I recently read an article in the NY Times about how Americans travel to other states or other countries, learning about the history and landmarks of other places, and yet don’t even know their own local areas. The article encouraged the readers to get out and explore their own area before spending lots of money to go other places. That really made me think–I’ve known people who have lived in Kansas all their life and can tell you more about Yellowstone or the Eiffel Tower than they can about landmarks in their own state (Kansas has landmarks? You mean like the largest ball of twine?).
Kansas is more than just sunflowers and The Wizard of Oz. The state has been home to presidents, astronauts, entertainers, and industry pioneers. It contains the world’s largest tallgrass prairie, landscapes with badlands-like canyons, and wildlife areas that attract over 300 species of migrating bird from all over the country. Kansas has a rich pioneer history, with the Santa Fe, Chisholm, and Oregon Trails running through the state, where wagon ruts can still be seen today! Our state was also part of the Civil War and has scars to show for it; there are graves, memorials for battles, and several forts still standing that tell the history.
This year Ryan and I are on a quest to visit the entire state and share its landmarks, historic places, and people with you. We’re using the Kansas Official Visitors Guide as our guidebook and will go to every region in the state: eastern wooded hills, Flint Hills, central prairie, and the western high plains. We’ll blog about each visit in the hopes of encouraging more Kansans to go out and see what their state has to offer.
Our first stop: Wichita. I can’t wait for you to join us!
