Day 4 – Kansas State Fair

Tallgrass Prairie Land (in the distance)

Finally we got a clear day for our drive down to Hutchinson, KS. Kansas is pretty flat but actually not as flat as you might think, at least in certain parts. We passed through the Flint Hills section of central Kansas which is an area of rolling hills and prairie grass. Very pretty and a nice change from all the corn and soybean fields we have been seeing. And speaking of prairie grass, we made a stop at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. Years ago Tallgrass, which can be waist deep and more, covered most of the Midwestern states. Farming has since eliminated much of the Tallgrass prairie lands and less than 4% remains, mostly in Kansas.

Cow Grooming

We had a great time in the evening at the Kansas State Fair, highlighted by a really funny comedy show by Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias and two other comedians. The fair was a decent size and had a stronger “ag” flavor that some others we have been to. They had every different type of show animals, from llamas to geese. First time I have ever seen a cow brushed and blow dried with a shop vac (see the picture).

Did we try any strange food? Okay, after our mandatory corn on the cob we did go all out and try the deep-fried cookie dough. Actually it wasn’t too bad. We passed on the moink on a stick. Meatballs (moo) covered by bacon (oink).