Kansas

Kansas is not flyover country—it’s the heartland’s quiet revolution. A tapestry of wind and wheat, where wide skies dare the horizon to stretch any further. This is a land that once echoed with the fierce clamor of abolitionist battles, where the fight for freedom raged long before the Civil War officially began. The soil remembers. Blood mixed with prairie dust in the name of justice.

Drive through Kansas and you’ll find more than endless fields. You’ll find sacred ground—where the scars of violent conflict forged resilience and a new American conscience. Wander the preserved corners of history, and you’re not just stepping into the past—you’re confronting it, questioning it, learning from it. These places aren’t just national sites. They’re spiritual mile markers for a nation struggling toward its ideals.

Kansas is restless in its stillness. It hums with the energy of storms gathering strength over endless plains, and whispers its legacy through the cottonwood trees. This is a state that doesn’t shout—but sings. And if you listen closely, you’ll hear the defiant melody of those who lived, fought, and built something enduring in the middle of everything. Kansas is the brave heartbeat of the American story.

The Sunflower State, my home state for the first 22 years of my life, will always be on my list of special places. ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK!

Shea's Videos and Travel Journal Entries From Kansas

Autumn trees with red and green foliage adorn the tranquil lake at Gunn Park in Fort Scott, Kansas, beneath a cloudy blue sky.
It felt great to roll back into my childhood state, especially since I was heading to a town that I had never visited - Fort Scott, Kansas, where I would experience another National Treasure.
A man is outdoors in a park with trees in the background, wearing glasses and a green shirt. Overlay text reads "Shea's Rapid Recap #32." Inset images show a museum interior and a Gordon Parks black-and-white photo display, plus someone holding a Reuben sandwich. The Hiking CEO logo is visible.
I made it to my Dad's house in Wichita after having a blast in Fort Scott, visiting the fort, discovering one of the coolest museums, and eating a spectacular Reuben at a local deli.
A man wearing glasses and a green cap stands outdoors, drink in hand. Behind him are three inset images: the Ha Ha Tonka Castle ruins, a red-roofed building, and a natural bridge. Trees and a lake provide a serene backdrop. Text reads: "Shea’s Rapid Recap #31.
Believe it or not, there are castle ruins in Missouri! It was built in 1905 and destroyed by fire in 1942. After wandering the ruins, I also checked out a sizable natural land bridge.
A historical marker titled "Battle of the Spurs" stands in a grassy area in Kansas, framed by a cloudy sky in the background.
The "Battle of the Spurs" in January 1859, where John Brown led 11 slaves to freedom. U.S. Marshals tried to capture him, but Brown's defiance led to the slaves' successful escape.
A historical marker stands in a grassy Kansas field, detailing the history of The Lane Trail, which was used to aid Free-Staters and help transport slaves to freedom. Trees and a cloudy sky provide a serene backdrop.
Established in 1856, the Lane Trail bypassed proslavery Missouri to aid free-state settlers. Marked by "Lane's Chimneys," it extended from Iowa to Topeka as part of the Underground Railroad.
A historic cannon with large wooden wheels is displayed on a wooden platform, set on a grassy field with historical buildings in the background.
An unexpected hidden gem of a national historic site! Like all sites in the national Park system this one is unbelievably well done and even has a full-time blacksmith.
A historical marker titled "Discoverer of Pluto" stands proudly on the grassy roadside. Behind it, a small teardrop trailer waits, hitched to a vehicle under the partly cloudy sky. Trees gently line the road, bearing witness to Clyde Tombaugh's monumental discovery of Pluto.
Historical Marker for Dr. Clyde Tombaugh, from Burdett, Kansas, discovered Pluto in 1930. He also found a comet, six star clusters, a galaxy cloud, and 775 asteroids.
A mural of a muscular, red bull with white horns breaking through a brick wall is painted on the exterior of a brick building.
I definitely felt snappy for the photos after leaving the abandoned schoolhouse and all the cool things I saw on Highway 83 so I pulled in to Jetmore to see what I could see
A small, rundown schoolhouse sits isolated in a grassy field under a partly cloudy sky, with a few trees and an old utility pole nearby.
Driving on HWY 283 offered a few interesting places to stop and take some pictures of an abandoned schoolhouse, an old stone shed, and a roadside memorial for Chris.
A black Jeep is parked on a grassy field, towing a small teardrop camper. The sun is setting, casting a warm light over the scene with a lake and open landscape in the background.
Dropped into a Kansas State fishing lake for a quick free overnight after having a great time snapping photographs in Ness City.
A historic stone building with arched windows and a tower stands at a corner intersection under a clear blue sky.
I simply love stopping in cool little towns that have unique character. The bank building here is absolutely beautiful and needed to be photographed and added to my blog.
A brown historical marker titled "Homestead of a Genius" stands on a grassy field under a clear sky, displaying text about a noted figure's birthplace and achievements.
Rolling down the highway, I see another historical marker. I had totally forgotten that George Washington Carver had homesteaded in Kansas before he became famous.
A small, single-story building with an exterior made of sod bricks, a shingle roof, and a visible metal chimney standing on a grassy area with a blue sky in the background.
Driving through the town of Dighton Kansas, I see a sod house. I had to stop and snap a picture.
A stretch of grassy Kansas Plains leads to the tall, rugged Monument Rocks under a clear blue sky.
Rising like a castle on the middle of the Kansas Plains, Monument Rocks stood out in the plains as a much needed confirmation for those on the Smoky Hills Trail in the 1800s
A brick storefront with a "Como en Casa" sign above the entrance, decorated with colorful paper banners and cacti graphics on the windows, and an "Open" neon sign.
After the battling the wind for a couple of hours, I was so ready to find shelter. A local Mexican joint absolutely filled the need for food and a wind-free environment.
A black Jeep is parked on a dirt area towing a small, white teardrop camper in St. Francis City Park. Nearby trees and a picnic table are visible under the cloudy sky.
Tucked in the northwest corner of Kansas is the small town of St Francis. While the city park has been their for quite some time, it's a great place for a quick overnight stop.