On our way to the Kansas City airport to get Ashlea, Joel, Mom, and I decided to make a sightseeing trip to Topeka, the state capital. Our first stop was Old Prairie Town, home of the settlement of the first white family in Topeka. The Ward family was very industrious and their prosperity eventually allowed them to build the Southern-style "mansion." We happened to visit during their Tulip Festival, so tens of thousands of beautiful tulips covered the grounds. My favorite was the purple and white "Kansas State" tulip bed. : )We drove by the state capitol building and took the picture of the new Indian sculpture on the rotunda, Ad Astra ("to the stars"). The capitol building is also home to the famous John S. Curry mural of John Brown and Bleeding Kansas. It's funny to think that he was portrayed as a hero during our Kansas history classes. It wasn't until years later that we realized he was considered by many to be a raving lunatic. I guess that explains his crazed expression in the painting.
Our last stop was to the Overland Train Depot. Unfortunately, we arrived about five minutes after the last ticket time, so we didn't get to see the interior of this stately building.
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