CKCA Road Trip:
• Valley Falls – Topeka – Atchison, KS •
May 6–9, 2024
Hosted by CKCA Members Darwin and Nadine Henry
Road Trip Attendees: Steve Bernard & Laurie Bortner, John Denney, Darwin and Nadine Henry, Bill & Diane Matlack, Randy & Susan Puls, Galen & Marilyn Seehafer, Cliff & Vicki Shank, Wayne & Marcia Strawder, Karen Ukens & grandson Bobby Krause, and Ray & Audrey Wright.
– Attendee list compiled by CKCA members Wayne & Marcia Strawder
– Attendee list compiled by CKCA members Wayne & Marcia Strawder
CKCA members at the I-135 rest stop in McPherson, KS, May 6th, 2024, before leaving for Salina to meet up with the rest of the gang. From left to right: Randy Puls, Steve Bernard, Karen Ukens, Marcia & Wayne Strawder, Darwin & Nadine Henry, Bill Matlack, Vicki & Cliff Shank, and John Denney.
– Photo contributed by CKCA members Wayne & Marcia Strawder
– Photo contributed by CKCA members Wayne & Marcia Strawder
CKCA members at the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum in Atchison, KS – May 8th, 2024. Seated from left to right: Galen and Marilyn Seehafer, John Denney, Marcia Strawder, Karen Ukens, and Nadine & Darwin Henry. Standing from left to right: Susan Puls, Vicki & Cliff Shank, Wayne Strawder, Randy Puls (kneeling), Diane & Bill Matlack, Audrey & Ray Wright, and Laurie Bortner & Steve Bernard. Not pictured: Bobby Krause.
– Photo contributed by CKCA members Darwin & Nadine Henry
– Photo contributed by CKCA members Darwin & Nadine Henry
Trip Itinerary:
Edit from Darwin, 04/12/2024: "On Monday, May 6th you will not need to bring a lunch because Galen & Marilyn Seehafer are going to supply pulled pork, buns, potato salad, coleslaw and silverware; all you need is your drink.
"We will not be going to the Flint Hills on Wednesday, May 8th because of road work. Instead, we will go to the Amelia Earhart museum in Atchison, KS and the Pony Express station in Marysville, KS."
These changes have been made to the itinerary below. – GH
"We will not be going to the Flint Hills on Wednesday, May 8th because of road work. Instead, we will go to the Amelia Earhart museum in Atchison, KS and the Pony Express station in Marysville, KS."
These changes have been made to the itinerary below. – GH
Here is some info on our May 6th - 9th, 2024 trip:
This year is going to be something different. Two years ago we stayed two nights at a bed & breakfast in Iowa and everybody has said how much they enjoyed it, so this year we are staying three nights at a bed & breakfast and not even leaving the state of Kansas.
We will meet at 8:30 am on Monday, May 6th, at the McPherson rest area and leave at 8:45 am; we will drive some curvy back roads and eat our lunch in Tipton, Ks in the park. Galen & Marilyn Seehafer are going to supply pulled pork, buns, potato salad, coleslaw and silverware; all you need is your drink. Then we will drive back roads to Valley Falls, Ks. This is where our bed & breakfast is located (The Barn); they will provide our evening meal.
On Tuesday, May 7th, we will drive to Topeka, Ks and go to the Evel Knievel museum ( $12.00 for seniors) and eat our noon meal somewhere in Topeka. (Again, you need to bring something for yourself.) Then we will go to Truckhenge (donation); it is an outside and some inside array of a guy's stuff anywhere from trucks and boats stuck in the ground to anything you might think of. At one time this was their family farm. Then we will drive some back roads to Valley Falls, Ks.
On Wednesday May 8th we will go to the Amelia Earhart museum in Atchison, KS and the Pony Express station in Marysville, KS. Then we will drive back to Valley Falls, Ks
.
On Thursday May 9th we will drive back roads to Salina, Ks and have Cozy's in Thomas Park. Then if everyone wants to, I will show you where some of the elite live in Salina then its off to your home.
