It started as a free water stop during a long road trip. Here's the beef. A brain, a heart, a home, and courage meet here.
Welcome to Liberal, Kansas, where despite the political premonitions of many travelers out there, this destination has no relation whatsoever. Liberal is tucked in the southwestern part of the Sunflower State at the junction of US routes 54, 83, and 270, just on the border with Oklahoma. A small city of approximately 20,000, Liberal has historically been, and still is today, an oasis among the vast surrounding prairies. First founded by a generous settler who "liberally" offered water at no cost to travelers, the city became a center for farmers and ranchers. Although many ghosted towns surround the area, meat packing remains one of the top industries in Liberal, as evidenced by the large National Beef Packing plant on the way out of town.
One of the top attraction points to draw people to Liberal, Kansas, is the replica of Dorothy's House, as made famous by the L. Frank Baum book series, and later feature film, "The Wizard of Oz". Visitors are able to tour inside Dorothy's house to catch a glimpse of life in Kansas around the turn of the 20th century. A young lady, costumed to represent Dorothy Gale from the feature film, explains the house and all the general tasks of "her family" to the visitors before taking them through a short skit portraying the famous story and showing a collection of book and film-related memorabilia. The museum at Dorothy's House also houses the free Coronado museum, which takes visitors through the history of the Liberal area around the time of both its discovery and founding, including Native settlements, city planning, and the surrounding ghost towns.
Dorothy's House isn't the only thing to experience while in Liberal. The local Chamber of Commerce takes great pride in helping people experience the entirety of the town, going so far as to create a scavanger hunt by strategically placing "Dorothy" statues all about the city. One of these locations is the Mid-America Air Museum, a collection of various military aircraft throughout history. Other points highlighted include Light Park, which includes a small water amusement center, the Pancake House after which one of the major route's street names is given, and the old Train Station. Although passengers are no longer served in Liberal, the railroad remains in integral part of the city, especially freight servicing the area.
Next time your Internal Compass takes you toward Western Kansas, make a stop in Liberal, and you may just realize: "There's no place like home."
One of its largest industries was outlawed for several decades. If you're holding aces and eights, watch your back. Allow Freedom Rolling to Lead you down to this twin city.
Welcome to Deadwood, South Dakota. Just off the northern terminus of US Route 385, Deadwood is a place for gamblers, gold seekers, and other enthusiasts of the wild west. Although Deadwood has quite the history of these activities, both before and after South Dakota officially became a state, public gaming of this sort was outlawed shortly after World War II. Although the pastime continued in secret, the town was even further declined as a result of a fire in 1987 that ravaged the city. Looking to save Deadwood from becoming just another ghost town, the "Deadwood You Bet!" campaign successfully lobbied the state to once again legalize gambling. Although many fuel stations will have the colloquially known "Video Lottery" machines in their so-aptly titled "casinos", Deadwood remains the place in the state to find full service gaming.
Deadwood has much more history to it than simple gambling. In the mid-1870's, the city of Deadwood was founded as a result of one of the primary industries in the west: Mining of gold. Once Frank Bryant found the metal, it was just a matter of time before the city was built to what is seen today. There was an additional fire that ravaged the area in the late 1800's, but Deadwood was re-built and is still preserved by today's historical society. Other notable names of Deadwood include James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok, a former deputy who had moved to Deadwood and was shot by a recent poker opponent, along with Martha "Calamity" Jane Cannary, who supposedly had once married and had children with Wild Bill and remained in Deadwood after his death.
Today, Deadwood remains a real-life replica of what life once was in the city. Take a stroll down Main Street, visiting Saloon No. 10 where Wild Bill was shot, or perhaps see a re-enactment of one of the several famous gunfights of the city. Take a drive up Mount Moriah to the final resting places of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, or slightly north to see the Tatanka Story of Bison. If the few streets of Deadwood have tickled your fancy, take a trip across the other side of the terminus of US Route 385 and up the mountain to the twin city of Lead. While there, experience the Black Hills Mining Museum, dedicated to an industry that still exists in the area today.
So the next time you want to experience the history of the Wild West, Follow your Internal Compass right to the city of Deadwood.
Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'! Time to head to the southern midwest, out to the 46th state annexed in the early 1900's. Wait, what?! That late?! It's a Scandal! It's a Outrage!
Welcome to Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain. Anyone who has looked at maps of what the United States was in the 1800's will notice a large chunk of either "Unorganized" or "Indian" territory around where Oklahoma is today. Indian Nations still adorn the east side of the state, and was originally going to become the state of "Sequoyah" before President Roosevelt made a compromise to combine it and the Oklahoma territory to the west. Throughout the former Indian Territory, there are the Cherokees in the north, the Choctaws in the south, and the Creeks, Seminoles, and Chickasaws a bit further to the center of the present day state. Some of this autonomy can still be seen to today, especially when looking at the license plates. Among those from the state of Oklahoma, there are also Nation plates. Not much of a Lonely Room in those parts.
Not all of Oklahoma is plains and tornadoes, as popular media may have you think. Head into the Choctaw Nation of southeastern Oklahoma, near the Kiamichi River. While there, take a drive along the Talimena Scenic Byway through the Ouachita National Forest. The breathtaking views are such a site to behold, you Cain't Say No to the opportunity, even if it's just along the other US or state highways that traverse the area. Once you hit Talihina, consider making a stop at the Bigfoot Museum and art gallery, a small yet free-to-enter collection which pays tribute to one of the more controversial species known to man, the sasquatch. They may not be able to explain why Pore Jud is Daid if he wandered out into the forest, but the curator has some interesting stories to tell.
