Thursday, December 2, 2010
And They Call This Progress
I couldn't have explained this better myself. Check out Nathan's blog for a report on what's new in Medora.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Not In Kansas Anymore
Last weekend, Nathan, Alison, and I moved from Larned, KS to Medora, ND for the winter. I must admit I am a little relieved because the truth is, I didn't like Kansas.
Now, to be fair to the state, I'm sure the cities are very different from where we lived. I'd visited Hays, Salina, Hutchinson, Wichita, and Topeka. All of those looked like lovely places to live with things to do and a more neutral political scene. I, however, landed in rural South-Central Kansas, expecting my preconceived notions about the state (formed mostly through the media, I suspect) to be completely wrong and pictured myself happily blogging about what life is really like in Kansas. Instead, I found the stereotype to be scarily, dead-right. While I discovered that Kansas is not the place for me, that doesn't mean that the people there don't love it and aren't great people. They really are, I just discovered a lot about myself while there and have different feelings about how I want to live.
What I loved about Kansas:
Now, to be fair to the state, I'm sure the cities are very different from where we lived. I'd visited Hays, Salina, Hutchinson, Wichita, and Topeka. All of those looked like lovely places to live with things to do and a more neutral political scene. I, however, landed in rural South-Central Kansas, expecting my preconceived notions about the state (formed mostly through the media, I suspect) to be completely wrong and pictured myself happily blogging about what life is really like in Kansas. Instead, I found the stereotype to be scarily, dead-right. While I discovered that Kansas is not the place for me, that doesn't mean that the people there don't love it and aren't great people. They really are, I just discovered a lot about myself while there and have different feelings about how I want to live.
Larned Sidewalk Fail
What I loved about Kansas:
- The fall and spring weather! When we arrived in May, there were almost daily, spectacular thunderstorms. They were amazing and as long as my house stayed standing, I enjoyed them. The fall is the BEST time of year in Kansas. We had 70-degree weather right into November. Allie and I got to take walks everyday and I'm thankful we were able to do that so long.
- Living close to my Aunt, Uncle, and Cousins: the Lyttons. I've never lived in the same state as anyone I'm related to and being able to drive an hour to go watch my cousin cheerlead or visit my Aunt & Uncle in Salina was awesome! I will miss that.
- You can always find a parking spot and it's always free. I didn't have to stand in line at the DMV.
- There is a great sense of community and communities banding together can accomplish a lot. Just read about the community movie theater in Larned. That was quality.
- Food & Water Health: Dirty Food and Dirty Water. Call me a hippie, but I don't like to drink water laden with pesticides and I'd really like to support locally grown, organic food.
When you're in the middle of feedlot country, you don't find a lot of farmers trying to work sustainably or an infrastructure that supports sustainability. Sure, Great Bend had a Farmer's Market three times a week, but it was mainly people bringing excess food from their gardens, not farmers. Most of that wasn't grown organically, and only one vendor sold grass-fed beef and chicken. For that, you had to travel two hours to get your meat once or twice a year. Sure, Rochester and Madison have spoiled me, but I shouldn't have to drive hours to find healthy food for my family. No one should.
I was excited that we had the Pawnee Fork of the Arkansas River so close to us, but when I asked whether they have a lot of kayakers/canoers around, I was told, "Ew! Gross! I wouldn't go near that water." Because of all the farming, the river is loaded with pesticides and the local water supply for drinking is too. You are basically required to have a filter in your kitchen, otherwise you're asking for trouble. - It literally smells like sh*t. There was a feedlot on the other side of town and it's windy. Enough said.
- Housing: Kansas and I definitely got off to a bad start after a string of unfortunate events which you can read about here. The rental market is horrific in Larned and we actually got a deal renting a place from Nathan's co-worker. While I'm very thankful for them letting us live there, we were pretty much forced to move out before Allie became mobile because it would have been a small child death trap. Nathan had taken a look at a few other places in Great Bend and declared them worse. We've also had visitors from the local area who thought our place looked "great". That just goes to show you that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I for one would like to live in a place that could pass a housing inspection.
- No one has an up-to-date website. Calling to get information such as store hours is fine, but it's tough to figure out what's going on in town if it's not published anywhere and that brings me to my next point.
- If you're not related to anyone in town, you're deemed an outsider and it's pretty hard to become integrated or even to know what's going on.
- There are no indoor pools. I'm a swimmer and I would have liked to start Alison in swim lessons over the winter. That just isn't an option near Larned.
- Summer weather tops 100 degrees starting in May. I definitely prefer the Northern temps.
- Politics: I understand why most people are Republicans down there. They don't want to pay money to the government because they don't see a lot of help from the government except for great roads, schools, libraries, emergency facilities, flight for life, health department that offers most services like immunizations for free, parental education, subsidies for the local hospital, subsidies for the local humane society, subsidies for housing, subsidies for medicare, subsidies for local businesses, unemployment, FARM SUBSIDIES, jobs for government workers...wait...why are people so mad at the government? One of the reasons we couldn't find a place to live is that all of the apartment buildings that weren't for seniors in town were only for low income families (subsidized by the government). People don't want to pay the government, but yet most are getting some kind of regular check from the government. This happens in other places too, but those in Larned seemed to not realize that the very entity that helps them live a better life is the one they are trying so desperately to shrink.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Discrimination, Homesteading, & Goats in the Heartland
This weekend, we traveled to Lincoln and Omaha to introduce Alison to half of her extended family. The trip was excellent and Alison did a great job!
I also had a lot of fun visiting two smaller National Park Service sites: Brown vs. Board of Education and Homestead. Brown vs. Board is located in an old school building in Topeka, KS. They have some excellent multi-media displays that discuss discrimination of all kinds from the 1600's to present. It served to remind me of how far we've come, but also how recently we've really changed as a country with respect to civil rights. It also gave me some hope that the discrimination we see today (LGBT rights, religious beliefs, and racial tensions) may someday be a thing of the past as well.
Homestead National Monument celebrates the very first 160-acre farm patent issued by the Homestead Act of 1862. This is the legislation that allowed you to stake out a claim in the vast openness of the United States, live on the land, and eventually be given that land for free. Seems like a good, non-controversial idea, right? Wrong! The very interesting video and displays in the museum did a good job of pointing out how this affected the native populations. It was also a pretty difficult thing to do as 60% of the families who initially staked claims, never proved up on the land (i.e. stayed long enough to take ownership of their farm). The best part of this site is the beautiful prairie outside and the brochure and demonstration area about all of the different kinds of barbed wire. Wow! My life would NOT have been complete without this knowledge.
On our trip, Kansas and Nebraska were being, well, Kansas and Nebraska by giving us major crosswinds to contend with on the drive up, allowing tumbleweeds and corn husks to collect in the bumper. On the way home we saw not one, but two trucks carrying goats.
Not that I don't find this hilarious, but I am really looking forward to moving to North Dakota later this month. That's right, braving perilous snowdrifts sounds more fun than hanging out alone in Larned. Go figure!
I also had a lot of fun visiting two smaller National Park Service sites: Brown vs. Board of Education and Homestead. Brown vs. Board is located in an old school building in Topeka, KS. They have some excellent multi-media displays that discuss discrimination of all kinds from the 1600's to present. It served to remind me of how far we've come, but also how recently we've really changed as a country with respect to civil rights. It also gave me some hope that the discrimination we see today (LGBT rights, religious beliefs, and racial tensions) may someday be a thing of the past as well.
