Off the trail

You can’t spend all your time hiking, biking, and riding – here are our recommendations for other ways to enjoy your time in Kansas along with upcoming events.

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The National Park Service turns 98 today

Today the National Park Service turns 98! Some of our favorite national historic sites in Kansas include: Brown v. Board of Education, Fort Larned, Fort Scott, Nicodemus, and the Tallgrass Prairie.
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From the National Park Service site on Kansas:

  • 5 national parks
  • 91,930 visitors to national parks (in 2013)
  • $4,100,000 economic benefit from national park tourism (in 2013)
  • 1,341 National Register of Historic Places listings
  • $349,318,392 of historic rehabilitation projects stimulated by tax incentives (since 1995)
  • 22,394 hours donated by volunteers
  • 1 National Heritage Area
  • 5 National Natural Landmarks
  • 25 National Historic Landmarks
  • $51,398,596 in Land & Water Conservation Fund grants (since 1965)
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The Burger Stand in Lawrence

The Casbah

The Casbah

The burgers at Lawrence’s Burger Stand in The Casbah in downtown have been ranked as some of the best in the country. I stopped by during my visit to the nearby trails (Baker Wetlands and Black Jack Battlefield).

The burger was indeed tasty – juicy without being greasy, filling without being overwhelming, and they had options for everyone.

For red meat eaters, the options range from the classic topped with cheddar & local micro greens to the black and blue with Blue cheese & granny smith apple chutney to the smoke burger with Applewood smoked bacon, smoked gouda cheese & chipotle-cocoa ketchup.

For non-red meat options and even vegetarian, you can get a catfish po’boy, a black bean burger, the spicy shiitake burger topped with habanero cream cheese, avocado and greens.

Dipping options

Dipping options

For me, the stand out was the topping options for both the fries and the burgers. Parmesan garlic aioli? Marshmallow dip? These were options I’d never seen anywhere else.

I ordered sweet potato fries and the truffle fries (in the name of research of course), and loaded up with every topping option they had.

The food was ready pretty quickly at the kitchen window, even with the short and consistent line to order, and I savored my burger and fries at one of the long bar top tables in the front. In the back dining area are ping pong tables, pool tables, and a foosball table. During the school year, I was there in the summer, I imagine it can get pretty busy and loud in there, but for a burger joint in a college town, I wouldn’t expect much else.

And for my favorite dipping sauce, for both uniqueness and tastiness, it was a tie between avocado ranch and chipotle-cocoa ketchup.

If you go (and you should!):
The Casbah
803 Massachusetts Street
Lawrence, KS
785.856.0543

 

Have you been to the Burger Stand? What’s your favorite burger or dipping sauce? Let us know in the comments below.

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Dodge City Days

We’re in the midst of Dodge City Days. The annual event is in its 54th year, and it ends this weekend. While the barbecue cook-off is over, there’s still plenty to do at this western celebration.

Photo by Tourism Kansas

Photo by Tourism Kansas

The “Arts, Crafts & Things” show is August 2 and 3 at the Village Square Mall (air conditioning!).

August 2 is also the day you can check out the classic car show at Wright Park. At 11am, 1pm, and 3pm, you can watch the extreme motorcross show.

In the afternoons, the public library is hosting talks on early days of ranching and trail driving that built up the town of Dodge City.

And each night you can go to Central Station for the street dance.

Of course, Dodge City Days wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the rodeo. The PRCA is hosting the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo from July 30 to August 4, also known as the “Greatest Show On Dirt”. Each night from 7:45 to 11, you can watch the riding and roping skills of professional cowboys.

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Get your artisanal caffeine fix at these 5 Kansas roastieries

Caffeine can help your perceived effort and help decrease fatigue, so before your next trail adventure, down a cup or two of coffee. And while you’re at it, you might as well make it a local Kansas roasted coffee.

Photo by Kylie Brown of CreativeRush -- CreativeRush.org

Photo by Kylie Brown of CreativeRush — CreativeRush.org

Five of our favorite Kansas coffee roasteries and nearby trails:

PT’s Coffee Roasting Co. in Topeka

On their website, you can get info on the individual farmers who provide the beans for the brew. Signature blends include John Brown and Cold Front – perfect for summer, the Cold Front blend is designed to serve cold and pour over ice.

PT’s at College Hill
1625 SW Washburn Ave
Suite A
Topeka, Kansas 66604

PT’s at Crossroads
310 Southwest Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64108

Nearby trail: MacLennan Park near the Governor’s Mansion

Greenstone Coffee in Lawrence

The mission of Lawrence’s Greenstone Coffee is: “We strive to use socially responsible practices- protecting the natural integrity of the coffee from bean to your coffee cup. We hope you love our coffee and become excited about coffee and its potential all over again.”

Started in 2013 and focusing on roasting beans from small farmers, Greenstone Coffee can be found at local coffee shops, the Cottin’s Farmer’s Market and Hy-Vee.

Nearby trail: Baker Wetlands

Reverie Coffee Roasters in Wichita

Reverie in Wichita. Photo by Kylie Brown of CreativeRush -- CreativeRush.org

Reverie in Wichita. Photo by Kylie Brown of CreativeRush — CreativeRush.org

Another  newcomer to the Kansas coffee scene, opened in 2013, has classes on coffee as well as tastings in their hip retail and roasting space.

