As it turns out, western Kansas already has some spectacular breaks.
I spent last weekend in the far northwest corner of the state looking for birds with the Kansas Ornithological Society. In eight years in Kansas, I had never made it to the western part of the state, and anyone who knew I was headed to Goodland made less-than-kind remarks about my choice of a weekend getaway.
But it turns out the joke is on those who haven’t taken the time to get off the interstate out west. True to the reputation of Goodland, it’s probably fitting that I had to drive through a May blizzard to get to the hotel Friday night. But I spent a beautiful weekend driving gravel roads and visiting the incredible Arikaree Breaks near the three-corners area of Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska.
I don’t know if high gas prices really will keep more of us home during the vacation season. But if you haven’t taken time to appreciate this part of the state, you’ll find the drive well worth the reward if you appreciate magnificent and pristine landscape.