the wandering chick
...A solar eclipse trip, 2017
Troy, Kansas and a few sights along the way

Three of us gals had been planning this trip a few weeks out. At the last minute, when we heard the weather forecast for the area we were going to - west of Kansas City - we were disappointed. Perhaps we even questioned going. But we had various reservations for a five-day trip, so we collectively decided that we should go even if we didn't get to experience the totality of the eclipse. So, away we went. Our thoughts were: "Let's hope after this trip is over we're saying, "Man! I'm sure glad we decided to go!"

And that's exactly what we said.

This trip was made by three Texas gals. We made our way through Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas with a few minor sightseeing stops along the way. We positioned ourselves in the Kansas City area because not only was that in the 100% totality area, but we wanted to see Country Club Plaza and the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum, both in K.C.

Our stops, besides the day and a half we spent in Kansas City, were at Turner Falls in Oklahoma and the Flint Hills and Tallgrass Prarie in Kansas. Woo-hoo!! Each took less than half an hour.

Yes, the clouds covered the eclipse as it hit totality, and yes, we had to leave our paid-for spot because of rain, but we were caught up in the anticipation of the event and awed by the experience of darkness at 1:06 in the afternoon. Yes, we were so very glad we made the trip.

solar eclipse or bust
child and mom with glasses
lawn-covered with people
There's no need to say the exclipse was a major event across much of the U.S. , but Troy, Kansas, being in the 100 percent zone, did it up well. People gathered early and claimed their spot on the grounds of the town courthouse.
lawn-covered with people
lawn-covered with people
lawn-covered with people
lawn-covered with people
lawn-covered with people
Meanwhile, at Troy High School, a smaller group gathered. That's where we three gals staked a spot, but the rain chased us out. We quickly gathered our gear and drove south toward clearer skies.
highway shot
We headed down Highway 7 toward Atchison and decided to pull over about 12 minutes before totality. We sat there and watched as cars started lining the highway.
watching the eclipse
frog race
frog race
A frog race kept the kids entertained until attentions became focused on the eclipse. The kids understood that touching their frog during the race would disqualify them. So, other means to get the frogs hopping were used.
frog race
cars on highway
When I took this picture, I figured the guy was blowing air on his frog to get him moving. Now I'm wondering if he's just looking for it!!! I sure don't see it.
cars on highway
frog race
eclipse
cars on highway
eclipse
Sadly for us, cloud coverage came just at the moment of totality. Aw, c'mon!!, really????
traffic jam on highway
And then came the exodus.
cars lined in jam
watching the eclipse
We all wanted one last glimpse. No one, I don't think, wanted this fantastic enjoyable event to end.
waterfall
On the return trip home, we stopped at Turner Falls near Davis, Oklahoma. We questioned how many times each of us over the course of years had passed by this scenic 77-foot-high waterfall located only two or three miles off the interstate and never taken the time to check it out. Part of the Arbuckle Mountains, the waterfall is part of the Turner Falls Park, operated by the city of Davis. It's considered Oklahoma's highest waterfall.
waterfall
waterfall in slow motion
interstate 35
Not too far down the road at a scenic pullout is access to a great view of a windmill farm.
Interstate 35 as we travel south through the Arbuckle Mountains of Oklahoma
windmill farm
windmill farm
windmill farm
cattle pens of Kansas
cattle pens of Kansas
cattle pens of Kansas
cattle pens of Kansas
cattle pens of Kansas
cattle pens of Kansas
tallgrass prairie
The Bazaar Cattle Pens on the east side of Interstate 35 in Kansas are a short, but interesting stop. Located among the Flint Hills, they are part of the Tallgrass Prairie and act as a rail depot for local cattle ranchers. The town of Bazaar was established in 1860, but its post office closed in 1974.
The Tallgrass Prairie once covered hundreds of millions of acres of the United States, the largest tallgrass prairie in the world. Today most of it has been lost to agriculture. Less than 4 percent remains. The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve was established in 1996 to protect the remaining land that spreads from northern Oklahoma north into Kansas. The Flint Hills of Kansas and the Bazaar Cattle Pens - where huge herds of bison once roamed - are where these last few pictures were taken.

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The second highlight to our solar eclipse trip was Kansas City. We spent most of our time at the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum, strolling the Country Club Plaza, walking Brush Creek and visiting the city's World War I Monument. Click the Kansas City link if you're interested in seeing this (surprisingly!!??) remarkable city.
old barn on hill
On our way to Troy from Kansas City, we spotted this old tired barn, apparently still in use despite its worn-out look.