Kansas (#34) - Nothing Lasts Forever but the Earth and Sky

A couple of weeks ago during a discussion about my obsession to see all 50 states and DC before I turn 50, a colleague asked me if there was a state I would prefer not to return. I thought for a minute and told him Kansas. I have driven the long way across Kansas more than a time or two...it is a big long and boring state when you just drive across its width. I really didn't think there was much to see. Then last week I drove it south to north on my way to visit my 48th state. That short conversation sparked me to find a few places to stop with the help of several websites including one called 8 Wonders of Kansas. And when I visited this time...I stopped...and was pleasantly surprised.

Lindsborg, Kansas - Little Sweden
Located north of Wichita in central Kansas is the little hamlet of Lindsborg. A metal through truss bridge beacons Valkommen and hints of the history that is found on the other side.

I immediately turned left to find a nineteenth century mill and heritage village with the old train depot, and the 1904 World's Fair Swedish Pavilion. After a quick visit I headed to the downtown area to find any Swedish bakery I could find! Instead I found what appeared to be a tour for young people walking around the old town with its Swedish twist buildings. I stopped a small group who informed me they were participants of a history tour involving education college students from Bethany College and local 8th graders. I tagged along and stopped at BlacksmithCoffee a gourmet coffee bean roaster where we were treated to the buildings local history. Afterward I bought a bag of delicious espresso beans and headed northwest to my next destination.

Post Rock Scenic Byway
When researching for the trip I found a great Kansas Scenic Byway website. Included in the many byways was this short 18 mile byway located almost dead center within the 100 Amazing Miles along I-70. Post Rock Scenic Byway starts in the town of Wilson and proceeds north to Lucas. Czech emigrants who settled this area long ago left their indelible stamp on the landscape using special locally quarried limestone for their buildings and fenceposts. The byway includes six miles along Wilson Lake with lakeside camping at the US Army Corps of Engineers Sylvan and Lucas Parks on the north side of the lake.

Lucas
The byways northern terminus is Lucas; the self professed Grassroots Arts Center of Kansas. You can visit the Arts Center in the center of downtown with it outdoor courtyard. Lucas is also the home of an unusual folk art house named the Garden of Eden and (if it isn't - it should be famous) Brant's Meat Market.

Listed on the National Register, Garden of Eden folk house was "built" by a civil war veteran who added bizarre concrete scenes to the exterior of his postrock limestone home.

Do not pass up eating some of the best Czech bologna you will ever encounter at Brant's Meat Market two blocks north of the Grassroots Art Center. Mr Brant is the third generation to make this his family's ring bologna recipe that is more reminiscent of sausage than the ring bolgona I shared with my dad as a kid. He told me that they haven't changed the recipe in more than 70 years...I say "Why ruin perfection!" I ordered a 1/4 pound and a chuck of sharp smoky cheddar cheese to eat with my crackers and apple for the perfect lunch. Just before I left town, I went back and got a 1/2 pound more for another day or two. DELICIOUS!