Tours on a Tankful: Tour 4
Salt Marsh, Science and Sandhills

1) South out of Great Bend on US-281, head for the 22,100 acre Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, the sister to Cheyenne Bottoms. To enter the quick way go 15 miles south of Great Bend, turn east onto county blacktop NE140 and drive 10 miles. Follow signs to the visitors' center for interactive activities, a room-sized diorama showing Refuge habitat and a study of endangered species. Also pick up leaflets, maps, bird lists and hunting and fishing regulations.

Named after the Quivira Indians and primarily managed to provide food and protection for migratory waterfowl, this natural area has become a "Birder's Paradise." Sand dunes, century-old cottonwood trees, natural grasses and grains harbor over 500,000 birds during spring migration.

Do not miss this interesting fresh and salt water marsh where pelicans, bald and golden eagles, cranes, shorebirds, ducks, geese and even the rare whooping cranes (late Oct. to mid-Nov. and early Apr.) are visible at different times of the year. There is also a prairie dog town.

Quivira has two short easy walking trails. Birdhouse Boulevard and the Migrant's Mile. Hikers on the other trails need to wear boots, insect repellent, a hat and use some common sense.

Hours:
Office - Mon. - Fri - 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. (620) 486-2393
Refuge - sunrise - sunset

2) Go out the same way to take the Ellinwood-Stafford road four miles south, then turn west to Hudson, home of Stafford County Flour Mills and Hudson Cream Flour. Milling takes place Tues.-Fri. Tours of the working flour mill are available by calling Alvin Brensing (620) 458-4121. Hudson downtown features Wheatland Cafe which serves Honey Wheat Bread and cinnamon rolls made from Hudson Cream Flour. For hours, call (620) 458-4761.

3) St. John is our next stop on US-281 south where an attractive business district includes a nice antique store, a museum in the 1910 Tudor building and St. John Science Museum, Inc. on the west side of the square. The "mad scientist" Jim Hood, demonstrates physics, electronics and physical science with working models from Marconi to HAM radio.

Hours:
Mon. - Sat. 6 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Afternoon demonstrations can be arranged (620) 549-3818.

Allow 1-1/2 -2 hours for this unusual educational visit. Donations are needed and appreciated.

On the east side of US-281 in St. John, is Delp's 100-acre Christmas Tree Farm and Nursery where hundreds of individuals and families select and cut down their own Christmas trees to decorate for the holidays. While the tree is being readied for carting home, enjoy free hot cider and Borden peanuts and browse in the Christmas craft shop, or warm yourself in front of the roaring fire. This is a choice family outing.

Hours:
Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Sunday - 1-6 p.m.
Summer - 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. (620) 549-3273

4) Continue south from St. John. If time and interest permit, there are two side trips possible here. One is east on US-50 to Stafford. Visit the Stafford County Museum on the corner of Broadway and Main to see artifacts of Stafford County history, 1885, and a complete photography studio, circa 1890-1980. There are farm related items, school displays, unusual transportation exhibits, etc.

Hours:
Mon.-Thur. 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Saturday 2-4 p.m. (620) 234-5664

Grab a cup of coffee at the Curtis Cafe and enjoy seeing the collection of over 300 jigsaw puzzles decorating the walls.

Octoberfest in Stafford is the first weekend in October. Christmas time offers lighted storefronts, a crafts village, special trolleycar rides and a dramatic presentation in the theatre.

5) The second side trip is west of US 281 on US-50. From US-281 mark 19 miles to Belpre. Take Edwards County road 53 south for 8 miles and follow signs to Prairie Oak Farms, an oasis of lovely century old trees. Two 3,000sq-ft greenhouses, one filled with 5,000 orchid plants and the other with 70 tropical birds make this a colorful stop. Tours available, also prearranged group brunches, luncheons or dinners. (620) 995-4065.

6) Drive back to Pratt, at the junction of US-281 and US-54. Note Pratt's form B-29 Army Airfield on the north edge of town. Pratt is the location of the operations headquarters of Kansas Wildlife and Parks including the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Nature Center (two miles east on US-54 and one mile south on K-64). One of the world's largest freshwater fish hatcheries is here at this museum, along with a natural history museum and a freshwater aquarium. A unique experience.

Hours:
April 15-Labor Day - 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Call ahead for guided tours and winter hours (620) 672-5911

Fish and camp at Pratt County Veterans' Memorial Lake just east of the Wildlife Headquarters.

Enjoy Lemon Park by following Pine Street south to a nice playground, a walking and bike path and a marked nature trail. At Christmas time the park displays lighted scenes in natural settings.

Pratt County Historical Museum, 208 S. Ninnescah, is dedicated to preserving the history of Pratt and the prairies of Kansas. Features include a large Pratt Army and Airfield exhibit of maps, uniforms, pictures and WWII memorabilia which was partly donated from bomb groups who have had reunions in Pratt. "Old Time Main Street" with detailed displays and period rooms make this an impressive museum.

Hours:
Daily 2-4 p.m.

An antique mall arranged in dozens of room-sized displays is at 213 Main.

7) Travel west from Pratt on US-54 to Cullison. Four miles west and one mile north of Cullison is the Pratt Sandhills Wildlife Area, 880 acres of sandhills and Texas Lake, 4,757 acres of grasslands. Look for prairie chickens, and listen for their "boom" during mating season (generally March through the first of May). the road is sand and sometimes difficult traveling. This area is open for public hunting, call or visit the KW&P office (620) 672-5911 in Pratt for maps.

8) Back on US-54 west the next stop is Greensburg, home of one of the most unusual attractions in the area.

One shovel-full at a time the world's largest hand-dug well, with a depth of 109 feet and a diameter of 32 feet, was completed in 1888 to supply water to the town and the railroad. In the old days, folks stashed watermelons in the well to cool them for special events. Under lighting illuminates native stone walls. Annually, 70,000 people visit the well and many take the 105 steps down to the water level. The well is located at 315 S. Sycamore.

Hours:
Memorial Day - Labor Day 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Winter - 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas (800) 207-7369

A 1,000 pound meteorite, the largest of its kind to survive entry into Earth's atmosphere, was moved from east of town in 1949, and has been determined to have fallen about 2,000 years ago. Scientists believe it may have come from another galaxy. There is no charge to view the meteorite in the Big Well gift shop.

Greensburg has many antique stores. And be sure to visit the 1917 Hunter Drug, 121 S. Main, which still has a 1950's soda fountain and turn of the century booths. Try the Green rivers drink.

Hours:
Mon.-Fri 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday 8:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. (620) 723-2331

An annual arts and crafts show on Memorial Day weekend lines Main Street.

Unique to the private Lamkin Museum are the rocks minerals, geodes, the Western Americana and the numerous collections. To visit call (620) 723-2409.

West of Greensburg, connect with US-183 which comes north to Kinsley (Tour 3) and back to Great Bend on US-56.

Tours on a Tankful Main Menu