Brown vs. Board of Education National Historic Site
Homestead National Monument celebrates the very first 160-acre farm patent issued by the Homestead Act of 1862. This is the legislation that allowed you to stake out a claim in the vast openness of the United States, live on the land, and eventually be given that land for free. Seems like a good, non-controversial idea, right? Wrong! The very interesting video and displays in the museum did a good job of pointing out how this affected the native populations. It was also a pretty difficult thing to do as 60% of the families who initially staked claims, never proved up on the land (i.e. stayed long enough to take ownership of their farm). The best part of this site is the beautiful prairie outside and the brochure and demonstration area about all of the different kinds of barbed wire. Wow! My life would NOT have been complete without this knowledge.
An example of 1 of the 500 types of barbed wire
On our trip, Kansas and Nebraska were being, well, Kansas and Nebraska by giving us major crosswinds to contend with on the drive up, allowing tumbleweeds and corn husks to collect in the bumper. On the way home we saw not one, but two trucks carrying goats.
Not that I don't find this hilarious, but I am really looking forward to moving to North Dakota later this month. That's right, braving perilous snowdrifts sounds more fun than hanging out alone in Larned. Go figure!
Photo of a Homestead in North Dakota
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Crazy Things Parents Say
Being a mom has brought out the best...and the worst in me at times. Despite some trying times, I stay generally entertained by Alison's funny faces and by listening to the strange things that come out of my mouth. Here is a short sampling from the past two days, just business as usual in the King household now:
"Please try not to pee on me."
"Could you not crash your head into things?"
"Hey, poop on your own time!"
Me: "You look like an earless Yoda!" Nathan: "Yoda, you look like."
"Your eye goopies make you look like a zombie."
[Burp] "Yay! FINALLY, good burpie!"
"Your eye goopies make you look like a zombie."
[Burp] "Yay! FINALLY, good burpie!"
"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut uuuuuup!" (Something I've really wanted to say in several business meetings.)
"Hey look, it's an arm! Hand-y!"
10-20-10 - Almost seven weeks!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Kansas, Not What You'd Expect
Kansans don't usually fit their over-religious-everyone-drives-a-tractor-to-work stereotype, but our hometown paper, The Tiller & Toiler, which comes out on Tuesdays and Fridays, apparently didn't get that memo. Here's a blurb that appeared on the front page of today's paper (reproduced word for word):
"Hi Neighbor" goes out to all the farmers in Pawnee County, and we guess especially to John Dryden. Jeff Delaney at the Pawnee County COOP tells us that John came in with the record test weight milo the other day at 65.7, where 56 is a common weight. They even made a sign to put up on the COOP door because John thought he deserved a little recognition. When the sign came down later, John took it home to put on his fridge. Now Tim Dryden, John's dad came in to the COOP a little later, and was asked if he knew about the great weight, but alas, he hadn't been informed by his son and fellow farmer. We're guessing Tim's wife Marty might still be in the dark! That's okay Marty, just go see John's sign on the fridge. He deserves the recognition according to the folks at the COOP.
So, there you have it! Kansas, it's not what you expect!
"Hi Neighbor" goes out to all the farmers in Pawnee County, and we guess especially to John Dryden. Jeff Delaney at the Pawnee County COOP tells us that John came in with the record test weight milo the other day at 65.7, where 56 is a common weight. They even made a sign to put up on the COOP door because John thought he deserved a little recognition. When the sign came down later, John took it home to put on his fridge. Now Tim Dryden, John's dad came in to the COOP a little later, and was asked if he knew about the great weight, but alas, he hadn't been informed by his son and fellow farmer. We're guessing Tim's wife Marty might still be in the dark! That's okay Marty, just go see John's sign on the fridge. He deserves the recognition according to the folks at the COOP.
So, there you have it! Kansas, it's not what you expect!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Allie Has Her Own Blog!
In case you're wondering where to get the updates on Alison including extra pictures, Nathan and I have started a collaborative blog just for her! It is private, so if you'd like to view it, send me a note or post a comment giving me your email address so I can invite you.
9/16/10
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Alison's Here!
The wait is over! Alison Savannah was born 9/2/10 at 3:16am! She weighed 7 lbs, 14 oz and was 20.5 inches long. Technically I'd been in labor for 21 hours after my water broke, but things were not moving along as we would have liked and we ended up having a C-Section to avoid the risk of infection that sets in after your water has been broken 24 hours.
As many of you know, I was looking forward to a natural labor with no drugs (if possible), but as soon as I heard this little cutie bean cry, I realized we'd done the right thing. I can't explain how incredible she's been so far and how fun it's been being a mom! We're both doing great!
Even though I'm pretty sleepy, I think we got off pretty easy (so far)! Alison only cries to tell us she's hungry and only wakes up a couple times per night (only once last night)! She's a champion sleeper and really curious. We're pretty sure she said "hi" the other day. :P Not much more I can say right now, so I'll let these pictures do the talking. I love my little Allie Bean!
As many of you know, I was looking forward to a natural labor with no drugs (if possible), but as soon as I heard this little cutie bean cry, I realized we'd done the right thing. I can't explain how incredible she's been so far and how fun it's been being a mom! We're both doing great!
Even though I'm pretty sleepy, I think we got off pretty easy (so far)! Alison only cries to tell us she's hungry and only wakes up a couple times per night (only once last night)! She's a champion sleeper and really curious. We're pretty sure she said "hi" the other day. :P Not much more I can say right now, so I'll let these pictures do the talking. I love my little Allie Bean!
Just Born!
Friday, August 27, 2010
What is wrong with us?
What's happened to the art of waiting in this country?
There is very little we can't control and schedule these days. Smart phones keep us connected at all times and tie us down by synching our work with our home with our friends' calendars. You can buy a plane ticket at the spur of the moment and fly anywhere on earth you want. Many of us can work whenever from wherever we please. You can even choose your baby's birth date.
Here, you're expected to be prompt, or at least to call ahead if you can't make it on time. This is probably the reason why several days BEFORE her due date, people started continually asked me "did you have the baby yet?"!
I'm officially three days overdue and get daily questions about why I'm "still around". It's super-sweet and I'm glad people are excited about the baby, but I can't help but wonder why everyone is so perplexed that she hasn't arrived on a phantom, magical date based solely on a formula set-up to be the average gestation time for billions of mothers.
It's both frustrating and refreshing to realize that we, as humans, don't really have control over every aspect of nature. This is a lesson you'll learn if you travel to more laid-back countries like Spain or Tanzania. They understand the famous bumper sticker from Forrest Gump, and go about their daily lives knowing that people and events will come and go on their own time. No use rigidly scheduling your entire life because "sh*t happens".
I love the fact that the best surprises of my life have come up without being planned and scheduled. I never planned to go work in Tanzania, but was just in the right place at the right time. When I started dating Nathan, he was going to be a boring engineer (like me!) and suddenly did a complete 360, taking us on an amazing adventure, living in National Parks and introducing me to the joys of 16-mile day hikes through unspoiled wilderness. I had a general idea of what I wanted to do with my life, but these surprises have only enriched it and in many ways have shaped my view of what I want in the future. At the same time they've made me realize that my most important asset is my flexibility and adaptability.
So, I ask society, what's the rush? Why should I feel like this baby will "never" arrive if she's one day late? It's a day, a week, it's not the end of the world. Why should I be rushed to schedule an induction based on a date that is at best a wild guess? I trust nature, she'll get here, and I like knowing the "when" is a surprise.
There is very little we can't control and schedule these days. Smart phones keep us connected at all times and tie us down by synching our work with our home with our friends' calendars. You can buy a plane ticket at the spur of the moment and fly anywhere on earth you want. Many of us can work whenever from wherever we please. You can even choose your baby's birth date.
