From Council Grove to Sallisaw

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Monday, May 24th and Tuesday, May 25th.

After we break camp, we take the scenic byway through the heart of the Flint Hills area of Kansas. We stop at the Tall Grass Prairie Preserve, a National Park site that is restoring the native grasslands which covered much of the Midwest before the area was settled by farmers.This area is relatively untouched because of the thick layer of flint lying just below the surface of the grass, making the ground impractical for plowing.

We take a ride far out in the prairie, where no human habitation can be seen. A small herd of buffalo, recently established as part of the natural ecosystem, graze near the road, indifferent to our passing bus. We enjoy seeing the vistas and the wide variety of grasses, birds and wildflowers.

On the way out, we take time to check out a rancher’s mansion on the property and his three-story stone barn which is now a museum of farm implements. Then we head south towards Oklahoma to visit friends in Sallisaw. We stop for the night at a motel in Nowata, Oklahoma (where, apparently, they once had no "wata").

The next day we reach Sallisaw after stopping at a roadside winery in Vinita. We visit with long-time friend Donald McDaniel and his son Mike, catch up on our laundry, and experience a huge thunderstorm. (Luckily, we were inside since we had decided to stay in a motel.) We run out to move the car under a shelter when we hear hailstorm warnings predicting golf-ball sized hail. We have been fortunate with the weather so far. Some near misses, but no real disasters. Tomorrow we head for the Ozarks.

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Photos

Tall grass prairie
Part of the Tall Grass Prairie Preserve south of Council Grove, a national park site where restoration of the prairie ecosystem is underway.

Flint rock
The rocky soil prevented this area from being plowed, making restoration easier.

wildflowers
Many small wildflowers dot the prairie.

Collared Lizard?
Can you spot the collared lizard sunning herself on the rock? (Hint: look about dead center of the photo.)

Jones Mansion
The rancher who once used the prairie as grazing land built a fancy mansion which is now a museum.

Dry stone wall
Built with local stone, this old wall has no mortar. The stones along the top help stabilize the wall.

Three-story stone barn
This impressive barn, now a museum, was built out of the local Cottonwood Limestone.

Side view of the barn
The barn was built in the Dutch style with a gambrel roof, which is popular throughout the midwest.

woodworking tools
Part of the tool collection in the barn.

Wines in Oklahoma
Several states are now growing and marketing local wines. We thought it only fair to sample some. This winery had a nice fruity Vignole.