You can watch the beans being roasted on a Tuesday, and you can find out what farmer, even down to the plot of land, that grew the beans in your favorite brew.

2611 E Douglas Ave
Wichita, KS 67211

Nearby trail: Air Capital Memorial Park

Blacksmith Coffee in Lindsborg

Housed in a former blacksmith shop (hence their name) with the roaster on top of the original forge, they focus on making single origin and unique coffees. Fittingly, since they’re in Little Sweden, USA, one of their collections is the Swedish coffees, which includes their darkest coffee.

122 N Main St
Lindsborg, KS 67456

Nearby trail: Välkommen Trail

Radina’s Coffeehouse and Roastery in Manhattan

The tasty treats in the bakery cabinets may draw you in, but stay for the coffee.

On their blending philosophy: “At Radina’s our goal when blending is to create coffees that are more complex and interesting than when served as a single origin. Some of our blends use five different beans (more would be decadent, and perhaps redundant). In addition to beans from different regions we blend different degrees of roast to create an interesting, multi-dimensional cup of coffee.”

Aggieville, 616 North Manhattan Avenue
Manhattan, KS 66502

Drive-Thru, 2809 Claflin Road
Manhattan, KS 66502

Nearby trail: Manhattan river trail along the Blue and Kansas rivers

Yes, overall, these coffees are more expensive than Folgers or even Starbucks. But you get locally made products that are of better quality. It’s worth it, and remember, it’ll help you on the trail.

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It’s official: World’s largest waterslide ready to ride in Kansas

After delayed openings and safety concerns, the Verrückt waterslide is now ready to ride at the Kansas City Schlitterbahn. Check out the video of one of the first riders below, and you’ll see why it was named for the German word for “crazy” or “mad.”

That doesn’t, however and sadly, mean it’s yet open to the public. It starts with a 168 feet and 7 inches drop of excitement/terror/adrenaline, then up another 5 story hill and back down. It’ll open for 4-person rafts, so you don’t have to go it alone. It should be opening any day now – keep checking their website for updates.

Would you ride it? I’m not sure if I would – let us know in the comments below!

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2014 Symphony in the Flint Hills: Photos

It was incredibly windy, it is Kansas after all, but with the lush green grass, it wasn’t dusty, and the 2014 Symphony in the Flint Hills was a success. The Kansas City Symphony played to 7,000 people on the Gottsch Cattle Co. Ranch near Rosalia. Here are some photos, all taken by Mark Conard.

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Symphony in the Flint Hills

Today is the day for ninth annual Symphony in the Flint Hills. Held at Rosalia Ranch in Butler County this year, the Kansas City Symphony will play for 6,000 – 7,000 people amidst the idyllic setting of the Flint Hills.

Tents at this year's Symphony in the Flint Hills

Tents at this year’s Symphony in the Flint Hills

The event celebrates the heritage and ecology of this important ecosystem. Along with the headlining evening show, the event has lectures and presentations on the tallgrass prairie and Flint Hills. There are also prairie walks and covered wagon rides, and after the event, guests are invited to stay and stargaze. For kids, and kids at here, there’s the “Instrument Petting Zoo” where you can play with different instruments.

From the Symphony in the Flint Hills site on just how this unique event came to be:

In 1994, Matfield Green rancher Jane Koger celebrated her birthday by inviting the public to a “Symphony on the Prairie.” More than 3,000 people from far and wide congregated at her Homestead Ranch for a magical union between symphonic music and the prairie landscape.

Ten years after Jane Koger’s legendary birthday concert, Chase, Lyon, Morris and Wabaunsee County leaders founded Symphony in the Flint Hills, Inc. to heighten the appreciation and knowledge of the tallgrass prairie. In 2006, the organization held the first of its annual prairie concerts, a Kansas tradition that now attracts approximately 7,000 attendees from all over the world.

If you missed out this year, put the event on your calendar for next June.

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Photo by Kansas Tourism

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The race is on! 2014 Bike Across Kansas has begun

Well, not a race exactly, more a feat of dedication, strength, and spirit – The annual Bike Across Kansas or BAK event has started! This year’s 555 mile route starts from the southwest corner and heads to the northeast.

We reached out to Stefanie Weaver, the organizations executive director for her thoughts on the event.

bak2014routemap

Kansas Trail Guide: What makes BAK so special?

Weaver: BAK gives people a chance to do something unique, something that now everyone has the chance to do. It brings people of all ages (7-88) and all walks of life together with a common interest of bicycling and enjoying the beauty of the Kansas landscape, towns and people. BAK creates a community all to itself — building relationships and long lasting friendships that create what we call “BAK Moments.”

There are no barriers when bicycling through Kansas that you have on a vehicle. You are totally immersed in the environment.

Kansas Trail Guide: What can people do this year to support the tour?

