Western Kansas Journey
During the Christmas break of 1997 myself and three friends set out on a monumental journey. This
journey would be one that covered one of the most desolate, yet interesting,
expanses of land known to man, a journey worthy of Lewis, Clark, and Sacajewea.
It was a journey through...Western Kansas. We planned major stops in Victoria,
Lucas, and Russell, Kansas. Brenda Pickett, Mlada Voboril, Patricia Gosche, and
I spent a day exploring this great expanse, and few of the treasured images are
here for your viewing enjoyment.
Jay Langhurst, Mlada Voboril, Patricia Gosche, and Brenda Pickett
Destination #1 - Victoria, Kansas
Base image acquired from the
Hays Daily News
The only extremely interesting thing in Western Kansas, and the main focus of the entire trip,
was in Victoria, Kansas. Our destination was the Cathedral of the Plains, as it is commonly
known, but uncommon people have been known to call it St. Fidelis Church. It was built, or
erected as they called it back then, in 1909. And right about now you might be asking,
"Why is this so darned neat?" Well it's neat because it's in Western Kansas, where no one
would expect a huge cathedral, but there it is despite all odds, made by a lot of German
immigrants. For the really accurate information, go
here.
Pictures
 We made it!
 The stone marker
 The Church
 A statue of an angel in the Church
 A stained glass window, altered a bit
Destination #2 - Lucas, Kansas
Ok, this one is much more Western Kansas-like than the last one. Some guy named S.P. Dinsmoor had this obsession with
concrete and a LOT of time on his hands, so he decided to build a garden of concrete. Now this wasn't your
small, suburban strawberries and watermelon concrete garden, this was the deluxe top-of-the-line concrete garden.
Oh yeah, he's also buried in his garden along with his wife. They are currently sealed in yep, you guessed it,
conrete.
Additional Information
Pictures
 A picture of S.P. Dinsmoor, slightly altered for entertainment
 A vine-ish tunnel of concrete
 Just what it says, Garden of Eden
 If that Indian were real, Millie would be in real trouble...
 He used any scrap of wood for intricate wood crafts
Destination #3 - Russell, Kansas
Bob Dole was born in 1923 in Russell, Kansas. Not much else is great about Russell, Kansas, but they are very happy
that Bob Dole was born there. Dole's father ran an egg and cream distribution station, and taught his son the art of
presidential candidacy on Sundays. In 1945, Bob Dole was fighting in Italy. Well,
no he wasn't just fighting people in Italy, it was with other people. Anyway
On April 14 of that year, after bravely pulling his radio man to safety, because he really liked music,
Dole was struck by Nazi fire. His right shoulder was almost totally destroyed, vertebrae in his neck and
spine were fractured, and metal leftovers from the blast spread through his body. Dole was left,
paralyzed, on the battlefield for hours. But at least he had some decent music to listen to.
When found and taken away, doctors thought he would die. However, because the aliens intervened, that
didn't happen. Doctors thought the Dole would never walk again. But hey, who's perfect?
Pictures
 Bob Dole's house, the home of the free in the land of the brave
 Myself in front of the house, no one else wanted to get out
The End
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