Kansas City, Missouri

 I'm gonna need a bigger racket!

Kansas City, Missouri

At the NFL Draft welcoming new friend Christian Gonzalez, the Patriots 1st round draft choice!

Wichita, Kansas

The Keeper of the Plains, an awe-inspiring, 44-foot tall steel sculpture, marks the sacred land at the confluence of the Arkansas and the Little Arkansas rivers.

Wichita, Kansas

We went to the Pizza Hut Museum, but there's no pizza. 😢

Pratt, Kansas

What if you want warm???

Hutchinson, Kansas

We visited the only salt mine you can tour in the US. It's still an active salt mine with 150 (!) miles of tunnels. In addition to tours, some of the abandoned tunnels are used for storage of a variety of things, including original films from classics like Ben Hur and Star Wars. And of course, The Wizard of Oz is there. It is Kansas after all. 

Greensburg, Kansas

The "Big Well" is a water well that was dug in 1888. It is 32 feet across and 109 feet deep. I hope Lassie never has to rescue anyone from down there!

Dodge City, Kansas

Playing poker al fresco with old friend Doc Holliday!

Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site, Colorado

The Cheyenne and Arapaho camp at this location became the site of one of the saddest chapters in American history.

Ojo Caliente, New Mexico

We had a nice hike to an old, abandoned mica mine. We knew we were getting close when the trail got all glittery!

Taos Pueblo, New Mexico

The adobe buildings of Taos Pueblo have been continuously inhabited since ancient times, and the pueblo remains the ceremonial center for the Taos Pueblo people today.

Taos, New Mexico

The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge stands 600 feet over the river. We weren't sure if we would brave the semi-terrifying pedestrian walkway, saying we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. And we did!

Taos, New Mexico

West of Taos is a community of unusual homes. They are built from recycled materials like tires, cans, and bottles, and are designed to be completely self-sustaining and off the grid. Rain water is collected and recycled several times. They grow their own food, treat their sewage, and run their appliances using only solar and wind power. The houses are reportedly a comfortable 70 degrees year round. They are called Earthships, but they don't fly!

Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico

We have been seeing ancient petroglyphs throughout Arizona and New Mexico. Not sure what the story is behind these Chaco Canyon petroglyphs, but it sure seems like someone had a lot to say!

Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico

Chaco Canyon was the center of Pueblo culture over 800 years ago. It is a little hard to get to, but it is worth the effort. The ruins include a number of pueblos and great houses that are open for visitors to explore. Pueblo Bonito, shown here, is an engineering and construction marvel - many of the walls in their original state remain standing today.

Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

At first, I was afraid. I was petrified!

Meteor Crater, Arizona

Fifty thousand years ago, a meteor the size of a large airplane crashed into the Arizona desert, creating a huge crater, which is 570 feet deep and 3900 feet in diameter. Glad I wasn't anywhere near here at the time!

Winslow, Arizona

I'm standin' on a corner in Winslow, Arizona!