Today, we will take a trip out to Northwest Kansas. We used to live in that area, and have been asked to come back for the weekend to attend and participate in some church-related activities. We look forward to our short stay out there.
Northwest Kansas is in many respects a “whole ‘nuther country,” as they would say in Texas. Some of the area is on Mountain Daylight Time. Some is above 3,000 feet elevation, which seems to be the beginning point of a change in climate to more of a mountain-type. A lot of it is normally very dry; although this spring they have had a LOT of rain. The towns are small, as are the counties. Many counties in that part of the state have less than 5,000 population. The largest communities have about 5,000 to 6,000 population, and that’s counting a few dogs and cats.
There is an ethic out there that is at once independent, compassionate, stubborn, and gentle. There is a great respect for nature and for the land that gives sustenance and provides economy. Folks there don’t generally think much of city people, politicians, people with PhD behind their names, or the likes of folks such as Jesse Jackson or Al Gore. They’d much rather celebrate Veteran’s Day than Diversity Day.
So we’ll be traveling to that ‘nuther country, Northwest Kansas, shortly. And we’ll enjoy every moment we spend there and wistfully wish, as we travel back to Wichita, that we could stay longer.
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