Lunch for the four of us again
John E. Peterson
Originally published 01:14 p.m., November 29, 2007
Updated 01:14 p.m., November 29, 2007
Three of the four of us had attended a program where we heard about the Flint Hills Tourism Coalition and its efforts to publicize our beautiful Flint Hills region. One of the things we heard about, and saw pictures of, was the four big natural-stone markers which have been put up.
One of the three of us had seen one of these markers. The other two of us had not. This led, therefore, to the suggestion that all four of us should go off to lunch, but we should do it in a fashion that would let the two of us see one of the markers.
I probably do not need to tell you readers of my columns what I mean when I refer to “the four of us.” Or why I use that reference, but I would tell you, if I had my way, just in case you do not remember why I must do it.
It is because George and Mary Downing and Merle Peterson do not wish to have their names appear in my trivial columns. Therefore, I bow to their wishes and simply refer to “the four of us.”
So! Off go the four of us on a sight-seeing and luncheon jaunt. Two of us had seen the Flint Hills marker on the turnpike, so we went south on the highway so the other two of us could see it. The marker is about 10 miles south of Emporia. It is strikingly marvelous and a big plus for publicizing the Flint Hills. I am very glad we have seen it. And there are three more in other areas of the Flint Hills.
As I have said many times, that section of the turnpike is stunning. Perhaps the marker will catch the attention of those easterners and city folk to the Flint Hills beauty. It will, if I have my way. Unfortunately, the marker has been placed where you cannot see it and a scenic view at the same time. But it still is, indeed, a Flint Hills plus.
We had not decided where to go to lunch. We did not want to go to the McDonald’s at the rest-stop there on the highway. So we went on down to the Cassoday exit and got off there. The Cassoday restaurant is closed, so we could not lunch there.
We headed north on Kansas Highway 177, now a Scenic Byway, toward Matfield Green.
It, too, is a scenic drive with lost of views of the Flint Hills. It is, indeed, an official Scenic Byway.
At Matfield Green, we could have had a bite of lunch at the Hitchin’ Post. We decided, however, that we wanted to lunch in Cottonwood Falls. So, we drove around in Matfield Green to see what was going on there. Not much change from our last visit, but I should mention again that the row of old raillroad-workers habitations has been fixed up nicely and a big, new building built in front of them. Some great scenic views, too, but the railroad beside us tends to cut off some of them. Two trains did go by, so that railroad is still very much in use.
We passed the road to Bazaar, but we did not go down to it. Not much to see there these days. The corner of the Bazaar Road out there on K-177 is really quite nice. Soon we came to the Scenic View place beside the road. We drove in and had a look — as we often have before. Actually, there are lots of places where the view of the Flint Hills is much better than this one. We would have more Scenic View pull-offs along K-177, if I had my way.
So, here we are in Cottonwood Falls. We decided to lunch at the Emma Chase, though the hotel would also have been a fine choice. Two of us had hamburgers, one had a BLT sandwich and I had a reuben, which is always one of my favorites. Three of the four of us had sweet potato fries as a side and one of us had potato tots. None of us had ever had sweet potato fries before. They were good and, indeed, a new experience.
Two of us are fond of rhubarb pie, but seldom get it because our mates do not care for it. So we two shared a piece of rhubarb pie. The other two shared a piece of peach pie. All four of us were very pleased with our dessert. We would have rhubarb pie more often, if I had my way.
Lunch was fine. Very good and very enjoyable. Next, we took a tour of Cottonwood Falls. We always do that when we are in that lovely town. It is such a beautiful place.
On to Strong City for a short look-around the town there. Then onto U.S. Highway 50, heading for home. Except for all the trucks, even 50 is really a nice Flint Hills drive. Some nice scenery and other things to see.
There you have it. We have seen a Flint Hills Marker and lunched at the Emma Chase. Our Flint Hills are superb! It is fine to have a group calling attention to them. We would all do more of that, if I had my way.
citizen (anonymous) says...
I think the Flint Hills Tourism Coalition is doing an amazing job. Keep up the good work. We need our economy to thrive and tourism will definitley help.
November 29, 2007 at 2:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )