Kaw River State Park

There is a new-ish state park in Topeka, up north of the old Menniger Hospital grounds and next to Cedar Crest. So far there isn't much there but trails in the woods and a couple of parking lots, and a boat ramp down by the river.

It was pretty chilly today, but I have been wanting to see this area, so Rich and I went out there and took the winding, hilly road to the river's edge. By the way, do not attempt this road if it's been snowing or is at all icy--they had to close it at times last winter because people were getting stuck or sliding off it.

There are some interesting-looking things in the woods, but I wasn't up to trail walking today, so here's the river.

Apparently if you put your boat in the Kaw you have to carefully clean and inspect it when you take it out. I knew about zebra mussels being a real problem, but I don't know anything about the fish here.

The mighty, or mighty slow, Kaw, with a typical sandbar. I don't have many pictures of the river, which is sort of strange considering I live fairly close to it.

The view downriver. There is a sandbar that's been there so long it's covered with trees, so is more like an island.

Trees, river, etc.

The most exciting find of the chilly riverbank day was another bird! This is a Spotted Sandpiper, and was the only bird we saw along the riverbank. A nice conclusion to the trip. I'll have to return to this location when the weather, and the light, are a bit more amenable.