If you are a cyclist, you already know what Unbound Gravel is. If not, today, I’m going to take you into the world of cyclists and how Emporia Kansas has created an event that draws people from 45 different countries. 
I love to highlight how Kansans make their visions come true. Today’s episode is a great example of a small group of people who came together around their passion for cycling in the flint hills. 
Fast forward 17 years, and now Unbound Gravel brings in 4,000 riders the weekend after Labor Day.
My guests today are Ben Sachs is the Race Director and Kristi Mohn is the Marketing Manager. You’ll hear how Kristi has been involved with the event from the beginning and Ben since early on and it is a great conversation to understand how the event got started, and what it has become today. I was really interested to hear what it takes to plan the event, and especially the routes for the races. The other thing that was so interesting to me is how the towns along the way participate. 
As Ben says - hope to see you at the Finish Line!
Show Notes:
Unbound Gravel website
Dynamic Discs Episode
Volunteer with Unbound Gravel
Get to Know a Kansan

What You’ll Learn in this Episode

• What is Unbound Gravel?
• How Unbound Gravel started
• How to volunteer with Unbound Gravel
• How Unbound Gravel routes are planned

How to Support the Podcast:
Tell a friend about us
Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app
Follow us on Instagram or Facebook
Buy a Kansas Travel Journal 
Send us a recommendation for an episode

Monarch Watch is an internationally reaching education, conservation, and research organization dedicated to the monarch butterfly, its habitat, and its spectacular fall migration based right here in Kansas. Join Rachel in this episode where co-founder Chip Taylor takes Rachel to butterfly school.

Monarch Watch website
Monarch Watch Facebook page
Kansas Eco Regions
What You’ll Learn in this Episode

• What is Monarch Watch?
• What is Butterfly Tagging?
• How Monarch Butterflies migrate
• Why Mexico is important to the Monarch Tagging process
• What makes the monarch butterfly migration unique
• Why milkweed is important to monarch butterflies
• Why it is important to plan native milkweed
• What is the monarch watch program?
• What is the Bring Back the Monarchs program?
• Why nectar and pollen are important to monarch butterflies
• Why it is important to have everyday people involved in citizen science

How to Support the Podcast:
Tell a friend about us
Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app
Follow us on Instagram or Facebook
Buy a Kansas Travel Journal 
Send us a recommendation for an episode

My guest today, Wichita native Jennifer Strong McConachie, has traveled around the world competing in global endurance sports. Today, we are going to talk about how she uses the Kansas outdoor landscape and weather to prepare for these competitions around the world.

Whether you are sporty or not, you’ll get a lot of ideas from Jennifer for adventures you can take in Kansas. Unless you are already into adventure sports, you are going to walk away from this episode with a whole new viewpoint on our state. 

Links to things we talked about:
Go Far: How Endurance Sports Win at Life book website
Jennifer’s Instagram
Jennifer’s Facebook
Lexington State Park Trail Map
El Dorado Lake
Cheney Lake
TallGrass Prairie Nature Preserve
TallGrass Prairie Trail Map
(Geoff and I took the Scenic Overlook Trail to the Prairie Fire Loop to the Davis Trail)

​Get To Know A Kansan:
Wichita Kansas
Toronto Lake
Kayaking the Kansas River
Laura Ingalls Wilder

What You’ll Learn in this Episode

• How to adapt the Kansas landscape to create your own adventure
• How to connect with others over Kansas stereotypes
• How our pioneer roots can help us with adversity training
• How to create a adventure event of your own

​How to Support the Podcast:
Tell a friend about us
Follow us on Instagram or Facebook
Buy a Kansas Travel Journal 
Send us a recommendation for an episode

There is no ‘they’ that fixes what needs fixing, or improves what needs improving. There is ‘us.’ You. And me. Kansans understand this. In this month’s episode Rachel talks with Lisse Regehr of Thrive Allen County, an organization convening, coordinating, and championing the ideas and efforts of Allen County residents. Listen to examples of a community converting an abandoned cement factory into usable community space and volunteers shaping trails for health and wellness. Efforts undertaken to improve the lives and conditions not only of its residents but those who visit, those today and tomorrow. 

Episode Links
Wichita Eagle article- 14 Regional Podcasts to add to your Playlist
Uncovering Kansas - Manhattan for Nature Lovers episode
Thrive Allen County website
Links to all of the trails discussed on the episode
Robert Wood Johnson Culture of Health Prize
Rural Health Initiative
A Bolder Humboldt
Uncovering Kansas - Kansas Framework for Growth episode

​

Kansas is known, often infamously so, as a flat state. For those of us who have done some exploring, we know that isn’t true. There are plenty of flat stretches, certainly. But there are also areas where the hills undulate and take your breath away. The Flint Hills are spread across the central part of Kansas, and Manhattan is situated toward the upper end the expanse. In this episode, we will talk with Eric Doran, who has spent the last 10 years exploring the Flint Hills. Eric shares some of his favorite places to visit in and around Manhattan for those who love to explore nature and take in the beauty Kansas offers.
Manhattan may not be Hollywood, but it does have a similar sign, right at the top of Manhattan Hill, or Blue Mont Hill. Hike up to the top of this hill for a great view of the Flint Hills.
 
Though not a name anyone would expect for a Kansas location, Top of the World is another place you can hike to see the surrounding views of Manhattan and the Flint Hills. These well groomed trails are easily accessible, and the trail is a fantastic way to enjoy the company of your dog.
 
A visit to the Konza Prairie Biological Station gives you a chance to see how the tall grass prairie is being studied and preserved by the Nature Conservancy and K-State’s Division of Biology. This joint venture is primarily focused on long-term ecological research, prairie preservation, and education, but they offer hiking trails open to the public, so everyone has a chance to experience the prairie first hand. The trails range from 2.6 to 6.2 miles and are considered moderate due to the occasional steep climb.
 
Linear Park Trail is a loop around the city of Manhattan and offers the most urban trail covered in this episode. This is a great option for bikers and joggers since it is about a 9-mile loop.
 
Manhattan River Trail is a 5.4-mile loop that runs along the river. It is a great option for mountain bikers, but is also good for hiking. It is considerate a moderate trail due to the terrain along the river.
 
Pillsbury Crossing will give you the chance to see something you don’t see often in Kansas – a waterfall. This is a beautiful wildlife area that is situated at a low river crossing area – a section of a river that is low and allows for crossing of vehicles and, in the good old days, wagons. While you are here, check out the Deep Creek Schoolhouse, build in 1892.
 
If you want an education in the Flint Hills check out the Flint Hills Discovery Center, whose mission is to inspire people to celebrate, explore, and care for the Flint Hills, a moving landscape Kansas hosts.
 
If you want to be guaranteed to be surrounded by animals, then Sunset Zoo is a great option and can enjoy both Flint Hills flora and fauna.
 
The Gardens at Kansas State University offers the opportunity to visit a botanical garden right in the heart of the Flint Hills. The garden gives students the opportunity to develop, maintain, and operate a world class botanical garden and is open to the public.
 
Liquid Art Winery grows grapes in the Flint Hills, and it is a great place in Manhattan to wind down after a long day exploring nature. Sit outdoors and watch the sun setting below the hills while enjoying a glass of wine.
 
If you are looking for something a little more adventurous, you can zipline through the Flint Hills at Wildwood Outdoor Adventure Park.