September 3: Yes Dorothy, We Are in Kansas

Today's post is dedicated to the Wild Wild West and the Native Americans so overlooked throughout history. This state grows four crops mainly - wheat, silage, corn, and milo. The silage is for feeding the millions of cows we've seen in this state. (More about this later.) Milo is a plant used to make gluten-free flour. Native Americans have the Camanche Grasslands, where there is no farming. I did see a casino though. The cowboys here are the real thing, if you want to call cattle as big, big business being a cowboy. Sooo many cows - mostly black for miles - in open or in covered pens. You can smell it before you get there. I got out of the car on the side of the road to take some pictures of what I couldn't believe I was seeing and you could hear a constant mooing noise. They call these massive cattle ranches "feeding stations." Whenever I would see cows free grazing - I would say, "Look Jean-Luc, happy cows." and he would stand up and bark at them. I pulled off where there were a lot of these free grazers and I did not hear one moo from any of them. It made me so sad to see the cows treated like they are soulless things, rather than animals who are here for our protection and yes to eat, but there isn't any reason why livestock can't have a good life until that day comes.

"Everything has a spirit - honor that." - Chief Arvol Looking Horse

"O Great Spirit help me always to speak the truth quietly, to listen with an open mind when others speak, and to remember the peace that may be found in silence." - Cherokee Prayer

"The souls of my ancestors peer out from behind my mask of skin and through my memories they live again. Never forget where you cam from." - Chief Tatanka

Just a funny sign I saw in Wichita

You can use these electric scooters to ride around this whole area in Wichita, just download the app

Downtown Wichita

Or you can rent the bikes

The mayor's office

flat as far as you can see

Library in Wichita

I left Joplin, Missouri at 10:30. Sooo much driving across the flatest land you've ever seen. My first stop today was in Wichita, Kansas and the Keeper of the Plains. It is a 44 foot steel sculpture by Kiowa-Camanche artist, Blackbear Bosin. This is an educational place to learn about the different tribes who lived here. It is where the Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers meet. There are fire pits near the water surrounding the statue, which are lit ceremonially in the evening. I wanted to also go to the Gunfighters Wax Museum, but I got to Dodge too late. So, I'll go tomorrow. I pulled into the Dodge City KOA at around 5:00. I set up the camper and then opened the door to a musty - STINKY space. I haven't been in my camper since I picked up Yvette in New Orleans. Some leftover beans that I had in the fridge came open and stunk up the place. I had to completely clean out the fridge. I still have to go through the many bags of clothes and souvenirs. Thank you margaritas. I want to get up early and get the heck out of Dodge early. There is an extreme storm warning in effect. YIKES!