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| Westbound US-54 near Toronto, Kansas |
Elk Falls to Hubble Rubble through The Hollow and Butcher Falls
In the latest adventuring amidst the apocalypse, the dart chose the west southeast region of Kansas. The first 320 km followed a path through cloudy, then rainy, skies across Kansas City opening to fields of blue sky with fluffy white clouds in Chautauqua and Elk Counties.
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| Elk Falls Bridge and Waterfalls in Kansas |
Elk Falls is quite the scenic little spot. Tucked away from the main road and associated civilization, it hosts a beautiful view of the falls from atop an 1893 iron through truss bridge crossing the Elk River.
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| Outhouse Voting Booth in Elk Falls |
The purported ghost town of Elk Falls did not seem so much as all that, after circling the block a few times. Most buildings were relatively well kept and in use as residence or business.
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| Prudence Crandall Historical Marker near Elk Falls |
It is a part of the world one would likely choose to get away from it all. Things can often get quite unfriendly in other parts, even in Connecticut. Prudence definitely picked a good place to retire.
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| The Hollow in Sedan, Kansas |
In contrast with the previous waterfall scene, the falls at The Hollow in Sedan were but a trickle into a somewhat stagnant green pool. It does hold a certain allure, as a quiet and contemplative break break from the road, within park grounds salvaged from what was once a trash dump. A 1928 school house, relocated from nearby, greets visitors and hosts the Teacher Hall of Fame for Chautauqua County.
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| Sedan Opera House |
There appears to be a lot of history in this little town. The Sedan Opera House is one of many similar structures immediately visible from the road. The building is a 1900-era reconstruction of an original 1885 building that stood at the same location, but was destroyed by fire.
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| Butcher Falls near Sedan, Kansas |
Butcher Falls offered up picturesque erosion scenes less than 10 km to the west. While it is on private property, the owner appears to welcome visitors. In less apocalyptic times, the empty visitor building and small refreshment stand at the entrance suggest it may be quite the destination for some.
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| Hubbell Rubble in Howard, Kansas |
A curious scene had flown by in the haste to arrive at the first destination earlier in the day. Returning along the same route as the original descent, the array of art works suggested a pause. The displays were created by a local rancher and realtor with little more than welding know-how learned through repairing farm implements.
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| Woodson County Courthouse in Yates Center, Kansas |
Along the path homeward, the lawn of the turn of the 20th century Woodson County Courthouse lawn served as another good spot to pause and stretch for a moment. The surrounding square stood just as empty as on the last visit to Yates Center, at a time when there was no looming apocalypse.
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Further Reading
World's Largest Living Ghost Town
Kansas Travel & Toursim
Elk Falls Bridge
Bridge Hunter
Prudence Crandall
Roadside America
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