Here, you're expected to be prompt, or at least to call ahead if you can't make it on time. This is probably the reason why several days BEFORE her due date, people started continually asked me "did you have the baby yet?"!
I'm officially three days overdue and get daily questions about why I'm "still around". It's super-sweet and I'm glad people are excited about the baby, but I can't help but wonder why everyone is so perplexed that she hasn't arrived on a phantom, magical date based solely on a formula set-up to be the average gestation time for billions of mothers.
It's both frustrating and refreshing to realize that we, as humans, don't really have control over every aspect of nature. This is a lesson you'll learn if you travel to more laid-back countries like Spain or Tanzania. They understand the famous bumper sticker from Forrest Gump, and go about their daily lives knowing that people and events will come and go on their own time. No use rigidly scheduling your entire life because "sh*t happens".
I love the fact that the best surprises of my life have come up without being planned and scheduled. I never planned to go work in Tanzania, but was just in the right place at the right time. When I started dating Nathan, he was going to be a boring engineer (like me!) and suddenly did a complete 360, taking us on an amazing adventure, living in National Parks and introducing me to the joys of 16-mile day hikes through unspoiled wilderness. I had a general idea of what I wanted to do with my life, but these surprises have only enriched it and in many ways have shaped my view of what I want in the future. At the same time they've made me realize that my most important asset is my flexibility and adaptability.
So, I ask society, what's the rush? Why should I feel like this baby will "never" arrive if she's one day late? It's a day, a week, it's not the end of the world. Why should I be rushed to schedule an induction based on a date that is at best a wild guess? I trust nature, she'll get here, and I like knowing the "when" is a surprise.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Getting Closer
Anyone want to guess when our little critter will arrive? I am expecting her tomorrow based on the fortune cookie we got back on 5/11 that said "Remember three months from now, good things will happen".
Stick a fork in me, I'm done!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
To Salina and Back
"Can you pull over so I can walk around for a couple seconds?"
Ah yes, traveling while pregnant is fun, so we haven't gone anywhere really exotic this summer. However, yesterday Nathan and I did take what will probably be the last road trip we take just the two of us for a while: we drove two hours away to Salina, KS!
Not only is this our nearest "big city", which boasts such luxuries as a Kohl's, Target, and the Kenwood Cove Waterpark, it's the home of my Aunt Jeanine, Uncle Allan, and cousins Jocelyn and Ciarra! We were pretty excited to see everyone and get some errands done at the same time.
They took us to a great Italian restaurant for lunch, Martinelli's, which was exciting given the fact that there are zero Italian restaurants within a 1.5 hour radius of our new house. We were warned that this was "Kansas Italian", so even though it didn't compare to the amazing "pizze" in Italy, it was quite good for the US - even Kansas. We also got the Tour d'Salina, which culminated in Salina's most exciting and exotic attraction: the yellow submarine bench!
I insisted on visiting the Kenwood Cove Waterpark in the afternoon, seeing as I've gotten no use out of my maternity swimsuit yet. It's better than your average pool, with several water slides, a wave pool, lazy river, and separate lap pool. Weeeeeelllll, the lap pool was closed (due to some cloudy chemical in the water that I'm sure was added because some kid peed -or worse- in the pool), and I was not allowed to ride the water slides. I thought I'd be fine floating the lazy river and enjoying the wave pool only, until I found out the wave pool, which my cousin Jocelyn warned me was more of a ripple pool, really was just shallow, crowded, and lame. After briefly considering explaining to the slide bouncer that I wasn't pregnant, just fat, we left to go run some errands at Hobby Lobby and Kohl's.
We stayed for dinner and had some delicious steak burgers and custard at a place called Freddy's, which is the Kansas equivalent of a Culver's. Even though I am Wisconsin-breed just like Culver's I have to admit Freddy's had better custard, but NOT a better burger.
On the way home, we got sidetracked at dusk and ended up wandering into Cheyenne Bottoms, an amazing rehabilitated wetlands area close to Great Bend. We didn't see the Night Heron Nathan was looking for, but we did catch a gorgeous sunset instead.
Perfect end to my vacationing days without kids. Just now I realized this would have been just as fun and probably more fun with the kiddo, so I'm pretty happy to include another person in our future expeditions into the unknown. Bring it on!
Ah yes, traveling while pregnant is fun, so we haven't gone anywhere really exotic this summer. However, yesterday Nathan and I did take what will probably be the last road trip we take just the two of us for a while: we drove two hours away to Salina, KS!
Not only is this our nearest "big city", which boasts such luxuries as a Kohl's, Target, and the Kenwood Cove Waterpark, it's the home of my Aunt Jeanine, Uncle Allan, and cousins Jocelyn and Ciarra! We were pretty excited to see everyone and get some errands done at the same time.
They took us to a great Italian restaurant for lunch, Martinelli's, which was exciting given the fact that there are zero Italian restaurants within a 1.5 hour radius of our new house. We were warned that this was "Kansas Italian", so even though it didn't compare to the amazing "pizze" in Italy, it was quite good for the US - even Kansas. We also got the Tour d'Salina, which culminated in Salina's most exciting and exotic attraction: the yellow submarine bench!
We don't live in this.
I insisted on visiting the Kenwood Cove Waterpark in the afternoon, seeing as I've gotten no use out of my maternity swimsuit yet. It's better than your average pool, with several water slides, a wave pool, lazy river, and separate lap pool. Weeeeeelllll, the lap pool was closed (due to some cloudy chemical in the water that I'm sure was added because some kid peed -or worse- in the pool), and I was not allowed to ride the water slides. I thought I'd be fine floating the lazy river and enjoying the wave pool only, until I found out the wave pool, which my cousin Jocelyn warned me was more of a ripple pool, really was just shallow, crowded, and lame. After briefly considering explaining to the slide bouncer that I wasn't pregnant, just fat, we left to go run some errands at Hobby Lobby and Kohl's.
We stayed for dinner and had some delicious steak burgers and custard at a place called Freddy's, which is the Kansas equivalent of a Culver's. Even though I am Wisconsin-breed just like Culver's I have to admit Freddy's had better custard, but NOT a better burger.
On the way home, we got sidetracked at dusk and ended up wandering into Cheyenne Bottoms, an amazing rehabilitated wetlands area close to Great Bend. We didn't see the Night Heron Nathan was looking for, but we did catch a gorgeous sunset instead.
Almost looks like the ocean, doesn't it?
Good night, Sunflower State
Perfect end to my vacationing days without kids. Just now I realized this would have been just as fun and probably more fun with the kiddo, so I'm pretty happy to include another person in our future expeditions into the unknown. Bring it on!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Ranch Rodeo
The Pawnee County Fair arrived and despite blistering temperatures, we had to go check it out. It's a cute little fair and far more in touch with its roots than the Olmsted County Fair in Rochester, MN. You won't find any rides (OK, there were a few inflatable jumpy things) or deep-fried spam curds here, just an exhibit hall (with crops, Republican candidate booths, & 4H crafts on display), a livestock pavillion, and the rodeo ring.
The special weekend events were a Ranch Rodeo and Demolition Derby. I enjoyed the Greeley Stampede so much last year that heading the three blocks over to see the rodeo was a no-brainer. We did, however, skip some of the other events, such as the Carcass Show at the end of the fair (although I'm still wondering if that's exactly what it sounds like).
It's really easy to see how the Ranch Rodeo concept got started. You've got some neighbors. You're all ranchers. Someone throws out "I bet I can rope that calf faster than you". You've got yourself a Ranch Rodeo!
