Country Travel Discoveries 2022
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1409126
stay for a bit longer to admire the beauty of the Smoky Valley. After taking in the sights, we'll visit the Hemsjold to watch craftsmen create the town's signature Dala Horses. Later this afternoon, Jim Richardson will tell us about his life as a National Geographic photographer for 35 years. Being around the world five times from the Artic to Antarctica and many places in between, Jim will discuss the spectacular places and people he has met along the way. B, L DAY 5—MAXWELL WILDLIFE REFUGE/SUNFLOWER & WHEAT FARMER After breakfast, take a short ride to the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge. Here, we'll see how the prairie existed hundreds of years ago with herds of Buffalo and Elk living off the range. On our prairie adventure, buffalo are up close and personal in their natural habitat. After our close encounter, we'll visit the Amish community of Yoder to enjoy a family style meal including freshly baked pie. Then, get ready to descend 650 feet into a state-of-the-art active salt mine. View the raw mine as it was left more than 50 years ago, as well as where a majority of the Midwest's road salt is mined. After you return "top-side" we'll learn about what Kansas is best known for, sunflowers and wheat! Farmer Cameron Pierce will show you his fields golden wheat (June tour) and blooming sunflowers (August tour). Our October travelers will learn about both sunflowers and wheat. B, L DAY 6—TALLGRASS PRAIRIE NATIONAL PRESERVE/PECAN FARM You've heard about it throughout Kansas, but now it is time to see the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. Be swept away by the tallgrass that once covered 170 million acres of North America. Next, we travel to Council Grove, one of the last stops on the Santa Fe Trail by the pioneers. For lunch today, we dine at a historic home build alongside the famed Santa Fe Trail! Be transported back in time, when homes along the Santa Fe Trail served as restaurants. This afternoon, Lila and Brad Carter invite us to their sprawling Pecan Farm. Starting in 1994 with only 200 saplings, their pecan operation has grown to over 1,900 trees with 600 of them bearing USDA-improved variety pecans. They will share their insights in growing Pecans and—for October travelers—demonstrate the harvesting of the tree! Tonight, enjoy a special farewell dinner with your fellow travelers. B, L, D DAY 7—FAREWELL This morning we head back to the City of Fountains, Kansas City. We'll make one more stop along the way, before finishing with fond memories of the rolling Flint Hills, and our hospitable hosts from the 'Sunflower State'. B x Discoveries Experience ____________________ 7 Days • 12 Meals June 5-11, 2022 WHEAT WHEAT Aug 21-27, 2022 SUNFLOWER SUNFLOWER Oct 16-22, 2022 PECANS PECANS Price Per Person: Double: $1,577 Single: $1,945 Pre/Post Hotel: $148/night Depart/Return: Kansas City, MO Highlights & Inclusions ____________________ • Experience a moving visit at the World War I Museum • Visit the expansive Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve • Explore the quaint Swedish town of Lindsborg • Travel 650 feet underground to an active salt mine • Meet working sunflower, wheat and pecan farmers • Tour the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum and Boyhood Home • Free airport shuttle or hotel parking • Bag handling (1 per person) at hotels • Fees/tips for included attractions/meals • Welcome reception, 24-hour emergency call service, free bottled water on coach Quality Accommodations ____________________ Night 1: Four Points by Sheraton, Kansas City, MO Night 2: Topeka Courtyard Marriott, Topeka, KS Night 3: Fairfield Inn & Suites, Manhattan, KS Night 4: Hampton Inn & Suites, McPherson, KS Night 5: Holiday Inn Express, Hutchinson, KS Night 6: Paola Inn & Suites, Paola, KS CountryTravelDiscoveries.com/KAN Kansas Tallgrass Quarter The U.S. Mint's America the Beautiful Quarters® Program featured the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in 2020. Kansas' Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve contains a relatively small section of a tallgrass prairie which once covered 400,000 square miles of North America. Today, less than 4% of that amount remains, with a significant portion of that located in and around this preserve. Lindsborg Hemsjold 855-744-TRIP (8747) | 49 US — MIDWEST | KANSAS HORIZONS