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.
