Cue the State Song of Kansas
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Were buffalo used to roam there is now the Glacial Hills Scenic Byway where no one roams anymore, just an occasional car with passengers who didn’t find anything better to do on a gloomy Sunday. Scenic Byway officially starts at Ft.Leavenworth, passes through Atchinson, twists and turns through Troy and stops right before the Nebraska border at White Cloud – a place still recovering from the housing bubble of 1929.
White Cloud is home to the 4-State lookout – a place where you can see Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska at the same time.
Panoramic view from the lookout can be seen here.
Miss Teen Kansas lives here (at least until 2010):
White Cloud was voted the best place to dispose of a dead body:
Just don’t forget to “dispose of all head and guts” and leave the work area clean for the next person.
North of the White Cloud you will find an Indian Casino adorned by the symbols of past glory: Eagle Feathers, Eagle without feathers and an unfinished tipi:
At the casino zombie-looking white people are sitting in the clouds of smoke, mistakenly hoping they can fool the Indians again. Instead, their money is financing the modern-day tipis.
On the way back you can cross the river, drive past the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge,and return home via I-29.
Overall, this is a pretty nice weekend trip, but it will probably look more picturesque during the spring and summer months. There is a lot more to be seen in Atchinson and there is a 10-mile auto route around the Refuge.
View Larger Map
The Travel Channel says that Atchison is one of the most haunted cities in America…maybe because that’s where you get rid of the heads and guts.
The really fun thing about White Cloud (and neighboring Sparks) is the flea markets that are held there in the spring and fall.
I have problems getting Cliff to go to Kansas, unless we’re going to visit his brother down near Coffeyville. He really HATES that state; I, on the other hand, like it just fine for a day trip. You’re right about things looking more picturesque in the spring. I don’t take a lot of outdoor pictures from the motorcycle this time of year; it’s all gray and somewhat depressing.
White Cloud and the nearby town of Sparks are also home to a couple of the biggest flea markets you will ever see. One in the spring and one in the fall. It started in White Cloud. The Sparks started having one the same weekend to hijack all of the traffic that has to go past Sparks to get to White Cloud. These days, I think Sparks is winning. Their flea market is bigger and better. Be prepared to do a lot of walking, eat a lot of funnel cake, drink lemonade and wear sunscreen!
I want to see how the reply button works so:
XO, do you know when the spring flea market is?
I want to go in that house. Great pictures MV!
I think they need some stimulus money.
Ok…so it puts the reply comment right under the original comment irrespective of time posted. Thanks.
Jools,
Spring Flea Market is April 30th, MAY – 1 – 2 & 3
Fall Flea Market is September, 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th.
Very nice panorama. Actually looks like a fun trip… may do it myself as spring ripens.
Panorama has unbelievable level of detail. I wonder what kind of camera they used.
That really does look like a fun trip. I love rural, rotting America. I actually am fascinated with small, tiny towns and the character they seem to have. There’s always something interesting. Nice work, Meesha!
I’m thinking view camera, or medium format with multiples of pix.
its hauntingly beautiful which I guess fits in with the whole actually being haunted thing.