Western Kansas...there has to be SOMETHING to see (budget, land)

[Gunluvver2]

I have to ask you about Chokecherries ItsMeFred. On our farm the bottoms of the canyons were loaded with Wild Chokecherries. In a good year the whole family would pick Chokecherries and Mom would then make Jelly or syrup (failed Jelly attempts). In a good day of picking we could fill ten one bushel baskets. That was usually enough to get through the year and have extra for friends. My mouth is watering just thinking about pancakes with homemade butter on them and lots of ChokeCherry syrup.

Your land looks like they would thrive there.

GL2

[Nameless]

Very neat looking land Fred. I wish I had time someday to explore some of the land out there but anytime I'm out that way it's on the way to Denver which is a 10 hour drive so I'm usually in a hurry.

[GraniteStater]

That land is very nice Fred, but I like the Smoky Hills butte topography even better. I am biased! That is where my family roots are, though

[Marksman84]

Originally Posted by kentuckydad95

Coming up in March, we will be taking a family road trip to the Grand Canyon. We will take I-40 to Arizona, a straight shot. On the way back, we thought about knocking out a few more states on our list of states we have yet to visit. Thought about coming back I-40 to I-25 to Colorado to I-70 through Kansas and Mizzou.

I started looking at the map of Kansas and noticed that there doesn't seem to be much on the Western end. Are there any touristy things out that way? Any places to avoid? Speedtraps? Thank you for your replies.

My friend, the term "Speedtrap" was INVENTED in Western Kansas.

Be ever so vigilant of your rate of travel between the state line w/CO and Topeka. Yes, this is a flat 363 miles of wheat. My wife and I go to Denver frequently, and from east to west here is where the radar detector has gone off the most (KS residents - feel free to comment or add):

Alma 2
Abilene 4
Salina 7 (out of 14 passes - a disgusting 50 percent frequency)
Russell 2
Wakeeny 4
Oakley 3
Goodland 5 (they hide in the median behind bushes)

God's greatest inventions: Beer, Women's Beach Volleyball, and the Radar Detector.

[pioneer88]

I'm sorry to hear of your misfortunes. I must be lucky, the times I've driven that stretch, like anyone I find the spedometer rising but managed to not get caught. But who knows maybe they look for out of state (especially Missouri) tags and focus on getting their money instead! ; )

[Samantha S]

Originally Posted by pioneer88

I'm sorry to hear of your misfortunes. I must be lucky, the times I've driven that stretch, like anyone I find the spedometer rising but managed to not get caught. But who knows maybe they look for out of state (especially Missouri) tags and focus on getting their money instead! ; )

They may not be able to check the tags before they stop you, but they have some discretion on who gets a ticket. If you get stopped in Western KS and your tag says "Colorado" or "Jo", get out your wallet, cuz you are donating to the state of KS!

(This is a quote from a KS highway patrolman)

[KevK]

There really is nothing on I-70 in Western KS. The better route is the lower state where you would see Dodge City which is a famous western town and Garden City with the largest swimming pool in the world (if it still is).
You will learn that Dodge City is named "dodge" because you had to "dodge" the bullets to stay alive there. And if you didn't "dodge" in Dodge, they took your body to Garden and planted you!

[itsMeFred]

Originally Posted by Gunluvver2

I have to ask you about Chokecherries ItsMeFred. On our farm the bottoms of the canyons were loaded with Wild Chokecherries. In a good year the whole family would pick Chokecherries and Mom would then make Jelly or syrup (failed Jelly attempts). In a good day of picking we could fill ten one bushel baskets. That was usually enough to get through the year and have extra for friends. My mouth is watering just thinking about pancakes with homemade butter on them and lots of ChokeCherry syrup.

Your land looks like they would thrive there.

GL2

Yes, we have a few.

Friend of mine made chokecherry jelly last fall and a batch of it didn't gel. She was broken hearted as she wanted to give it away, but now she'd have to pitch all her "mistakes."

Mistakes?!!? Val!! Have you never had chokecherry syrup??
Give me all of your "mistakes" and you'll feel better. lol

[seastorm]

Lol!

[firebll31]

Also be aware-since there are not many trees or curves to hide behind in west KS, they sometimes use airplanes to track speeders then radio the HiPo to intercept.
I have relatives from West Kansas (formerly Greensburg). The hills and curves in SW MO make them sick. And the trees make them feel claustrophobic!