Road Trips

All my life I have loved to travel. By the time I was 16 I had seen 38 states. Thanks to my parents. I spent many summers laying in the backend of the Crockett Family Truckster (a Chevy station wagon) watching the scenery go by. In my younger days, I imagined the car was a star ship and it gave me a place to play with my Star Wars action figures. As I got older, and as the old battle wagon started falling apart, we switched to a sedan, an Impala. Gone were the Star Wars characters, but in came the new Sony Walkman. I would find a station, listen to it until the signal faded, and then I would start searching for the next station on the dial.

I miss those family vacations. What a great tradition and one with so many lasting memories. Like being scared on the Alice In Wonderland ride at Disney, seeing three World’s Fairs, Graceland, New York City, San Antonio, Mt. Rushmore, Vancouver, Seattle, Chicago’s Second City, and so many other places.

Once I graduated college I was a little too old for family vacations, but I continued to travel as much as possible. Niagara Falls, Great Smokey Mountains, Louisville, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, the Spam Museum, the Hoover Presidential Library, and again so many more places.

Then Jeremy and I met. He was not quite prepared to travel like a Crockett. My trips are scheduled ahead of time, covering as much as possible every day. It is go-go-go with me. My thought, “I want to see this, because I may never be here again.” After the first trip Jeremy said, we need to slow it down and include some chances for spontaneity. I agreed. Now when we travel, I plan a half day, then leave the rest to chance. Truth be told, I still have a few back up activities for the other half of the day. Just in case.

We have spent numerous weekends in Kansas City, Tulsa, and Oklahoma City. We like to travel to western Kansas to meet up with our friends from Denver and always try to make some stops along the route. We have taken an Alaskan cruise and two Mexico cruises. We’ve visited DisneyWorld, Mexico, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, the Caribbean, Memphis, the Bahamas, Dallas, Little Rock, Denver, and one of our favs- Vegas.

So here are some of the unique stories and places we have seen while roaming across the great state of Kansas and beyond.

Reindeer, lights, sleigh rides, and a tree nearly touching the rafters… plus the only registered North American reindeer in Kansas. Fulton Valley Farms isn’t just a farm… it’s a holly-jolly adventure.

Hidden tunnels, botched heists, and a hardware store full of heroes… the Dalton Gang saga is Kansas chaos at its finest.

I went to see where Laura Ingalls Wilder once lived and ended up face-to-face with ponies, a hand-dug well, and doors so low I had to duck… talk about stepping back in time.

From soulful jazz portraits to 4,000 toy cars and a chandelier that could light up Kansas… the Museum of Art + Light had everything, including a gift shop that nearly broke my self-control.

Des Moines brings the art game: a sculpture garden full of giants (and one plotting snowman), a museum built by famous architects, and a lot more charm than you’d expect between cornfields.

Biscuits and gravy, butter cows, buckets of cookies, eggs on sticks, and a fiery political train wreck… welcome to the Iowa State Fair.

Nicodemus, KS… tiny, historic, and full of stories. A town that’s mostly quiet now, but its past still speaks loudly.

Because sometimes history isn’t written in dusty books… it’s stirred up in neon powder and served in plastic cups. Hastings, Nebraska is where Kool-Aid was born, and a must-see for me.

Where else can you see space toilets, couture cheeseburgers, and dinosaur fossils in the same afternoon? Overland Park has the answer.

Lecompton, Kansas… the little town that almost became the capital but wound up giving us Eisenhower instead. History doesn’t get more Kansas than this.

Iowa and Nebraska never fail to surprise—giant corn, outlaw train robberies, and the world’s biggest porch swing. You know I had to stop for all of it!

Des Moines may not always make the guidebooks’ “must-see” lists, but where else can you grab a loose-meat sandwich, lock your bike to a peeing dog, and pose with a giant garden tool?

Altoona, Iowa: where you can meet a smirking Moai, a giant frog head, and a retro rocket that could launch you straight into the ‘50s.

Boot Hill Museum used to be a little cheesy. Now it’s a lot awesome—with just enough cheese to keep it fun (and a whole building of shiny old guns).

Where else can you find a museum, a crooked bridge, a bricklaying legend named Deafy, and a church steeple that’s 60 miles from home? Only in Atchison.

In the heart of Topeka, a visit to the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park unveils the profound significance of Monroe Elementary School and this landmark institution played a pivotal role in a transformative victory in the Civil Rights. Check out: From Dolls to Desegregation: The Journey of Brown v Board of Education.

This little cabin in Athol, KS was the inspiration for one of the top 100 folk songs of all time. It has been recorded countless times by everyone from Tori Amos to Bugs Bunny. Check out the Home on the Range Cabin

Follow the trail of Amelia Earhart in Atchison—history, heart, and high-flying Kansas pride.

Where the gas wouldn’t burn, but the stories still sizzle. Also, there was candy. And possibly outlaws. Welcome to Dexter.

Wellington’s got charm in spades—check out our latest post on two museums where Kansas history meets harp records, Harvey Houses, and carnival glass critters.

History, romance, and pioneer gossip all wrapped up in one log cabin—Augusta’s got more stories than a high school reunion.

Stopped in Sedan to visit a sad clown, admire 1,000 whiskey bottles, dodge haunted trailer vibes, and leave with a new appreciation for Kansas circus heroes—and shot glasses.

The Benson Museum in Howard, Kansas is a one-of-a-kind collection of Elk County history spread across several charming buildings. Highlights include thousands of vintage dolls, circus memorabilia, and a roadside art display that proves Kansas is anything but boring.

