Yesterday (Sunday) I had appointments to take pictures of conservation winners for the upcoming annual meeting
of the Elk County Resource Conservation District. I love doing this yearly assignment because it makes drive to places
I normally would never see.
I had never been west of Howard on Limestone Road. Wow.
I took pictures of Don and Bill Perkins, both of whom will receive conservation awards this year. What beautiful country! The Perkins family certainly has staked its claim that part of the country.
Bill told me the local joke: There are only two things west of Howard --- Perkins and Johnson Grass. And you can spray for Johnson Grass.
I must agree --- there surely are lots of Perkins (the correct word is Perkinses but it looks so wrong) in Elk County. What would you do without them?
Coming back into Howard I got a view from the north of Bellars' farm, as viewed across the huge pond to their north. That's quite a sight, you know?
I then drove to Oak Valley where I took a picture of Russ and Deana Jones who also will receive conservation awards.
I wasn't quite prepared for the view I observed from the front porch of their hilltop home. It's nothing less than gorgeous. And their spacious new home is lovely.
So often, we drive across country and never give a thought to what lurks behind a hill or a few miles across a pasture. It is only when you have reason to turn onto a country road that you see the real Elk County.
You natives are probably accustomed to it. But for me, I get new thrills every time I travel off-road whether in Elk, Chautauqua, Cowley, Sedgwick, Greenwood, Montgomery or Labette counties. They all have their own beauty, all so very unique in the way their landscapes spread out under God's great skies.
That's why I enjoy so much being a country newspaper editor in Kansas.
Thank you, Rudy. Now I'm homesick. :'( :'( :'(
Hey Rudy, I got a beautiful picture of Perkin's Water shed when all the flooding was happening in Elk County. I entered it in the Fair last year. It looked like Elk County had its first water fall. It was BEAUTIFUL!! I have had the privilage to live beside Bill and Susie for about 12 years, until last year. They are wonderful people, just like their land. I miss living right beside them, but we now only live about a mile from them. You are right, it is such beautiful country around here. I would not trade it for the world. God has truly blessed the country sight around here. Did you go up on Eagle head? I just love that sight, too. If you ever get bored, just call someone and we will take you for a tour of the country around here more. There is lots to see!!!
Rudy, that's what we have been telling you. Don't you believe anything you hear?
Yea Rudy, don't you believe anything we tell you?
(http://www.cascity.com/howard/forum/rasberrytounge.gif)
Now Rudy, that was what I was trying to say in that e-mail I sent you with the picture of the Sedan flag. I was so struck by the beauty of that big flag blowing in that incredible wind that day, as it flew over that small town main street. I figured that the people of Sedan, see it every day and might be surprised to know that some stranger from Missouri, got so much out of their flag that day.
We are so fortunate to be surrounded by so much beauty, when we are awake and engaged enough to see it. I love Einstein's quote " you can live as if nothing is a miracle, or you can live as if everything is a miracle." (Okay, for those of you who have to check it out.....the wording may not be exact, but the point is there).
;D ;D ;D - Roma, loved that last remark
Each time we come to Sedan I marvel over that beautiful flag! It really stirs someting inside of me, it is just the epitome of American life! God Bless America!
don't go Sedan's direction very often but in my mind I think you may be referring to a very large American Flag. Fredonia has one at the top of South Mound that you can see for miles. Very emotionally inspiring.
They are both so beautiful.
I have travelled in several countries and they all have their own beauty, but here we not only have beautiful, fascinating countryside, but fascinating beautiful people that live in it, and that is why Howard Ks is our home..Keep looking Rudy, each bend you take has a new picture and a new story...thanks for starting this.
As you approach Grenola from the west on 160 coming down the hill - a very perfect post card view. Early Spring is exceptional.
Quote from: Ole Granny on February 11, 2008, 10:39:28 PM
As you approach Grenola from the west on 160 coming down the hill - a very perfect post card view. Early Spring is exceptional.
Yeh--- Down In The Valley, Valley So Low. This is a beautiful place to live! We used to commute every week end and I loved to see the change in the countryside from week to week. I love redbud season!