This year, 15 teams of four people signed up to participate, each named for the ranch they worked on. There were four events: Team Branding, Team Doctoring, Double Mugging, and Trailer Loading. Everything except Trailer Loading was some variation of Team Roping, where two members need to rope a calf's head and back legs, then do something (either rope three legs together, stick a chalk mark on its head (symbolizing it's been "doctored"), or brand it - also using chalk). My favorite event was the Trailer Loading simply because some teams were assigned uber-stubborn calves and it was really fun to watch them struggle through the motions. Here's an example of a team that does it right:
The night was suppose to start off with Muttin Bustin - my favorite event (see the Greeley Stampede post for details), but it was too hot, so for the sake of the kids and sheep it was canceled. Instead, half time was marked by an equally entertaining event: The Calf Scramble. It goes like this:
It was a pretty fun time. Not at all like the Greeley Stampede where roping took mere seconds, this was for fun and despite minutes wondering if they would EVER rope that calf, we did have a lot of fun.
The special weekend events were a Ranch Rodeo and Demolition Derby. I enjoyed the Greeley Stampede so much last year that heading the three blocks over to see the rodeo was a no-brainer. We did, however, skip some of the other events, such as the Carcass Show at the end of the fair (although I'm still wondering if that's exactly what it sounds like).
It's really easy to see how the Ranch Rodeo concept got started. You've got some neighbors. You're all ranchers. Someone throws out "I bet I can rope that calf faster than you". You've got yourself a Ranch Rodeo!
This year, 15 teams of four people signed up to participate, each named for the ranch they worked on. There were four events: Team Branding, Team Doctoring, Double Mugging, and Trailer Loading. Everything except Trailer Loading was some variation of Team Roping, where two members need to rope a calf's head and back legs, then do something (either rope three legs together, stick a chalk mark on its head (symbolizing it's been "doctored"), or brand it - also using chalk). My favorite event was the Trailer Loading simply because some teams were assigned uber-stubborn calves and it was really fun to watch them struggle through the motions. Here's an example of a team that does it right:
The night was suppose to start off with Muttin Bustin - my favorite event (see the Greeley Stampede post for details), but it was too hot, so for the sake of the kids and sheep it was canceled. Instead, half time was marked by an equally entertaining event: The Calf Scramble. It goes like this:
- Gather up hundreds of kids.
- Tie a ribbon on a dozen calves' tails.
- Release the kids, offering a prize for anyone that can retrieve the ribbon.
- Chaos ensues in what can only be described as a hookworm epidemic waiting to happen.
It was a pretty fun time. Not at all like the Greeley Stampede where roping took mere seconds, this was for fun and despite minutes wondering if they would EVER rope that calf, we did have a lot of fun.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Santa Fe Trail Ruts
Have I convinced you to come visit us in Kansas, yet? If not, I'm sure this will get you here: we've got ruts!
Not far from Fort Larned National Historic Site is a plot of land run by the Park Service that has not been plowed over a million times. There, you can climb up on a platform and view the actual wagon ruts of the Santa Fe trail and imagine what it would have been like to sit in a rickety wagon for 1,200 miles for the express purpose of bringing gold and other goodies back from the New Mexico territory.
Larned has its own chapter of the Santa Fe Trail Association whose chapter meeting I'm missing today due to transportation issues and the 500-degree heat. Rest-assured that if you come to town for the next meeting day, you will be enthusiastically invited to join the group by Professor Clapsaddle himself. I sure hope to someday be another Santa Fe Trail enthusiast, but for now, I just enjoy the serenity of this 40 acre swath of preserved ruts and hope I don't step on a rattlesnake as I walk to the viewing platform.
Photo Credit: santafetrailresearch.com
Not far from Fort Larned National Historic Site is a plot of land run by the Park Service that has not been plowed over a million times. There, you can climb up on a platform and view the actual wagon ruts of the Santa Fe trail and imagine what it would have been like to sit in a rickety wagon for 1,200 miles for the express purpose of bringing gold and other goodies back from the New Mexico territory.
Ruts shown horizontally just over halfway up the photo
What can I say? I'm in a rut.
Larned has its own chapter of the Santa Fe Trail Association whose chapter meeting I'm missing today due to transportation issues and the 500-degree heat. Rest-assured that if you come to town for the next meeting day, you will be enthusiastically invited to join the group by Professor Clapsaddle himself. I sure hope to someday be another Santa Fe Trail enthusiast, but for now, I just enjoy the serenity of this 40 acre swath of preserved ruts and hope I don't step on a rattlesnake as I walk to the viewing platform.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
It's Baby Time!
OK, it's not really baby time yet, but rather I'm within the period of uncomfortability and gestational viability that makes it seem like the baby should arrive any day. In reality, we still have a month from yesterday until the due date (8/24).
I haven't really posted much about the pregnancy along the way. Partially because it would be just plain boring to report on kick counts and partially because I got teased by a friend for saying I "love, love, loved being a future mom" in this post back in April. Turns out that friend was actually pregnant too and probably just jealous she couldn't let the cat out of the bag yet. Parental obsession seems to manifest itself in different ways: I decided to blog it, she decided to buy a crib before her first trimester was over - I think we both have a problem holding in our excitement.
Anyway, things are going quite well for us. We seem to be right on track with no apparent problems so far. We haven't had (and probably won't have) an ultrasound since April. The kid looked great back then, but we've given her enough time to sprout a few extra limbs and possibly some devil horns, so it'll be interesting to see what we actually get!
I am starting to get a bit uncomfortable now and since my license to whine expires soon, I better take advantage of it. People, the reason why pregnant ladies have such a bad reputation is because, well, we're in pain. On most occasions, it's super-cool to be kicked from the inside out, but keep in mind that kicking includes surprisingly strong shots to the ribs and bladder. I wouldn't be taking this kind of treatment from anyone else! I really feel like I've had things pretty easy compared to some women, but the worst part for me is the lack of mobility. Tying my shoes is very much a chore and I've actually had very pleasant conversations with 80-year-old women comparing our aches and pains.
Bottom line is I'm ready. I'm ready to feel like myself again, I'm ready to see what this kid actually looks like, and I'm ready to get her out here and show her all of the amazing things I've found on this planet. So, go ahead and tease me for being cheesy if you want, but when it's your turn, you'll understand.
First pregnant shot taken in good ol' ND (April)
Hiking (Effigy Mounds) not quite as fun as it used to be (May)
Photo Credit: Allan King
Anyway, things are going quite well for us. We seem to be right on track with no apparent problems so far. We haven't had (and probably won't have) an ultrasound since April. The kid looked great back then, but we've given her enough time to sprout a few extra limbs and possibly some devil horns, so it'll be interesting to see what we actually get!
Kid without tentacles (April)
4th of July @ the Fort
Bottom line is I'm ready. I'm ready to feel like myself again, I'm ready to see what this kid actually looks like, and I'm ready to get her out here and show her all of the amazing things I've found on this planet. So, go ahead and tease me for being cheesy if you want, but when it's your turn, you'll understand.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Kansas Backyard Wildlife
I was entirely convinced that Kansas would be a pretty boring place to live, save the occasional rattlesnake that might show up in our backyard or the brown recluse spider in our shower. Luckily, Larned is NOT prime rattlesnake territory (I haven't seen one yet) and after hours of research, I'm becoming less convinced that the spider in our shower was a brown recluse.
However, aside from the swarms of mosquitoes, it turns out we do have some exciting amphibians and birds here. I enjoy seeing Nathan squirm as Kites fly overhead looking for sandwiches (see October 4th in this blog post). There are a plethora of other birds that migrate over in the spring or summer including the rare whooping crane, so we're looking forward to them too.
I have to give my uncle Tim credit for the best backyard find thusfar, though. In our basement window well, he discovered what can only be described as a combination breeding ground and prison for toads!