Beneath Ellinwood lies a world of ghost stories, saddles, and surgeries—yes, barbers used to pull tonsils too. Take the tour, skip the used bathwater. Check our Road Trip: Ellinwood

Just outside Pratt, the KDWP Education Center and Fish Hatchery is a hidden gem filled with Kansas wildlife, quirky exhibits and meet “Dirty Harry,” a deer decoy with a wild backstory. It’s the kind of place you didn’t know you needed to visit. KDWP Center

Discover the powerful story of resilience and remembrance at the newly opened museum dedicated to Black Wall Street’s legacy in Tulsa. Step into history and explore the profound impact of Greenwood’s rise and the tragic events of 1921, a narrative that demands reflection and understanding. Greenwood Rising

Wrapping up an epic Chicago adventure. From secret James Bond tech at the Museum of Science and Industry to laughs at Second City and culinary delights in Chinatown, it was a whirlwind of discovery and fun. Chicago Part II

Join us on a whirlwind adventure through the bustling streets of Chicago as we celebrate a milestone birthday amidst St. Patrick’s Day festivities and spring break madness. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, discover the magic of the Windy City! Chicago Part I

Our drive home included more roadside attractions and New Year’s Eve on the boardwalk in Kemah.

Not really a road trip, but how about a cruise trip through Key West, Nassau and Freeport.

A Christmas Cruise took us to Galveston to check out some great sites along the coast.

A memorial to the B-29 super fortress, novelty water towers and 1950’s eatery. We spent the afternoon in Pratt, Kansas.

Give me a home, where the Dala horse roam… A road trip to Lindsborg or “Little Sweden“

Some great attractions including America’s smallest incorporated town, a museum dedicated to America’s first elected female mayor, and a little Statue of Liberty.

Casinos, two legends of music, and a stop at the Waffle House kept us, Livin’ on Tulsa Time.

The road to desegregating public schools can be traced back to one particular school in Topeka. Visiting the school behind Brown v. BOE.

Walt always said, “It all started with a mouse.” And you could say that it all started in Kansas City. Check out Disney and the Trailblazers of Animation.

Inspiring the Kansas State Song, we make a stop at the original Home on The Range

Embark on a nostalgic journey through Manhattan, Kansas, as we explore iconic locations from the Max show “Somebody, Somewhere.” From the Manhattan Hill sign to Vista Hamburgers, our tour unveils the charm and character of this vibrant town. Join us on a visual feast, where each stop holds a piece of history, art, and the unique spirit of Manhattan.

Join us for an unforgettable trip to the Kansas City Renaissance Faire, where history and fun come together in a unique experience. From knights and jesters to thrilling shows and mouthwatering treats, it’s a day of adventure and excitement.

Embark on a captivating road trip through history and nostalgia! From the solemnity of The Great Hanging Memorial to the whimsical wonders of the Toy & Action Figure Museum, and a heartfelt tribute to James Garner, join us on a trip through South Central Oklahoma.

Prepare for a journey to Hutchinson, KS, where history, art, and small-town charm converge. Uncover the hidden gems of this Kansas oasis with us as we delve into the heart of the sunflower state.

Discover the unexpected fusion of art and play at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Follow us as we try out the museum’s hidden gem: a miniature golf course based on art and architecture. We call this one, Quit Playing Games with my Art

An Ichabod with a head, a stoic doctor with a funny bone, and the birth of two movements. Checking out more sites from Topeka, Kansas.

Wild west tales, celebrities, waterfalls and the ornate box turtle make up part of the history of Caldwell, Kansas.

A trip to Topeka took us to the Evel Knievel Museum. It’s a great visit, one of the best museums in Kansas. Unfortunately in October of 2023 it is moving to Vegas, so check it out. We’re calling this one a Touch of Evel.

A peace treaty, a statue of liberty, and a woman with an axe to grind. Checking out Medicine Lodge, Kansas.

A trip across North Central Kansas involved a girl that changed the course of history, the original Boot Hill, a ghost story in Hays, an odd shop and a big ass ball of twine.

I should have called this, Kevin and Jeremy’s Egg-cellent Adventure. This is our stop in Wilson, KS. Czech it out! World’s Largest Czech Egg

Legends of the Old West, a Kansas man who changed the world and a whole bunch of little Liberty statues. Check out the Western KS road trip.

Road Trip through Emporia, Chanute, Independence and Parsons, KS. The Wright Brothers’ Mentor, The Amazon Army and a memorial dedicated to those who taught and lost their lives.

Checking out the roadside attractions in Manhattan and Topeka.

According to the Food Network, it’s home to the 6th best hamburger in America. Salina, KS is also the home of Lee Jeans and the a very famous aviation world record.

Leaving Oklahoma City, we had to make a few stops on the way home including some time on Route 66.

A celebration of some of Oklahoma City’s best roadside attractions.

We did serious Kansas City with Auschwitz and a love story with Rosedale. Now it’s time to have some fun in Kansas City.

It’s a monument to those that fought in America’s wars. It’s also the sight of a monumental moment in our lives. The Rosedale Arch

I won’t even try to cover the Auschwitz Exhibition in its entirety. These are my thoughts on the experience.

Part of our visit to Kansas City included a stop at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City to see their monument to the Holocaust.

Our last stop on the SEKS Road Trip was in Independence... home to amazing statues, good Mexican food, a couple of “baseball firsts” and the hometown of my WFC mentor.