Six fearless adventurers. City slickers heading west, out to the land of tall grass and rocky terrain.
Yes, indeed, it was “The Pioneer Express.” Express because instead of covered wagons, we were in a rented Chevy Traverse that rode high and smooth.
Our destination? The 10th annual Symphony in the Flint Hills, this one in the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Chase County, Kansas.
Just like the real-deal pioneers, we were steeled for anything, including rain, rocks and rattlesnakes. Fortunately, all we had to deal with were the Flint Hills rocks nestled in the soil. (They are much more challenging to navigate in the late-night exodus than in the light-of-day arrival.)
The array of items we carted with us Saturday included sunscreen, bug spray, water, soda pop, umbrellas, ponchos, camping chairs and food. We bought more stuff along the way, including cookies from The Merc in Lawrence (best cookies in Kansas and Missouri) and more cheese…If you’re gonna go pioneering, you gotta do it right!
When we got to the general area of the concert, we melded into a marathon march, consisting of thousands of fellow pioneers, that started in a giant, damp field and proceeded a mile or so to crested ground. There, workers had erected a concert shell and massive concession tents that resembled the peaked roof of the Denver International Airport terminal.
…But enough of the words. The pictures tell a much better story.
At the entry area, these people were queued up for rides to the concert site. The vast majority of people (like us) hiked.
This was a typical vista when we reached the higher ground.
In the distance we could see the well-known Lower Fox Creek School House, which operated from 1884 to 1930. (It is open to the public.)
Ah, those rocks…This is special ground that stirs the soul…
…as does the convergence of sky and ground.
The concert shell..and people shielding themselves from the hot, late-afternoon sun.
I devised my own sun blocker.
The pioneers: Tom and Pat Russell (left); Jim Gottsch and Julie Koppen (center); Patty and I. (Thanks to the K-State alum in front of us for taking the photo… Every man a Wildcat!)
As the Kansas City Symphony performed, the crowd settled in.
Singer Lyle Lovett was the featured artist. His finishing song was Home on the Range.
Everybody loves a cattle drive.
This little girl had a singular way of showing her appreciation for Lovett.
At sunset, the concert concludes.
The “after party” was in a large concession tent. One of band members was Cindy Egger (second from right), a professional musician who is a good friend of ours.
The dance floor was busy.
But you didn’t have to dance to enjoy this music.
I’m already thinking about Pioneer Express II…Thank you, Kansas City Symphony! What an event! What a day!
JimmyCsays: At the juncture of journalism and daily life in KC 
Looks like you had a great time! I grew up in the Flint Hills and love to go back. The “music” is great even without the symphony – the birds, the buzzing insects, the wind whistling through the grasses. It is a special place.
Loved being part of the Pioneer Express! Thanks to Patty for incredible organizing and to Jim who ferried us home. Can’t remember the last time we stayed out till 3 a.m.!
Were you there for the impromptu performance Lovett and his band did from about 2:30 to 3:15? He was so excited that people were applauding the sound check that he stuck around and played half a dozen songs.
That’s the first I heard about that, Keith. We could tell from his main-concert-time performance that he was genuinely excited and happy to be part of the event. I believe it was the second time he has been the guest artist at the event.
We didn’t get to the concert site until about 5:45 or 6. We first went to Lawrence to see a “net zero” energy house at 13th Street and New York Avenue. I would urge people to go over and see it. Students in KU’s architecture program built it, and It is a fantastic achievement. Someone has already bought the house, on a corner lot in a neighborhood of small houses, for about $300,000.
Yep – the “sound check” was a really neat part of the experience – kind of a house party vibe for all of us around the stage. Looks from the pictures you might have been a football field east of where Jan and I ended up.
We were straight back — way back — from the shell. We were trudging along looking for a spot, and Jim Gottsch, one of our group, dropped his stuff and said, “This is as good as we’re going to get.” And he was right.
Thanks for chiming in, Gene.
I think I went to school with Julie Koppen! STA class of ’74. Hi from me if that’s the same Julie. :-)
Hi Stefani! It’s me!