One of the most memorable times I spent at Herington was on the morning that my husband and I struggled out of bed at 5:00 in the morning so that we could witness the sun rising over the lake. Actually, we got up at…Read More

One of the most memorable times I spent at Herington was on the morning that my husband and I struggled out of bed at 5:00 in the morning so that we could witness the sun rising over the lake.

Actually, we got up at this time for a dual purpose. Kansas in August is far to hot to do anything during the middle of the day. It had been weeks since we had been able to take our dogs for an outing because of the heat. Thus the early morning adventure.

We found the lake quite still and practically deserted. There was a boat with fishers at the north end and a couple of campers on the east side, but other than that we had the area to ourselves. The sounds of early morning birds are somehow both haunting and calming. Combined with the lapping of water upon the shore a feeling of peace was inevitable.

The sun was rising just as I returned from tracking a heron to our vantage point on a southernly promontory. It was stunning and I wondered why I didn't get up early more often.   Close

Another building on the grounds is a place of meditation. It is a lovely building sitting by itself near one of the parking lots. The most lovely thing here is the outside fountain at night. It is lighted with colored lights and…Read More

Another building on the grounds is a place of meditation. It is a lovely building sitting by itself near one of the parking lots. The most lovely thing here is the outside fountain at night. It is lighted with colored lights and is a quiet and peaceful place to sit for a few moments of contemplation or meditation.   Close

The family of Dwight Eisenhower has their family cemetery plot in Abilene, though the former president was not laid to rest here. The cemetery is located across town (on 14th about 4 blocks west of Buckeye) from the Eisenhower Center but is an interesting…Read More

The family of Dwight Eisenhower has their family cemetery plot in Abilene, though the former president was not laid to rest here. The cemetery is located across town (on 14th about 4 blocks west of Buckeye) from the Eisenhower Center but is an interesting side-trip. The Eisenhower plot is enclosed by its own ornate fence. There are several other interesting gravestones in this cemetery if you care to browse around.   Close

Abilene in the 2nd half of the 19th century was the end of the trail for the huge cattle drives that came up from Texas. From Abilene, the cattle were loaded onto train cars for the slaughter houses back east. Dusty cowpokes rode into town…Read More

Abilene in the 2nd half of the 19th century was the end of the trail for the huge cattle drives that came up from Texas. From Abilene, the cattle were loaded onto train cars for the slaughter houses back east.

Dusty cowpokes rode into town after upwards to 90 days on the trail and they were ready to lay their money down and party over at the Alamo saloon. The trail drives and cattle companies were what made Abilene significant in those days.

Old Abilene Town has some remnants of that past in two cattle pens on the northeast side of the premises. Sadly, there are no cattle there now, just some old pens and the signs from by-gone days. Maybe if they put a few longhorns back into those pens it might liven the place up.   Close

Ironically, the day that I posted this travel journal, September 7, 2000, my husband came home from work and told me that a fire had destroyed the General Store in Old Abilene Town. On the 10th I finally got into town to take pictures…Read More

Ironically, the day that I posted this travel journal, September 7, 2000, my husband came home from work and told me that a fire had destroyed the General Store in Old Abilene Town. On the 10th I finally got into town to take pictures of the damage.

Surprisingly, there was still a posting that the CanCan dances and Gunfights were still being held despite the fire. My thinking is, though, that Old Abilene Town has already seen its glory days and unless something drastic happens to change things, it will continue to decline. The old Hotel building next door to the General Store is for sale and has been vacant of any kind of an attraction for several years now. There are a few signs of renewed effort to keep the town alive, but it may be too little, too late.

So sad.

Abilene, Kansas was once known as the "wildest and wickedest town in the west." It was the site of the largest stockyard west of Kansas City. During the five year span from 1867 to 1872 more than 3 million Texas longhorn cattle passed…Read More

Abilene, Kansas was once known as the "wildest and wickedest town in the west." It was the site of the largest stockyard west of Kansas City. During the five year span from 1867 to 1872 more than 3 million Texas longhorn cattle passed through these stockyards. Old Abilene Town was established to commemorate this heritage. I've been visiting Old Abilene Town for about the past 12 to 15 years and over that time, unfortunately, I've seen it decline from a thriving attraction to something more or less ho-hum. A few of the buildings that used to house historic attractions now stand empty. The Alamo Saloon is still open and the cancan dancers still perform here. The General Store across the road is still open, and gunfights are still staged during tourist season.

