Back Roads to Maxwell

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I had my day all planned out, and none of what I had planned worked out.  It is a cool, breezy overcast day and the place I was wanting to go in the Flint Hills would be better photographed on a clear day.  Wylie and I loaded up and took the back roads over to Maxwell Wildlife Refuge near Canton, Kansas.  Here’s what we saw today.

 

Abandoned bridge outside of Assaria, KSDSC02853

I didn’t find any information on Hallville, KS.  There is one home currently occupied, I could find no other remains of any buildings.  It was along an abandoned train track.

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Olive Springs School was built in 1885 and was used as a school until 1947.  It is now an art gallery displaying the painting and prints of a local artist, Maleta Forsberg.

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Bridge near the entrance to Maxwell Wildlife Refuge

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Maxwell Wildlife Refuge is home to 200 head of bison and 50 elk.  They roam free on the 2800 acre natural prairie.

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Just west of the Refuge is McPherson State fishing lake, where we saw this lone eagle.

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Exploring just West of Home

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It was so beautiful that I just had to get out!  Just a few minutes from home there is this old sandstone homestead.  It sits in a great location, out in the middle of a pasture with sandstone bluffs to the south.  What a beautiful place to live and raise a family.  DSC02835

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Wide open spaces

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You never know who is watching you!

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Sandstone formation

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The barn is the only thing left of this homestead.  Built in 1910

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Old barn with a rock fence

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Another abandoned homestead, they have cleared the trees from around this home.  Maybe someone will fix it up.

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Dirty Grey Horse

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We’ve been having a lot of rain, thankfully the temperatures have been staying above freezing and it is a much welcome December rain.  Our neighbor has some beautiful grey horses and I was so surprised to look out this morning the see such a dirty grey horse.DSC02734

I looked out a little while later after the rain, and there was the beautiful CLEAN grey horse.

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Ok, Mr. Monte you got me on this one.  You put a sorrel in with the greys!!

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Elk Falls, KS

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Elk Falls, is located in Elk County, KS.  It is named after the falls that are located near the town on the Elk River.  Elk Falls claims to be the World’s Largest Living Ghost Town with a population of approximately 100,  and also the Outhouse Capital of the World.

I love this sign that directs you to the falls.

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There is a well travel path that takes you from the bridge down to the river.

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This outhouse says it all!  Friday and Saturday before Thanksgiving they give outhouse tours.

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Buffalo National River, Arkansas

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In 1972 the Buffalo River was declared a National River, one of the few remaining free-flowing, undammed river in the lower 48 states.  It originates at the highest part of the Boston Mountains of the Ozarks and flows 135 miles before joining the White River.  The National River is popular for camping, float trips, and fishing.  There are over 100 miles of hiking trails.  The best way to see the river are by the trails or a float trip.  I’m looking forward to a return trip to explore the river!

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Parker-Hickman Farmstead

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This looks like a trail tree!!

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Rocky Mountain Elk were introduced to the region a few years ago.  The herd now numbers around 800.

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Swan

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Thanksgiving Ice Storm

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I had forecasted 90 days ago that there would be snow for Thanksgiving.    It is an old wives tale or something that I read in the Farmer’s Almanac that when you have your first fog you will have your first snow in 90 days (it didn’t say anything about an ice storm!).  That foggy morning, I grabbed the calendar and counted ahead 90 days.  Great, it was Thanksgiving Day.  The day that my loving family would be here for dinner.  Thankfully Thanksgiving Day was the best travel day of the Holiday.  We stayed home for most of the holiday weekend, eating leftovers, playing games, and enjoying being together.  Chris, Courtney, Caden and Camryn are now home safe and sound, our home is quiet, Wylie is resting….. I think I will join him!

We missed the ones who weren’t able to be here with us, I love you my family!!

 

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Pumpkin Pup Pies

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It’s been a busy day at Farmer Days today.  I’ve been doing some baking getting ready for Thanksgiving and Wylie and I have been walking and spending time outside as there is a change in the weather coming.   I found this recipe on the internet for a pumpkin pie for dogs (not that we have told Wylie that he’s one!) and decided that he needed something special for Thanksgiving.  I call them:

Pumpkin Pup Pies

3/4 cup flour (or gluten free flour)

1/2 cup oatmeal

1/4 – 1/2 cup water

16 oz canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling)

1/2 banana

2 T plain yogurt

Mix oatmeal and flour ( I used 3/4 cup of oatmeal that I ground).  Add water slowly and mix, too much will make it sticky and not enough will crumble.

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Roll the dough out and press into cupcake liner.

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Bake 375 for 8 minutes or until firm and lightly browned.  Cool and remove crust from liners.

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Mix pumpkin, banana and yogurt.

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Fill the crust with pumpkin mixture.

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Freeze until firm.  Wylie skipped the freezing and went straight to eating them!!!  Top with some yogurt to serve (will look like whipped cream).

Wylie Approved

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