28 September 2010

Kansas "Commentary" & Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs


This is my second drive through this part of Kansas.  Yeah, I am that crazy, but I saw these neat sculpture and mobiles on my first trip and kicked myself for not stopping and taking some photos.  On Sunday I took these  photos in the small town of Mullinsville Kansas (289 people).  An eccentric and cantankerous old Navy veteran is the folk artist who created these sculptures and mobiles. The old guy, M.T. Liggett, derisively makes fun of politicians and some his road artwork is sure to offend both left-wing and right-wing political thinkers.  You don't have to have a vivid imagination to figure out where the state board of education's " head" is located in the second photo.  If you despise Hillary Clinton, Janet Reno, James Carville, and right-wing republicans in general, there's artwork for you to enjoy along the highway!  If you are curious about this cantankerous old man, here is a link http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/11212.






As many of you know, I love wildflowers.  This field of sunflowers is wild, though they grow sunflowers commercially in Kansas, eastern Colorado, Nebraska, and both Dakotas.





Not sure these whether the horses and Angus steer in this sunflower field were in western Kansas or eastern Colorado.  There isn't much difference geologically.



Garden of the Gods was a gift to the City of Colorado Springs from a local railroad mogul - philanthropist.  It's more of a rock garden than floral one.  There certainly are many interesting rock formations and the hikers and rock climbers love this perpetually free park.


Lots of people were at the park on the Labor Day holiday.  I read not too long ago that Colorado has the most physically fit people in the USA and I believe it.  I never saw so many people of all ages involved and engaged in hiking, biking, walking etc.





This rock formation is know as kissing camels.  It may not be obvious from this photo, but it is in person.



Ah, the wildflowers.  Mostly yellow and some purple seen at these locations.




They say, "you are what you eat."  It seems true for this bee that seems decidedly more yellow-orange than normal

No comments: