Catching Up...Santa Fe Lake, Bazaar Cattle Pens, and Sunflowers!

Lenora Webb Biggs
Aug 4, 2018
2 min read

They say that time flies and it's so true. It's August 3rd, and I'm wondering where summer went. I go back to school on the 7th, so need to play catch up with the blog before the craziness of back to school begins. So, here goes!

SANTA FE LAKE

One of our summer bucket list items was to swim in a lake. I decided to give Santa Fe Lake in Augusta, KS a try.

Santa Fe Lake is a smaller lake at 250-acres. It was built in the 1920s and belonged to Santa Fe Railroad, providing water to steam locomotives, and was given to the city of Augusta in 1957.

Despite it's small size, it has a lot to offer! In addition to their great swimming beach, they offer hiking trails, boating, fishing, secluded camping sites, and even offer stand up paddle boarding. One of the hiking trails even leads you to a waterfall, but unfortunately it was bone dry during our visit (the bottom middle picture is the waterfall). I would love to go back when it is flowing.

This is a great place for a weekend get-away! Can't wait to go back!

BAZZAR CATTLE PENS

If you are traveling on the Kansas Turnpike (mile marker 111 about 15 miles southwest of Emporia), Bazaar Cattle Pens is a must-see. Bazaar Cattle Pens is a scenic outlook that offers an amazing view of the flint hills, cattle pins, and sometimes cattle.

There is just something that intrigues me about this rest stop. There is nothing like looking out across the plains of Kansas and seeing nothing but nature.

Be sure and check it out next time you drive by!

SUNFLOWERS

So, those of you who know me, know I'm a bit addicted to sunflowers. Nothing makes me happier than seeing a field of sunflowers. Many people ask me where these fields are located, so here's my favorite field. Stay tuned for more as they bloom this fall.

This particular sunflower field is located near Clearwater, KS and right by Klausmeyer Dairy Farm. Their address is: 8135 South 119th St W, Clearwater, KS 67026.

Klausmeyer Farm is very accommodating to the guests that come and visit the sunflowers. Be sure and bring a few bucks to put in the donation box as a thank you!