Cosmosphere


The 2nd adventure was the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, KS. The Cosmosphere is one of the eight wonders of Kansas so we decided to go see it following Strataca. If you bring your ticket from Strataca, then you are eligible for a discount.

As soon as you step into the Cosmosphere you get to see several planes and rockets in the lobby!


On your way down into the exhibits you can see several cool things, such as a beautiful stained glass window, you get to see the first planetarium and so much more!

As you are walking down the stairs there is an interactive screen where you can interact with an astronaut or a robot.

  • Apollo 2 Thrust Chamber

The German V 2 rocket can be seen on display.

The original blueprints drawn up by German technicians for the V 2 rocket. After the V 2 was completed Stalin ordered all German documents to be destroyed.

You can see a reproduction of the rocket Laika was put in before she was put to death.

There is many things to see and read about. I wouldn’t recommend bringing children if you are coming to the Cosmosphere. There is a lot of reading and it’s not kid interactive, however, there is an IMAX theater. I say take your time and fully read the plaques they have.

They also have a section of the Berlin Wall. I think this museum is great, because it helps us remember our history and how not all history is great. Looking at all the artifacts from Hitlers time made me stop and remember how far we’ve came. It made me stop and be thankful for the world we live in now.

I would definitely say the Cosmosphere is a fascinating place if you are interested in space. As I said, take your time and fully read the descriptions of everything!

I would give Cosmosphere an eight of ten simply because it’s not interactive enough. It’s great and there is a ton to see!

I just need some space.

Strataca

This is where we begin our journey for the eight wonders of Kansas. Leading us 650 feet below ground to an underground salt mine.

Where do I begin? This underground salt mine in Hutchinson, KS is truly amazing. Learning about how this mine was created over time, because Kansas used to be under the ocean. This is a trip that’s definitely worth it, it is worth every penny you spend to get in. My only complaint I have is I didn’t go for the longer tour! I felt as I got a great educational experience from this adventure. Being one of the eight wonders of Kansas it truly didn’t disappoint!

There is all kinds of cool salt displays around the mine for you to interact with and get to touch! Don’t lick the salt, however, this is the salt used mainly as deicers for the roads.

I was worried that it was going to be a bit claustrophobic, but after you get off the elevator shaft it’s quite spacious. There are two active salt companies that still operate from this mine.

The tram ride is great! The guide has an extensive knowledge about the mine and is able to answer almost any question you may have about the mine.

They still have the original equipment that they used to use to cut through the salt.

A 1932 Chevy pickup that they used to haul the miners around. It was all electric so it couldn’t go far.

Dynamite, as you can see the picture on the right shows the holes where they put a stick of dynamite to get some of the salt out.

One of the first computers can be seen at the Strataca.

Did you know Hollywood stores a lot of archives down in this salt mine, because it’s a great place of preservation? In this exhibit, you can see several props and original animations.

At one point during the tour, you can get out and pick your own souvenir piece of salt. Only recommendation is you run it under Luke warm water to preserve it and place it on a plate, mirror, or in a case to display. If you don’t the salt will absorb your paint.

A great photo prop!

Ultimately, being in the salt mine helps clear your mind and it seems to take all the stress away.

After getting off the tram you can tour the museum more, visit the gift shop, go to the cafe. The gift shop is amazing! Everything is so reasonably priced! This adventure is a 9 out of 10 due to the sole fact that I didn’t take the longer tour.

Once you are finished touring Strataca zip on over to the Cosmosphere and see another wonder of Kansas. I would highly recommend seeing Strataca, it’s an experience unlike any other!

The Basilica of St. Fidelis Church

  • St. Fidelis Church Victoria, KS

Our adventure led us to Victoria, KS to St. Fidelis Catholic Church as the 3rd wonder of Kansas. Being honest, it was kind of a let down. It’s a beautiful church, don’t get me wrong, but I think I expected it to be more ornate. I also expected to see more plaques about the beautiful artwork that’s in the Chapel. Who made these beautiful stained glass windows? Who made these wood carved artworks? I know I can always google this, but I want to know while I’m there. I want to know more about the history and I truly want it to feel as if it’s a wonder of Kansas. I would definitely say if you are on your way to Hays to stop in and at least see it. It was also extremely awkward because Jo and I got there an hour before a funeral was supposed to be there and the pastor said, “Oh we’re used to this.” This was extremely awkward. Is there a way they can block times out for tourist? I know if it was my family member I wouldn’t want people taking pictures when we are fixing to begin a funeral service. 

           Then, we assumed the gift shop would at least have something as a momento of this. The gift shop is just a thrift shop with nothing that says St. Fidelis Chuch. I guess I expected to see a magnet or a little snow globe. I know the entire town of Victoria only has a population of 293, but at least show more pride in showing off this church. The thrift shop isn’t laid out to where you feel comfortable walking around. It’s honestly a little too crowded for my liking.

             This is my review of St. Fidelis and as I said I did expect more, but that’s okay at least I can say I saw another wonder of Kansas! 

Dear Future Boyfriend

Dear Future Boyfriend,

      Please understand I am fragile, because I’ve had my heart broke before. Please understand I am cautious, because I’ve been through things in the past. Please understand I want a partner who is going to be essentially my best friend. Please understand when I ask for space, it’s not you. I just get anxious and am around people all day. Please understand I want someone who is going to care for me and eventually love me as much as I love them. Please understand loyalty and trust are two of the most important things for me. Please understand if I flinch when you go to give me a hug, it’s because I’ve been hit before. Please understand I am going into this for the long haul. I want someone who is willing to give 50/50. Please understand I want someone to love and grow old with. Please understand I just want you to accept me for all my flaws, because I know I will always accept you for yours. Please understand that I am guarded and even sometimes insecure. Please understand I’m not perfect and I don’t claim to be. I make mistakes, I can be clumsy at times, I’m not the smartest, I’m not the strongest, and I definitely know I’m not the hottest.

