Traveling

The second day of my road trip from the midwest to the southwest had an unexpected start. The sound of a train barreling through the town jerks me awake, a tad earlier than I had planned. However, since I was awake, it was a perfect opportunity to get an early start to the day. I helped myself to a quick breakfast and got my gear ready to take some early morning photographs.

Embracing the Cold for Early Morning Photography

Bundled up in gloves, a jacket, and a hat, I step out of the warm comforts of my hotel into the cold. A few times, I questioned my own sanity. A normal person wouldn’t consider being in 18-degree weather before 6 a.m. while on vacation. But, the reward of a few nice shots was worth it.

Of all the things in Wilson, Kansas, to photograph, one holds the title of World’s Largest. Wilson, Kansas, is the home of the World’s Largest Hand-painted Czech Egg. 

The impressive Czech Egg reaches an astounding 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide. Its smooth shell is painted a flat black with traditional Czech designs painted in red, yellow, and white. The design of the attraction was done by the talented Christine Slechta. Not to be outdone, the egg sits under an equally magnificent metal gazebo. Similar Czech designs were cut into the metal of the gazebo. The egg and gazebo complement each other and highlight the level of thought that went into it all.

Exploring the Kansas Wetlands Educational Center and Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Refuge

My road trip from the midwest to the southwest continues with a brief stop at the Kansas Wetlands Educational Center. While at the center, I learned about the wetlands at the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Refuge. Both the educational center and the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Refuge are located outside of Great Bend, Kansas.

Despite driving by no fewer than a half-dozen times, this was my first time stopping. It just so happens that the wetlands were experiencing a drought, and there were no waterfowl present.

Honoring WWII Heroes at the B-29 Memorial Plaza

The next stop on my road trip from the midwest to the southwest is the B-29 Memorial Plaza. Located in Great Bend, Kansas, this memorial stands near a WWII airfield. It serves as a testament to the brave individuals who dedicated themselves to their country. This memorial honors people similar to my grandfather, who flew missions on a B-29 as a gunner during WWII. The memorial not only preserves their legacy but also imparts invaluable knowledge to future generations. The plaza welcomes visitors who wish to honor the men and women of the esteemed Great Bend Army Airfield.

Discovering the Historic Landmarks of the Santa Fe Trail

The next two stops date back to the time period of the Santa Fe Trail: Pawnee Rock State Historical Site and Fort Larned.

Pawnee Rock State Historic Site is 16 miles east of Fort Larned. This sandstone outcropping was a well-known landmark on the Santa Fe Trail. This landmark was the halfway point on the trail and let travelers know they were following the correct route. Carved into the rock is historical graffiti. Signatures carved into the rock date back to the 1800s and feature the name of the engraver and the year.

Fort Larned National Historic Site was established as Fort Larned in 1859. It is one of a system of forts established on the frontier to provide a permanent military presence. Following the Civil War, the U.S. Army turned its attention to American expansion westward, and Fort Larned played a role in it. The only issue with westward expansion was that the land was already occupied. As a result, conflict between the U.S. Army and the native tribes that lived here was inevitable.

Exploring the Wild West: Dodge City, Kansas

After departing the safety of Fort Larned, my road trip from the midwest to the southwest continued on. The next place I visited on my journey was Dodge City, Kansas. Dodge City is a famous Wild West town, and no story of the Wild West is complete without it. Of the famous people to have lived in Dodge City, arguably the most famous is Wyatt Earp. Other famous and colorful characters to have stayed in Dodge City include Bat Masterson and Dr. John “Doc” Holliday.

Located in the town of Dodge City is the Boot Hill Museum. The museum preserves the history of the Old West and features artifacts from Dodge City. Of the 20,000 artifacts in the complex, more than 200 are guns.

Clayton Lake State Park: Ancient Tracks of the Dinosaurs

After exploring Dodge City, I made tracks and continued to the town of Clayton, New Mexico.

While in Clayton, I went to Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackways. It was the first time I had seen tracks from dinosaurs, which were more than 100 million years old. At this location, you will see the tracks of at least four different types of dinosaurs. It is said that over 500 dinosaur tracks can be found here, which are claimed to be some of the best-preserved examples in the world. Don’t believe me? Don’t take my word for it. The sign at the location claims it.

Hotel Eklund: A Haunted and Historic Stay

For the night, I stayed at the haunted and historic Hotel Eklund. The hotel and restaurant are said to be haunted by the ghost of a maid named Irene, who is associated with making the floor creak in room 307. In 2015, paranormal investigators claimed that the hotel was also home to another spirit, a sassy older, unnamed woman who is said to enjoy playing practical jokes on guests.

If there was any paranormal activity, that took place in my room, I was unaware of it. As soon as I laid down, I was asleep after my long day of travels.