Hello, from Junction City, Kansas. Our 260 miles took us north of Kansas City (MO and KS), through Topeka and Acheson along US Routes 39, 59 an I-70. The rolling hills and steep mini-canyons are striking landscapes as we rode beyond the Missouri River into the Prairie.
Here’s a fun fact: many secondary highways have the route number with a sunflower. 🌻
It’s easy to imagine that these grasslands have been home to people for thousands of years. The Konza Prairie Biological Station is a preserve owned by the Nature Conservancy and Kansas State University that covers 8500 acres of tall grassland. The station, established in 1971, is named for the Kaw or Kanza people who inhabited this land for centuries before being forcibly removed between 1846 and 1872. The station also tries to honor the legacy of their culture, while doing ecological research, teaching and Prarie’s conservation as our climate changes.
We rolled into town just before some bad weather swept in. It’s amazing how dramatic storm clouds look with “big sky” as a backdrop. Junction City is home to a large Army base, Fort Riley, which swells the local population of about 23,000. A number of soldiers are currently housed in our hotel for an extended stay.
There’s not a lot more to say about our day. Supper comes from whatever grocery store is nearby, and usually features a salad, some kind of protein, and maybe a sweet treat. The glutes are holding up with stretching, exercise and generous doses of ibuprofen and Aleve.
We are grateful for your interest, and the comments are very welcome. Please keep them coming. ☺️
And a shower sounds about right.
Have a good night!
Wandering Retirees 