Wednesday, 10 June
We left the house around 10 am, got some ice and gas, and headed to the trailer. The hookup was uneventful, though the trailer battery was dead. Fortunately, I could draw power from the truck to operate the smart jack. It was windy, and the gusts pushed Lisa around quite a bit.
Fall River State Park is about 2 1/2 hours away in Southeast Kansas. The park was about three-quarters empty when we arrived, which was nice. Although we didn’t have a lakeside site, we were close enough to enjoy a great lake view. The site was shadier than our previous Kansas State Parks, but the campsites were also closer. The setup was uneventful, and we quickly settled in to relax and have our first beer.
After a while, we walked around the park. The wind was still strong, and the waves on the lake reflected it. The water was pretty muddy. We climbed along the rocky shoreline and walked to another cluster of campers. The park had about 4-5 campgrounds scattered throughout, with several being primitive.
Lisa cooked some delicious pork steaks and asparagus on the Blackstone when we returned. Later, we enjoyed a tasty dessert: Lisa heated shortcakes on the grill and served them with strawberries, whipped cream, and chocolate drizzle. Yummy!
Thursday, 11 June
Camping in a nearly empty campground was pleasant, allowing us to enjoy the serenity of the surroundings. We sat by the lake with our coffee, taking in the peaceful view. Sam whipped up some delicious blueberry pancakes for breakfast. As we relaxed, we realized our ice had disappeared, so a quick trip to the store was necessary. We figured we’d combine it with a little sightseeing, and while there wasn’t much to explore in the immediate area, we did find a couple of waterfalls that piqued our interest.
Hubble’s Rubble
We made a quick stop at a gas station to grab some ice and fuel, then headed south. As we passed through the town of Howard, we noticed several metal structures scattered across a field. It reminded me of something I had read about—Hubble’s Rubble. Curious, we decided to stop and take a closer look at the site.
Butcher Falls
Next, we made our way to Butcher Falls. I didn’t have high expectations, and unfortunately, it met them. The falls were behind a metal archway and gate providing parking instructions. A short road led us to a stone bridge and what appeared to be a long-abandoned souvenir stand. We followed a sign that directed us toward “Artists’ Point,” after a brief walk down a path, we arrived at a very underwhelming sight: a filthy catch basin with dead fish floating around. Across from it, a small stream cascaded about 5 feet down some rocks. While the falls may have looked more impressive after a rainstorm, the area was so neglected that it felt more like a spot where people used to swim before the water became too polluted. Despite the disrepair, we still enjoyed seeing the falls.
Osro Falls
Our next destination was Osro Falls. To get there, we had to navigate several miles of gravel roads followed by overgrown two-tracks. I might have thought we were completely off course if it weren’t for GPS. I got out of the truck a few times to scout ahead before driving on. Eventually, the road led us right to the river’s edge. The falls were modest, with water cascading a couple of feet over jagged bedrock that spanned about 100 yards. What was most interesting, however, was that the road appeared to cross the bedrock, suggesting we could drive across the riverbed. I took off my shoes and walked over to check it out, and once I confirmed it was safe, I convinced Lisa to let me drive the truck across. Although she was hesitant, the water was only 3-4 inches deep, and she filmed the adventure as we crossed over and back. Moments like this make me grateful we opted for a 4-wheel-drive pickup and travel trailer instead of a less versatile setup.
Falls River State Park
Afterward, we drove around the rest of Falls River State Park to explore the boat ramps and trails. The park remained mostly empty, and we noticed an abundance of driftwood scattered throughout, indicating that it experienced frequent flooding. Several gates were marked with signs warning of “Do Not Enter Because of Flooding.” When we returned to camp, we decided to crack open the margaritas. With our solo cups and salt in hand, we relaxed and enjoyed the afternoon. Later, Lisa grilled some chicken, and we settled in for a quiet evening under the stars.
Friday, 12 June
We woke up to dark skies and distant rumbling, but fortunately, it only brought a light mist. We enjoyed yogurt and apple fritters inside the trailer while the weather passed. Once the skies cleared, we figured it would be a good opportunity to try hiking one of the trails.
Casner Creek Trail
The park’s top-rated trail was a 1.5-mile path, little more than a mowed lane through the grass. It hadn’t been used enough to form a true dirt trail. Despite that, the trail eventually led us through some areas filled with beautiful wildflowers, offering a lovely burst of color and a nice change of scenery.
