As you plan your summer, consider a day trip or overnight weekend trip to one of Kansas’ small towns. Author Marci Penner did her research for this book the old-fashioned way, by visiting every incorporated town in Kansas. Do you have any idea how many towns are in the state? 627! She spent several years traveling over 40,000 miles so she could share these details with the rest of us. This is indeed a labor of love. There are over 3,500 entries detailing the best home cooking, scenery, history, customs, architecture, and art to be found in the Sunflower State.
The spiral bound book is a project of the Kansas Sampler Foundation whose mission is to preserve and sustain rural culture; therefore the emphasis and tone of this guidebook is slightly different than others you may have seen. I was especially moved when I read that we, as tourists, can help make or break some of the businesses in the rural parts of the state. These businesses will survive to benefit their communities when we care enough to stop and shop.
To see how well this author from south central Kansas researched one of my favorite Kansas cities, I turned to page 178 to see what she found of interest in Lawrence. Not only did she discover Joe’s Bakery and the KU Campanile but also several newer restaurants that have opened since I walked down the Hill such as Teller’s and the Free Street Brewery, both on Massachusetts Street. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!
If you can’t get enough of the Land of Oz with this hefty volume, join the Kansas Explorers Club and see Kansas with new eyes. With dues commemorating the year of statehood, $18.61, you’ll receive The Explorer, a lengthy newsletter, six times a year which will provide you with continued suggestions for daytrips to enjoy with your family. Happy travels!
To learn more about the Kansas Sampler Foundation visit www.kansassampler.org To order a copy of the guidebook visit www.kansasguidebook.com.