While most of the buildings were sold for scrap, a few remaining structures still stand at historic Fort Hays, an important resource base for pioneers and the U.S. military as the United States expanded West.



We departed Hays west on Ole' 40, and it was only a few minutes to Ellis, Kansas - a city named after the county that was named after a civil war General (Gen. Ellis, obviously) who never came anywhere near Ellis or Hays. We searched the immediate area where we arrived, yet found no Railroad museum until we asked. We did, however, find the local High School sports stadium. The mascot is the Ellis Railroaders (or Railers). I think I'd fit in quite nicely here.


Its a testament of good community building that such a town can maintain a high standard of museum with so little in terms of resources.


Outside, a Union Pacific caboose is on display, as well as a 1/3 scale, One mile+ miniature train. Run by a volunteer every few hours, the train circles the loop a few times, depending on the attitude of the driver (ours seemed to be in a pretty good mood). However, the next departure was at One, and we were hungry as it was just after noon. Our wonderful museum guide recommended Kevy Lee's, a diner fairly close to the Interstate. So, we drove up there and found the place surrounded by large trucks and other vehicles- generally a good sign of great food.
We were not disappointed. There was hardly a seat in the house, but we grabbed a table and looked at the menu. Dad ordered a Sausage and Cheese Omelet and I, a very good sized double cheeseburger. If you go (which you should,) remember to ask for the "Western" fries, as they are fresh-cut, skin-on potatoes and they are excellent! The burger was good and the prices were reasonable ($5-7 a plate).
One O'clock rolled around and It was time to catch the train, so we drove back downtown to the museum, parked, and saw the train, still sitting there unattended. We went back inside and paid our fare for the train with the museum attendant, and soon enough our volunteer engineer was in the parking lot.
Our tickets were three dollars apiece, and our driver, after waiting for a few minutes to build up some air pressure, took us through the woods and down to the creekside three times. The train, he said, is kept up by two volunteers who are constantly trying to improve it. Years of disrepair and abuse have made the train a challenge to keep maintained.

The train was built in the 50s or 60s by Ottoway Amusements, the same company that does many county fairs (and the rides at the State Fair in Hutchinson). Our Engineer knows of two other trains of this model still operating. He believes seven or eight of this model were built total.

However, it was time to get on the road again! We headed West on I-70 to Oakley, then south to Gove County. This 100 mile drive was a great chance for me to fall asleep and let Dad do the driving, which he enjoys. I was pleased to wake up to find ourselves a few miles from the famous geologic formations called the Monument Rocks (Sometimes known as the Chalk Pyramids).
You know the drill. Click the image for a larger version.

These rocks are gigantic! The stark color contrast between the beautiful, wide expanse of Kansas sky and the huge rocks on the wide open Kansas plain... all this needs is a little context!









Feeling rather depressed about the big pool not being open (Perhaps school begins earlier here), we headed across the street to the Lee Richardson Zoo, which is free for Pedestrians. Those in cars can pay to drive around the extensive zoo. The main pedestrian entrance is this impressive archway.






A storm soon rolled in, and it was time to go. We refilled our drink cups, headed south past Sublette, Kansas (and numerous feed lots), and headed into Liberal.
We stayed at the Liberal Inn, an older hotel that had a good price and a heart-shaped pool. Dad and I went down and shared it with a group of kids visiting from Amarillo. We ate at the "Branding Iron," the hotel lounge and restaurant. I had a steak and dad the catfish, which we both thought was excellent food. We've yet to come across any bad food so far, with the possible exception of the snack bar at Wednesday's Pioneer Village. We were pretty exhausted after Day four, and I still didn't get much blog updating done.
Similarly, I'm now in Wichita at the airport Hilton. I suppose another two days worth of updating will have to be done tomorrow night!
We stayed at the Liberal Inn, an older hotel that had a good price and a heart-shaped pool. Dad and I went down and shared it with a group of kids visiting from Amarillo. We ate at the "Branding Iron," the hotel lounge and restaurant. I had a steak and dad the catfish, which we both thought was excellent food. We've yet to come across any bad food so far, with the possible exception of the snack bar at Wednesday's Pioneer Village. We were pretty exhausted after Day four, and I still didn't get much blog updating done.
Similarly, I'm now in Wichita at the airport Hilton. I suppose another two days worth of updating will have to be done tomorrow night!