The light was shining brightly through the window, and just for fun and experimenting, I played around with this diamond and the camera. This is also my first time to try and upload a short movie, hope it spins as intended - and that you all enjoy it. Here's looking forward to a bright and shiny new year!
Here's a different view of yesterday's photo. In it, you can see a Locomotive Steam Engine that is a new addition to the Great Plains Transportation Museum. The museum itself is located in the smaller part of the red brick building. From the second floor, there is a door that leads out to the trains on display. If you like trains, and museums - here's a link to this museum's site. GreatPlainsTransportationMuseum I know the tunnel (under bridge) looked a bit creepy in yesterday's photo, but it really was a safe place to walk. Thanks for your concern though. My reason for walking through it was kind of like the chicken's reason for crossing the road - "to get to the other side".
Taken while walking under the train track bridge on East Douglas St, in Downtown Wichita. 
As youth peers over the edge for a view from the top, age has a protective grasp.
Except in cases of severe weather conditions, 
This is what I saw when opening the garage door the other day. It was lovely, and happened on a good day, as I had nowhere to go - no place to be. I stayed home and enjoyed the snow, did some shoveling, then came inside and warmed up. Notice where the snow piled up against the door. This shows how the wind blew the snow into piles (snowdrifts) in some areas, and there's hardly any depth at all, in others.
Listening to the child's request, and kindly reminding her to do as her parents tell her to do. He also told her "I'll see you, but you won't see me". Tonight's the night, when many children around the world will try to stay awake, in hopes of seeing Santa Claus placing their present under the tree. 
I don't recall seeing a sign by this statue, and so I'm calling it a young immigrant. It looks like this young man is new to America, and has everything he owns in the bag. Why has he left his homeland, and where will his hopes and dreams take him?
If you'd like to read about the history and symbolism on the Kansas State Flag, click here:
Flag_of_Kansas
This building has always caught my attention, because of it's pretty color, and odd shape. See how narrow it is on the left side? The other side is wider. There are railroad tracks directly behind the building. I'm guessing (and only guessing) the tracks were there first! I often wonder what the original purpose of this building was, and what other businesses have used it. It's located at Broadway and 21st. From the signs in the windows, it looks like it's up for sale.
Yesterday's post of this building was taken in the fall, during daytime.
Luxury apartments, Health club, Swimming pool, Putting range, Conference rooms, Business offices, Retail shops, Restaurants, and more. A place to live, work, and play - all in one downtown building. In this photo the building appears to lean, but in actuality - the camera was leaning. I wanted to show this building today, so that tomorrow I can show how it looks like, at night, during the Christmas season. There use to be a restaurant on one of the top floors , and from the windows you could see some really nice views of where the two Arkansas Rivers (the large and the small) merge into one. Not sure what's up there now, but from the same windows - it must be a lovely view of The Keeper of the Plains, as well as other directions around the city.
Thinking back to when you were around the age of this young girl, do you recall some of your favorite books? It looks like this is a book she just can't put down. I wasn't much of a reader. This statue is found to the west of Wichita's Century II Convention Center.
This display of energy saving light bulbs, was on exhibit at Botanica's illuminations event.
And, regarding yesterday's photo of the prize winning photo, I want to thank those of you who thought possibly I was the winning photographer. I wasn't, I didn't have an entry in the contest.
And, regarding my question of what the inner set of tracks, on the railway bridge tracks, were for, read Moonshadow's comment in yesterday's post. Moonshado sought the answer, and got it. Good job, MS, now I am "on the right track".
This photo, of a 1st prize photo, was taken at Botanica. 
Santa was at Botanica, 
Hyderabad asked about the train tracks in the Old Railway Bridge photo. I'm not sure of the answer, but thought I would post this 'turn around' view which shows the end of the inner set of tracks. I wondered about them, too, and thought they must be some added tracks, for better stability while crossing the bridge. Anyone know, if I'm "on the right track". to see the other side of the tracks, click here Bridge
Besides the chiminea's at Botanica, there were also some gas fueled (I have no idea what they are called) warming posts. They have flames in the upper portion and the heat is deflected in a downward direction by the umbrella style topper. This is something I've not experienced before, and I was impressed with how much warmth they provide. And, if that wasn't enough to warm up the Botanica guests - there was also hot cocoa, and hot apple cider for $1. Whoever put this together - did a nice job in considering the welcome relief of warmth in the midst of a cold winter stroll through the illuminated gardens.
Nature's Way provided quite a few chimineas for warm stops along the illimunated paths of Botanica. I don't know what kind of wood was burning in them, but it sure smelled good. In this photo, you can also see the sacks with lights in them - these lined all the paths and sidewalks.
Taken at Botanica during their holiday illuminations display, the night was aglow with thousands of lights. 
A four year olds description of the Christmas Tree: "It has pink balls, bows, candy canes, lights, beads.......... and glass carrots!"
Kids say the darndest things.
