Traveling the Southwest: Salina, Kansas

Fall soccer has wrapped up for the year, the gardens are put to bed for the winter, the fall boutique at Westfalcon Farm closed its doors for the winter, the leaves on the trees have fallen, the weather is turning cool here in Minnesota, and kids are back in school. Late fall is a quiet time for my family, so we felt that a long road trip was in order. Our destination? The Southwestern United States.

One major perk of homeschooling our children is being able to take off on long road trips to explore our amazing country. There is nothing better than exploring new places to learn history, geology, geography, biology, astronomy, economics, social studies, etc., first-hand. I’m excited to share some of our favorite experiences with you, and hopefully entice a few of you to head out on your own road trip.

Salina, Kansas

On our way down to the Southwestern United States, we made two stops. The first was in Salina, a town in North Central Kansas that is located in one of the world’s largest wheat-producing areas. We arrived at the Salina KOA at 12:30 am after a long day of driving and stopping for various kid and gasoline needs. KOA’s (Kampgrounds of America – the world’s largest system of privately-owned campgrounds with nearly 500 locations across the US and Canada) are our go-to overnight camping spots. They are always located off major roadways and are easy to get to, they allow check-in at anytime – 24/7, the bathrooms are always clean and warm, the pull-in camping spots are easily accessible, and we’ve never come across unfriendly hosts. The Salina KOA was no exception.

We all slept well at the KOA, and after a short breakfast, the kids and I took the two dogs on a walk while my husband tore down the camper. My son and daughter were excited to see a bass pond with giant lily pads at the campground, but they were most-excited about the old farm equipment they spotted across the street in a giant field.

Central Kansas Flywheels Yesteryear Museum

We found the Central Kansas Flywheels Yesteryear Museum at the end of Home on the Range Ln. – a museum dedicated to acquiring, preserving, and restoring agricultural machinery and implements unique to the Great Plains region (it’s free to visit). We were greeted by a nice man (I’ll call him “Tom” – I wish I would have asked his name) as we entered the first museum building. Tom promptly began educating us about the contents that make-up the museum. He notified us that almost all of the machinery, household goods, toys, etc., had been donated by local individuals who are/were passionate about preserving the story of the past.

The best part?

Tom told us that we were allowed to interact with, climb on, and experience all parts of the museum. Is there any better way to learn? We were ready to jump back into the early 1900’s as we explored everything the museum had to offer.

A Hands-On Experience

An old trike was displayed with a picture of the tiny tot who rode it on a cool Easter morning,

the giant workhorses that we know as tractors had their original owners’ names (and sometimes stories) proudly displayed,

and an old wood burning stove told of family meals that a farm wife made in the Great Plains before electric stoves took over.

The kids were in heaven “driving” all the old tractors, riding in the old hay wagons, and taking an old motorcycle for a spin.

The museum isn’t all about machines, toys, and trinkets. A darling white church decorates the open landscape. Wells Methodist Church – built in 1901 – has been fully restored to its original condition.

Wells Methodist Church

Tom said that many local couples choose to get married at this quaint church full of history. The museum just asks that each couple donates what they feel their experience is worth. This way anyone can get married in the church, regardless of income. How sweet is this?

Cox One-Room School House

The Cox One-Room School House also adds to the charm at the Yesteryear Museum.

Beautiful old desks still sit on the old wood floor,

a wood heater sits stacked and ready-to-heat on the middle of the far wall,

old books are arranged neatly on the shelves, and “America (My Country Tis of Thee)” is written in cursive on the chalkboard.

Our family was transported to the yesteryear as we played, experienced, and learned. A sincere thank-you to Tom for giving us so much of his time and knowledge. Did I mention that the museum is free? Although, we did make a donation after we toured. I hope this museum remains open for years to come.

We could have spent several more hours exploring the “Central Kansas Flywheels Yesteryear Museum” and seeing all that Salina had to offer, but we had to continue our trek to the Southwest.

Join me next for our drive through Southwest Kansas. For those of you who know Kansas, you’re probably wondering “What could be so great in SW Kansas?” Well, I hope you tune in!