Our Sunday Walk, The Final Chapter. Also Part III.

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  Today, Mags and I are wrapping up our expedition into downtown MHK - if you need to catch up, please click here for Part I and here for Part II.  And sort of a preview that confused me here.  Now ... where were we?  Oh, right.  We were in City Park with Johnny Kaw.  Kind of a stiff, but it was fun to visit him anyway. 

After spending time with Johnny Kaw, we couldn't resist checking out some more of the cool stuff at the park. Mags and I thought it would be fun to explore this thing:

"This is cool!  What do you think, Ragnar?!?"
"I like it!  It's like a gangplank on a pirate ship or something."

It was really cool!

We crossed the big street so we could have all new smells on the way back.  Mom and Dad seem to understand stuff like that.  Lots of the sidewalks were brick like this one:

"Follow the red brick road!"
"Shouldn't that be 'yellow'?"

Just a little Kansas humor.  Mom said she had to work overtime not to trip.

Near our city library, we saw a cool fountain!

"Check it out, Raggi!"
"How cool!"

We were surprised the water was turned on; when we started our walk, the temps were in the upper 20s!

"That's the Riley County Courthouse over there,
the limestone building right before the Wareham!"
"I remember that from the way out!"

By where the stores are, the brick sidewalks were way more even!

Mags and me

We crossed lots of streets and were always careful to wait for the light.

"Good job, Ragnar!"
"Safety first, right, Mags?!?"

When we got near the end of Poyntz, the big street, we crossed back over.

"Ooh, look!  Manhattan Axe Throwing!  We should totally try that!"
"Yeah!  What could possibly go wrong - right, Mom?!?  ... Mom?"

I took that as a "no".  It was probably another case of not being open early on a Sunday morning -- right?

That's a wrap for our walk!  I hope you enjoyed coming with us!  For those who wondered, we made this walk almost exactly 5 miles -- so we got our normal length of walk in!  And Mags and I had a BLAST!!!

Sköl!

Ragnar

Our Sunday Walk, Pt. II

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags!  Ragnar and I are continuing with the tale of our walk in downtown Manhattan, Kansas (or as we like to call it, "MHK") today.  When Ragnar left off, we were up at the high school ... 

"Good puppies!  OK, let's go!"
"Wait.  Does anyone else smell that?!?"
"I do!  We need to go check that out!"

Something smelled awesome!  I mean AWESOME!!!  Mom and Dad said we could keep going, so I could see where that scent was coming from.  We walked a tad further and ...

"It says 'Sunset Zoo', Raggi."
"Hmm.  What's a zoo?"

"I have no idea, but they even have their own water tower!"
"Wowzers!  And that smell is getting even better!"

"Let's GO!  We must check this out!"
"Mom says we aren't allowed in, Mags."

So ... the way I understand it, the zoo is this place where all these cool animals are ... but WE aren't allowed in?!?  How crazy is th--oh.  Maybe it's because we had Mom and Dad with us.  Maybe it's a "no humans" zone.  That must be it.

Anyway, it was MIGHTY cool checking that place out.  We walked around a bit more -- saw the Sunset Cemetery (the oldest cemetery in the city, dating back to 1860), a historic water tower, some other stuff, then headed back down Poyntz Avenue.

We got to explore City Park a bit more:

"I think we hit Bedrock, Raggi!"
"Where are Fred and Wilma?!?"

We walked around a bit, then went over to pose with Johnny Kaw!  In this shot, we're all doing our Tough Guy Look:

Me and Ragnar with Johnny Kaw.  Johnny's the tall one.

After that, we headed down the rest of Poyntz and then home.  We'll hit you with those shots tomorrow!

Thanks for coming with us!

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher

Our Sunday Walk, Pt. I

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  Actually, maybe this should be Part II, since Mags started telling you about our walk yesterday, but Mags said to call this Part I. Now I'm all confused.  Anyway, we went on such a cool walk yesterday - up and down the main street through our downtown area!  Here's the "up" part.  The first part.  Oh ... I get it now.  Maggie's so smart.

We parked in a lot off the end of the street, went around the corner, and there it was!

"We're downtown, Ragnar!  Make sure to look both ways before crossing!"
"OK, Mags!"

She had never been downtown, either, but she knows stuff like that.  We made our way over to the sidewalk and took a stroll down Poyntz Avenue!

There were a lot of these stickers on buildings:

 

Many of the local, small places are hurting (or even went out of business) due to the restrictions put on them by the governor and the local city commission in the name of COVID.  I'm sure it's the same in your town, too.  One thing our city permitted eventually was building these outdoor dining places, so the restaurants could try to stay open:

"It's that deck-looking thing on the left."
"That could be fun. Dining al fresco."

