In and about Kansas City Mo

[daleeman]

It’s off to the Midwest in the end of May or June time period to Kansas City. I was wondering what areas provide amazing morning photography of landscapes (or any time of the day). I’ll have about 4 days to be about anywhere out there within a 100 mile radius.

My wife is a very avid birder watcher and author on our friendly feathered friends so we seek out ponds, lakes, marshes and rivers. We are often up early and out to see the sunrise. I love being out walking in the morning and shoot several different formats from 6X6 to the newest tool in the stable the M8.2 range finder.  So I tend to work close to my landscapes in the normal to wide perspective.

If you’re from this area or have traveled to Kansas City Missouri area please shares with me some of the beauty in the area. I certainly appreciate it. Thanks for your time to answer.

Lee

[Bob Peterson]

...
If you’re from this area or have traveled to Kansas City Missouri area please shares with me some of the beauty in the area. I certainly appreciate it. Thanks for your time to answer.

Lee

Watkins Mill State Park is 1500 acres 30 miles northeast of KC off I-35. This was the first woolen mill west of the Mississippi River. The site contains a small lake, the original three story mill building with original period machinery, the Watkins' home, an octagonal schoolhouse, and more. Much of the site now looks like it did in the mid 1800's. There's been significant effort to use "antique" plants, and rare breeds of sheep and other animals. The docents dress in period costumes.

When the mill ceased operations, the Watkins family simply closed the doors, leaving all the machinery behind, wool and cloth still in processing. (Most factory owners at least sold the machinery as scrap iron.) As a result, the restored mill contains a rare snapshot of an early industrial revolution factory.

The site contains some interesting old buildings of several types and sizes in various states of repair, a small lake, woods, and unusual farm animals, as well as a modern visitor center/museum. Given that overnight camping is available, there shouldn't be any problem getting there for the sunrise.

Last time I visited, which was more than 10 years ago, the third floor of the mill hadn't been restored and could not be visited. Spending all day at the site would, for me, be easy to do.

The Missouri State Parks Web site lists a number of other interesting parks in the area.

Bob

[DaveJ]

It’s off to the Midwest in the end of May or June time period to Kansas City. I was wondering what areas provide amazing morning photography of landscapes (or any time of the day). I’ll have about 4 days to be about anywhere out there within a 100 mile radius.

My wife is a very avid birder watcher and author on our friendly feathered friends so we seek out ponds, lakes, marshes and rivers. We are often up early and out to see the sunrise. I love being out walking in the morning and shoot several different formats from 6X6 to the newest tool in the stable the M8.2 range finder.  So I tend to work close to my landscapes in the normal to wide perspective.

If you’re from this area or have traveled to Kansas City Missouri area please shares with me some of the beauty in the area. I certainly appreciate it. Thanks for your time to answer.

Lee

Lee,
This doesn't answer your question about places to shoot landscapes, but I can't resist recommending to anyone visiting the KC area to stop by the Steamboat Arabia museum. The Arabia sank in the Missiouri river in 1856, fully loaded with a timecapsule of every imaginable item used by settlers of the day; a floating Walmart if you will. The cargo was buried in mud an preserved for over 100 years until it was dug out in 1988 and the contents put on display in the museum. It's an afternoon well spent.
Dave Jolley
http://www.pbase.com/hockingphotos/steamboat_arabia

[daleeman]

Watkins Mill State Park is 1500 acres 30 miles northeast of KC off I-35. This was the first woolen mill west of the Mississippi River. The site contains a small lake, the original three story mill building with original period machinery, the Watkins' home, an octagonal schoolhouse, and more. Much of the site now looks like it did in the mid 1800's. There's been significant effort to use "antique" plants, and rare breeds of sheep and other animals. The docents dress in period costumes.

When the mill ceased operations, the Watkins family simply closed the doors, leaving all the machinery behind, wool and cloth still in processing. (Most factory owners at least sold the machinery as scrap iron.) As a result, the restored mill contains a rare snapshot of an early industrial revolution factory.

The site contains some interesting old buildings of several types and sizes in various states of repair, a small lake, woods, and unusual farm animals, as well as a modern visitor center/museum. Given that overnight camping is available, there shouldn't be any problem getting there for the sunrise.

Last time I visited, which was more than 10 years ago, the third floor of the mill hadn't been restored and could not be visited. Spending all day at the site would, for me, be easy to do.

The Missouri State Parks Web site lists a number of other interesting parks in the area.

Bob

Bob,
Thank you for this message. It would be wonderful to be able to go into the mill. I remembered you said the floor was not resptred so I guess that may be iffy. But it certainly has made it onto my A list. Thanks.

Lee

[daleeman]

Lee,
This doesn't answer your question about places to shoot landscapes, but I can't resist recommending to anyone visiting the KC area to stop by the Steamboat Arabia museum. The Arabia sank in the Missiouri river in 1856, fully loaded with a timecapsule of every imaginable item used by settlers of the day; a floating Walmart if you will. The cargo was buried in mud an preserved for over 100 years until it was dug out in 1988 and the contents put on display in the museum. It's an afternoon well spent.
Dave Jolley
http://www.pbase.com/hockingphotos/steamboat_arabia

Jolley

What a treat. Your images show a lot of insight and composition. Your right about the Floating Walmart although this stuff looks better than the China junk they sell now. I'll try and stop by.

Lee

[Colorado David]

You might think about the Wakarusa Wetlands in Douglas County near Lawrence, KS, the Konza Prairie Preserve in Riley County near Manhattan, KS or the Z-Bar Ranch National Prairie Preserve in Chase County.  The Z-Bar might be near the edge of your 100 mile radius.

http://www.konza.ksu.edu/

http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_...tapr/tapr_7.htm

You might be able to get information about the Wakarusa Wetlands from Jim Mason at the Great Plains Nature Center.

http://www.gpnc.org/

I hope that helps.

[Bob Peterson]

Bob,
Thank you for this message. It would be wonderful to be able to go into the mill. I remembered you said the floor was not resptred so I guess that may be iffy. But it certainly has made it onto my A list. Thanks.

Lee

Sorry I wasn't clear.  The first and second floors of the mill were restored when I was last there, and the tour visited both.  Going into the mill shouldn't be a problem.

Bob