There were dozens of toads (dozens!) in our window well, along with a thick, composting layer of leaves and garbage that only served as a hiding place for more toads. Thinking they couldn't get out on their own, Tim and Nathan proceeded to release every toad they could. They now live in our garden, yard, and probably all over Larned by now.
Assuming this wasn't an isolated incident, we checked the next window well. It didn't have as many toads, but we found something even better: a large tiger salamander.
We left him alone, thinking he probably wanted to live there his entire life. I hope he does, because I can't wait to show the new baby what we've got in the backyard. :)
However, aside from the swarms of mosquitoes, it turns out we do have some exciting amphibians and birds here. I enjoy seeing Nathan squirm as Kites fly overhead looking for sandwiches (see October 4th in this blog post). There are a plethora of other birds that migrate over in the spring or summer including the rare whooping crane, so we're looking forward to them too.
I have to give my uncle Tim credit for the best backyard find thusfar, though. In our basement window well, he discovered what can only be described as a combination breeding ground and prison for toads!
There were dozens of toads (dozens!) in our window well, along with a thick, composting layer of leaves and garbage that only served as a hiding place for more toads. Thinking they couldn't get out on their own, Tim and Nathan proceeded to release every toad they could. They now live in our garden, yard, and probably all over Larned by now.
Assuming this wasn't an isolated incident, we checked the next window well. It didn't have as many toads, but we found something even better: a large tiger salamander.
We left him alone, thinking he probably wanted to live there his entire life. I hope he does, because I can't wait to show the new baby what we've got in the backyard. :)
Sunday, July 18, 2010
July 4th
Despite the threat of rain all weekend, Larned Independence Day celebrations went on as planned - well, almost. Fort Larned had another living history weekend complete with the Olde Time Fort Larned Band, watermelon, and potato sack races.
The town of Larned doesn't do anything on the 4th until 8:00pm, when the community gathers to hear the Fort Larned Band and buy treats from some of the local organizations trying to raise funds. Then they have community fireworks.
I'm not really sure why Larned puts on a fireworks show myself, as shooting off rockets from your yard is perfectly legal in Kansas. A massive fireworks shop, sponsored by the local Assembly of God chapter (interesting!), shows up for about a week and people stock up as if there's going to be a nuclear holocaust and fireworks are necessary for your very survival. Saturday night we watched our neighbor shoot off an amazing light show for about an hour. It's the closest I've ever been to a fireworks show, and probably as close as I'd like to be, as I'm certain there are now some singed shingles on our roof.
So, Larned, finding it necessary to put on its own show, decided at 8:30pm that the threat of rain was too great, so instead of canceling the fireworks, they started them prematurely. It turns out, fireworks in front of a dark rain cloud are just as good as fireworks at night. Luckily, we could see the whole show from our driveway, so never had to brave the rains, mosquitoes, or "crowds" to see them.
My uncle Tim came to visit from Lincoln, NE Monday, so we went back out to the Fort. Living history still abounding, we got to see this hot soldier in his dress uniform, crawled into an underground tunnel to view a well, and Tim was brave enough to get locked in the Fort's Sweatbox, which was used to punish soldiers who mouthed off to their superiors on hot days.
I definitely miss the pomp and circumstance of having a 4th of July parade, but I suppose I can't expect that much from a town who has lost 1/4 of its population since the 2000 census. (We're now down to 3500 people.) At least no one was injured by a rouge neighborhood firework. I guess that qualifies as an excellent 4th of July!
This guy's giving up after demonstrating one, measly time.
The town of Larned doesn't do anything on the 4th until 8:00pm, when the community gathers to hear the Fort Larned Band and buy treats from some of the local organizations trying to raise funds. Then they have community fireworks.
I'm not really sure why Larned puts on a fireworks show myself, as shooting off rockets from your yard is perfectly legal in Kansas. A massive fireworks shop, sponsored by the local Assembly of God chapter (interesting!), shows up for about a week and people stock up as if there's going to be a nuclear holocaust and fireworks are necessary for your very survival. Saturday night we watched our neighbor shoot off an amazing light show for about an hour. It's the closest I've ever been to a fireworks show, and probably as close as I'd like to be, as I'm certain there are now some singed shingles on our roof.
So, Larned, finding it necessary to put on its own show, decided at 8:30pm that the threat of rain was too great, so instead of canceling the fireworks, they started them prematurely. It turns out, fireworks in front of a dark rain cloud are just as good as fireworks at night. Luckily, we could see the whole show from our driveway, so never had to brave the rains, mosquitoes, or "crowds" to see them.
Our View
My uncle Tim came to visit from Lincoln, NE Monday, so we went back out to the Fort. Living history still abounding, we got to see this hot soldier in his dress uniform, crawled into an underground tunnel to view a well, and Tim was brave enough to get locked in the Fort's Sweatbox, which was used to punish soldiers who mouthed off to their superiors on hot days.
Nathan guarding the blockhouse
Underground Well
Uncle Tim probably wondering if this is really a good idea
I definitely miss the pomp and circumstance of having a 4th of July parade, but I suppose I can't expect that much from a town who has lost 1/4 of its population since the 2000 census. (We're now down to 3500 people.) At least no one was injured by a rouge neighborhood firework. I guess that qualifies as an excellent 4th of July!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Living History - Memorial Day Weekend at Fort Larned
There's nothing more fun to do while visiting a historic site than to imagine what it was like back in its heyday. Over Memorial Day Weekend at Fort Larned National Historic Site, you don't have to imagine very hard, as over 70 reenactment volunteers truck in from Texas, Colorado, and all over Kansas to bring the place to life.
Although the Fort's use expands well beyond the civil war era, the 1860's is what we went back to over Memorial Day. All of the park employees partake by dressing up in period gear (which means wool - yes, even in summer - infantry uniforms for the guys and billowing dresses for the girls) and assuming a character.
All of the buildings are open with someone in period dress to talk to you about what went on there back in the day, but my favorite two special events took place outside. First, it's important to point out that Nathan has a pretty cool job, because he got to do this:
There were also other rifle demonstrations throughout the day.
Second, a hobby vintage baseball team rolled into town to play the soldiers (park employees) in 1860's-style baseball, complete with a leather ball, no gloves, and old rules like if you catch a fly ball after the first bounce, the batter is out. I found it pretty interesting to learn some of the jargon and facts from the day. For instance, most of the reenacters are, by definition, civil war nerds, which makes for some pretty useless baseball players. In vintage baseball, a person who tries really hard, but still stinks is called a muffin. Spectators would sit really close to the game with no fences for protection. If a ball happened to roll under a woman's skirt, depending on which team she was rooting for, she may or may not choose to lift her skirt and make it easy for the players to find the ball.
I had a pretty good time at the event and am looking forward to more living history for July 4th weekend (more reenactments including potato sack races) and Labor Day weekend (if I'm not actually in labor).
Fort Larned's Giant Flag
Although the Fort's use expands well beyond the civil war era, the 1860's is what we went back to over Memorial Day. All of the park employees partake by dressing up in period gear (which means wool - yes, even in summer - infantry uniforms for the guys and billowing dresses for the girls) and assuming a character.
Chaz, Nathan, and Mike as Soldiers
All of the buildings are open with someone in period dress to talk to you about what went on there back in the day, but my favorite two special events took place outside. First, it's important to point out that Nathan has a pretty cool job, because he got to do this:
There were also other rifle demonstrations throughout the day.