Now The Barn serves a big breakfast each day and a big supper each night. This is why we are eating a sack lunch each day. There is a convenience store (Casey's) and a grocery store (Apple Market) in Valley Falls, Ks if you want to get something the night before. They also have popcorn & coffee, hot or iced tea, lemonade, and water in the evening at the Barn. They have a pool, hot tub, game room, fitness room,18 hole disk golf course, walking path and a fishing pond. We can use the main room to play cards or just talk. There is plenty to do in the evening. Also the Prairie Band Casino is only 25 miles from Valley Falls, Ks.
Now the rooms are higher priced than a motel but not only do we get breakfast but supper also, and we will not be using as much gas as in the past and only out three nights.
The price for each room is $ 195.00 plus tax ( $209.63 total) for 1 or 2 people. She has blocked all 20 rooms for us; the block comes off February 1st 2024. You can cancel up to April 21st, 2024 for full refund. (For you single people some rooms have two beds if you want to double up.)
Call Patricia at 785-945-3225 or her cell is 785-215-5460 to make reservation. You can go to The Barn website to check out the rooms. They are all different, some have more than one bed. See: www.thebarnbb.com
Let me know after you have made your reservation so I will know who is going.
– Trip itinerary contributed by CKCA Members Darwin and Nadine Henry
This year is going to be something different. Two years ago we stayed two nights at a bed & breakfast in Iowa and everybody has said how much they enjoyed it, so this year we are staying three nights at a bed & breakfast and not even leaving the state of Kansas.
We will meet at 8:30 am on Monday, May 6th, at the McPherson rest area and leave at 8:45 am; we will drive some curvy back roads and eat our lunch in Tipton, Ks in the park. Galen & Marilyn Seehafer are going to supply pulled pork, buns, potato salad, coleslaw and silverware; all you need is your drink. Then we will drive back roads to Valley Falls, Ks. This is where our bed & breakfast is located (The Barn); they will provide our evening meal.
On Tuesday, May 7th, we will drive to Topeka, Ks and go to the Evel Knievel museum ( $12.00 for seniors) and eat our noon meal somewhere in Topeka. (Again, you need to bring something for yourself.) Then we will go to Truckhenge (donation); it is an outside and some inside array of a guy's stuff anywhere from trucks and boats stuck in the ground to anything you might think of. At one time this was their family farm. Then we will drive some back roads to Valley Falls, Ks.
On Wednesday May 8th we will go to the Amelia Earhart museum in Atchison, KS and the Pony Express station in Marysville, KS. Then we will drive back to Valley Falls, Ks
.
On Thursday May 9th we will drive back roads to Salina, Ks and have Cozy's in Thomas Park. Then if everyone wants to, I will show you where some of the elite live in Salina then its off to your home.
Now The Barn serves a big breakfast each day and a big supper each night. This is why we are eating a sack lunch each day. There is a convenience store (Casey's) and a grocery store (Apple Market) in Valley Falls, Ks if you want to get something the night before. They also have popcorn & coffee, hot or iced tea, lemonade, and water in the evening at the Barn. They have a pool, hot tub, game room, fitness room,18 hole disk golf course, walking path and a fishing pond. We can use the main room to play cards or just talk. There is plenty to do in the evening. Also the Prairie Band Casino is only 25 miles from Valley Falls, Ks.
Now the rooms are higher priced than a motel but not only do we get breakfast but supper also, and we will not be using as much gas as in the past and only out three nights.
The price for each room is $ 195.00 plus tax ( $209.63 total) for 1 or 2 people. She has blocked all 20 rooms for us; the block comes off February 1st 2024. You can cancel up to April 21st, 2024 for full refund. (For you single people some rooms have two beds if you want to double up.)
Call Patricia at 785-945-3225 or her cell is 785-215-5460 to make reservation. You can go to The Barn website to check out the rooms. They are all different, some have more than one bed. See: www.thebarnbb.com
Let me know after you have made your reservation so I will know who is going.
