What a week it’s been! The Mobile Visitor Center (MVC) and I have been racking up the miles and checking off some truly egg-citing stops along the way. Let me tell you about the whirlwind adventure that kicked off in Great Bend and took me from giant Czech eggs to UFO sightings—and plenty of food in between.
Gort - Geneseo, KS
Starting in Great Bend!
My first stop was Great Bend for the “To the Stars Kansas Business Awards.” The MVC made its grand appearance, showing off its flashy colors and sleek design. People were impressed at its size and style.
I ate dinner at Handle Bar & Grill. The grilled chicken there was spot on—perfectly juicy—and the staff made me feel like a regular, even though I was just passing through.
To the Stars Awards - Great Bend
Great Bend to Hays
From Great Bend, I headed northwest to Hays for Oktoberfest.
Oktoberfest isn’t complete without indulging in some local eats, so I dove into a German Skillet at the festival: sausage, corn, green peppers, grilled onions, all served on fried noodles. It was the kind of meal that sticks with you—in the best way. Comfort food, but with a hearty German flair. Later in the day I also tried the pretzel bites with beer cheese, oh so good.
Later that evening, I found myself at Thirsty’s, a huge place that felt like it could host a small town all on its own. I kept things balanced with wings and a salad. The wings were solid, and the place has room to spare.
The next day, the MVC stole the show in the homecoming parade, cruising down Main Street with plenty of thumbs-ups and waves. Hays really knows how to welcome visitors!
MVC at the Homecoming Parade in Hays
After the parade, I moved to Lewis Field, home of the Ft. Hays State University Tigers. I was outside the stadium. A group of kids were playing football in front of the MVC. I was very nervous someone was going to hit the truck, but there were no issues.
Before calling it a night, I grabbed a pizza from Lomato’s—I ordered “The Works” and ate it back at the hotel. Toppings galore, and it hit the spot after a long day.
After my time in Hays, it was time to head back to Wichita, but not without some fun roadside stops along the way!
Hays to Wichita
After my time in Hays, it was time to head back to Wichita, but not without some fun roadside stops along the way!
Stopping in Wilson!
First up was Wilson, home of the world’s largest Czech Egg. Imagine a giant, colorful Easter egg that could double as a piece of art. Definitely, a quirky must-see! I also stopped in at the Midland Railroad Hotel. A charming and historic building still offering rooms for visitors.
Stopping in Geneseo!
Next, I swung by Geneseo, the U.F.O. capital of Kansas. While I didn’t see any extraterrestrial visitors, it was still an out-of-this-world stop. (See what I did there?) Gort and the truck seemed to take a liking to each other. And Gort didn’t freeze everything like in the classic 1951 movie, “The Day the Earth Stood Still.”
Welcome to Geneseo Mural
Stopping in Lyons!
On the way back, I couldn’t resist checking out Lyons and its giant saltshaker (pictured behind the truck). A huge tribute to seasoning? Sure, why not? Kansas knows how to have fun with its roadside attractions. Speaking of food, I ate at Yummy Yummy Asian Cuisine and Grill. The name of the business was true, it was yummy.
Salt Shaker - Lyons
Last Stop - Cheney State Park!
To close out the trip, I stopped by Cheney State Park for a little fresh air. After a weekend of parades, polka music, and pizza, the park was the perfect spot to unwind before heading back to Wichita.
Until the next trip—who knows what’s in store (hopefully more pretzels)!
Cheney State Park
Located just a few miles west of Wichita and known for high wind speeds, Cheney State Park is one of the best places to enjoy boating, sailing, and hiking in the state of Kansas.