Contestants for "Judges Favorite Bicycle" receive instruction in Marion, KS parade.
Contestants for "Judges Favorite Bicycle" receive instruction in Marion, KS parade.
A cherry picker was used to photograph the Marion, KS parade.
B. J. Beneke at the Marion Ampride store.
The Flint Hills of Kansas.
Train station in Strong City, KS.
"Combine Ranch" near Emporia, KS.
Last Modified on 9/26/1999 at 6:14:51
Day's Narrative: We were unable to go to Council Grove because the only motel there was full. This often happens on Saturday night in small towns. We changed our plans and I rode to Emporia instead. The small town of Marion, a little over 30 miles away from McPherson was having their "Old Settler's Day" parade. Photo 1 shows a parade organizer coaching the contestants in the Judge's Favorite Bicycle contest. Photo 2 is main street just before the parade with the video photographer high above the street in a cherry picker. I stopped in the Marion Ampride station as I was leaving town where I met "B. J." Beneke. B.J. and I decided we were the only people in town who were not watching the parade. She is originally from nearby El Dorado, KS. As we were talking, Connie arrived and we had lunch there. After lunch I rode into the Flint Hills section of Kansas, a region of hills about 10 miles wide which is best known as excellent ranching country. Photo 4 shows a portion of the Flint Hills. After crossing the Flint Hills I reached Cottonwood Falls and Strong City. These are small, pretty, historic towns. Photo 5 shows the railroad station in Strong City. It was now only 17 miles to Emporia. As I neared Emporia I saw a line of combines which reminded me of the line of Cadillacs buried in the ground called "Cadillac Ranch" just outside of Amarillo, Texas. See Photo 6 for "Combine Ranch." I got to the motel at 4:15 pm. Tomorrow we will go to Ottawa, KS, which will probably be the last day of the trip. © Ray & Connie Poore, 1998
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