| As we moved west from the Ozark lakes into Kansas we noticed a
change in the landscape. The land here is definitely flatter and with many
fewer trees. We are a little higher here with Wichita being 1300 feet
above sea level. It was also remarkably green. The land is used for both
cattle and grains but at this time of year is just universally green and
flat. |  |
 | We stayed with
friends in Wichita and thus were guided to some of the less well known
places of interest, like this house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in
1915. We had a guided tour which was interesting. Everything has a purpose
and a symmetry. The house cost $22,000 to build and was recently re-roofed
at a cost of $440,000. It is now kept as a museum. |
| We weren't able to take pictures inside but I did take one of the
garden pool. Again there was the symmetry and our guide pointed out that
this was integrated with the inside so that the lines between the two were
just right. |  |
 | We also visited the
Kansas Aviation museum. Wichita is home to a very large Boeing plant which
shares its runway with McConnell Air Force base which is home to many
tankers. Wichita is also home to Lear Aviation and Beechcraft. There were
several examples of both on display. |
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| Inside the old control building was a varied display including
a range of different types of engines which had powered small aircraft since
flight began. They are in order of original design and ultimate power output
but not actual age. |
Outside was a large tanker, a Fed-Ex freight plane and this massive
strategic B52 bomber. The plane here looks small but the size of the
bomb-bay was enormous. It is frightening to consider that the future of
the world was in the hands of pilots flying planes with technology as old
and in such condition as this was until only a few years ago.
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