Across the plains

Children visiting the state capitol in Jefferson MO

Since we arrived Hermann late in the day we went straight to once the oldest continuously operated tavern west of the Mississippi, the Concert Hall Barrel Bar Restaurant, for a real German meal.  Bratwurst mit sauerkraut, of course!   

The next day we  toured  the 19th century town, including a stop at Tin Mill Brewing Company, which uses fine German barley and hops, and Stonehill Winery, established in 1847 on a hilltop by the original German settlers who said the area resembled their beloved Rhine Valley  By the turn of the 20th century Stonehill was the 2nd largest wine producer in the US.  

Then we took off and as we have often done, drove many of the miles off the interstate, venturing along the winding Missouri River (along the Lewis & Clark Trail) through Jefferson City—our first capitol city of this two-day part of our trip. The road also followed the KATY Trail State Park, a long rails-to-trails biking and hiking trail.  The night was spent at the nicely renovated, historic Hotel Bothwell in Sedalia, Missouri.  Harry Truman was asked to run for congress at a meeting here.  

Kansas State Capitol at Topeka, undergoing renovation.

In the morning we drove around Kansas City and into the great plains of Kansas.
  
Tom knew the past director of tourism for Kansas and always thought what a tough job that would be.  But our drive through the state was fascinating including a stop at another state capitol, Topeka, and a night in the surprisingly vibrant town of Hays. 

Gella's Diner & lb Brewing Co.

We always thought of Kansas as a flat place to get through as fast as possible, but when viewed with a more relaxing “destination” viewpoint, the rolling hills and 360 degree vistas with fluffy clouds in the sky were quite striking.  Hays is a military, college, agriculture town with a mixture of the old and new.  We enjoyed a nice evening at Gella’s Diner and lb Brewing Company, a nicely renovated place in the historic downtown section of town. The strange name is explained here (hint: liquid bread).

Downtown Hays, like an Edward Hopper painting

The next morning on our way out of town we had coffee at Gutierrez Cocina Mexicana, a very popular restaurant, and we understood why after a nice visit with the owner who made and served our cappuccinos. We’ll have dinner there next time.  The remaining drive through western Kansas and eastern Colorado wasn’t as pretty—well, it was pretty flat.