we went to the prairie again : some pictures here

i swear i took my bigGirl camera. but i never pulled her out of my pack. poor thing.

this was our weekend holiday to the prairie. in the past, the poet and i have visited the Tallgrass Prairie, but last year we finally discovered the Konza Prairie and decided to go there and take The Long Hike. we love the spring wildflowers. the weather was a little iffy, as it has been all spring, but we woke on Friday and i said "let's just GO anyway". so we did. on Friday was the driving portion of our trip. we took one of our favorite scenic drives and drove through a little town i love (Alma, so many handsome stone buildings) - we bought some cheese at the Alma Cheese Factory. it was too early to check into our motel in Wamego, and the few dining establishments (mostly fast food chains) did not look appealing, so we drove on to Manhattan, about 14 miles away.

it was a gloomy day, sprinkling off and on. we ate a late lunch at a dive in the student neighborhood - do they *really* call it "Aggieville"?? - the Hibachi Hut. at least it was local. i hate chains unless i am desperate. the we drove around Kansas State University so i could look at the buildings. they were very handsome. next we went to the old downtown and walked around. also, very handsome buildings. we went into a gallery i had heard of, the Strecker-Nelson and it was very pleasant - the space, the work, the owners - *and* their awesome little dog! we wandered around a little more. the town was a curious mix. it wasn't "hip" like Lawrence. i felt like i was in another decade. there were even thrift shops and appliance stores downtown. and strangely, lots of bridal shops. a wonderful theatre and apartment/hotel building.

back to Wamego and we checked into our mom and pop motel. it was clean and neat and the bikers across the way weren't noisy at all. the poet grumbled a bit about paying a few dollars more than the Motel 6 in Manhattan advertised, but i would always rather do the local thing, i reminded him. he understands really. just likes to grumble sometimes. we threw our stuff down, then went out to wander in the small town of Wamego. it was a tidy, proud place and again i felt like i was in another decade. i finally made some pictures. mostly i just wanted to wander and look though.

next morning, it was misty and STILL gray, but not threatening, so we packed up and went back downtown to the local coffee joint, The Daily Grind. we decided to eat breakfast there, too, even though there was first, ahem, some grumbling about price. but i sure didn't want MickeyD's!! it was an interesting old building, with ceiling fans run off pulleys. i had never seen anything like that. the building must have been an old saloon. the coffee was awesome, because both of us became slightly euphoric on the drive to the prairie. i mean, it *was* a nice drive, but ...

finally we arrived at the Konza Prairie and set out for the 6 mile hike. this time i had plenty of water and we had snacks, too. i have been walking with a little pack, back and forth to work, and carrying stuff is fine now. i'm strong! the hike was gorgeous, the sky cleared and by the end we had blue skies. the terrain was varied and i even found some old structures! we saw lots of new wildflowers and some good birds, but sadly, no upland sandpipers. once we saw a baby bird in the path and have still been unable to identify him. i think he might have been an upland sandpiper! it was really a beautiful hike. and it felt like a piece of cake. i am so glad to be in better shape this year. we ate sandwiches back at the car, watching the sky and grasses. then we drove home. it was such fun. and i am so proud of my car, tinaMerlot - she was GREAT. that was her longest trip ever.