I don’t know
about you but I get real tired of driving in a brisk crosswind. Unfortunately,
it seems that every time I get into Kansas that is what I face. Regardless of
the direction of travel. I guess it would not really be Kansas if the wind was
not blowing. At least I did not see any airborne buildings.
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In any case,
everyone who planned to made it to Richey Cove Campground at Council Groves,
Kansas. This campground is one of several at the Corps of Engineers-maintained
Neosho Lake. Wayne and Carol Cook were the overall wagonmasters for this rally
and they had us at Council Groves for the Wah-Shun-Gah Days Festival which is a
local event now in its 30th year. For the Thursday reception we had 21
members in attendance. Those members included the Couchs, Cooks, Stremmings,
Severes, Lynchs, Sidebottoms, Genrichs, Mathis’, Carliles, Ginny Weaver, TJ
Ballard and Sandy Thomas. The reception officially started at 7PM but, of
course, there were those who could not wait and the gathering at the Cooks
motor coach started early. We did not have the benefit of a meeting room but we
did just fine at a pavilion alongside the Cook’s coach. The Couchs were the
hosts for the reception and provided us with apple and chocolate cakes, drinks,
nuts and pretzels. By the time the last person left it was well after dark.
Friday morning’s breakfast started at
7:30 with pasties, fresh fruit cup, coffee and orange juice. At 9AM we caravanned
to the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve south of Council Groves. This is a 10,000
acre preserve established in 1996 by Congress to protect a significant example
of the 140 million acres of tallgrass prairie that once covered the Central
Plains. The National Park Service has a new headquarters building on site that
provides information on the preserve. We then took a 90 minute bus ride into
the preserve with narration by a park ranger. He explained most of the aspects
of the ecosystem and gave us information about the bison herd that is being
developed in the preserve. We were able to stop and watch most of the 21 bison
currently in the preserve. They plan to grow the herd to 80 to 90 head. After
that we toured the co-located ranch house and outbuildings of the former 7,000
acre ranch which makes up most of the preserve. We then continued south to
Cottonwood Falls for a lunch at the Emma Chase Café. That afternoon most
members just did their own thing. For the evening meal we ventured to the Hays
House, which is the oldest continuous restaurant west of the Mississippi River.
After supper some of the members viewed festival events including a fireworks
show. Unfortunately, during the day the Lynchs had to leave due to Carol
becoming ill. 
Saturday morning we, once again,
gathered at the Cooks coach for a breakfast provided by the Genrichs. No one
hesitated to grab the ham biscuits, coffee cake, tomato, orange and apple
juice, coffee and fresh fruit. After breakfast we headed downtown for the
doings. Carol and I were not in time for the Farmer’s Market which kicked off
at 5:30 but we did make it to the craft vendors of which there were plenty. The
parade was to start at 10AM and when we arrived at 9 spots were being taken.
Promptly at 10:10 the ten o’clock parade started led by a National Guard band
and a cavalry color guard. What followed was your typical small town summer
time parade complete with fire engines, Shriners, convertibles, horses and
politicians. I thought that it would be fitting if the politicians were carrying
shovels and following the horses. After the parade there was still plenty to do
with a host of events scheduled for the afternoon and evening. During the morning
the Stremmings had to leave due to a prior commitment. Finally, everyone
returned with or without something they bought at the festival. For supper we
headed to the Trail Days Café (What, you expected some French restaurant?). This
is not your typical restaurant. To start it is in a building that is the second
oldest home on the Santa Fe Trail in Kansas. Started in 1860 as a residence, it
has been through many owners and many uses including serving as a gas station
for 50 years. This building is now owned by the Council Groves Historic
Preservation Corporation. While the building is small they serve a terrific
meal family style topped off by a delicious selection of desserts. They cater
especially to those interested in the history of the Santa Fe Trail and Kansas.
In fact, when in existence the Trail went right past the front door.
Sunday the Couchs hosted our usual
get-away breakfast before we attended to all of the tasks associated with
leaving a rally site.
July. Next up is our rally at the
Peculiar Place RV Park. For all of the information about that rally take a look
at the rally flyer by clicking on the Rally Flyer link. We will not have
another rally until October so you want to be sure to attend the July rally. Get
that registration in to Dan Couch by the fourth of July. Also, do not forget to
call the park and make a
reservation. Be sure to tell them you are with the Heart of America.
FMCA Family Reunion. You still have
time to register for the FMCA rally in Indianapolis, August 27 – 30.
Six State Rally. Also, do not forget
the Six State Rally in Shawnee, Oklahoma, September 26 – 30.