When I was a four year old - these were better known as icicles.
Wishing each of you a happy and healthy holiday season - enjoyed in the ways and values, of your tradition and culture.
By the looks of this graffiti, and the the beer bottle, I'm thinking someone was drinking and painting (without authorization on public property). I guess it means something to those that can read the symbols and lettering. To me, it meant nothing. I don't see a lot of graffiti around Wichita. But, as with most major cities - it happens. Continuing on this walk along the river, tomorrow, we'll come to where I was headed - the neat old railroad bridge.
You all had some good, and funny guesses. I smiled as I read them, and LOL'd @ Fenix!
Just as I was taking this photo from under a bridge, a young person with me, was tossing a dirt clod into the water. Splash! This is not the same bridge in yesterday's photograph. Wichita has a lot of bridges.
The John Mack Bridge
The left side is identical to the right side, but the angle of the photo doesn't show it. This is my favorite bridge in Wichita. It was built in 1931. If you would like to read a little history on it, click here http://members.cox.net/wichitahpa/johnmack.html This link also shows another photo of it.
I love the big concrete rainbow arches - there are 8 of them on each side. If I would of taken this photo from the other end of the bridge, you would see a cold white coating of snow on the arches. But, from the end I photographed - the snow was already melting, giving the bridge a wet look.
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“Final Call” a life-size bronze statue of a firefighter discovering the helmet of a comrade amid fire debris 
Wichita is located in the flat lands of central Kansas - and so I jokingly say "this is our only mountain". Gander Mtn. offers a wide selection of items for: hunting, fishing, camping, outdoor recreation, clothing and footwear, and even gunsmith services. They even have some household furnishings - things such as a camouflauge sofa, or pillows shaped like fish. Whether, looking for sporting goods, or just browsing, it's a nice place to spend time (or money!). In looking at their website, I see there are a lot of these stores in the eastern United States, and the furthest one to the west is in Colorado. www.gandermountain.com/storelocator/ I'll label this photo under buildings, and city art, due to the deer statue in the forefront. Enlarging this photo shows much more detail in the deer statues, and look in the seat of the camoflauge 4 wheeler, what do you see?
A view of some of the buildings in downtown Wichita. 
This is the photo, that the header for this blog was cropped from.
This is Wichita's only castle, it was built in 1886-1888. Its has had several owners over the years, and is now a Bed and Breakfast. If you'd like to see inside, or read about this historical building, click here castleinnriverside
This red bridge is for walking, and riding bicycles, across the river. It connects bicycle paths on each side of the river. In the background (towards the end of the bridge) are the colored totems that encircle an intersection, and are lit in various colors each evening. This photo was taken in the daytime, while they were off.
This building has lots of milk, and dairy products. The cow over the entrance has been there for many years. This use to be Steffen's Ice and Ice Cream Co., and is now Hiland Dairy Foods. Its not uncommon to see large dairy trucks pulling up to this building, bringing milk from local dairy farms processing, packaging (bottled), and distribution to grocery stores. They have a website, with some history, and recipes: hilanddairy Elarging the photo gives a better view of the cow, and the decor of the building.
Here he's hanging a cast iron dutch oven over the campfire. I wonder what's inside. 
The chuckwagon in yesterday's photo was to the right of this scene. Here, the cook is stoking the campfire, to get it good and hot. 
This tire swing hangs from a branch in the big old tree. It looks like there is a lot of room for it to swing to and fro. This photo was taken in a Wichita neighborhood, not at Botanica. But, now I'm wondering why Botanica doesn't have a nice tree swing somewhere in their gardens for children to play on.
This trusting butterfly brought a moment of delight to a child, and then flew away. 
Since looking at Wichita through the lens of my camera, I'm seeing (and learning) things about this city that I wouldn't normally pay attention to. I've been noticing a lot of the old buildings in downtown Wichita have names on them. This nice old yellow building, has the name James R. Mead on it. Who was he?, I wondered. And, with the help of Google.com, I find out he was an early pioneer, and trader. He was well aquainted with the Indians of the area, and he contributed a great deal to the early development of Wichita and the midwestern Plains. If interested in reading about him - click here James R. Mead, there is also a photo of him.
At first when looking at this old building, I noticed the tattered and torn window blinds and imagined they have weathered many years of hot summer sunshine. These old blinds, drew my attention away from the building itself. But, as I continued to look at them, I decided I like the character, and age effect, they add. Do you see the name on the building, and the tattered and torn window shades? Enlarge the photo for a better view of the center window. I also see a couple of snowflakes on one of the windows - do you see them? If buildings could talk, I bet this one would have some interesting (and maybe some tattered and torn) stories to tell.
While driving through North Riverside Park, I noticed this nice old stone shelter. It can be reserved for parties, reunions, weddings, etc. I like the building's red terra cotta roof, and the wrap around porch. The area is nicely landscaped, the building is air conditioned and has room for up to 50 people.
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