Mark First of all, Kansas is a great place, with a rich history that is forever intertwined with the images of western expansion in 1800's.
During the gold rush era, it was the last stop before the great push west to the gold fields in Colorado and beyond. Some stayed, however.
Many people remember the scene in "Dances With Wolves", at Fort Hays when Costner's character loaded up on supplies before venturing west.
Even today, I-70 is usually seen as a way through, not a way to Kansas. And then, it is suggested that you travel at night!
That is because Kansas has the reputation of being:
flat, boring, behind the times, lame, uneventful, conservative, slow & tornado-infested
Though some of these stereotypes are rooted in reality, the fact is, they are just stereotypes, and thus are usually terribly misguided.
But one thing that Kansas is, is subtle.
It's not visually dramatic like Colorado - neighboring on the west.
It's not culturally dramatic like the Indian heritage flaunted by Oklahoma - neighbor to the south.
It does not offer the abundance of recreation and tourism opportunities like Missouri - neighbor to the east.
