Since it seemed to us everyone was dashing around recently, getting in their last trip of the summer, Chris and I decided to jump on the adventure band wagon. And take a field trip. Even though we are decidedly not going back to school this week.
We evaluated all our options within a reasonable driving distance, and picked... a tour of the state capital. In Topeka.
Oh I can hear the groans from here.
But since we don't have an ocean to drive to, or a mountain to climb, we made do.
The capital was renovated a few years back at the cost of something like 300 million bucks.
We decided we should see what we paid for.
If you are a fan of history and architectural details, you will find it enjoyable.
Especially if your tour guide keeps on schedule, and tells you interesting tid-bits of information that she has picked up over the years. Like the fact that the soldier who shot John Wilkes Booth worked at the capital for awhile until he started shooting the place up one day because he disagreed with something that was being said on the floor of the senate.
We wanted to see the John Steuart Curry mural "Tragic Prelude" that depicts John Brown and the anti-slavery movement.
And while it is impressive, my favorites of the murals were the ones on the first floor.
These photos do not do justice to them. They are by David Overmyer, a Topeka native, and represent significant events in the history of Kansas. I loved the bold lines and colors. When Sister comes to Kansas we are going to drive over and sketch them.
Unfortunately, our timing did not coincide with the tour of the dome. Chris was very disappointed because he really wanted to climb the 295 steps to the top (no elevator available). We will go back for that. The view of the city and surrounding country is supposed to be spectacular. The figure on the top of the dome is Richard Bergen's Ad Astra Bronze, depicting a member of the Kansa nation.
And that is the story of Chris and Carol's last big hurrah of the summer. Tomorrow we will resume regular programming.
The end.
I think your capitol building looks quite beautiful; which reminds me it has been a very long time since I have been to the Missouri state capitol which has some wonderful Thomas Hart Benton murals in it. (There is also a bust of Rush Limbaugh there I have heard and it has scared me away from going there to find out!) It can be difficult coming up with interesting places to go for the day when you are landlocked in the middle of the country like we are.
Posted by: Janet | 08/28/2018 at 06:38 AM
So good I am going to forward your link to good friend and master teacher,tennis coach Sue, in Mission, KS. So there!
Posted by: jacki long | 08/28/2018 at 12:04 PM
Janet! I swear I have been to the Missouri state capital once - related to some kind of lobbying day for nurses but I do NOT recall seeing any Thomas Hart Benton murals and boy would I love to. Getting the calendar out with Chris to schedule that one. Thank you, Carol
Posted by: carol | 08/28/2018 at 06:43 PM
Jacki - I hope she likes it :-) If she likes burgers tell her to go to The Burger Stand at College Hill for lunch - OR even better stop in Lawrence on the way back home and have lunch on Mass Street.
Posted by: carol | 08/28/2018 at 06:48 PM
The only groaning you will hear from me is that you beat me to it! That trip has been on my radar ever since they finished the rehab! What Am I waiting for?
Posted by: jeanette sclar | 08/30/2018 at 04:30 PM
We love visiting your state capitol buildings and added Topeka to our collection this summer (together with Lincoln and Denver...shame that Cheyenne is undergoing restoration). My memory of the Missouri capitol is of the sculptures of notable Missouri people and Betty Grable and Sacagewea alongside one another. I wonder what the conversation would be?!
Posted by: Gill | 09/14/2018 at 01:31 PM
And our day in Topeka is on my blog here, if you're interested https://www.elegantsufficiency.org/blog/2018/6/20/were-in-kansas?rq=topeka
Posted by: gill@thequarryhouse.com | 09/14/2018 at 04:57 PM