2013

My sister (an enabler mentioned in earlier paddling exploits) was at a work convention in Kansas City, MO, so I decided to embark on a 1,200-something-mile trip, drive to meet her, and paddle a few more states. Our first state was Kansas. We got a late start heading to Shawnee Mission Lake, which is in Shawnee Mission Park, which I read is the most-visited park in the state.

We drove in and passed a hilarious sign that read, “no alcohol or cereal malt beverages.” Think about that for a minute. Then we got to the dock and realized that the conference and driving and laughing at the sign had eaten up a lot of time. We paddled, but we had to get off the water sooner than I would have liked because it was dark, and I wasn’t sure that the paddle should count toward my tally.

The next day after the conference, we went to Hillsdale Lake, which was large and pretty, with lots of submerged tree trunks. It was very windy and also a relatively short paddle, but combined I think they count for Kansas. We saw sunflowers in bloom, which I understand is what you are supposed to see in Kansas in September.

Photo credit: Liz Littman

According to Native-Land.ca, this is Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo) land.