So we had some time and decided to do several things in Topeka. Topeka is definitely a home town where everyone waves to you while you are walking. We stayed in a small RV Park called Forbes Landing RV Park. It was a small park but kept really nice. The manager, Joyce, was such a sweet lady and made us laugh while she was checking us in. Most that are here are annual/permanent residents and most have 5-wheels or trailers. The price was a little higher than normal but she gave us a military discount (10%) and seems to give everyone a 10% discount. The sites were tight but were very long. Plus Joyce was a fanatic about keeping the grass green and not putting anything (rugs) on it as it will kill it. Funny. Here is a picture of our site.
After visiting the Capitol, we visited the Evel Knievel Museum. We wondered why the museum was in Topeka and not in Butte, Montana where he was from. The short story has to do with an Evel die-hard fan, Mike Patterson, who began watching Evel at 4 years old and since he was from Topeka, Mike co-founded the museum with co-owners Lathan McKay and Jim Caplinger and opened the Evel Knievel Museum in Topeka.
During the attempted restoration of Big Red, this is where legendary pianist and songwriter Jerry Lee Lewis enters the picture.
When they first acquired Big Red, both the exterior and interior were in terrible condition. With fading and peeling paint, Knievel’s private living quarters were dusty and run down. They were originally to have the truck restored in New Jersey, but the progress was far too slow for McKay’s liking. Around the same time, they had business dealings with a son-in-law of Lewis’; he knew that Lewis was a big fan of motorbikes and recently had a Harley Davidson repaired. Asking Lewis’ son-in-law if his father-in-law would have any recommendations as to where to get Big Red refurbished, they were put in touch with Patterson, the third-generation owner of Historic Harley Davidson in Topeka and that was where Big Red was restored and the museum was opened.
We also went around town to look at murals. There are not many murals in Topeka – even though there are plenty of buildings. Those that are there are very “formal” in that they have themes and are in areas of designation.
We also went to Truckhenge – read about Trucks, boats and other things standing in the dirt and had to see them. Seems the owner was told he had to drive them or sell them so he made an art lawn instead.
So it took us a long time to get to Kansas and stopping in Topeka was a nice stop for a week. We had a nice relaxing time.
