Kansas Staycation: Sternberg Museum of Natural History

A note of explanation: This is the final post (for now) in a Kansas Staycation series. We met Jill's family in Hays during spring break and went to the Blue Sky Miniature Horse Ranch (click here for that blog post) and the Sternberg Museum. We ate lunch at Gella's Diner and Lb. Brewing Company, Hays, which we would highly recommend.  Though I'm slow to post it, I thought it fit the Staycation theme. And I hope these stories in rhyme will be something that our granddaughters will treasure some day.

***

The Sternberg Museum is under a dome.

It gave us a place to explore and to roam.

This dino, it towers way up in the air.

Walking on by it can give you a scare!

It's just one amazing thing that you'll see.

If you go and you learn about natural hist'ry!

The Sternberg Museum is the dino's home. 

He and his friends really don't roam.

Neither do these creatures way up in the air.

The sights and the sounds ...  Oh my! I declare!

Once these big creatures did roam 'round the earth.

The museum shows us their height and their girth.

While we think Grandpa is really quite tall.

Up by this mammoth, he's not big at all!

 

One favorite place was a fossil dig pit.

Uncovering fossils: We just couldn't quit! 

Using our brushes, we took off the sand

Discovering treasures: It surely was grand!

There was only one problem that we could see.

All of that sand stuck to feet and to me!

 

Before we left this magical site

We covered them up so more kids could delight!

The Kids Discovery Center had us climbing a skull

None of this place could be called dull!

The skull was said to belong to a whale.

It sure was gigantic and of a big scale!

In discovery room, we discovered some snakes.

We were sure hoping the glass wouldn't break!

Onto a big spider, our Brooke she did climb.

Kinley ran out the door and didn't take time.

The museum is famed for a fish in a fish.

We wanted to see it: That was our wish.

The unusual fossil was found in our state. 

Getting swallowed by big fish was the little fish fate.

While those old fishes, they were not alive.

A turtle in another display: He did thrive!

He kind of moved slow. He sure wasn't fast. 

Our time at the Sternberg was surely a blast!

Dad wanted to read all of the displays.

But two little girls were ready to go on their ways.

 We will just have to go back there again.

We just don't know the time or the when.

 We just scratched the surface. There's more to be seen.

Going to Hays is really quite keen!

Before we took off and drove toward our homes

It was to a small park where our energy roamed.

An old slide was long and a whole lot of fun

We went several times before we were done.

Our time in the city that is known as Hays

Had come to an end at the end of the day.

It's a great spot for a Kansas Staycation.

Try for a low-cost family vacation!

***

Other posts in this Kansas Staycation series include:
Scott City - Part I and Part II
Monument Rocks
Cheyenne Bottoms and the Kansas Wetlands Education Center (On that link, there are posts from Quivira National Wildlife Refuge as well)
Blue Sky Ranch - the Biggest Little Horse Farm in Kansas

Biggest Little Horse Farm: Kansas Staycation

 
Two little girls named Kinley and Brooke
Went to a horse farm to have a good look.
  

Blue Sky Ranch was the name of the place.

In Kansas near Hays was this ranch's home base.

Before they arrived, they thought horses were tall.

But these horses were miniature. (That means they're quite small.)

"The Biggest Little Horse Farm," is what it's known for. 

Kinley and Brooke couldn't wait to learn more!

Kinley's a cowgirl with a hat and a pose.

Is being a vet in Brooke's future? Who knows?

But both were sure there was fun to be had. 

A field trip with horses? They were so glad!

First it was time to learn from the boss.

Marion got lots of info across

He and wife Donna in year ' 92

Decided to show horses. That's what they would do!

These horses weren't big, they were really quite small.

But the plans the Schmidts had weren't tiny at all.

 

They'd buy the best horses. They'd train them up right.

They'd try to win ribbons, they'd work day and night. 

Palominos, pintos and more. 

These were the breeds they were sure to explore.

Mr. Marion asked, "Which did Kinley like best?"

Then it was time to see all the rest! 


When two little girls make friends with a horse
It's best to give him a sniff, of course!

Lay your hand flat so that he smells you,
Slow, easy "hi's" are a fine, "How do you do?"

This little horse was just Brooke's height.
Holding his halter filled the girls with delight!

Gentleness also's important to brushing

Grooming a horse is no time for rushing.

Miss Donna's an expert at giving a trim

Before going to show ring, all proper and prim.

Then Kinley and Brooke made the horse look all fine.

All of their brushing made the horse's coat shine.

The Schmidts pack a suitcase for each tiny horse

For show supplies, it's a quality source.

Just like their humans, they need brushes and combs

To give their best image while away from their homes.

Marion and Donna then used a wood tool

To show how they measure and follow the rules.

34 inches is as tall as they go.

To be called miniature and enter a show.

The Tinkerbell horse was suitably small

To be miniature, you don't want to be tall.

We surely did like that Tinkerbell horse

The name was one of our favorites, of course!

 

Marion starts training the horses from birth

So they can learn more and increase their worth.

A well-behaved horse is a prize in the ring

And even more trophies and ribbons they'll bring!

And what do these horses all like to eat?

Some grain and some hay are their daily treat.

Sky and Star and a horse they named Pride

Eat up their rations so they're ready to ride.

But riding is not to be done on their backs.

Hook them to carts. Then they'll make tracks! 

Around an arena, Marion put them through paces.

There was sheer joy on everyone's faces!

Mom got a chance to take up the reins

Then Kinley directed Skye all 'round the lanes.

 
It's serious business to drive a horse cart.

But Kinley enjoyed it ... right from the start!
 

Apollo the horse seemed all ready to pose

It's plain that he always is ready for shows!

Then he was off at another fast trot.

Were we ready to quit? No, we were not! 

But then it was time to say our goodbyes.

When having fun, the time surely flies!

Our family enjoyed our time at this farm

Blue Sky Ranch has plenty of charm!

Blue Sky Miniature Horse Farm cart ride from Kim Fritzemeier on Vimeo.

Want to visit Blue Sky Farm? Visit their website or for information, call 785-625-6725.

Note: We visited Blue Sky Farm in March during spring break (hence, the sweaters, etc.) But it fit nicely with my Kansas Staycation theme, and I hadn't posted it yet. (It takes awhile to "talk" in rhyme. It's kind of exciting to know that Kinley will likely be able to read most of it herself now!) We also visited the Sternberg Museum on the same trip. More on that next time.