[runinbehind]

The last time I visited my mom I went for a run at the Konza Prairie preserve. I never got around to posting my pics from that run, so I thought I'd do it this time around.<br><br>
I got up early on Thanksgiving morning on a mission to run 5 miles along the Konza Prairie trail in Manhattan, KS. The day before a strong cold front had moved through, so I was expecting the coldest run of the fall. I was surprised when the thermometer at my mom's said 20F. Oh, well, I could handle that.<br><br>
I got in the car for the drive out of town to the Prairie. The thermometer in my car started at 18F and got colder from there. As I got into the river valley it bottomed out at 13F. When I got out of the car at the trailhead the thermometer said 14F. Fortunately, I warmed up nicely by about 1.5 miles.<br><br>
Here is what I saw when I got to the top of the ridge:<br><img alt="" src="http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/mbelongia/IMG_0477.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
Looking down on the river valley below:<br><img alt="" src="http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/mbelongia/IMG_0478.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
This guy looked harmless, but I wasn't going any closer (city girl, I am):<br><img alt="" src="http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/mbelongia/IMG_0483.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
Another frosty landscape:<br><img alt="" src="http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/mbelongia/IMG_0485.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
If you look hard there are a couple deer in the distance:<br><img alt="" src="http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/mbelongia/IMG_0489.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
Some lucky Thanksgiving turkeys:<br><img alt="" src="http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/mbelongia/IMG_0495.jpg" style="border:0px solid;">

 

[hup]

Neat pics, rb. Looks chilly (especially for this California boy <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">)<br>
Thanks for sharing these.<br><br>
hup

 

[Johnny]

Nice pix, Marie, having never been to Kansas, I like seeing what the rest of the country looks like. Thanks

 

[Mustang Sally]

*BLAM* *BLAM* *BLAM*<br><br>
Oops. There I go again.<br><br>
But seriously - those are beautiful photos of a landscape I haven't seen in a very long time. Thanks for sharing.

 

[millbot]

It looks like you could go forever across wide open spaces <span style="font-size:xx-small;">(with the occasional barbed wire fence)</span>. Nice!

 

[ksrunr]

Mustang <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"><br><br>
Millbot - They hold a 50M and 100M race on that prarie. Sounds easy but with little landmarks along the way it is really a mental challenge.<br><br>
Runnin - makes me homesick for sure.<br><br>
ksrunr

 

[perchcreek]

That looks like an ideal place to run! Just make me want to jump into the monitor! rb.. thanks for sharing!

 

[JJJessee]

Great pictures, Runnin<br>
That looks like a runner's paradise, flat soft ground, ummm<br>
Lotsa wild life.<br>
I especially liked the earrings on that steer.<br>
thanks,<br>
jjj

 

[riley0003]

DH went to school at Kansas State. I think we might go there next fall b/c the french bulldog national specialty competition is being held there. I've never been to KS but the pics were great! In fact, I haven't been much anywhere in the midwest.<br><br>
Susan

 

[Pie Jones]

some beautiful pictures.....thanks for sharing those......looks like a great place for a frosty run<br><br>
french bulldog national specialty competition? must be a cooking contest I guess

 

[hally]

Pretty country and not at all the picture I had in my mind of Kansas. (flat)<br>
Thanks for sharing.

 

[riley0003]

Cute, cute. I think they're too tough to eat, actually. Little beasties.<br>
Susan

 

[millbot]

Thanks, Pie. You've confirmed my suspicions about Southern fare.

 

[ksrunr]

Pie <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">

 

[Chelle]

Cool pictures! Reminds me a bit of the plains in parts of Colorado.

 

[Econo]

gorgeous!

 

[Sans Souci]

Yeeks, the carnivores here are starting to concern me.<br><br>
runin', it's the golden slanting light that caught my eye. I'd love to run there. Beautiful. Thanks for sharing your run with us in pics.

 

[runinbehind]

I'm glad you all enjoyed the pics.<br><br>
KSrunr, I knew they'd make you homesick. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"><br><br>
Susan, I had no idea about the French Bulldog National Specialty. Is it going to be in Kansas City? (Sounds like too big an affair to be in Manhattan).<br><br>
Souci, since I typically run in the mornings that's when I go to the Prairie. After seeing how pretty it is at sunrise (or just after), I don't want to go any other time. I think sunset would be nice, too.<br><br>
Just so you all don't go rushing to Kansas and have your journeys end in disappointment: not <i>all</i> of Kansas looks like this. In fact, if you travel across on the interstate, you'll just want to get it over with as quickly as possible. The Eastern part of the state (what the photos depict) isn't flat at all, since it's part of the Flint Hills. The Konza Prairie is a little gem of public land surrounded by private. If you're interested, <a href="http://www.naturalkansas.org/konza.htm" target="_blank">here's</a> their website.

 

[rosecoloredglasses]

I love this.<br>
I love seeing photos of vistas I have not viewed.<br><br>
Thanks!

 

[choovie]

Put the gun down, Mustang...<br><br>
Great photos, Marie! Looks like a great area for a run. I see resemblance to areas in MT too.