– Trip itinerary contributed by CKCA Members Darwin and Nadine Henry
Trip Recap:
May 6th, 2024:
Pulled pork lunch in Tipton, KS provided by Galen & Marilyn Seehafer. Windy day to travel with some light rain. Staying at Barn Bed & Breakfast Inn at Valley Falls, KS. Had severe storm watch; someone volunteered a shed to protect the Corvettes from possible hail. What good fortune.
May 7th, 2024:
Visited the Evel Knievel Museum in Topeka, KS. Saw the truck used to haul all of the jumping equipment plus information and videos of many famous jumps. Several members did the virtual motorcycle jump -- Karen Ukens, Susan & Randy Puls, and John Denney plus many more. A fun experience!! Had lunch at the Museum.
May 8th, 2024:
Toured the Amelia Earhart Hanger Museum. You could see yourself dressed in the fashions of Amelia's times. Plus several members did the virtual reality flight experience -- Wayne Strawder and Darwin Henry had the flying experience. We also went to Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum.
May 9th, 2024:
We have enjoyed staying at The Barn Bed & Breakfast Inn. The food was fantastic!! We drove from Valley Falls to Salina. Had Cozy Inn burgers for lunch at Thomas Park.
– Trip recap contributed by CKCA Members Darwin and Nadine Henry
Pulled pork lunch in Tipton, KS provided by Galen & Marilyn Seehafer. Windy day to travel with some light rain. Staying at Barn Bed & Breakfast Inn at Valley Falls, KS. Had severe storm watch; someone volunteered a shed to protect the Corvettes from possible hail. What good fortune.
May 7th, 2024:
Visited the Evel Knievel Museum in Topeka, KS. Saw the truck used to haul all of the jumping equipment plus information and videos of many famous jumps. Several members did the virtual motorcycle jump -- Karen Ukens, Susan & Randy Puls, and John Denney plus many more. A fun experience!! Had lunch at the Museum.
May 8th, 2024:
Toured the Amelia Earhart Hanger Museum. You could see yourself dressed in the fashions of Amelia's times. Plus several members did the virtual reality flight experience -- Wayne Strawder and Darwin Henry had the flying experience. We also went to Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum.
May 9th, 2024:
We have enjoyed staying at The Barn Bed & Breakfast Inn. The food was fantastic!! We drove from Valley Falls to Salina. Had Cozy Inn burgers for lunch at Thomas Park.
– Trip recap contributed by CKCA Members Darwin and Nadine Henry
NOTE: Click on the photos below to open a larger version.
– Photos contributed by CKCA members Darwin & Nadine Henry
NOTE: Click on the photos below to open a larger version.
– Photos and captions contributed by CKCA members Wayne & Marcia Strawder
CKCA member Karen Ukens getting ready to jump
CKCA member Susan Puls
– Photos (2) contributed by CKCA members Randy & Susan Puls
The Barn Bed & Breakfast Inn
14910 Blue Mound Road
Valley Falls, KS 66088
785-945-3225
www.thebarnbb.com
https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Barn-Bed-Breakfast-Inn-100057669511092/
14910 Blue Mound Road
Valley Falls, KS 66088
785-945-3225
www.thebarnbb.com
https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Barn-Bed-Breakfast-Inn-100057669511092/
– Image source (5): www.thebarnbb.com
[Webmaster note: The following message, from Orissa Metzger at Sunkissed Retrievers in Meriden, Kansas, was submitted to our club via the Contact Us link on our website on Tuesday morning, May 7th, 2024.
Huge thanks to the Metzger Family and Don Hanson for watching out for our members! – GH]
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Huge thanks to the Metzger Family and Don Hanson for watching out for our members! – GH]
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It was a pleasure meeting everyone on the stormy Monday evening in Valley Falls at our Red barn.
