On to Arkansas City

It is a long drive across the Flint Hills and a beautiful time of the year for a trip like this. Some of the trees have just a hint of green. Others are a bright lime green in full bud. It is so windy that hawks float in mid air never flapping their wings. Just hovering. The heavy downpour and hail hits just as we are driving into Arkansas City. There are wild plums in bloom and ornamental pear trees blooming next to houses. When we get out of the van there are little white blossoms all over the ground.

We stop at a gas station to ask if anyone knows where old Carnegie Library building is located. The three or four people we ask are from out of town including the clerk. We finally ask where the Chamber of Commerce building is and are pointed in the right direction. We find the public library instead. The Arkansas City Public Library is housed in an old post office building. You can still see the old safe, some postage signs and a counter to buy stamps. When we walk up to the front desk the lady sitting behind the counter seems familiar. Apparently she is thinking the same thing about me because she finally says, “Do I know you?” It turns out that she is Robin who used to be a volunteer at Parsons Public Library before moving to Ark City and taking this job. She is able to direct us to the Carnegie building.

Note to self: Always ask a librarian. They are used to answering all kinds of questions and really want to help you if they can.