We're Not in Kansas Anymore (Part 1)

On Thursday, I drove six hours and 15 minutes to Wichita to celebrate my mother's 75th birthday. Once I reached the turnpike and started the journey through the Flint Hills, I felt so comforted by the familiar sight of deep fissures spreading dry brown fingers over the verdant swelling landscape dotted with Angus cows lolling about. I have talked with many travelers who report passing through Kansas and found it tedious and boring. I felt anything but bored; I love driving through Kansas. The air is clean and the skies seem bluer. The people are genuine and friendly. Wichita has grown and has spread East. I was shocked to see all of the development and retail where it used to be field. I remember other native Wichitans complaining about all that we didn't have, and now, it looks much like any other Midwest city with its PF Chang's and Gap stores. I liked it the way it was before.