We were delighted and honored to have you over to protect [your Corvettes] from the storm. We strive to meet your short and long term storage needs. Please reach out if needed again. We watched as you drove by our house on K4 this morning. We were outside feeding our Golden Retriever Puppies. We just sold a few puppies to families from Hutchinson and Ellinwood. Please visit our Facebook and Website for photos to our Golden Retrievers. We think that a Golden Retriever would look great in the passenger seat of a Corvette. https://www.facebook.com/sunkissed.retrievers/ https://www.sunkissedretrievers.com/ Please Like and Share. If you would like to stop by to look at our two remaining puppies, text us at 785-633-2717. Our address is 9607 K4 Highway, Meriden Kansas, 66512. Thank you again. Please have safe travels. Orissa Metzger 785-633-2717 [email protected] |
– Image source (2): https://www.facebook.com/sunkissed.retrievers/
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"We want to say thanks again to Lynn and Sam Metzger and Don Hanson for helping our guests protect their Corvettes last week. As soon as the last car was safely parked in the barn the storm split in half and completely missed Valley Falls. But the car owners said the peace of mind was totally worth it!"
– Image and caption source: The Barn Bed & Breakfast Inn Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=877378114194498&set=a.510835997515380
– Image and caption source: The Barn Bed & Breakfast Inn Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=877378114194498&set=a.510835997515380
[Webmaster note: The following is snipped from an email I received from our son on the morning of May 6th, 2024, advising of the extremely dangerous weather conditions threatening Oklahoma and Kansas on this day. – GH]
The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a "high-risk" warning for portions of OK and KS today. It's the first high-risk warning anywhere since March 2023 (the third largest tornado outbreak on record), the first in OK since May 2019, and the first in KS since May 2017 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Storm_Prediction_Center_high_risk_days
Evan Bentley, a meteorologist that works at the SPC, had this to say about the high-risk warnings:
"Due to the rarity of a High Risk issuance, the response it generates is tremendous. Schools close, people leave their homes for more substantial shelter, etc. This is the response we want. On the worst days we want people to take unprecedented action to protect themselves. Therefore, the cost of a false alarm is very high in our eyes. We only want to sound the loudest alarm when we are confident it will happen. So what are we aiming for? It’s simple. Violent tornadoes."
The good (?) news about today is that the SPC doesn't seem to believe the storms will form a line or cluster; instead that any supercells will be scattered and that some people may see nothing at all. They released a social media post about an hour ago stating:
"It does not matter what category, color or number area you are in today. EVERY storm will be equally capable of producing dangerous tornadoes and destructive hail. Many (most?) people will NOT see any storms at all! We are only expecting a small number of storms. We could have 2-3, we could have 10. The thing to remember is if you see a storm near you, assume it's a dangerous storm. We have not experienced a day like this in quite some time - many locations won't see a storm, but if you do, it will be bad."
The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a "high-risk" warning for portions of OK and KS today. It's the first high-risk warning anywhere since March 2023 (the third largest tornado outbreak on record), the first in OK since May 2019, and the first in KS since May 2017 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Storm_Prediction_Center_high_risk_days
Evan Bentley, a meteorologist that works at the SPC, had this to say about the high-risk warnings:
"Due to the rarity of a High Risk issuance, the response it generates is tremendous. Schools close, people leave their homes for more substantial shelter, etc. This is the response we want. On the worst days we want people to take unprecedented action to protect themselves. Therefore, the cost of a false alarm is very high in our eyes. We only want to sound the loudest alarm when we are confident it will happen. So what are we aiming for? It’s simple. Violent tornadoes."
The good (?) news about today is that the SPC doesn't seem to believe the storms will form a line or cluster; instead that any supercells will be scattered and that some people may see nothing at all. They released a social media post about an hour ago stating:
"It does not matter what category, color or number area you are in today. EVERY storm will be equally capable of producing dangerous tornadoes and destructive hail. Many (most?) people will NOT see any storms at all! We are only expecting a small number of storms. We could have 2-3, we could have 10. The thing to remember is if you see a storm near you, assume it's a dangerous storm. We have not experienced a day like this in quite some time - many locations won't see a storm, but if you do, it will be bad."
The "Nadocast" from the National Weather Service for Monday, May 6th, 2024.
The hail outlook from the National Weather Service for Monday, May 6th, 2024.