Rifle Demonstration
Second, a hobby vintage baseball team rolled into town to play the soldiers (park employees) in 1860's-style baseball, complete with a leather ball, no gloves, and old rules like if you catch a fly ball after the first bounce, the batter is out. I found it pretty interesting to learn some of the jargon and facts from the day. For instance, most of the reenacters are, by definition, civil war nerds, which makes for some pretty useless baseball players. In vintage baseball, a person who tries really hard, but still stinks is called a muffin. Spectators would sit really close to the game with no fences for protection. If a ball happened to roll under a woman's skirt, depending on which team she was rooting for, she may or may not choose to lift her skirt and make it easy for the players to find the ball.
Nathan Catching - One of the only experienced baseball players out there
I had a pretty good time at the event and am looking forward to more living history for July 4th weekend (more reenactments including potato sack races) and Labor Day weekend (if I'm not actually in labor).
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Location Integration
There are a lot of things I've neglected to blog about this new and interesting location, so as we approach summer's halfway mark, you'll be seeing a few catch-up blogs. Today's, however, is going to be current.
I went back to Rochester, MN last week to work, see everyone, have an amazing baby shower, and close on our house. (Yes!! House is gone and rent is cheap - whoo!) I find it ironic that while in Rochester - not Kansas - Rochester, I ended up being 1/3 of a mile from an actual tornado that touched down in town on Thursday night. Here's a photo of the tornado's path put together by one of my co-workers. (I was staying at a friend's house just slightly off the map to the Northwest, where tornado sirens never went off.)
I had a great time seeing everyone, but it reminded me of just how much I don't know about my new community (and how many people I don't know either)! Hence, I returned to Kansas with one goal: integrate!
I would say this weekend has been a major integration success! First, I found out our community has its own little newspaper that comes out on Tuesdays and Fridays called The Tiller & Toiler. I picked one up Saturday and learned that we have a community garden near our house that you can help weed, then take home your pick of fresh produce. Not bad! I also discovered that we have a Farmer's Market every 1st & 3rd Saturday through August. Good. Found a place to find out what's going on in town - check!
We'd also heard Great Bend has a Farmer's Market every week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. We happened to be in town Thursday so checked it out. Five vendors with mostly zucchinis. Sad. And I thought Rochester, MN's Farmer's Market stunk after coming from Madison. It doesn't. In fact, we not only got a zucchini from a local hippie selling produce from his trunk, he also treated us to a bible lesson on why he doesn't sell produce at the Saturday market. I'd decided right then and there that the Saturday market, the one with all the heathens, was definitely the one for me! So, I returned Saturday and found 12 vendors with fresh eggs, bread (it's wheat harvest time!), and met a farmer who sells grass-fed beef and chicken, which we can pick up from their farm fresh on slaughter day. Excellent. Found some good, organic, local foods - check!
Next, I visited the Great Bend library, which is WAY better than the one in Larned and allows you to check-out more than one book at a time. Found a place to stock up on kid's books for the munchkin - check!
Friday, we invited everyone at the park over for brats, burgers, and bocce. It was a really fun night until the mosquitoes came out and broke it all up. Found a way to make our own fun with some excellent people - check!
So, I'm feeling better about this place already. It's no Madison, WI (probably the best place I've ever lived), but it'll work for now.
I went back to Rochester, MN last week to work, see everyone, have an amazing baby shower, and close on our house. (Yes!! House is gone and rent is cheap - whoo!) I find it ironic that while in Rochester - not Kansas - Rochester, I ended up being 1/3 of a mile from an actual tornado that touched down in town on Thursday night. Here's a photo of the tornado's path put together by one of my co-workers. (I was staying at a friend's house just slightly off the map to the Northwest, where tornado sirens never went off.)
I had a great time seeing everyone, but it reminded me of just how much I don't know about my new community (and how many people I don't know either)! Hence, I returned to Kansas with one goal: integrate!
I would say this weekend has been a major integration success! First, I found out our community has its own little newspaper that comes out on Tuesdays and Fridays called The Tiller & Toiler. I picked one up Saturday and learned that we have a community garden near our house that you can help weed, then take home your pick of fresh produce. Not bad! I also discovered that we have a Farmer's Market every 1st & 3rd Saturday through August. Good. Found a place to find out what's going on in town - check!
We'd also heard Great Bend has a Farmer's Market every week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. We happened to be in town Thursday so checked it out. Five vendors with mostly zucchinis. Sad. And I thought Rochester, MN's Farmer's Market stunk after coming from Madison. It doesn't. In fact, we not only got a zucchini from a local hippie selling produce from his trunk, he also treated us to a bible lesson on why he doesn't sell produce at the Saturday market. I'd decided right then and there that the Saturday market, the one with all the heathens, was definitely the one for me! So, I returned Saturday and found 12 vendors with fresh eggs, bread (it's wheat harvest time!), and met a farmer who sells grass-fed beef and chicken, which we can pick up from their farm fresh on slaughter day. Excellent. Found some good, organic, local foods - check!
Next, I visited the Great Bend library, which is WAY better than the one in Larned and allows you to check-out more than one book at a time. Found a place to stock up on kid's books for the munchkin - check!
Friday, we invited everyone at the park over for brats, burgers, and bocce. It was a really fun night until the mosquitoes came out and broke it all up. Found a way to make our own fun with some excellent people - check!
So, I'm feeling better about this place already. It's no Madison, WI (probably the best place I've ever lived), but it'll work for now.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Talking 'Bout My Generation
I take great offense to articles such as this one, explaining how narcissistic and self-involved we, the Gen Yers, are. Though we've all met people who fit the bill, I believe what little blanket truth this stereotype has stems from how our older generations have used their valuable resources and what we see as necessary to protecting our own future.
It's true, we are competitive and we do plan on rocking the working world right out of college. We have energy, enthusiasm, and most importantly a vision for how to fix the pieces of our society that aren't working. We enter our first jobs out of college with that mindset, but get stopped in our tracks. No one believes in us, we stop hearing the phrase "you can be whatever you want to!" and worst of all, we discover that organizations are sometimes so stuck in their ways that the good ideas we do bring forth, along with the energy it takes to bring them to fruition, are trampled like a lion caught in a wildebeest stampede.
Older generations laugh at us and tell us we need to put in the time and gain experience before we can make an impact, but we realize that all that does is take a person's best, most energetic, most passionate years and suppress them. It's harder to get excited about a good idea when you have three kids to feed and obligations that ensure you can't put in the overtime it takes to get things done. We value our relationships and we don't want to end up regretting that we didn't spend enough time with our families. Therefore, we want to get the ball rolling early because we know that a rolling ball is easier to keep moving than a stationary one is to start.
I've seen more people from my generation quit secure, high-paying, but unfulfilling jobs to pursue careers they love making half as much money as they did before. Based on articles like the one above, you would assume they'd be self-fulling careers with little benefit to society. The truth is, they're not. They're quitting for non-profits they believe in, the political arena, the army, and taking time off to join the Peace Corps. I have seen more people in my generation pull themselves out from the corporate rock under which they were crushed, shedding the security, and taking a chance on making society better for all of us.
Despite those people, I'm admitting that our generation is a little self-centered, but you need to understand the reasons why.
We're worried about the future we'll one day soon be in charge of - one in which we have no social security, rising health care costs, and worst of all no natural resources and a dirty planet because the generations ahead of us cling to poor decisions. Afterall, the only money I'll have for retirement is the money I save for myself. We have no pensions and our social security buckets are drained. No one in this country seems to want to pay a little extra so their neighbor can have a life-saving triple bypass surgery. So how come so many college students are so enthusiastic about universal health care? Yes, we have the longest amount of time to benefit from it, but before we do, we have to get the baby boomers through all of the health consequences of their fancy-free lifestyles. I'm willing to do that for them if they're willing to do that for me. The planet is a whole other can of worms that I probably shouldn't open right now.
