Stove on the range

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.

"Meals on wheels, or....

....an early day Winebego, complete with kitchen, and outdoor bathroom."

This photo was taken at Old Cowtown, as a Chuckwagon Dinner was about to commence.

See the salt, flour, coffee grinder and other items and the cupboard door, that opens for use as a table for preparing meals. For those interested in reading about the history of chuckwagons, click here History of Chuckwagons Have you ever been to a Chuckwagon Dinner? If so, where was it?

Tire swing

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.

Butterfly delight

This trusting butterfly brought a moment of delight to a child, and then flew away.

Photo taken in Botanica's butterfly garden.

James R. Mead

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.

Park Villa

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.

Apple

Do you have one of these handy apple slicers? They are really nice.