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http://kansastravel.org/keeperoftheplains.htm

Hubby and I hadn’t had a chance to visit the Keeper of the Plains since they had the re-dedication in May. This dedication marked the end of a 20 million(?) dollar renovation project they did along the river, including raising the Keeper of the Plains back up to a point where Exploration Place no longer blocked his view of the river.

We finally made our way down there a couple of weeks ago. What they did is absolutely beautiful!! After parking, there is a very artistic bridge that takes you across to the actual Keeper of the Plains exhibit, a little island at the fork where the rivers meet.

Once there, the sound of Native American flute music greets you and immediately starts to bring you to a place of peacefulness of the soul. Stories of how Native Americans in this region lived, hunted, and migrated are told on large plaques along the story wall. On the other side of this “courtyard” there is a beautiful piece of art that explains that the entire display is set in a circle separated into four quadrants to represent, earth, air, fire and water, and explains the significance of each element and of the combination of these elements in the Native American belief system. There are benches to sit on and on the day we went, a couple of local musicians had set up and played music for anyone who wanted to sit and listen, which we did.

A few steps down a rocky path, to the next level down, took us to an area with steam coming out of the ground to represent air. For some reason, this simple display is fascinating, especially to the kids. Walking further down the path, surrounded by native Kansas grasses, medicinal herbs and the like, took us to the front side of the exhibit. The Keeper standing above, giant rocks separating us from walking off into the river, more grasses and herbs and just outside of the rock walls were giant fire pits that are lit 2-3 times a night, provided beauty and peace. What I didn’t expect was how romantic this spot actually is, and I was obviously not the only one who felt that way. There were couples in various states of repose in every corner. One couple, snuggled up on a giant rock. Another couple, each with a relaxed arm around the other, leaned against the rock wall waiting for the fire lighting ceremony. Other couples, hand in hand or quietly embraced, were everywhere. Of course I, with my strange sense of humor, leaned into my husbands hear to whisper “Look. It’s make-out point”. I just couldn’t help myself, but it wasn’t much later that the atmosphere bled over and hubby and I were snuggled up too. It was so relaxing to just “be”. Even when the flames were lit, and the giant pillers of fire lept into the sky, the atmosphere was amazing. I could have watched those flames for hours, looking at the pictures the flames made against the black sky.

Several years ago but went to Lawrence with my best friend to see several bands including one called “The Swinging Udders”. Afterwards we went out dancing and had an absolute blast! He’s dead now but I will always cherish this memory with him.

it’s an airport, what’s to visit?

as to whether this place is worth visiting.

This is a place you can visit over and over again because of the changing scenery.

I used to go to this event every single year and had a blast, but now it has become overcommercialized, expensive as hell and seems to be more and more targeted to those staying in the hotels along the river than it is to those wandering the streets.

Back in the day my favorite event was the oldies concert on the hill. We took coolers, kicked back on a blanket and watched bands play all night. Now the music has been moved to a spot that makes it hard to see, you have to pay extra for some of the concerts and no more coolers, which means overpriced watered down pop or warm beer.

The fireworks used to be awesome too. You could pick a spot along the river (our spot was always in front of the church on the corner), kick back and enjoy the show. Now they’ve moved it so they can charge people to sit on the roofs of the hotels. It’s hard to find a really good spot without either trees blocking the view or being in the range of getting hit by the dead fireworks. I got hit the last two years I went. Once by one of the firework engines that left a bruise for 2 weeks and the next year by a rain of fire coming down on all of us in the area.

Too bad. I used to love it so but now I won’t go.

Worth visiting once, but the exhibits don’t change very often and it’s expensive, so it’s not somewhere I plan to go on a regular basis.

it’s beautiful

was to see a band in the Union Station Pub. THAT was totally worth it, but since then I just haven’t seen anything there that is all that exciting.

Best Theatre in Town. Cushy seats with lots of leg room. Real food and even mixed drinks brought right to your chair. Out the door is the oldtown district if you want to go dancing or clubbing afterwards, or you can just hang out in the sports bar inside the theatre.

http://www.warrentheatres.com/index.asp