These are the issues our generation has to deal with, so please excuse me when I take offense to articles like the one above. I don't see our generation as the one that has problems with narcissism and greed. I see the older generations already hogging that space and all we want to do is move around their fortified blockade and solve these problems quickly - for all of us - so that our kids won't have to be as self-centered as we need to be to get anything done.
It's true, we are competitive and we do plan on rocking the working world right out of college. We have energy, enthusiasm, and most importantly a vision for how to fix the pieces of our society that aren't working. We enter our first jobs out of college with that mindset, but get stopped in our tracks. No one believes in us, we stop hearing the phrase "you can be whatever you want to!" and worst of all, we discover that organizations are sometimes so stuck in their ways that the good ideas we do bring forth, along with the energy it takes to bring them to fruition, are trampled like a lion caught in a wildebeest stampede.
Older generations laugh at us and tell us we need to put in the time and gain experience before we can make an impact, but we realize that all that does is take a person's best, most energetic, most passionate years and suppress them. It's harder to get excited about a good idea when you have three kids to feed and obligations that ensure you can't put in the overtime it takes to get things done. We value our relationships and we don't want to end up regretting that we didn't spend enough time with our families. Therefore, we want to get the ball rolling early because we know that a rolling ball is easier to keep moving than a stationary one is to start.
I've seen more people from my generation quit secure, high-paying, but unfulfilling jobs to pursue careers they love making half as much money as they did before. Based on articles like the one above, you would assume they'd be self-fulling careers with little benefit to society. The truth is, they're not. They're quitting for non-profits they believe in, the political arena, the army, and taking time off to join the Peace Corps. I have seen more people in my generation pull themselves out from the corporate rock under which they were crushed, shedding the security, and taking a chance on making society better for all of us.
Despite those people, I'm admitting that our generation is a little self-centered, but you need to understand the reasons why.
We're worried about the future we'll one day soon be in charge of - one in which we have no social security, rising health care costs, and worst of all no natural resources and a dirty planet because the generations ahead of us cling to poor decisions. Afterall, the only money I'll have for retirement is the money I save for myself. We have no pensions and our social security buckets are drained. No one in this country seems to want to pay a little extra so their neighbor can have a life-saving triple bypass surgery. So how come so many college students are so enthusiastic about universal health care? Yes, we have the longest amount of time to benefit from it, but before we do, we have to get the baby boomers through all of the health consequences of their fancy-free lifestyles. I'm willing to do that for them if they're willing to do that for me. The planet is a whole other can of worms that I probably shouldn't open right now.
These are the issues our generation has to deal with, so please excuse me when I take offense to articles like the one above. I don't see our generation as the one that has problems with narcissism and greed. I see the older generations already hogging that space and all we want to do is move around their fortified blockade and solve these problems quickly - for all of us - so that our kids won't have to be as self-centered as we need to be to get anything done.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
The Real Kansas
When you think of Kansas, do you think of wheat fields as far as the eye can see and tornadoes? Where we're at in Central Kansas, aside from the pockets of civilization and amazing wetlands, that's exactly what you get. I'm not here to dis-spell any myths or stereotypes because they are all true.
Over the past two weeks, I believe we've averaged about one amazing thunderstorm per day. No tornadoes yet, but when the wind is howling and rain pelting through the improperly installed living room window, you may as well be in the middle of a tornado. We made the mistake of setting up our weather radio one night and didn't make it three hours before it woke us up. It is now on silent mode.
Over the past two weeks, I believe we've averaged about one amazing thunderstorm per day. No tornadoes yet, but when the wind is howling and rain pelting through the improperly installed living room window, you may as well be in the middle of a tornado. We made the mistake of setting up our weather radio one night and didn't make it three hours before it woke us up. It is now on silent mode.
Me, guest-starring on Storm Chasers (just kidding, that storm is chasing me)!
I don't think they grow anything besides wheat here, but one thing I didn't realize this that those "Amber waves of grain" are really green in the spring-time. It doesn't make for boring landscape because I could watch the wind running through a prairie or wheat field for hours. Now, thanks to our new location, I can.
There are more trees in Kansas today than there were 200 years ago
I was also extremely worried about the rumors I heard about politics and the over-the-top religious zealousness of this state. In reality, the politics crack me up. I haven't seen any signs for Democrats yet. It's not that I don't think there are any, I just think they are in hiding like Anne Frank during World War II. I also think the Democrats necessarily have to hide under the Republican party banner to get anywhere in this state, so I'm looking forward to examining what each "Republican" says intensely so that I know which Republicans I can vote for with a clear conscience. The religious thing hasn't been a problem. Despite the plethora of "Smile: Your Mom Chose Life" billboards, everyone is just super-nice and minds their own business.
There's an incredible sense of community here unlike anywhere else I've ever been. Let me give you just one example. These small towns simply cannot support a commercial, for-profit movie theater. So, the town of Larned came together to build their own. In just a few years they've raised enough money to pay off their mortgage and buy a new projector capable of running 3-D. The tickets for adults are $6 and you can get a "small" popcorn and soda for $3 during the show. All of the workers are volunteers and every cent was raised through the local community. What's more, their competition seems to be running the for-profit movie theater in Great Bend into the ground. Not bad! With this much self-sufficiency, I can see why you might not been too keen on the government taking all your money. There's a reason Kansas has these stereotypes, but there's also a reason behind the supporting evidence for those stereotypes. This is a very interesting place.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Great Migration Rally
Pelicans at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge
There is a real gem 30 minutes away from our new place in Kansas. I bet you've never heard of Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, but it turns out that 50% of all birds that migrate across North America pass over or stop right here in our backyard. In fact, they get over 300 types of birds at the refuge, including the very rare Whooping Cranes who come through in the fall (check out Nathan's blog from last November).
Our first Saturday in Kansas, we participated in The Great Migration Rally, a scenic car tour starting at Quivira and finishing at Cheyenne Bottoms, a state-run rehabilitated marshy recreation area, and the Kansas Wetlands Education Center. This was an excellent way to get to know the area as there were five stops along the way at scenic overlooks and a local winery.
I don't quite know how to explain how awesome Quivira is, except that I was not into birding before and now I kind of am. The wetlands are beautiful without the wildlife, but getting to watch Nathan, an experienced birder, check bird after bird off his life list, was thrilling. I started a list of my own (see below)! If only the Theodore Roosevelt National Park Christmas Bird count could be this good.
A couple photos of the refuge:
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Although I can't drink any wine now, my second-favorite stop on the auto tour was the Dozier Winery, a super-cute farm open six days a week for agro-tourism.
Pond at the Winery
Quivira Birding Checklist:
- Snow Goose
- Canada Goose
- Blue-winged Teal
- Northern Shoveler
- Green-Winged Teal
- Ruddy Duck
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Eared Grebe
- American White Pelican
- Double-crested Cormorant
- Great Blue Heron
- Great Egret
- Osprey
- American Coot
- Killdeer
- Black-necked Stilt - Really cool-looking birds
- American Avocet - We got to see a crazy mating dance
- Wilson's Phalarope - These little guys swim in circles by the hundreds, trying to dredge up food from the bottom
- Red-headed Woodpecker
- Western Kingbird
- Eastern Kingbird
- Cliff Swallow
- Barn Swallow
- European Starling
- Blue Grosbeak
- Read-winged Blackbird
- Yellow-headed Blackbird
- Baltimore Oriole
Monday, May 10, 2010
Fort Larned National Historic Site
Fort Larned: This is why we're here, the very reason we are enduring a half-finished house, selling our real house at a slight loss, and cutting all ties with big cities. We visited the site on Thursday and, although it's no Glacier National Park, it's interesting and for those willing to trudge this far out of your way to see it, it's free!