The museum that stands at the north end of the reconstructed main street is fascinating to tour, but don't expect fancy modern displays. The objects contained within the walls are antiques and I think that some of the dust and cobwebs have gained the status of antique at this point too.

It is sad to see that the old town has lost some of its appeal and hoopla, but I still think it is a good place to visit and take kids. History means so much more when it stands in front of your face.   Close

Trains were a large part of the settlement of the Old West. To experience the speed and comfort (not really much comfort compared to today's luxuries) that the Old West traveler experience, take a ride on the Abilene & Smoky Valley Excursion Train.…Read More

Trains were a large part of the settlement of the Old West. To experience the speed and comfort (not really much comfort compared to today's luxuries) that the Old West traveler experience, take a ride on the Abilene & Smoky Valley Excursion Train. The track runs from near Old Abilene Town to the town of Enterprise, a distance of about six miles. It can be boarded near the Greyhound Hall of Fame on Hwy 15. To call ahead, the number is 785-263-0881 This excursion train only runs a regular schedule during May, September and October. However, the dinner train and regular excurstion train can be reserved for special occasions.

Also, the price is very reasonable. It's best to call for the current ratings, but during Enterprise Kountry Klatter Days it was possible to take a step back into history on the train for only $3.00 per person. One gets a different perspective on life bouncing along the track through the open prairie and along the Smoky Hill River than what is normally experienced from your automobile.   Close

In the spring heron at Herington nest at the south end of the lake in a stand of dead trees. Their nests are huge as they must be to accommodate these large birds. But come fall the heron have left the nesting ground for…Read More

In the spring heron at Herington nest at the south end of the lake in a stand of dead trees. Their nests are huge as they must be to accommodate these large birds. But come fall the heron have left the nesting ground for the shoreline. I have no idea where they spend their nights, but I know that it is not in their nests as the last time I looked their trees and nests had been taken over by flocks of noisy ducks.

The day that these photos were taken it was a misty, drizzly November day -- one of those eerie days that mystery writers love. Perfect for watching and listening to the ducks.

Let's hope the ducks are good housekeepers and leave things in good order for the heron to return to in the spring.

Who would have guessed? I always thought of pelican as coastal birds. The first time I saw pelican at Herington, I was convinced that I had to be mistaken. After all, these large white birds were quite a distance out into the…Read More

Who would have guessed? I always thought of pelican as coastal birds. The first time I saw pelican at Herington, I was convinced that I had to be mistaken. After all, these large white birds were quite a distance out into the lake, and my view of them wasn't exactly clear.

But then on October 21st I saw them again. This time there was no mistake. These six birds huddled on a miniscule island in the lake were indeed pelicans. The water level in the lake was low, making the area around the shore quite mucky -- certainly something you wouldn't want to walk in. This must have given these six birds the confidence to stand their small piece of ground as they were not in the least bothered by us being nearby. Nor did they move when we let our dogs out of the truck to get in a bit of exercise. We knew the dogs couldn't reach the pelicans, but I was nervous that the birds might fly off when they saw the dogs.

I think that pelicans in Kansas is a bit unusual. My thinking is that weather patterns are shifting and some of the habitats for these birds are disappearing with development. This makes our area of Kansas very appealing for them.

Frequently geese fly overhead at Herington. Their honking can be heard well before they come into view. With the honking of the geese, quacking of the ducks and various chirpings of numerous other birds, such as redwing blackbirds, the lake on many occasions sounds like…Read More

Frequently geese fly overhead at Herington. Their honking can be heard well before they come into view.

With the honking of the geese, quacking of the ducks and various chirpings of numerous other birds, such as redwing blackbirds, the lake on many occasions sounds like a nature symphony. Added to the sound of birds is the soft lapping of the water on the shore along with not infrequent jumping splashes of fish as they leap out of the water, the deep croaking of frogs and cricket-like chirping of cicadas. There is nothing quiet about nature.   Close