Lodging in Nature in Northeast Kansas!
Have you been to the beautiful countryside of northeast Kansas? This was a new experience for me! Traveling on a press trip hosted by Kansas Tourism‘s Kelsey Wendling, and Colby Sharples-Terry, I headed to the Sunflower State for some fun, fall outdoor adventure! Along the way, we three travel bloggers me, Jamie Ward of Cornfields and Highheels, and Michelle Marine of Simplify Live Love, stayed in some amazing places. Our first night was in a Treehouse, our second at a ranch, and our third and final evening was in a Covered Wagon! Follow along and read about my adventure!
Hidden Valley Wilderness Retreat, and Day 1
Our first day was filled with a fun dining adventure. A stop at Amy’s Meats at the Homestead in rural Lawrence, Kansas, brought wood fired pizza and a visit with Amy and her adorable family.
Amy’s bio on her website shares,” I am a mother of 6, work full time on the farm, homeschool my children, and we have an active schedule, I understand busy. We cook all of our meals at home, and with many mouths to feed at once, I understand the need to stick to a budget. I understand the pains of finding time to prepare and source a healthy well-balanced meal. For the last 21 years, my family and I have been providing natural meats and bounty to Lawrence and surrounding communities.”
She says she wants to be your personal FarmHer! She raises beef, pork (rare Red Wattles), chickens, and offers eggs and vegetables from her heirloom garden. While at Amy’s, I got a chance to interview her about her cool antique tractor that her dad got for her. She has a 1974 International 354 from Britain that her dad got for her to help with the garden. She calls her tractor “Old Red”.
While there, her family had pulled out a couple calves for us to enjoy!
Hidden Valley Wilderness Retreat!
After stuffing ourselves with Amy’s amazing pizza, we headed to our first lodging adventure. We arrived at Hidden Valley Wilderness Retreat. While here, we would stay in one of the treehouses. I have seen other
treehouses before in Southern, Illinois. These were luxury treehouses! Each of us got to stay in one of the three, Whispering Elm (a two-story marvel), Graham’s, and Serenity Treehouse. Kelsey stayed in the Guest Suite, which is another lodging option.
I got to stay in the amazing Whispering Elm which has a screened-in porch, a winding staircase, two bedrooms, a small kitchen, and living room area!
Located outside of Easton, Kansas, I felt like the infant in the lullaby, Rockabye Baby! Only there was no falling in this luxurious cabin in the sky!
Hidden Valley Wilderness Retreat is in a quiet peaceful space on 32 acres of old growth trees, hills, and streams. After settling in, we took an evening hike and enjoyed the beauty of the area!
Day Two, and Goats!
The only downside to press trips is there is never enough time to immerse yourself at the location. I could have stayed in my treehouse reading, sipping tea, and traipsing through the woods all morning. But alas, we were onto our next adventure, a delectable breakfast at The Sunflower in Atchison, Kansas.
The Sunflower diner was as much a social gathering place as a dining adventure. I had a great breakfast quiche.
We then went to Providence Hill Farm for some goat fun! Christy Harris, a certified yoga therapist, took us on an amazing adventure.
We all engaged in a wrestling match with the goats during goat yoga.
We had a great time making soap!
Besides the soap we made, you can purchase products made by Christy, who has her own shop. All her products are hand made on her farm by family members using time honored methods. Visit their shop to purchase goat milk soap, lotion and other bath and body products. At the end of our visit, we even took a hike through what she called, the “enchanted” goat forest!
Lunch was an amazing five course dinner at Coffey Grounds Farm. This is a story in itself!
After a leisurely meal and tour, we headed to Circle S. Ranch outside of Lawrence, Kansas.
The Circle S. Ranch
This amazing place has history! Beginning as a homestead in the 1860’s, the ranch has been in owner Mary Cronemeye’s family for 5 generations. Over two decades, Mary has opened her home to guests. Lucky us, we got to experience staying in her lovely Country Inn.
I have never been to a ranch, so I was quite excited. Circle S Ranch is a family-owned and operated business. Besides guest stays, and retreats (there was a Saddle and Sirloin Club visiting) they also offer weddings.
While there, we got to feed longhorn cattle and get a massage!
Chantel White has her own business, “We Stretch So You Can Flex” and offered a relaxing massage after a tour of the Texas Longhorns!
Mary, Kelsey and I along with two of the farm dogs headed out to see the longhorns. How majestic they are! We had a catered meal that was amazing, the breakfast the next day was great as well.
Depending on what you are looking for, they offer a one-of-a-kind day. Onsite, they have twelve unique suite-style rooms that span between three different floors. Outside there are trails to walk, and best of all, a porch with rocking chairs to kick back on!
Day 3 and farm fun!
After leaving the ranch, we hit both the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm Historic Site, and the KC Pumpkin Patch, two great farm stops! At the Mahaffie Stagecoach Shop, we all got a chance to ride in a stagecoach driven by the amazing Grace!
There was so much to do at the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) and the KC Pumpkin Patch that these farm adventures need a whole other blog!
Always on the lookout for old iron I was thrilled to find this antique JD A on site!
Isinglass Estate
There was so much to do at the beautiful Isinglass Estates. Here we sampled wine, and I learned that I do actually like semi sweet wines. We were greeted by the owners, Brandon and Sarah Vore. We learned that the estate is named after a road that Sarah’s grandfather lived on. Funny thing is Brandon said later he learned that Isinglass is actually a wine term!
There is so much to do on this Estate located on almost 600 acres in Southern Miami County, Kansas. On their website they share “The Estate includes six places to stay, 35 acres of vineyards, a polo field, restaurant, and so much more! We have created this beautiful Estate as a home for our horses, and we are happy to welcome all of you to our piece of paradise. We are always family-friendly so bring everyone along and see what makes Isinglass a truly special destination for an afternoon, weekend or vacation.”
During our stay, we got to take a horseback ride!
We left the property for dinner at Juniper Hill Farm and Table where we had a tour and amazing wood fired pizza. This story will be expanded in another farm blog!
The Covered Wagons!
Best of all was ending our stay in the Covered Wagons at Isinglass Estate!
A truly unique experience! We three bloggers each stayed in our own wagon. Each wagon has heat and A/C, a full bathroom, and a sitting area with TV, coffee center, and a min-fridge inside. My wagon had a king-sized bed and a small couch.
Outside you can enjoy the outdoor kitchen and dining area next to your own private fire pit overlooking the polo field and vineyard sunsets. I slept to the howling of coyotes and woke with the sunrise! What a beautiful and peaceful stay! Probably the most unique lodging experience I have ever had!
In the morning, we headed out and stopped at the fun Cafe Latte at the Jackson, a former hotel. With a full meal, and a head and heart full of memories of our Kansas outdoor agritourism adventure, we headed home to share our stories with all of you!
