Change Of PlansApr 8, 2011
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Kansas State Capitol
The Great Overland Station
All Veterans Memorial
I woke up this morning planning to visit Council Grove, Kansas. We had a rain storm during the night and this morning was nothing but fog. Since most of my sightseeing in the Council Grove area was outdoors, I decided to go straight to Topeka .
In a way, that was the best decision since it was Friday and the State Capitol Building doesn't have tours over the weekend. I made the one o'clock tour and was out of there by 1:45. The building is in the fifth year of a 10 year restoration - inside and out. What has been completed is beautiful but there's still a lot to be done. The most interesting feature for me was the 22 ft. high statue of Ad Astra - a Kansa Indian warrior- atop the dome . The state was named after his tribe. I wish I had a better camera so I could have zoomed in on him.
In 2004 a group of railroad enthusiasts completed the restoration of an old Union Pacific passenger depot in a pretty rundown area of Topeka. The same group of people raised money for an All Veterans Memorial outside the station. Leonard, my 85 year old guide, was a hoot. Let's just say he digressed a bit during his narrative. I spent a couple of hours with Leonard and the other volunteers who love sharing their knowledge and love of trains with visitors.
Stopped at Panera, checked in to the Marriott Courtyard, took off my shoes and turned on the TV. Guess what? We are under a tornado watch. Naturally! I'm in Kansas aren't I?
