Kansas: An Explorer’s Guide
by Lisa Waterman Gray(Countryman Press $21.95)
Reviewed by Bruce Rodgers
Since the beginning of air travel, and in spite of a long-established aircraft industry in Wichita, Kansas has been derided as a “fly-over state,” a place that many Americans view only from the air. Spend any time with Kansas: An Explorer’s Guide and the reader will be tempted to forsake the air and head for the nearest car rental agency — book in hand — to discover this often ignored piece of America.
Author Lisa Waterman Gray has done an exemplary job in opening Kansas up for a reader unfamiliar with the state, and reminding residents of the many attractions and surprises within their home state. This is a travel book that will be hard to top, and one should look forward to Gray’s (hopefully) future examinations of other places of Americana.
Organization of topics and deciding what to include are keys to the success and appeal of a travel book. Gray succeeds with both, indicating she knows her topic well and spent time traveling to and visiting the places she writes about. She also took the photos included in the book, demonstrating a competent artist’s eye for the visual message.
Gray introduces the book by recounting her 25-year residency in the state, beginning with her marriage to a Kansas resident and a congratulation of sorts by her uncle, a New Yorker, of moving to “the sane part of the country.” If Gray’s uncle reads Kansas: An Explorer’s Guide, he could add “interesting” to his description of the place where his niece resides.
Gray notes — as if from personal experience — in her introduction that Kansas is composed mostly of small towns, and in exploring rural areas a traveler may find signs lacking.
“You could end up in Nebraska after driving through Arikaree Breaks for a while, or drive miles past your desired destination because you missed a tiny sign beside the highway.”
Of course such an admission will attract many adventurous explorers.
After the book’s introduction, Gray outlines the general informational subjects she’ll reveal — “What’s Where In Kansas” — under eight geographical headings, maps and introductions included, beginning with “The Kansas City Area: Urban Enclave” to “Southwest Kansas: The Old West.” Thankfully, in Urban Enclave, Gray explains the distinction between Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri. Residents on both sides of the state line always welcome clarification of this shared metropolitan name lapping over into two states.
Along the way, a reader will find out where to eat, particularly helpful in small towns, where to stay, where to golf, hunt and buy antiques. (Some advertisers in Discover Vintage America will be pleased to see the name of their shop or mall listed.) Children are not forgotten in terms of attractions and neither are museums, B&Bs, historic homes and sites, scenic byways, listings of special events held in a particular area, wineries and day spas.
The unusual isn’t left out, be it the World’s Largest Hand Dug Well or the “Midway City,” Kinsley, Kansas, exactly halfway between New York City and San Francisco — 1,561 miles either way.
Gray’s writing style is straightforward yet lively without the clutter of unnecessary words or descriptions. Nothing about Kansas seems to be left out, and whatever dullness the state may be saddled with sure isn’t evident in Kansas: An Explorer’s Guide.
This is an exceptionally fine travel book, one to keep within arm’s reach as one discovers Kansas.