Spanish rule and settled amongst the plains Indians at this site. Sometime prior to 1680, a Spanish military expedition returned the Taos to their original home, but in 1696 a band of Picuris pueblo Indians joined their plains Apache trading partners at El Quartelejo. Ten years later, the Picuris met the same fate as their Taos Indian predecessors. The Quartelejo Apaches abandoned the pueblo in the 1730s after a series of raids by  Pawnee, Ute, and Comanche warriors.

The story of the ruins' discovery in 1888 is interesting in itself. Herbert L. Steele, one of Scott County's earliest settlers discovered and was re-using the irrigation ditches from the pueblo, then began finding artifacts from the earlier habitation. One newspaper account tells of him seeing ground squirrels carrying parched corn from holes in the ground. Steele notified the Kansas Historical Society of his findings. The first archeological dig began in 1897 under the guidance of two paleontology professors from the University of Kansas. El Quartelejo (or Cuartelejo) was added to the Register of National Historic places in 1965.

By necessity, I have kept my narrative regarding this Kansas historic treasure brief. There is a great deal more interesting reading at the two El Quartelejo links listed below, including some fascinating Indian legends related to the area.

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Visiting the area: With the thought in mind that a large percentage of my readers are located in the northeast corner of Kansas, a long drive from Scott County, I would like to offer some suggestions.

• For those families who like to camp, fish, enjoy the water, this is an excellent destination unto itself. Note - small lake may not support boating other than those with trolling motors. Check it out.
• Scott State Park is very close to one of the state's most striking geological formations, one of the 8 Original Wonders of Kansas - Monument Rocks and Castle Rock. Both are located in Gove County
• There are a number of other sites in central and western Kansas that can be combined into a unique road trip. If you would like to plan such an outing and need help figuring out what there is to see and do, send me a note. I'll be glad to offer suggestions and/or help you find resources.
• Those who make frequent trips to the mountains might find it worthwhile to spend a day at these and other Kansas sites of interest. Many are not far from I-70.

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Helpful Links:

• Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks - Scott State Park Page:  http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Locations/Scott

• 8 Wonders of Kansas - Scott State Park Page: www.kansassampler.org/8wonders/8wondersofkansas-view.php?id=32

• Scott City (closest town for lodging and dining plus a Quartelejo museum): www.scottcitycofc.com/travel

• History of El Quartelejo: www.keystonegallery.com/area/history/el_cuartelejo

• El Cuartelejo, finalist for the 8 Wonders of Kansas History: www.kansassampler.org/8wonders/historyresults.php?id=297 

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Barring unexpected developments, this will be my last Kansas Journeys blog posting until much later in the year. Nancy and I will be taking an extended trip to Italy this fall. I have set up a blogspot site in which I hope to keep our friends up-to-date on our whereabouts. It is our goal to post a photo or two, plus a very brief report daily, or as often as possible. Follow us at:

http://franknancyitaly.blogspot.com/