Tag Archives: Pastures

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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Lark Inn at Cottonwood Falls, KS

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Donna (my sister-in-law) and I had a project to do and we decided to meet in Cottonwood Falls, KS.  We were able to complete our task in this wonderful home that was located 2 houses away from the historic courthouse.  Kris and Pat Larkin who operate the Lark Inn have numerous homes around Cottonwood Falls and Strong City.  Wylie and my two nights stay at the Lark Inn on Elm was so enjoyable and we loved having Donna with us for the day.

Be sure to visit the Lark Inn website and pick your favorite home and book it.  You will enjoy the time spent in the beautiful Flint Hills, Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, shopping and dining in Cottonwood Falls and of course your stay at the Lark Inn, where they make you feel so welcome.  I plan on going again!!

http://www.thelarkinn.com/

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Historic Cottonwood Falls Courthouse

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Tallgrass prairie once covered 170 million acres of North America, today only 4% remains, mostly here in the Flint Hills of Kansas.

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Close to Home

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One of my favorite “close to home” adventures is just south of Salina, KS.

Classes were in session at the Smolan High School from 1926 – 1950.  The last graduating class had 3 students.  Elementary and junior high classes were held there until the closing of the school in 1987.  In 1996 the school was occupied by the Hickory Tree BBQ Restaurant.  It’s no longer open, I miss that place!

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Salemsborg Lutheran Church.  Built in 1929.

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Certainly didn’t plan on the serpent!

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The stone pulpit stand on the site of the original sod church

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Coronado Heights overlooking the Smoky River valley

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Carlton, KS and the hills South

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This is the kind of road that I like to explore, off the beaten path.

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Prairie Flowers

I just found an app for the iphone and will hopefully be able to identify wildflowers, Wildflowers of the Great Plains.

 

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Owl on the chimney

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Old chicken coop

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Exploring Kansas

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Kansas is such a beautiful and diversified state.  From the prairies and farmland to rolling hills and wooded areas, there is such beauty in our natural surroundings.  Wylie and I are taking trips around Kansas, we will be exploring areas off the beaten paths.

 

 

A cold dreary February day spent at Milford Lake spotting eagles.  Total eagle count 48

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Clay County, KS

Geary County, KS

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Abilene, KS Depot

 

 

Dorrance, KS then South to Dubuque, KS

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St. Catherine Catholic Church, Dubuque, KS