       I like to be my own individual. It doesn’t take a lot to make me happy. A simple hike with a picnic is a dream date. Bringing me flowers from time to time makes my day. I love to laugh. I try to always keep an open mind and I try not to let the little things get me down. Little things, such as home cooked meals or a massage here and there, go way farther with me than materialistic things. Please understand, if I ask for time to write its because that’s my comfort zone. Writing allows me to fully express my emotions, because for the longest time I couldn’t express myself verbally so writing has always been an outlet for me. Please understand, I don’t hold grudges, I try to live by forgive and forget. Mainly because I don’t want wrinkles. LOL I know I am my own worst critic so please be there for me and support me. Please understand that I love to work. Please understand I will fully support you in whatever you do, as long as it’s legal. Please understand that I love the little quirks people have. Please understand I want to be with someone who wants to grow together. Please understand I shut down when faced with conflict because I’ve been through so much. Please understand I am always willing to compromise and talk things out. As I said, I want a relationship for the long haul. Please understand I like to be the best version of myself. I try to be the most kind, generous, and authentic person I can be. Please if I do something that upsets you please let’s talk it out. Please understand that I am passionate about everything I do and please most of all understand I am me. I don’t try to be anyone else. What you see, hear, and what I say is exactly what you get.

Goals for 2019

Wow, now that 2018 is out of the way I can fully start focusing on 2019. I have so much I want to do this upcoming year and so much I want to accomplish.

I really want to start focusing more on myself and working on becoming a stronger more confident version of myself. I sometimes feel as if I struggle a lot with my confidence and I do want to start taking my doubts away. I want to stop thinking so negatively about myself and start thinking more positively. In the famous words of RuPaul, “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you going to love somebody else.” Another RuPaul quote which I want to start focusing more on is, “If they arent paying your bills pay them no mind.” Both of these are such great quotes that I do need to start thinking more about. I need to stop thinking about what everyone else is going to think and start focusing more on being myself. In 2019 I want to start thinking more about what does Chad want out of life. Where does Chad see his goals? What does Chad want to achieve this year? I think for too many years I put my life on the back burner and didn’t take time for myself to fully realize what I want as an individual.

One of my main goals for 2019 is to learn how to drive. I feel as once I start driving then I will be unstoppable. I want to be able to go on spontaneous roadtrips and start seeing more of the world. I love to travel, but not knowing how to drive definitely holds me back. I want to be able to expand the amount of catering we offer at The Well. In 2019, that’s my huge goal is to be able to travel more. I sometimes forget that there is more to life than just work and in 2019 I want to prove this to myself. I want to focus more on creating memories and experiences. Whenever I get older I don’t want to have regrets about the things I didn’t get to do. I have created so many opportunities for myself and I only want to keep creating more.

My second goal in 2019 is to invest more in stocks. Being 23 I want to start thinking more about my financial future. I know some say stocks are a risk, but so is almost everything else. I want to be able to not only provide more for myself, but I would love to be able to do more for my family. My biggest thing is I don’t want to have to work until I die. Once again, I want to be able to fully enjoy life and make the most of it! I would love to be able to do things for my parents and grandparents that maybe they weren’t able to do. Even if it is just a small trip.

My third goal is to start writing more again. Being in a relationship with someone who didn’t allow me to have alone time made me lose my passion for reading and writing. I want to start picking up the pen again and just write my heart out. I would love to start writing on a blog like this again. I would love to start a short story. I would love to just take time and start working on my cookbook. I always felt as if writing was my escape away from society. I sometimes feel as if I’m socially awkward talking, but with writing I don’t feel that way. I just think writing is a way to fully forget about my problems. Do I want to be the next J.K. Rowling, James Patterson, or Shakespeare? No. I Just want to write what makes me happy. I saw on Pinterest this great idea about writing down one positive thing that happened to you during the week and put it in a jar, then at the end of the year read all the great things that happened. I love this idea. I think as humans we all tend to focus in on the negative and not enough on the positive.

My fourth goal is to start studying and learning more. I would love to not only expand my knowledge about my craft, but I want to start learning about things that I may not think I would like. I think it’s important to expand our horizons and step out of our comfort zone. I never want to be in a situation where I feel as if I know everything about hospitality or anything else for that matter. I want to continuously learn and grow. I think it would be fun to maybe learn a new language this upcoming year. I have also considered earning my Wedding and Event Planning Certification. I want to be amongst the best in the hospitality industry and only way to do that is to continue learning and pushing myself.

My fifth goal is to learn to take life day by day. I get so busy thinking about what’s going to happen tomorrow, what’s going to happen next week, or even what’s going to happen next year. I want to start living more in the moment rather than worrying so much. I stress myself out worrying about tomorrow, next week, next month, etc. While it is important to plan, it is also equally important to take life day by day. Not everything is going to be in my control and I need to start being okay with that.

Anyway, these are my top five goals for this year and I am going to make them happen. I am going to start focusing more on me, rather than everyone around me.

I look forward to seeing what this new year holds in store and seeing what great things I can accomplish this year. As I used to get told as a child, “You can do anything you put your mind to.” It’s time to start living that way and making my goals and aspirations happen!