Snacks and Supplies

Car packed with all the essentials for a good trip.

Photo by Cortney Piper

 

I wanted to mention everyone that it is a good idea to pack some food & drinks when you set off to any of these places. Swimming can really make you tired and hungry and if you have to drive home after a long day in the sun, I want to make sure that you have stayed hydrated and are being safe. I also would encourage a full gas tank just incase you cannot find a gas station open or around. Exploring is fun but you have to be prepared. Blankets and a change of clothes are also a must just in case something happens. You do not want to be stranded in a wet swimsuit all night. Things that can also make or break a trip would include towels, sunscreen, floaties, bug spray, and sunglasses. These places are great once you get there but let's make sure we have what we need before leave town.

Osage Lake

Photo of the lake by my good friend

Cristine Nichols

 

This lake is located south of Topeka. If you go straight out Topeka Boulevard, there will be a sign about 15 minutes out of town. Take a left and enjoy a rustic area that is free to enjoy. The camping is free and they have restrooms but no showers or running water. It is a fishing lake, so you are not supposed to swim but we do sometimes when it is hot. There is a waterfall that I keep wanting to go see. I hope I get to see it soon. My friends and I like to kick off summer here on Memorial Day.

The Paxico Blues Festival

 

 

Cassie Taylor and Samantha Fish my favorite blues singers

Photo taken from www.FotoKOnnections.com

 

I figured I could slip this in because water is blue and it is a blues festival. Get it? I wanted to take a minute and let everyone in on my favorite fall festival. It is the Blues Festival in Paxico, Kansas. Held annually on the second Saturday of September, I never miss it. It is a free music festival and the city shuts down its streets, everyone brings a lawn chair and cooler and sits from noon to nine to hear the best blues music around. There are food vendors, seven antique shops, camping if you don't want to drive home and its all located on Mill Creek. There is so much to see and do.

Lake Shawnee

Fishing dock and paddle boating dock at Lake Shawnee.

Photo By Cortney Piper

 

Lake Shawnee being right in town has a lot to offer the city. There are plenty of good fishing spots, shelter houses where you can have a party or get married, flower gardens, exercise trails, a swimming beach, paddle boating, and much more. We just went to the Huff and Puff rally a couple weeks ago and it was really cool. They had the balloons go up at night and there were a lot of people that came out. Good family fun.

Lake Wabaunsee

Photo of Lake Wabaunsee

by Kansas Byways on www.flickr.com  

Lake Wabaunsee is a little farther out but worth the drive. Just past the city of Eskridge, it is about an hour away. It is very pretty and quiet. Far from the highway and any big cities, this place is peaceful. The big U.S.A. on the hill over looking the water makes you feel very patriotic and like you're in the right place. The beach and dock are right as you pull in and easy to find. The beach is small but I haven't ever seen it crowded. They have a very convenient little store there in case you need a drink and bathrooms. Alcohol is permitted at this location. So bring your cooler.

Echo Cliff

Photo of Echo Cliff

Photo found on www.mingle.kansascity.com

uploaded by Frank Thompson from The Kansas City Star

article "Kansas is NOT ugly."

 

Echo Cliff is another close water spot. This area has a broken down bridge that is fun to hangout on and fish or just throw some stones in the water. I thought this land was private property that someone had developed for people to come and hangout on. After some research I found that it is part of parks and recreation of Wabaunsee County.

There are picnic tables made of cement and scrape iron, and lots of shade. So pack a picnic basket and have some lunch. This park offers hiking up the cliff and of course water. The bank to get to the water is kind of tricky. It is usually a muddy embankment that is entertaining trying to get up and down.

I would say this is a wonderful place to explore or if your just starting the "outdoorsy" experience. This is a great place to for a beginner. Closer to Topeka but off the beaten track about 2 miles from Dover, Kansas you have a little bit of a gravel road to go down but no biggie.

The older gentleman that used to clean up the park has a hard time getting around these days. So please clean up after yourself!

Pillsbury Crossing

Our next stop is going to take us to Pillsbury Crossing. This little stop has a rugged and frat party feel all at the same time. Located really close to Manhattan, Kansas this limestone natural beauty is a site to see. The waterway is small but deep enough to get in and explore. There are usually a lot of super good looking college kids there which may not say, "lets take the family" but everyone is really nice and there are usually officers there to make sure that everyone is staying safe. The coolest part of the Crossing is the water at the entrance, its about three inches deep and everyone parks their vehicles in the water. There are also some small waterfalls that are pretty to look at.  It is a site to see.

There are restrooms there for everyone's convenience. And sometimes people will tie a rope swing up on one of the bluffs. Or you could just jump right in. I always like to send someone before me. Since you cannot see the bottom of this waterway. It is posted at this location that you are not supposed to swim in the water but I have to admit that their are always people in the water and I have never seen anyone get in trouble for this. However, I have seen and heard of people getting in trouble for drinking alcohol here.



Photo of the limestone entrance at Pillsbury Crossing

Photo found on www.kansastravel.org





 Snake found in the water just minutes after we got out.

Photo by Cortney Piper