For those of you who don’t know, the Kansas state capital is undergoing an extensive renovation project. Although the results are definitely worth it, the construction did make the trip to the capital a little underwhelming. It is decreed that we will have to go back in 2012 when it is finished. But, all things considered, the tour was about the best it could be given the circumstances.We parked in the brand new underground garage with plenty of space and plenty of time to spare for our tour. As we arrived at the visitor’s desk after maneuvering a maze of hallways and tunnels, we discovered that we were the ONLY 9:00 a.m. tour requestors of the day. Not only that, but the tour guide that showed up to escort us around the building was none other than Larry, the singing tour guide.
Larry, a retired music and social studies major from Baker University – the other Methodist College in Kansas – was a terrific and engaging leader. I have benefited from Larry’s talents before on other trips through the capital and I was excited to see that he would be guiding our boys through the capital today.
He showed us the murals that were visible as we wound around the construction walls that completely blocked the rotunda. In fact, the only view that we had of the rotunda was through a 3 foot by 4 foot window on the second floor. But Larry kept us entertained by sprinkling his historical facts with songs from the various periods represented by the art and symbols throughout the first two floors.
We listened as he sang a cowboy song in front of the mural showing the cattle trade on the Santa Fe Trail. We listened with fascination as he sang “John Brown’s Bones” – the song that inspired the infamous “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” We listened as he sang a song for a visiting Russian dignitary to Kansas. And, we joined him in singing a Hicks family version of “Home on the Range” in the corridor between the rotunda and the House side of the capital.
Larry was informative and entertaining. If you are lucky enough to be on one of his tours through the capital, you will enjoy the experience and leave with a smile on your face and a song in your heart. He is a living example of a person who is using his God given talents and interest to put a unique stamp on an otherwise traditional profession. Thank you Larry! You done good.
The boys enjoyed the ride in the old fashioned elevator that was featured in the movie Truman. Mom enjoyed seeing the refurbished copper finishing on the main staircase, Dad enjoyed viewing the newly uncovered marble that had been painted over in the house and senate chambers, and we all enjoyed the newly uncovered use of the skylights and additional skylights added to the office area in the basement.
On Larry’s suggestion, we decided to go through the tunnel to the Docking building on the west side of the capital. As we were walking through the tunnel, a helpful employee gave us a valuable tip. Apparently, if you ask nicely at the security desk of the Docking building, they will give you a key to the observation deck on the 12th floor. From this area, you can view the entire city. That was a fun and unexpected adventure that put a perfect bow on a beautiful morning.As we walked out, we noticed three field trip groups gathered around three of the murals on the first floor. We got out just in time with our peace intact.
After the capital it was on to the Kansas Museum of History. Again, we pulled in to the parking lot just as two school busses pulled out. To top that off, we hit the museum between two school tour groups, so the docents working the museum that morning were still located within the building as we walked through.
We only experienced two of the volunteers, but we had a great time talking with them about all the ways that the plains Indians would use the buffalo – otherwise known as the “Indian Supermarket.” One of the volunteers had a cart full of buckskin, a buffalo robe, tools made from bones and gourds, arrowheads and spearheads, fly swatters made of buffalo tails and a deer hide drum.
The second docent, obviously a retired history professor, talked to the boys at length about life on the
Oregon Trail. He was engaging and did a terrific job of making the experience come alive for the boys.Though small, this museum is packed with a terrific, personal view of Kansas history. The full-size train that you can walk through is a highlight as well as the parade of average household items from the 20’s through the 80’s in the modern section of the gallery. There is a replica of a mobile diner and a life size version of a grass hut, teepee and Conestoga wagon.
A special exhibit called “The Need for Speed” was occupying the traveling exhibit area with several interactive options including a quiz connecting popular songs about cars with events in Kansas and a “What Kind of Car Are You” quiz to determine how fast of a car fits your
personality. All in all it was a fun cap to the morning.After that it was lunch at Jason’s Deli and an early afternoon visit to the Combat Air Museum and Air Reserve Museum at Forbes Field.
This, I must confess was the least favorite part of Mom’s day. Although I enjoy looking at military aviation history, I am only moderately interested in the details of artillery, gunships and warfare. But, I submit that I am in the minority in my family and, as such, must “suck it up” occasionally and endure trips through this kind of an experience. The boys, on the other hand, were circling like moths to a flame.
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he museum is comprised essentially two aircraft hangers with tanks, Cobra’s Huey’s anti-aircraft missiles, bombers, fighters, spy planes and army helicopters. I will say that the most impressive thing that Mom saw was the Heavy Lift Sky Crane Helicopter. I have never come up close and personal with a helicopter that large. It was definitely an impressive sight to see.The other interesting part of the museum for me was a series of letters written to a local woman about her son – a soldier who was missing in action during World War II. She kept all of the official correspondence sent to her over the 18 months that her son was missing – cumulating in his discovery and final note from her son written on the back of a Camel cigarette cover.
In addition, there was a very cool exhibit on the Titan II missile silos that were peppered throughout the state – including one just off Highway 160 near Winfield. Destroyed now and backfilled into oblivion, how cool if a person could have turned something like that into a home. The guy working the gift shop said that some people have – a home of merely some 9,000 square feet that must be continually heated throughout the year. Apparently, the army did keep one intact for a museum that is located near Tucson, AZ. Sounds like a good reason to return to the Southwest to me!
After that, we headed to Lawrence for an early evening of relaxing in the Holiday Inn Holidome. The boys enjoyed the pool, Dad took a nap and Mom read her library books by the pool after a quick 18 holes of mini-golf. Then it was a nice, quiet dinner in the hotel restaurant and an early evening in bed watching Men In Black – a great first day of what promises to be a wonderful vacation.
