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The grass may be greener on the other side of the fence, but when it comes to needing a place to get away from it all, the solution could be just outside your back door. This is the first installment in a series featuring day trips right here in the Sunflower State!
Since this is the Mother’s Day issue of WomensFocus, I thought it only fitting to share my first day trip with my mom. We grabbed our umbrellas, filled the gas tank and headed to El Dorado. There is something very special about traveling with your mom. It’s as if parental hierarchy melts away and you are able to see her in a whole new light. Who knew she could be such fun!
El Dorado is situated approximately 30 miles northeast of Wichita, an easy drive on Highway 254. It became known as an oil town because one of the largest underground oil reserves was pooled in the ground below it. Founded in 1871, El Dorado is now a progressive city of about 13,000.
Our first stop (necessitated by a caffeine withdrawal headache) was a quaint coffee shop and eatery called Jacob’s Well (139 N. Main). This is where the locals gather for specialty coffee drinks and the best ever homemade pies! We had a tasty, freshly prepared breakfast of bagel sandwiches, fruit and of course, coffee. We enjoyed it so much that we later trekked back for lunch. They feature a nice selection of soups and sandwiches – and a coconut cream pie that is to die for!
Just a few steps down from the coffee shop is Styles Unlimited (145 N. Main). If it’s beauty and pampering you’re looking for, you will find it here. A sleek, contemporary space greeted us. I couldn’t talk Mom into a massage or pedicure, but I could have spent the entire day there relaxing and rejuvenating with a facial and makeover featuring Merle Norman cosmetics from a studio adjoining the salon.
Next, it was time to shop! We ducked into a shop called Silverhill (149 N. Main), whose beautiful spring-themed window display caught our attention. We were pleased to discover a unique array of gift and decor items, as well as a wonderful fabric collection, and a full-service design and floral shop. I overheard Mom and the shopkeeper discussing custom chair pads and I knew I had lost her. Truly, she is the only person I know who is addicted to these things!
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Next on the agenda was the Pink Saloon (142 N. Main). Owner Brooke Greene describes her shop as fun and funky with an “urban feel.” She says it is “denim friendly and wearable.” Everyone from teens to soccer moms will find something here. Jewelry, purses and shoes are featured along with a diverse collection of clothing lines which enable you not only to wear the hottest fashions, but also to develop your own personal style. We loved the eclectic decor and unconventional display shelves of brightly painted antique chairs hanging on the wall.
Walter’s Flowers and Interiors (124 N. Main) was our next stop. From the moment we opened the door, I knew we could spend the entire day here! The massive space was expertly arranged in coordinated color groupings featuring everything from flowers, gifts, and gourmet foods to home decor and exquisite children’s items. Perhaps one of the most popular offerings at Walter’s is the full service floral department. The owner told us that 80% of the weddings they do are for Wichita couples. We can’t wait to come back at Christmas time when the entire store is magically converted into a winter wonderland with 48 perfectly designed trees filling the space. Walter’s is nationally known for their designs.
We thought we should take a little break from shopping, so after a brief perusal of Gizmo’s Flea Market (107 N. Main) and a cup of tea at Aunte Mae’s Tea and Treasures (inside Gizmos), we were on our way to take in some of the city’s art offerings.
The El Dorado Main Street Artscape Committee acquired 14 donated sculptures which adorn the streets in the downtown area. The art is beautiful and serves to greatly enhance the city’s core. We stopped briefly at Coutts Memorial Museum of Art (110 N. Main), where employees were busy taking down the 13th annual Butler County Student Art Exhibit. We were allowed to browse through the piles of matted art and were impressed with the talent and fresh perspective featured in the collection. In addition to such famous artists as Renoir and Birger Sandzen, the museum boasts the largest collection of Remington sculptures in Kansas.
We decided it was time for one more shopping excursion, so we headed to Robin’s (103 S. Main). Robin’s is a unique clothing and accessory boutique that features great designs for women of all ages. I stayed in the front part of the shop, while Mom headed to the back and, let’s just say, my Master Card was smokin’ when I finished! Honestly, I have never found such a great collection of outfits that not only appealed to me, but fit perfectly. I was in shopping heaven! (Hope my husband doesn’t read this!)
By now, our blood sugar had significantly dropped, so we headed back to Jacob’s Well (and the aforementioned coconut cream pie). Our legs and pocketbooks were weary, so we decided to take a driving tour of the city. It is a quaint little town with all the necessary amenities. Home styles range from stately old Victorians to newly built, upscale models that dot the edges of a golf course.
There are two nice golf courses in town: The American Legion, a nine-hole public course; and Prairie Trails Golf and Country Club, which houses a bar and grill as well as a pro shop.
We drove by the Butler County History Center and Kansas Oil Museum (383 E. Central) and were able to catch a glimpse of a 1920s oil boomtown through our rain-spotted windshield. I was intrigued with the large display of aging oil company signs proudly erected near the museum.
All in all, we had a great day. El Dorado is definitely worth the 30 minute drive. And the time spent with my mom – priceless!
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