- No Traffic, Multiple Turkey Species Greet Visiting Outdoors Folks
- Visit Parsons to meet and greet the Heartland of our USA

By David Gray
The day started with the anticipation of attending the Outdoor Communicators of Kansas conference in Labette County, Kansas. The travel was to Parsons Kansas which is nestled in the southeast corner of Kansas, just west of Missouri, just north of Oklahoma. May 7, 2018 was a day well spent.
The drive to Parsons, Kansas, delivers a calm serenity. Turning south out of Kansas City the land quickly transcends from what some call city to what many call country. Hills, trees, and fields blend into scenery of all that nature presents in the heartland of America.
The highway is not clogged bumper to bumper. You drive with goodwill and absorb the view. A landscape of nature dotted with horses, cattle, turkey and deer. Everywhere you look is a place you would like to hike thru.
The land is changed from when it was part of the Cherokee nation, but a steady look can reveal many things that are much the same. Sameness in this light is a good thing.
Parsons, Kansas, is as so many towns in the heartland, full of people that are happy to see you and are happy themselves. Maybe some of their happiness comes from living so close to the land. The land opens its arms to greet you and presents itself ever so differently from the concrete, pavement, buildings and congestion of the metropolitan environment.

This part of Kansas was well chosen by the Kansas Outdoor Communicators for a conference on how the outdoor media might best serve those who need to revisit the outdoors on a more regular basis. At the same time, the gathering introduced the area to those of us who also find time spent outdoors the best way to spend our time.

A great part of the outdoors is fishing and hunting. The Cherokee did it, our European ancestors did it and we Americans continue to do it. Those who do it best, do it with respect and connection.
Mixed with the conference business meetings and discussions, the attendees went to the land and water to participate. There are so many outdoor opportunities in this southeast corner of the great state of Kansas.
Maybe the best thing about Parsons, Kansas, is that people not only look at you and smile, but stop and talk to you. You may get asked where you are from and you likely get a warm welcome and sociable, “Thanks so much for visiting!”
That is nice. This place is special.