The best escapes are often beyond commercialized spots with insiders and locals frequent to catch their breath and experienced untainted beauty. You will find one such treasure a short drive of Interstate 70 at Highway 177.
As you enter the tall grass prairies of the Flint Hills, you’ll feel worlds away from the noise and demands of the 21st century. But was once 140 million acres spread is now mere 10,000 precious and protected acres filled with hundreds of unusual species of plants, birds, insects and mammals. It’s a one of a kind ecosystem that can only be appreciated by walking and hiking through the tall grass and keeping a close eye on other satellite forms. You will discover creatures you’ve never seen and even pieces of flint stone that used to line the floor of the ocean.
The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is one of the eight wonders of Kansas. It maybe your destination but you don’t want to miss the hidden gems along the way. Start with Junction City and check out the Milford Nature Center to get a close up look at all sorts of Kansas creatures. Up the road to Manhattan, check out the lush gardens of Kansas State University. You don’t have to be in alarm to appreciate the college atmosphere of the Little Apple, where the great shopping along the four block strip known as Aggieville. Make your way to Council Grove where you can stop by Hays House, the oldest continuously operating restaurant west of the Mississippi for some famous crunch chicken salad. No matter where you stay people are always friendly in Kansas and the accommodations are the next best thing to home.
The next day meander along the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway and retraced the steps of American Indians of the prohibition and learn about the hardships along the Santa Fe Trail. Soon enough the Tallgrass prairies are within sight. But wait there is even more to see. With a little planning you could make a reservation for the kids to ride their first horse at Flint Hills Adventures. Ranch proprietor Jan Jantzen will let you in on what natives’ value about this area.
Jan Jantzen: Here in Kansas, the sky comes all the way to the ground. The sky isn’t just up there. The sky is right out there, so it gives a season credible views and amazing sense of peace. You can’t live a hurry life out here and that’s why a lot people come to visit and read deeply on this prairie grass till to there.
If you dare a dream of escaping the headaches and stresses of every day life, Cottonwood Falls would be part of your escape plan. Walking downtown mainstream is a flashback to our common type. The food is down home country, order the daily special or cat fish dinner at the Emma Chase Café on a Friday evening, right before the locals grab a tail end front.
People come here for miles to pick up the weekend and jam. You’ve heard some of the best blue grass ever and you lived the Flint Hills knowing that Kansas is not only a destination state. It’s also a state of mind. Enjoy the escape.
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