5-11-2024
H: 80ºF L: 50ºF
Kansas State Fairgrounds, Hutchinson, Kansas
We attended two events at the Kansas State Fairgrounds today. The first event was an adoption event for yearling mustangs. These are horses which are captured on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in California and Nevada, sent to Idaho for processing, and then are taken to adoption events. The adoption fee is $125. We talked to a BLM representative who said the yearlings not adopted today will go to another adoption event in Texas next weekend or to a training program at Hutchinson State Prison. These babies were so cute and desperately needed to be brushed.
We then walked to the other side of the fairgrounds to an art fair. On the way there, a man asked us to help him herd some loose sheep. Oh Kansas… so full of surprises.
The art fair offered some interesting art. We met an 86 year old painter whose art is vibrant. Mr. Virgil Penner was delightful to talk to and he taught us an important lesson: don’t forget about your single or widowed friends. He said his wife passed away five years ago and he no longer gets invitations from friends. This observation echoed what I heard from my patients over the years. There is a lot of loneliness in our older populations.
We ended our night by saying goodbye to a fox family we had seen on our evening walks.
5-12-2024
H: 70ºF L: 56ºF
Fairway RV Park, Ellsworth, Kansas
Today is a travel day! We are going north to Ellsworth, Kansas. There isn’t much in the local area but we will use it as a base to explore more areas of Kansas.
Exciting news! Marcel is learning to fetch! Typically he would run to the toy and either look at it or run off with it but Daniel has been working with him.
5-13-2024
H: 69°F L: 55°F •
Fairway RV Park, Ellsworth, Kansas
Daniel built some shelves so I have more kitchen space and he hung a fruit/veggie basket. He used a sawzall to cut the wood including notches for the doorframe. I love how handy Daniel is! The extra counter space is a game changer for me!
5-14-2024
H: 79°F L: 51°F
Fairway RV Park, Ellsworth, Kansas
We ventured to the east of Ellsworth, KS and saw several cool things. We started the day at Mushroom Rock State Park. These rocks were created when softer rock eroded beneath harder rock. We also saw a wild sensitive plant (mimosa purdica) whose leaves rapidly move when touched. I have spent many, many years touching plants which look like this to see if the leaves move. I can’t believe we found a wild one!
Then we went to Lindsborg, KS which is a little Swedish town. They have a phone booth, Phone of the Wind, which was created by a Japanese man who was mourning the loss of his cousin. You can “call” lost loved ones and your message will be carried on the wind to them.
Next we went to Coronado Heights, a castle on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1936 by the Works Progress Administration. It also had multiple picnic areas each with a fireplace. There were beautiful views and we both thought it would be a nice area to watch the sunset while eating dinner.
We ended our day in Abilene, KS at the World’s Largest Belt Buckle. It was dedicated in 2022. We also walked through Eisenhower Park Rose Garden and Daniel climbed on a tank.
Stats
Expenses:
- Tow vehicle fuel: $0
- Campsite: $120
- Camping memberships: $14.92
- Food: $68.01
Miles driven: 241.9 (102.8 kWh)
Number of people asking about the Tesla pulling the camper: 0
Contact Happy Vegan Campers!
Happy Vegan Campers are traveling the country and building a passive house! Any suggestions on places we should visit or questions about our house? Love our recipes? We’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment at the bottom of the page or send us an email: happyvegancampers@gmail.com
Very cool trip! Did you get one of the bags? I tend to buy bags since they are a really good, useful souvenir.
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Thanks! Unfortunately, the bags were a little outside my price range. I definitely agree though. I think I’m turning into a bag lady. 😉
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I sometimes take photos and try to recreate cute bags. But totally understand staying in budget.
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That’s a great idea! My sewing skills are mediocre but I definitely look forward to getting my sewing machine out once we have our house built.
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