Now, Rudy, if you really want to see an awesome sight, you need to drive to Latham, then come across the hills back towards Howard. You drive east out of Latham and just stay on that road. Right now I can't remember the name of the road, but it takes you past what we commonly call the Green Ranch, so the road gets called the Green Ranch road. At the top of the hill, before you start down, on a clear day you can see the Howard water tower and the courthouse. In the spring time when everything is green, it is one of the most beautiful sights this county has. I always said that all of Elk County is beautiful if you know where to go to look. There isn't any corner of Elk County that isn't beautiful.
I haven't been to Latham in more than 30 years so it will be a nice Sunday afternoon drive for us. We'll wait until the grass is green and take several Elk County get-aways. Thanks, everyone, for the wonderful tips. Oh, yes, about the view on 160 over by Grenola. I can't tell you how many times' I've actually stopped along the highway to take in that view. Scotland and Ireland have nothing on us!
A word of caution, Rudy. The Green Ranch road can be primitive in places. I would be very careful. The rocks can bust tires and dent the beautiful finish on your vehicle, which should be a truck at least. Then at the bottom of the long hill is a bridge that is sometimes out if there have been heavy rains. Otherwise, it is a drive well worth taking.
Where is Eagle Head? Now that some of your roads have names, I don't know where you are talking about any more. Before Grandma Dessie and Fred moved to town they lived some 10 miles or so west of town. It was past Bill Denton's spread on the right. To the left there was quite a hilly road with a low water crossing you took up to their house. If you went on up to the top, there was a wonderful view out over the area and a pumping jack and machinery shed.
Would it be helpful to you to have a road map of Elk county? I found one by going thru the search feature that is labeled "Current Elk county road map." Have a good, safe, and happy day. :)
Oh how I loved Eagle Head... I haven't been out there in 20 years, but that is the first place I tell people about when I talk about how beautiful Elk County, Kansas really is. I always wanted to live out there. And I agree... Scotland and Ireland have nothing on Elk County. No place prettier when the grass turns green in the Spring!
Well Rudy now you have made me really want to move back to Howard. I used to own the red house on Limestone just north of Bellars. It is built into the side of the hill just west of Rock Creek Bridge. That was one of the most beautiful views looking eastward toward town. During the summer you couldn't see for the trees, but in winter, especially with snow, the lights of town were so pretty. Rudy and Pansy Beck now own the place and I sure hope they are enjoying it as much as I did. It really surprised me that they didn't name Limestone, Perkins Rd. The kids and I always called it that. :)
Got this from Roma Jean..asking if I could downsize and post these for her.
and I will attach what she said:
I took these pictures of the Sedan flag, the day before the blizzard as I was headed to my stepsisters in Wichita. It was so windy and the sky looked so beautiful behind it.
I was quite moved by that big flag flying over mainstreet. It reminded me of everything I hold dear about my small town Kansas roots.
We went to visit Mother last Saturday and when we topped the hill on Turkey Road just off of 99 Hwy, we could see the wind turbines south of Beaumont! It was a beautiful day and if I had taken my camera with me, it would have made a beautiful picture.
Myrna
Although the wind farm is really in Butler county, I believe it is still of interest to many folks. These pics were taken a few months ago. Someone may enjoy seeing them. A couple of them pertain to Beaumont, itself.
Thanks for the pictures, they reminded me of a day trip out there a couple of years ago with a couple of carlaods of ladies, the scenery is great, being up close and learning all about the wind farm was eye opening and then lunch in Beaumont rounded it all out. Who says there is nothing to do or see around here, it may be in Butler county but we can see it from Elk ,and I always look over from Cresco cemetery as I drive by, to see if it is visible, and I for one think its a fantastic site..if you haven't been there, go when you can, its well worth it.
I agree. The wind turbins are a grand sight. With our wind-why not use it.
We really enjoy going to Beaumont when we are up that way. We often meet relatives for breakfast at the hotel. It's fun to watch the planes taxi right up to the hotel, and it is a beautiful sight to watch the wind turbines. We often take the "back roads" to go back to Mother's.