Maybe you're just taking a drive from Kansas City and want to see the rolling plains. You could still take a nice drive down historic Route 66, the Mother Road. After heading through the eastern parts of the state, route 66 doubles with Interstate 35, giving the driver lovely views of the Oklahoma City skyline before heading through the northwest suburbs. Although much of the route seems like a decrepit byway when compared to interstate 40, dump your grey and black tanks in the city of El Reno before seeing the eastbound-pointed Giants display along one of the multitude of farms across the west side of the state. It may feel like a Lonely Room when you drive through it, but there's some nice scenery out there.
Many a New Day happens when Following your Internal Compass, and perhaps it will take you to Oklahoma. But we won't go on about it much longer here, otherwise People Will Say We're in Love.
Nestled deep within southeast Texas is a vacation spot where many flock to visit: Port Aransas.
Port Aransas is found on the north side of Mustang Island, about 20 miles east, as the crow flies across the bay, from the center of the port city of Corpus Christi. There are only two ways to access Port Aransas by vehicle: Either from the highways of Corpus Christi and through Padre Island, or by a ferry northeast of the city near the resupply and financially-friendly small city of Aransas Pass, funded entirely by the Texas DOT and taking 15 minutes or longer to cross depending on traffic; check here for updates on travel times. The ferry is able to carry RVs or trucks at no charge to the driver, assuming the tide isn't low enough to weigh down the boats too much. Speaking of boats, taking the ferry not only gives the rider a chance to view dolphins frolicking in the water, but to also watch a number of ocean liners pass through this canal from the Gulf of Mexico to Corpus Christi Bay. Once on the island, Port Aransas is a golf cart community, but be sure to stay within the lower speed limit areas of the old town and the driveable beach, while avoiding the major State Highway 361, which would include crossing.
While in Port Aransas, take some time to check out the west side of the city: the Port Aransas Nature Preserve, specifically "Charlie's Pasture". This is a tribute to Charlie Bujan, a rancher whose father first settled on Mustang Island in the late 1800's and leased much of the land in what is now Port Aransas. Today, his land has become a nature preserve, which is a sanctuary for many species of wildlife, including the endangered whooping crane. Enjoy a lovely trail walk from a couple miles outside the "Old Town" near a compendium of apartments, hotels, and RV resorts, while stopping at the lookout tower to either spot the many animals, or for a similar moment of reflection. If you prefer to take your golf cart to this preserve, you may access it from either the Community Park or the Birding Center.
Along with the various commercial, dense residential, and hospitality outlets that seem to come with any sort of coastal city that is a destination for "Winter Texans", spring break party-goers, and summer visitors, no coastal city would be a coastal city without the beach. Port Aransas, and Mustang Island itself, boasts many miles of shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico. Much of this beach is driveable with public and private access roads and piers to help patrons reach the waters. The majority only allows parking by yearly-paid permit with a three-day maximum stay in one place for any RVers looking to brave the salty air. However, those looking for a simple day use may head up to the free-to-access area on the north side, from the fishing pier near Lantana Street to the jetty. Take a long walk along the beach, get out some fishing poles and try your luck, or just go along the jetty to view the ocean liners as they come in to Corpus Christi.
So the next time your Internal Compass leads you to South Texas, perhaps make your way to the resort destination of Port Aransas.
If you're headed to south Texas, you might not be to help but take a visit to one of the area's largest cities.
San Antonio, Texas is the third largest metropolitan area in the state at the crossroads of Interstate Highways 10 and 35. Named after Saint Anthony of Padua, San Antonio first started as a colonial outpost for the Spanish over 300 years ago. Since the annexation of Texas in 1845, San Antonio has been steadily growing at every census into a place with over 1.5 million people.
While in Downtown San Antonio, take a stroll along the River Walk. The San Antonio River runs through the heart of the city, and its banks have been developed into a park-like setting for locals and tourists alike. Walk down the stairs at almost every cross street to find a peaceful and serene environment below all the hustle and bustle of city at the surface. Once you reach Market and Commerce streets, the river splits off to create a commercial loop where many flock. This is where you can find the Go Rio cruise line, which provides guided tours along the river. You may also want to head to Cafe Olé, a fajita bar which offers a Texas-sized 60-ounce margarita containing 13 shots of tequila!
No trip to San Antonio would be complete without a visit to arguably its most famous landmark: The Alamo. The Alamo was a missionary site and fort throughout Spanish and Mexican occupation in the early days of the Americas. At the start of the Texas Revolution, Mexico had lost the fort and the Texas army chose to fortify the location, until the Mexican army attempted to re-take San Antonio in 1836, resulting in the fall of the Alamo, claiming the lives of William Travis, James Bowie, Davy Crockett, and other notable names in Texas history. Today, this historic landmark offers tours of the grounds, restored cannons, and the original chapel for moments of prayer. It is also the inspiration for the name behind many points in the city, including the nearby football arena: The Alamodome.
Other landmarks that may pique your interest include the Tower of the Americas, a 750-foot high needle-style observation tower built for the 1968 World's Fair; The San Antonio Zoo on the north side, with over 750 species of animals; and the arena on the east side for the NBA's San Antonio Spurs: The AT&T Center.
So the next time you go to south Texas, perhaps consider Following your Internal Compass all the way to San Antonio.
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