Tornado Outbreak of May 6–10, 2024
"A large, deadly and significant tornado outbreak occurred across the Central United States from May 6–10, 2024, as a result of a slow-moving trough that was moving across the country. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued a tornado-driven high risk convective outlook for portions of central Oklahoma and extreme southern Kansas early on May 6. Millions of people were put under a particularly dangerous situation (PDS) tornado watch later that evening, as many tornadoes were reported across the region, particularly in Oklahoma, where a violent EF4 tornado struck the towns of Barnsdall and Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Severe and tornadic weather spread eastward over the Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee Valleys over the next two days, with a nocturnal outbreak occurring in the latter on May 8, as tornadic supercell thunderstorms produced many tornadoes across the states of Tennessee, northern Alabama and western Georgia. The system responsible for the outbreak finally moved offshore by May 10 after producing several more tornadoes across the Southeast."
– Source, more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado_outbreak_of_May_6–10,_2024
"A large, deadly and significant tornado outbreak occurred across the Central United States from May 6–10, 2024, as a result of a slow-moving trough that was moving across the country. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued a tornado-driven high risk convective outlook for portions of central Oklahoma and extreme southern Kansas early on May 6. Millions of people were put under a particularly dangerous situation (PDS) tornado watch later that evening, as many tornadoes were reported across the region, particularly in Oklahoma, where a violent EF4 tornado struck the towns of Barnsdall and Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Severe and tornadic weather spread eastward over the Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee Valleys over the next two days, with a nocturnal outbreak occurring in the latter on May 8, as tornadic supercell thunderstorms produced many tornadoes across the states of Tennessee, northern Alabama and western Georgia. The system responsible for the outbreak finally moved offshore by May 10 after producing several more tornadoes across the Southeast."
– Source, more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado_outbreak_of_May_6–10,_2024
The May 6, 2024 Severe Weather Outbreak, As It Happened
By Ryan Hall, Y'all
– YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBw3XJc7jRc
NOTE: Stream starts at 4:30
By Ryan Hall, Y'all
– YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBw3XJc7jRc
NOTE: Stream starts at 4:30
The Evel Knievel Museum at Historic Harley-Davidson
2047 SW Topeka Blvd
Topeka, KS 66612
785-215-6205
https://www.evelknievelmuseum.com/
https://www.facebook.com/theevelknievelmuseum/
https://historicharley.com/
2047 SW Topeka Blvd
Topeka, KS 66612
785-215-6205
https://www.evelknievelmuseum.com/
https://www.facebook.com/theevelknievelmuseum/
https://historicharley.com/
– Image source: https://www.evelknievelmuseum.com/
– Image source: https://www.ksnt.com/news/local-news/evel-knievel-museum-leaving-topeka-for-las-vegas/
Good Day Kansas Explores: Evel Knievel Museum
Produced by Kansas Tourism
– YouTube link: https://youtu.be/RxpH3MkhH8o
Produced by Kansas Tourism
– YouTube link: https://youtu.be/RxpH3MkhH8o
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Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum 16701 286th Rd Atchison, KS 66002 913-372-0021 https://ameliaearharthangarmuseum.org/ https://www.facebook.com/AEHangarMuseum/ |
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– Image source: https://www.facebook.com/AEHangarMuseum/
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See Inside The New Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum, Celebrating Kansas’ Famed Aviator
Produced by the Kansas City Star
– YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA6vckMhBAA
Produced by the Kansas City Star
– YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA6vckMhBAA
Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum
223 N. Terrace Street
Atchison, KS 66002
913-367-4217
https://www.ameliaearhartmuseum.org/
https://www.facebook.com/ameliaearhartbirthplacemuseum/
223 N. Terrace Street
Atchison, KS 66002
913-367-4217
https://www.ameliaearhartmuseum.org/
https://www.facebook.com/ameliaearhartbirthplacemuseum/
Visit the Amelia Earhart Birth Place Museum - STEM in 30
Produced by Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
– YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nHuKPfO58Q
Produced by Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
– YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nHuKPfO58Q
Page last updated: 06/11/2024
© Central Kansas Corvette Association
Hutchinson, KS
© Central Kansas Corvette Association
Hutchinson, KS
