Wednesday, July 15, 2020 - Visiting Clay Center; Lunch; Visiting OZ; Scenic Drive; Last Evening in Manhattan

Wednesday, July 15, 2020 - Visiting Clay Center; Lunch; Visiting OZ; Scenic Drive; Last Evening in Manhattan


I woke up right at 4:00 am to a thunderstorm, and of course I could not go back to sleep.  I started the coffee and waited for things to calm down a bit before I started the next load of laundry.  I enjoyed my coffee while finishing up yesterday's blog post. 

We have an appointment in Clay Center at Wardcraft Homes this morning at 10:30.  We have been looking at various options for a home on our lot.  

We were very impressed with the floor plans for their homes and the construction information we saw online.  We wanted to see them in person, as a possible option for us.  While we don't plan to build for at least another year and a half, we want to be sure we are on a list with someone/place before the time to build is upon us.  While we favor construction on site, we don't want to make a decision without looking at other options.

While traveling, we don't mind being at a site for a few days without sewer hookups, but a week is our limit.  Now that I've been trying to get the laundry caught up I'm not sure I like it so well.  Honestly, I don't mind doing laundry, that isn't the issue.  I've always enjoyed it to a degree, but when it keeps us from doing other things - like exploring a new area - then I do mind a little.  All in all we were still able to take in some great sightseeing.  One thing we would have definitely visited was the Flint Hills Discovery Center, however it was closed due to Covid.  I would have enjoyed walking the campus of K-State as well, if it had been just a little cooler.  While the morning was quite nice, the afternoon was sweltering after the rains we had earlier.

We made it to our appointment in Clay Center almost on the dot of 10:30.  We met AJ who took us on a tour of the plant.  It's a large operation in a small area of town.  While there were a couple of homes being readied for transport, there were several more in various stages of completion.  When I made the appointment tours were not being given in the plant, but they must have just reopened as we were able to tour it.  The company opened in 1971 and they are going strong.  While they did not have the floor plan we were interested in onsite, they had one that was similar.  The best thing about being on site - you can see the actual size of the rooms, something that is hard to envision on paper.  They are very well constructed homes.  It was very interesting and we are glad we took the time to visit.  We still have other places we want to check out as well as the option of building on site.  We learned a lot and felt it was worth our time to make the trip.

We made a quick drive through Clay Center.  As soon as I saw the top of their courthouse peeking through the trees as we approached downtown, I knew I had to get a picture.  What a beautiful building.  It was surrounded with beautiful trees on all four sides.  We had to drive around it twice so I could get the best picture.  Fortunately, no one was right behind us so Dean slowed down for me.

We still had time to visit a couple of other places in the area.  We decided to wait and have lunch in Manhattan on our way back.  We planned to eat at a long time local establishment called Vista Burgers, but we missed the turn.  Rather than try and turn around we spotted a Freddy's.  We ordered then set in the parking lot to eat it.  

Afterwards we headed west to visit OZ.  Yes, we're going to see the Wizard - the wonderful Wizard of Oz.  I even got to ride in the basket of his hot air balloon.  I've wanted to visit Wamego, KS for many years.  

We were too close to pass it up.  I loved it, as you'll be able to tell from all the pictures I took.  I promise I won't include every one of them.  I still enjoy watching The Wizard of Oz!   

Beautiful planters near OZ.

Oz Museum - there is so much memorabilia on display if you love The Wizard of Oz, you would enjoy a visit here.

Beautiful displays of all major characters - including the Ruby Red Slippers!!

On my hot air balloon ride - with and without my mask.

OZ wasn't real busy while we were there, but about the time we were able to enter the door on the front porch of Auntie Em's, 

we noticed several people were showing up.  They only let one family unit in at a time - with required masks, allowing several minutes in between to maintain social distancing.  It worked really well.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I think Dean liked it except all the stops to read and take pictures of so many things - that his wife insisted on.  I want to see it all - him, not quite as much.  Lol!

After we left the Museum, we walked across the street and followed the Yellow Brick Road.  It led to a local bakery/restaurant with seating outside (and inside too).  We didn't stop because we were too full from lunch, but it was a cute walkway with the "road" winding to the right and left toward our destination.

Toto

Yellow brick road

We drove through Wamego including a drive down to the Kansas River that is the south border of Wamego in Pottawatome County, and the north border of Wabaunsee County, with a sign on the bridge to note the change.  

Park area and boat ramp to the river is located here.

We both enjoy driving through towns, especially smaller ones as we both have our own things we look at.  For me, it's how the city itself looks, streets, parks, lighting, downtown, things that stand out, etc. and for Dean it's looking at telephone related items.  We just can't get away from our working days.  Lol!

On our way back to the campground, Dean recalled we had agreed as we passed a scenic overlook a few miles south of town on our way into Manhattan, that we would return to visit the overlook.  I'm glad we did.  It was amazing to see such a beautiful part of the Flint Hills - one of my favorite spots in Kansas.  I wish we would have gone in the morning though, as the sun had already moved to the west.  While the picture isn't too bad, I think it might have been even better without the sun bearing down on it this late in the day.

Once we returned to the campground, finishing the laundry was a high priority.  Later we enjoyed our leftovers from Texas Roadhouse.  Very good!

Tomorrow we will pull up our jacks and head to Wichita to see some VIP's.  Stay tuned!