This Fort was an important stop on the Santa Fe Trail, one of the first major commercial routes across the United States (and Northern Mexico at the time) during the 1800's. The National Park Service has restored the major buildings and recreated them to look like they did in their heyday. The site is small and based completely on history (we're still learning about all of the different groups and events that took place here), although there is a short nature trail you can take along the Pawnee branch of the Arkansas River.
You'll hear more about Fort Larned soon, I'm sure. There's a big living history event Memorial Day weekend, if anyone is interested in seeing the Fort at its liveliest!
This Fort was an important stop on the Santa Fe Trail, one of the first major commercial routes across the United States (and Northern Mexico at the time) during the 1800's. The National Park Service has restored the major buildings and recreated them to look like they did in their heyday. The site is small and based completely on history (we're still learning about all of the different groups and events that took place here), although there is a short nature trail you can take along the Pawnee branch of the Arkansas River.
Entire Fort - Cemetery View
Privates' sleeping quarters are anything but private (four guys to a bunk). Dare I speculate on the origins of our country's current "gays in the military" debate?!
For living history events, one of Nathan's jobs could be to work in the blacksmith shop! He's hoping for more time with the canons, though.
The equivalent to IBM's Cafe Corner
You'll hear more about Fort Larned soon, I'm sure. There's a big living history event Memorial Day weekend, if anyone is interested in seeing the Fort at its liveliest!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
TIK - This Is Kansas
TIA is a common expression in Africa, used when something goes really unexpectedly wrong - beyond what you might expect in the Western world. For example, the lights on the runway at Kilimanjaro International Airport aren't lit up and you have to turn back to Nairobi, you find out the road from Dodoma to Arusha is all dirt and your driver finds it important to back-up for a better view of the Mozambique Spitting Cobra 10 feet away from the car and your open windows, or the fact that hot water is unavailable because the rainstorm put out the fire heating it. This. Is. Africa.
Well, I found myself adapting the phrase for Kansas as Nathan and I moved here on Wednesday. The ride took us 14 hours and was actually a beautiful ride. Kansas is not entirely flat and wheat-filled. It's especially gorgeous this time of year when everything is green and migrating birds are abundant.
Everything was going well until we got close to Larned, our new home.
We found out while driving to Larned with the 24-foot truck filled with everything we own that the house we're renting was not ready yet. The owners were trying to get some new carpet laid (the company brought the wrong carpet the day before) and so they'd be working on it Wednesday night. TIK. That's fine. We figured we could grab a room at the local Best Western and stop by Thursday. Not a big deal as there should be plenty of room at the inn because who would be staying in a hotel in Larned?!
EVERYONE, apparently. Due to a giant farm equipment show, all the rooms in Larned, Great Bend, and even two hours away in Hays were completely booked. TIK. We had to stay at the house that night, and luckily we were able to get in.
I expected the house to be a little out of order, but what I did NOT expect was to walk into a full-on construction site. The carpet was laid, but there was no refrigerator, the stove wasn't hooked up, dust covered almost everything, the electrical sockets weren't covered, there were no baseboards, the floor covering was half-done in the sun room, and the list could go on. TIK - now I'm getting worried and making a mental note never to let Nathan line-up housing ever again.
Let's make a long story short and just say our new landlords, who are actually Nathan's new co-workers, were able to get the place cleaned up pretty fast. It cleans up really nice (more pictures to come when we get the boxes out of here.) They had done the best they could to get the house ready before we got there, but a complete renovation of a very old house takes a long time. We're living without baseboards, but at least we've got a working kitchen (except for the garbage disposal leakage issue - TIK). We're getting a good deal, so I guess I should have been prepared to help with a little construction work.
Other things haven't gone exactly right. We've learned that auctions are a big deal out here and when we tried to drop off our U-Haul on Friday, we were met with a closed shop and this sign.
TIK
I am really liking the town, aside from the rocky start. The people here are amazingly friendly. Nathan pointed out there's a difference between the Kansans and North Dakotans in that in North Dakota, if people don't know who you are, they're usually too embarrassed to ask (Medora IS a smaller town by about 4500 people - so maybe they really think they should know you). In Kansas, they just come right up and ask who you are, so you meet new people every time you leave the house. The city is really cute, and has a lot of amenities (nice tennis courts one block away!), which makes it easy to skip extra trips up to the much larger city of Great Bend (30 minutes away). I'm still skeptical, but there are a lot of things I like about this place. I guess my time in Africa taught me how to better roll with the punches and above all, to ignore the giant spiders on the walls.
Well, I found myself adapting the phrase for Kansas as Nathan and I moved here on Wednesday. The ride took us 14 hours and was actually a beautiful ride. Kansas is not entirely flat and wheat-filled. It's especially gorgeous this time of year when everything is green and migrating birds are abundant.
Everything was going well until we got close to Larned, our new home.
We found out while driving to Larned with the 24-foot truck filled with everything we own that the house we're renting was not ready yet. The owners were trying to get some new carpet laid (the company brought the wrong carpet the day before) and so they'd be working on it Wednesday night. TIK. That's fine. We figured we could grab a room at the local Best Western and stop by Thursday. Not a big deal as there should be plenty of room at the inn because who would be staying in a hotel in Larned?!
EVERYONE, apparently. Due to a giant farm equipment show, all the rooms in Larned, Great Bend, and even two hours away in Hays were completely booked. TIK. We had to stay at the house that night, and luckily we were able to get in.
I expected the house to be a little out of order, but what I did NOT expect was to walk into a full-on construction site. The carpet was laid, but there was no refrigerator, the stove wasn't hooked up, dust covered almost everything, the electrical sockets weren't covered, there were no baseboards, the floor covering was half-done in the sun room, and the list could go on. TIK - now I'm getting worried and making a mental note never to let Nathan line-up housing ever again.
First room we ever saw in the new house.
Kitchen: A day later we at least had a fridge! That's the stove still in the foreground.
I forgot to mention that the owners still have a bunch of stuff in the house.
My favorite feature: the second bathroom is really a toilet in the corner of a giant storage room with no doorlock. Yeah, Nathan and I will be able to share the upstairs bathroom just fine.
Let's make a long story short and just say our new landlords, who are actually Nathan's new co-workers, were able to get the place cleaned up pretty fast. It cleans up really nice (more pictures to come when we get the boxes out of here.) They had done the best they could to get the house ready before we got there, but a complete renovation of a very old house takes a long time. We're living without baseboards, but at least we've got a working kitchen (except for the garbage disposal leakage issue - TIK). We're getting a good deal, so I guess I should have been prepared to help with a little construction work.
Other things haven't gone exactly right. We've learned that auctions are a big deal out here and when we tried to drop off our U-Haul on Friday, we were met with a closed shop and this sign.
TIK
I am really liking the town, aside from the rocky start. The people here are amazingly friendly. Nathan pointed out there's a difference between the Kansans and North Dakotans in that in North Dakota, if people don't know who you are, they're usually too embarrassed to ask (Medora IS a smaller town by about 4500 people - so maybe they really think they should know you). In Kansas, they just come right up and ask who you are, so you meet new people every time you leave the house. The city is really cute, and has a lot of amenities (nice tennis courts one block away!), which makes it easy to skip extra trips up to the much larger city of Great Bend (30 minutes away). I'm still skeptical, but there are a lot of things I like about this place. I guess my time in Africa taught me how to better roll with the punches and above all, to ignore the giant spiders on the walls.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
