The Kaw Valley is the region surrounding the Kansas River, and it’s generally the part of Kansas where I grew up. Manhattan, Topeka, Lawrence and Kansas City are all located along the river. On my trip I left Abilene bound for Topeka where my sister Cristin lives. I visited her school and shared some Japanese snacks and stories with second and third graders, which was a lot of fun. Then I went on to Lawrence to see Vickie and my cousin Linda, followed by a stop in Kansas City to see the Nelson-Atkins Museum.
The area has most of Kansas’s early history. The Oregon and Santa Fe Trails pass through the region, and Lawrence was established before the Civil War as an abolishionist outpost. Read up on the history behind the Jayhawk here.
I had wanted to see the new annex to the Nelson-Atkins Museum since it was built last year. (See the web site here.) It was featured in Architecture magazine last summer for its use of natural light and the landscape on the original grounds. It did not disappoint. The skylights to the parking garage below the shallow pool in the plaza are among the more interesting design elements.
-
- Oregon Trail near St. Marys
-
- Sparky at the Kansas River in Lawrence
-
- Cottonwoods on the river
-
- Vickie’s shyest cat
-
- front lawn of Nelson-Atkins Museum
-
- lobby of Nelson-Atkins
-
- inside the new annex
-
- underwater parking garage skylight
One Comment
Wow, Bri… you are on the most impressive road trip I have seen. I love the photos of the places you have been and the stories behind so much – it really is inspiring! Your photos have this beauty, too… I had no idea you were great with a camera. It’s a nice day dream break away from work to imagine being on the road myself. thanks and keep it up
xoxo