Kayak
After lunch, we spent some time catching up on paperwork before taking the kayak on the lake. We launched from a nearby boat ramp and spent several hours floating, enjoying the calm waters. We had brought a cooler stocked with water and beer, but of course, we forgot the bottle opener for my beer (sad face). Aside from a ski boat that got too close and created some big waves, the lake was peaceful. We both agreed that getting the kayak had been one of our best decisions.
Dinner
When we returned, Sam had a beer and then went to the store to pick up more ice. Meanwhile, Lisa fired up the grill and cooked some delicious pork burgers, which we paired with cold potato salad. By then, the campground was filling up, and it was amazing to see how many campers had dogs with them. Most campers were weekenders with smaller rigs, but we did spot a couple of large fifth-wheel trailers and Class A motorhomes. Plenty of boats also existed, so we expected the lake to get busier the following day.
After dinner, we finished off the margaritas and spent some time relaxing in the trailer. Although it was warm inside, Lisa suggested we stick with the box fan rather than cranking up the air conditioner. It was the perfect decision, as the fan moved the air without making it too chilly.
Saturday, 13 June
Breakfast
Lisa made us a delicious breakfast of sausage and French toast this morning. Afterward, we took the kayak out for a short float on the southern part of the lake. The lake was calm, with very few boats, and the wind was light. We discovered where the river flowed into the lake and added it to our list of places to explore on our next kayaking trip.
Wichita
After a quick shower and some grilled cheese sandwiches, we decided to head to Wichita, about an hour away. Though I was still uneasy about being around people due to the pandemic, we decided to check out the riverwalk and maybe visit a brewery. The drive was beautiful, and along the way, we passed large metal sculptures marked as “Sculpture Hill.” We didn’t stop for pictures, but the sculptures were interesting.
Nortons
When we arrived in Wichita, the temperature had soared to 95 degrees, so we opted to visit a brewery first, even though it was still early afternoon. Our first stop was Nortons, the highest-rated brewery on Yelp, in the Old Town district. The brewery had spacious picnic tables inside and a dog-friendly courtyard with lawn furniture. The windows were adorned with BLM signs, but what caught our attention was the lack of masks and social distancing. People were crowded together, none of the outdoor furniture was sanitized between uses, and you had to walk up to a window to order drinks outside. We found a shaded wicker couch and sampled three half-pours of their beers, but the atmosphere made us uncomfortable, so we decided to try another brewery.
River City Brewing Company
Just around the corner, we found the River City Brewing Company. Immediately, the staff wearing masks made me feel more comfortable, signaling they were taking COVID-19 precautions seriously. We found a nice, quiet table on the outside patio, away from the traffic. Although our waitress didn’t wear a mask, I assumed that was because she worked outside. We ordered half-pours, but none of the beers were to our liking, so we eventually settled on their lager. For dinner, we ordered a Mac ‘n’ Cheese sampler with eight different styles served in an eight-part skillet, along with a couple of side salads. While the Mac ‘n’ Cheese was fun and filling, it wasn’t something we’d order again.
Riverwalk
The temperature hadn’t cooled much by the time we left, but we decided to explore the riverwalk and visit the Keeper of the Plains statue. The Riverwalk spans 10.8 miles, but the statue is located near the downtown business and government district. Wichita’s downtown has a lot of charm, with its old buildings and churches. We parked near the Veterans Memorial Park and visited several of the memorials. Afterward, we walked along the river to the Keeper of the Plains statue. From a distance, it was hard to make out the shape, but as we got closer, we could see it was an Indian holding an ax. The 44-foot statue stands on a 30-foot rock foundation at the confluence of the Little and Big Arkansas rivers. A footbridge leads to the plaza, and a small waterfall by the river attracts a gathering of geese. Flute music played in the background, and we explored some display walls detailing local Native American culture. It was a peaceful and beautiful spot.
We returned to the Veterans Memorial Park and visited the remaining memorials commemorating the various wars. Both of us were impressed with the park and the memorials’ thoughtful design.
Braum’s
On the way back, we stopped at Braum’s for some ice cream on the drive home. Once back at the trailer, we relaxed on the couch for a while before calling it a night.
Sunday, 14 June
Turkey Run Trail
After a breakfast of yogurt and the last of the apple fritters, we headed to the Gobbler’s Knob campground to walk the Turkey Run Trail. This pleasant 1.5-2 mile trail meanders through a grove of trees and leads to the top of a spur surrounded by grasslands.
