The cornerstone of Kansas

摘要

As dawn broke over the sea of wheat that is southwestern Kansas, our progress became apparent, measured by the telephone poles zipping past and the gradual approach of the next grain elevator appearing like a white sail of a ship on the horizon. Like a ship heading to port, US 56 set for us a direct, curveless, southwesterly course to our destination. (US B6 overlays the Santa Fe Trail. Those trail travelers know that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, and with no obstacles to block the way, modern engineers have had no reason to tinker with the route.) My guide was Scott Seltman, a western Kansas rancher, who in my first conversation with him said, "I only, work so that I can go birding. Ranching is just the way I support my habit." Right then, I know I' had a friend who had his priorities in order. Scott probably has spent more time birding in Morton County than any other person, so I was in great hands as we sped toward Morton County, Kansas, home of the Cimarron National Grassland.