They used federal grant money, so thank you, US tax payers.  It has helped many of the small restaurants.

"Look, Mags!  Manhattan Brewing Company.  We should stop in for a beer!"
"I doubt they're open at 0730 on a Sunday morning, but we could try."

She was right.  They weren't open.

Oh!  Before I forget, in that photo above -- you can also see the Wareham.  Or Wareham Opera House.  It's quite the landmark in town - built in 1884, then a guy named Wareham installed electricity in 1893 and named it the Wareham Opera House.  Eventually it became a movie house - up until 1986 - then it became an event center.

Moving right along ... eventually we were right across from City Hall:

Mags and me by City Hall

City Hall is right across from ... City Park!!!  We hopped up on a wall and struck a pose:

Me and Mags
The sign really reads "Welcome to City Park", not "We Come to City Ark".  Honest.

Mom spotted this fun mural on the side of a building:

Greetings from Manhattan!

We felt kind of tourist-y doing that, but Mom insisted.  And she had cookies.

Up near the very top of Poyntz, we found a castle!

"We should totally live here!"
"Totally!"

Castle Kimball was built in 1894 by Judge Sam Kimball, one of the town's founders.  It's a huge, beautiful place!

Right up at the very top is the West Campus of Manhattan High School!

Mags and me!
Go Indians!

Neither of our parents grew up here, so they didn't go to MHS, but still - gotta support the home team, right?!?

So ... we discovered something else EXTREMELY interesting just past the high school -- be sure to tune in tomorrow and Mags will fill you in!  In the meantime, thanks for coming along with us!

Sköl!

Ragnar

Look Who We Saw!

Greetings to all! It's me, Mags. Today we did something totally different for our big walk of the day -- we all got into the HR-V (Husky Recreational Vehicle) and drove to the downtown area! It was so fun! New smells EVERYWHERE! So much to sniff, so much to see! Not many people out and about since it was very early on a Sunday morning, but we did run into this one guy and posed for some pix together:

Me, Ragnar, and Johnny Kaw in City Park
None of us are looking at the camera!

 

Interesting, no? My great-brother Zim told me all about him when I was just a puppy -- his name is Johnny Kaw and he stands almost 25 feet tall! According to our Parks and Rec website, "Johnny created the Kansas landscape, geography, and pioneer trails. He dug the Kaw River Valley, planted wheat, invented sunflowers, and grew giant potatoes. Johnny even controlled the weather, lopping the funnels off tornadoes and wringing out the clouds to end droughts. His pets were the Wildcat and the Jayhawk, who, though fast friends, enjoyed a good scrap now and then. The result of their fights was the Dust Bowl."

Wow, what a guy, huh? Seemed afraid of us, though - he didn't move the whole time we were there. Petrified with fear, no doubt.

Anyway, we had an AWESOME time downtown!  We'll fill you in over the next couple of days; Mom probably took a bazillion photos!

Have a great Sunday!

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher

Just Checking

 Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  We had boatloads of rain last night, plus lots of thunder and lightning.  Actually, Maggie and I slept through most of it, but ... yeah.  Anyway, Mom and Dad said the trails around  The Top Of The World would be too muddy (???), so today we did the Colbert Hills/BelleRagnar route. I thought we should go behind the apartments to check the view.  I love doing that!

"Wow!  It wasn't foggy like this when we started out."
"Can you see anything cool, Raggi?"

"No, but I thought we should check."
"It always pays to check.  Could have been werewolves out there!"

Mags was exactly right!  You just never know!

Sköl!

Ragnar

Photo Finish Friday

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags, here with Photo Finish Friday!  Today, I'm presenting some of the best photos Mom has taken of Ragnar and me this week, without much chit-chat.  They are all from different walks we've taken, rain or shine!  Ready to take a look?  Let's go!

Here we are in a cul-de-sac with a great view:

Here we are, out on our way to The Top Of The World, about to go through one of the woodsy areas:

"I love the woods!"
"Me, too, Mags!"

Here we are on a morning where we thought we'd have rain, but the sun started coming through!

"Hi, Mom!"
"Hi, Mom!"

This next one is from a walk through  Bellerive  BelleRagnar.  Raggi always insists that we check the view behind some apartments!

"See?  Isn't it a great view?!?"
"For sure, Ragnar!"

Also while out on another walk through BelleRagnar, we stopped to do this pose:

Me and Ragnar!

And speaking of poses, yesterday, we hopped up on a small table at the top of Grand Mère Trail and did this:

Ragnar and me!

And last, but not least, this morning, we hit The Top Of The World and took in the sunrise:

"Check it out, Ragnar!"
"That's beautiful, Mags!"

I hope you enjoyed a look at the week in review!  Happy Friday!

