Day 3: Wichita, KS- Blair Family Roadtrip

I We actually had to drag Sadie out of bed this AM. I guess she was all tuckered out from the excitement-or maybe the 1/4 mile hike to the grassy area Every time she had to go!! 

Starbucks is a necessity on this humid Wednesday morning before we take our power walk by the riverfront one last time. Miraculously we are loaded & driving by 9!! 

We make it into Arkansas & the 1st part of the drive was pretty boring!! Once again we saw MORE Confederate flags & Bible blasting signs, only to be topped by a large truck full of chickens!! 

We then entered the booming town of Ravenden with a whopping population of "470" which boasted signs of the upcoming "Hillbilly Homecoming"!! Sure hate we missed that....LOL!!

Somehow we stumbled upon one of the coolest things I've seen in awhile.. A hidden gem just before the Missouri line-Mammoth Springs. 

Mammoth Spring is Arkansas's largest spring and the second largest spring in the Ozark Mountains. A National Natural Landmark, the spring flows nine million gallons of water hourly. Forming a scenic 10-acre lake, it then flows south as the Spring River, a popular Ozark trout and float stream. Very refreshing!!!

Upon leaving our hidden Oasis, the rear driver's side window decides to fall down & NOT roll back up.... Let's pray for NO rain!! Yes those Are rubber stoppers holding it up!!! Don't judge!!!

Sierra takes the wheel somewhere in Missouri & we enter Amish Land. Pretty cool to see folks in a horse & buggy as we whiz by at 70 mph..yikes!!

We drive a bit of Route 66 & pass a barn that says Sunnyland Farms; which those of us from Albany know that Ms. Jane Wilson owns. 

Somewhere along the monotonous roads of Kansas farms I realize the dirt has gone from red to brown to black. The only other excitement on these country roads is all the detours we are forced to make due to road closures!! Boo!!!

We finally make it to the Ambassador Hotel in Wichita, KS after a long 9.5 hour treck... Whew!!! After sprucing ourselves up a bit we head out to find Wichita Brewing Co & Pizzeria!! It did NOT disappoint!! We started with stuffed jalepenos & moved on to  the pesto & Gregorian pizza! AMAZING!! 

We stumbled upon another awesome venue on the drive back to the hotel...the Mid-America All-Indian Center. It was breathtaking!! It's a cool 73 degrees here.. Brrr!!

"The Mid-America All-Indian Center is the only facility of its kind in Kansas that is solely dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich cultural history of American Indians in North America. Events are held regularly at the Indian Center, including Powwows that attract American Indian dancers representing tribes from across the United States." 

We pulled in just as they lit up the huge "Ring of Fire" exhibit. If you're ever in Wichita, this is a MUST see!!

After gelato we settle in for the night. Denver bound in the AM!!!!