Fall River Dam
Afterward, we drove to the Fall River Dam and stopped at an overlook. Crossing the dam, we checked out a couple of campgrounds on the other side of the lake. While the Corps of Engineers campgrounds were still closed, we found some nice spots at the Whitehead campground.
Kayaking
Upon returning, we had sausages for lunch before taking the kayak out on the lake. We paddled down the Fall River for a bit. The trip back to the boat launch was manageable going upstream on the river, but the lake’s strong winds made it a slow crawl back to the boat ramp.
Margarita’s
Once we got back, we hit the Mango Margarita. Most of the campground was empty, so we listened to classic rock while overlooking the lake and enjoyed relaxing.
Monday, 15 June
Catclaw and Bluestem Trails
After a breakfast of scrambled eggs and hashbrowns, we decided to hike some more park trails. This time we went on the Catclaw and Bluestem trails that together were about 2-1/2 miles. These went through more woodlands and along ravines. We scared up deer at two different places. One of the interesting things about the trees was that they seemed to lay down or grow vertically a lot.
Fredonia
After our hike, we took showers, had a light lunch, and decided to go for a drive. We headed southeast and made an impromptu stop in Fredonia, which advertised historical buildings with a giant American flag on a hill. It took us a while to find the road leading to the flag, but when we arrived, we discovered a small park with an observation deck overlooking the surrounding prairie. The view was stunning, with vast stretches of grasslands and the serene landscape of Kansas.
We then drove through downtown and took a picture of the 1881 Gold Dust Hotel, which looked like an authentic old cowboy hotel. The architecture and preserved details provided a glimpse into the past.
Norman Number 1 Oil Site
Our next destination was Norman Number 1 Oil Site, a replica and museum commemorating the first successful well in what is now known as the Mid-Continent oil field. This site marked the beginning of a major oil boom in states from Kansas to Texas and Louisiana. The address I initially found on Google Maps led us deep into the countryside and down about 5 miles of gravel roads until we reached a road marked as private property.
After rerouting, I found another address on Google Maps that took us to Neodesha. We located an old wooden oil derrick behind a chain-link fence near a closed museum due to COVID-19 restrictions. The museum displayed exhibits on the history of the oil field and its significance in the region, though we couldn’t enter due to the closure.
Beef Burger Bobs
I suggested we look for some ice cream, but we couldn’t find any non-chain ice cream places in the area. So, we decided to head to our next location. As we drove through the town, I saw an advertising flag with “Ice Cream” on it outside a colorful, quaint restaurant called “Beef Burger Bob’s,” so we decided to stop.
Inside, we were greeted by an elderly couple at one of the half-dozen tables. Lisa ordered a chocolate peanut butter shake, and I got a vanilla banana shake. While the elderly woman went to the back to make the shakes, the older gentleman chatted with us, sharing stories about their 40+ years in business, how they stayed open during the pandemic, his Facebook page, and more.
We got the shakes to go, and they were deliciously thick and flavorful.
The Little House of the Prairie Museum
Our next stop was the Little House on the Prairie Museum, which stands on the original land where Laura Ingalls Wilder lived with her family in a one-room log cabin in 1870. This period of her life later inspired her to pen the indelible classic, “Little House on the Prairie.”
The childhood cabin is a replica, while many other buildings are historical structures from the area that have either been preserved or moved to the site. The museum’s primary goal is to create a historical environment that educates the public about Laura Ingalls Wilder, her books, and life on the prairie in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
We arrived about an hour before closing but had enough time to see everything. The museum’s layout included a replica cabin, a historic schoolhouse, a post office, and several other buildings that provided a glimpse into pioneer life. Each building was furnished with period-appropriate artifacts and detailed explanations of their historical significance.
Since Lisa had never read any of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books, we bought one from the gift shop. The shop offered a variety of books, souvenirs, and educational materials, making it a great stop for fans of the series and history enthusiasts alike.
Dinner
We headed back, and Lisa cooked some delicious kabobs on the grill. The bugs were out in force, so we retreated indoors early and watched some Netflix on my computer. Unfortunately, I was unable to tune in to any TV channels or get the Roku or Chromecast to work properly for us to use the TV.
Tuesday, 16 June
Today, we head home. We woke up to find a small bag of trash we had left outside scattered all over the ground. Another lesson learned: don’t leave trash outside at night.
We then drove back to the camper.