Weaver: Towns provide BAK riders great support as we pass through or stay overnight. One favorite thing is people making themselves available simply for conversations–about themselves, their communities, etc. Some of the  fondest many are built with the direct involvement of townspeople. Towns often provide nightly entertainment, homemade fundraiser meals, tours of local points of interest, passes to the local pool, and many other amenities that highlight that town’s “personality” and hospitality. Riders are often as interested in sites, sounds, and towns as they are bicycling.

Kansas Trail Guide: What if people are inspired to ride next year, what should they do?

Weaver: BAK registration opens traditionally at midnight on January 29, which is Kansas Day. This year registration filled to capacity on 2 1/2 days.

Kansas Trail Guide: How do you feel the event does for the state and the community?

Weaver: A sense of community–both among its riders and within the tons we stay–is established during BAK. Whether joining up with other riders to make the bicycling trip easier, hanging out at a SAG stop support stop), visiting a local museum or historical site, coming together for the nightly meeting, pitching in to wash dishes in a local cafe, or changing a flat tire, relationship building is constantly taking place.

The towns at which we stay come together to support BAK–ensuring riders have plenty of homemade food to eat, things to do, and and sites to see. It’s the townspeople, the volunteers that make riders feel at home. For many of the small towns, it stretches them, but they never fail. We’ve been told that BAK brings an exciting people-to-people cultural exchange and that created a lasting impression.

Kansas Trail Guide: What are some misconceptions people have about Kansas that get smashed with events like the BAK?

Weaver: The first misconception is that Kansas is flat; however, people quickly realize this is a myth. They also discover hat Kansas is a state with a variety of geography. People are surprised by the beauty of the Gypsum Hills, Smoky Hills, and Flint Hills. Traveling from the southwest to northeast this year, riders will experience Kansas’ variety. Beginning with the high plains of the Cinnamon Grasslands, progressing through Arkansas River Valley, Smoky Hills, Flint Hills, and ending on the Glaciated Region, riders will experience the simple beauty of Kansas.

To all the riders and supporters in this year’s event – have fun, stay safe, and enjoy the ride!

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Kansas Travel Inspiration: Flint Hills

It’s a three-day weekend, and we’re hoping that you’re able to get out and explore. Though if you get rained in, remember that rain is good, rain gives us green vistas like the one below.

For some travel inspiration, here’s the Flint Hills.

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Flint Hills photo by Mark Conard

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What’s so special about Kansas: Interview with Logan Mize

I’ve always taken a lot of pride in being from the state of Kansas and I think it comes across in my music.

From Clearwater, Kansas, Logan Mize is a country singer and an official Kansas Tourism Ambassador. He’s got a new album coming out, and he’s coming to Kansas for Manhattan’s annual Country Stampede from June 26 – 29. We reached out to find out what he thought was so special about Kansas, and we have his music video that celebrates just how special this state really is.

Kansas Trail Guide: Our book is all about trails in Kansas for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Many of the trails are in state and county parks. Do you have a favorite park or favorite trail in Kansas? If so, what is it that makes it special for you?

Mize: I grew up going to Cheney and Lake Afton a lot. I have really fun memories of both places.  I’ve always thought Wilson Lake was really pretty as well.  I look forward to visiting all of them eventually.

[Our book can help you with that!]

Kansas Trail Guide: What does it mean for you to be a Kansas Tourism Ambassador?

Mize: I’ve always taken a lot of pride in being from the state of Kansas and I think it comes across in my music. It’s a huge honor to be given the title. I just want to make sure I’m going above and beyond to promote the great features the state has to offer.

Kansas Trail Guide: What are some of the biggest Kansas misconceptions you think people have?

Mize: I think it’s usually referred to as that long stretch of drive people have to cross on the way to the Rockies.  It’s important for people to know there are plenty of attractions/destinations here in Kansas that I think would surprise most people passing through.

Kansas Trail Guide: Out of staters often think of Kansas as “flyover country” – what would you say to change their minds?

Mize: I’d say to keep flying over so they don’t come crowd up all the open space that makes it feel so free Haha….I’d tell them they’re missing out on the best sunset they’ve ever seen, the best hunting trip they’ve been on, the best biking trails, small town main streets, cafés and diners, and down to earth people they’ve ever met.

Kansas Trail Guide: What’s your favorite part of playing in Kansas? Is there anything that stands out with crowds in Kansas compared to elsewhere?

Mize: Playing in Kansas is always a blast. It’s like a big reunion. Even if it’s a bunch of folks I’ve never met I can tell we get each other.  It’s a lot of fun and no ones trying to figure me out here.  I’m just one in the crowd and I like it that way.

Kansas Trail Guide: Do you have anything special planned for Country Stampede?

Mize: New album release! It’s tentatively scheduled for a July 1st release which means we’ll be selling them the last week of June exclusively at country stampede. So if you want it early that’s the only place to get it.

Kansas Trail Guide: When you think of Kansas, what’s the image that comes to mind?

Mize: I’m 6 years old in my dad’s jeep riding down a dirt road in Sumner County.  It’s evening in the summer. The wheat is a golden color and fields are scattered with rolling combines, the cottonwoods line the Ninnescah river banks, and we’re turning down a one lane dirt driveway just before crossing the Nixon bridge. We weren’t in any kind of hurry. Everyone we passed waved back at us.