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher

Sunpuddle

Greetings to all! It's me, Mags. I found a sunpuddle ...

"Hey."

 

... and I just might be getting verrrrrrrry sleeeeeeeepy.

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher

Wordless Wednesday

 

Mags and Ragnar

Quitting Time

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  As many of you know, Maggie and I have spent our afternoons lately helping our mom in her quilting studio.  It's hard work, but we are JUST the right pups for the job.  I mean, we ARE Working Breed dogs, you know!  I thought you'd like a glimpse into just how hard we work down there. 

First, we help by playing with our toys. Mags likes to chew hers out on one of the beds down there, but I like being in my really cool Viking Ship:

"Hi everybody!"

You can't see it, but I'm laying on my Pickle there. I was already done with it. After that, Mags and I like to dive into whatever Mom's working on.

"Need help, Mom?"
"I think I've got it, Mags, thanks.  Wait.  What is ... where is ..."
"Ho dee doh dee doh..."

"Hi, Mom!"
"❤ Oh, Ragnar!  ❤"
"Good grief!"

Then, when I think Mom's worked enough for the day - in this case:

Mom's latest project

   ... I give her the signal that it's time to head upstairs and start making dinner.

"Mom?"
"Quitting time, Raggi?"

Fortunately, Mom understands Maggie and me really well.  Sometimes TOO well, but that's another story!

Sköl!

Ragnar

Monday Morning Meeting

Greetings to all!  It's me, Maggie.  Ragnar and I are just wrapping up our Monday morning meeting.  You know, laying on our plans for the week.

"Yeah, more after-lunch zoomies; that's a great idea, Mags!  What else?"
"I think the last item on the agenda is sending Mom mind-meld messages to bring better treats on our walks."

"Speaking of whom ..."
"Oh.  Uh ... hi, Mom."

We need to hang a bell around her neck or something.  Sheesh!  Do you have any cool plans for the week?!?

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher

Serene Scenery Sunday

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  Mags and I took our mom and dad on a very serene walk at The Top Of The World today.  We crossed bridges, walked through the woods, were out on the open trail - it was great!  Mom thinks the most serene part was up at the top when ...

"Hi, Mom."
"Hey, Mom."
"❤️ My puppies!!!! ❤️"

Come to think of it, I felt pretty serene right then, too.  I hope all of you are having a wonderful Sunday!

Sköl!

Ragnar

 

Posing At CiCo

Greetings to all! It's me, Mags.  Today, we did a CiCo Park, neighborhoods, and Hudson Trail walk.  It was lovely - we even ran into some guy out working in his yard who called out "Ragnar and Maggie!"  Awesome.  Note he doesn't know Mom and Dad's names, just the important members of the family. Anyway, they're going to be ripping the roads and sidewalks up on one of the corners of the park, so we thought we'd get one last walk in.  Dad even suggested we pose by the CiCo sign at the southeast corner.

Ragnar and I jumped up, but really didn't feel like posing, so ...

"Nothing too exciting over here, Raggi..."
"I might see something..."

"Should I come over?"
"Nah, it was nothin'."

"Shoot."
"Yeah, I know."

"I wonder if this "C" is the same as the other "C"..."
"Is this a chin rest?"
"Hey, pups ... I have treats!"

"Check and see if you can see them, Raggi.  I'm not looking at her until I know."
"Lemme see your hands, Mom."
"It's Zuke's!  Really."

"Meh.  Do your Supermodel Staring Into The Distance Look, Ragnar."
"Got it, Mags!"
"Sigh ... gotta bring the better treats next time..."

I think we gave her good enough shots, don't you?!?

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher

What A View

 Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar!  Maggie and I took our mom and dad to The Top Of The World today.  When we got to the tippy-top, we sat down to check out the view and ...

"Hey, Mom.  Grab a shot of this!"
"Hi, Mom."

What can I say? Mom's been bringing some MIGHTY tasty treats with us lately. 

Sköl! 
Ragnar

Don't Get Me Wrong!

Greetings to all! It's me, Mags.  This morning, Ragnar and I took Mom and Dad on a great walk - the Colbert Hills/Bellerive  BelleRagnar route.   Winter has returned to our little corner of the world, so that made it especially nice.

Ragnar pulled to go behind the apartments to check the view like he likes to do.  After we admired the vista for a minute, we rewarded Mom with this pose:

Raggi and me

Nice, huh? On the way back, we jumped up on some limestone and struck this pose:

Me and Raggi

I know. Oh, don't get me wrong! Mom had treats!!! Also, there was plenty of this to go with the posing:

"Hey!  What's this?"
"Oooh!  Something over here, too!"

I mean, treats are treats, but we ARE Siberians!

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher