Dodge City

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3 adventures to check out this Valentine’s Day weekend

Happy Valentine’s Day! Since of course you don’t want to show your significant other how much they mean to you on just one day, stretch it out over at least the weekend with some of these three special opportunities:

Salt Safari Adventure in Hutchinson

Go underground on a unique tour of the Kansas Underground Salt Museum (3504 E. Avenue G, Hutchinson). It’s a 3-hour hike on February 15, 2014 through some of the unimproved caverns of the salt mine, perfect for adventure loving couples.

For tickets ($60) and more information: underkansas.org

The couple who runs together, stays together. Compete with a loved one in a 5K  run or go to cheer on the runners at the Ritz Carlton Plaza (9000 W. 137th, Overland Park) on February 6, 2014 at 9am.  Prizes go  fastest male, female or coed two person team in Kansas City. All runners will get custom finishers medals and long sleeve race shirts.

Dinner and a show: “Run For Your Wife”

Enjoy some laughs together over dinner with “Run For Your Wife” at the Historic Santa Fe Depot (201 E Wyatt Earp Blvd, Dodge City). The Dodge City based Depot Theater Company is taking on the story of a London cabbie who’s juggling two wives.

Tickets are $40 and the show starts at 7:30pm on February 14 and 15, 2014.

For more weekend options, check out the Kansas Calendar.

Photo by puamelia

Happy Valentine’s Day! Photo by puamelia

 

 

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2013 Biking Across Kansas June 8-15

BAK: 8 days and 522 miles

Since 1975, cyclists have hit the roads of Kansas starting in Colorado and riding across the state in Biking Across Kansas. With a different route each year, it “promotes health and wellness through bicycling, the history and beauty of the Kansas, and the warm hospitality of the Kansas towns and people.”

I’m sure the around 800 cyclists and support staff will be quick to dispute the common misconception that Kansas is entirely flat. While not mountain filled, the route presents some hill challenges, particularly in the eastern section of the state. At nights, the cyclists will eat, shower, and sleep at local schools.

If you’re in and around the route, see the map above and the dates below, come out to show your support to the riders!

Friday, June 7 (early start) – Colorado Border to Johnson City : 16

Saturday, June 8 (regular start) – Johnson City to Sublette: 57

Sunday, June 9 – Sublette to Dodge City: 53

Monday, June 10 – Dodge City to Coldwater: 75

Tuesday, June 11 – Coldwater to Anthony: 80

Wednesday, June 12 – Anthony to Arkansas City: 67

Thursday, June 13 – Arkansas City to Sedan: 56

Friday, June 14 – Sedan to Oswego: 83

Saturday, June 15 – Oswego to Galena: 35

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Kansas by numbers

8 feet – the height grasses can reach in the tallgrass prairie

Author Jonathan Conard with his daughter.

Author Jonathan Conard with his daughter at the highest point in Kansas

11 physiographic regions

14 mph average wind speed in Dodge City, Kansas’ windiest city

24 state parks

24 endangered species

65 feet – the depth of Milford Lake, the state’s largest lake

300 bison (approximately) in the herd on the Konza Prairie

467 recorded bird species

680 feet above sea level – Verdigris River, the lowest point in the state

4,039 feet above sea level – the height of Mount Sunflower, the highest point in  the state